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St. Paul's
Evangelical Lutheran Church
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127 Cherry Rd. NE, Massillon, OH 44646
330 832-7409
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- Pastoral message
- Upcoming events
- Bible studies on Sunday and Thursday
- Church Council highlights
- Ballot recommendations
- Income and expense summary
- Fundraising Dinner, June 8 at 5 pm
- Capital Fund Update
- CSO Choir enjoys Gleitsman Lounge
- Gleitsman Lounge showcases photos
- May Community Meal report
- Clothes Closet
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- End of the '23-'24 Cathedral Concert Series
- Preview of next year's Concert Series
- Thank you letters
- Prayer list
- June birthdays
- June anniversaries
- Flowers for the altar
- Council members
- Committee members
- Serving during the month of June
- St. Paul's phone app
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Pastoral message: A time for everything
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Dear Friends in Christ,
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot." Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
As the days grow longer and the warmth of the sun graces our lives, we find ourselves at the threshold of summer—a season filled with growth, vitality, and an abundance of God's creation. Summer is a time when nature bursts forth in full bloom, and the world around us is teeming with life. This vibrant season offers us a unique opportunity to reflect on the wonders of God's handiwork and His boundless generosity.
Reflecting on God's Creation
In Genesis 1:31, we read, "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." Summer allows us to witness the "very good" aspects of God's creation in a profound way. From the vibrant hues of blooming flowers to the melodious songs of birds, each element of summer is a testament to the beauty and creativity of our Creator. Take a moment each day to appreciate the natural world around you, recognizing it as a gift from God.
Rest and Renewal
Summer also brings a break from the routine for many of us, whether it be through vacations, time off from school, or simply more leisurely weekends. This season of rest is a reminder of the Sabbath principle—a divine rhythm of work and rest instituted by God. Jesus Himself often withdrew to solitary places to pray and rest (Luke 5:16). Embrace this time to rest and rejuvenate, allowing God to restore your soul.
Sharing God's Abundance
The abundance of summer is evident in the bountiful harvests and the myriad of outdoor activities we enjoy. It's a perfect time to share God's blessings with others. Acts 20:35 reminds us of Jesus' words, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Look for opportunities to share your resources, whether it's hosting a barbecue for friends and neighbors, volunteering at a local shelter, or simply sharing the fruits and vegetables from your garden.
As you step into this summer season, may you be filled with the joy of God's creation, the peace of His presence, and the purpose of His calling. Embrace each day as an opportunity to grow, rest, and share His abundant love with the world.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark
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The church calendar is always available on every page of the church website on the right side, along with the church address, phone number, email address, and Youtube link for the online services. The online calendar contains the most up-to-date listing of events.
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Sunday: Worship 10:00 am
Wednesday: Snip-N-Stitch will not meet in June, July, or August
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Tuesday, June 4, 6:30 pm--Worship and Music Committee
Thursday, June 6, 6 pm--Friendship Circle
Tuesday, June 11, 7 pm--Church Council
Friday, June 14, 4:30 pm--Community Meal and Clothes Closet
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Upcoming American Red Cross Blood Drives
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If you are willing to give blood this spring and summer,
here are the dates to show up at our church:
July 1, noon-6:00
August 26, noon-6:00
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Bible studies on Sunday and Thursday
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Adult Sunday School Class
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Taking a break for the summer!
The Adult Sunday School Class will not meet during the summer months but will resume on September 8th with a new series of lessons. God’s blessings to you!
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Thursday Morning Bible Study
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Taking a break for the summer!
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Pastor Mark plans to start back up in mid-August with a new study.
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Church Council highlights
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Report from May 14, 2024, Council meeting
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Pastor reported that Kathryn Myers, Patty Long, and he attended the Northeastern Ohio Synod event called “Project Isaiah 43” held at Zion Lutheran Church in North Canton on May 4. The two-hour gathering resulted in church representatives from congregations in the South Central Conference discussing the future of the Lutheran Church in our area, given the number of churches with smaller congregations unable to call full-time pastors. We were asked to imagine what intentional collaboration might look like in the years to come. Information gleaned from all of these Project Isaiah 43 events across the synod will be shared at the Synod Assembly on June 1. Imaging and planning for this “new thing” that God will be doing in our area will continue into the future months and years.
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Impact Massillon will occur on Saturday, June 1. St. Paul’s has been assigned two properties to address various outdoor project needs for the day. Thanks to Scott Larson and Johnny Stanko for their good planning on the work that will be done and for the other volunteers from our church who will help on that day. Pastor Mark is the co-chair of the entire Impact Massillon project. There are 19 churches from across Massillon participating on June 1 to address the needs of 24 homes.
