Upcoming Activities:

October 18 Volunteer Appreciation Day to honor and celebrate all those who give their time in service to St. Paul’s. The event will be held in the basement prior to the voters meeting

October 31 Light the Night.  The Board of Evangelism is excited to announce our annual Light the Night event on October 31 from 6:00 to 7:30. This is a fun evening to host a table and share some treats with families in our community.  We will have door prizes, Arch books, hot chocolate and photo opportunity, along with sharing information about St. Paul's church and ECC.  Please use the below link to sign up to host a table or contact Ashleigh.  Those hosting a table are encouraged to decorate the provided table, hand out whatever type of treats you decide to bring and dress up if you'd like.  Set up will begin at 4:00, with doors opening at 6:00 p.m.  This is a wonderful opportunity to reach families in our community so we greatly appreciate your participation!  Thank you!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904044DA8A62CA0FF2-58674941-light

December 6 Christmas caroling at 1:30. Please save the date for visiting our shut-ins and seniors with some Christmas cheer.  Sign-up will begin soon! 

Service opportunities:

We plan to participate with the Ministries Unlimited Thanksgiving meals for needy families event this year and are signed up to help 20 families.  Watch for more information to come and a poster in the narthex with needed items.

Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes will again be available to fill this year.

Date is to be determined to sort and stock food at Ministries Unlimited following Scouting for Food collection in November.  Watch for more information.

Need a good way to start your day? Consider listening to the daily devotion from Pastor Will Weedon on the Lutheran Public Radio app, titled "The Word of the Lord Endures Forever". Currently, Pastor Weedon is working through some of the Psalms.  The podcasts are approximately 15 minutes long and perfect to listen to on your drive to work or at any time during your day.

Confirmation classes have begun. If you know of any families with a 7th- or 8th-grader who would like to attend confirmation classes, please feel free to forward this email to them.

CHOIRCHIMES will start rehearsals on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 5:15 PM in the church balcony. No previous experience or note reading skills are required! All ages Jr High through adults are encouraged to come. Please text Karen Shimkus at 540-0810 for more information!

Madison County Transit Grant – Ministries Unlimited has received a grant from the Madison County Micro Transit Department for travel between the Troy area and the Maryville area.  This grant is not based on financial need, but instead on a transportation need.  One token will provide transportation to a designated spot and one token would be needed to return home.  MCT Micro will pick you up at your door depending on accessibility and drop you off at your desired location.  The driver will pick up and drop off other riders so scheduled stops ensure rider’s trips are carried out on time.  All buses are wheelchair accessible.   If interested, contact Ashleigh at the church office to receive the tokens for no charge.  To book a ride, one can call 618-797-4636.

The Elders Are Praying... Will You Join Us?

One of the responsibilities entrusted to the Board of Elders is prayer for the congregation. We pray for those who are sick or grieving, for our children, youth, pastor, teachers, missionaries, and all who gather at St. Paul's.

We also pray for those who have been absent and for those whom God is calling to hear His Word.

In the coming months, we invite the congregation to join us in praying especially for increased worship and Sunday School attendance.  Every person in worship is hearing God's forgiveness in Christ. Every child in Sunday School is another opportunity for God's Word to take root. We pray because eternal things are at stake.

Our Lord Jesus invites us to pray with confidence:

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."

Matthew 7:7

He also promises concerning His Church:

"I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Matthew 16:18

The Apostle Paul reminds us:

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly."

Colossians 3:16

And Hebrews encourages us:

"Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together ... but encouraging one another."

Hebrews 10:24-25

Please pray with us:

That God would strengthen those who worship regularly.

That those who have been absent would return to receive God's gifts.

That parents would make Sunday School a priority for their children.

That visitors would receive a warm welcome and hear the Gospel.

That our congregation would faithfully proclaim Christ in our community.

That the Holy Spirit would work through God's Word and Sacraments to bring many into His kingdom.

As we are called to do, 

Board of Elders

Youth group is Sunday night at 6pm in the gym. Please join us for a devotion and fun games! Jen Doyle will be leading this week

Also, on Sunday, October 18th from 12:30-2pm, St. Paul's is taking a trip to Rinkel Pumpkin Patch in Glen Carbon! Youth and families are welcome to come and attend the event. I will cover admission fees for the youth and give a short devotion as well. If you are planning to pick pumpkins this year, plan accordingly!! This would be a great opportunity. I ask that for sake of convenience that you open the Google Form or scan the QR code attached to this email and sign up by Thursday, Oct. 15th. Activities at the pumpkin patch are fun for the whole family, and include:

Corn Maze

Corn Pit

Straw Maze

U-Pick Patch (we will price them at checkout)

Petting Zoo

Basketball Games

Duck Races

Slide Tower

Tractor Slide

Picture Boards

Barrel Train ($2 per ride and weather permitting)

AND MORE!!

⭐️ St. Paul's ECC is hiring for a 3 year old teaching position. ⭐️

You must have 60 credit hours in college with 6 being in early childhood or related fields. 🎓

If you know anyone, please have them reach out!

Registration for the ECC Summer Camp & 2026-27 School Year is open for the public! Summer Camp is $260/weekly for two-year-olds and $255/weekly for potty trained kiddos aged 3 and up.

Registration fees are:

*$75 for Summer Camp
*$125 for School Year
*$150 for BOTH (discounted if you do them together)

If you have any questions, please email us or call the front office at 618-667-6681

Sunday, April 11, 2027!

Making a Difference Granite City outreach. Donations needed right now are hygiene items, blankets, and lightweight jackets and hoodies. Anyone who would like to help at the outreach is welcome on the second Saturday of each month. Please contact Kay if you would like to carpool from church.  We leave at 11 am and return around 3 pm. This event is held outdoors, so dress appropriately.

Our shut-ins would love if you would send them a card

Virginia Niebruegge-39 Dorothy Dr, Troy, IL 62294                 

Kathy Brumm-Highland Health Care Center, 1450 26th St,  Highland, IL 62249                                                                          

Ada Yardley-105 James St, Troy, IL 62294           

Gloria Kueker-116 Weston St, Troy, IL 62294                          

Bernadel Brodie- Liberty Village, 306B, 6955 IL-162, Maryville, IL  62062                                    

Ed Johnson-Hitz Memorial Home, 201 Bell St, Alhambra, IL 62001                      

Ruth Schmitt- 2070 Kinridge Place Ct. Marietta, GA  30062

Lois Rodenbaugh- 714 Troy Road, Collinsville IL 62234

Shirley Schnoeker - 300 South Station Road Apt #8303, Glen Carbon IL 62034