The Epistle
Newsletter of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Random Lake, WI ELCA
705 Grand Avenue, Random Lake, WI 53075
Volume XLVI, #6, June, 2023
Church Phone: (920) 994-4043
Website: www.stpaulsrandomlake.com email: stpaulsrandomlakewi@gmail.com
Pastor Elizabeth Jaeger (920) 331-0874 Pastor Dale Erickson (262) 376-0037
Email: jandejaeger2@gmail.com Email: daerickson29@gmail.com
Pastor’s Article
Last Saturday, the weather was incredible so my husband and I took a walk down to the lake. We savored every moment, stopping to check out various flowers and look up their names and even taking time to smell the lilacs, one of my favorites! It was a treat to sit by the lake, feel the breeze on our faces and enjoy watching folks fishing and even kids dipping their toes in the waves. It would be easy to take these small things for granted, when truly such experiences are ideal reminders that “the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it. for he has founded it on the seas and established it on the rivers.” (Psalm 24: v.1-2)
God is the Creator of the world and thus, the world belongs to God. Sadly, all too often humankind believes and acts as if the world is our possession.
In the first Creation story in the book of Genesis, God crowns God’s creative work with humanity. Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”
It is all too tempting for humans to assume that dominion means domination–power over and control. Rather, God has given to all of us a sacred trust to preserve the earth and all of its creatures and growing things for the next generation. From the very beginning, God made us to be stewards and caretakers of the world God created and loved. What a special and daunting role!
Take a walk. Or simply sit outdoors in your backyard or somewhere in God’s natural Creation and see it for the great gift it is and not take it for granted. Take a moment to consider how you can play your part in preserving and protecting this wonderful world which has been entrusted to our care.
Have a blessed summer!
Pastor Elizabeth
The Epistle article deadline for July, 2023 is Monday, June 19th at Noon.
Sunday Bulletin article deadline is every Monday at Noon.
FROM YOUR PARISH NURSE – Nancy Eberhardt
Dear Friends of St. Paul’s Lutheran,
The first week in June is recognized as International Volunteer’s Week and I would like to visit with you about Service and the Life of a Christian.
Blessed to Be a Blessing!
Our Lord created us in His image and enables us to share our gifts with one another-Genesis 1:26-27, Romans 12:4-8. The word used in the New Testament for service describes a personal commitment, promoting individual and community development and is accomplished by God’s power and to His glory. Jesus elevated service from a lowly, powerless state to a lifestyle that reveals God’s interest, mercy and involvement in our lives. We are encouraged to live out our love for one another out of gratitude for what Christ has done for us- Matthew 25:35-40; Romans 12-:4-21; and 1 John 4:7-21.
Why Be A Volunteer?
There are many great reasons for including service in our lives. These can also be considered sharing ourselves with others. Some of my favorite blessings are listed below. I would encourage you to share your favorite blessings with others:
- Offer tangible help to others in need
- Share our love for Jesus
- Experience personal satisfaction that we are able to make a difference
- Feel more connected to other people
- Live a lifestyle that Jesus has called us to
- Witness to family and friends what we value and offer a positive role model
Just Do It?
Twenty-three percent of Americans volunteer two or three hours per week to help others. Much of this volunteering is done through church and related organizations. If you are a volunteer, I would like to thank you for all you do and encourage you to continue to “Be a Blessing”. For others who are interested in getting involved in service, I would encourage you to consider the following:
- Start with prayer, and ask the Lord to enable you to be a blessing to others
- Consider your knowledge, talents and abilities (these gifts could range from moving the lawn, basic car care, writing letters or simply being a friend). Are there any persons you know of that are in need?
- Enjoy the benefits of sharing Jesus’ love with others!
- Contact me if you need any extra suggestions.
Prayers from the people for the people.
We pray especially for…
Dave Torrison, Sr., Candace Snider, Joanne Hafemann,
Pastor Dale Erickson, John Knuth (Lorna’s cousin), Jim Engel,
Pastor Bridget Hill, Mary Erickson, Theresa Wilke
John Wulff, Alba Torrison, Tim Torrison
those on our prayer list and those we name in our hearts.
We pray for all serving in the military, especially:
Derek Kumrow
THE RANDOM LAKE FIREMAN’S PICNIC is the last weekend in July. Random Lake holds village wide rummage sales on Friday and Saturday. If anyone would like to reserve tables for a rummage sale in the church parking lot, please contact Sandi.
SENIOR RECOGNITION SUNDAY is June 4th. This year we have 4 students graduating: Mari Allen, Abby Borchardt, Ava Masslich, and William Wilke. All have been invited to come that day and share what their future plans are and to receive a quilt from the Quilters. We wish them all success in their future endeavors.
COPIES OF THE SERMON will now be available for anyone having a hard time hearing. Check the back table on your way to a pew, or check with Sandi. They will also still be available after service as well.
BIBLE STUDY CONTINUES AT ST. PAUL’S Whenever Pastor Dale is scheduled to preach, members of St. Paul’s will share in Luke’s story of the beginnings of the Christian Movement, as it expands from Israel into the Greco-Roman Empire. It’s the exciting account of God’s Spirit-
driven invasion through Jesus’ disciples that continues to captures hearts and minds of people in today’s divided planet. Materials will be provided. This is a perfect extension of the Easter and Pentecost Seasons celebration. Here is what one commentator has written about the Book of Acts:
Witness to the Book of Acts: “Where, within eighty pages, will be found such a varied series of exciting events—trials, riots, persecutions, escapes, martyrdoms, voyages, shipwrecks, rescues—set in that amazing panorama of the ancient world—Jerusalem, Antioch, Philippi, Corinth, Athens, Ephesus, Rome? And with such scenery and settings—temples, courts, prisons, deserts, ships, barracks, theaters? Has any opera such variety? A bewildering range of scenes and actions (and of speeches) passes before the eye of the historian. And in all of them he sees the providential hand that has made and guided this great movement for the salvation of mankind.” E.J. Goodspeed, Introduction to the New Testament.
HOLY COMMUNION will be celebrated on the first Sunday and third Sundays of the month. Wafers and wine are in disposable cups.
SERMON NOTES If you have missed a Sunday and would like to have a copy of the current or previous sermon, see Sandi Wulff.