What's Going On?
Well...around here, the answer to that question is simple: probably something.
Regular Sunday morning worship and Sunday School, choir rehearsal on Wednesday evenings, a committee meeting or women's group gathering, an activity especially for the church's young people or another for our retirees—St. Paul's is a busy place.
During Advent, the beginning of the church year, the whole church looks forward to the hanging of the greens and the decoration of the sanctuary. Women are baking cookies for the annual cookie sale, the Sunday School children eagerly rehearsing for their Christmas Eve Program, the Christmas tree committee is busy tromping through the woods in search of the perfect cedar, and far-flung members of the congregation look forward to time spent at home with family and friends.
It seems that no sooner are the Christmas decorations packed away, than the preparations for Lent and the coming Easter season are underway. Before our weekly Lenten service, we enjoy fellowship over a light meal, and then we gather to sing the Holden Evening Prayer, hear the Word, and see which members of the congregation were talked into participating in the evening's drama.
Holy Week begins with the Palm Sunday confirmation of our young adult members, then Maundy Thursday communion service with the stripping of the altar, and then Good Friday services. On Sunday at our Easter service, we rejoice in the Risen Lord, and afterwards the Sunday School children gather on the church lawn for a traditional Easter Egg Hunt.
Also in the spring, the church invites the community to two yummy events: the Sausage and Pancake Breakfast, hosted by the Evangelism Committee, and the Spaghetti Supper, hosted by the Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO).
As the summer season arrives, we anticipate the outdoor patriotic service, held each year in honor of Independence. This St. Paul's tradition is a highlight of the summer worship schedule. Then a few weeks later the children gather with three other congregations from nearby Russellville to enjoy a week of Vacation Bible School.
With the coming of fall it's back to school time, and the Sunday School year begins with a huge Family Day celebration filled with wonderful potluck foods, games, and activities for kids of all ages. A few weeks later the church kitchen is bustling with activity in preparation for the Chili Supper.
A few weeks later, we commemorate Martin Luther's nailing of the 95 Theses on the church door with our own Reformation Sunday services, All Saints Sunday, and a service of thanksgiving on Thanksgiving morning.
And then somehow...in what seems the blink of an eye...it's time to look ahead to the holiday season once again...
