THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY |
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The Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul (1587-1592) by El Greco |
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"He (Jesus) said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Matthew 16: 15-17
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Celebrate Our Worship
Physically distant, but connected together online!
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Service Available on YouTube and Rebroadcast on Local TV: Sunday at 9:00 am Click Here, for TV: Channel 8 in Newburyport broadcast on Tuesday at 9:00 am, Thursday at 9:00 am, and Sunday at 10:30 am. Channel 9 in Newbury and Channel 18 in Salisbury broadcast on Wednesday at 9:00 am.
Note: On a Monday holiday the Tuesday at 9:00 am service will be the previous week.
Let us know if you have trouble accessing the service or our YouTube channel. We can help! Call the office.
Passcode: 445064)
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Dear St Paul's Community,
I hope that everyone had a wonderful (if unusual) celebration of Christmas and New Year. 2021 has been an eventful one so far, and I know there is much on all our minds and hearts as we observe the state of our nation and society, pray for our world, and look at changes coming in the new year. All of us long for a return to some sense of normalcy and, while virus numbers are soaring, vaccines are being rolled out – however slowly, and things are beginning to take new directions. Our hope is that at some point in 2021 we will be able to gather together again in person and live fully in community together. In the meantime we are continually discovering new ways to connect, grow in faith, serve others, and enrich our life of prayer and worship. In the coming weeks and months we will be exploring more new ways of doing this, so stay tuned for opportunities to connect and grow.
Next Sunday, January 24 is our Patronal Festival – the celebration of our Patron Saint (St. Paul). The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul is the 25th, and as Paul is our Patron Saint, we will transfer the celebration to Sunday. This is a high point for us in our annual calendar, so be sure to tune in on YouTube or through local TV stations to celebrate together. The Following Sunday (January 31) we will celebrate Candlemas, or the Presentation Christ in the Temple. This is one of my favorite feasts – a celebration of light and salvation.
We had wonderful conversation in our anti-racist book group on Wednesday. Our next meeting is January 27th, so be sure to join us if you can! Contact Linda or myself for more info. Be sure to have a look through the rest of this newsletter to see what is going on in the parish!
Every blessing,
Fr Jarred
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LEARNING, SHARING & SERVICE for OUR CHILDREN & YOUTH:
How might we help children and youth deal with current events? Click here for advice on
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Two emails coming this weekend, focusing on our Baptismal Covenant - look for them on Saturday! For links to previous classes - to share your thoughts or to say hi! - please email Linda.
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We honor Dr Martin Luther King, Jr; this month especially. Click here for a list of 22+ children's books focusing on his life and legacy - including this interesting comparison of MLK & Anne Frank's lives - born in the same year.
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News from St Paul's Anti-Racist Awareness (SPARA) book club: our next book is Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson - the Community Read of Newburyport High School.
Thank you to all who joined us on 1/13 for a great discussion of current events & an overview of the book & author.
You are invited to join us next time!
Come to our next Google meeting, January 27, 7pm - we'll send the link.
New members always welcome!
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Stewardship for 2021 – 3rd Week of January
The Parish Stewardship Program is at 84% of its 2020 pledge target, unchanged from last week. We are seeking $39,000 in additional pledges. We know that some of you need more time to consider your situation as the new year begins. We will be pleased to receive your pledge when you are ready.
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You can submit pledge cards by mail, online, or by dropping them off at the church. To give online, there is a pledge card on the St. Paul’s website at https://www.stpauls-nbpt.org/pledge/. If you have a smartphone, you can scan this QR code using a QR Reader app. Thank you.
The St. Paul's Stewardship Team
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Pastoral Care Team
If you know someone who would appreciate a phone call during this pandemic, or is in need of services please call St. Paul’s Office to let the Pastoral Team know. We will happily add their name to the list of people we call on a regular basis and reach out.
Nancy Jukins/Chairperson
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Voucher Program
Please let us know if you or anyone you know are in need of help with food, medications, medical expenses and other needs. Call the office at 978-465-5351. All calls are confidential. Deb Hay/Administrator
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Prayer List
If you have would like to add someone to our ongoing Sunday worship prayer list, please email the office at stpauls@stpauls-nbpt.org or call 978-465-5351.
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Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our
heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove
ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will.
Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and
pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion;
from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend
our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes
brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue
with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust
the authority of government, that there may be justice and
peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we
may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth.
In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness,
and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail;
all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer, pg 180
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We hope you enjoy reading our weekly newsletter which covers the current news of our parish life. If you have questions or news you would like us to include, contact Administrator Deb Hay at 978-465-5351 or stpauls@stpauls-nbpt.org.
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St. Paul's Episcopal Church | 166 High Street
Newburyport, Massachusetts 01950 | 978-465-5351
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