April 27, 2015 / by stplc / Make A Comment / Filed under Announcements, Mission Updates, News, Press Releases
Last fall, St. Paul’s celebrated “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday by rolling up their yellow sleeves and digging in to help spruce up Third Street Park. Now we hope to build upon the ministry we have begun, and look for more ways to share the love of Jesus Christ with our neighbors. Leading up to this year’s return to Third Street park, we are looking for more ways to listen, care, go, and connect to God’s mission in this neighborhood. But it can only happen if people commit to being involved! Everyone is encouraged to break out their yellow shirts and participate in the following events:
Operation Spring Clean-up
Tuesday, May 5 from 5p-8p
What is it? A city-wide campaign to clean up the city
What should I expect? The city will be providing all the materials needed and a list of work that needs to be done. It will include pulling weeds, picking up trash, and painting the playground equipment.
Why be involved? This is an excellent opportunity to go into the neighborhood, connect with community-minded neighbors, and show that St. Paul’s cares about the well-being of this park and neighborhood.
How can I help? Put on your God’s Work. Our Hands. T-shirt and show up to the park! City park department workers and volunteers will be on hand to direct volunteers. If you don’t feel up to working, you could stop by with some waters and treats for the other volunteers!
Neighborhood Walk
June 24, 5p-7p
What is it? A walk through the neighborhood to invite people to the service & picnic in the park.
What should I expect? We’ll meet at Third Street Park for instructions and prayer. Then participants will be sent out into the neighborhood in pairs or triads to canvass the area.
Why be involved? Caring and helping begins with listening. We will listen to the community through observation and conversation with those who live there, and invite them to connect with St. Paul’s at worship in Third St Park the following Sunday.
How can I help? Help spread the word and encourage people to participate. Volunteers will also be needed to create invitations for worship and help coordinate the walk ahead of time. And then show up wearing yellow! We’ll gather at the park briefly at five, then gather together around 6:30pm for a short debriefing.
Worship & Picnic in 3rd St Park
June 28, 10:30 am, picnic to follow
What is it? Worship outdoors, followed by a picnic.
What should I expect? Service will begin at 10:30 and will follow the liturgy we have traditionally used in our park services, including communion. Afterwards, a picnic will be served.
Why be involved? Worship is central to our being as Christians. Through worship, we show care for and listen for God. Through Word & Sacrament, we are receive God’s care for us and the strength to go into the world, to live and serve God and neighbor.
How can I help? We will need several people to pitch in and provide food. The altar guild will also need help setting up for the service that morning. On the day of the event, show up, be bold, be kind. Engage one another and the community in conversation.
Preparations for God’s Work. Our Hands. Sunday
Early August (date & time to be determined)
What is it? Planning for activities and assigning roles for “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday.
What should I expect? Assessing our work from the previous year, sharing what we have heard or learned over the summer, short time of brainstorming, and planning activities and publicity.
Why be involved? By tending to the work of preparation, we show we care and create ways for others to connect to God’s work. By working together, we learn to listen and connect to each other in faithful and productive ways.
How can I help? If you would like to be part of the planning team, please email the church office.
God’s Work. Our Hands. Sunday
Sunday, Sept 13, 9a-2p
What is it? We will begin with a short morning prayer liturgy and communion. We will then break off into groups and assign the work to be done. Lunch will be provided.
What should I expect? To get dirty! We will begin with a short morning prayer liturgy and communion. We will then break off into groups and assign the work to be done. Lunch will be provided.
Why be involved? We are called by God to go and participate boldly in God’s reconciling work in the world. By caring for creation, we care for God and our neighbors, and connect with one another, the church, and the community through loving acts of service.
How can I help? Plan to attend service and stay to help out. Share the event with others, via Facebook, email and word of mouth. We will also hoping to provide activities after service for the children, and are currently accepting ideas. More specifics about tools, supplies, etc. will be available after the planning meeting.
