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Weekly News for June 18, 2023
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A Letter from Pastor Pat
Back from a few days off, I am led to a statement from a sermon I recently heard. The preacher shared these words: “The church is unwilling to do the hard work of rethinking God.”
I would imagine one must first wrestle with how this challenges our understanding of God as unchangeable. I perceive this statement not as saying God has changed, but that how we understand God, evolves, and changes. That is, if we are open to such a move. Sometimes it is so much easier not to be challenged. An understanding of God that allows for the spiritually mysterious, the unknown, and the continuing revelation, requires the relinquishing of a God we believe we have known.
I have difficulty believing that any of us knows concretely the mind of God. Our understanding of God is nourished by our experience, traditions, and teachings of God. When our history eliminates space for the present a very narrow view of God is created.
Perhaps we are frightened that we will be thought disloyal to the Gospel by listening to others. Maybe we’re afraid that if we hear something different it will challenge us to embrace the fact that God is much wider than our individual understanding.
Fr. Richard Rohr expresses a hard truth, yet one which speaks to an authentic faith journey. “If we just stay on the fearful or superficial side of the religious spectrum, religion is invariably defined by exclusionary purity codes that always separate things into sacred or profane.... To go inside our own mistakenness is to find God.”
May we all, me included, be willing to go deeper.
~ Pastor Pat
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Funeral for Harold Moyer
Saturday, June 17
5:00 PM
Mr. Harold Dennis Moyer, a retired electrical engineer, data processing manager, inventory control manager, Eagle Scout, husband, father, and grandfather died on June 9, 2023 at age 80. He was active in many groups and ministries at St. Paul's. Harold is survived by his wife Del and sons John and David. All friends are welcome for the funeral service this Saturday at 5:00 PM in the Sanctuary at St. Paul's.
Please find the obituary and other information at stpaulsk.org/worship/memorials.
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Kensington Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 17
12:00-4:00 PM
St. Paul Park (3500 Plyers Mill Rd.)
Be part of St. Paul's presence in the community at Kensington’s 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration at St. Paul Park (3500 Plyers Mill Road). There will be music, dance, food trucks, children's activities, and more in recognition of this new federal holiday, the symbolic "freedom day" when post-Civil-War news of emancipation officially reached enslaved people in Texas territory.
To volunteer to join Pastor Joey at the St. Paul's UMC table, click here to use the sign up form or visit our Justice & Compassion page.
For more information about the town festival, click here:
https://tok.md.gov/event/juneteenth-celebration-2/
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Wednesday Study "Reckless Love"
Wednesdays, now-July 19
4:00-5:00 PM via Zoom
This drop-in study, "Reckless Love," using text written by Bishop Tom Berlin, explores Jesus' teaching and travels with his disciples to suggest that Jesus teaches us how to love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength by showing us how to love our neighbor. This study will meet by Zoom. The book (optional) is available for $12. For more information and to receive the Zoom link, please contact Dr. Meg Baker at mbaker@stpaulsk.org or 301-933-7933 ext. 104.
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Summer Worship and Office Schedule
now-September 3
Worship: We will have one service at 10:30 AM only for the summer. Communion will be offered each week. Find more details about worship events at stpaulsk.org/worship
Announcements: All announcements during the summer will be shared through this weekly email and church website. Announcements will not be printed in the bulletin in the summer.
Drop-In Office Hours: Summertime drop-in office hours are Tuesday-Thursday, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Staff and access to the building is also available by appointment!
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This Week: Interfaith Hoppy Hour
Saturday, June 17
5:00 PM
Babycat Brewery
Join Pastor Joey and Rabbi Adam from Temple Emanuel for our next interfaith gathering at Babycat Brewery (10241 Kensington Parkway, Kensington MD 20895) in June. Come for a family-friendly social time and an opportunity to build relationships with our Temple Emanuel neighbors and discuss faith-related topics. Alcohol is optional and light snacks are provided. Email Pastor Joey, joeyhm@stpaulsk.org for more information.
