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This week, the Russian choral group "Lyra" l was scheduled to visit Saint Paul's Church to perform a concert. Since they were unable to come, their director, Sergey Tupitsyn sent a recording of one of their songs saying, "What a great pity it did not come true as we were so much looking forward to it! Well, we cannot sing the whole concert but … just to make it a bit less bitter here is a song for you."

We hope you all enjoy “Bless the Lord, oh my Soul" as much as we have!

Visit the Saint Paul's Church Facebook Page to view the video.
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From the Rector
To the Community of Saint Paul’s Church,

Psalm 37:7 reminds us to “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” Then reminding us in the next two verses not to “fret”. Oh how I need to hear this right now; be patient, don’t fret. Harry Smith, NBC news corespondent, said this morning, “We don’t need to be stockpiling toilet paper and hand sanitizer; we need to stockpile patience.” It’s hard to escape. Take a deep breath.

As we begin to live patiently, we also begin to live expectantly, looking for things to get better. When…we don’t know. What we do know is that we can do things here and now that help in the process. Most of us at Saint Paul’s have seen little to no change in income. In fact since we can’t be out and about, we’ve probably seen and increase in expendable income. I urge all of us as we are able to look for ways that our giving can make a real difference. If you would like suggestions please be in touch with me, or you can make a gift to Saint Paul’s for either “outreach” or the clergy Discretionary Fund. Both will be used to respond to immediate needs in our community.

Speaking of patience, at this time we are keeping our suspension of all gatherings and public worship in place through at least May 17. Our Bishop and Bishop-elect Logue are, in conversation with the Diocese of Atlanta, public health agencies and the clergy of the diocese. The outcome will be a statement on returning to in-person worship in ways that will keep all as safe as possible. One important part of that statement is that we will not begin moving toward physically gathering together again until “the number of new Covid-19 cases has declined for at least 14 days”.

Patience. Waiting on the Lord. Waiting for things to get back to the way they were. Dear God, give me patience now! There is so much to learn right now and one of the most important is learning just to BE! Be still. Be in the presence of God. Be present for those next to you and those to whom you reach out. Just be.

One of our Vestry members said this past week that this has been an opportunity to live with the choices we have made. How true, and how glad I am that we have chosen to be a part of Saint Paul’s Church and the Augusta community. Being still and being patient within this community of faith is a blessing.

As we stop fretting and take a deep breath, let us pray:

O God of peace, you have taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved; in patiently waiting we find strength: let the whole world see and know that your hand is at work in the events that surround us; and things that have grown old ,even now, are being made new, and that all is being brought to perfection by Jesus himself. Give us the strength to participate in your plan for all creation in ways that we are able, and then the will to wait patiently for your purpose to be fulfilled. All this we ask in the name of your Son our creator and redeemer, Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.
Sunday April 26, 2 p.m.


Dear Saint Paul's family,

I am so excited to share this special day with you all. Though it will not look as originally planned, I know you will all very much be with me. I would be honored by your presence through livestream and appreciate your prayers!

It is difficult to believe that two years have passed since I left Saint Paul's for seminary at Sewanee. For those in the parish I have not had the privilege to meet, I want to share a little bit of my story.  I am from Athens, GA and graduated from the University of Georgia in 2009. After college I moved around a bit in the southeast until landing in Augusta. It was here that I began my relationship with The Episcopal Church and began attending one of our sister parishes, St. Augustine's. I fell in love with our tradition's rich liturgy, understanding of ritual, and integration of theology in context. After attending a Lutheran seminary part-time beginning in 2010, I slowly became immersed in Episcopal life and before I knew it I was also working as the Campus Minister at Augusta University! In 2015 I joined the Saint Paul's family and worked in ministry with Youth and Young Adults. During my service at Saint Paul's I fell more deeply in love with parish ministry than I ever thought possible. The drive to serve God in the CSRA is abundant at Saint Paul's and it overflows to feed those in the parish community and those outside the parish gates. In 2018, the Bishop, the Standing Committee and the Commission on Ministry advanced me to the next phase of preparation, and I chose to attend seminary at Sewanee's School of Theology in Sewanee, TN. Leaving Saint Paul's that summer of was one of the hardest things I have done, but I was also excited to return to academic work and prepare for ordained ministry. 


