Announcements

July is Freedom Month!

July 4, 1776 was a memorable day in the history of the United States of America. On that day, the founding fathers of our nation declared their independence from England and English rule. Each year we pause to remember the freedoms we enjoy and give thanks for all those brave men and women from 1776 to this date who have risked their lives for the sake of freedom and independence. We enjoy the freedom of religion, of gathering in public, of oppression from the government or any other agency. We have the freedom of electing our national, state, and local leaders into office as our leaders. In November, we will have the opportunity to exercise that freedom one more time. It is our privilege and duty to vote whenever we have the opportunity. History teaches us that national apathy has destroyed numerous empires and America can also flounder and fail if we citizens do not exercise our freedoms in a responsible way. 

Not only are we citizens of probably the greatest nation in the history of mankind, but we are also citizens of the Kingdom of God! Because of that citizenship, we enjoy countless freedoms and blessings, like the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. These freedoms and blessings come to us at a great cost--not on our part, but on the part of our gracious Savior Jesus who offered Himself up to death as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Even though we can never adequately express our thanks to Jesus, we can by the power of the Holy Spirit live each day more and more like the children of God. In Colossians 3:12-17, we find a list of virtues that are appropriate for us as God’s children. 

God’s children are stewards or managers of the many blessings that God has bestowed upon us. Stewardship is not meant to be an oppressive response to God’s grace and goodness, but rather a joyful response. In our church we have defined stewardship this way: “Christian stewardship is the free and joyous activity of the child of God and God’s family, the church, in managing all of life and life’s resources for God’s purposes.” What a beautiful definition for our Christian stewardship! 

Because Christ has redeemed us to be the children of God and heirs of salvation, we have the privilege and responsibility to give evidence of this precious freedom through our words and actions. Jesus changes everything in our lives (relationships, use of money, time, talents, and so much more) so that we practice our stewardship not in order to gain salvation, but rather as a free and joyous response because of what God has already done for us through the sacrifice of Jesus and the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. 

What a joy to freely and joyfully practice Christian stewardship not because we have to but because we get to! Enjoy your freedom as a citizen of the United States of America and a citizen of the kingdom of God and let your life show it!

Your Stewardship Board

Grief Care Session

Are you struggling with personal grief due to the loss of a loved one? Grief lingers over time-- it is never too late (or too early) to work through it. The next 8 week session of Grief Care begain Sunday, July 11^th, from 4-5:30pm in the church parlor. You are welcome to come to any session at any time

We use the book, “Traveling through Grief – Learning to Live Again after the Death of a Loved One,” by Susan J. Zonnebelt-Smeenge and Robert C. De Vries as a discussion guide.

Pastor Fred Neumann and Regina Henderson will facilitate the group sessions, which are open to all. Please share this information with anyone who would be interested in participating. Please contact Regina Henderson, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Pastor Neumann, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call the church office at 472-8301 with any questions you have.

August 4th, “Through the Church the Song Goes On”

In conjunction with the Theological Workshop hosted by St. Paul in August (see page 2), the Evening Prayer service on Wednesday, August 4 will feature a Hymn Festival, “Through the Church the Song Goes on.” Led by Professor Richard Resch and St. Paul’s own Dr. Jon Eifert, the hymn fest will include music selections from several different eras in church history.

Join us in the praise of God through congregational singing, instrumental music and instruction in the history and uses of hymns. The festival will begin at 7pm (in place of Evening Prayer). Please plan to attend and invite your friends as well. For more information, call the church office at 512-472-8301.

Summer Band and Ice Cream Social, August 15, 6:30pm

Come enjoy wonderful music – under the direction of Robert Achterberg, Mark Gurgel and Jesús Torres – and some wonderful Blue Bell ice cream!

If you would like to participate as a player, rehearsals begin on Wednesday, July 14, at 6:45 and continue until the concert. If you need more information, contact Kathy Achterberg at 472-8301.

