Friday, April 11, 2025 | Palm Sunday | | |
Dear People of St. Paul's,
Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week with our Palm Sunday celebration. I hope you will join us using the schedule below. If you are new to our community and haven't journeyed this week, if you have been here for a while but haven't been to these services for some time, or if you always make time for these services, I hope you will join us. They are moving and beautiful and draw us more fully into the stories, promises, and hope of this season. As always, invite a friend, too. Of course, these services aren't just a checklist of things to do or appointments to make on our calendars but an invitation to spiritual practice—to intentionally setting aside time within your lives to draw nearer to God through prayer and singing and gathering in community. Seeing Holy Week in this way moves the many services from an obligation to fulfill and instead a means by which we might know all that God has in mind for us more fully. I hope you will consider that way of engaging with the liturgies of the week and I wonder what might be in store for you if you do.
There are two additions to the Holy Week schedule we have had these last couple of years that I want to draw your attention to. They both fall on Good Friday. First, at 4:00pm on that day, we will be offering an Intergenerational Stations of the Cross. This tactile, engaging liturgy is open to all but is especially engaging for our younger parishioners and their families. We will move around the Nave, practice the prayers of the various Stations of the Cross, and tell the story of Good Friday in a developmentally appropriate way. When I have shared this in other parishes, those who engaged with it found it to be a particularly meaningful way to share the important stories of the final moments of Jesus' life with children and young people. We hope these kind of offerings might be a new way for us to reach the St. Paul's community but also beyond, including our school and the wider community. I'm grateful to Mother Brittany and Mother Morgan for their work with this.
Second, at the evening Good Friday liturgy, after reading the Passion and saying our prayers, the St. Paul's Section Leaders will sing a beautiful, meditative setting of anthems during which we will engage a practice called the Veneration of the Cross. Some of us may have done this before, others not. There are many traditions for how to do this but everyone should do so in the way that is comfortable for them. Traditionally, people will kneel before cross and touch or even kiss it. Such devotions will be part of the invitation we make to you and so will lighting candles before the cross in the chapel or supplying praying in your place in the pew. Moments that may stretch us spiritually should be something we get curious about: why do we feel this way? Is God inviting us to engage and stretch to inspire growth? I hope you'll try this on with us and let us know how it goes for you.
The prayer on the Tuesday in Holy Week says of the cross: "O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life...". Our veneration is not meant to be of this death but in gratitude for what was accomplished on that cross and in hope of the life that is promised through this cross. As we move through the final days of Jesus' life once again together, may we all go to this cross and then to the tomb to find it once again empty and know that death is forever destroyed, life is promised for all, and hope is eternal.
I hope to see you next week each day that you are able to join us. At the very least, plan to join us (and to bring a friend) to share in the beautiful music (with Easter brass), joyful Easter Egg hunt, and the glorious celebration of Easter at St. Paul's!
Fr. Steven
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We begin at 9:00 AM with:
Godly Play | Third Floor
Youth and Youth Volunteers Stuff Easter Eggs in Undercroft
Adult Forum | Garden Room | Readings
And continue at 10:00 AM with:
Worship | Nave | "Kyrie" from Requiem - Maurice Duruflé
Children's Worship
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Find out more about what's happening at St. Paul's on our website.
To view the Sunday worship bulletin and join us for online worship, click here.
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Full calendar is available on our website.
Apr. 12: Young Adult Game Night | Pawn and Pint | Info Below
Apr. 13: Final Liturgy Talk with Kurt | After Service | Service of the Table to Dismissal
Apr. 13: Book Group | Love in the Time of Cholera | Info below
Apr. 13 - 20: Holy Week | Services Daily | Info Below
Apr. 26: Prospect KC's Gumbo Fest | 12-4 PM | St. Paul's | Info and Tickets Below
May 1: St. Paul's Legacy Society Launch Event | 6 - 8 PM | Info Below
May 15: Kurt and JW Concert | Nave | Schumann's Dichterliebe | Info Soon
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Holy Week at St. Paul’s
April 13 – April 20, 2025
Holy Week is the most sacred time of the Christian year—a journey through Jesus’ final days, his crucifixion, and the joy of his resurrection on Easter. Through powerful liturgies and moving traditions, we invite you to walk alongside Christ, discovering hope and new life.
An asterisks indicated the service will also be livestreamed.
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Palm Sunday, April 13 — 10:00 AM*
- Monday, April 14 — 12:10 PM
- Tuesday, April 15 — 6:30 PM*
- Musical Prelude — 6:00 PM
- Kurt plays works by Bach, Pachelbel, and Handel on harpsichord.
- Wednesday, April 16 — 12:10 PM
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Maundy Thursday, April 17 — 6:30 PM*
- Night Watch — 8:00 PM - Midnight, then 5:00 - 8:00 AM Friday morning
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Good Friday, April 18 — 12:10 PM and 6:30 PM*
- Traditional Stations of the Cross — 12:10 PM
- Intergenerational Stations of the Cross — 4:00 PM (Time Update)
- A tactile and interactive station of the cross that utilizes language that is developmentally appropriate for children.
- Holy Saturday Morning Service, April 19 — 9:00 AM
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Easter Vigil (Saturday Evening), April 19 — 6:30 PM*
- Easter Day Morning Service, April 20 — 7:00 AM
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Easter Day Service with Brass April 20 — 10:00 AM*
- No 9:00 AM formation for any age on Easter morning
- No children's worship on Easter morning
- Easter Egg Hunt and Flowering of the Cross Following Service
Mark your calendar and join us for this sacred journey! Visit this page for the full schedule and details. All are welcome - invite your friends!
