Welcome to St. Paul's Lutheran Church
St. Paul's is a dynamic Lutheran church composed of people of diverse ages, beliefs and worship styles. Partnered with St. Paul's School, we seek to grow in faith and community through worship, education and service.
St. Paul's is located in Waverly, Iowa and is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
God's People Discover!
FALL 2010 LEARNING
St. Paul’s is kicking off the new year of learning on September 11-12 by welcoming Dr. David Lose. Dr. Lose will invite us to enter into the Word and its connection to life issues.
Many people feel a disconnect between church and daily life. What does the Word on Sunday mean for the issues you face on Monday? Does the Bible just teach about God or does God truly encounter you in and through the Scriptures? Are your own experiences, doubts and questions welcome when you open the Bible?
In his preaching and teaching at St. Paul’s on September 11 and 12, Dr. Lose will engage us in connecting head and heart, Sunday with Monday, the Word with our world. He’ll be at the 10:10 education hour. Don’t miss it.
Dr. Lose teaches preaching at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. He is the author of popular Bible Book of Faith materials and in demand for speaking and teaching nationally and internationally. Dr. Lose will also be at Wartburg on September 12 at the Lyceum from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and at Nazareth in Cedar Falls on Monday, September 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
http://neiasynod.org/events/
Many in our congregation are using the Lutheran Study Bible for personal reading and in small groups. Softcover copies may be purchased in the church office. The Bible includes background articles on the Lutheran understanding of the Scriptures plus ample study helps and relevant discussion questions.
Fall Sundays: What does the Bible Say?
Most Sunday mornings in the fall will feature a series of adult offerings asking the question, “What does the Bible say?” Sessions begin at 10:10 a.m. in the parish hall and end at 11:00 a.m. and will be led by a series of presenters.
Bring a Bible and join the conversation!
September 19 What does the Bible say about life after death?
September 26 What does the Bible say about angels?
October 3 Forum on proposed church by-law changes?
October 10 What does the Bible say about the age of the earth and creation?
October 17 What does the Bible say about the end of the world and the “rapture?”
October 24 What does the Bible say about God’s plan for our lives and free will?
October 31 Reception for 2010 Affirmation of Baptism
November 7 What does the Bible say about the Holy Spirit?
November 14 What does the Bible say about demons and devils?
December 5 Pastor Schneider’s Sabbatical Sharing
December 12 Mission Trip to Tanzania (Rod Drenkow)
OTHER SUNDAY LEARNING:
On September 12, Sunday School begins with a special praise, art and game time at 10:10 a.m. St. Paul’s welcomes learners from age three through sixth grade in classes held at the church school. Also, at 10:10 a.m., parents of children from all ages meet in the library for discussion and learning. Grades 7-8 meet in the junior high room for “Devos and Drama.” Senior high students meet on Sundays to connect the Bible to daily events.
BIBLES BEFORE BOOKS!
Senior high students are also invited to “Bibles Before Books” on Wednesday mornings at 7 a.m. “Bibles Before Books” began on August 25. Carolyn Corson coordinates this event for the co
mmunity.
Preparing for the Savior: St. Paul’s Advent Preschool
A unique offering for preschoolers in the surrounding area is Advent Preschool, usually during the first full week in December. Preschoolers may attend a morning group or an afternoon group. Check the church newsletter or church website for registration information.
Wednesday Witnesses After-School Program
Wednesday Witnesses is an after-school learning, music and crafts program for students in grades kindergarten through sixth grade. This year’s program starts on September 29. Wednesday Witnesses do not meet when the local schools schedule an early dismissal. Registration forms are available at St. Paul’s Lutheran School or from Family and Youth Director Paul Frantsen.
COMING IN NOVEMBER….Pastor Sandberg will teach a four-session series on the Psalms. Check the newsletter and bulletin for more details.
SMALL GROUP MINISTRIES: The Inescapable God: Exodus and Psalms.
The purpose of this study is, quite simply stated, to discover the good news of God’s love in the chapters of the Old Testament. The light of Christ reveals the face of God. In that glow, in the Exodus and in Israel’s psalms, we see dimly the presence of a God whose love inevitably leads us back, ever and always, to the presence of Christ our Savior and Redeemer. The material was authored by St. Paul’s member Chip Bouzard for September, October and November.
You are welcome to join an existing small group.
Monday: 9:00 a.m. Social Room
Tuesday: 7:00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast , Social Room
Wednesday: 7:30 a.m. Social Room
9:00 a.m. Social Room
7:00 p.m. Book study group
Thursday: Noon Men’s Bible Brown Bag, Social Room
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. Social Room
Additional small groups will be forming in September.Small group leaders’ training is offered on Monday, September 13, at 7 p.m. in the Social Room.
THE FIRST CHRISTMAS: BOOK STUDY GROUP
September is not too soon to prepare for Christmas. Not shopping lists, but for an in-depth look at the birth of Jesus stories in Luke and Matthew. Pastor Ed Zelle will be leading a study of “The First Christmas” by Marcus J. Borg. Books will be available at the first session on Wednesday, September 15, at 7 p.m. The class will meet in the office meeting room. For more information, call Pastor Zelle at 352-2348.
THE FOUR ACTS OF PRAYER: Spiritual Living, Daily Living
Both new and experienced Christians find praying to be something of a mystery and often wonder about how to pray. The Four Acts of Prayer with Walter Wangerin, Jr. presents a framework for praying that infuses prayer with a rhythm while maintaining its personal nature. Prayer made up of these four acts: we speak, God listens, God speaks, we listen. These four simple acts practiced and developed with diligence, bring us into a close communion with God that supports us in our daily living. Four Acts of Prayer starts on Wednesday, September 15 from 10-11 a.m., in the Center for Ministry. It is a ten-week study. Call the church office if you’d like this course repeated on Wednesday evenings from 7:15-8:15. Led by Pastor Schneider.
CONFIRMATION MINISTRIES
This year’s confirmation fair is on September 1. Congregational suppers start at 5:00 p.m. 
Students and parents meet for a brief worship time and fair, from 6 p.m. until 7:10 p.m. The fair includes signing up for choirs, for service projects and other aspects of the confirmation learning program. Student and parents will also go over the year’s goals. The sixth graders encounter the ways of God in the story of Jesus and Paul. Seventh graders walk through the main Old Testament stories, along with Abraham, Joseph, Moses and Miriam and the prophets. The eighth grade focuses on what it means to love and serve God through a study of Luther’s Small Catechism