January 23, 2015 / by stplc / Make A Comment / Filed under Mission Updates, Press Releases, Proclaiming
Press Release: Art of the Passion
For Immediate Release
Twenty-four Artists Featured in Art of the Passion Art Exhibit
Twenty-four award winning and notable artists will be featured in a four week religious art exhibit commemorating Holy Week and Easter through a collaborative depiction of the Stations of the Cross and the Stations of the Light.
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Frankfort, Indiana, is host to the reflective and meditative gallery-walk March 22-April 18, 2015.
A juried exhibit, Art of the Passion commemorates Christ’s passion and resurrection.
The 2015 exhibit brings together the creative work of a variety of artists into a meditative gallery walk.
The exhibit features two sets of stations.
Leading up to Good Friday, Stations of the Cross invites visitors to a deeper experience of the story of Christ’s journey to the cross.
Then, on Easter Sunday, Stations of the Light will open and continue the story with the Resurrection, as it guides visitors along the disciples’ walk with Jesus to Pentecost.
Twenty four artists have been chosen to interpret an assigned station within their own interpretation and style. The result is a dynamic and contemplative experience for the visitor and artist alike.
Featured Artists for 2015
Stations of the Cross
March 22-April 3
Hours:
Monday-Friday: 4-8
Saturday: 10-4
Sunday: 12-3
Ann Dahman: Logansport, IN
Teresa Martin: Julian, PA
Brenda Buckingham Ehrmann: Frankfort, IN
He Qi: Minneapolis, MN
Barb Kinsler: Frankfort, IN
Von Biggs: Indianapolis, IN
Thea Wilder: Frankfort, IN
Kerry Jackson: Indianapolis, IN
Bridgid Manning Hamilton: Lafayette, IN
Daniel Driggs: Frankfort, IN
Ann Lahr: Corvalis, OR
Ed Selvidge: Camden, IN
Mirvia Eckert: Indianapolis, IN
Susan Fox: Pittsboro, IN
Stations of the Light
April 5-April 18
Monday-Friday: 4-8
Saturday: 10-4
Sunday: 12-3
Beth Crawford: Denver, CO
Elias Garza: Frankfort, IN
Trish Williams: Peoria, IL
Daniel Driggs: Frankfort, IN
Stephanie Robertson: Indianapolis, IN
Brenda Buckingham Ehrmann, Frankfort, IN
Laura Fox-Wallis: Rock Hill, SC
Dwayne Daehler: Lafayette, IN
Cheryl Kaldahl: Lafayette, IN
Wayne Schedler: Lexington, KY
Marge Burkholder: Plymouth, IN
Von Biggs: Indianapolis, IN
Moises Garcia: North Manchester, IN
He Qi: Minneapolis, MN
VENUE
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
2029 S State Road 39
Frankfort, IN 46041
CONTACT INFORMATION
Pastor Joshua Burkholder
pastor@stpauls39.org
765.654.5933
Carol Rodibaugh
carolrodibaugh@yahoo.com
765.586.5172
Group Tours: Mondays – Fridays available, by appointment only
Contact:
Marshall Smith
mpsmith900@sbcglobal.net
765.659.1615
October 27, 2014 / by stplc / Make A Comment / Filed under Announcements, Mission Updates, News
St. Paul’s develops purpose statement to focus ministry and encourage mission.
On the morning of Saturday, October 11th, members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church gathered together to develop a purpose statement for St. Paul’s. The workshop was led by Rev. Nancy Nyland, Director of Evangelical Mission in the Indiana-Kentucky Synod.
With doughnuts and a lot of coffee, members delved into Scripture and discussed what it calls us to be as a church, and ways in which we have witnessed that Living Word working through St. Paul’s ministry in the past.
By the end of the morning, those sturdy souls had developed the following purpose statement for St. Paul’s:
“To Listen, care, go, & connect,
to God, one another, and the world.”