Openings At Our Savior School

Part-time teachers are needed for music, physical education and computer for the 2010-2011 school year at Our Savior Lutheran School. If interested, please call 836-9600 to obtain more information and an application form.

Outreach Is A Task for Everyone

Whom do we know who does not have a church home? What opportunities is the Holy Spirit giving us both to show those people by the way we live our lives and to tell those people with our words about the peace and joy we have because Jesus’ love gives us the forgiveness of sins? While the Holy Spirit can accomplish His will for our witness without our being aware of it, we can cooperate with the Holy Spirit and be more intentional about how we all reach out, telling others of Jesus’ love and ultimately inviting them to the Divine Service, where God works faith as He pleases in those who hear the Gospel.

The Outreach Board intentionally works hard both to reach out on the congregation’s behalf and to provide you with resources to capitalize on your God‑given opportunities to reach out. We continue to do such things as advertise in The Daily Texan and through Google Ads. We encourage you to do such passive things as mention St. Paul in your automated email signatures and such active things as use the invitations we provide to invite others to church.

The end of the church’s fiscal year means the end of Diana Schmidt’s and my terms on the Outreach Board. I thank Diana for her faithful service. Thanks also to all of our greeters, directors, connectors, and outgoing members who know no terms, but week in and week out welcome the visitors God brings through the doors at St. Paul.

Rev. Dr. Jayson S. Galler
Outreach Chair

Sunday School Serves Children Year-Round

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

In the 1980’s there was a popular TV show, called “Cheers” that depicted several people with different lives coming together in one place. They appeared to meet on a daily basis. The theme song told us that it was good place to be because deep down we all are going through basically the same things, everybody knows your name and they’re always glad you came. We have a place like that. The place is St. Paul Lutheran Church. We meet weekly. We are always glad to see familiar faces. We would like to see you on Sunday morning in Sunday School and Church. We miss you when you are not there. Are we too busy to share the Word of God with our children?

We are always looking for volunteers to teach Sunday School and the CLE board has 2 openings next year. The board meets once a month and members serve two months as Superintendent during the Sunday School hour during the year. Devoting a little time to serve your Church and help guide our children in faith isn’t really asking much in the whole scheme of things. If you are interested in volunteering please contact any board member.

Keep Your Contact Information Up To Date

Please help us keep your address current in our database. Any time there is a change in your mailing address (or any other information), let us know – fill out changes on the attendance cards in worship, tell us by phone, mail or email, or drop in Rachel’s office and tell her in person!

Address changes from the post office cost at least $.50. Help us use our resources to their best purposes! And help us keep your information up to date so that pastors, elders and the church office can reach you efficiently and keep you informed of events in the life of the congregation. Thanks!

Mission Giving Statement

In the new fiscal year starting August 1, 2010 the St. Paul congregation has voted to designate 5% of our offerings for mission work to support bringing the Good News of forgiveness and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ to others. Through your contributions to St. Paul, you are helping to spread the Gospel throughout the world! Starting August 1, we will give 2.5% of our contributions to the Texas District of the LCMS for work of the greater church (including national and international missions). Another 2.5% of our contributions will be given to other Lutheran mission activities such as: The Rev. Joel Scheiwe and Iantha (former St. Paul members now missionaries in China); The Lutheran Church for the Deaf; The Kurt Marquart Fund for Theological Education in Haiti; The Joint Seminary Fund; the Issues, Etc. broadcast on Lutheran Public Radio. If you would care to provide additional support to any of these mission activities at any time, you may note your preferred recipient on your check or envelope, and we will ensure that these funds are directed to the mission work of your choice. If you do not note a preferred recipient on your check or envelope, one half (1/2) of your additional contribution will go towards LCMS Texas District missions, and one third (1/2) will go to other Lutheran mission activities.

To learn more about missions St. Paul supports and other worthwhile missions visit the church’s Mission Work web page at www.stpaulaustin.org/church/aboutus/missions .

For a list of Lutheran Churches Around the World click here.