This weekend, "God willing and the people consenting," I will be ordained to the Sared Order of Deacons. My heart sings! In a few more months, after graduating from Sewanee with a Master of Divinity, I will move to Huntsville, AL with my dog, Mara, and begin serving in a curacy at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Alabama. They are a really wonderful community, and I am excited to get back into parish ministry--whatever that looks like these days! After six month's time,  "God willing and the people consenting," I will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests, and I pray you will be able to attend in person if not on  Facebook.

I could not have hoped or asked for a better parish community, staff, colleagues, and friends to shape and prepare me for ordained ministry. I know there were hard moments and celebrations alike, but what I most cherish and remember is the incredible grace I received from you--that grace has marked me forever and is a continuing source of peace and strength. Thank you for that imperishable gift. 

Love and peace,

Ranie
Stay connected with Saint Paul's Online
One place to find ALL online worship, events, meetings, etc.

We know it is difficult to keep track of everything - Zoom meeting links, service times, new events - so we have gathered and placed everything you need on one web-page: Church-ONLINE
EVENTS THIS SUNDAY | APRIL 26
GODLY PLAY- Children through 5th grade
Sundays, 9:30 a.m.
Leader: Kim Butler and Ivey Coleman

OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 366 090 592

PASSWORD: Email Maddy Elledge to request.
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!
RECTOR’S FORUM
Sundays, 9:30 a.m.

 OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 860 972 849 
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
The Rector's Forum offers a time and place for engaging conversation that is not anchored to a specific curriculum or topic. Always we consider how to honestly and faithfully live out our Baptismal vows, now more than ever! 
YOUTH FORMATION - Middle and High School
Sundays, 10:30 a.m.
Leader: Todd Shafer  

OR Zoom App, Meeting ID: 795 073 836
 
PASSWORD: Email Maddy Elledge to request.
Youth gather for some theology, fellowship, and lively conversation before tuning into 11 a.m. worship. It’s everything you love about our Sunday morning experience, except the chicken biscuit. 
NO EYC - Middle and High School
Guess what! Ranie Neislar's ordination to the diaconate is happening at Saint Paul's this Sunday at 2 p.m. Please accept her regrets for EYC, download the bulletin , and pray along as the service is streamed through Facebook Live .
EASTER FORMATION - The Universal Christ, by Fr. Richard Rohr
Sundays, 7 - 8 p.m.; 1 of 8 sessions,
Facilitator: Fr. Jenkins
Limited space: 3 seats remain open, email Fr. Jenkins
Topic: Theology/Cosmology of Christ, Contemplative Prayer, Community

OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923

PASSWORD: Email Maddy Elledge to request.

This small group will reflect on Fr. Richard Rohr's The Universal Christ: How a forgotten reality can change everything we see, hope for, and believe.

Participants will:
  • learn about a forgotten teaching of Christ;
  • have opportunity to learn and engage in Christian contemplative practices;
  • participate will practice growing in presence to one another through paired and group sharing
  • set intentions for becoming a more loving, engaged presence in the world.

Fr. Rohr produced a podcast to accompany the book: Another Name For Every Thing . Season 1 offers chapter-by-chapter conversations about the book. Maybe this is one way to consider participation in the group, deepen your experience, or explore the book outside of the group.

Excited to begin, PEACE, and ALLELUIA, CHRIST IS RISEN! Fr. Jenkins
Read the Book of Matthew in Easter
Now - Sunday, May 31
OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES | APRIL 24 - MAY 3
Make a Card for AU Patients and Staff

  • Handmade "Get-Well" Care Cards for patients
  • Handmade "Thank-You" Care Cards for staff
 
Join in efforts to help uplift the spirits of patients and staff at Augusta University Medical Center with a Handmade Care Card. Both children and adults are invited to create Handmade "Get-Well" Care Cards for patients and Handmade "Thank-You" Care Cards for staff. Each patient will receive a "get well" card as part of their breakfast tray, and each staff member will receive them at the beginning of their shift.
 