At its next meeting, the council discussed & affirmed this purpose statement. It will be brought forward to the congregation for affirmation at the Annual Meeting (on December 7th), but we also want to encourage conversation about the purpose statement now.
What do you think:
- What in this statement resonates with your experience of God working in and through St. Paul’s?
- How do you imagine the ministry of St. Paul’s being reshaped by this purpose?
- What does this statement call St. Paul’s to let go of?
- What new things does this statement call St. Paul’s to begin?
September 25, 2014 / by stplc / Make A Comment / Filed under Announcements, Mission Updates, Proclaiming, Sharing
Written by Carol Rodibaugh
Members and friends of St. Paul’s Lutheran church participated for the first time in service for “God’s Work, Our Hands” Sunday. We got our hands in the dirt of a local park in our town of Frankfort, Indiana; one that was well used but had passed its prime.
So we loaded up our trowels, hoses, weed-eaters, rakes, hoes, wheelbarrows, paints, flowers and plants, and spent the day, beginning with a short service, in freshening and beautifying certain areas of the park. The community, and especially the surrounding neighborhood were invited to join us through the use of flyers and a newspaper announcement. Our local Parks Department was delighted and helpful by providing their suggestions, picnic tables and trash cans.
There was plenty of opportunity for service in different areas, as we also provided two craft stations for children to paint and decorate flower pots to take home, make their hand prints into flowerpot picks, and participate in a brief lesson with coloring opportunities.
In another area of the park, chalk and space was available for chalk art. Others concentrated on providing a light lunch and drinks, offered just at the right time for a boost of energy. And, gratefully, the weather on September 7 was absolutely beautiful.
But, for me, the most touching part came at the very end of the day as I was loading up my car with the last of the art supplies. A young girl who had been with me most of the day saw me leaving and rushed up to stop me. She declared excitedly, “I have a statement to make!”. Smiling at her grown-up exclamation, I asked what her statement was. And she said ” I declare this day a success!” And then we warmly hugged.
I’m not sure I’ll see that little girl again, but that affirmation and hug, at the end of a wonderful (but tiring day), made my heart sing. And now, when I think of God’s work, Our Hands Sunday, two weeks past, it is the thing I think of first.
It took a lot of “hands” to make the day possible. “Thank you” to all the volunteers, especially,
- Carol Rodibaugh & David Rojas, for their careful & creative planning
- Max Rodibaugh & the City of Frankfort Parks Dept, for planning & organizing the landscaping
- Karen Reidenbach & Teresa Mudd, for providing lunch; (And to Frito Lay for providing the chips!)
- Erik Dircks & Linda Mooney, for the fantastic photos
- To all the neighbors, who pitched in a little labor and a lot of love
- and to all those who came out and got their hands a little dirty, doing God’s work.
January 12, 2014 / by stplc / Make A Comment / Filed under Announcements, News, Press Releases, Sharing
The He Qi art display at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church will be open to the public during the following day & hours:
Sunday, January 12: The gallery will open following morning worship (which begins at 10:30 a.m.) and remain open through 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 14: The gallery will be open from 3 p.m. -6 p.m.
Friday, January 17: The gallery will open immediately following the presentation by artist He Qi (7:00 p.m./Doors open at 6:30 p.m.) and remain open during the following reception until 9 p.m.
A limited number of the newly published “Art of He Qi” and select posters of artwork will be available for purchase.
If you have a small group that would like to visit the exhibit or would like to visit at another specific time, please contact the church at office@stpauls39.org.
January 10, 2014 / by stplc / Make A Comment / Filed under Announcements, Growing
Tuesday Night Bible study will return to its weekly schedule on Tuesday, January 14. What, exactly, we will be studying is still up for grabs. Got a suggestion? Let us know in the comment box below!
February 17, 2013 / by stplc / 5 Comments / Filed under Mission Updates, News, Press Releases, Proclaiming, Uncategorized
In commemoration of Holy Week, Art of the Passion provides a way for visitors to reflect more deeply on the passion of God revealed in Christ. This unique exhibit brings together the work of several different artists and is hosted by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (Frankfort, IN).
