St. Paul opens its doors to the community and welcomes a variety of choirs to sing in the Sanctuary throughout the year. Two college choirs will fill the Sanctuary with song in concerts over the next two weeks. The concerts are free, with a freewill…
St. Paul counts five deacons among its active membership. Deacons serve in congregations and other ministries of the ELCA. DEEP GLADNESS I’m an accidental deacon. Frederick Buechner famously wrote, “The place God calls you to is the place where your…
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Gardening isn’t exactly my greatest talent. I’ve definitely never had much of a green thumb. But I’m grateful for a few good friends who have, over time, helped me figure out how to add some flowers and landscaping to my otherwise fairly simple yard….
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Dana Starkell will present on Earth Day, this Sunday, April 22, during Sunday morning learning in the Chapel, 10:45-11:30 a.m. For 15 days straight, Dana Starkell spent 10 hours a day canoeing above the coral reefs of Belize. “It was like being on an…
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While there is much evidence to the contrary, I am convinced that humans are actually quite remarkable. We have this enormous capacity for courage, hope, and trust. If you ever doubt this, just spend some time watching trapeze artists. There they are…
With unanimity and enthusiasm, the St. Paul Congregational Council voted to begin a new permanent schedule on Sunday, May 20, 2018. The St. Paul staff, which deliberated extensively on all of the issues related to a schedule change, was integral to t…
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On a sheet of lined notebook paper, a girl named Jill put her pencil to work. She was 7 years old at the time, and she decided to write about the wind and an owl. Even at that young, young age, her words were lyrical, full of wisdom and whimsy. On a…
The psalmist inspires St. Paul spirit and action: “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.” That’s Psalm 24:1. A 24/1 church cherishes and cares for God’s creation. We live on a pinpoint of Earth in Davenport, Iowa. We’re mindful that God’s…
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On the week of the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr’s death, it seems fitting to recall his most enduring legacy. King’s unbending commitment to non-violence turns on one central idea: revenge can never be a worthy substitute for love. In or…
With a warm smile and bulletins in hand, Sam Dickman greets visitors as they walk into the Sanctuary for worship. A bit later in worship, he makes his way down the middle aisle with seven fellow ushers. They are given baskets for offering, then make…
St. Paul people are preparing for three learning experiences this month — to Chicago, Tanzania, and the Iowa state penitentiary in Anamosa. The Free Indeed congregation inside the Iowa men’s penitentiary at Anamosa, Iowa, will welcome a group of St….
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I am always flooded with emotions during Holy Week and Easter. We begin waving palm branches with a triumphant entry into Jerusalem, praising God for the coming Messiah. But then our shouts of praise turn to chants of death as we say together “crucif…