​What is a Thank Offering?
A gift in response and remembrance of God’s past blessings!
 
St Paul’s 125th Anniversary Thank Offering Recipients are…
 
Lutheran Family Services (LFS)

• 2022 is LFS 130th Anniversary
• All Services are State and Nationally Accredited
• 20 Locations within Iowa
• LFS Serves all 99 Iowa Counties in Iowa
• LFS Focus is on support and counseling for…
  1. Adoption Services
  2. Pregnancy Help
  3. Marriage Counseling
  4. Mental Health Counseling
  5. Parental Support Services
  6. Behavioral Health for Youth
  7. Early Childhood Resources
  8. Disability Services

St Paul’s Jeremiah Fund (JF)

• Jeremiah Fund - established at St Paul in 2007
• Jeremiah Fund’s Mission Statement – “To encourage and provide spiritual growth opportunities to the youth of St Paul” (Youth- Elementary, Jr High, High School, and College levels)
• How are Spiritual Growth Opportunities provided?  JF’s financial grants enable St Paul’s youth to attend LCMS Servant Events and Youth Gatherings at State, National and International levels.  
• Servant Events and Youth Gatherings can be life changing events!

How do I give to St Paul’s Thank Offering?

• Place your gift in the Penny Fund Jar at entrance of St Paul!
• Mail your Thank Offering gift to:

-St Paul’s Lutheran Church, 303 E 4th Street, Ute, Iowa, 51060.  

​Origin of St Paul’s Penny Fund
    In 1936 and 1937 St Paul’s of Ute was in the middle of the Great Depression and times were hard and our congregation fell into debt. 
    Under the leadership of Pastor Widman, our congregation began an effort to pay off that debt with The Penny Fund. Each member of our congregation was asked to contribute ½ cent each day until our debt was paid.
    Please read our actual minutes, translated from German, about the Penny Fund…
 
    January 2, 1936 – “A decision was made we should eliminate the church debt by establishing the Penny Fund…”
    January 1, 1937 – “The Penny Fund that was started in 1936, will be continued since last year, because last year was such a fruitless year. The fund will continue until conditions improve. It was also discussed if the yearly budget of $660 could be met if 1937 was not a prosperous year. (Concern was evident)”
    January 1 1938 – “The Penny Fund has raised enough money to meet the budget of $660 and pay off all notes...”
 
    God truly blessed our forefathers’ efforts and the “Penny Fund”. Together, they helped unite our congregation, get out of debt and survive the depths of the Great Depression of the 1930’s.
    St Paul is now asking you to prayerfully draw inspiration from this true story about “The Penny Fund”. Please, consider gifting your pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, or more, to our “Penny Fund”.
    On August 20, 2023 these gifts will be presented to Lutheran Family Services of Iowa and St Paul’s Jeremiah Fund, as our special Thank Offering to God for 125 years of His Grace, Mercy and Blessings upon our congregation and its members!   

Next Events:
The 125th committee is serving meals for the 3 Advent Services. There will be a free-will donation basket out for the meals.

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WOW our 125th bake sale was amazing thanks to our wonderful Congregation and friends in Ute area! A special thank you to the 125 Committee for their dedication to the cause!

125th celebration committee is working diligently on the celebration. We have tentatively decided on a date the weekend of August 20, 2023. ​