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Weekly News for March 24, 2024
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There are three locations along our faith journey we much prefer to avoid because of what they ask of us. Those places are the wilderness, Gethsemane, and Golgotha. If there were some way for us to arrive at the empty tomb, without stopping at these places, Lent would be a much easier journey.
What we may fail to realize is that each place is integral to our experience of this holy season. They are essential to our spiritual growth, and our preparation for God’s next for us.
We enter the wilderness to be relieved of some stuff: the distractions and obstacles that have obscured our view of God.
We travel through the wilderness until we arrive in Gethsemane, the place where we must confront some stuff, like who we really are in God, how God sees us, and what God is truly asking of us.
Our journey is incomplete until we trudge the uphill path toward Golgotha, where we have to kill some stuff, nail to the cross the stuff we no longer need to carry and can no longer carry.
Then and only then are we ready to visit the empty tomb, where we are reminded of what we have been emptied of, and the refreshing newness of what awaits in this new season. Try as we might to restrict this experience to Lent, the wilderness, Gethsemane, and Golgotha are our forever destinations throughout our faith journey.
As we prepare to enter Holy Week, may we do so intentionally, understanding Gethsemane and Golgotha await, but so does Resurrection.
Peace,
Pastor Pat
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This Sunday: Easter Lily Orders
Now- March 24
This is the final week for orders. Lilies will grace the Sanctuary at Easter. Lily sponsors may make a dedication in memory or honor of loved ones, and are welcome to take their plants home following the 10:30 AM worship service on Easter morning. Lily orders can be placed online using a credit card - go to stpaulsk.org/worship/lent-and-easter for the secure online order form. In-person orders using cash/check and paper forms will be received in the Narthex on Sunday, March 24.
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Holy Week: Maundy Thursday Worship with Choir & Orchestra
March 28
7:30 PM in the Sanctuary
Connect with the spirit of Holy Week through this special worship service and presentation of “At His Name,” a moving musical journey through the life and death of Jesus. This Maundy Thursday service features St. Paul's Sanctuary Choir under the direction of Director of Music Tom Pedersen, with a 13-piece chamber orchestra, and original narration by Pastor Pat. Find more information about Holy Week and Easter at stpaulsk.org/worship/lent-and-easter
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Holy Week: Stations of the Cross
Monday-Friday, March 25-29
11:00 AM-1:00 PM &
5:00-7:00 PM
Octagon
This self-guided experience consists of six stations inspired by passages from the Gospel of John. Each of the six stations provides multisensory ways to imagine, engage, confess, and lament. Even though we know that death does not have the final word and resurrection is coming, taking time with the Stations of the Cross is an ancient practice that gives us an opportunity to reflect and repent. This year's theme follows the disciple Peter in the Biblical crucifixion narrative. Read more at stpaulsk.org/worship/lent-and-easter
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This Week: Sipping Ministry Fellowship Time:
March 24, in the Octagon after 10:30 worship
This week the 2x4s Group (for friends in roughly the 20s-to-40s age range) and the Stalcup Family will be hosting a fellowship time with drinks and treats in the Octagon after worship. A Sipping Ministry gathering happens any time a family, class, or group volunteers to host. If you would like to host, please see the sign-up chart on the office bulletin board for available dates, and take an instruction sheet. https://stpaulsk.org/community/calendar-events.
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This Week: Children's News
Sunday, March 24
Children in Grades K-5 will begin in the Sanctuary with their families for the 10:30 worship service this week, and will transition to their Sunday School classrooms following the Children's Choir anthem. “Busy bags” with quiet children’s activities can be found at the Welcome desk, and childcare for infants and preschoolers is available in the 2nd floor Nursery. To be added to the Sunday School email list, contact Meg Baker at mbaker@stpaulsk.org. For news about Children's Choir, contact Christina Griffin directly at clgriff18@gmail.com.
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Schedule for Lent and Easter
From Palm Sunday through Holy Week and into Easter, this is a season in the church with lots of opportunities to prepare for the death and resurrection of Jesus. Visit the Lent and Easter page https://stpaulsk.org/worship/lent-and-easter to find more info!
- Palm Sunday Worship (9:00 & 10:30), with Joyful Ringers Bells and Children's Choir at the 10:30 service.
- Stations of the Cross (March 25-29 in the Octagon)
- Holy Thursday service featuring the Sanctuary Choir & 13-piece orchestra (March 28 at 7:30 PM)
- Good Friday worship featuring organ music (March 29 at 7:30 PM
- First Service of Easter (March 31 at 7:00 AM in Clum-Kennedy Park)
- Easter Worship with Communion and Brass (March 31 at 9:00 & 10:30 AM in the Sanctuary)
- Easter Sunday Egg hunts for children (March 31, following 10:30 worship)
- Easter Special Offerings
- Lily Orders and Dedications
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This Week: Wednesday Bible Study - The Third Day
led by Dr. Meg Baker. 4:00-5:00 PM by Zoom.
