Weekly Postings news & events
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To the Community of Saint Paul’s Church,
“And so it continues both day and night…”
Yes it does, and all of us, in our own ways, are trying to come to grips with how we can live in this time in ways that sustain and nourish us. The old familiar and comforting customs and practices of life are gone for a while; sitting around a restaurant table with friends, sitting at your desk in a busy office, students and teachers filling their day with activity, working out at the fitness center, entering Saint Paul’s greeting friends and experiencing the nurturing warmth of all that surrounds you, the taste of bread and wine.
In a letter to the Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry begins, “We find ourselves in a strange position of fasting from physical gathering for worship of almighty God..in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ, for whom the primacy of love for God and neighbor is the way of life.” We are indeed called into this new way of being the Church and in the midst of this we echo the psalmist word “How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land.” (Psalm 137).
As the people of Israel found ways to continue their relationship with the God who was with them in all their journeys and trials, we too in the midst of our present trials can deepen our relationship with him. Again to quote Bishop Curry, “It is my conviction that the Anglican way of following Jesus has deep within it a way and habit of worship and liturgy that is of significant help to us in this moment. It may well be that the breadth and depth of the Anglian way of common prayer can come to our aid now, when for the sake of others, we abstain from physical, public gathering to hear God’s Word and to receive the Sacrament.”
I believe Bishop Curry is right on target. To quote Glenda the Good Witch of the North, of
The Wizard of Oz
fame, when speaking to Dorothy about going home, “You’ve always had the power…she just had to learn it herself.” Now is the time to realize that we have always had the power to participate in our common prayers even when physically separated from each other.
Bishop Curry continues, “…it is good and right that
our custom
has changed dramatically, that the Holy Eucharist has again become the principal act of worship on Sunday across our church. Few would suggest that the experience of Morning Prayer (
as the principal Sunday service)
somehow limited God’s presence and love to generations of Anglican Christians. There are members of our church today who do not enjoy a regular sustained celebration of the Eucharist for a variety of reasons other than this Pandemic — they are no less members of Christ’s Body because of it.
Our theology is generous in its assurance of Christ’s presence in all our times of need. In a rubric in the service for Ministration to the Sick (p. 457), The Book of Common Prayer clearly expresses the conviction that even if a person is prevented from physically receiving the Sacrament for reasons of extreme illness or disability, the desire for Christ’s presence alone is enough for all the benefits of the Sacrament to be received.”
He continues, “Richard Hooker described the corporate prayer of Christians as having a spiritual significance far greater than the sum of the individual prayers of the individual members of the body. Through corporate prayer, he said, Christians participate in communion with Christ himself, “joined … to that visible, mystical body which is his Church.”
“…under our present circumstances, in making greater use of the Office there may be an opportunity to recover aspects of our tradition that point to the sacramentality of the scriptures, the efficacy of prayer itself, the holiness of the household as the “domestic church”, and the reassurance that the baptized are already and forever marked as Christ’s own. We are living limbs and members of the Body of Christ, wherever and however we gather.”
I believe we are all learning what it means to be the Church. I urge you individually or as a family to continue in daily prayer. Access the
daily readings from scripture
, connect with
Forward Day by Day digitally
(
also
available in the app store) and live into the cycle of the Daily Offices of Morning or Evening Prayer. I am assured that by doing so we will in new and powerful ways experience the sacramental presence of Christ with us.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus Christ, I believe that you are truly present in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood. I love you above all things, and long for your presence in my life. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come spiritually into my heart. As though you have already come, I embrace you and unite myself entirely to you; and as you are not separated from me now, never permit me to be separated from you.
Amen.
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Prepare your calendar to fully participate in the height of the Christian story:
HOLY WEEK, April 5 – 12.
Sunday, April 5
The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
11 a.m., Facebook Live
Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday April 6-8
Noonday Prayer
OR Zoom app, Meeting ID: 373 916 464
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
Thursday, April 9
Maundy Thursday, 7 p.m., Facebook Live
Friday, April 10
Good Friday, Noon, Facebook Live
Good Friday Offering
Good Friday, offerings are invited from across The Episcopal Church to support the four dioceses of the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. These offerings are used to promote peace and mutual understanding through pastoral care, health care, and educational programs throughout the region. The generous donations of Episcopalians help the Christian presence in the Land of the Holy One to be a vital and effective force for peace and understanding among all of God's children. To make a donation, please make your check payable to Saint Paul's Church and write "Good Friday Offering" on the memo line. Or you can
give online directly by clicking here.
