 |
A written reflection on the coming Sunday:
Luke 4:14-22, Epiphany 3
|
Living "Words with Friends"
Playgrounds still resound with "
sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." But those words ring hollow. As adults, and as children, we know only too well the power of words to do harm. In contrast, the scriptures for Sunday point us to the word that bears hope, promise, and life. Human words can hurt or fail, but now we hear this holy word of wisdom, challenge, instruction, and hope that really does form us in God's promise. Rather than words that tear down, we are invited by the prophets and Jesus into God's living words with and among friends. Jesus, in coming home and attending the synagogue, reads from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Jesus announces good news to those struggling economically on the fringes of society, hope to those who are imprisoned, healing to those without sight, a lifting of the burden from those who are weighed down or oppressed, and even the in-breaking of a holy year of favor. Standing in a tradition of prophets and priests who speak, engage, and teach God's word, Jesus now offers one thing more-fulfillment. The words of those who dream and hope, who work for justice and mercy on behalf of God, are now true. Today as we look around and see people spending time speaking, reading, and even playing games with words, this is an opportunity to ground ourselves in the one full Word that bears life. This word counters sticks and stones and all that oppresses; Jesus address announces God's liberating actions. This Word sounds promise to all who hear; it is an
invitation to see God at work among God's people.
-Sundays and Seasons 2019
|
"
New Wine: Abundance from Scarcity"
January 20 sermon on John 2:1-11
|
ALL AGES Learning Hour at 9:30
EVERYONE
is
INVITED and ENCOURAGED to PARTICIPATE!
We will begin in the fellowship hall with a snack and cross+generational time before breaking into age appropriate groups to dig deeper. Any questions please contact Tammie: tammie@stpaul-elca.org.
 ADULT LEARNING TOPIC:
Christianity in the United States
taught by lay ministers - Charlie Brown and Dicie Mueller
Session 1 -
The beginning - discussions about first Christians, Pilgrims' influence, different denominations, even Old Saybrook's Christian history
Session 2 -
Focus on the Great Awakening - 1720 to 1760, who were the leaders and what was happening
Session 3 -
Nationalism from 1760 - discover the building of seminaries and colleges, Yes, Yale in Old Saybrook!
Session 4 - The Lutherans came - who came and why they came, Lutherans in recent years
LEARN MORE
Save the Dates! HIGH SCHOOL MISSION TRIP JULY 21-26 * VACATION BIBLE CAMP AUGUST 5-8! Contact: Tammie tammie@stpaul-elca.org
LINK TO YOUTH & FAMILY NEWS
|
|
Moravian Star Invites World to "Come and See!"
The beautiful Christmas trees in the church are long gone (thanks, Bill & Wade!), but now a star has arisen to beckon us to see and know Christ as the light of the world.
The multi-pointed star, whose origins lie in the Moravian tradition of the church, reminds us of the journey of the wise men who followed the star to find Jesus. The star will hang in the church throughout the Epiphany season reminding us of Christ, the light of the world who shines in the darkness and whose love welcomes people from all corners of the earth
. LEARN MORE
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shined.
Isaiah 9.2
|
During the season of Epiphany, our trusty Altar Guild is showcasing the color green. Green represents renewal and the promise of new life.
|
The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donations to help prevent a shortage of blood products this January.
Donors of all blood types are urgently needed now, especially those with type O, AB, B negative and A negative.
You can now save time at your donation by using RapidPass to complete your pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of your donation, from a home or work computer prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions.
If you have the most recent version of the Red Cross Blood Donor App, you can use the donor card in the app as your official form of identification at your appointment. You can also access your health history information, including blood pressure, hemoglobin levels and pulse rate, in the app. Download the app by texting "BLOODAPP" to 90999 or searching "American Red Cross" in app stores.
Spread the word at your places of employment and your neighborhood. We still need some help with registration table, and the making of some finger-sandwiches. Contact: Regina 860-910-1873 or rmmoller@me.com. January 29th 1:00 - 6:00 NARTHEX |
| Souper Bowl Sunday February 3 |
The Souper Bowl of Caring is a youth led ecumenical and grassroots movement that unites youth under a single cause to end hunger. Youth will be collecting canned goods and donations to contribute to the SSK&P. Be part of this movement that is sharing God's love with those in need!
LEARN MORE
|
| Littles Retreat February 9 |
Next "Littles" Retreat
Saturday, February 9
10:00 - 11:30
Sign up on Kiosk in Gathering Space
*
2 year olds need a parent or caregiver to attend with them.
|
ONE SERVICE SUNDAY 10:00! FEBRUARY 10
|
We're worshiping as one BIG happy faith family the Sunday of 2/10 to accommodate the plan for annual business meeting of the church scheduled that day.
