SPLC News Blitz in this issue >>>

Sermon Title and Text

Pastor’s Message

Sick and Shut Ins

March and April Birthdays

Annoucements and Events

Friday, March 27, 2020 “Called by God”

2020

The Fifth Sunday in Lent Sunday, March 29, 2020 at 11:00am

Vitural Worship

Theme: “Jesus is the Answer!”

Text: John 11:1-45 This week we will visit the story about Jesus, who brought healing and resurrection power into the life of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha. This sermon will challenge us to reflect on what does it mean for Jesus to be the answer to our life problems and COVID-19. At the end of the sermon we will be able to give thanks to God, for allowing or permitting us to learn and grow through pandemics, afflictions, sickness and plagues. On the other-side of this pandemic and our problems, we will be a different church, people, community, nation and world – it begins now as we come to understand “who” and “whose” we are in the answer – Jesus Christ! Read the text story before Sunday, for greater insight into the message. I look forward to sharing God’s Word with you online.

Pastor Wiggins

Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 37:1–14 (The valley of dry bones)

Epistle Lesson: Romans 8:1–11 (Life in the Spirit)

Holy Gospel: John 11:1–45 (46–53)(Jesus is the resurrection and the life.)

SPLC Digital News Blitz!!! Greetings members and friends, welcome to our first “SPLC Digital News Blitz,” that we aim to send out every Friday, to keep you informed and up to date during this pandemic. Even though we can not come to church physically as we use to, we can still be the church in other ways to assure that we remain connected to God, His Word and each other. If you have information that you would like included in the “SPLC Digital News Blitz” please email officeadmin@spljax.org or call the church office.

Saint Paul Lutheran Church 2730 West Edgewood Avenue

Jacksonville, Florida 32209 765-4219/Church 419-3853/Mobile

Rev. Frank T. Marshall, Sr., Pastor Emeritus

Rev. James Wiggins, Jr., Pastor

“God is our refugee and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1 NIV

Dear Members and Friends of St. Paul Lutheran Church,

We began the year 2020 under the theme: “Called by God,” committed to living in whatever station or condition allowed

or assigned to us by the Lord…with the belief that God’s Word and Will, will prevail in the end no matter what might come

our way. Well, here we are 3 months into the New Year and we have been confronted with a pandemic, something that

“we” have never experienced in our life time.

Though we are and will receive advice and guidance from many sources, I am writing to encourage us to address the

Coronavirus first and foremost from a spiritual perspective. For example, from a spiritual perspective the Bible tells us,

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10a), “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves

and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin

and will heal their land.” (2nd Chronicles 7:14) and (from Romans 8:28) “And we know that in all things God works for

the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

As we strive to seek and know God’s Will and purpose for us during COVID-19 and at the same time honor the guidelines

and directives from our local, state and national officials we as a congregation are shifting our mission and ministry to be

more virtually connected than physically connected, which will allow us to practice “social distancing” and help “flatten

the Coronavirus curve.”

Below you will find some of the ways that we ask you to be involved spiritually as we work to love, care and support one

another during this pandemic.

Pray daily that God’s Will would be done and a cure for this disease found ASAP.

Participate in our online Sunday 11:00am virtual worship to hear an encouraging Word from God.

Our seniors, sick and shut-ins (and all others) are invited to join us for “St. Paul at 6 on Sundays.” 6:00pm each

Sunday call 605-472-5777 and when prompted enter the code 203375#. As Pastor, with Elders, Deaconesses,

Worship Assistants and singers we will offer a brief devotional worship experience.

Read your bible, Portals of Prayer devotion booklet (if you do not have a Portal of Prayer booklet call the church

office and we will mail one to you) or online devotional.

It is important for many reasons that you continue to give your tithes and offerings by mail, online or electronic

giving. Electronically you may give through Vanco (which is already set-up with SPLC) or you can go to your

app store (apple or android) and download the “Give+” app which is also connected to Vanco. Online visit

https://giveplushelp.vancopayments.com for more information about “Giveplus+. You may also call Mrs.

Vanessa Berry 904-379-6085 or Mrs. Naomi Mungin 904-757-7618 or the church office for more information.

Each week I ask that you call, text or email one of our church members to check-in to make sure they are doing

okay. Although we can’t “come to church” we can still “be the church” in a different way.