Sunday, April 12
Sunday of the Resurrection: Easter Day
11 a.m., Facebook Live
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OTHER RESOURCES FOR EASTER
The Good Book Club is church-wide study and formation program. Episcopalians will read a section of Matthew’s Gospel every day throughout the 50 days of Easter.
Sign-up to receive the weekly email on the Gospel of Matthew.
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GODLY PLAY
Leader: Kim Butler and Ivey Coleman
Audience: Children through 5th grade
When: Sunday, 9:30 AM, conclude by 10:30 AM
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 114 321 629
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We take children and their relationship with God seriously and seek to provide both space to foster encounters with God and the language necessary to make meaning of those experiences. In our new digital environment, we are excited for families to gather with their children to experience the Biblical narrative lovingly presented, followed by a time for awe and wondering. See you Sunday!
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RECTOR’S FORUM
When: Sunday, 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 860 972 849
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923,
Meeting ID: 860 972 849
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The Rector’s Forum will meet this Sunday at 9:30 via Zoom. Join with fellow parishioners as we touch bases, and have conversations about how are approaching this most Holy of weeks. I look forward to joining you there!
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YOUTH FORMATION - Middle and High School
When: Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
OR Zoom App, Meeting ID:
795 073 836
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Youth gather for some theology, fellowship, and lively conversation before tuning into 11:00 worship. It’s everything you love about our Sunday morning experience, except the chicken biscuit.
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YOUTH - Middle and High School
When: Sunday, 1:30 p.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 859 002 714
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EYC will combine both middle and high school age groups this Sunday! Join us on Zoom to catch up with Ranie and one another.
Contact Ranie for more information.
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Rectors' Discretionary Account
Your generous non-pledged offerings (cash and designated checks) on the first Sunday each month support our clergy's Discretionary Account. Frs. Muir and Jenkins use these funds to meet urgent needs within our community, to further the ministries of the church when other funds are not available, and to support community programs and institutions that serve those in need.
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Looking Ahead: Events and Gatherings
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Praying
Together
An online clergy-led teaching series to help members grow in their understanding and practice of praying the daily prayer services of our church. We encourage every member to obtain
The Book of Common Prayer (BCP).
OR Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
Monday, April 6: Noonday Prayer Tutorial
11:30 - 11:55 a.m.; Noonday Prayer at 12 p.m.
Tuesday, April 7: Morning Prayer Tutorial
9 a.m.
Wednesday, April 8: Compline Tutorial
7:30 - 7:55 p.m.; Compline at 8 p.m.
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Easter Monday Annual Meeting
When: Monday, April 13 at 12 Noon
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 802 615 094
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
Protecting the well-being of all of our congregation will always be our top priority. Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), your Vestry has decided that the official Parish’s Annual Meeting held on the Monday after Easter be held this year by
Zoom
.
George, as chair, would convene the meeting from the church beginning at 12:00 noon. Normally, we would convene on the front steps of the Church for the election and investiture of the Vestry as we have for 270 years. However, Easter Monday is within the time that the Church facilities are closed to group gatherings. While the number of persons able to attend at one time via Zoom is somewhat limited, we believe that this method will allow us to convene as a body. Should you wish to participate or to nominate from the floor, please contact the current Senior Warden,
Billy Badger
.
As a reminder, the slate this year is: Laura Robertson, Laurie Montgomery, Matt Gullette and Ashley Wright as Senior Warden.
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Stay-At-Home-Volunteer Opportunity
The Golden Harvest Food Bank is providing a way for the whole family to give back during this time. To learn more about their stay about home volunteer opportunity, please
click here.
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Parish Directories
A number of you have asked about getting a updated parish directory so that we can be in touch with one another. Beginning next week, if you would like us to email you the most recent parish directory please
email Hannah Gosney.
These directories are for our personal use only.
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“OFFICE HOURS” with Fr. Jenkins
When: by appointment, Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.; Thursday's 2-3 p.m.
Location: by Zoom meeting or phone
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Fr. Jenkins has reserved blocks of time to schedule meetings with parishioners by phone or zoom to discuss pastoral, prayer, or other spiritual concerns. Please email Fr. Jenkins with your meeting preferences (including times other than listed), and he will follow-up to schedule an appointment.
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Are we missing your birthday?
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