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St. Paul's
at Midweek
November 24, 2021
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Whoever you are,
and wherever you find yourself on your journey of faith,
we welcome you to our inclusive faith community.
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The Coming Week
at St. Paul's
November 28, 2021
The First Sunday
of Advent
The 10am service will also be live-streamed via our Facebook page.
Monday, November 29
Tuesday, November 30
Saint Andrew the Apostle
December 5, 2021
The Second Sunday
of Advent
10am Eucharist in our church building
The 10am service will also be live-streamed via our Facebook page.
Next Bishop's
Committee Meeting:
Sunday, November 28, 11.30am
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Finding the
Sunday Readings
Did you know you can always find the readings for Sunday by following this link?
Did you find two sets of readings for the Sunday? If there are two "tracks",
at St. Paul's we are using "Track 2".
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St. Paul's
Food Pantry News
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Our Food Pantry is up and running. Remember to bring food to church this Sunday for our food ministry. This will help to continue to serve our neighbors in need of assistance with food, many who are homeless.
Suggested items are:
•Easy open pop top cans,
•Peanut Butter
•Whole Grain Cereals
•Hearty Soups
•Canned Beans and Lentils
•Canned Tuna and Chicken
•Canned Fruit in Juice
•Nonperishable Read to Eat
Meals (chili, ravioli, etc.)
•Canned Vegetables
•Instant Rice
•Canned Tomato Products
•Cheese or peanut butter
filled crackers
Thank you all for your help in this project and let us continue to keep all those in need in our prayers.
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Getting in Touch
Although mail will be regularly collected, the parish office will be closed until further notice.
However, if you have questions or concerns,
you can reach
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This Week
by Brian Whitfield
Bishop's Warden
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“Watch for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning, lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.”
-Mark 13:35-36
This is the first of the options that can be said before starting Morning Prayer and is perfect for this time of year. This Sunday begins Advent, and tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Bishop David always reminds us that Advent is a season for looking forward and awaiting what is to come but doing so while looking back and seeing what has already happened. This time of Thanksgiving, likewise, helps us look back at what we are thankful for but reminds us that we cannot solely live in the past but need to continue to do things that we and others can be thankful for. Speaking for myself, I have many things to be grateful for. Beyond my family and the opportunity to support them, I am truly thankful for my community here at St. Paul’s. I am thankful for a church that really loves one another, that offers beautiful liturgy, that prays and supports each other, that gathers food and resources for those less fortunate, for standing up for the downtrodden, immigrant, and oppressed, that recognizes the dignity and reflection of God in every person regardless of their sex, gender, or orientation, and allows for them to thrive in all levels and roles that we offer.
However, the work is never finished, and we know not the time of the return of the master of the house. More work is still to be done, love still to be shared with members of our community, and fortifying our building block in the Kingdom of God. Advent helps us keep watch and continue to wait and hope for more to come. Wonderful things are happening at St. Paul’s and in the Diocese of Joaquin every day. Keep up the good fight, and do not relent.
As I part, I will leave with you the words sung by Michael Cain at the end of the Muppet’s Christmas Carol. In the movie, he plays Scrooge, who learns his lesson and vows to change his life for himself and society. He understands that it isn’t enough to be thankful, but he needs to continue doing good deeds into the future. He sings, “Yes, and every night will end and every day will start / with a grateful prayer and a thankful heart.” Let us be like Scrooge. God bless you, and have a happy Thanksgiving and a hopeful and holy Advent.
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The Order of the Daughters of the King is an order for women whose mission is the extension of Christ’s Kingdom through prayer, service and evangelism. At the St. Paul's the order serves our community through their prayers and acts of service.
Do you have a special concern you'd like the Daughters to pray for? Contact Kathy Harlan who heads our parish chapter. You can also contact her for further information on the DOK, or you can visit the Order's website here. The Daughters of the King are also at the front of church during the distribution of communion to pray with you for your needs and concerns.
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As we move into a new phase of the COVID pandemic, Diocesan protocols have been relaxed and our services continue in our church building. However, please note, that masks are now required for all persons attending church services, regardless of vaccination status.
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Stewardship of St. Paul's |
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While our Stewardship Campaign has officially come to an end, there is still time to make your pledge. Remember, your pledge enables our Bishop's Committee to plan realistically for the coming year. There are so many possibilities in our parish's future - a more visible presence in our neighborhood, a more vibrant music ministry, a more versatile and robust use of our buildings, a more direct and effective engagement with those in need around us. Still, these will require the resources of time, talent, and treasure. What do you envision for St. Paul's? How will you respond in generosity? Please, prayerfully consider how you will contribute to the future of St. Paul's. Bring your pledge card in on Sunday or send it by mail. If you not have a physical pledge card you can complete one online here. If you have any questions, contact Brian Whitfield our Bishop's Warden or Cindy Smith our Treasurer.
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Call to Ministry....Call to Serve |
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As we resume many of our regular ministries, have you considered how you might be called to serve in our parish's life? There are a number of opportunities each calling for various and distinctive gifts. Lectors read at the Sunday morning Eucharist and enable God's people to hear his Word. Along with the clergy, altar servers enable God's people in prayer and worship. Our audio-visual team is crucial in making our worship accessible within and without our walls. The Altar Guild does much of the "behind-the-scenes" work that makes possible the order and beauty we experience Sunday by Sunday. Our ushers are the first face and welcome that our visitors experience on a Sunday morning, often setting the tone for people's experience of St. Paul's. Those who will be hosting our revived Food Pantry serve in the Church's name those in our area who are in need.