We plan to launch our website this week to help us stay connected.

We will issue a weekly Friday, “SPLC Digital News Blitz” online to keep you up to date on current events.

Lastly, I began this letter by saying “we” have never been confronted by anything of this nature in our generation.

Remember this, although we have not experienced a pandemic before, history would tell us that our God specializes in

defeating and overcoming pandemics, pestilence, disease and plaques. All God ask of us is this – that we trust Him and

remain faithful to His Word, knowing that He has given us this promise in Romans 8:38-39:

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any

powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that

is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

May God continue to bless and keep you is my fervent prayer.

YOURS IN CHRIST,

Rev. James Wiggins, Jr., Pastor

Bereaved: Mr. Derrick Stamper (Uncle, Verdell Stamper), Family of Mr. Charles Varnadoe – former longtime member of SPLC (Service March 22), Convalescing: Mr. Ernest “Calvin” Alston, Ms. Dora Williams, Ms. Lorraine Williams. Health Concerns: Mr.

Moses Bronson, Mr. Rashaad Tillman, Mrs. Alice Patricia Washington, Mrs. Viola Hartsfield, Ms. Ruby Williams, Mrs. Dorothy Wilson, Elder Simon Moorer, Jr., Ms. Serena Washington. Shut Ins/Limited Mobility: Mrs. Bettye White (health), Mrs. Ada Houston (health), Ms. Vivian Walker, Ms. Stephanie Mosley. Nursing Home Care: Mr. Herbert Morton (Summerbrook). Pray for Family and Friends of Our Congregation: Mrs. Cynthia Gibson’s niece, Torrie Derrick and family (Japan), Ms. Dorothy Wilson’s granddaughter Daryne Jenkins – Baghdad, Elder Simon Moorer’s sister Vertrese Cornelius (health), Mrs. Betty Williams’ grandson (health), Pastor Wiggins’ father Rev. James Wiggins, Sr., Pensacola, FL (health), Mr. and Mrs. Larenza Mungin’s daughter Ms. Angela Mungin (health), Deaconess Doretha Brown’s daughter Mrs. Sarita Brooks (health), Ms. Patricia Cherry’s aunt Ms. Marion Walker, Mrs. Marsharine Calhoun’s sister Ms. Anna Durham (health), Mrs. Doris Thornton’s sister Mrs. Edwina Harris (illness), Ms. Titus Davis and Mrs. Martha Hemphill’s friend Mrs. Priscilla Williamson (illness), Mrs. Chrystal Presley’s friends Ms. Sylvia Mosley Hughes (Atlanta, GA) and Ms. Sylvia Mitchell.

Congratulations to Parents, Mr and Mrs. Jerome Stamper and Grandfather, Mr. Derrick Stamper on the birth of twins girls, Jayla L and Jada L. Both girls were over 6lbs, what a wonderful blessings!!!

In Appreciation - St. Paul Lutheran Church Members, gratefully acknowledging and thanking you for your kind expression of sympathy. Thank you for the donation to St. Matthew’s Music Ministry. ~ Rev. James Wiggins,Sr and Family.

Online Sunday 11:00am virtual worship to hear an encouraging Word from God.

Our seniors, sick and shut-ins (and all others) are invited to join us for “St. Paul at 6 on Sundays.” 6:00pm each Sunday call 605-472-5777 and when prompted enter the code 203375#. As Pastor, with Elders, Deaconesses, Worship Assistants and singers we will offer a brief devotional worship experience.

Continue to give your tithes and offerings by mail, online or electronic giving. Electronically you may give through Vanco (which is already set-up with SPLC) or you can go to your app store (apple or android) and download the “Give+” app which is also connected to Vanco. Online visit https://giveplushelp.vancopayments.com for more information

about “Giveplus+. You may also call Mrs. Vanessa Berry 904-379-6085 or Mrs. Naomi Mungin 904-757-7618 or the church office for more information.

As we continue to monitor national developments related to COVID-19, our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone impacted by the Coronavirus. Our Pastor, Elders, Deaconess, Board of Trustees, Church staff, Ministry Leaders and families are navigating through trying times and trying to stay connected. The situation is changing rapidly, so we are here for you and will stay in touch as much as possible.