The Epistle
Newsletter of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Random Lake, WI ELCA
705 Grand Avenue, Random Lake, WI 53075
Volume XLIX, #7, July, 2026
Church Phone: (920) 994-4043 Pastor Elizabeth Jaeger (920) 331-0874
Website: www.stpaulsrandomlake.com Email: jaegerelizabeth07@gmail.com
Email: stpaulsrandomlakewi@gmail.com
Pastor’s Message
“ Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedeswith groanings too deep for words.”Romans 8:26
Often in my “day job” as a hospice chaplain, I minister to patients who are nonverbal or are unable to make themselves understood. I might ask them a question and they might start to answer, but then they just stare off, words or memory fail them. Somehow, they aren’t able to express the right words.
Recently, I tried to reassure a patient who is struggling with losing her memory that even when she herself is unable to get out what she wants to say in words, that God knows her deep down inside without her needing to say anything. The Holy Spirit lets God know what we are thinking and feeling.
In the words of my favorite Psalm 139: “You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, O, Lord, you know it completely.”
Prayer is simply letting God know what we think, what we feel, what we need. There is no “right” or “wrong” way to pray. And ultimately, with the power of the Holy Spirit, God knows what is in our hearts.
Pastor and writer Max Lucado writes these encouraging words about prayer: “Just as a happy child cannot mis-hug, the sincere heart cannot mis-pray. Heaven knows, life has enough burdens without the burden of praying correctly. If prayer depend on how I pray, I’m sunk. But if the power of prayer depends on the One who hears the prayer…then I have hope.”
Don’t hesitate to reach out to God with your feelings, your thoughts. “Just lift your heart to heaven and declare, Father.”
Keep on praying.
Pastor Elizabeth
The Epistle article deadline for August, 2026 is Monday, July 20th at Noon.
Sunday Bulletin article deadline is every Monday at Noon.
FROM YOUR PARISH NURSE – Nancy Eberhardt
Dear Friends of St. Paul’s Lutheran,
Greetings in the name of our Merciful Savior, Redeemer, and Physician! I hope you are able to spend some time enjoying your family and friends, and the blessings which come to us in the summer. This month I would like to share some thoughts with you on finding and keeping a Healthy Balance in our lives.
What is the Relationship Between Health and Balance?
Actually, wholistic health refers to a process of wholeness that exists when there is balance among our different dimensions (physical, emotional, spiritual, social, vocational, and environmental). As Christians, we believe that balance is only possible when we base our life on Christ; the spiritual dimension is our real essence. In John 10:10 we read, “….I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full”. It seems that often we try to create our own “full life” and find ourselves over- committed, under- appreciated, fatigued, frustrated and out of balance. We need to find the “full life” and balance that only Christ can give.
How Can I Keep My Life in Balance?
There are several specific approaches we can use to nourish this gift of balance.
First, we can consider our current life in terms of energy investment, values, and priorities. Are we ‘spending’ our life in activities that have eternal consequences? Second, we can develop an action plan, if we would like to spend our energy and time in a different way. To be helpful, the plan would need to identify what needs to be changed, what it needs to change to, and how the change will be made. Third, we can live our changed lives with the confidence that “….He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”(Philippians 1:6).
Is Your Life in Balance?
Jesus speaks to us with these words, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you… Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). May your days be blessed with Jesus’ peace, wholistic health and balance.
Prayers from the people for the people.
We pray especially for…
Joanne Hafemann, Barb Torrison, Hope Wulff, Don Brock, Darrell Wilke, Theresa Wilke, Pastor Marilyn Borchardt, Jasmine Kraus, Ken Borchardt, Judy Schluechtermann, Dave Klug, Audrey Crowell, Dee Maas
John Wulff, Alba Torrison, Tim Torrison
those on our prayer list and those we name in our hearts.
STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE STAND We will once again be having the Strawberry Shortcake stand at the Random Lake Fireman’s Picnic on Sunday, July 26. If anyone would like to donate towards the purchase of the cakes we use, please see Sandi. If you would like to help at the stand, sign up sheets will be at church the first Sunday in July. If anyone wants to help slice berries, that will be on Saturday, July 25th at 10am.
SAVE THE DATE! Our church picnic will be on Rally Day, Sunday, September 13th. Karen Mole will once again be hosting. Watch for more details soon!
QUILTING will take a break for the summer months, and will start up again in September.
BINGO will take a break for the summer months, and will start up again in September.
ALUMINUM CAN UPDATE We will no longer be collecting aluminum cans. Any cans can go in the regular recycling can in the kitchen. Thank you to all who have saved cans for us in the past. We will, however, continue to collect tabs from the cans for the Ronald McDonald house, so keep them coming!
PLEASE CONSIDER donating your old eyeglasses, hearing aids, and cell phones. We have placed a container from the Amsterdam Lions Club in the back of the sanctuary for your donations. For any questions, contact Art Schoenemann.
SODA CAN TABS We are always collecting soda can tabs to benefit The Ronald McDonald House. Save them up for us!
MEDICAL AIDS LENDING LIBRARY We have a collection of medical aids available to borrow for anyone who needs them. Our library includes wheelchairs, walkers, commodes, canes, crutches, medical boots, and a cooling machine. Please contact Sandi Wulff at (920) 838-2246 or Roni Brock at (920) 980-8482 for more information.
RANDOM LAKE AREA INTERFAITH FOOD PANTRY – If your family is in need, please visit the Random Lake Area Interfaith Food Pantry. No appointments are needed. Food, paper products, and personal care items are free of charge for qualifying residents of the Random Lake School District, Oostburg School District, the Town of Holland, and the Village of Cedar Grove. For the first visit, it is helpful to bring a photo ID and proof of address.The food pantry is open on Tuesdays from 9 am to 12 noon and the first Tuesday of the month from 5 pm to 7 pm. The pantry is located at 310 Center Avenue, Adell. For more information, call (920) 447-2293. During the month of September, 39 families received help. Donations may be dropped off at area churches, the Lakeview Community Library in Random Lake, or the food pantry during open hours.