St. Paul Lutheran Church Home St. Paul Lutheran Church
1701 16th Avenue
Sterling, Illinois, 61081
Phone: 815-625-3069
 
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  OUR MINISTRIES  
Your Personal Ministry

Whether you are a current member or are considering joining St. Paul Lutheran there is a place here for you to grow. Offering of our time and talents is a fundamental way for individuals to grow in their faith.

The ministries covered on this web site (Music, Small Groups, and Church Council) are of course important ministries, but there are many other ways for an individual to become more involved and begin their own personal ministry.

A good place to start is at our Sunday services. Each week we have the need for greeters, ushers, worship assistants and lay readers. Behind the scenes are the librarian, the volunteers of the Altar Guild, the people that operate the sound system, and the people that offer flowers each week.

At other times, you can serve at our between services coffee fellowship. You can prepare food for numerous functions. You can visit our homebound members. You can offer to teach one of our Sunday School classes. You can offer to take people to their doctor appointments. You can help prepare food for various functions. You can help with Vacation Bible School. You can help with the decoration committee.

Volunteering is a great way to grow spiritually and it is a way to grow personally. You will meet many other people in our congregation and perhaps find new ways to serve the Lord. All you have to do is pick up the phone and volunteer.



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Hand Bells

Music Ministry

Music is an important part of our worship at St. Paul. We encourage our members to use their God given gifts as part of their individual ministry as disciples of Christ. We emphasize that this ministry is an opportunity to glorify God and thank Him for the gifts that He has given us.


Music Ministry at our Traditional Service

Choir
Rehearsal- 7:30pm, Wednesdays, September through May.

The choir sings every Sunday at the 8:30 traditional worship service. They also sing for special services such as Christmas. If you love sing you are welcome. It is not necessary to read music. The director rehearses the music well in advance, so all know their parts. New members are always needed and welcomed.

Jr. Hand Chimes
Rehearsal- 5:30pm - 6:15pm, Wednesdays, September through May.

The Junior Hand Chimes are children in 2nd through 8th grade. Their music is marked for them so they do not need to be able to read music. The Junior Hand Chimes play the second Sunday of the month at both services.

Hand Bells
Rehearsal- Wednesdays, 6:30pm - 7:30pm.

The Hand Bells are a multi-age level group. With the approval of the director, some Hand Chime players also play with the Hand Bells. Music can be marked, so reading music is not required. The only requirement is to love music. Hand Bells play the 3rd Sunday of the month from October through May and at special worship services. New players and alternates are always welcome.


Music Ministry at our Less Formal Contemporary Service
Assisting Song Leaders
Since we do not have a choir during second service, we rely on song leaders to accompany the congregation and help with the liturgy. From time to time, additional song leaders are needed to help out our regulars. If you would like to participate, please bring it to the Pastor's attention.

Special Music
Each week we encourage instrumentalists, and singers to provide special music during the offering. All instruments are welcome. Singers are asked to pick songs that glorify God. Our keyboardists are always willing to provide accompaniment, if needed.

Keyboardists / Other Musicians
From time to time additional keyboardists are needed to help out our regulars. If you have this skill, please bring it to the Pastor's attention. Also, if you would like to accompany our service regulars on the drums, guitars, or other musical instruments, please contact the Pastor.

Sound Board
We regularly seek people to run the sound board during first and second services. We will provide training if you are interested in helping.



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Small Groups

Prayer Shawl Ministry
The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets each month on the second Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Bring your completed projects or bring your shawl to work on during this time. As we knit, or crochet, we pray for the person who will receive this gift of compassion. Though we may not know the exact identity of the person as we are knitting, we pray for the person as a fellow child of God. When the prayer shawl is delivered (by the pastor or one of our group members), a written prayer is included for the person. People who receive shawls may be adults, children…anyone in need.
If you are interested in being part of this ministry, please call the church office for the knitting and crocheting directions. Everyone is welcome to participate.


ROMEO Club (Retired Old(er) Men Eating Out)
All retired men are invited to come and have breakfast and fellowship at the Red Apple Restaurant in Sterling. We meet the fourth Wednesday morning of each month at 8:30 a.m.

JULIET Club (Just Us Ladies Intentionally Eating Together)
Not to be outdone by the ROMEO group, there is a JULIET group as well. Same time and place as ROMEO (4th Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. at the Red Apple in Sterling). We gather for breakfast and fellowship. Any interested females welcome!

Friendship Circle
We are women meeting on the first Wednesday of each month. We meet for Bible study and fellowship at various members homes. We have several special projects throughout the year. All are welcome.

Shepherdess Circle
We are a group of women of various ages who enjoy gathering in the morning for fun, laughter, and Christian fellowship. Our interests are varied; from music, crafts, weaving, and cooking but our earthly goal is the same… to become more like Jesus. We meet the first Wednesday of each month at 9a.m.



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Engaruka

St. Paul Social Action

PADS Homeless Shelter:
St. Paul Lutheran Church provides 6 volunteers and an evening meal; 1 day a month for each month the shelter is open. We also provide financial support.

Crop Walk:
This walk is held in October and St. Paul Lutheran Church participates in the activity and provides a monetary contribution to the community.

Good Neighbor Emergency Center:
St. Paul Lutheran Church generously provides financial and volunteer support, which provides referral and assistance to many people in the community. In October, 2009 the center moved to our church and operates out of a west end classroom. (Click here for full story)

Lutheran World Relief:
The committee considers continuous support to the Lutheran World Relief which provides many useful items that are needed, such as blankets, soaps, sewing kits, etc.

Local Food Pantries:
St. Paul Lutheran Church is very active in support of the local food pantries, primarily the FISH Pantry and the Trinity UMC Pantry.

World Hunger Appeal:
St. Paul Lutheran Church provides support to many surrounding areas and countries in providing food and money for crops.

LSSI Christmas Gifts:
St. Paul's is very supportive in purchasing and gathering gifts for families, children, seniors, and teens identified by LSSI.

Holy Family Ministries:
St. Paul Lutheran Church provides donations to aid a Holy Family Lutheran School in Chicago, which is scheduled to open in May 2008.

Christ Lutheran School:
We provide financial support to this school in Sterling, IL.

Engaruka:
St. Paul Lutheran Church provides much needed financial and spiritual support to our sister church in Tanzania, Africa.

Engaruka Scholarship Ministry - "I've uploaded a page about the scholarship for Engaruka students (click here), and started a Picasa web photo album and blog for their projects and essays. I'll begin uploading essays and photos as soon as I can." - David Msseemmaa, March 5, 2009









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