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Weekly News for Jan. 29, 2023
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I struggled this week to create a message for our email newsletter. I wondered if I should lift up the growing number of anti-semitic incidents in our community? Or maybe I should speak about the student who overdosed at a Wheaton high school. Do God’s people want to hear about the ongoing classified document scavenger hunt through the homes of elected officials? Maybe I should share about the weight of grief that even the rich and famous cannot avoid.
Perhaps it was the enormity of all this bad news that created this “writer’s block.” So I decided to withdraw from the assignment and do something different. I ordered lunch from my favorite restaurant.
Sometimes you just have to step back. Life becomes too much. Everything seems to be a priority. There is no lack of demands being placed upon us and well, sometimes, you just need to check out for a moment. Sometimes caring for ourselves becomes the priority so that we can continue. Some days our greatest accomplishment may be that we are wearing matching shoes or that we don’t need bail money.
Stepping back allows us the opportunity to create space between what we face and our need to refuel to deal with it. How we refuel is preferably healthy (I’m sure that lemon drop cookie I ordered counts as fruit); but if nothing else, we all need a momentary respite that settles our spirit.
I have said this before, probably in a different way. But the fact remains that it is a message that bears repeating. The world is a tough place to hang out. Sometimes it gets to be too much. So be kind to yourself, extend yourself grace. And if all else fails, order a lemon drop cookie and call it a win!
- Pastor Pat
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Fifth Sunday, One Community
Sunday, Jan. 29
10:30 AM
When there are five Sundays in a month, we use the fifth Sunday to bring ALL of St. Paul’s worshipers together for a single service at 10:30 AM. There will be no 9:00 AM service and no Sunday School offered on January 29 so all can experience the rhythms of worshiping together. Find more information at stpaulsk.org/worship.
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Funeral for Mrs. Amy L. Smith
Saturday, Jan. 28
12:00 noon
This service will celebrate the life and faith of Mrs. Amy L. Smith, who resided at Kent Street in Kensington and passed away on November 18, 2022. She was 88 years old and had been a member of St. Paul's since 1974. The service will be livestreamed from the Sanctuary and can be viewed at stpaulsk.org/worship/memorials
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Sipping Ministry Fellowship
Sunday, Jan. 29
St. Paul's Stephen Ministry team is hosting a time for fellowship and coffee, juice, and sweet treats following worship. Additionally, Stephen Ministers will be on hand to talk about the one-on-one and confidential care they can provide.
On Feb. 19, the 2x4s (those in the roughly 20s-to-40s age range) will host the Sipping Ministry after the 10:30 service. 2x4s helpers should contact Anne Dean (annepdean@gmail.com) to sign up.
If your group or family would like to sponsor the Sipping Ministry fellowship time, contact the office at stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org.
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This Week: Sunday School Updates
Sunday, Jan. 29
Children will be in worship with their families in the Sanctuary. Fifth Sunday, One Community is an opportunity to bring together all of our worshipers, young and old. Childcare for infants and preschoolers is available in the 2nd floor Nursery and children’s “busy bags” are available at the Welcome Desk. Questions? Contact Dr. Meg Baker (mbaker@stpaulsk.org).
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New Baby Meal Train
Dates available now!
Show the Kallen family the love and support of their St. Paul’s friends as they celebrate and adjust to life with their new baby, Jacob. Go to https://mealtrain.com/6v4r3k to sign up and take them a meal.
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Last Call for Directory Updates
Submit info by Feb. 1
Last chance to send in updates for our next church directory of members and friends! You can submit a photo of your choosing, if you were unable to have a new one taken, and any address, phone, or email changes. Please email Erin Steele in the church office (stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org). The deadline is Feb. 1.
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Seeking Stations of the Cross Sponsors
Reply by Feb. 1
For 2023, individuals, families, and groups are all invited to sponsor a station for the Stations of the Cross experience during Holy Week. Your RSVP will determine whether we have enough volunteers to host a Stations experience this year. To learn more or to sponsor a station, contact Dr. Meg Baker (mbaker@stpaulsk.org) by Feb. 1.
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SPY Meetings
Sunday, Jan. 29, 4:30-6:30 PM
All youth in grades 6-12 are welcome to join us for fun and fellowship. Use the back door on Fawcett Street to enter the Multi-Purpose Room. Questions? Contact Mr. Micah Smartt (msmartt@stpaulsk.org).
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Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, Feb. 4
The UMM will hold a Community Pancake Breakfast on the first Saturday of each month this Spring, in the Fellowship Hall. Serving hours are 8:00-10:30 AM. We will have pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, and grits. Instead of a fixed price, those attending are asked to make a donation (suggestion: $20 for a family of 4). Please note - there is no carryout option. All are welcome!
