newsbrief
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Parking Changes During Construction | Details below
Seasonal News and Events Listing | Below
175th Anniversary Photo Album
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seasonal NEwS & EVENTS
Click below to read details
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CHRISTMAS DECORATING & DINNER
Friday, November 29 | 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Help make St. Paul's merry and bright! Catch the Christmas spirit as we put up Christmas trees, lights, wreaths, and our special "Chrismon" ornaments. Youth, adults, and families are all invited; complimentary light dinner.
We request that parents/adults please accompany youth aged 7th grade and younger. Questions, contact Becky Blake.
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FOUNDATION BIBLE CLASS SERIES
"WHAT CHILD IS THIS?"
Beginning Dec. 1 | Sundays at 9:30 a.m. | Fellowship Hall
During the Advent season our discussion-based Foundation Bible begins a new series, “What Child Is This?," exploring the titles of Christ as foretold in Isaiah 9:6 ... Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Read more about Foundation Bible study.
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CHRISTMAS SERVICE OF LESSONS & CAROLS
Saturday, December 7 at 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 8 at 4:00 p.m.
Rest, refresh, renew, rejoice! By shimmering candlelight, the congregation will have opportunities to sing familiar Christmas hymns and carols of the season, with musical offerings by the choirs and instrumentalists of St. Paul’s.
Come away from the noise, the hectic pace, and the pressures of the season, and be refreshed and renewed by the message of the heavenly angels: The Savior, Jesus Christ, was born for you.
Please join us and invite your family and friends. Refreshments and a reception will follow the service. The event is open to the public and is complimentary with a freewill offering.
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CHANCEL POINSETTIA ORDERS
Due: Tuesday, December 12
Help make our church chancel festive for the celebration of Christ’s birth, with the purchase of poinsettias. Each potted poinsettia is $7.50, and you may choose to take a plant home after our 10:00 a.m. Christmas Day service. Order yours at the church office or online.
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BREAKFAST IN BETHLEHEM & GABRIEL'S GIFT SHOP
Due to limited capacity and popular demand, registration for Breakfast in Bethlehem is now closed. Event volunteers are welcomed, as well as donations to Gabriel's Gift Shop.
Saturday, December 14 | 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Join us for a morning in celebration of the first Christmas during this beloved annual St. Paul’s tradition. Savor a delicious breakfast and festive music announcing the birth of the Christ child. A variety of family activities will be featured, including a nativity photo zone, crafts, cookie walk, Christmas bingo, Christmas carolers, and Gabriel’s Gift Shop, where children can buy gifts for their family!
- $10 per person.
- Limited capacity to 225 total guests (no walk-ins). Registrations and payments will be secured on a first-come, first-served basis until we reach capacity. Please register at bit.ly/3Z4xylh
- Many volunteers are needed for a successful event! Please consider lending a helping hand; sign up at bit.ly/4hOgffO
We're collecting donated items for Gabriel's Gift Shop. Details in news listing below, and in flyer.
Payment options | Please pay in advance
- Check: Drop off check/cash to the school, church, PDO or ECC offices
- By Venmo @stpaulsdesperes pay $10.30 per person (includes transaction fee), noting "Breakfast in Bethlehem" and family name in comments.
- Pay through our website with a checking account number. Scroll to locate "Registration Fee" option and note "Breakfast in Bethlehem" in the memo line.
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GABRIEL'S GIFT SHOP COLLECTION
We fill Gabriel’s Gift Shop with donations from the congregation, and are now collecting new and like-new gifts for moms, dads, and grandparents.
The shop is a favorite stop for children during the Breakfast in Bethlehem morning, where all treasures are sold for $1.Suggestions include jewelry, purses, books, home décor, Christmas items, trinkets, ornaments, books, sport items, golf balls, ties, mugs, picture frames, games, movies, soaps, and bath items, re-gifted items, or personalized items that say "Mom," "Dad," "Grandma," etc.Find drop-off containers in the church, school and ECC lobbies. (Please note that child-age gifts are not needed.) -
Prepare for Jesus | Women's Advent Candlelight Celebration
Due to limited capacity and popular demand, registration for Prepare for Jesus is now closed.
Sunday, December 15 | 6:30 p.m. | Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Limited capacity
Join the ladies of St. Paul’s for a special evening by the glow of the candlelight, as we begin Advent in a spirit of worship, inspiration, and peace.
Prepare for Jesus is an opportunity for women of all ages and girls eight and older to set aside the busy holiday season and focus on Christ.