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Night Watch on Maundy Thursday
Thursday, 8:00 PM–Midnight & Friday, 5:00–8:00 AM
Chapel | Enter through the North doors
On the night Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist, he went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, asking his disciples to sit, pray, and keep watch with him. Following the Maundy Thursday liturgy and the stripping of the altar, the Sacrament will be placed on the chapel altar in a space symbolizing the Garden.
In the spirit of that night, we invite you to participate in this ancient and prayerful tradition. The chapel will be open for silent prayer and contemplation from 8:00 PM until midnight on Thursday, and again from 5:00 to 8:00 AM on Good Friday. Come for any portion of the time you feel called.
Suggested prayers and prayer practices will be available.
For access, please contact:
- Kurt Knecht (Thursday night): 816-258-0951
- Mother Brittany (Friday morning): 828-808-4058
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Easter Egg Hunt Candy Collection
We’re now collecting candy donations for the Easter Egg Hunt! Please leave your contributions in the baskets located near the North and South entrances.
Teens are invited to join us in the undercroft this Sunday at 9:00 a.m. to help stuff the eggs—thank you for lending a hand!
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You're Invited: Launch of the St. Paul’s Legacy Society
Thursday, May 1 | 6:00–8:00 PM
We are excited to officially launch the St. Paul’s Legacy Society with an evening of celebration, music, storytelling, and gratitude.
Join us as we honor those who have included St. Paul’s in their estate plans, remember beloved members of our community who supported the church through legacy giving, and share how others might consider making a lasting impact in the same way.
The evening will feature music on our new piano—funded in part by legacy gifts—and the premiere of a new video highlighting the profound impact St. Paul’s has had on so many lives.
Whether or not you’ve included St. Paul’s in your estate plans, you are invited. The launch of the Legacy Society marks a meaningful step toward securing the long-term financial stability of our church, and we are grateful for all who have given, planned, or are discerning their future legacy.
Look for your formal invitation in your inbox this Saturday!
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Maundy Thursday Dinner in Parish Hall - RSVP Required
This year, we will be sharing a meal in the Parish Hall beginning at 5:00 PM prior to the service in the Nave at 6:30 PM. If you would like to join us, please RSVP no later than Monday, April 14th, by emailing the Church Office or calling 816-931-2850.
This will be a Mediterranean meal with standard options for children (chicken tenders, mac & cheese). A suggested donation of $20/adult and $5/child for the dinner can be made upon arrival via Realm, cash, or check. While we are grateful for these donations, please attend whether you can contribute or not! Also, remember to submit your childcare expense to the church office for reimbursement.
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Easter Altar Donations
In memory of loved ones and in thanksgiving, please consider making a contribution to our Easter Altar.
All contributions are appreciated, and can be mailed to 11 E 40th St, Kansas City, MO 64111, placed in the alms basin on Sunday, or you can contact Nicole or the Church Office at 816-931-2850 no later than April 13. You may also fill out a form online.
Please make sure to mark “Easter Altar” on your check or envelope!
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South Sudanese Congregation
Last weekend, the State Department announced that certain visas for South Sudanese individuals had been revoked following diplomatic tensions between the two countries regarding the acceptance of a deportee. Out of care and concern for the South Sudanese congregation that worships at St. Paul’s on Sunday afternoons, many of you have reached out to ask what, if anything, we need to do.
On Sunday evening, I spoke with their priest, Fr. John Deng, and later in the week with Bishop-elect Amy Meaux. Fr. Deng assured me that their community is doing well and that many members are U.S. citizens. Bishop-elect Amy also invited me into conversation with the House of Bishops, and after consulting those resources—as well as speaking with Fr. Deng and knowledgeable members of our own congregation—it seems our South Sudanese siblings are safe and secure at this time.
I assured Fr. Deng of our continued prayers and support, and he knows to reach out if any needs arise. Thank you for your compassion and your ongoing prayers.
—Fr. Steven
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Graduation Sunday is May 18th
We want to celebrate with you! If you or someone you know is graduating from school (8th grade and up), completing a course, degree, or program work we can honor, or has done so since last May, please submit their name and their course or school of completion to the Church Office email by Monday, May 5th.
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Young Adult Game Night – Saturday, April 12
Are you in your 20s or 30s—or just feel like a young adult at heart? Join other young adults from St. Paul’s for a relaxed evening of board games, drinks, and great company at Pawn and Pint (613 Walnut St, Kansas City, MO 64106). We’ll gather around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 12. Come connect and unwind. Hope to see you there!
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Gumbo Fest at St. Paul's
On April 26th from 12-4 PM, St. Paul's will be the host for the Prospect KC's Gumbo Fest, with live music, vendors, and kids activities, too!
For more info, including tickets to attend or to register a gumbo cooking time, click here! St. Paul's attendees receive discounted tickets!
| | Touching the Soul Book Group - April! | | |
Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Discussions: April 13 & 27
"There is no greater glory than to die for love." ~ Love in the Time of Cholera
Please join us in reading this classic story of love and finitude! The book has no chapter names or numbers, but for April 13, we'll read up to the chapter beginning, "The day that Florentino Ariza saw Fermina Daza in the atrium of the Cathedral, in the sixth month of her pregnancy..." We'll finish the book on April 27.
Everyone is welcome! Come to the Archive Room on the third floor at 11:45 after coffee hour to join in the discussion. If you'd like to personally receive updates and discussion questions in advance, please register by emailing Nancy. Hope to see you there!
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