Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On June 9, the Christian Church celebrates the Festival of Pentecost.

Ten days after Jesus’ ascension into heaven, God poured out His Holy Spirit upon Jesus’ followers, who had gathered in the Upper Room in Jerusalem. There was the sound of a rushing wind. What appeared to be flames of fire came to rest upon the heads of Jesus’ disciples. These same disciples then found themselves proclaiming God’s praise in the languages of all the people drawn to the spot by the sound of the rushing wind.

When the people asked, “what does this mean?” Peter told those gathered that they, God’s people, and the Romans crucified Jesus. But God the Father raised Jesus back to life. That very day God poured out His Holy Spirit upon Jesus’ waiting disciples. Peter directed his listeners to repent and to be baptized in Jesus’ name for the forgiveness of their sins. Three thousand people believed God’s Word and were baptized that day.

God’s Holy Spirit is still at work, calling you and me to repentance and forgiveness in Jesus’ name. We can take comfort in our baptism, through which God poured His Holy Spirit, forgiveness and new life into each of our lives. Empowered by God’s Spirit, we bear witness to the name of Jesus to those we encounter in our lives.

Included in this note is Luther’s explanation of the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed. Also included is a prayer about the Holy Spirit from a book called, Prayers for Young Christians.

You are invited to wear read on Pentecost Sunday, June 9. We will dedicate our new red choir robes that day. The robes will be dedicated in memory of Ken Guile. We hope to take a picture of our congregation on St. Paul’s front steps that morning.

In Christ,
Pastor Holsten

THE THIRD ARTICLE (and Luther’s Explanation from the Small Catechism)

Sanctification

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

What does this mean? I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me the true faith.

In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.

In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers.

On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ.

This is most certainly true.

A Prayer from Prayers for Young Christians

Based on Luther’s Small Catechism

By Barbara DeGrote-Sorenson and Roland Seboldt

Dear God,

I cannot thank you enough for the Holy Spirit in my life.

Your Spirit

Entered my life when I was baptized,

Led me to know Jesus and keeps him in my heart,

Make me a member of your Christian church,

Lifted my gloomy feelings by forgiving my sins,

Gave me the hope that my family and I will have

a new, everlasting life after we die.

Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Strengthen me to

believe, to love, to learn, to play, to live the life you

have in mind for me. Amen.

NOTES FROM PASTOR

We ask God to bless Hudson Lindblad. Hudson will be baptized at St. Paul’s on Sunday, June 23 at 10 AM. Hudson’s parents are Julia and Michael Lindblad. Hudson’s big brother is Oliver Lindblad.

We ask God to bless Kimberly Ashton and Scott Hellstern. Kimberly and Scott will be married here at St. Paul’s on June 29 at 3 PM. Kimberly grew up here at St. Paul’s. Kim now lives in Waldwick. Kim’s current pastor, Rev. Matt Peeples of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ridgewood, will participate in the service. Kim is a reading intervention teacher. Scott works in residential construction for a firm called Creative Design.

We ask God to bless Julianne Fields and Casey Luikert. Julianne graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh in May. Casey will graduate from Dumont High School in June. We hope to celebrate our graduates this summer in a worship service when they are home.

We ask God to bless Pastor Ed Lazarchak and the people of Zion Lutheran Church in Maywood. Pastor Lazarchak will retire after 11 years of ministry at Zion. His retirement will go into effect after worship on Sunday, June 30, 2019.

We ask God to bless Warren Boorn. Warren will retire from his position as church organist at St. Matthew’s in New Milford on June 16, 2019.

The members and friends of St. Paul’s share their sympathy and the sure hope of the resurrection with the family of Jeanette Bickel. Jeanette passed away on May 2. Jeanette was 90 years old. Jeanette’s funeral took place at St. Paul’s on Tuesday, May 7. Jeanette’s body was laid to rest in Rockland Cemetery in Sparkill, NY.

Jeanette is survived by her son, William and his wife, Cynthia. Jeanette is survived by her daughter, Debra Sansanelli and her fiancé, Christian. Jeanette is also survived by six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Jeanette’s husband, Bill passed away in 1994. Jeanette’s son, Eddie, passed away last year.

