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01/31/26

“He has told you, O man, what is good; What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

Friends and Members of St. Paul’s,

When God’s people live lives described in the above verse, people notice. The word for justice, is being fair and honest. It is good to think of the people in our lives who demonstrate these qualities. My sainted father immediately comes to my mind. The word for loving kindness is not just on occasional gracious gesture, but rather a consistent underserved kind of love. I have seen this demonstrated over and over again as one spouse cares for the other near the end of life. It is good to think of people in your life who have demonstrated this “beyond the norm” kind of love. Finally to walk humbly with your God, is simply to know from where all good comes. To walk humbly comes from realizing our existence, our salvation, our ability to fair and honest, and to love kindness, comes from our triune God and not ourselves. The church is filled with people like that, and we are better off knowing them. “O Lord, help us to live these kind of lives, and thank you for the Savior Jesus who alone has done all that the Lord requires.”

Blessings,

Pastor Krenz

Sunday/Monday Weekend Service Theme: Needy and Blessed Matthew 5:1-12

Pre-School Sunday -This morning we are recognizing the rich blessing the preschool is to this congregation and our community. With that in mind, we welcome our pre-school students and their families to our worship service, and hope that you can stay for a meal that will follow the late service. For over 31 years our gracious Lord has used our pre-school to be a blessing to many, and for that we give him all the praise. Enjoy the pre-school pictures that are on the screens before the service, the pre-school art which is in the narthex, and the songs which the preschoolers will sing at the second service. If you are able to join us for lunch following the second service please do so. In addition, all are welcome to donate through a free-will offering following the service to help the pre-school.

Welcome: This Monday night during the 6:30pm service Quintin Roland will become a confirmed member of St. Paul’s. Quintin recently graduated from Columbia, High School and he presently works at Budnick Converting here in Columbia. He resides with his mother, Crystal Craft and his two siblings, and he is the great grandson of Sandy Roessler. Welcome Quintin.

Call Committee update: The Call Committee is now setting up interviews with 3 of the candidates.

Baby Bottle Fundraiser: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is participating in the Baby Bottle Fundraiser on behalf of Life Network of Southern Illinois (Waterloo and Red Bud) to protect the sanctity of human life. You are invited to bring back the Baby Bottles to the church office thru the month of February.

Luke Sunday Morning Bible Class: Do join us in the fellowship hall at 9:15am as we continue our verse by verse look at the book of Luke. This week we are in chapter 13 & 14 where we see Jesus compare the kingdom of God to the growth of the Mustard Seed, how we can enter through the narrow door, Jesus lament over Jerusalem, the parable of the wedding feast, and the parable of the Great banquet. Even if you miss a Sunday, you can pick up where we left off. Come one, come all. On Sunday, Feb 8th our Seminarian, Austin Kudray will be leading this class.

Children’s Sunday School: On Sunday the students will study “A Revealing Restoration.” Peter, James, John, Thomas, and a few of the other disciples fish all night on the Sea of Tiberias without catching anything. At dawn, Jesus appears on the beach and tells them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat. Immediately, the nets fill to overflowing, and John realizes Jesus is there. Peter swims ashore to see Jesus, who prepares breakfast. Addressing Peter directly, Jesus asks three times, “Do you love Me?” With each question, Peter becomes more distressed. But through these questions, the Lord restores and reinstates Peter to lead His Church.

Youth 8th -12th grade

Sundays: 9:15 - 10:15 am Meet In the Loft upstairs

Get together with some friends - pick up a registration flier in the foyer. Call, text or email Amanda Douglas at evesrestorationhome@gmail.com or 314-221-6700.

The annual Family Ministry Bowling Night Sunday February 1. If you have not signed up already but want to join the fun, contact Lillian Koenigstein 618.541.4657. We might be able to add more lanes. We have 8 currently. Spectators welcome free of charge. Reminder arrive at 5:45 for lane assignment and shoes. Bowling starts at 6:00. $10 per adult, $5/student. Family lanes and youth lanes available. Payment at the event includes shoes and one large pizza & pitcher of soda per lane. Other menu items available for purchase.

Life with God A new adult membership class will start on Sunday, February 22nd at 4 pm. This 10 week class is for those interested in learning what Lutherans teach and for becoming part of the fellowship here at St. Paul’s. Please contact Pastor Krenz at 618-363-0121 if you or someone you might know are interested.

Fridays, Once a Month: 2026 EYES on IsaiahOur Not-for-Couples-Only Bible Class led by Pastor Sievers will focus on the OT book of Isaiah in 2026, meeting monthly on a convenient Friday. Learn how the Holy Spirit used Isaiah not only to predict with amazing detail our Savior's birth, death, and resurrection, but also to warn and comfort God's people. First class is February 13 at 6:30 p.m. For more info or to order your $12 study guide, call or text Pastor Sievers (314-882-2097).

February Sermon Schedule: 8 am & 10:30 am & Monday 6:30 pm

February 1st & 2nd “Needy and Blessed” Matthew 5:1-12

February 8th & 9th “Neighbor Centered Fasting” Isaiah 58:3-9am

February 15th & 16th Transfiguration Guest Speaker, Rev. Bruce Kesemann

February 22nd & 23rd “The Look of Sin, and the power of the Promise” Genesis 3:1-21

Re-scheduled Hymn Festival: Everyone is invited to a hymn festival commemorating the liturgical Festival of the Conversion of St. Paul on February 7th. Four SID churches named 'St. Paul' will join together for this hymn festival that afternoon: St. Paul's Columbia, St. Paul Hamel, St. Paul's Troy, and St. Paul Wood River. The Hymn Festival will be Jan. 25, 2026 at 3:00 PM at St. Paul's Troy, 112 N. Border St., Troy, IL.

In the spirit of St. Paul, a mission offering will be collected for the Seminario Concordia El Reformador in the Dominican Republic, (a mission partner of the SID).

Eve’s Restoration Ministries UPCOMING EVENTS: Imo's pizza in Columbia. All day Feb 24th. Dine in, carryout and delivery. Percent of all sales that day goes towards Eve's Restoration.

“Through the Decades” TRIVIA NIGHT Fundraiser

Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026

6:00 pm (doors open at 5:30 pm)

$25 per person $150 for table of 6

Save the date and your items:

The annual youth group Rummage Sale will be Saturday, March 14,

8 am - noon. We are asking for help from the congregation in general for setup and particularly sale day please. It is our largest fundraiser; we usually raise about $3,000. The next National Youth Gathering will be costly to travel to as it's in San Antonio, July 2028, so we need to build our coffers starting this year. Sign up in the Narthex please. No computers, TVs, clothing or car seats please.