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Dan Farrar, our church treasurer, presented the “2024-2025 Finance Committee Recommended Budget” to Council for review. After a careful examination of the budget, line by line, the budget was approved by Council in order to then be recommended to the congregation for final approval at the May 19th meeting.
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Capital Campaign Progress
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Pastor Mark reported regarding the Capital Campaign. The balance for the fund as of 3/31/2024 is $160,913.61. It was also announced that there will be a fundraiser for the Capital Campaign to be held at the church on Saturday, June 8th. Pastor also reminded Council that the next project to be addressed is the enclosure of the space between the buildings and the front entrance. The reordering of the projects, which occurred at the October 10 Council meeting, was due to a $100,000 donation made to the enclosure and entrance project. Building the accessible restrooms in Parish Hall was then moved to fourth.
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Property Management: portico and entrance plans
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Pastor Mark also shared information concerning the Capital Campaign and planning for the next project. He reported that Jim Johnson has secured the services of John Picard, an architect in Massillon to provide more detailed plans for the enclosure of the portico and renovation necessary to make our buildings more accessible. Mr. Picard is well known for his expertise as an architect as well as his understanding of accessibility law and code regulations. Council is very appreciative of what he has already shared and the help he will provide in the future, allowing us to identify the very best contractor for the project at the very best price for job completion.
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Property Management: boiler replacement
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From the Property and Management Committee, Jim Johnson was able to get one quote for replacing the boiler in the church building. It came from Standard Heating and Cooling for $115,000. Jim is pursuing two additional quotes and hopes to have them in the coming weeks. Church Council voted to recommend to the congregation at the meeting on May 19 that we approve up to $120,000 for the replacement of the boiler. The additional $5,000 is to cover unforeseen costs with plumbing issues that may occur as the boiler is replaced.
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Administrator duties covered
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Greg Klein reported that it is the recommendation of the Staff Support Committee and the Executive Committee of Church Council to no longer advertise for the office administrator position. Council supported the recommendation given that Jackie Pritchett is willing to donate her time to serve as office receptionist three days a week and Carol Butler is being compensated to produce our monthly newsletter, The Bridge, and also help with the bulletin, content on the outdoor sign, the St. Paul’s Facebook page, and church website. This arrangement is very agreeable to both Jackie and Carol and as a result, our church is realizing savings in this staffing area. Thank you to Jackie and Carol for their willingness, dependability, and quality work. You are greatly appreciated!
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Greg Klein shared the ballot recommendations from the Nominating Committee. Council approved the ballot, and it will be presented at the Congregational Meeting on Sunday, May 19 for a vote.
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Respectfully shared,
Patty Long
President, Church Council
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Church Business 2024-2025 Official Ballot
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Thank you to our church members who are stepping up to service and leadership positions for the coming year. This roster was approved by vote at the Congregational Meeting on May 19.
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- Dwight Butler
- Shane Jackson
- Barb Palmer
- Jackie Pritchett
- Gary Collard (for Gayle Jackson—2-year term)
- Dennis Morgan (for Don Gray—2-year term)
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- Lynda Klein
- Phyllis Staver
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- Female: LaShell Williamson
- Male: Rev. Lynn Williamson
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NOMINATING COMMITTEE for 2025
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- Gary Collard
- Lynda Klein
- Cindy Lash
- Patty Long
- Dennis Morgan
- Tracie Schmolt
- John Stanko
- Carol Stoner
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Income and expense summary
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Financial notes: Our April surplus was aided by a 5-week month that included Easter week. We also received a quarterly payment of $4,145 from the Fannie Portz fund. I anticipate a deficit in May. We will be paying $9,000 for the Parish Hall HVAC repairs.
--Dan Farrar, Treasurer
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Fundraising Dinner, June 8 at 5 pm:
"The Event of the Season"
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In addition to a delicious meal and enjoyable fellowship, this event will feature 50/50 tickets, a gift card tree, gift baskets, a live auction, and a silent auction. Basket themes are quite varied: all things honey, pet articles, craft items, kitchen items, wine offerings. The live auction includes quilts, artwork, and dinner for 8 with Uber service available. Proceeds will go to our Capital Campaign.
Tickets are for sale in the lounge after the church service. For those unable to attend, donor tickets, which still qualify for the raffle, are also available.
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A vintage quilt donated by the Mutchlers for the auction.
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"Poppies," an original pastel by Janet Kuller, is also part of the live auction.
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One of the many gift baskets available.
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CSO Choir enjoys Gleitsman Lounge before their concert
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The lounge, one of the Capital Fund Campaign projects, proved spacious enough to provide a comfortable place for our chorus guests to relax before the Canton Symphony Chorus concert on April 28.