We will enjoy an inspirational message, special music, fellowship, decorated tables, and light refreshments. Invite your family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and other sisters in Christ.
The event is complimentary, with a free will offering.
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CHRISTMAS CARD TREE
Drop off by Monday, December 16
Share a Christmas card greeting with the congregation while supporting the purchase of our beautiful new Christmas trees. Here's how it works: Instead of purchasing extra Christmas cards and stamps for St. Paul's friends, many families like to donate that cost instead and save the time of addressing cards! We'll hang your holiday card on our west lobby tree and list your name in the Christmas bulletin as a participant in the card tree fundraiser.
- This year, all proceeds will help cover the cost of our new Christmas trees.
- Please mail or drop off your card and donation to the church office; those received by Dec. 16 will be displayed and included in the Christmas bulletin.
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Watch for more information to follow.
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Video: How/what to pack in shoebox | List: Suggested items
Send a Christmas gift of hope around the world! Operation Christmas Child collects and distributes shoeboxes filled with gifts, supplies, and the message of the Gospel to children in need in more than 150 countries. Complimentary empty shoeboxes and fill-in-the blank letters are available in our narthex. Three ways to help:
- Shop and fill a shoebox | Return to church by Nov. 17
Include a letter from your family - Donate | Write a check (or give online) to St. Paul’s with the notation “shoeboxes”
- Online | Build a shoebox online here, or make an online donation to Samaritan's Purse
- Shop and fill a shoebox | Return to church by Nov. 17
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weekly parking update
Saturday & Sunday | Construction is underway and fence gates are closed. Mall shuttle busses are on hiatus. For handicapped parking, please reference parking diagram below.
Monday-Saturday 6:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. | Note that there is no parking at our west entrance (Ballas Road side) Monday through Saturday because the zone is used as a heavy equipment throughway.
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MONTHLY small-setting communion
Next date: Monday, December 2 | Noon | Sanctuary
If mobility challenges or concerns about crowds have kept you from in-person church worship or Communion, you are warmly invited to a special small-setting worship opportunity on the first Monday of each month. Our pastors look forward to meeting you for orders of worship.
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It's our 175th anniversary Year!
2024 construction
Parking Impacts
As we embark on the construction of our new ministry facilities, we will also be adapting to significant parking changes due to new construction zones, trucks, and building materials on campus.
- Parking limitations are temporary; when construction is complete, full parking capacity will be restored.
- Carpooling is highly encouraged.
- For worshipers with mobility challenges, we hope to prioritize use of the 72 remaining campus parking spaces (which include 11 handicap-access spaces) not affected by construction zones.
- Passenger drop-off is available at the west lobby entrance, with a new temporary exit created.
- Extra parking is available at Edward Jones, the Village Bar, and the mall; see details below.
Weekly Parking Brief
Saturday & Sunday | Construction is underway and fence gates are closed. Mall shuttle busses are on hiatus. For handicapped parking, please reference parking diagram below.
Monday-Saturday 6:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. | Note that there is no parking at our west entrance (Ballas Road side) Monday through Saturday because the zone is used as a heavy equipment throughway.
Maps
2024 parking MAP
St. Paul’s is pleased to announce that we have secured arrangements with three neighboring businesses for overflow parking during construction.
- Handicapped Parking Diagram and details below
East-entrance spots | Daily
West-entrance spots | Weekends only - Parking at Edward Jones Garage
Sundays | The Edward Jones garage across the street is available for parking on Sundays. You’re encouraged to take advantage of the crosswalk at the Ballas/Manchester stop light. - Parking at the Village Bar < 11:00 a.m.
Daily | The Village Bar has offered parking in their lots prior to their restaurant hours. Access church via the Manchester Road sidewalk. Please remember to depart the Village Bar lots by 11:00 a.m. daily. - Parking at Mall/Copia + Shuttle | On hiatus
- No Parking at Des Peres Park
While City Hall is under renovation, Des Peres has restricted parking (marked with new signage) to only patrons using the park. - Saturday Parking Unaffected
Ample parking is expected for Saturday worship, with possible overflow at Schnucks.
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handicapped access
Daily: east-entrance spots | Eight east-entrance handicapped parking spots are available daily; please enter and exit via westbound Manchester Road.
Weekends only: west-entrance spots | For the protection of your vehicle, and to prevent work stoppages if construction equipment cannot enter through west-side (Ballas Road) construction gates, congregation members are asked to please not park in west-entrance spots Monday through Friday. On weekends, the three west-entrance handicapped spots are available for use.
Daily: School | Handicapped parking is also available near the north entrance to our school building.