Choir rehearsals resume Thursday, September 8, at 7:30 p.m. Please speak with Barbara Hoffman if you would like to offer your voice in song to the glory of God.

A ST. PAUL’S COMMUNITY DIRECTORY is being prepared. Please call the parish office if there is information you do not wish to have included (i.e., telephone number, email address) no later than September 30.

ST. PAUL’S CELEBRATES ITS 85TH ANNIVERSARY ON OCTOBER 30! The Anniversary Committee is seeking favorite recipes to create a St. Paul’s Cookbook, to be sold during the month of October. Perhaps you have a favorite appetizer recipe . . . or a main dish your family loves . . . share the recipe! There will be a Coffee Host Treat section, so you will have my Haystack recipe.

EQUIPPING LEADERS FOR MISSION (ELM) classes begin September 17 at the Synod Office in Glendale. The program trains leaders to serve their congregations, neighborhoods, and various ministries, offering four-week core courses the first year and four “track” courses the second year.
For more information and registration information visit www.socalsynod.org/elm or contact Pastor Laurie Arroyo at larroyo@socalsynod.org or 818-507-9591 X102.

June 2, 2011

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed but not driven to despair; persecuted but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Our hearts have been breaking for weeks as we have watched incessant storms devastate many parts of the United States. From the plains of North Dakota to the bayous of Louisiana, floodwaters and torrential rain have washed out communities and cropland. Destructive tornado strikes leveled homes for miles in cities and towns including Joplin, Mo., and Cullman, Ala. Two ELCA church buildings — one in each state — were destroyed.

The winds destroyed the building of Peace Lutheran Church in Joplin, but not the faith of its members. Last Sunday they gathered in the parking lot in the midst of debris and shattered hopes to worship in the strong name of the risen Christ.

In the aftermath of storms that seem relentless, we may feel overwhelmed and anxious, but not powerless. For God’s promise is clear: nothing in all creation will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Trusting in God’s promise and the power of the Holy Spirit, we respond by joining together in God’s work of restoring community. The liberating power of the gospel frees us to repair roofs in Cullman and fill sandbags in Fargo, on behalf of people we don’t know and may never meet.

These are our commitments as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

• We will pray. Pray with me that those affected may have the strength and courage they need to face these difficult days.
• We will stand together, roll up our sleeves and work with partners to rebuild lives and restore hope. In Alabama, we are already at work with the Mennonites and the Christian Reformed Church in a rapid rebuilding project. Elsewhere, partnerships are unfolding with the United Methodist Church and others to coordinate volunteers to repair and rebuild homes and lives in the months and years to come. Working together we can achieve more on a scale and scope than we could ever achieve alone.
• We will give generously. We are already organizing volunteer opportunities in response to the unmet needs of these communities. To support our efforts, please give now to ELCA Disaster Response. Your gift designated to Severe Spring Storms will be used in full — 100 percent — for the people and communities deeply affected by these storms.
• We will stay until the work is done. One of our strengths as Lutherans is our practice of sustained response after a natural disaster, built on local networks of congregations and social ministries. Central States Synod Bishop Gerald Mansholt compared our work to long-distance running. ELCA Disaster Response was one of the first to arrive in Missouri and Alabama, and they will be the last to leave. Even as we begin this journey, our work continues on the Gulf Coast and in Haiti.
• We will witness to our living faith in Christ Jesus as we join together to do God’s work with our hands.

In all these things, I give thanks for each of you. May we be about God’s healing and restoration in a time of despair. May we bring God’s message of hope in the wake of spring storms.

In God’s grace,

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender teenagers talk about their lives in this weeklong series on NYTimes.com.

A CHORAL EUCHARIST will be presented by the St. Paul’s Choir on Sunday, June 19.  On the Sunday of the Holy Trinity, Susan Palo Cherwien’s reflections on the three persons of the Holy Trinity  will be the framework for the music of Caracciolo, Ippolitof-Ivanof, Sateren, Dawson and Ǻhlén.

THE FINAL SUNDAY FOR 2010-11 Sunday School and choir is June 19.

St. Paul’s 85th Anniversary Celebration Sunday is October 30, 2011.

Reminder that the post office is doing their annual food drive, which will help feed millions of people in need. To help, all you have to do is leave one item or more of non-perishable food in a bag, can, or box for your mail carrier to pick up. Food will be collected & then delivered to food pantries across each state.

You can also bring non-perishable food to St. Paul’s to help the local community.

Where:  the home of Ana and Lars Eckstrom

Who:    the young musicians of St. Paul’s, including Lars, who will attend Lutheran Summer Music at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, June 26-July 24

Why:    to raise funds for a $1,000 scholarship for Lars. Contributions can be given to St. Paul’s, marking “scholarship” on your check, and are welcome before and after the event.

Bring:  your love of music, your support of our young musicians and a treat to share

RSVP:   to Barbara Hoffman, 310-451-1346, by Saturday, May 14