Hello Church,

Last Sunday, we began our stewardship series, Earn. Save. Give. with a sermon on Proverbs 3:13-16, where I discussed how wisdom from God is far more valuable than any kind of worldly wealth. When our knowledge of and relationship with God is strong, we are better equipped to manage the resources God has entrusted to us.

This Sunday, we continue our stewardship series with Earn All You Can. I will be preaching on Luke 16:1-13, the parable of the dishonest manager. The parable is a surprising story about using earthly wealth with an eye toward God’s purposes. John Wesley, in his sermon titled “Use of Money,” talks about three parts of using money well: earn all you can, save all you can, and give all you can. This Sunday, we focus on the first part, earning, so that we have the means to do good for God’s kingdom.

This Sunday, October 11, at the 9:15 am service, we will welcome seven new members by transfer. Please join me in welcoming Eileen Tiede, Verna Kelley, Cathleen Bordwell, Pamela Brown, Bill and Cynthia Rice, and Tracy Vanhessche to our church community. The ceremony uses the United Methodist Baptismal Covenant, in which we recommit to our faith and promise to help one another grow in discipleship. The following Sunday, October 18th, we will be welcoming four more members: Nora and Paul Boyd at the 9:15 service and Adam and Anna Felber at the 10:45 service.

One last thing I want to lift up is our upcoming Church Conference on Monday, October 19th at 7:00 pm. Church Conference, sometimes called Charge Conference, is the annual meeting of all church members, where we gather with surrounding United Methodist Churches to hear about the ministry we have done over the last year and our plans for the coming year.

We also approve reports on our goals, the care of members and assets, our nominations report, and the pastor’s compensation. This conference is led by our District Superintendent and is also a great opportunity to connect with other United Methodists to share ministry ideas and celebrate what God is doing in our connection with one another. If you are a professing member of St. Paul’s, you are invited and encouraged to attend this meeting. Next week, you will be able to download the Church Conference Packet from our website and the Trumpet for review and to have it available for the meeting. Our Hospitality Team will be providing cookies and refreshments in the Narthex (lobby) following the meeting so we can be in fellowship with one another.

See you this Sunday at 9:15 or 10:45 am,

Pastor Curt

Giving Campaign 2027, “Earn, Save, Give All You Can”

Your 2026 Stewardship Drive Materials should have arrived this week. Included are your estimate-of-giving card and information about our church and current budget needs. We invite you to take time to review the materials, and you may even find an activity or ministry that your gifts or interests could support. All helping hands are welcome. Any questions on budget/expenses can be directed to the Finance Committee. The 2026 budget is $682,441, and we expect our needs to increase as we continue to grow.

"Earn, Save, Give...and EAT"

As we celebrate our Giving Campaign 2027: “Earn, Save, Give All You Can,” we’re also making time to gather around the table and enjoy one another’s company!

Join us for a Stewardship Potluck on Sunday, October 25, sponsored by the Church Council. The potluck will follow a blended worship service at 10:00am. This is the only service that day.

Bring a favorite dish to share, bring your appetite, and most importantly, bring yourself! This is a chance to celebrate the many ways we give, serve, connect, and build community at St. Paul’s. Please visit the sign-up sheet in the narthex or use the form below and let us know what dish you plan to bring!

We can't wait to share a meal, fellowship, and some fun together!

Have you heard the good news?!?

If the answer is yes! Hallelujah! The new audio and visual equipment in the sanctuary is helping Pastor Magelky hit the mark! However, if you or someone you know is struggling to hear any or all of Sunday morning worship, help may be available! St. Paul’s has a trial set of multiple and varied hearing-enhancement devices. A device may pump up the volume for you! Please visit the Welcome Desk on Sunday morning to check out the different enhancement devices available.

Need a Ride? Want to Drive?

St. Paul's United Methodist Church is excited to announce a new volunteer-led ride service for our congregation! Starting the week of September 20, we will be providing local transportation to church services and doctors' appointments.

