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Weekly News for Jan. 26, 2020
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Isaiah 9:1-4
1
But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness –
on them light has shined.
3
You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
4
For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
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Greetings All!
In these first days of our journey as pastor and congregation, much has remained the same, yet so much more has changed. We see familiar faces and find ourselves crossing paths with new ones. We’ve said farewell to some and welcome to others.
The worth of change is truly in the eye of the beholder. It can be wished for and wonderful. Change can also scare us and make us skittish. It depends on the lens through which we choose to view it.
While some changes are unable to be ignored, there is the sweet, subtle, often undetected change God is working out in our lives each day. The truth is, nothing remains the same. Our hair gets a little grayer, our steps a little slower, our waistbands a little tighter... whether we want these changes or not.
In Isaiah chapter 9, which happens to be our preaching text for the Sunday coming, the prophet speaks of an anticipated change which sounds gloriously wonderful, but begs the question - what does this mean for me? What is it that God is asking me to reconsider? What is God hoping I will change?
Change represents testing the waters of the unfamiliar even if the end result is most desired. I pray that as we continue to navigate this season, that I won’t be the only one testing the waters, to see what God is saying.
~ Pastor Pat
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Thursday, Jan. 23
7:00 p.m.
Octagon
Plan to attend this informational talk when representatives from area congregations that have joined the Reconciling Ministries Network discuss their experiences. This is part of the “Come to the Table of Grace” series of Way Forward events. No RSVP is required.
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6 weeks starting Feb. 2
Sundays
11:45-1:00
Sanctuary
This video study, led by Pastor Pat Allen, examines biblical texts addressing sexuality using a United Methodist understanding of Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. Come to as many of the six sessions as you are able. A light lunch for participants will be available in Room 109, 11:45-12:00; the study session will be held 12:00-1:00 in the Sanctuary.
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Saturday, Feb. 1
8:00-10:30 a.m.
Fellowship Hall
This community-wide breakfast sponsored by the UMM is open to all! We serve pancakes, scrambled eggs, ham, sausage, bacon, grits, fruit, and beverages. The specialty pancake for February is corn hoecakes and proceeds benefit the St. Paul’s Educational Award scholarship program. Instead of charging a fixed price, families are asked to make a generous goodwill donation.
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Tuesday, Feb. 4, 5:00-6:30 pm (Octagon)
Monday, Feb 10, 5:00-6:30 pm (Octagon)
The SPRC is hosting a series of Listening Sessions with Pastor Pat on three separate days in February. These sessions are an opportunity for worshipers at St. Paul’s to share reflections and concerns for the church with our new pastor. Sign up using the insert in the worship bulletin or contact the church office. Each session is independent and attendees need only come to one. If you have any questions, please contact Rachel D. Stalcup, Chair of the SPRC. (Please note: there is also a Listening Session scheduled for
Sunday, Feb. 9, 1:00-2:30 pm, Room 109
- limited space is available in this group so please choose Feb. 4 or Feb. 10 if possible.)
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Sunday, Jan. 26
12:00 noon
Room 109
After years traveling through South America and Southeast Asia and carving out a career as a television reporter in the Middle East, Amanda Lindhout was abducted from a dusty road in Somalia in 2008 and held hostage for 460 days. This book describes how she survived on memories, strategies, hope, and compassion. All women are invited to this book club discussion.
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Sunday, Jan. 26
Middle High: 4:30 pm
Youth Choir: 6:00 pm
Senior High: 6:45 pm
Youth activities are open to all friends of St. Paul’s in grades 6-12. SPY and Youth Choir are back on our usual rehearsal schedule. Please be extra-kind to your youth leaders who will be tired after the Confirmation Class Retreat earlier in the weekend!
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Sunday, Jan. 26
11:45-12:30
Parlor
Enjoy a light lunch while watching a short film followed by a guided discussion led by Joe Mangin. Our drop-in film series for January looks at the ideas of influential author C.S. Lewis as found in his classic work
Mere Christianity. (
Faithflix will combine with the Faithful & Inclusive video study for 6 weeks starting February 2.)
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January 29
7:00-8:00 p.m.
Sanctuary
Still Wednesday is open to all who feel called to a sacred space of quiet, peace, and reflection. This casual, meditative worship experience will meet in the Sanctuary or Octagon room at St. Paul’s each Wednesday. Come as you are able.
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Wednesday, Jan. 29
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Library
This drop-in Bible study is guided by the series "Who Are We as a People of God?" developed by the Baltimore-Washington Conference. It seeks fresh insights into the nature of God, of our identity in God, and our journey as Methodists toward liberation.
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Collection & Sorting: Sunday, Feb. 2
Distribution & Dinner: Monday, Feb. 3
Thank you for making this monthly grocery distribution and dinner for hungry neighbors possible. To volunteer, please contact Dawn Ely at dawn.c.ely@gmail.com. Non-perishable donations are welcome in the bins in the Narthex any time and financial contributions may be placed in the dropbox by the main office door.
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Sunday, Feb. 9
4:00 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
Mark your calendars now and save the date for this stirring, original concert and discussion on social justice themes with Marlissa Hudson, soprano, and Marvin Mills, piano.
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Sunday, Feb. 9
11:45 a.m.
MPR
Folks in the (roughly) 20s-to-40s age range and their families are invited to come enjoy a meal together: main course, paper products, and projects for kiddos provided; plan to bring something to share! RSVP and food sign up:
http://evite.me/MpCkCXzZgy
. We will also be packing Smart Sacks. This is a great service project the whole family can do and provides nutritious weekend meals for Montgomery County school children receiving free or reduced lunch. All supplies for Smart Sacks are provided.
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Monday, Feb. 10
7:00-8:30 pm
Parlor
Join us to discuss
How to Be An Anti-Racist
by Ibram X. Kendi. Kendi proposes, among other insights and personal revelations, that “simply not being racist isn’t enough. We must actively choose to be ‘antiracist,’ working to undo racism and its component polices in order to build an equitable society.” All are welcome! To request child care, contact Meg Baker (mbaker@stpaulsk.org) at least three days before the event.
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Saturday, Feb. 15
8:00-9:30 a.m.
Fellowship Hall
The UMM is hosting a free breakfast for all St. Paul’s men. We will be serving up fine food, great fellowship, and prayer opportunities, and will be done by 9:30. We look forward to seeing you there. Sign up in the church office, and please bring a friend.
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St. Paul's building follows Montgomery County Public Schools for weather-related delays and closures. For Sunday worship, the pastors will assess whether it is safe to travel on a Sunday morning and will make a decision about holding Sunday worship services by 7:00 a.m. Your safety is the first priority - always use your own best judgment before venturing out in any inclement weather!
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Contact us!
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301-933-7933
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stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org
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stpaulsk.org
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