Staff & Leadership

Peter W.
Marty
Senior pastor
Sara
Olson-Smith
Associate pastor
Katy
Warren
Associate pastor
Kelsey
Fitting-Snyder
pastor in residency
Joshua
Kestner
pastor in residency
Ron
Huber
Visitation pastor
Karen
Strusz
Preschool director
Andy
Langdon
Director of youth ministry
Christine
Vincent
Youth Ministries Intern
Kendra
Thompson
Pastor of children and family life
Eyreka
Barnes
Children's ministries assistant
Dana
Welser
Neighborhood school partnership coordinator
Teresa
Whitbeck
Childcare team leader
Chris
Nelson
Director of music ministries & organist
Bill
Campbell
Contemporary music director
Linda
Allebach
Assistant organist
Nathan
Windt
Chorale director
Dan
Pepper
Youth choir director
Margaret
Thompson
Children’s choir director
Sara
Harless
Children's choir director
Katie
Casey
Children's choir director
Kyle
Schneider
Contemporary music assistant
Ann
McGlynn
Director of communication
Lauren
Brown
Artistic director
Destiny
Ellingsworth
Communications Intern
Karen
Holden
Book Corner manager
Todd
Byerly
Operations director
Paula
Durham
Business manager
Jennifer
Garvey
Receptionist
Becky
Harper
Senior pastor’s assistant
Carrie
Bowman
Business office assistant
Marcia
Robertson
Stewardship coordinator
Matt
Spencer
Building manager
Harris
Schneekloth
Campus & grounds
Jim
Akright
Custodial & maintenance
Paul
Caldwell
Host
Terry
Haru
Host
Ron
Mullen
Weekend host
Nick
Peterson
Weekend host

Proverbs 9:1-6

1Wisdom has built her house,

She has hewn out her seven pillars;

2She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine;

She has also set her table;

3She has sent out her maidens, she calls

From the tops of the heights of the city:

4“Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!”

To him who lacks understanding she says,

5“Come, eat of my food

And drink of the wine I have mixed.

6“Forsake your folly and live,

And proceed in the way of understanding.”

Psalm 34:9-14

9O fear the LORD, you His saints;

For to those who fear Him there is no want.

10The young lions do lack and suffer hunger;

But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing.

11Come, you children, listen to me;

I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

12Who is the man who desires life

And loves length of days that he may see good?

13Keep your tongue from evil

And your lips from speaking deceit.

14Depart from evil and do good;

Seek peace and pursue it.

Ephesians 5:15-20

15Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,16making the most of your time, because the days are evil.17So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,19speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;20always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;

John 6:51-58

51“I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”

52Then the Jews began to argue with one another, saying, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?”53So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves.54“He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.55“For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink.56“He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.57“As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me.58“This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever.”

Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18

Psalm 34:15-22

15The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous

And His ears are open to their cry.

16The face of the LORD is against evildoers,

To cut off the memory of them from the earth.

17The righteous cry, and the LORD hears

And delivers them out of all their troubles.

18The LORD is near to the brokenhearted

And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

20He keeps all his bones,

Not one of them is broken.

21Evil shall slay the wicked,

And those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

22The LORD redeems the soul of His servants,

And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.

Ephesians 6:10-20

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.11Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.13Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.14Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVINGPUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,15and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;16in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.17And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,19and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,20for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

John 6:56-69

56“He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.57“As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me.58“This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever.”

Words to the Disciples

59These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.

60Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this said, “This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?”61But Jesus, conscious that His disciples grumbled at this, said to them, “Does this cause you to stumble?62“What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before?63“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.64“But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him.65And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.”

Peter’s Confession of Faith

66As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.67So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?”68Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.69“We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.”

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9

Psalm 15

1O LORD, who may abide in Your tent?

Who may dwell on Your holy hill?

2He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,

And speaks truth in his heart.

3He does not slander with his tongue,

Nor does evil to his neighbor,

Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

4In whose eyes a reprobate is despised,

But who honors those who fear the LORD;

He swears to his own hurt and does not change;

5He does not put out his money at interest,

Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things will never be shaken.

James 1:17-27

17Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.18In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

19This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;20for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.21Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.22But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.23For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;24for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.25But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

26If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.27Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Isaiah 35:4-7a

4Say to those with anxious heart,

“Take courage, fear not.