To make this ministry a success, we need your help in two ways:

Become a Volunteer Driver: If you have a flexible schedule, a valid driver's license, and a heart for helping others, join our team!
Let Us Know Your Needs: If you are someone who could benefit from this service, please reach out so we can plan our routes and availability.

Whether you can give help or need help, please contact the church office at 402-339-3308. Let’s look out for one another and keep our St. Paul's family moving forward together!

To submit a prayer request, complete the Prayer Request Form below. You will have the option to share your request with the congregation via the Trumpet or to keep the request private - meaning it will be shared with our pastoral care team. The form is linked below and it is also on our website.

If you have any questions, please contact the Church Office at 402-339-3308 or adminasst@stpaulspapillion.org

Prayer Requests:

Submit a Prayer Request

Please pray for the following members of our church during the month of October -

Prayer Calendar for October 2026

Growing in Faith Together

Our recent pastor study has been a wonderful opportunity to learn, reflect, and grow together in faith. Through thoughtful conversation and shared study, we’ve been reminded of the joy that comes from exploring Scripture and deepening our understanding together.

As we look ahead to Advent, we’re excited to continue that journey with our Advent Book Study, beginning in late November. We’ll be reading A Child Is Born: Reflections on the Birth of Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine, a thoughtful and engaging look at the birth of Jesus and the meaning of the Christmas story.

This Advent study will offer an opportunity to slow down during a busy season, reflect more deeply on the story of Jesus’ birth, and prepare our hearts for Christmas. Watch for more details about the meeting schedule and how to participate!

Let's Get Wrapping!

Join us for an All-Congregation Diaper Wrap Party as we come together to support St. Paul's Diaper Pantry, serving children and families throughout the Sarpy County community.

We’ll spend time together wrapping diapers to help make sure local families have access to an essential need. Every diaper wrapped is a small act of love that makes a big difference!

📅 Sunday, November 1st
⏰ 10:15 AM
📍 Fellowship Hall

Come join the fun, lend a hand, and help us wrap our community in care!

An Opportunity to Serve: Thanksgiving Meal for Mercy Housing

This Thanksgiving, we have an opportunity to share God’s love with our neighbors at Mercy Housing by helping with their Thanksgiving meal. We are looking for volunteers to assist with serving their Thanksgiving dinner.

Wednesday, November 4th
5:00–6:30 p.m.
Crestview Village
7241 Edna Ct., La Vista

Come share your time, your smile, and the spirit of Thanksgiving with others in our community.

Please use the link below to sign up to volunteer

Warm Hearts, Warm Winters - October Mission of the Month

This October, we’re collecting winter wear to help keep children and families in our community warm during the cold winter months. We welcome donations of new or gently used coats, hats, gloves, scarves, mittens, and other winter essentials.

Donations may be dropped off throughout the month of October in the designated collection area in the West Hallway.

Your generosity can provide more than warmth—it can offer comfort, dignity, and care to someone in our community who needs it.

Let’s come together as a congregation to make sure our neighbors are warm this winter!

All People’s Pantry Needs Volunteers

Our partners at All People’s Pantry need our help this October! They’re trying a new Drive-Thru Food Distribution to provide culturally familiar foods and fresh produce to up to 200 households.

To make this new format work, they have nearly 200 volunteer slots to fill October 8 through 10.

Volunteers are needed to pack and prepare food on Thursday and Friday and help keep the drive-thru running smoothly on Saturday.

You can also support the pantry by donating needed foods or making a financial gift at this link.

One World Baby Boutique

The One World Baby Boutique is a year-round mission partner of St. Paul’s UMC. They help families prepare for newborns by providing them with all the essential items they'll need. All expectant and new parents who attend prenatal, postpartum, or newborn appointments receive "Baby Bucks" to help them purchase the items they need/want.. The One World Baby Boutique helps give families a strong, healthy start and our partnership helps make sure needed items are available year-round!

Most Needed Items :

Bottles
Desitin
Socks - newborn to 12 months
Winter hats - newborn to 12 months

All donations are greatly appreciated and can be placed on the table in the West Hallway. Thank you for your generosity and for your support of families in our community!

