Receiving the Sacrament of Holy Baptism today at the 9:15 am service is Blake Edward Wilson. His parents are Ed and Amy Wilson, and Nicole Wilson. [Gifts may be made in celebration of the baptism to the Love a Child Fund, 303 Mulberry Dr., Mechanicsburg, PA 17050]. We will also recognize and bless the baptism of Lynette Jamie Hoffman. Her parents are Brian and Vicki Hoffman.

THE FREE CAR WASH FUNDRAISER for June’s Youth Mountain T.O.P. mission was held yesterday. An announcement about how many cars we washed will be made during services. Youth will be available in the lobbies between services to accept your pledges or any donations. Thank you for supporting this mission for our youth.

HELP NEEDED: Tiles will be installed in the playground area outside the Education Center at 9 am on May 31. Please contact the Preschool office at 237-1245 to RSVP if you would like to help.

COMING EVENTS:

THE CHURCH BUILDING WILL BE CLOSED on May 20 for an In-Service Day. Emergency calls will be returned as soon as possible; all other calls will be returned the next business day.

THE NEXT EDUCATION ROUNDTABLE meets on May 20 from 7 to 9 pm in the Social Room. Come one, come all. Pastor Ed is leading the meeting!

EPWORTH MANOR AUXILIARY is selling individual packages of apple dumplings. Prepaid orders will be taken for either regular or sugar-free apple dumplings on May 25 and June 1 after all three morning services. The price is still only $2.75. Pick-up will be June 9 between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm at the Calder Way entrance. And yes, they do freeze well for your enjoyment at a later time. Thank you for your faithful support of Epworth Manor Auxiliary as we work to provide the residents of Epworth Manor in Tyrone with some extras for their enjoyment. Questions: contact Barb Sullivan at 861-6002.

THE CHURCH BUILDING WILL BE CLOSED on May 26 in observance of Memorial Day.

MEMBERSHIP CLASS: Church membership is a way for us to show our full commitment to Jesus Christ. If you find St. Paul’s to be your spiritual home but have not yet become a member, we invite you to take the next faithful step. To know more about joining St. Paul’s as your family of faith, the next Membership Class will be held on Sundays June 1, 8, 15 and 22 during the Sunday School hour of 9:15 to 10:15 am in the Frank Chapel, located on the first floor of the church building near Calder Way. Members will be received Sunday, June 22 at the 10:45 worship service. Although last minute decisions are welcome, please try to contact Virginia Flick at 237-2163 by May 25 to register so that we are prepared with enough materials. If childcare will be needed for Sunday June 8, please contact Virginia Flick by May 25.

21st ANNUAL ST. PAUL’S GOLF TOURNAMENT: Saturday, June 14 at Penn State White Course. Join in a time of fun and fellowship while raising money for the United Methodist Campus Ministry! The tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 9 am and will end with a covered dish picnic for the entire family at Tudek Memorial Park. Cost is $65 per golfer. The cost of the cart is included and all players must use a cart. We are looking for sponsors as well. If you are interested, please leave a message in the church office and we will contact you! See The Messenger for a registration form.

SAFE SANCTUARY TRAINING will be provided on June 14 from 9 to 11 am in the church Social Room. This initial training (need only take once) is required for all staff persons and volunteers working with children/youth. To register for the training, please contact Virginia Flick at 237-2163. If childcare is desired, please inform Virginia — the deadline to obtain childcare is May 31. For all other questions or concerns regarding the Safe Sanctuary program, please contact Dave Flick at 861-3223.

CHILDREN’S NEWS
(Contact Tori Von Leer at237-2163 x 148 for more info.)

IF YOU’VE BEEN WONDERING HOW YOU CAN HELP with Children’s Sunday School, here’s a way you can serve! We need 5 leaders each for our preschool and elementary classes. All materials are ready for you and each class will have helpers. Sign up today in the Wesley Lobby or contact Tori.

WE’RE ALMOST READY! It’s almost time for us to move into the Education Center and we’re really excited. On May 31, there will be a finishing party as we prepare the new cabinets for all our goodies. If you are able to help us as we finish the cabinets, plan to come to the Education Center on May 31 from 10 am to Noon. RSVP to Tori if you are able to help.

SUNDAY, JUNE 22 is the last week of regular Sunday School and the first day of VBS! As part of the 10:45 worship service on June 29, the children will sing VBS songs as special music. Plan to be there with your family! Summer Sunday School will begin on July 20 and end August 17!

IT’S VBS TIME and we are looking for help with the environment. If you like to paint, draw, hammer or hang stuff, please contact Sue Justice (234-9595) or Kristin Marsh (867-8114).

ATTENTION! Vacation Bible School 2008 is just around the corner! Registration forms will be available and distributed via Sunday School beginning today. You may return your completed forms to the VBS box provided in the Wesley Lobby. We welcome any adults or older youth who wish to help with VBS. Please contact Janie Prichard (861-5521) or Christine Stangel (861-2008). THANK YOU! See you at Son World Adventure Park!!!

CHRISTIAN ED. NEWS:
(Contact Donna Snyder at 237-2163 ext. 125 for more info.)

PRAYER EVENT! Dr. Terry Teykl, former pastor and one of the most sought after speakers and seminar leaders in the country, will be here in State College on May 31. He has authored many books on prayer including: How to Pray After You’ve Kicked the Dog, Blueprint for the House of Prayer, Praying Grace, Divine Strongholds, and Presence Based Church. Don’t miss out on this wonderful event, sponsored by Centre Vision. Call 237-4365 (District Office) to register. Cost: $30 per person. Time: 9 am to 3 pm. Location: Mt. Nittany UMC.

WOMEN’S MINISTRY: St. Paul’s UMC is forming a Women’s Ministry! Is God calling you to help? Are you interested? Do you want to learn more? If so, please contact Donna at 237-2163. Let’s work together to support women of all ages in this ministry! Together we can make it happen!

ATTENTION ALL ADULT CLASSES and Small Groups, including Sunday Adult Christian Education Hour Classes: With summer fast-approaching, the Christian Education office needs to know your plans for the summer and beyond. Please contact Donna as soon as possible to share your plans. If you need help with resources and ideas, this is also a great time for a conversation. The Education Roundtable is working together with the Pastors to create an overall education plan for St. Paul’s UMC. As we all plan together we can make Christian Education a top priority for people of all ages here at St. Paul’s. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

FAITH-SHARING AT ST. PAUL’S: We had our first Faith-Sharing class this past week. As some of us got together to share our journeys, it became apparent that there are many ways we can share our “God-stories.” Call Donna if you would like to help lead a small group about sharing your spiritual growth journey. Our stories are as individual as we are, but getting together and sharing them is very unifying and powerful. Don’t miss the next one! Watch for future announcements. The text we will be using for one of these groups is Faith-Sharing by Eddie Fox and George E. Morris (revised and expanded foreword by Maxie D. Dunnam).

WOMEN’S RETREAT 2009! That’s right, 2009! This year’s retreat, with 41 women, was another huge success, by all standards. The Holy Spirit was “In the House,” as they say! Thank You God! Next year, and in years to follow, we will be offering the Women’s Retreat the first weekend in May. Mark your calendars now. The theme for the 2009 Retreat is: “Healing, Wellness, and Wholeness.” You won’t want to miss this quiet time with the Lord. As you plan ahead, please think about how God is calling you to serve on the team too. Many hands make light work...and everyone gets to have some quiet time too. Our God is an awesome God!