Worship Services: 8:15am & 10:45am (Sun), 6:30pm (Mon)
Groups
Music
Chancel Choir: The Chancel Choir is the adult choir of St. Paul Lutheran Church (high-school age and up who can follow a tune are welcome to participate). Music reading is helpful but certainly not necessary. We sing primarily in the traditional 8:15am services, roughly three times per month. We rehearse on Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:30pm in the basement choir room accessed through the doors “under” the organ at the back of the church.
Praise Team: The Praise Team leads the congregational singing in the 10:45am worship service. Talented individuals are welcome for keyboards, guitar, bass, percussion, and vocalists. The Praise Team rehearses on Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:15pm, and on Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:30am, prior to worship. Rehearsals are in the sanctuary.
Bell Choir: The Bell Choir consists of eleven ringers over three octaves of bells. A good sense of rhythm and the ability to read music are important. It’s a great deal of fun and great way to serve. There are openings periodically. The Bell Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:00pm and plays about once a month for worship. Rehearsals are in the Sanctuary.
Men’s Chorus: The men’s chorus usually sings about once a month for worship. We rehearse on Thursdays at 8:30pm, following Chancel Choir practice. The music is usually relatively simple.
Other Instruments: From time to time we need instrumentalists to help lead in worship by playing along with the hymns or by accompanying the choir. If you have talent on any given instrument (played pretty solidly in High School) be sure to let Greg Paul know so we can integrate your gift into the worship of the church.
Contact: Greg Paul @ 248-765-0316.
Youth Ministry
The Youth Board develops and maintains youth ministry programs for youth in grades 6 through 12. Our goal is to plan a yearly calendar of events encompassing the following functions of ministry:
- Worship: To provide opportunities for worship in song, prayer and hearing God’s Word;
- Nurture: To help youth grow in their faith, to discover His truth for their lives and to apply that truth to daily life;
- Witness: To teach and encourage youth to share their faith and reach out to others;
- Service: To provide opportunities for youth to serve the church, one another, their community and the world; to teach and encourage youth to be good stewards of God’s gifts;
- Fellowship: To provide opportunities for youth to interact within a safe, Christian setting and learn to care for each other.
Youth activities are held at various times and places. Annual youth sponsored events include Pumpkin Patch Party for Pre-K through 5th grade, Easter Breakfast for congregation, and a Pool Party for youth and Captive Free VBS Team.
Servant events vary but include Fall leaf raking, assistance with VBS (Vacation Bible School), and an SOS service project (South Oakland Shelter Program).
Youth meet for Bible study on Sunday mornings at 9:30am.
Contact: Valerie Winston @ 248-546-6555.
Men's Fellowship
This informal group meets every Thursday from 6:30-7:30am for breakfast, fellowship and Bible study/devotion at The Avenue restaurant on Woodward. They also meet for a larger breakfast on the 3rd Saturday each month at the Church.
Annual Retreat: Held the week after Labor Day, the men enjoy fellowship and spiritual nourishment at Camp Arcadia in Arcadia, Michigan.
Contact: Jim Schultz @ 248-545-5902.
Women's Fellowship
Throughout the year, various programs are presented to the women of our congregation. These programs, events or presentations are aimed at a woman's mind, body and soul and to provide Christ-centered spiritual growth and encouragement to all women who share together their journey of faith. Announcements of these programs will be advertised on our website or in our weekly church bulletins.
Women's Guild
Open to all women of the church, the Guild’s mission is to care for members of the congregation and the community. The Guild sponsors many church efforts, including Advent by Candlelight, the Confirmation Reception, Funeral luncheons, and the Christmas Cookie Walk.
LWML: LWML is the official women’s organization of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. It was founded in 1942 to support missionary work through the collection of "mites"—spare change named for the small coins in the lesson of the widow's mite in Mark 12 and Luke 21. Small cardboard containers called "mite boxes" are used for the coins. The LWML focuses on Richer Spiritual Living, Global Awareness for Ministry, and Avenues for God-blessed Service. For more information, visit www.lwml.org. Contact: Colleen Olsen @248-288-0769 or Lois Whitehead @ 248-544-0697.
LCFSA: Lutheran Child and Family Service of Michigan is a not-for-profit organization committed to developing and providing the services necessary to enhance the lives of children and families at risk or in need. Some of the services provided include adoption, foster care, and counseling. For more information, visit www.lcfsmi.org. Contact: Mila Jackson @ 248-548-8798.
Needy Family: If you know of or wish to contribute to a family in need contact Mary Ann Peludat @ 248-540-8331.
Circles: Circles are sub-groups of women in the Guild who serve by committing to special projects. Individuals may belong to the Guild without belonging to a circle.
- Elizabeth Circle: Church Banners. Contact: Vicki Kienman @ 248-549-6124
- Esther Circle: Book Nook. The Book Nook offers cards and small gifts for sale between Sunday morning church services. Contact: Betsy Fortner @ 248-435-6774 or Vi Petri @ 586-573-7438.
- Miriam Circle: LWML Health kits. Contact: Colleen Olsen @ 248-288-0769.
