Weekly
Postings
news & events
|
|
November 20 - November 29, 2020 |
|
To the Community of Saint Paul's Church,
As I listen to the news and have conversations with those in our parish and in the community one thing is abundantly clear. We are all tired of dealing with a global pandemic. We are weary, we want things to return to normal, we want what we want, and we want it now. We want to enjoy Thanksgiving with family and friends. We want our jobs and activities to return to normal. We want to be in our Church, sitting in our pew, greeting our friends and singing the hymns that we love. We want not to be anxious. We want, we want, we want.
The reality of our lives is stated best by the Rolling Stones, “You can’t always get what you want.” More importantly the Stones remind us, “But if you try sometime you find you get what you need.” What we need is within us. The faith that has been passed on to us lives deep within. Remember that if we live no longer for ourselves but for Him who died and rose again, we will find the strength to live through these times. When we focus on the other and their wellbeing, we begin to find what we need. Let us all try, bearing one another’s burdens, and looking for what the community needs and not simply what we want.
Our opportunities for gatherings and in-person worship may change in the weeks to come. As we monitor infection rates and hospitalizations we will adjust accordingly. You must know that none of these decisions are made lightly. When all is said and done I would rather be faulted for having overreacted and people stayed safe than to live with the guilt of underreacting and people become ill or God forbid die.
As we approach our national day of Thanksgiving I pray that each of us can find our many reasons to be thankful, not dwelling on what we want and don’t have, but on what we need and have been freely given.
Let us pray:
Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the many blessings you have poured upon us. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
|
|
Thanksgiving Eve Service
Wednesday, November 25, 7 p.m.
We invite you to join us for our annual Thanksgiving Eve service from wherever you are! Give thanks for God’s generous blessings to us all on Wednesday, November 25 at 7 p.m. through the Saint Paul's Facebook Page. The service includes joyous music, featuring The Saint Paul’s & Canterbury Choirs, and lessons and prayers of thanks and praise. The Thanksgiving Eve offering will be given to the DCCM (Downtown Cooperative Church Ministries) Food Bank.
|
|
|
|
VESTRY MEETING | November 23 |
|
|
Change of Date and Location
The November meeting of the Vestry of Saint Paul’s Church has been moved to the fourth Monday of the month, Monday, November 23, 2020.
At this meeting the Vestry will meet via Zoom beginning at 5:30 p.m. On the agenda will be regular business and a conversation and possible vote to move the Polk monument from its present location.
|
|
EVENTS THIS SUNDAY | November 22 |
|
|
|
|
GODLY PLAY - Children through 5th grade
K-2nd grade, 9-9:40 a.m.
3rd-5th grade, 9:45-10:30 a.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 366 090 592
|
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. Within the Godly Play classroom, the Biblical narrative is lovingly presented to children using beautiful materials with an invitation to step into each story with awe and wonder. Children are then allowed time to respond to and reflect on their experience of the story.
The Godly Play class sends weekly emails on Saturday morning. If you have children K-5th grade and would like to receive this email, please contact Maddy Elledge.
|
|
|
|
|
|
RECTOR’S FORUM
Sundays, 9:30 a.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 860 972 849
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
|
Join us for the Rector’s Forum this Sunday. During our time together we will reflect on the Collect of the Day and lessons appointed for that Sunday. Our time is spent understanding how ancient words impact our current reality. |
|
|
|
|
|
COFFEE & CONVERSATION
Sundays, 10:35 a.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 860 972 849
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
|
Grab a cup of coffee and join us on Zoom before the 11 a.m. service for a few moments of fellowship! Participants will be split into groups of 5-6 people to allow everyone a chance to catch up with your Saint Paul's family. |
|
|
|
|
|
CELTIC EVENING PRAYER AND COMMUNION
Sundays, 5:30 p.m.
|
Our Celtic Evening Prayer is a candle-lit service that emphasizes the contemplative side of worship and features some of Augusta’s best Celtic musicians. Come as you are and enter into a place of rest, prayer, and reflection.
Please note that during this time, we ask that everyone sign up to attend as each service is limited to the number of participants. You will be required to submit your email address for contact tracing.
Masks are kindly required by all individuals at all times.
|
|
|
|
EVENTS NEXT WEEK | November 23 - November 29 |
|
|
|
|
Noonday Prayer
Monday, November 23, 12:05 p.m.