The Stations of the Cross was originally developed for those who made pilgrimage to the Holy Land to retrace the steps of Jesus. Particular places in the Holy Land were marked for prayer and meditation on a particular moment of Christ’s passion. This idea was eventually brought to Europe, where monastic communities created a series of images or objects as a way for those who could not travel to the Holy Land to experience walking through the story of Christ’s passion.
Art of the Passion continues in this tradition by inviting a variety of artists to express their own creative interpretations of these stations and bringing those pieces together to form a meditative gallery walk that tells the story of Christ’s journey to the cross.
New artwork is displayed each year and the exhibit is open to the public during the week preceding Easter. Visitors are provided the choice of a written devotional guide (provided in English and Spanish) or an audio recording of the readings and reflections.
The 2013 Art of the Passion will be open March 24th – 30th (exhibit hours listed below) and will feature the following artists:
Linda Witte Henke Mixed Media
Wayne Shedler Leather Work
Ed Selvidge Painting
Stephanie Robertson Fabric
Mirvia Rivera-Eckert Acrylic Painting
Ann Lahr Wood Fired Ceramic
Barbara Kinsler Block Print
Cheryl Kaldahl
Elias Garza Mixed Media/Block Printing
Lauren Ehrman Block Print
Daniel Driggs Acrylic Painting
Bill Dahman Sculpture
Ann Dahman Color Etching on Granite
Dwayne Daehler Photography
Marge Burkholder
You can read more about these artists and follow the event on the Art of the Passion Facebook page!
It is St. Paul’s prayer that the creative expression of these artists will allow you to enter into the experience of Holy Week in a new way and rediscover in greater depth God’s passionate love for you.
Exhibit Hours:
The exhibit will be on display at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Frankfort, Indiana from March 24th through March 30th, 2013 during the following hours:
Sunday 12p – 4p
Mon-Thurs 10a – 2p, 3p – 8p
Good Friday 10a -8p
Holy Saturday 12p -6p
December 3, 2012 / by stplc / Make A Comment / Filed under Announcements
Advent is a time of watching & waiting – of preparation and devotion. But more often than not, the days leading up to the Christmas holiday are quickly filled with tasks, errands, and obligations. Expectations – both those placed on us by others and those we place on ourselves – replace moments of anticipation. Written devotionals, while helpful for some, only fill our minds with more words and worries. What we desire – what we need – is a call to quietude and permission to enter Advent with imagination, creativity, and wonder.
What if creating art could be a way to enter Advent? This weekly challenge is a way to allow yourself the space to create, share & inspire. Each week in Advent, you are invited to create space for yourself to enter Advent by creating art. Here’s how:
1. Log into Facebook and look up the theme for each week in Advent on the Art of the Passion fanpage. The current post is a bit late, but future posts will be up on the preceding Saturday.
2. Watch for a word or phrase, image or experience that speaks to you about a weekly theme on Advent. If you go attend a church, you may have heard or seen something. Maybe you use a devotional or peruse the appointed Scripture. Maybe it comes from somewhere else. Don’t be overwhelmed – choose something you already do, and watch for the Advent theme.
2. Starting from that focus point (or general idea)- sketch, draw, paint, sew, photograph, weave, or otherwise visually explore the theme. Limit yourself to no more than one hour. Of course, we won’t know you if you spend more than an hour, but don’t let it be a stressful experience – it’s OK to allow it to be incomplete if the time runs out.
3. Log back into Facebook and share your creative exploration on the Art of the Passion fanpage. Don’t worry about it being incomplete or imperfect – the whole season of Advent is a kind of “work in progress.”
Our hope is that by participating, you will find a space for your own creativity to be drawn into preparation and devotion; and that we all will be encouraged in our own watching & waiting.
