Disaster Relief for Haiti

St. Paul’s has become a regional center for the collection of health & toiletry kits to send to UMCOR (United Methodist Commission on Relief) to aid in disaster relief.  For more information on the program and a list items to put in each kit which is valued at about $12, go to http://www.detroitconference.org/news/detail/503.  Please bring assembled kits to the church office before Tuesday, February 16, and they will be forwarded to UMCOR.

You can continue to send checks to St. Paul’s, made payable to “St. Paul’s UMC,” and put in the memo line or on the envelope, “HAITI.”  St. Paul’s will forward the funds to UMCOR to help in providing aid.  Nearly $7,000 in donations have been collected here at St. Paul’s.  UMCOR is currently providing food, shelter, medical care, and other services to Haiti. Follow the United Methodist news coverage of the Haiti earthquake at: http://www.umc.org/haiti

Faith First

February: More Than Getting Along

Loving family and friends with God’s Agape love

Take the Dare

The Love Dare, as featured in the movie FIREPROOF is a forty-day guided devotional experience that will help you and your spouse develop a deeper connection while learning more about the design, nature and source of true love. Each day’s entry discusses a unique aspect of love and presents a specific “dare” to do for your spouse (some will be very easy, others very challenging). A few copies of this book will be available in our church library for your use.

Coming in March: Grounded in Grace
Remembering the base of grace in our lives

ALL-CHURCH SUNDAY MORNING LENTEN STUDY
Opening Ourselves to Grace

This Lent, the adult Sunday school classes will be looking at God’s Grace – what it is, how it works in our lives, and some practical ways we can experience it more fully.

This four-week DVD-based study will begin February 28 and continue through March 21. No advance registration is required. You are welcome to attend any of the classes.

Time-Out – Parents of young children (Rooms 128, 129)
Faith and Family – Parents of high school/college (Room 132)
Family Life – Empty Nesters, Grandparents, Retirees (Parlor)
Adult Open Study – Adults ages 18-118 (Room 131)

CHILI COOK-OFF WINNERS

From left: Golden Ladle Winner Phyllis Rickabus
(Best Overall Chili), Rick MacDonald  and Susan Amick
(tied for Most Unusual Chili), and Bill Ames (Hottest Chili).

LENTEN BIBLE STUDY: THE LAST WEEK
Thursdays, February 4 – March 25, 2010
10-11:30 a.m.; Rooms 128, 129

Join Rev. Latha Ravi in examining Jesus’ final week in Jerusalem. Learn about the mounting tension that forced everyone in Jesus’ path to pledge allegiance – either to Rome’s way of power and oppression or to his way of love and equality.

Harmony in the Hills presents ... ZENITH BRASS
Sunday, February 28

7 p.m., Sanctuary

Harmony in the Hills presents Zenith Brass, a group of 35 talented youth brass and percussion players, directed by Mark Petty. Drawing on the brass choir literature for college and professional organizations, the repertoire is fresh and exciting. The concert will feature a variety of music. Ticket cost is $10; children 12 and under are free.

New Sunday Morning Bible Study
10 a.m. – Room 131

Gerry Bryce is leading a new drop-in Bible study class. This class is for all ages, for those experienced or less-experienced with Bible study. Each class is self-contained but is also woven into the fabric of the overall course. We will begin with Ecclesiastes, part of the wisdom literature of the Bible. Come find challenging wisdom for these challenging times.

Dec. 7 Blood Drive a Success

Our goal: 40 pints of blood

Our result: 42 pints of blood

Thank you to all who helped and donated.

Those who were waiting to donate had the opportunity for a free, professional hand or foot massage, courtesy of Nancy Clifford and Susan Amick.

Career Search Networking Group

Fridays, 9 – 10:30 a.m., Room 132

How can St. Paul’s best support those displaced from their jobs as a result of the economic downturn?

If you would like to be a part of a group of fellow career searchers who meet to share our career search talents, please join us in Room 132 Friday mornings between 9 – 10:30 a.m. This networking group is also committed to strengthening their faith and growing in their Christian walk during this time of transition.

The Career Networking Group is in the process of building a “resume” book. If you are an employer or know of open positions in your company, please call the church office to share your contact information. Also, feel free to stop by on any Friday morning to review resumes, meet potential employees or help out in any other way you can.