Bellevue Berry Farm Outing

The Kids & Family Ministry Committee is hosting a day at the Bellevue Berry Farm and you're invited! We will be at Campfire #4 from 2:30-6pm on Sunday, October 11th and we'll have yard games, drinks, & s'more supplies for all to enjoy! Admission tickets can be purchased at the farm that day, and if you bring a non-perishable food item for the food pantry you can save $1! Kids 2 and under are FREE. We'd encourage you to bring a chair or blanket for sitting around the campfire, and we'll see you out there rain or shine!

Note: God Squad (MS & HS Youth) will meet Brent at the campfire at 2:30pm & Club 456 (4th-6th Graders) will meet Pastor Rebecca there at 3:30pm.

Trunk or Treat!

Join us on Saturday, October 24th from 2-4pm in the South Parking Lot for Trunk-or-Treat! We will have candy, games, and Goodie Bags for the first 100 kids who join us. UMM will also have hotdogs, chips, and drinks available for $5/person or $20/family. Invite a friend, cousin, neighbor to join us -- the more the merrier!

We've had great attendance in the past (300+ kids and parents and pets) and wonderful volunteers (15-20 trunks)! This year candy and small prize donations can be dropped off at the display in the Narthex through October 18th. If you are willing to host a trunk, please sign-up in the Narthex -- that day you'll need to arrive by 1pm with candy for 150 -- we'll make sure you get refills throughout the event! Contact Pastor Rebecca if you have any questions.

Sanctuary Service 9:15am

Join us in the Sanctuary for our 9:15am Service on Sundays. This is our more traditional service and includes hymns, congregational prayers, chancel choir, bell choir, a message from our pastor and Communion on the first Sunday of each month. People will be dressed comfortably – some casual and others more formal.

Edge of Grace Service 10:45am

If a traditional service isn't really your style our more contemporary 10:45am Service in the Chapel might be just what you're looking for. During this service you can expect the Edge of Grace Praise Band, a message from our pastor and Communion on the first Sunday of the month. People dress casually for the 10:45am Service.

Livestream 9:15am Service

We understand that not everyone can join us for church in person. If you are out of town or prefer to worship online, you can watch the livestream of the 9:15am Service on our website, YouTube, or Facebook every Sunday!

Ways to Give at St. Paul's UMC

Your financial gifts help sustain the mission and ministry of our congregation as we "reflect the love of God to our community and the world!" There are several different ways that you can give to St. Paul's, and we are happy to answer any questions you may have along the way!

1. Online Giving – This is a safe and convenient way to support St. Paul's with either a one-time or recurring gift. Click here to set up your account, and if you need assistance, contact our St. Paul's Treasurer, Cindy Balentine.

2. Cash or Check –On Sundays during worship, you can place your cash or check in the offering plates or offering box. There are offering envelopes in each pew and in the back of the Chapel so that you can designate your gift. Checks should be made out to "St. Paul's United Methodist Church" and designations can also be noted on the memo line. You can also mail your gifts to St. Paul's at 324 S. Jackson Street, Papillion, NE 68046.

3. Automated Bank Withdrawals –This form of giving allows your bank to withdraw money directly from your designated account and transfer it to St. Paul's UMC. There are no fees involved and it's as simple as filling out a form -- contact the Church Office or St. Paul's Treasurer, Cindy Balentine to get started!

4. IRA Distribution or Savings Giving –This is another wonderful way to help sustain the ministry of St. Paul's UMC. It requires you to work with your bank or broker to determine the details, but you can also contact our St. Paul's Treasurer, Cindy Balentine, to get an outline of this process.

Every gift helps strengthen the mission and ministry of St. Paul's UMC -- thank you for your generosity and support!

St. Paul's UMC, Papillion

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Email: adminasst@stpaulspapillion.org
Website: stpaulspapio.org
Location: 324 South Jackson Street, Papillion, NE, USA
Phone: (402) 339-3308
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulspapillion.org/