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07/18/26

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18

Members and friends of St. Paul’s,

Often, we are surprised by suffering in our lives and in the lives of those around us, and yet the God who speaks through the Scriptures is not surprised by suffering. While we might like an explanation as to why we suffer, He instead floods us with promises of deliverance. Examples of these promises are found in Romans 8:8-17, which is the epistle reading assigned for this coming Sunday. In these verses we see that our future glory is incomparably greater than our present suffering. That same reading reveals that our partner in suffering, creation, while now groaning anticipates a total deliverance from suffering. These verses also tell us that the Spirit, who is always showing us Jesus, intercedes for us even while we are weak (suffering). We often want explanations, but God provides promises, and in the end, those are much more helpful.

Blessings,

Pastor Krenz

Sunday/Monday Service Theme: When Wheat and weeds grow together. Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43.

DCE Call Committee Update: The call committee has interviewed a few candidates for the DCE position and will present information on the candidates at the next church council meeting and the July 28th Voter’s meeting. Those on the call committee are Scott Peery, Carleigh Ottwell, Becky Stevens, Mitch Essert, Patrick Grandt, and Pastor Krenz.

Congregational Voter’s Meeting: Our annual summer congregational Voter’s Meeting will take place on Tuesday, July 28th at 6:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. Reports from the various boards, an update on the DCE call process, the church repair work, and the possibility of pastor going on a summer sabbatical in 2027 will be discussed. An agenda for this meeting will be placed in the church entryway next Sunday.

A special Voter’s Meeting to Call a DCE: On Sunday, August 2nd following the 9am service a congregational voter’s meeting with the purpose of calling a DCE has been scheduled. An agenda for this meeting will be placed in the church entryway next Sunday.

Trinity Lutheran School just outside of Red Bud: Still has openings for Pre-K through 8th Grade. There will be an Open Registration for all grades, Pre-K through 8th Grade, on Thursday, July 16, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. For an appointment, you may contact Dr. Robin Booth at (618) 792-0647 or call the school office at (618) 282-2881.

We look forward to seeing you!

Church Building Repair Update: The Board of Trustees is now getting bids to repair the church entryway walls, and on a replacement air-conditioning unit and air handler. It is looking like it will be at least two to three weeks before the repair work will begin. We are still awaiting our insurance claim but think the repairs will exceed $20,000. If you can help offset these expenses, please make additional donations to the church building repair fund. Please make your check payable to St. Paul's Lutheran and write "Building Repair Fund" in the memo line.

Pre-School through High School Sunday School: Will start again on Sunday, August 16th.

Adult Sunday Bible Class: This week we will be continuing our discussion of various denominations by looking at the UCC church and the Methodist Churches. Next week we will look at how the Lutheran church is similar and different from the Presbyterian and Nazarene churches.

July Sermon Series Theme: Learning from the Parables

July 19th & 20th “When Wheat and Weeds Grow Together” Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

July 26th & 27th “The Kingdom Worth Everything” Matthew 13:44-52

Columbia Days Parade Sat, Aug 15, 4:00: We will have a float in the parade again this year to represent both our church and preschool. We need about 6 adults to walk to handout flyers and candy or crayons. We also welcome students to ride on the float. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex.

EVE’S RESTORATION MINISTRIES SUMMER BAZAAR IN PARTNERSHIP W/ ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH Saturday, July 25, 2026 9 am to 3 pm. Bounce House ¢ Games ¢ Sno Cones ¢ Face Painting ¢ Food Concessions ¢

Vendors: Baked Goods ¢ Jewelry ¢ Wreaths ¢ Handcrafted Wood Items, Crocheted Items, Quilted Items, Acrylic & Diamond Art and more! Please stop by the church and support the Summer Bazaar! If you are able to volunteer a couple of hours at the Bazaar next Saturday and/or provide some prizes for the various activities, please sign up in the narthex. The prizes are listed on the signup sheet. Contact Amanda Douglas at 314-221-6700

Newsletter Deadline: Please get August newsletter info, articles, calendar dates & pictures to the church office by Monday, July 20th. Thank you for your help!

LCMS Convention: The triennial LCMS convention runs July 18th to July 23rd in Phoenix, AZ. Kevin Koenigstein is our circuit six lay delegate to the convention, Lisa Krenz is assisting with the Concordia publishing house booth, and Becky Stevens is working with the microphones on the convention floor. Please keep this convention, and those from our congregation at the convention, in your prayers.