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Gleitsman Lounge showcases historic photos
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An interesting feature of the lounge redesign is the incorporation of historic photos. We have quite a treasury of these photos, and the committee plans to rotate them periodically. Here are three that Janet Kuller framed for the grand opening.
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From "Our History" as given on our church web page: "On October 18, 1870, a new church located at Cherry Road was dedicated. It had a single spire that extended 170 ft into the sky. The landscaping around the building was the result of the genius of Pastor Buehl. Carefully trimmed hedges, beautifully graveled walks and paths made the scene a delight. The building was finished at a cost of $40,000.00. In 1926, it was dismantled to make place for the present structure."
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A vintage photo of our chancel: "On May 6, 1928, the present church was dedicated."
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The architect's drawing from "The Studios of Potente, Inc., Kenosha, Wisconsin."
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May Community Meal report
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Jack and Marsha Fortune report on the past month's Community Meal:
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St. Paul’s hosted our monthly Community Meal and Community Closet on Friday, May 10. A total of 56 meals were served, down significantly from the previous 2 months (84 and 88 respectively).
We don’t know why the numbers were down, but we will put a positive spin on it and say there were fewer people that needed our assistance this month. That being said, there were still 56 individuals who looked to us for help, and we were happy to serve them.
Our menu on this early spring evening consisted of baked chicken, buttered potatoes, green beans, applesauce, and some special Massillon Tiger cookies for dessert.
All of the chicken was donated to us by Park Farms in Canton. It turns out that one of our workers is employed by Park Farms and she alerted us to a donation program that Park Farms was running for various charitable organizations in the community. The result was free chicken! Also, the cookies as well as a small birthday cake were donated by one of our members in honor and celebration of one of our regular attendees. We all sang “Happy Birthday” to him, and he was delighted!
The Community Closet was popular once again by those who came to eat. We have separate rooms for men's and women’s clothing, and both are well stocked. Your generosity of donations has been wonderful! Thank you!
Our “care bag” tables were very busy once again. This part of the ministry provides our visitors with choices of common household needs such as paper towels, Kleenex, and other assorted items. These are made available and distributed one per family.
St. Paul’s Community Meal and Community Closet provide a free meal and clothing for all on the 2nd Friday of each month. Our next opening is Friday, June 14, from 4:30 to 6:00.
Thank you for your prayers and continued support.
Jack and Marsha Fortune
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Celebrating Chuck Fitch’s 83rd birthday: Chuck and Randy sport their Massillon colors.
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Help is always appreciated for the Clothes Closet
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Mary Ann Poling, Cindy Lash, Tracie Schmolt, and Carol Stoner help our guests find what they need in the Clothes Closet.
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Two successful concerts to end the '23-'24 Cathedral Concert Series
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Canton Symphony Chorus
April 28
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The Canton Symphony Chorus reprised selections from their recent Masterworks concert, which featured Mozart's Requiem, followed by several pieces conveying "brilliance," the theme of the concert. The closing number "True Light" provided an energetic and uplifting finish to the program.
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Camarada Brass Quintet and
Silver & Strings Trio
May 19
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For a finale, the two ensembles joined with our organist to accompany the congregation on a hymn based on a theme from Holst's Jupiter: "O God Beyond All Praising." The performance was an evening to remember; these nine virtuosos engaged the audience with every note.
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Preview of next year's Concert Series
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Dr. Abigail Haake, our Director of Music, is pleased to present next season's artists. More details with specific dates and times will be coming soon!
If you are interested in becoming a patron for this upcoming year, please let the office (hours and number listed at the bottom of the newsletter) or Dr. Haake (link at top of page) know. Below is an image of the form from our last concert and a clickable link to a pdf version. These forms will be available on Sundays as well.
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- September: Singers Companye
- October: James Kibbie, organ
- November: Bowling Green State University Men's Chorus
- February: Minnita Daniel-Cox, soprano
- March: OPUS 216 String Quintet
- May: Canton Symphony Orchestra Chorus
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Bowling Green State University Men's Chorus.
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Dear St. Paul church family,
I just wanted to personally "Thank You" for your generous gift to our program. Because of partners like you, we are able to impact over 900 students each week! I love to see a community come together to transform lives!
Thank you very much,
Eugene
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Thank you so much for the scholarship! The awarded money always comes in handy for miscellaneous school expenses. I am looking forward to my final year in undergrad at the University of Dayton! Thanks again!
Caroline Deerwester
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Jack Saarela, Rick Theiss, Mary Boost, Patricia Kandle, Mary Ann Breslin, Joy Smith, Chrissy Sturtz, Lynne Nunley, Amy White, Lindsay Mays, Noah & Axel Casserar, Errett Butler, Pat Adams, Chris Collard, Theresa Eckleberry, and Jack Young.
