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Weekly
Postings
news & events
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August 23 - September 1, 2024 | |
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I won’t pretend that our routine vestry meetings throughout the summer months are “exciting.” Routine business is routinely routine. But fall is right around the corner, and I’d like to give you a sneak peak into something we can all get excited about: stewardship!
Did the exclamation point get you enthused about stewardship? Not likely. Many of us would not agree on what stewardship is, let alone get excited about it. Four weeks ago when our stewardship committee began planning our fall giving campaign, we were somewhat daunted by the work ahead. However, as we delved deeper into the theology of stewardship, the reality of inviting our parish to give for the mission of the church suddenly became exciting.
The Episcopal Church defines stewardship as a personal response to God's generosity, and the use of God's gifts to do the work God is calling people to do. Saint Paul’s is already engaged in practices which reveal us to be responsive to God’s generosity and eager to use these gifts for God’s work in the world.
So let’s take a step farther. When we expand our theology of stewardship beyond the confines of an annual pledge drive, we can create a year-round culture of gratitude, and it is there where we’ll receive opportunities to trust in God’s indulgent provision. We’ll find ourselves more inclined to talk about giving. Our faith will be strengthened as we witness others’ generosity in giving. Expressing gratitude will become reflexive; feeling grateful will be inherent.
Friends, let us think deeply about our response to God’s generosity and the privilege of doing the work to which God calls us, and then let us expect to see even more of the abundance of God.
With gratitude and excitement,
Kitty Gordon
Saint Paul’s Vestry Theology of Stewardship
All that we are and all that we have come from God.
In gratitude we honor God by giving of ourselves and our gifts to care for the world.
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EVENTS THIS SUNDAY | August 25 | |
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The Nursery will be open Sun, August 25
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
We are pleased to announce that the Saint Paul’s nursery is open for children 6 months to 4 years of age. The nursery will be available this Sunday morning beginning at 9:00.
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Sunday Worship Schedule for 08/25/24
8 AM Rite I
11 AM Rite II
11 AM Facebook Live
11 AM YouTube Live
5:30 PM - Celtic Evening Prayer & Communion
6:30 PM - Compline + Sit and Wait
All of our Sunday worship services are in-person.
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Bagels for Breakfast
Sunday, 9 - 10 AM Tyler Hall
Busy morning? Breakfast with your friends at Saint Paul's instead! We have homemade bagels and all the fixin's this Sunday in Tyler Hall at 9 AM. Donations welcomed.
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Children's Choirs Rehearsals
Sunday, 9:25 - 10 AM
The Canterbury Choir (children in grades 3-9 and the St. Nicholas Choir (Pre-K through grade 2) rehearse Sundays, 9:25-10:00 AM. There are no weekday rehearsals for the children’s choirs; all rehearsals are scheduled on Sunday mornings to accommodate busy family schedules!
Singing in the choir gives youth and children a lifetime love for music and their own connection to worship. If you or any family or friends are interested in the choir program, please email Director of Music, Keith Shafer or call (706) 724-2485 ext. 215.
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Sunday Forum
The Epistle of James, led by Fr. Biddy
Sundays, 9:30 AM, The Berlin Room
Martin Luther famously called the Epistle of James an “epistle of straw” and put it in an appendix to his translation of the Bible. The book has often been overlooked and denigrated since. And yet of all the letters in the New Testament, it may be the closest to the content of Jesus’ teaching ministry. We’ll read it carefully to start the program year, using the most recent scholarship on James to understand it and apply it to our lives today.
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Godly Play (grades pk4-2)
Sundays, 10-10:45 AM
St. Francis' Room, CMC
Kim Butler and Sara Dimsdale will lead our younger children in the Saint Francis Room (Godly Play Room). If your child is in the Saint Nicholas choir, they will transition from choir to formation.
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Weaving God's Promises (grades 3-5)
Sundays, 10-10:45 AM
St. Patrick's Room, CMC
Kitty Gordon and Jackie Pingel will lead our older children. They will meet in the Saint Patrick Room (large classroom across from the office). If your child is in the Canterbury choir, they will transition from choir to the formation class.
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Middle School Formation Classes
Sundays, 10-10:45 AM
St. Benedict's Room, CMC
Our middle school formation (grades 6-8) meets Sunday morning in the St. Benedict Room (down the hall next to the women's restroom). Mtr. Kimberly leads this class.
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Diocese of Georgia Listening Sessions
for Strategic Planning Process
August 25, 2-4 PM, The River Room
Saint Paul's is host for one of the listening sessions for the Diocese of Georgia's strategic plan. This process is primarily intended to help the people of the Diocese discern how the Holy Spirit is leading us into the future and then naming that shared vision in a clearly defined plan. In asking, “What does fidelity to Jesus look like in this moment?” we can confidently look to the Spirit to guide us into new ways of embodying our living hope.
All Episcopalians are invited to take their share in the counsels of the church and help chart the future of the diocese.
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EYC (Episcopal Youth Community)
Sundays, 5-7 PM
EYC (Episcopal Youth Community, grades 6-12) meets Sunday night at Saint Paul's for food, fellowship, and fun. Friends are always welcome! Contact Bill and Mary Lynn for more information.
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Celtic Evening Prayer and Communion
With Prayers for Healing
Sundays, 5:30 PM
Celtic Evening Prayer and Communion is a candle-lit service that emphasizes the contemplative side of worship, features some of Augusta’s best Celtic musicians, and offers prayers for healing for those attending, for others, and for the world. Come as you are and enter into a place of rest, prayer, and reflection.
Erin Montgomery is our guest musician this week.