Behold, your God will come with vengeance;

The recompense of God will come,

But He will save you.”

5Then the eyes of the blind will be opened

And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.

6Then the lame will leap like a deer,

And the tongue of the mute will shout for joy.

For waters will break forth in the wilderness

And streams in the Arabah.

7The scorched land will become a pool

And the thirsty ground springs of water;

In the haunt of jackals, its resting place,

Grass becomes reeds and rushes.

Psalm 146

1Praise the LORD!

Praise the LORD, O my soul!

2I will praise the LORD while I live;

I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

3Do not trust in princes,

In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.

4His spirit departs, he returns to the earth;

In that very day his thoughts perish.

5How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,

Whose hope is in the LORD his God,

6Who made heaven and earth,

The sea and all that is in them;

Who keeps faith forever;

7Who executes justice for the oppressed;

Who gives food to the hungry.

The LORD sets the prisoners free.

8The LORD opens the eyes of the blind;

The LORD raises up those who are bowed down;

The LORD loves the righteous;

9The LORD protects the strangers;

He supports the fatherless and the widow,

But He thwarts the way of the wicked.

10The LORD will reign forever,

Your God, O Zion, to all generations.

Praise the LORD!

James 2:1-10 [11-13] 14-17

Mark 7:24-37

24Jesus got up and went away from there to the region of Tyre. And when He had entered a house, He wanted no one to know of it; yet He could not escape notice.25But after hearing of Him, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately came and fell at His feet.26Now the woman was a Gentile, of the Syrophoenician race. And she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter.27And He was saying to her, “Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”28But she answered and *said to Him, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table feed on the children’s crumbs.”29And He said to her, “Because of this answer go; the demon has gone out of your daughter.”30And going back to her home, she found the child lying on the bed, the demon having left.

31Again He went out from the region of Tyre, and came through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, within the region of Decapolis.32They *brought to Him one who was deaf and spoke with difficulty, and they *implored Him to lay His hand on him.33Jesus took him aside from the crowd, by himself, and put His fingers into his ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue with the saliva;34and looking up to heaven with a deep sigh, He *said to him, “Ephphatha!” that is, “Be opened!”35And his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was removed, and he began speaking plainly.36And He gave them orders not to tell anyone; but the more He ordered them, the more widely they continued to proclaim it.37They were utterly astonished, saying, “He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

Isaiah 50:4-9a

4The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of disciples,

That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word.

He awakens Me morning by morning,

He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.

5The Lord GOD has opened My ear;

And I was not disobedient

Nor did I turn back.

6I gave My back to those who strike Me,

And My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard;

I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting.

7For the Lord GOD helps Me,

Therefore, I am not disgraced;

Therefore, I have set My face like flint,

And I know that I will not be ashamed.

8He who vindicates Me is near;

Who will contend with Me?

Let us stand up to each other;

Who has a case against Me?

Let him draw near to Me.

9Behold, the Lord GOD helps Me;

Who is he who condemns Me?

Behold, they will all wear out like a garment;

The moth will eat them.

Psalm 116:1-9

1I love the LORD, because He hears

My voice and my supplications.

2Because He has inclined His ear to me,

Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.

3The cords of death encompassed me

And the terrors of Sheol came upon me;

I found distress and sorrow.

4Then I called upon the name of the LORD:

“O LORD, I beseech You, save my life!”

5Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;

Yes, our God is compassionate.

6The LORD preserves the simple;

I was brought low, and He saved me.

7Return to your rest, O my soul,

For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

8For You have rescued my soul from death,

My eyes from tears,

My feet from stumbling.

9I shall walk before the LORD

In the land of the living.

James 3:1-12

The Tongue Is a Fire

1Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.2For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.3Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.4Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.5So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.

See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!6And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.7For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.8But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.9With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;10from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.11Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?12Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.

Wisdom from Above

Mark 8:27-38

27Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, “Who do people say that I am?”28They told Him, saying, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets.”29And He continued by questioning them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter *answered and *said to Him, “You are the Christ.”30And He warned them to tell no one about Him.

31And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.32And He was stating the matter plainly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.33But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and *said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

34And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.35“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.36“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?37“For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?38“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

Jeremiah 11:18-20

18Moreover, the LORD made it known to me and I knew it;

Then You showed me their deeds.