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Favorite Bible or hymn verses:
Shane Jackson: So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)
David Stoner: You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5: 14-16)
Favorite hymn: "Shine, Jesus, Shine"
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June 2--Mark Waltz
June 3--Sandra Huth
June 3--Lynette Farrar
June 10--R. Shane Jackson
June 11--Abby Haake
June12--Joseph Hepler
June 13--Morgan (Firner) Rupp
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June 17--Marissa Cole
June 17--Brock Burkett
June 18--Mary Hepler
June 20--Brooke Duplain
June 20--Eleanore Grunden
June 22--Rachel Deerwester
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June 22--Ed Davila
June 23-- Faith Hostetler
June 25-- Emily Reiman
June 25--David Stoner
June 30--Rob Pritchett
June 30--Madison Moden
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June 5--Jack & Deborah Hoffman
June 5--Thomas & Marcia Wright
June 7--Robert & Joyce Mitcheal
June 12--Craig & Jennifer Maurer
June 14--Grant & Lucinda Lash
June 15--Michael & Lisa Skelly
June 22--Daniel & Nancy Lint
June 29--Joel & Rebecca Moden
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Craig and Jennifer Maurer will celebrate their 20th anniversary on June 12.
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Please text Sue Ambrosic at 330-844-7648 if you would like to have the Altar or Throne flowers for 2024.
The cost of Altar flowers is $40 per Sunday; the Throne flowers are $28. Please contact Patty Carmola if you have any questions at 330-832-9405. You will be billed directly by Carmola's Flowers in Massillon.
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Gary Collard
Scott Larson
Cindy Lash
Kathryn Myers
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John Stanko
Carol Stoner
David Stoner
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Kathryn Myers, Chair
Amy Burkett,
Sue Ambrosic
Gayle Jackson
Becky Johnson
Cindy Lash
Deidra Monastra
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Greg Klein, Chair
Carol Butler
Dwight Butler
Abigail Haake
Karl Kalk
Patty Long
Kathryn Myers
Kim Oberlin
Phyllis Staver
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WELFARE AND SOCIAL ACTION
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Cindy Lash, Chairman
Christine Bates
Judy Fichter
Lynda Klein
Deidra Monastra
Kathryn Myers
Kim Oberlin
JuDee Reed
David Stoner
LaShell Williamson
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Jim Johnson, Chair
Dave Allman
Joe Hepler
John Liebermann
Dennis Morgan
Paul Mutchler
John Stanko, Liaison for Chair
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Amy Burkett
John Liebermann
Lisa Skelly
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YOUTH AND PARISH EDUCATION
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Serving during the month of June
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If you are interested in serving, click on the contact person's email link.
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Contact Karl Kalk
June 2--Veronica Kreemer
June 9--Sue Reid
June 16--Patty Long
June 23--Karl Kalk
June 30--Kathryn Myers
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June 2--Cindy Lash & Scott Larson
June 9--Kathryn Myers & Greg Klein
June 16-- Carol Stoner & Dave Stoner
June 23-- Kathryn Myers &
Gary Collard
June 30-- Patty Long & Tracie Schmolt
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Contact Karl Kalk
June 2--Russ & Mary Ann Poling
June 9--Greg & Lynda Klein
June 16--Gary Collard
June 23--Craig Maurer
June 30-- Marilyn Norton
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Contact Dick Longworth
Shane Jackson, Eric and Carla Myers, Mark Waltz
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Choose My Church by Pushpay from the App Store.
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Find the "My Church" by Pushpay app in the App store on your phone or computer. It is a free download.
Open the app and search for St. Paul's by typing STPLC APP. Then click on the St. Paul's logo.
To take advantage of all the app’s features, you must create an account. Get notifications and reminders of upcoming events, access our live stream worship and worship bulletins, send prayer requests, see the church calendar, and give electronically.
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St. Paul's
Evangelical Lutheran Church
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We are a community of believers called together to be the Body of Christ for the sake of our families, community and our world. We invite you to join us for worship on Sunday mornings as we celebrate God’s redeeming and freeing grace in Jesus Christ our Lord.
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The Reverend Mark Kreemer officiating.
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Thank you to all who have submitted photos for this newsletter. To see more photos, follow the Facebook pages listed below.
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Cathedral Concerts Facebook Page
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St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church
127 Cherry Rd. NE, Massillon, OH 44646
330 832-7409
Office Hours: T, W, F 9am-1pm
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ELCA Vision: A world experiencing the difference God’s grace and love in Christ make for all people and creation..
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