November 21, 2012 / by stplc / Make A Comment / Filed under Announcements, Mission Updates, Press Releases, Sharing
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2012 Thanksgiving Drive! Through your faithful efforts, St. Paul’s collected 1669 lbs of food for local families this Thanksgiving holiday, well exceeding our goal of 1200 lbs!
On Monday, members of St. Paul’s gathered together to sort and pack the food into Thanksgiving Baskets that were delivered the following day to over 40 families. The remaining amount of food was delivered to the monthly food pantry at First Baptist Church. The volunteers were delighted to receive this food,
The Thanksgiving Drive is a huge ministry that is continues to grow each year. This worthy ministry is built on the loving action of many volunteers – from those who prepare soup for the Eat2Feed Soup Supper to those who enjoy the soup while contributing to the cause; from the staff at Marsh Main Street Market to council members who organize the logistics; from members who pack & deliver baskets to the many volunteers across our county who faithfully serve day in, day out in the fight against local hunger. This year, we are especially thankful for those who serve at the monthly food pantry at First Baptist Church.
So this Thanksgiving, as we all prepare to sit down at the table and enjoy a holiday feast with those we love and thank God for the blessings we enjoy in life, let also give thanks to God for the many hearts and hands that put faith into action and work hard to see that others may join in the praise of thanksgiving to God.
October 4, 2012 / by stplc / Make A Comment / Filed under Mission Updates, News
On June 24, folks from St. Paul’s hit the pavement to intentionally engage the community by walking its streets.
For 12 weeks over the summer, 37 walkers covered more than 147 miles of sidewalks, trails, roads, and alleys, paying close attention to what they saw, heard, and experienced. They were looking specifically for ways at which God is already at work in the world around us.
Sometimes new sidewalks the city provided easy walking, but other times the sidewalks ended or were in disrepair. Many of the neighborhoods contained a variety of single-family and multi-family homes – some needing a little TLC, but many in good condition and under great care.
Near the center of the city, small businesses (a few just opening) were contained in houses amidst residential homes. Of particular interest was the old church building on John & Gentry which has since been converted into a residence.
Walkers didn’t notice or interact much with others for the first few weeks when temperatures reached over 100 degrees. As the heat began to break, children emerged to play on the sidewalks and ride their bikes down side streets followed by people relaxing on their porches and working in their yards.
For those who didn’t feel physically up for a walk (especially given the high heat!), St. Paul’s partnered with the Paul Phillippe Center to provide a way for them to participate. The ride-along gave participants a way to see a lot of the city and surrounding areas, guided by a very knowledgeable driver.
During the campaign, participants came up with a few more creative ways to engage the community. As a way to celebrate the conclusion of the campaign, walkers invited local food industries to join a celebratory meal on Sunday, September 23rd. The lunch featured locally produced & distributed foods from Schoup’s Country Foods, Frito-Lay, Glover’s Ice Cream, Zachary’s Candy, and Margarita’s Pupusería.
Walkers also wanted to find a way to complement our listening with a way to serve the poor. So, on August 5th, St. Paul’s began collecting shoes for the shoe-less. Two large boxes were placed in the narthex outside of the sanctuary and people were asked to search their closet for unused shoes or bring in a pair of new shoes. Slowly, the boxes began to fill up – and then overflow! In total, over 180 pairs of shoes were blessed and sent on their way to be distributed by Art for Humanity!
Overall, the walkers’ response to the walk was one of surprising hope. We discovered a number of “leads” and “interesting guesses” about where this experience will take St. Paul’s into the future. The observations made during the walks will help give shape our future engagements, like the one-to-one listening campaign in 2013. Without question, St. Paul’s is beginning to see itself as part of the community here in Clinton county; but what we’ve witnessed walking the streets, collecting shoes, and inviting neighbors to share a meal, has helped us see ourselves as part of something even larger – God’s mission in the world, active and alive in our small corner of the world.
