Fine Arts Jazz Concert

The Fine Arts Schedule features performers from diverse organizations. This is the Belleville East High School Jazz Band performing at a St. Paul Fine Arts concert.

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School, held in July 2007, was a resounding success. A group of children in one of the classes are learning about God's creation.

Welcome Center Greeter

Jim Young, a Welcome Center greeter, holds the door open for a member of the congregation.

Building Homes with Habitat for Humanity

St, Paul is a mission oriented church. In this photo a crew from St. Paul is building Habitat for Humanity homes in Biloxi, Mississippi.

The St. Paul Choir

Our St. Paul Choir singing during the 11:00 p.m. service, Christmas Eve 2007.

St. Paul Church, Growing forward with Christ

Pastor Drew Kramer, Senior Pastor

Pastor Drew Kramer preaching a Sunday sermon. Click on
the link below to listen Pastor Drew's message. It requires
the Windows Media Player to view.

Pastor Drew's welcome video message (1 min 17 sec)

Pastor Kristy Vits, Minister for Christian Education

Rev. Kristy Vits is talking to a parishioner, Dick Campbell, after a Sunday worship service. Click on the link below to listen to her welcome message. It requires the Windows Media Player to view.

Pastor Kristy Vits welcome video message (40 sec)

Thoughts from the St. Paul Staff

5-14-2008

Hello, Members and Friends of St. Paul Church,

Most of you know me a little bit. Some of you know me very well. Others don’t know me at all. I am Rev. Dr. Herbert M. Schafale, part time Minister of Visitation for St. Paul Church since February of 2000. In this article I’ll share with you what I do in my weekly visits for the church.

Visiting normally two afternoons most weeks, I call on shut-ins in nursing homes, retirement facilities, personal residences, and occasionally in hospitals. Actually, I don’t always visit with shut-ins. Some are people who have a long recuperation ahead of them after coming home from a hospital stay of a serious nature. The people I visit with vary from being extremely sharp, good conversationalists, interested in a wide variety of things to being extremely confused because of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Some have been faithful and active church members for many years, pillars of spiritual strength in St. Paul Church, while others have maintained a rather distant relationship with the church. The people I visit with vary in age from 103 to barely over age 60. Since several of these people have been largely or totally unable to come to worship at church for years, I’ve gotten extremely well acquainted with them. Although I don’t intend it, my face becomes a symbol of St. Paul Church whenever they see me, even if my name doesn’t get spoken by them.

Each and every one of the folks I call on is a unique and special child of God. My belief is that God loves every one no matter what their present physical or mental capabilities are now. Our conversations together, my prayers with them, and the unspoken respect I try to give each bespeaks their special place in God’s world of today. As I visit, I am reminded again and again that God created every person to be his or her own distinct, unique self, and every one is created in and exhibits something of the image of God.

Herb Schafale
Minister of Visitation

What's New & Other Things

John Thomas on the Jeremiah Wright Controversy - a must read
Tuesday in Biloxi - Wednesday they are visited by VIP's
Wednesday in Biloxi - The Emir came and went
A news article of the Emir's visit with pictures of our work crew.
A Video of the Emir's visit - includes video of the St. Paul work crew - requires Window's Media Player.
Thursday in Biloxi - a slide show
Listen to a NPR interview featuring Donna Davis

The May 11th Bulletin and News and Notes are available

Click on Mingles and Singles under Current News to see a slide show of their recent trip to "The Hill" in St. Louis.

On April 2, 2008 an ad promoting the UCC appeared in the New Youk Times. It has received a very positive response. View the ad.
Friday another ad appeared in USA Today Take a look at this ad.

The 2008 Church Council picture has not been received. As soon as it is available that page will be updated.