19But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter;

And I did not know that they had devised plots against me, saying,

“Let us destroy the tree with its fruit,

And let us cut him off from the land of the living,

That his name be remembered no more.”

20But, O LORD of hosts, who judges righteously,

Who tries the feelings and the heart,

Let me see Your vengeance on them,

For to You have I committed my cause.

Psalm 54

1Save me, O God, by Your name,

And vindicate me by Your power.

2Hear my prayer, O God;

Give ear to the words of my mouth.

3For strangers have risen against me

And violent men have sought my life;

They have not set God before them.

Selah.

4Behold, God is my helper;

The Lord is the sustainer of my soul.

5He will recompense the evil to my foes;

Destroy them in Your faithfulness.

6Willingly I will sacrifice to You;

I will give thanks to Your name, O LORD, for it is good.

7For He has delivered me from all trouble,

And my eye has looked with satisfaction upon my enemies.

James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a

Mark 9:30-37

30From there they went out and began to go through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know about it.31For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.”32But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him.

33They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, “What were you discussing on the way?”34But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest.35Sitting down, He called the twelve and *said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”36Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them,37“Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.”

Dire Warnings

Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29

Psalm 19:7-14

7The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;

The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

8The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;

The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;

The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.

10They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;

Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

11Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;

In keeping them there is great reward.

12Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.

13Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins;

Let them not rule over me;

Then I will be blameless,

And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.

14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in Your sight,

O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.

James 5:13-20

13Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.14Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;15and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.16Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.17Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.18Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.

19My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back,20let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Mark 9:38-50

38John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.”39But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me.40“For he who is not against us is for us.41“For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.

42“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea.43“If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire,44[where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.]45“If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame, than, having your two feet, to be cast into hell,46[where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.]47“If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell,48where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, ANDTHE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.

49“For everyone will be salted with fire.50“Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

Peter W. Marty

Senior pastor

Pastor Marty leads the staff and congregation to be a faithful community of God’s people. From the pulpit or with the well-turned written phrase, he focuses his leadership energies on guiding the congregation’s vision and giving shape to the spiritual lives of St. Paul people.

In addition to his passion for congregational life and the people of St. Paul, Peter serves as publisher of The Christian Century, the flagship journal of Protestant thinking in America. He speaks and preaches at churches and conferences across the country, and from 2010-2016 was the lead columnist for The Lutheran magazine. Pastor Marty is author of a book of reflective essays entitled The Anatomy of Grace (Augsburg/Fortress, 2008). A separate volume – The Christian Faith from a Lutheran Perspective – is available in the church’s bookstore.

In 2010, Pastor Marty was named “Parish Pastor of the Year” by the Academy of Parish Clergy. From 2004 to 2009, he was host of the national radio program Grace Matters.

Prior to his arrival in Davenport in 1996, Pastor Marty served congregations in Kansas City, Chicago, and St. Paul, Minnesota.

Peter and his wife Susan, are the parents of two grown children, Jacob and Rachel, both living in the Denver-Boulder area of Colorado.

For more info on Peter, visit his website.

Email: peter@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. 212

Sara Olson-Smith

Associate pastor

Worship, people, and listening to stories form a framework for Pastor Sara Olson-Smith’s passions in ministry. She takes the lead in the church’s caring efforts and young adult connections.

Pastor Sara grew up in Colorado and Wisconsin. She earned degrees from the College of St. Benedict and Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

Before arriving at St. Paul, Pastor Sara Olson-Smith served two congregations in New Jersey. Prior to that, she served as a youth minister in Minneapolis, and chaplain for the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy in Russia. In Denver, she worked with homeless Colorado youth through Urban Servant Corps.

Pastor Sara and her husband Clark, also an ELCA pastor, are the parents of Susannah and Amos. They like to travel, read, walk, and discover the joys of parenting.

Email: sara@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. 248

Katy Warren

Associate pastor

Compassionate and genuine are among the words that describe Pastor Katy Warren. Katy brings her love for hands-on serving to work with the Mission Board. She believes that adventurous serving is one way to fuel faith.

A native of Papillion, Nebraska, Pastor Katy earned degrees from Gustavus Adolphus College and Luther Seminary. From 2011-2013, Katy participated in the St. Paul pastoral residency program.

