We are blessed to be celebrating Holy Baptism at 11:00 this Sunday, when we’ll also be observing the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord. In the Baptism, we will all renew our own Baptismal Covenant and I ask you to pay special attention to one of the Baptismal promises. It goes, “will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers?” We will answer, “I will, with God’s help.” I’ve always loved this promise that covers so much of the Church’s life: yes, going to church of course, and engaging in the sacraments. But then also the promise includes teaching and fellowship, growing in the knowledge and skill of discipleship and in love with each other. We’ll renew this promise Sunday, and each of us will have ample opportunity to live into it this month.  

In addition to all of our usual stuff, this Sunday we will celebrate Baptism and the Feast of the Presentation, while also welcoming Rabbi Shai Beloosesky from Congregation Children of Israel to Adult Formation at 9:30. Rabbi Shai will teach a three part series on Women of the Bible for most of February. Next weekend we’ll have a Quiet Morning on Saturday and a chili cookoff fundraiser for our Ecuador mission trip after the 11:00 service on Sunday. On Saturday the 18th we serve at the soup kitchen and in the evening of Sunday the 19th the Saint Paul’s Choir will lead us in Evensong, with a reception following. Tuesday, February 21 is Shrove Tuesday with the pancake supper and the burning of the palms. That makes Wednesday, February 22 Ash Wednesday, and we’ll begin a holy Lent with liturgies at noon and 7:00 pm. That Saturday, February 25, we’ll pause Lent to host a Eucharist and reception celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Diocese of Georgia, with three bishops in attendance and the whole of the dioceses of Georgia and Atlanta invited. Finally, Bishop Logue will stick around to make his annual visitation on the First Sunday of Lent, February 26, with Confirmations and Receptions. 

None of us will make it to all of these opportunities to worship, serve, learn, and fellowship. But all of us this month have a chance to continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, the breaking of the bread, and the prayers. And honestly, we need a lot of folks to pull this month off. If you’ve been thinking about getting more involved at Saint Paul’s, this is the month to do it. We need folks to work the soup kitchen, to help set up for our multiple receptions, to help us play host to the diocese, to cook pancakes and clean up afterwards. If you’ve done these things before, this is the month to bring someone else along to teach them how to do it. Find a way to serve; pair it with a chance to worship, rest, and receive. We are a blessed people, called to be a blessing in turn.

Eric+ 

Offerings Pledged this Week $13,942.31

Offerings Received this Week $8,073.90

Operating Expenses to Date $87,839.45

Total Income Received to Date $116,793.13

Please contact the Parish Office to update our files.