St.Paul’s Lutheran Church MARCH 2018 Newsletter W2604 CO HWY P, Merrill, WI 54452 715-536-8459 Please leave a message. Pastor Gregory Laska can be reached at Home #715-536-1511, Cell # 715-350-9741 email address is: grlaska@yahoo.com, or at church office on Mondays 9 am till Noon.

​ “St. Paul’s is Committed to Encouraging Growth and Fellowship by Sharing the Word and Gifts from GOD and by living our Christian Beliefs Everywhere and Always.” Information for newsletters needs to be sent to gmoestreich@gmail.com before the 20th of each month for the next month’s newsletter. This allows for planning, editing, layout, printing and mailing to members by the first of the month. If you would like your newsletter by email please send your request to gmoestreich@gmail.com so we can add you to the list of members getting this newsletter by email. All newsletters are available for pick up the last Sunday of each month in Church.

August 5 Communion Worship Service at 9:00 am
August 12 Worship Service at 9:00 am
August 19 Communion Worship Service at 9:00 am
August 26 Contemporary Worship Service at 9:00 am

Saturday evening worship services are offered at Luther Memorial-Gleason at 6 pm. All are welcome to Worship Services at St. Paul's 9:00 am or at Luther Memorial -Gleason 10:30 am on Sundays.

August Usher Schedule
August 5: Tim Duley, Nathan Meyer, Gary Erickson. Don Voight (Communion Elder)
August 12: Scott and Maggie Duley
August 19: Brian Brendemuehl, Dave Schulz, Chris Baumann, Keith Duley (Communion Elder)
August 26: Jack Grawien, Shannon (Otis) Grawien
Volunteers, please come 20 to 30 minutes before worship time to prepare the building for the Worship Service. Please take head count of attendance and write it on the clip board posted by the last pew on the east side of church each and every worship service. Please wear your Sunday best clothing, you are serving in the King’s house. Thank You for your service to our Lord and our Church Family.

The Cody Clauson Family Trio
St. Paul’s Church will host The Cody Clauson Family Trio on Novermber 4, 2018 in the Fellowship Hall. Tickets are available from Lois Oestreich for $37.50 per person. Tickets are limited to order early. No sales at the door on November 4. Order your ticket by mail, with a stamped self addressed envelope to Lois Oestreich, 247128 County Rd WW, Wausau, WI 54403 with check made payable to St. Paul’s Church, or see Lois after services.




Parable of the Bucket The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible. His grandson, who wanted to be just like him, tried to imitate him in any way that he could. One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?" The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, "Take this coal bucket down to the river and bring back water." The coal bucket was worn out from many years of use and had several noticeable holes in it. The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You will have to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the bucket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was "impossible to carry water in that bucket," and he went to get a new bucket instead. The old man said, "I don't want a new bucket of water; I want water in that old coal bucket. You can do this. He went out the door to watch the boy try again. At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the bucket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Grandpa, it's useless!" "So you think it is useless?" the old man said. "Look at the bucket." The boy looked at the bucket and for the first time he realized that the bucket looked different. Instead of a dirty old coal bucket, it was clean. "Son, that bucket was clean long ago just like you were made clean at your own baptism. But every day that the bucket was used to carry coal, it got dirtier and dirtier. It needed to be washed. That's what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you and wash you from the inside out." That is the work of God in our lives: to change us from the inside out and to slowly transform us into the image of His Son.
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Bethesda Volunteer Work Day St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is scheduled to work at Bethesda Thrift Shop in Wausau on the last Tuesday of each month. We are scheduled August 28, 1 pm to 4 pm, September 25th 1 pm to 4 pm. If these times do not work for you, just stop in at Bethesda Thrift store and talk to Alice about a time that works for you to volunteer. Enjoy the benefits of purchasing at a discount, no time clock to punch, lots of pleasant people to work with, and a feeling of serving through volunteering. We ride share and would be happy to include you, call Lois Oestreich @ 715-536-6965 for more information.