Katy’s passions include finding ways to get involved with adventurous mission, caring for others and listening to their stories, and hearing people laugh. Katy loves all things related to college basketball, travel, music, and photography.

Email: katy@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. 232

Kelsey Fitting-Snyder

pastor in residency

Kelsey grew up in Pennsylvania and attended Susquehanna University, where she majored in psychology and religion, before going on to seminary at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. She enjoys music, sports, reading, being with friends. She is looking forward to learning about all aspects of ministry so that she can become a well-rounded pastor. Kelsey is married to Jon Snyder, a musician.

 

Email: kelsey@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. 238

Joshua Kestner

pastor in residency

Joshua grew up in North Carolina, and attended Clemson University in South Carolina. He started studying math, but changed to sociology by the end of his first year. He then went on to seminary at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota. He is looking forward to being a part of the intentional learning the pastoral residency program offers, and expanding on his relational skills in ministry. Joshua is engaged to K.D. Gerwig, a nurse.

Email: joshua@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. 237

Ron Huber

Visitation pastor

In his part-time position at St. Paul, Pastor Ron connects with the most senior members of our congregation. He focuses especially on people with health concerns or those who are unable to come to church.

Pastor Ron also serves as pastor of two rural ELCA congregations, both named Salem Lutheran in eastern Iowa’s Jackson County. The churches are in the communities of Andrew and Spragueville.

Pastor Ron and his wife Karen have a love for the Northwoods of Minnesota. They are the parents of three adult children.

Email: ron@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. 213

Karen Strusz

Preschool director

Karen earned a degree in health care administration from Winona State University. She completed her onsite supervisor credential for the Iowa Department of Human Services. Karen has previous experience as a community educator, assistant administrator of a medical practice, and as an instructor in the child care program at Scott Community College. She also worked at the Child Abuse Council.

Karen enjoys working with children and watching them learn about themselves and the world around them.

Karen is married to Brian. They have two children – Madison and Megan are both former preschool students at St. Paul.

Email: karenstrusz@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. 219

Andy Langdon

Director of youth ministry

Andy Langdon, St. Paul’s high-energy youth minister, knows that teenagers are vulnerable humans — and they need the persistent love that only God provides. What are Andy’s tools? A guitar. Pizzas and burritos. Bible stories. A heart for youth from all over the Quad Cities.

Andy focuses on youth, grades 6-12 — but he’s available to all the young people of the church and their families. An ELCA associate in ministry, he served most recently at Prairie Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. He has a Master of Arts in youth and family ministry from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Andy and his wife Becky, a writer, are the parents of two little boys, Jacob and Drew.

Email: andy@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. 228

Christine Vincent

Youth Ministries Intern

Christine is a senior at Augustana College, majoring in religion and political science. She recently returned from her second summer at Sky Ranch, a Lutheran camp in Colorado. She served as a counselor there, facilitating team building activities and Bible studies, and leading day hikes, high ropes course activities and white water rafting. She’s also worked in the child care rooms and helped lead the 2016 youth mission trip at St. Paul. She also has experience as an intern with campus ministries at Augustana.

Christine enjoys being a part of her sorority, Phi Rho. She also participates on the Augustana Alumni Board and Student Government Association. Her parents and siblings live in Bettendorf.

Email: christine@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext.

Kendra Thompson

Pastor of children and family life

How can we make the Bible fun, and get its impact to stick? These are the two questions Kendra asks herself when planning programming for children and families.

Kendra grew up in Missouri, Colorado, Texas and Utah. She earned degrees from the University of Utah, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and her M.Div. equivalent for ordination from Philips School of Theology. Before arriving at St. Paul, Kendra served a variety of churches in a variety of capacities. The common thread has involved learning and working with young people.

Kendra is wife to John, on faculty at St. Ambrose University, mom to Joe, 4, and Andi, 2, and an avid writer. Some of her work can be found online at Think Christian, Tiny Faith, and Cry, Laugh, Snort.

Email: kendra@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. 227

Eyreka Barnes

Children's ministries assistant

Eyreka has always felt a strong pull toward helping others. At St. Paul, she works with children from birth through fifth grade. Her love of watching little ones learn and grow also translates into her work as a preschool teacher at Our Savior Lutheran Church.