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Sit and Wait this Sunday
Sundays, 6:30 PM, Chapel
Sit and Wait follows the Celtic Service Sunday evenings (6:30 PM). The service begins with a Service of Compline and will end with a twenty-minute sit. The people end in silence.
Please email Suzanne Pursley-Crotteau or contact by phone at (706) 910-9331 for further information.
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BUILDING BRIDGES: Saint Paul's in the Community | |
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Look for this listing of where Saint Paul's
is building relationships in Augusta and the CSRA.
This Week:
8/22/24 - WIP (Women In Philanthropy) Meet and Greet
8/23/24 - Guest Speaker at The Vineyard Church for Women's Ministry
Next Week:
8/27/24 - Augusta Community Prayer
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EVENTS NEXT WEEK | August 26 - September 1 | |
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Compline - ZOOM
Wednesdays, 8 - 8:15 PM
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Join Zoom
Meeting ID: 595 177 454
Dial-In: (646) 876-9923
Password: Email the Parish Office to request.
Compline is a beautiful, simple, and quiet service to end the day together in prayer with God. This service is led by members of the parish using an on-screen bulletin so everyone may pray together.
Following the prayers, those who gather through Zoom have an opportunity for a mid-week visit.
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Mid-Week Eucharist
Thursdays, 11:30 AM
A mid-week Eucharist in the Chapel begins at 11:30 AM. Lunch in Tyler Hall follows at 12 noon with a weekly Bible study (more information below.) Join us as your schedule allows: Come for Eucharist and lunch, lunch and Bible study, or stay for all three. (So that we may honor mid-day schedules, lunch is scheduled for 15 minutes and will continue through the Bible study conversations.)
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Lectio at Lunch
Thursdays, 12 Noon, Tyler Hall
Every Thursday in Tyler Hall you’ll find a lunch combo that can’t be beat! We offer a tasty meal with a generous helping of fellowship, plus a lively discussion arising from the Gospel of Mark. Our text is N.T. Wright’s Mark for Everyone which takes this Gospel in small bites, reflecting on each week’s reading with relevant and important insights. We finish promptly at 1:00 PM and invite you to join us as your schedule allows. You may bring your own lunch or share in the meal provided. Donations accepted.
Questions? Contact Kitty Gordon.
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Backpack & School Supply Drive for
Hornsby Elementary
September 1-30
As part of our support for our partner neighborhood school, during September we are gathering school supplies and backpacks for the children at Hornsby Elementary. New students arrive throughout the year. Dropping off extra supplies ensures new arrivals and the classrooms have all they need for the year. A supply list from Hornsby is available here.
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September Dates for your calendar
Sept. 16 - Vestry Meeting
Sept. 18 - Senior Lunch
Sept. 20 - Arts in the Heart Hospitality
Sept. 22 - Fall reception following Celtic Service
Sept. 24 - Tuesday's Music Live
Sept. 26 - Caring Prayer
Sept. 28 - Serve at Snack Pack
Sept. 29 - Ironman Hospitality & Cheer Station
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Men's Monthly Meal (Mmm...)
Wednesday, September 4, 6 PM
The Men's Monthly Meal returns with a Low-Country Boil. Join us Wednesday, September 4, 6 PM. The Men of Saint Paul’s will gather at 4 PM in the River Room to prepare the meal for the parish. Men, please sign up for cooking and clean up teams and everyone PLEASE RSVP FOR DINNER, SO THAT WE CAN BE A GOOD HOST! This is a popular event, and we need to know how much food to order one week in advance. Sign up using the link below. Donations welcomed. For more information contact Eric Friedman.
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Veterans' Ice Cream Social
Sunday, September 8, 2:30-3:30 PM
Dish and serve ice cream and cookies at our quarterly Veteran’s Social September 8, 2:30-3:30 PM. We’ll meet at the GA War Veterans’ Nursing Home located at 1101 15th Street to share a dessert and then spend much-appreciated time visiting. All ages are welcome to participate. For more information contact Gene Helmich.
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W.E.E.M.
Women's Enrichment & Empowerment Ministry
Tuesday, September 10, 5:30-7 PM
Mark your calendar for the second gathering of W.E.E.M (Women’s Enrichment and Empowerment Ministry), September 10, 5:30-7 PM. This new ministry’s mission is “to provide opportunities for all women to connect through prayer, fellowship, and education.” Invite a friend and join us in Tyler Hall second Tuesdays of each month for heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks. For more information, contact Mtr. Kimberly or Summer Bell.
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Acolytes Training and Lock-in
Ages 9 and up
September 13
Calling all Acolytes—Anyone ages 9 and up interested in becoming an acolyte is encouraged to contact Meg Horton. Acolytes help guide the service in the processions and assist the clergy at the altar. Training and a Lock-in will be held Friday, September 13. More details to come.
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Fall Program Guide Available
"A Church for the City -- A Church for You!
Our new Fall Program Guide is available here. A printed copy is available in the Narthex and in the rack outside the parish office. We invite you to browse this publication and look for ways that you can discover or rediscover where you belong, what you are called to do, and how we might grow together in God's Presence.
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Open Sundays for Altar Flowers
September 8 is an open Sunday for altar flowers. If you would like to sponsor a Sunday in honor or memory of someone or “many someones,” please contact the Parish Office. The normal charge is a minimum of $125.
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Gifts to Saint Paul's Church | |
Gifts can be made using the link below, on-line at saintpauls.org/giving, or by mail to Saint Paul’s Church, 605 Reynolds St., Augusta, GA 30901. Thank you for your generosity. | | | |
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