We'll hold the meeting in the sanctuary immediately following the 10:00 service then head down the hall for a community meal and fellowship. If you wqould like to share something at the potluck, these are the suggested categories:
 A-F - side dish
G-P - a loaf of sandwiches
R-Z - dessert
|
|
ANNUAL MEETING FEBRUARY 10
|
The annual meeting of the church will be held
February 10 following the
10:00 worship service We will gather on this day to believe, belong, bless and tend to business!
Updates
to Constitution
2.)
"
Prepared by the Office of the Secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, August, 2016.
|
 |
|
|
Hark the Glad Sound!
|
Watch/listen
This hymn was written by Philip Doddridge in 1735. Doddridge was a pastor of a Dissenting church, which means that he did not accept the authority of the Church of England. He wrote this hymn and many others
(400 in all!) not for publication, but to be sung by his congregation. His congregation didn't use hymnals, but instead had someone sing the hymn line by line from the pulpit with the congregation repeating each line in turn.
Most of Doddridge's hymns were inspired by a particular scripture, and that was true of this hymn, which was inspired by Isaiah 61:1-2. The King James Version reads:
"
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me;
because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek;
he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all that mourn."
When Jesus spoke in his hometown synagogue in Nazareth, he quoted those verses from Isaiah and then said, "
Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing
"
(Luke 4:21)
. In other words, Jesus was saying that he had come to preach good news, to bind up those who were broken, to proclaim liberty to captives, and to comfort those who mourn. It is in celebration of this work of Christ that we sing this hymn.
-
Richard Niell Donovan
LEARN MORE
|
|
SATURDAY SOUP KITCHEN 2019!
|
If you would like to join this wonderful group of volunteers you may simply show up on any of the dates listed below. All are welcome and needed to prepare, serve and clean! Young people under
the age 15 need to be accompanied by a parent or mentor.
Hope you can join us!
March 30, Aug. 31 & Nov. 23
Time: 8am - about 10:30am Location: Old Lyme Cong, Church.
We will especially need volunteers on 11/23, as this is usually the biggest meal of the year. Let
Linda know she can count on you to assist at
LaBrecfamily@att.net
|
Comments from the Cloud of Witnesses
|
Jesus began his ministry with these words read from a scroll of the prophet Isaiah: "
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." The arrival of the dominion of God was, in those words, inextricably tied to helping the poor, releasing prisoners, healing the sick. And yet the poor remain in our streets, our prisons are overcrowded as never before, and everyone of us will eventually succumb to ill health and physical death. Had Jesus failed? . . . Following in his steps from that early synagogue worship service, to the hills of Galilee, the road to Jerusalem, and the way of the cross, we discover that suffering is not God's will. Rather,
life in the face of suffering is God's will; courage in the face of fear; faith in the face of doubt and abandonment; love in the face of hatred and prejudice. God's will is to call these things out of the hurt and brokenness that we are and that we find around us. With Christ, the prophecy is fulfilled, in you and in me.
-Bruce J. Evenson
[Bruce J. Evenson, in Homilies for the Christian People, p. 402.]
|
Worship Assistants Needed!
|
We are so grateful to so many of you that
already assist with worship Sunday mornings! However, more are needed! Perhaps you feel called to one of these ministry opportunities? Rotations are about every 4-6 weeks, but you can sign up for as seldom or as often as you wish. Especially needed are:
OFFERING COUNTER - Count the offering and prepare it for deposit with a partner. This takes about 30-35 minutes. Training is provided!
HOSPITALITY - Fellowship is a relaxing, enjoyable part of Sunday mornings at St. Paul. We appreciate those who prepare coffee and goodies, and make us feel welcome!
USHER (especially 10:45) - During Sunday morning worship services ushers distribute bulletins, and receive the offering.
*
Most rotations are every 5-7 weeks. If you are away you can easily switch with another WA. Schedules for the coming months are being worked on presently. Please consider helping with this important ministry support by filling out the gray card in the chair slot and placing it in the offering basket or contacting Kim staff@stpaul-elca.org
|
 2019 FLOWER DATES AVAILABLE:
to let us know your date & dedication
here
|
|
Stay in the know by checking the church calendar!
|
Ongoing & upcoming:
OA Mondays 7:00pm Narthex
AA Mondays 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall
NA Thursdays 7:00 pm Classroom
AA Sundays 8:00 pm Fellowship Hall
|
JOYS & CONCERNS
Let us know your joys and
concerns
here
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