Eyreka was born and raised in Wisconsin. She is married to Chris and they have two children, Mason and Sutton, who were baptized at St. Paul and have been a part of the children and youth programs.

Email: eyreka@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. 310

Dana Welser

Neighborhood school partnership coordinator

Dana takes the lead in the church’s partnership with the kids and teachers Madison Elementary and Madison Market, a River Bend Foodbank pantry located in the J.B. Young Opportunity Center. She’s the connecting point with scores of St. Paul people who are involved in making the pantry happen, mentoring, tutoring, and helping Madison students and staff.

Dana’s background in communication and volunteering fuels her passion for serving the church and community. She and her husband Ron are the parents of Jonathan, Lauren, and Jessica.

Email: dana@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. 225

Teresa Whitbeck

Childcare team leader

Teresa welcomes children and parents into the Sunday-morning nursery. She supervises and trains the childcare staff.

She is the receptionist at Humility Homes and Services, Inc. Teresa is a lifelong resident of Davenport. She is mom to Kaila and Seth.

Email: teresa@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. -

Chris Nelson

Director of music ministries & organist

At the bench of the St. Paul pipe organ, Chris Nelson expresses the majesty and mystery of faith. His responsibilities encompass all things music: Overseeing choral and instrumental music, accompanying choirs, playing the organ, and working collaboratively to plan worship.

Schooled in church music at Bethany College and Luther Seminary, Chris has served churches in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, Minnesota, and Indiana. A member of the American Guild of Organists, Chris presents regional workshops and encourages young organists. He is the college organist and instructor of organ at Augustana College in Rock Island, and plays for a variety of events in the Quad Cities.

Chris is an adventurous cook and values time to kick back with family and friends.

Email: chris@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. 214

Bill Campbell

Contemporary music director

Bill is professor of music theory & composition, and chair of the music department at St. Ambrose University. At St. Paul, he directs contemporary music for Open Spirit worship on Sunday mornings.

Before his time at St. Paul, Bill served as musician and music director in Arizona and Oregon churches. Musically fluent in a myriad of contemporary and world music styles, Bill is an accomplished pianist and composes for films, theater, dance, and the concert stage. Bill is married to Michelle and they have two grown children.

Read more on Bill Campbell’s website.

Email: bill@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. -

Linda Allebach

Assistant organist

Linda has served as an organist and choir accompanist for Quad-Cities congregations for many years. She teaches piano in her home to more than 35 budding young musicians.

Linda holds a Master of Arts degree in organ and a sacred music certificate in choral music, hymnody, and history. You’ll spot her on the St. Paul organ bench throughout the year. Linda and her husband Don are parents of three adult daughters and love to sail.

Email: linda@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. -

Nathan Windt

Chorale director

Nathan brings a variety of ecumenical experience, serving Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopalian, and Catholic churches throughout the country.

He has degrees in music education and conducting from North Park University and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He is director of choral activities at St. Ambrose University, where he directs two choral ensembles, as well as teaching applied voice, conducting, and choral methods. His areas of specialty include choral-orchestral repertoire, an affinity for eighteenth- and nineteen-century choral literature, and the performance of German and English art song.

Nathan lives in Eldridge with his wife, Amy, and three children, Ethan, Emma, and Ella. More information can be found on his website, www.nathanwindt.com.

Email: nathan@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. -

Dan Pepper

Youth choir director

Originally from the Chicago suburbs, Dan attended Augustana College where he studied music education and sang in the Augustana Choir. He is a vocal music teacher at Sudlow Intermediate and oversees the general music program, Men’s Choir, 6th Grade Honor Choir, and the Ukulele Club. His energetic personality gets youth, grades 7-12, excited about singing at St. Paul.

Dan and his wife, Melissa, are very involved in musical theater in the QCA and can be found on stage at Quad City Music Guild or Countryside Community Theatre. They are parents of a son, Grayson.

Email: pepper@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. -

Margaret Thompson

Children’s choir director

Margaret leads the Cantate choir, a group of growing musicians in grades 4-6. A graduate of Coe College, Margaret teaches music at Pleasant Valley Junior High as well as private lessons. She directed a middle school choir for three years at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids while attending Coe.

Margaret lives in the Quad Cities with her husband, Miles, and son, Christian.