The members and friends of St. Paul’s share their sympathy and the sure hope of the resurrection with the family of Susan Cinquegrana. Susan passed away on May 3. Susan was 70 years old. Susan’s funeral took place at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Wednesday, May 8. Susan’s body was laid to rest in Redeemer Cemetery in Mahwah.

Susan was a lay minister at Bethlehem. She directed many special events as part of Bethlehem’s women’s ministry. Susan is survived by her husband, Larry, five children and nine grandchildren.

CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING

ELDERS

Met on May 7
Reviewed Pastor’s report
Set schedule for upcoming month
Released Eric and Ruth Ann Lofmark from membership to a Congregational Church in Connecticut.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Students enjoyed the Tenebrae service. Last two lessons have been on Heaven and children made dioramas. Sunday school is winding down. No classes next Sunday due to Memorial holiday. Bible Bowl will be held on June 2 which is the last day for classes.
Concluded the Lenten Adult Bible Study. Thursday we watched “I Can Only Imagine.” Next two weeks we will discuss “Heaven.” Planning a new study for the fall.

MISSIONS & EVANGELISM

Committee met on May 15
Talked about helping Pastor with tea for the dance studio
Upcoming missions include: June-Englewood Food Pantry; July-Backpacks; September 22-Comfort Dog; October-Dakota Boys’ Ranch with a Honey Sunday.
Memorial Day Parade – Thanks to Roy Merz and Betty Bujas for refurbishing the church for the float. Gerrie Oliver had three professional banners made for the float at a cost of $150. Our custom has been to toss granola bars out to the crowd. The amount has increased to 300 bars, which increases the cost that was donated by Gerrie Oliver. Donations have been received which defrays this cost. Gerrie will contribute the rest.
MSC by Gerri Gibney and Roy Merz to reimburse Gerrie Oliver $150 for the cost of the banners.

PROPERTY

Air conditioning coil air handler needed to be replaced at a cost of $3700. Dance studio contributed $1500 toward this expense.
Sewer drain line backed up
Toilet and sink blockage
Five outside light fixtures use bulbs that appear to be discontinued. If unable to locate replacement bulbs, fixtures will need to be replaced (cost of $150).
Carillon is not working again.
Landscaping
Vacuum broke
Refurbished church for Memorial Day float.

STEWARDSHIP

Celebrated Easter at the nursing home
Will be at nursing home this Tuesday with a Hawaiian theme
Ladies Aid Spring Rally was held at St. Pauls with “Jesus Is Our Rock” theme.
September 21 we will help Zion LWML with a full-day program “Defending the Faith.” The guest speaker will be Dr. Paul L. Maier, a professor of history at Western Michigan University.

OLD BUSINESS

Election – MSC Charles Munsch and Gerri Gibney that acting Secretary, Barbara J. Guile, cast one vote for the slate of officers as presented.

President – Charles Munsch

Vice President – Roy Merz

Secretary – Joan Curto

Financial Secretary – Richard Huss

Treasurer – Gerri Gibney

Elder – Richard Huss

Constitution – Following discussion, MSC Roy Merz and Barbara Guile to approve the changes as presented. One opposed.

NEW BUSINESS

None

LADIES AID

The Ladies Aid and Quilters will be enjoying a luncheon on Monday, June 10th, 12:00 pm, Koepchen Fellowship Hall. If you would like to join us, please speak to Janice Pierro or Carolyn Bieri.

JUNE BIRTHDAYS:

5	Kim Luikert, Samantha Ross, Richard Graesser, Adam Graesser
6	Marin DiBlasio
7	Brian Schama
8	Joe Kemprowski Jr., Douglas Keil
10	June Kuhn
11	Jaclyn Loweree, Douglas Catalanello
12	John Graesser
13	William Sposa
17	Anne Gilhool
21	Lisa Vreeland
22	Irma Schmuck, Donna Steindl
23	Carley Weber
24	Loan Wiederholz
28	Oscar Gilhool
29	Finn Wiederholz
30	Barbara Paller, Knox Wiederholz

SECRETARY’S
CORNER

June has been a popular month for weddings.

The month of June derives its name from Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage. It was thought that couples who married in June would be blessed with prosperity and happiness.

The 1954 film “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” had a song called “June Bride”.

“OH! They say when you marry in June, you’re a bride all your life. And the bridegroom who marries in June gets a sweetheart for a wife!”