- Priscilla Circle: Prayer Chain. Meets on 3rd Thursday. We pray for our members of the congregation and their various needs. If you would like to become a prayer, contact Rosalie Wendland @ 248-545-0787.
- Rebecca Circle: New Member Receptions. Contact: Colleen Olsen @ 248-288-0769.
- Sarah Circle: Assists with the Needy Family ministry. Contact: Colleen Olsen @ 248-288-0769.
- Mary Circle: We are a group of mothers ministering to new mothers in our congregation. We also facilitate the Cradle Roll Program, "Growing in Christ". Contact: Kristine Dowhan @ 248-691-4238.
Young Adults Group
Are you age 20-35 and looking for Christian fellowship and friendships? This group is for you! Various social outings and small group Bible studies have been a large part of this group’s activities.
50 Plus
For those 50 years and older, this group meets at noon on the 3rd Monday of the month. Members bring sack lunches, participate in a devotion, and then have a short business meeting. From 1:00-3:00pm, the group plays cards (usually Pinochle). Beverages are provided and members volunteer to bring the dessert.
Contact: Rosalie Wendland @ 248-548-6635.
St. Paul Lutheran School
Athletics: Individuals interesting in coaching volleyball, basketball, and softball are welcome. Contact: School Office @ 248-546-6555.
Auction: A myriad of opportunities are available, including: set-up, clean-up, ticket sales, ad placement, and donation of auction items. Contact: School Office @ 248-546-6555.
Latchkey: Help with activities and crafts for students in this after-school program. Contact: Joanne Bierwirth @ 248-546-6555.
Library: Assistance is needed in inventorying the book collection and processing new acquisitions. Contact: Rita McClatchey @ 248-546-6555.
Athletics
Softball: Contact Chuck Brewer @ 248-336-9289.
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild is responsible for the care of the altar. This includes preparation for Holy Communion and Baptisms, polishing of silver, cleaning of altar, maintenance of oil candles, maintenance of pastoral stoles, and the provision of Easter and Christmas flowers. Guild members usually work in pairs for a 1 month period of service per year. Guild members may also volunteer as a substitute only.
Contact: Mike Hammon @ 248-588-5855.
Flower Ministry
These individuals are responsible for coordinating the weekly ordering and arrangement of altar flowers; as well as delivery of the flowers to the sick and shut-in after church services.
Contact: Mike Hammon @ 248-588-5855.
Ushers
Ushers assist in facilitating the worship service by greeting worshipers, handing out bulletins, directing participants in Holy Communion, and collecting the offering. All are welcome to join this ministry.
Contact: Mike Hammon @ 248-588-5855.
Readers
These individuals volunteer to read the Old Testament and Epistle lessons during worship services. The readings are taken from the English Standard Version of the Bible (ESV).
Contact: Church Office @ 248-541-0613.
Quilters
Quilters meet on Tuesdays. For a fee, you can give them the top of a quilt and this group will put the rest of the quilt together, quilt it (small ornamental hand stitching), and bind off the finished product. The proceeds from this work help to fulfill the needs of the church. In the past, these needs have included pay-a-bill, needy families, and lounge blinds. Quilters also meet 3 to 4 times per year with additional volunteers to prepare quilts for World Relief Sunday (1st Sunday in October). The proceeds from the sale of these quilts plus any unsold quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief, where they are distributed to people in need around the world.
Contact: Clara Lichtenberg @ 248-288-3325.
Garden Club
Our primary mission is the beautification of the church grounds and upkeep of the alley and playground behind the school. Meets Wednesday evenings, April through October (weather permitting).
Contact: Bill and Gayle Carpenter @ 248-548-3199.
SOS Volunteers
South Oakland Shelter provides temporary emergency shelter to those in need and works to remove them from the cycle of homelessness. Clients are housed and fed on a rotating schedule by the 56+ cooperating, multi-faith organizations that make up the network of sites. Late every afternoon, SOS clients gather at SOS administrative offices for intake, and volunteers drive them to the host site for dinner and sleep. In the morning, after breakfast, SOS clients collect their sack lunches and are driven to their jobs or, in the case of the children, to school. We host SOS clients in the school gym during the week following Easter. Look for the volunteer sign-up display in the Church lobby.
Contact: John Kyle @ 248-689-6474.
Emerging Ministries
These are ministries that have planted a seed, but need workers to nurture and cultivate their development.
- Young Marrieds: Envision a ministry where newly married Christian couples can have fellowship with one another and receive support and guidance from other more ‘seasoned’ couples. Activities could include couples mentoring, biblically based couples studies, guest speakers and workshops. Contact: Contact: Church Office @ 248-541-0613.
- Missions: Local and Foreign Missions trips are currently under evaluation. Possible mission trips include Guatemala and Appalachia (Kentucky). Contact: Tony Valdes @ 248-435-8095.
- Weight Watchers
- Walking Groups
- Personal Finance classes and workshops
- Singles Ministry
- Divorce Care Ministry
- Health Care Committee