Email: mthompson@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. -

Sara Harless

Children's choir director

Sara Harless is the director of the children’s choir for the littlest of singers, ages 4-kindergarten, the Alleluia Choir.

Sara is a graduate of Ball State University with a degree in early childhood education. She has taught Head Start preschool, and helps lead music for St. Paul’s Vacation Bible School. She also is involved in St. Paul’s Moms’ Morning.

As the daughter of a piano teacher, Sara has played since she was a little girl. She participated in church and school choirs, as well. She loves to sing, and is looking leading the sweet voices of St. Paul kids as they do the same. Sara lives in Bettendorf with her husband, Sean, and children, Annie and Gary.

Email: saraharless@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. -

Katie Casey

Children's choir director

Katie Casey leads the Jubilate Choir. She is the music teacher at Pleasant Valley’s Hopewell Elementary School in Bettendorf. She has a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree in special education from Western Illinois University.

She and her husband, Jimmy Sederquist, live in Bettendorf with their children, Kinley, 5, and Kellyn, 1.

Email: casey@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext.

Kyle Schneider

Contemporary music assistant

Kyle Schneider is a senior at St. Ambrose University studying Music Education. He grew up in Crystal Lake, Illinois but has family roots in the Quad City area. At St. Paul, Kyle works under the direction of Bill Campbell, contemporary music coordinator, for the Open Spirit worship on Sundays. Outside of church, Kyle spends majority of his time performing and teaching music throughout the area.

Email:
Phone: Ext.

Ann McGlynn

Director of communication

With a background in newspaper journalism, Ann brings the stories of St. Paul to life. She thrives on helping people make connections, with each other and their faith.

Ann is mom to Nick and Nate, partner to Sean, and a native of DeWitt, Iowa. She is a two-time graduate of the University of Iowa, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s of business administration.

Ann recognizes the privilege she is afforded, and works to confront systems that perpetuate unequal power structures – particularly for refugee women and children in the Quad Cities.

Email: ann@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. 239

Lauren Brown

Artistic director

Design. Photography. Digital media. These are the components of Lauren Brown’s days. Her keen eye and enthusiastic spirit bring life and color to photos and slideshows. She manages the church website, and collaborates on a number of print resources too.

Lauren’s efforts help communicate the color and texture of St. Paul life – and reach out to people in the community. A graduate of Wartburg College, Lauren enjoys an active life in the Quad Cities with her husband Tony and daughter Meredith.

Email: lauren@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. 223

Destiny Ellingsworth

Communications Intern

Destiny is a junior at Western Illinois University and attends her classes at the Quad Cities campus. She majors in marketing and plans to obtain her master’s of business administration. She is a member of the Public Relations Network of the Quad Cities and enjoys attending their meetings and workshops. As a lifelong member of St. Paul, Destiny is ecstatic to be more involved with the church and help showcase all of the wonderful things taking place.

Destiny’s family includes her mother, Marcia, and sibling, Perry. She was born and raised in Davenport and loves being a part of the Quad Cities community.

Email: destiny@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. 246

Karen Holden

Book Corner manager

Karen’s meaningful mission is to lead the daily operations of our congregational bookstore. She has an eye for the resources that ground our lives in faith, support fair trade, and offer delight.

Karen and her husband Mark, a sales manager, are the parents of two adult children and grandparents of four.

Email: bookcorner@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. 242

Todd Byerly

Operations director

Todd is responsible for guiding operational details that assist staff effectiveness and strengthen congregational events. He provides the administrative leadership for matters connected with contracts, employment, and with buildings and grounds projects. He also is responsible for tech support for worship and events.

Todd, who is married to Lori Byerly, is retired from J.W. Koehler Electric in Davenport. He is president of Empower Tanzania, a nonprofit organization. He and Lori were ELCA missionaries in Tanzania from 2004-2009.

Email: todd@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. 256

Paula Durham

Business manager

Paula brings expertise in public accounting and financial management to St. Paul. She oversees the financial affairs of the church, manages the computer network, and works closely with office support staff. She partners with a finance committee comprised of St. Paul members.

Paula is the mother of two adult sons and grandmother of two. She is an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Muscatine, where she makes her home. You will find her on her bike during her free time.

