Sunday, September 28: The U.P. Choir will be singing, and we’ll be looking at an oft-overlooked passage from Luke.
Monday, September 29, 6 pm: Lectionary Study Each week we lift up a passage from this week’s lectionary and let our hearts and mind and faith take a journey from those words. We’d love to have you join us!
Tuesday: AA meets in the Fellowship Hall, 7pm
Wednesday, September 25:~ Grill’s On, 5-ish to 7-ish: The kindness and welcome continues! Each week we are greeted with an amazing banquet of diverse yummy goodness created and donated by the collective. We get things going around 5 pm, and usually wrap up around 7 pm. Games are set up and more games are welcome. As always: bring what you have, or just bring yourself! There is always enough!
Thursday: AA meets in the Fellowship Hall, 7pm
Looking Ahead: UPC Halloween carnival is planned for Saturday, October 26, 4-7 pm. Help will be needed for set-up, clean-up, games, tickets, kitchen, etc. Watch for sign-up sheet to help, and posters will be available to put up at businesses. There was a large turn-out for this carnival in 2018.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Sunday School: We are in need of a couple volunteers to help lead Sunday School during worship. Story and craft will be provided. If this is of interest to you, contact Pastor Paul!
Intentional Conversation: Evangelism/Outreach: If any church is to thrive, new participants must be welcomed and older participants must be supported. There are a myriad of ways we can approach these tasks, and Pastor Paul would like to meet with you to explore a variety of ideas and resources. If you are interested in sharing in this ministry, please contact Pastor Paul (218-349-0143). We’ll find a time to talk, discern our mission and steps to accomplish it, and get to work for the good of the church!
From Pastor Paul, Toward Sunday:
Sometimes, in the whirling and twirling hustle of the days, I find myself a little empty and fatigued. This used to bother me, and I’d turn inward with self-criticism and be, well, rather demanding on myself. Now I’ve learned that challenges and busyness and negativity are just par for the course in life, and when I feel overwhelmed by those things–when I feel myself a little lacking in spirit and hope–I’m reminded that spiritual health is not unlike physical health. I think of the days when I don’t eat as well as I should and find myself dragging through the day. The same goes for the times when I don’t nurture my spirit as I should. When my faith tank is empty, it is time to get some spiritual sustenance.
I’ve learned what works for me: I read scripture and other beautiful words and soak in the thoughts and the images others have taken the time to craft. I walk in the woods or around town to fill my lungs with fresh air and my eyes with color. I surround myself with life-giving, positive people and I do what I can to keep healthy space from the all-too-prevalent judgment and anger that a life attached to screens can shove in our faces. And I pray. …My God how I pray! I pray while reading and pray while walking and pray while laughing and gathering goodness. I remind myself that prayer is not a singular event, rather, it is a way of life. Thankfulness for God’s presence. A place to direct my fear and anxiety. A song and a dance. Creation…rest…comfort…–even nudges to get up and get going! God is in all of these things. “You can catch grace,” Annie Dillard wrote, “as a person dips a cup in a waterfall.”
Where do you find spiritual sustenance when you’re running on empty? Any tips or tricks you can share with others? Can our community’s ministry support you?
Good conversations to have as we step forward into the YES of our lives.
Let’s talk!
Pastor Paul
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Paul VanAntwerp
3845 Birchwood Road
Duluth, MN 55803
218-349-0143