Weekly
Postings
news & events
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December 4 - December 13, 2020 |
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“And they offered Him gifts…” (Matthew 2:11)
We know this Advent and Christmas season will be different. It will be different in our families, in our community, and at Saint Paul’s. The needs of those in the neighborhood that surrounds us are greater than ever before.
This year we hope you will join others in our parish to fulfill our baptismal commitment to “reach out in love and concern for others” by making a gift to the students and families of our East Augusta/downtown neighborhood.
Instead of giving for poinsettias and special Christmas music, let’s join together to make memorial and honorary gifts to make a real difference in our neighbor’s lives.
Our relationship with W. S. Hornsby School K-8 gives us a wonderful opportunity to share the joy of this season. Traditionally, we would be preparing for our annual Angel Tree Christmas Program, a beloved tradition at Saint Paul's Church, that celebrates the relationships cultivated throughout the year with the Outreach Committee's mentoring program.
While that cannot happen this year, we plan to move forward during this Christmas season with gifts for children that the school has notified us of having significant needs. With your help, we also hope to make this year special for all the students by purchasing inspirational books for each classroom and a new sound system as a gesture of love from our parish family.
“The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8) What a transforming opportunity we have been given, to share the Word we have received with those around us. Flowers will again fill our church, music will swell within its walls, but now let us share the gifts we have received in a life-giving and meaningful way.
If you have questions or would like additional information about this Christmas Offering, please contact Melissa Friedman or Nancy Kotti.
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Ways to Give to the Christmas Offering
As in years past, your Christmas Offering, made in memoriam or in thanksgiving, will be listed in the Christmas Eve bulletin. Please be sure to include all names as they should appear.
Mail a check to the Parish Office by Friday, December 18
- Make checks payable to Saint Paul's Church and designate it as "Christmas Offering"
- To give your gift in Memory, Honor, or Thanksgiving of someone, include their name(s) on a note in the envelope with your check. Please be sure to write the text as it should appear in the bulletin (Ex: In thanksgiving for Jane Doe by Bob Smith; In memory of John Doe).
Give Online by clicking the button below
- Under Fund, select "Outreach," then select "Christmas Offering" as the Sub Fund
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To give your gift in Memory, Honor, or Thanksgiving of someone, leave their name(s) in the comment box. Please be sure to write the text as it should appear in the bulletin (Ex: In thanksgiving for Jane Doe by Bob Smith; In memory of John Doe).
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Wednesday, December 9, at 7 p.m.
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Cymbals! Organ! Horn! The time is at hand for The Rev. Deacon Ranie Neislar, our former minister to young adults and youth, to be ordained to The Sacred Order of Priests by Bishop Glenda Curry on behalf of Bishop Frank Logue, The Episcopal Diocese of Georgia.
The live-streamed liturgy will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 9, at St. Thomas in Huntsville, AL. Ranie will continue to serve as curate at St. Thomas.
"God and Father of all, we praise you for your infinite love and calling us to be a holy people in the kingdom of your son Jesus our Lord, who is the image of your eternal and invisible glory, the firstborn among many brethren, and the head of the Church. We thank you that by his death he has overcome death, and, having ascended into heaven, has poured his gifts abundantly upon your people, making some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry and the building up of his body." — The Book of Common Prayer, Collect for the Consecration of the Priest, p.533)
If you wish to make a gift to celebrate Ranie’s ministry among us and gifts for the world, you have two options: 1) make a donation to her discretionary fund for ministry, and/or 2) a personal gift for priestly apparel or accouterments.
Please mail your gift directly to:
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
c/o The Rev. Paul Pradat
12200 Bailey Cove Road
Huntsville, Alabama 35803
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#AdventWord
A Daily Practice for Advent
How long, O Lord…. How long will you turn you face from me? —Psalm 13
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Saint Paul’s clergy encourage everyone to take up a daily practice of observance this Advent using # Advent Word .