Email: paula@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. 226

Jennifer Garvey

Receptionist

Jennifer is the welcoming voice on the other end of the phone when you call the church office. She also coordinates office volunteers, manages the extensive church calendar, and brings a flair for hospitality ministry.

Jennifer is the mother of Bridget, a young adult. She loves tap dancing and flea market shopping.

Email: jennifer@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. 210

Becky Harper

Senior pastor’s assistant

Becky provides strong support for Pastor Peter Marty. She takes the lead in producing Connections, St. Paul’s weekly newsletter, and worship bulletins. In addition, Becky manages all in-house printing and maintains records for pastoral care.

Becky and her husband Brad, an occupational therapist, are the parents of Jacob and Maggie.

Email: becky@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. 211

Carrie Bowman

Business office assistant

Carrie focuses on membership and visitor records, bulk mailings, accounting assistance, and secretarial support. With a background of working in bank trust departments, as well as nonprofits, Carrie loves the detail work of helping make an office function smoothly.

She and her husband, Jerry, live in Davenport and have two adult daughters, Madeline and Sarah. Carrie enjoys playing tennis, reading, hiking, and traveling.

Email: carrie@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. 243

Marcia Robertson

Stewardship coordinator

Marcia leads the passion-filled stewardship initiatives at St. Paul. Retired from Tech Systems, she uses her keen organizational skills and love for St. Paul to grow a spirit of extravagant generosity.

Marcia and her husband, Doug, a dentist, have three daughters. They also enjoy time spent with their grandchildren.

Email: marcia@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext.

Matt Spencer

Building manager

Matt Spencer works with part-time maintenance and security staff, overseeing general cleaning and building maintenance. You’ll notice Matt regularly on Sunday mornings, serving up donuts, coffee, and welcome.

Matt’s wife, Robin, is a business teacher for the Muscatine Community School District. They are the parents of two adult children and grandparents of four. In his spare time, Matt enjoys working with his hands on “anything mechanical” and spending time with his grandkids.

Email: spencer@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. 235

Harris Schneekloth

Campus & grounds

Harris cares for the building campus that serves St. Paul’s seven-days-a-week ministry. The exterior grounds, property budget management, and facility contracts are his focus. He’s a familiar face behind the donut counter on Sunday mornings too.

Harris and his wife Donna, a retired school nurse, have three adult sons and are proud grandparents.

Email: harris@stpaulqc.org
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. 302

Jim Akright

Custodial & maintenance

Jim is one of the staff members who keeps St. Paul clean and comfortable. He is tops at taking care of the floors that endure a lot of beautiful feet, as well as managing a vigorous cleaning schedule for the spaces of St. Paul.

Jim is married to Tina, and together they have five kids. They enjoy traveling to Hawaii and camping.

Email:
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. -

Paul Caldwell

Host

Paul is the second of the duo of weekend hosts who ensure all who enter the doors feel at home. He is a retired production welder from Hansaloy Corp. Paul and his wife, Karen, live in Davenport with their therapy poodle, Gus. Paul likes to cook, bicycle, garden, read, walk Gus, and ride his scooter.

Email:
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. -

Terry Haru

Host

Terry is a retired compliance officer for Heritage Behavioral Health Center in Decatur, Illinois. He is married to Elaine Olson, and the two enjoy spending time with their grown children and grandchildren.

Terry enjoys traveling, reading, and genealogy. He is working to learn Spanish and exercises regularly. He was born in California, and spent his teen and young adult years living in Hawaii, which he considers home.

Email:
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext.

Ron Mullen

Weekend host

Ron Mullen is one of two kind and friendly hosts who greet and guide on weekends. During the week, he is a materials manager at Trinity Logistics Corporation. He and his wife, Karin, have two daughters, a son-in-law, and a granddaughter. He enjoys photography and building and launching high-power rockets.

Email:
Phone: 563-326-3547 Ext. -

Nick Peterson

Weekend host

Nick is a familiar face around St. Paul, as he was active in youth activities during his high school years. Nick is a graduate of Davenport Central High School, and attended Black Hawk College.

Being outdoors is what makes Nick happiest, in particular times spent snow skiing/boarding and hiking in Yellowstone National Park. You will most often see Nick on Sunday mornings, greeting people and offering hospitality with the St. Paul golf cart.

Email:
Phone: Ext.