News

763-498-8311—Leave a message on the church phone. Messages will be checked multiple times a day during normal office hours
612-440-5830—Pastoral Care emergency phone number
Prayer requests—Email office@stpaulsinhanover.org and prayer requests will be sent to pastors and the prayer chain 763-498-0086—Please call the Food Shelf for food assistance during office hours
St. Paul's Covid- Preparedness Plan.

Wright County Resources

co.wright.mn.us/948/resources—this is a local resource listing that is updated as often as possible
763-682-7607— call or text the Wright County COVID-19 hotline with questions

Friday update! How to be church while we stay at home. March 27, 2020

Good morning church!It’s a bittersweet feeling this morning as we prepare to work from home for the next two weeks. We all know the church isn’t a building, but the thought of not being able to gather together for worship, Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter leaves me a bit deflated. On the other hand, the comments and emails and feedback we have received from people making time to be the church at home have really kept us energized as we do what we can to equip the saints (that’s you!) for ministry.Part of being God’s people is looking out for our neighbors and the greater good of our communities. So, we stay home because that’s how we can help right now. Thank you to all the folks that continue to provide essential services, to the people that have volunteered to care for our members, and to those of you that are caring for others out there. We will get through this, and in the meantime, we can be salt and light to those to whom we minister.We have put some resources together to help us in this time of distancing. The first is a short video encouraging you to create a space at home set apart for being with God. This can function as a place to be in worship, and in the future can even be a place for devotions or quiet time.Creating a sacred space https://vimeo.com/400968521Second, Pastor Tori and I recorded a video of the words of institution so you may commune at home.Words of institution https://vimeo.com/400971361Play the video, pause at 1:24, and serve communion using the words,“The body of Christ, given for you.” and “The blood of Christ, shed for you.”Finish the video to receive the blessing.Next, I’d like to invite folks to join me in a new endeavor. I had planned on starting a group to read through the book of Matthew together. Since we can’t gather in person, I need to know if there are people interested in doing so either by zoom or via Facebook live. If you don’t know what zoom is, but have an iPad or a laptop, we can get you set up. If you are interested, please reply to my email and let me know if you’d like Facebook live (less interactive) or Zoom (more interactive). I’d obviously prefer Zoom so we can all be sharing our thoughts, but we will do whatever works best.Last, and thanks for reading this far, I would love to have us do some things to help parents with kids that are now home all day every day. Children’s messages will be nice for Sundays, but if we get some volunteers to read picture bible stories, record them, and send them to me, we can post those on Facebook and share them with our young people. Again, email me and let me know if you are willing to share your gifts.That’s all for this Friday. Lots of details, I know, so let’s end on some hopeful words from God.Romans 12: 9-18 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹²Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.¹⁴Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[^c^] Do not be conceited.¹⁷Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. God’s peace, and we will see you again soon.Pastor Luke, Pastor Tori, Tracey, Stacey, Dawn and Teri

COVID-19 Updated Update- March 26, 2020

When I have been on mission trips, we were always told that we needed to be FAT. That stands for Flexible, Adaptable and Teachable and we are all becoming experts at that. Just hours after our last update went out…we need to adapt again. I will say we are getting pretty nimble!Here is the updated, update.We still want to hear good news from you…I have heard from some, but I know there is more out there.When the office closes at noon tomorrow 3/27/20, we will be closed and working from home, until 9 AM Monday April 13^th. During this time, the voicemails will be picked up periodically through the day, during normal business hours. Feel free to leave a message and one of us, will get back to you as soon as possible. We are also monitoring and responding to emails. If you wish to speak with one of the pastors or office staff, we can set up a time to talk over the phone.Mail will be picked up at the post office at least once per week so you can feel confident mailing in your offerings or anything else you would normally drop off at the office. Because our front door will be locked, the Hanover Food Shelf will have a blue bin outside the Food Shelf door. Please put your food donations in the blue bin. If you would rather support them with a donation, mail your check to Hanover Food Shelf, PO Box 394, Hanover, 55341. As we have been doing, we will adapt to this latest change and hopefully, we will be able to flatten the curve and keep many, many people healthy.Thanks and stay safe and stay home.Pastor Luke, Pastor Tori, Stacey, Tracey, Teri and Dawn

Hello Church! March 16, 2020

It’s amazing how quickly things can change… A week ago on Monday we were waiting for spring, and today we are waiting for the stores to restock bread and soup and toilet paper. In the midst of ever-changing scenarios, we do well to remember the One that doesn’t change, that is forever faithful and walks closely beside us, with no social distancing required. Psalm 46:10 says “Be still, and know that I am God…” When I hear those words, I don’t hear God telling me to stop everything, but I hear him telling me to slow my racing heart, my racing thoughts. I imagine God putting his hand on my chest and saying, “Just breathe, find your peace, and do what you do, but allow me to have my place in it.” So that is what we will do together. Let God be God and handle the heavy lifting, and we will get to work doing what we are called to do.With that said, here is our current situation at St. Paul’s:Virtual worship will continue through the end of March, at which time we will assess further. Expect Wednesday messages and music by 5:30 on Wednesday night, shared via email and on Facebook. Likewise, Sunday messages and music will be available again on Sunday morning at 8AM.All groups and gatherings at church are suspended until at least March 31^st.The church office will be staffed during normal operating hours to receive your calls or questions. We have enough space between work areas, so we can observe social distancing recommendations.I’ve been asked about how people can continue to give and support the ministry in a normal way. Here are some good options, please do what works best for you: Mail in your offering, or drop off your envelope at churchSet up recurring giving online through the following link (3% fee charged to church) https://www.churchteams.com/m/Give.asp?oID=16226&aID=WlBOSlp2UHdaZDlXQWdBUnRNb2gxdmtIMHZoTWdCZWg%3D&DesignationID=52639&kiosk=y&recur=weekly&amount=Give via text by texting GIVE to 763-220-8488 (3% fee charged to church. (Side note, if you text INFO to this number, you can update your information in our church database!)You can also stop in to fill out a simply giving form for ‘fee free’ recurring giving.Clothing closet is closed, and cannot accept donationsFood shelf is open at their normal times, and will be asking patrons to call upon arriving. They will be able to pick up food outside of the food shelf door. Food shelf number is 763-498-0086We’ve never been here before as a community so we are taking things one day at a time and we will all do our best with what we know. Ultimately, God is at work and will walk us through this as he has led his people throughout time. Have faith, abide in God, and love and serve your neighbor. Many people have already volunteered to help out in any way. If you need help or know of anyone who does, let us know! We will continue to communicate as we know more.This is a new and different season of life. We haven’t seen it before, I hope we don’t see it again, but in the meantime, let us be still, let God be God, and together as a community lift up our world in prayer.God’s Peace, Pastor Luke and Pastor Tori and everyone at St. Paul’s