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Epistle Publication Schedule
The schedule for the publication of our Epistle newsletter has changed! The Epistle did not run in January. Our next issue will be a combined February/March edition and we will continue with two-month combined issues for 2023. Please read more about the how to share your news and activities at stpaulsk.org/community/epistle-weekly-news.
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Offering Envelope Interruption
Our printing partners that produce our offering envelopes experienced a supply-chain interruption and were unable to mail out envelopes for the start of 2023. They assured us that envelope recipients should see customized envelopes in the mail starting in March. In the meantime, you may mail checks to St. Paul's using any envelope, with a note in the memo line indicating you are making an offering, or give online at https://stpaulsk.org/giving.
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Taste & Sing
Tuesday, Feb. 21, 12:00-1:00 PM.
Come to the Octagon for a casual hymn-sing featuring your song requests, and a deeper dive into the stories behind some of our worship music. February’s focus will feature a Shrove Tuesday theme. Stay for lunch! No musical experience needed and no cost (although donations for lunch are welcome). Contact Meg Baker if you have questions (mbaker@stpaulsk.org, 301-933-7933 ext 104).
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Ash Wednesday Worship Times
Wednesday, Feb. 22
12:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Ash Wednesday worship with the imposition of ashes will be offered at 12:00 noon and at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary. Take time to mark this special day as we enter the season of Lent and begin the walk to the cross that prepares us for Easter.
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Lenten Study
Sign up by Feb. 22; Classes start Feb. 28
This short-term Lenten Study “Luke: Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts, & Outlaws” will be led by Mike McCurry. Classes meet Tuesdays, Feb. 28-April 4, 7:00-8:15 PM in-person at St. Paul’s. The cost is $15 per person and includes the book by Adam Hamilton. You can read more about the class and register at stpaulsk.org/community/adult-education, or using the sign-up form in the church office. Enrollment is limited. Contact Dr. Meg Baker (mbaker@stpaulsk.org, 301-933-7933 ext. 104) if you have questions or need help registering.
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Hunger Ministry
We provide food assistance year-round to families living in the 20895 ZIP code. If you'd like to volunteer, contact hunger@stpaulsk.org and our volunteer coordinators will send you information about helping, whether you can do it just once or every month. Donations help too! You can find the list of grocery items we need at stpaulsk.org/service/hunger-ministry, or on the table in the Narthex.
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Inclement Weather Policies
We follow Montgomery County Public Schools students’ schedule for weekday inclement weather delays, early dismissals, or closures. If Montgomery Co. students report on a 2-hour delay, St. Paul’s offices will also be on a 2-hour delay. When students do not go to school, St. Paul’s is closed. For worship, pastors will track weather events and make a determination by 5:00 PM on the day before. Always use your own best judgment before venturing out in wintry conditions.
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Ongoing Activities - Click on each heading to learn more.
Daily Breath: Wednesdays, 9:00 AM. Enjoy about 10-20 minutes of sharing, prayer, or music led by St. Paul’s clergy, staff, or volunteer leaders. Go to facebook.com/stpaulskensington.
Tuesday with Friends: This group, open to all men and women, will meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 11:00 AM for fellowship and interesting lessons. Those who would like to stay for Taste & Sing will enjoy lunch afterwards. Contact Ginny Hagberg if you have questions: 301-770-7624.
Lydia Circle: The Lydia Circle sisters are meeting the first Wednesday of each month at 2:30 PM. Ladies should contact Susan Schwarz at susan10748@aol.com or 301-339-8242.
St. Paul's Online Shop: We're offering two colorful T-shirt designs. Visit stpaulsk.myspreadshop.com to see the options!
Prayer Request Form: If you have a joy or concern, you can share it confidentially with St. Paul's ministers or share with the entire Prayer Team using our online prayer form. You can also contact Meg Baker at mbaker@stpaulsk.org.
Stephen Ministry: Trained lay-people provide comfort to those who need a listening ear as they navigate life challenges like birth and death, job changes, divorce, illness, or depression and stress. Contact Meg Baker (mbaker@stpaulsk.org) to learn more.
Communion Bread: Copies of the St. Paul's Communion Bread recipe and a sign-up sheet are available on the bulletin board in the church office for those willing to bake for a Sunday service.
Altar Flowers: The flower chart for 2023 is now available on the bulletin board in the church office. Reserve a date and use the yellow form to sponsor the Sanctuary flowers.
Read-Thru-the-Bible: Find a short video guide and some reflection questions to guide your Bible reading at stpaulsk.org/community/adult-education, along with the reading schedule.
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Scripture for January 29, 2023
Matthew 5:1-12
1When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2And he began to speak and taught them, saying:
3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10“Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
New Revised Standard Version Bible Updated Edition (NRSVUE)
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Contact us! ● 301-933-7933 ● stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org ● stpaulsk.org
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