Care Cards can be mailed to:
 
Care Cards
C/O AU Health Pastoral Care
1120 15th Street, BA 2476
Augusta, Georgia 30912
 
Or scanned and emailed to: pastoralcare@augusta.edu

Distribute Meals with the Family Y
 
The Family Y is looking for volunteers to assist in distributing more than 4,000 meals over the next several days! Volunteers will be needed beginning Thursday, April 23. Click here to learn more.
 
If you are interested in helping us serve the community during this time, please email cwirt@thefamilyy.org.
Phone a Friend

Get an updated copy of the directory and call someone in your parish family. 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.

EVENTS NEXT WEEK | APRIL 27 - MAY 3
Praying Together
Weekly Offerings Vary Visit Calendar
Hosts: Lay and Clergy
Audience : A ll - visitors, guest, and parishioners!

OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923

PASSWORD: Email Maddy Elledge to request.
Our church's deepest and strongest roots are found in daily common prayer. Our prayer book contains a variety of daily prayer services for both private or public worship. PrayingTogether is an online live lesson that teaches how to pray the daily prayers in The Book of Common Prayer whether you have 5 or 45 minutes.

Each week the clergy will offer tutorials about a variety of daily prayer services. Our goals are to equip and support all who desire to deepen their daily prayer life and to recruit a team of lay people who will lead services on a shared schedule.

Currently, the evening service of Compline is offered Wednesdays at 8 p.m. If you are interested in a specific service, email Fr. Jenkins to schedule a tutorial.

THIS WEEK'S TUTORIALS:

Morning Prayer
Monday, April 27, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Wednesday, April 29, 7 - 8 p.m.
CANTERBURY CHOIR - Just for Fun! Wednesdays, 5 p.m.

OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 859 002 714
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923

PASSWORD: Email Maddy Elledge to request.
Just for fun, the Canterbury choir is gathering online to catch up and connect with each at their regular rehearsal time, Wednesdays at 5 p.m.
Compline
Wednesdays, 8 p.m.

OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923

PASSWORD: Email Maddy Elledge to request.
“The Lord Almighty, grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end.”

Wednesday evenings, we will gather online to pray the service of Compline at 8 p.m. The service will be led by members of the parish and the bulletin will be presented through Zoom so all may participate. Compline is a beautiful, simple, and quiet service to end the day with on e another in prayer with Go d.

It may also be observed in private at the end of your day and is found on p.127-135 in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP). A pdf version of  Compline and Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families  from the BCP can be found here.
OTHER RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Saint Paul's Faithfulness

Offerings Pledged this Week $15,000.00  
Offerings Received this Week $7,588.90   
 
Operating Expenses to Date $308,309.60  
Total Income Received to Date $328,408.32  
   
Stewardship Campaign:
2020 Pledge Cards Received to Date 174  
YOUTH PARENTS - Call on Me Prayer Books

What can you offer your teens and tweens that is relevant and useful? Call On Me is a good place to begin. It is like The Book of Common Prayer but contains prayers and passages of Scripture that speak to where they are in life. We have a several of these and offer to mail them to any who request them. Please email Fr. Jenkins or o rder your own . The book costs $15, and while we welcome gifts we will send the book to any who request it.

"When my oldest son was experiencing a particularly difficult week as an eighth grader, I discovered him reluctant to share his bedtime prayers. He gently explained that perhaps he was now too old to say children's prayers with his parents. I suggested that he could say his prayer by himself from now on... then he confessed that he didn't know how... Call On Me is just the resource that I needed to help my son." From the author's Forward.
APRIL BIRTHDAYS
Are we missing your birthday?
Please contact the Parish Office  to update our files.
Saint Paul's Church www.saintpauls.org