Wednesday, November 25, 12:05 p.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
|
Noonday Prayer is a short and simple service which allows prayer to enter into the midst of our daily work or other activities, while joining our prayers in the ongoing prayer of the Church around the world. It may also be observed in private and is found online here and on p.103-107 in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) or in the simplified version daily devotions on page 138.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sacred Space at Saint Paul's
Tuesdays and Fridays
|
Sacred Space is an opportunity for you to be in your church’s sacred space to rest and pray. You will be provided with a simple Order of Service to guide your prayers, but pray according to your practice and however fulfills your needs for your own sacred time and space.
Please note that during this time, we ask that everyone sign up to attend as each time is limited in the number of participants. You will be required to submit your email address for contact tracing.
Masks are kindly required by all individuals at all times. You will receive a follow up email with more details on additional guidelines.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compline – Facebook Live and Zoom
Wednesdays, 8 - 8:15 p.m., social time follows worship on Zoom.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
Compline is a beautiful, simple, and quiet service to end the day together in prayer with God. This service is led by members of the parish using an on-screen bulletin so everyone may pray together.
Following the prayers, which are streamed on Facebook Live, those who gather through Zoom have opportunity for a mid-week visit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanksgiving Eve Service
Wednesday, November 25, 7 p.m.
We invite you to join us for our annual Thanksgiving Eve service from wherever you are! Give thanks for God’s generous blessings to us all on Wednesday, November 25 at 7 p.m. through the Saint Paul's Facebook Page.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Parish Office Closed
November 26-27
|
Happy Thanksgiving!
The parish office will be closed November 26-27 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advent Wreath Kit Available
Pick up Sunday, November 29, 1-2 p.m.
|
On the first Sunday of Advent, November 29, the Parish Office will have Advent Wreath kits available for you to put together at home. All supplies will be provided, including wreaths, live greens, and candles. The kits are $15. Donations are accepted. Supplies are limited; a RSVP is required to reserve your wreath kit. Please contact the Parish office if you are unable to pick up your wreath during this time.
|
|
|
|
NEW FORMATION OPPROTUNITY |
|
|
|
BECOMING BELOVED COMMUNITY
…WHERE YOU ARE
Ministry of Racial Healing, Justice & Reconciliation
Next Full Group Meeting: TBA
Email Fr. Jenkins for to connect with the practice groups
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 845 5492 0571
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
Why racial healing and justice? The answer is found in our baptismal identity, most fully articulated in our Baptismal Covenant (BCP 304-5). Why now? Because injustices long accepted as normal no longer are invisible or below our consciousness. The right time to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God” always is the present moment.
This group is collaboratively working to shape their ministry. Everyone is invited. Drawing guidance from The Episcopal Church’s Becoming Beloved Community vision, we strive to: 1) tell the truth about our church and race, 2) proclaim the dream of beloved community, 3) practice the Way of Love in the pattern of Jesus, and 4) repair the breach in our institutions and society.
|
|
|
|
OTHER RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS |
|
Saint Paul's Faithfulness
Offerings pledged this Week $15,000.00
Offerings received this Week $13,943.90
Operating Expenses to Date $851,375.44
Total Income Received to Date $778,026.05
Stewardship Campaign:
Pledge Cards Received to Date for the Year 2021: 119 representing $541,234.00
|
|
From the Stewardship Chair |
Lord we give faithfully, and in our giving, we honor you,
the source of all our blessings, our daily bread, and all the gifts in our lives.
Pledges are still coming in and as of this week, we have received a total of 119 pledges representing $541,234 If you have not completed a pledge card, please complete this year’s annual stewardship appeal and return it to the church as soon as possible, or pledge online at saintpauls.org/pledge-card/. If you did not receive a pledge appeal in the mail, or have simply misplaced yours, please email the parish office or contact by telephone at (706) 724-2485 ext. 225.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The new Day by Day issue for November, December, and January has arrived. If you would like to have one mailed to you, please contact the parish office.
Forward Day by Day is a booklet of daily, "page-a-day," inspirational meditations each reflecting on a specific Bible passage from the daily lectionary readings of the Episcopal Church. The meditations are rich in substance and offer a wide range of witness and experiences.
|
|
|
|
Are we missing your birthday?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