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This Week: Children's Programming
Sunday, June 18
The “Kids with Compassion” program continues this week. Children will start in the Sanctuary with their families for worship. Following the Children’s Message, children in Grades K-5 who wish to participate in the Kids with Compassion activity will be escorted to the Parlor. This week we will assemble Hygiene Kits, designed by UMCOR to provide emergency health supplies in disaster zones. Childcare for infants and preschoolers is available in the 2nd floor Nursery. Parents / guardians should pick up their children immediately following the worship service. Questions? Contact Meg Baker at mbaker@stpaulsk.org. Additional Sunday School details can be found at stpaulsk.org/community/children.
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Next Week: SAM Meeting
June 21, 7:00-8:00 PM on Zoom
Church leaders serving in the Simplified Accountability Model (including the Ministry Table and the Strategy, Accountability, and Leadership Table) hold open meetings; all may attend. Contact chairperson Rachel Stalcup at rachelstalcup@gmail.com for the Zoom link or more info.
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Next Week: Film Extras Wanted
Thursday, June 22, 2023
St. Paul's is serving as the setting for the filming of a short film entitled “Pennies.” The scene being filmed in the church is a funeral scene. Filming will take place Thursday, June 22, 2023, time TBA. The director has invited anyone willing to be an extra in this short film to contact Mary Beth Warner at info@coveredwagonfilms.com. There is no pay for the extras, but they will provide lunch!
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This Month: Special Giving Opportunity - Educational Award
Now-June 25
The Educational Award at St. Paul's will be presented on Sunday, June 25, to some of our graduating high school seniors from St. Paul's pursuing higher education opportunities. The award amount available is partially determined by donations from our members and friends. If you feel led to contribute to the Educational Award, please use the Additional Contributions option on our Giving page and put "Educational Award" as the designated fund or cause.
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This Month: Special Giving Opportunity - Love Offering for Marco Palma
Now-June 25
After 20 years caring for the building and people of St. Paul’s, Mr. Marco Palma moves to a new career this summer. If you are moved to contribute toward a financial gift, checks should be made out to St. Paul’s UMC with “Marco Love Offering” in the memo line. To donate by credit card, go to stpaulsk.org/giving and click on “Additional Contribution Options” then type Marco Love Offering for the designated fund or cause. Questions? Contact Ari Brooks at arizbrooks@yahoo.com.
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Hunger Ministry
This signature ministry serves over 100 households each month, providing hungry families with pantry staples and grocery store gift cards. Please donate non-perishables in the bins in the Narthex. (Please note, we can’t give out expired food or glass containers.) To find the list of most-needed food items and other ways to help, read more at stpaulsk.org/service/hunger-ministry.
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Next Month: Bring Your Own Picnic
Sunday, July 9, after 10:30 worship
Bring Your Own Lunch (BYOL) for this picnic, and spend some time hanging out with St. Paul's friends. In addition to food, bring blankets or lawn chairs, and dress casually so you're comfortable. We plan to have some yard games to engage the young and young-at-heart. We'll also have access to restrooms (and a rainy-day backup location) using the Fellowship Hall entrance. Contact Pastor Joey with questions: joeyhm@stpaulsk.org
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Ongoing Activities - Click on each heading to learn more.
Many groups and activities at St. Paul's take a summer break, with plans to return in the fall. Currently on summer break: Taste & Sing, Pancake Breakfast, Yarn Ministry, Tuesdays Together, Sanctuary Choir, and St. Paul's Youth.
Still Wednesday: Wednesdays, 7:00-8:00 PM through June 2023. All are welcome for this contemplative prayer experience; the format varies but usually includes time for creative reflection and time for silent prayer in the Sanctuary.
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.
Sipping Ministry: Coffee and treats are offered following worship whenever a group, family, or class volunteers to sponsor this time of fellowship. Email Erin Steele in the church office (stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org) to find available dates.
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.
Flower Dedications: If you would like to sponsor the Sanctuary flowers, please reserve your date using the chart and dedication forms found on the church office bulletin board.
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.
Read-Thru-the-Bible: Find a short guide and some reflection ideas to support your Bible reading journey at stpaulsk.org/community/adult-education, along with the reading schedule.
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Scripture for June 18, 2023
Matthew 9:35-10:8
35Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
1Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. 2These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee and his brother John; 3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus; 4Simon the Cananaean and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.
5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not take a road leading to gentiles, and do not enter a Samaritan town, 6but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8Cure the sick; raise the dead; cleanse those with a skin disease; cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.”
(New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)
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Contact us! ● 301-933-7933 ● stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org ● stpaulsk.org
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