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A Booklet of Advent Blessings for Your Home |
Faith is grown in our daily lives and Advent offers a special opportunity for creating and gathering around a sacred space in your home. This short booklet contains simple prayers, blessings and reflections for anyone and everyone to practice their faith right up and into the mystery of Christmas. |
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EVENTS THIS SUNDAY | December 6 |
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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
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Advent is the beginning of our liturgical year. Advent means “coming,” as in the coming of Jesus.
Godly Play will spend the next four Sundays preparing our hearts and minds for the mystery of the birth of Jesus.
Over the next weeks, we will share our Advent stories, light our Advent candles, and spend time with our Holy Family.
As in previous years, the culmination of these lessons will be an opportunity to prepare the creche for the parish on the fourth Sunday of Advent at 3:30 p.m.
We encourage all the parishes' children to join us this Advent season as we prepare to find God-with-us, Emmanuel.
Please feel free to bring your Advent Wreaths or any items your family shares during Advent in your home.
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.
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RECTOR'S FORUM - ADVENT LECTIONARY STUDY
Sundays in Advent
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Who: Open to everyone, week-by-week
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 860 972 849
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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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. |
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COFFEE & CONVERSATION
Sundays, 10:35 a.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 860 972 849
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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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. |
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CELTIC EVENING PRAYER AND COMMUNION
Sundays, 5:30 p.m.
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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.
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EVENTS NEXT WEEK | December 7 - December 13 |
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Noonday Prayer
Monday, December 7, 12:05 p.m.
Wednesday, December 9, 12:05 p.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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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.
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“About Your Sermon…"
Conversations on Sunday's Sermon
Every Monday, Noon - 1 p.m.
12:05 - 12:10 p.m. Noonday Prayer
12:10 - 1 p.m. Watch and discuss Sunday’s sermon
Facilitator: Sunday’s preacher
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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The clergy are excited to announce a new formation opportunity that has been in our minds for a while: hosting conversation every Monday on Zoom to dig into the meaning and Good News proclaimed in Sunday’s sermon. We are calling it “About Your Sermon."
Every Monday we will begin with Noonday Prayer at 12:05 p.m. and then watch of the sermon together, followed by discussion to explore the theological themes, context, and implications. We will end promptly at 1 p.m. so those joining from work can resume their day. No reservation is required. If you need any help learning how to join a Zoom meeting, contact Maddy Elledge.
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Sacred Space at Saint Paul's
Tuesdays and Fridays
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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.
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Wednesday, December 9
7 p.m.
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The Rev. Deacon Ranie Neislar, our former minister to young adults and youth, will be ordained to The Sacred Order of Priests by Bishop Glenda Curry on behalf of Bishop Frank Logue, The Episcopal Diocese of Georgia.
The live-streamed liturgy will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 9, at St. Thomas in Huntsville, AL. Ranie will continue to serve as curate at St. Thomas.
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Advent Stories—Our Story in God’s Story
Wednesdays in Advent, 7 - 7:55 p.m.
Who: Open to everyone, week-by-week
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
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2020 has been hard in so many ways. This Advent we have much more to bring before God in supplication and longing. Gather with others each Wednesday to hear a part of the Advent story from our Godly Play ministry and then reflect through conversation and other media to more deeply encounter our story in God’s. This experience will help you prepare yourself to ponder the mystery of the incarnation at Christmastide. Inquiries, contact Fr. Jenkins.
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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.
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OTHER RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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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 122 pledges representing $548,434.00. 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.
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Saint Paul's Faithfulness
Offerings pledged this Week $15,000.00
Offerings received this Week $28,230.00
Operating Expenses to Date $892,819.68
Total Income Received to Date $827,645.16
Stewardship Campaign:
Pledge Cards Received to Date for the Year 2021: 122 representing $548,434.00
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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.
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Are we missing your birthday?
Birthday Sunday will be celebrated on December 13!
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