In God's grace we have been given so many opportunities to serve his people and the world. How is he calling you to serve? Below you will find contact details for each the of the ministries mentioned above. Get in touch to learn more, and if you have any questions get in touch with Fr. Luis.
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Advent At St. Paul's
This Sunday, November 28,
is the First Sunday of Advent
We are marking the season's observance
with a number of activities.
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"Greening" the Church and Providing Poinsettias
for Christmas
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Advent is just around the corner and we are looking forward to decorating the church for the holidays. We begin with "greening" the church. You can help by donating to the "greening" of the church or by donating to purchase a poinsettia for Christmas. A $10 donation will buy a poinsettia or help with the greening of the church. Please make checks out to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church with the notation for Christmas decorations. If you give a cash donation, please put into an envelope with a notation for the same. You may include (on a separate piece of paper) the name of anyone in whose memory you are making your gift. If you have any questions contact Dcn Cathy.
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Providing for Families at Franklin Elementary School
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The holiday season brings to mind how blessed we are in so many ways. Plans to share time with our church family, family, and friends are being made. Often our time is shared around food and a common table, both at St. Paul’s during Eucharist and during our meals at home.
The holiday season also brings to mind those members of our Bakersfield community who are not so blessed. Many families will not be sharing time around the table this holiday season because they are food insecure.
This holiday season we, the parishioners of St. Paul’s, have an opportunity to begin a relationship with Franklin Elementary School, which is located in our neighborhood on Truxtun Avenue. Please consider helping some school families enjoy a healthy meal during the holiday season. Since many of these families have transportation limitations, we are asking for donations so we can purchase grocery store gift cards ( $25.00 amounts) to supermarkets in Franklin's catchment area. Please make your check payable to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, placing ‘Franklin School’ on the memo line. Your check may be mailed to St. Paul’s or dropped in the Sunday collection plate November, 14th, 21st, 28th, December 5th, or 12th. Gift cards will be purchased using your generous donations. During the week of December 12th, the gift cards will be delivered to the school to be distributed to families in need.
Prayerfully consider helping a neighborhood family enjoy a meal this holiday season by making a donation by December 12th.
“In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35.
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Pray as You Can,
Not as You Can't
Prayer, Worship, and Formation in Advent
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Advent begins Sunday, November 28, and in addition to our regular Sunday Eucharist, we will be gathering Tuesday evenings to say Evening Prayer (6.00pm) and to celebrate the Eucharist (6.30pm). At the Eucharist there will be presented a series of addresses around the theme prayer. Pray as You Can, Not as You Can't: De-Mystifying Prayer will address many of the questions people have about prayer, but also explore various forms of prayer. particularly as they lend themselves to different temperaments. Take time this Advent to pray, reflect and engage more intentionally as we prepare once again to welcome Christ. If you have any questions, contact Fr. Luis.
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Las Posadas in Bakersfield
December 16, 2021
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This year we are again teaming with our friends at Mill Creek Christian Church to observe Las Posadas. Beginning at 5pm on December 16 and starting at Mill Creek Christian Church (1660 S Street, 93301), we will walk with Mary, Joseph and the people of Bakersfield through the streets of our city seeking shelter and hospitality. The route will end at St. Paul’s with a music, food and celebration. This a community-wide event and everyone is encouraged to attend. Please spread the word. You can access a flyer here in English or Spanish. If you have any questions and want to volunteer to help please contact Fr. Luis or Dcn Cathy.
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As part of its ministry, St Paul's Creation Care Committee offers tips and practical information for more responsible use of our natural resources, as well as advertising and promoting ways we can get involved in this increasingly important aspect of Christian stewardship.
While the holidays are a wonderful time for family and celebration, they can produce a lot of waste.
From large meals, to gifts, to decor (and so much more!) the holidays are a time of celebration and fun. But they can also be a time of waste! Americans produce more waste during the holiday season than they do the rest of the year – and lots of it goes straight to our landfills. That said, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the season sustainably! Join us as we dive into some of our favorite tips for reducing your holiday waste.
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Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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In Our Prayers
Remember in your prayers Louis, Dee, Brian, Jaime, Jimmy, Jeremy, Rosemary, Maria, Rita, Sandy, all those living with the effects of COVID-19, and all who are in sorrow, sickness, or any kind of need.
Remember all the recently departed, among them, Jack Hernandez and Clara Smith, and all those whose year's mind falls at this time, among them Michele Butorac.
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Monthly Prayer Diary
You can access the
Prayer Diary for November here.
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Many will know that our dear friend Jack Hernandez died last Wednesday. He will missed by us at St Paul's and by all who knew him. His poetry contributions have become a Midweek staple. Many of these were sent well in advance, and they will continue to be published until none are left. It seems fitting. Please pray for Jack's family and for the repose of his soul. |
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A Glass
by Jack Hernandez
Hope is empty
until filled
with liquid dreams
shaken and held
up to the light,
a toast to a future
of thirst’s delight.
Desires quenched,
prophesies fulfilled,
the glass now empty
is carefully shelved
for another day.
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Cassidy Sheppard
Jackie Cooper-Glenn
Louis Wildman
Olga Wildman
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November 8
November 13
November 15
November 24
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Connecting with St. Paul's
and The Episcopal Church
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Church Office
(661) 869-1630
Priest-in-Charge
The Rev'd Luis Rodriguez
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Bishop's Warden
Junior Warden
Michael Dunham
Midweek
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