Wednesday, March 27
During Lent, this come-when-you-can study uses “The Third Day: Living the Resurrection,” by Bishop Tom Berlin (the same material as the in-person study on Tuesdays). To receive the Zoom link, contact Dr. Meg Baker at mbaker@stpaulsk.org.
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Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, April 6, serving 8:00-10:30 AM
Our all-you-care-to-eat Community Pancake Breakfast, sponsored by our United Methodist Men's group, serves breakfast in the Fellowship Hall monthly until June. Enjoy pancakes, scrambled eggs, fresh sage sausage, grits, fruit, and beverages, and a specialty treat. Families are asked to make a generous donation at the door to support St. Paul's and worthy local charities.
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Church Directory
Copies of the updated Winter 2024 church directory are available for pick-up. Visit the Epistle stand by the Narthex exterior doors or the wall rack by the main office door. Please take one. If you know someone who would appreciate a copy but may be unable to pick up in-person, please email Erin Steele in the office at stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org to request a copy by mail.
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Supporting the Love Your Neighbor Coalition
In March, St. Paul's SAM leaders voted to donate $500 to the Love Your Neighbor Coalition, a consortium of 15 justice-related organizations encompassing LGBTQ inclusion, racial justice, environmental justice, and more. LYNC will be present at the United Methodist Church's General Conference in May 2024 in Charlotte NC and is seeking funds to aid their work supporting justice-related legislation and inclusive activities, including extra translation services for international delegates and welcoming events. If you would also like to make additional contributions to this organization, please donate to St. Paul's and put "LYNC" in the memo line. You can read more at stpaulsk.org/community/the-way-forward
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Save the Date: VBS
June 17-21, 9:00AM-12:00 noon, at Bethesda UMC.
St. Paul’s is partnering with Bethesda UMC and Chevy Chase UMC to bring Vacation Bible School to kids age 3 through Grade 5. All activities will take place at Bethesda UMC (8300 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda, MD). Go to https://vbspro.events/p/events/d42030 to register. Contact Meg Baker at mbaker@stpaulsk.org if you have questions.
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Ongoing Activities - Click on each heading to learn more.
Feeding Hungry Neighbors: St. Paul's serves over 100 households with nonperishables and grocery store gift cards each month. You make it possible! Email hunger@stpaulsk.org to contact volunteer coordinator Mr. Pat Maloney, or find out how to donate food items or financial support at stpaulsk.org/service/hunger-ministry.
Notes for New Ones in Faith: Please drop a note of encouragement, your favorite scripture, or a prayer in the designated Narthex basket for our confirmation class students. (Please do not address the notes to individual confirmands by name.)
Taste & Sing:Third Tuesday of each month, 12:00 noon in the Octagon. Enjoy a casual hymn-sing - feel free to request your favorites - then a short dive into stories behind some of our worship songs. No musical expertise needed! Stay for a tasty lunch ($5 donation).
Yarn Ministry: Bring your favorite craft and craft alongside friends in the Library at St. Paul's. The meeting schedule for 2024 is available at stpaulsk.org/community/calendar-events
Music: Sanctuary Choir for adults and advanced youth rehearses each Sunday at 9:30 AM, sings at 10:30, and continues to welcome new members! Joyful Ringers bells welcome all ringers with rehearsals 7:00-8:30 PM on most Wednesdays. Contact Tom Pedersen, director, at tpedersen@stpaulsk.org. Children's Choir rehearsal happens during the school year after the 10:30 service in the Multi-Purpose Room, 11:45-12:30 - for the current schedule, please email Christina Griffin at clgriff18@gmail.com.
Sanctuary Flower Sponsors: To sponsor flowers, add your name to an open spot on the flower chart in the main office, then provide your dedication wording using the yellow form. The cost is $45.
Still Wednesday: Meets most Wednesdays, 7:00-8:00 PM in the Sanctuary. Give yourself the gift of stillness and calm with this hour of contemplative communal prayer. Read more at stpaulsk.org/worship/still-wednesday or contact Kenzie Raulin (kenzier@rcn.com)
Lay Readers Wanted: If you would like to assist in worship by serving as lay reader for 9:00 service, please Click HERE to go to the 9:00 sign up sheet. If reading at the 10:30 service appeals to you, please email Meg Baker at mbaker@stpaulsk.org.
Epistle Announcements: Announcements and news for our large-format monthly newsletter should be submitted by the 15th of each month in order to appear in the next issue. Visit stpaulsk.org/community/epistle-weekly-news and use the form.
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: 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.
Inclement Weather Policies: St. Paul's follows Montgomery County Schools students' schedule announcements for weather-related delays or closures. You can read more here: stpaulsk.org/we-are-all-about For Sunday worship, the pastors will make a determination about in-person worship by 5:00 PM the night before.
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Scripture for March 24, 2024
Mark 11:1-11
1When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples 2and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. 3If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this: ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’ ” 4They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, 5some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6They told them what Jesus had said, and they allowed them to take it. 7Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. 8Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,
“Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
10Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
11Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple, and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
(New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)
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Contact us! ● 301-933-7933 ● stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org ● stpaulsk.org
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