Weekly
Postings
news & events
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A Letter from the Interim Priest-in-Charge |
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UNCONDITIONAL LOVE – SOMETIMES IT’S RIGHT IN FRONT OF US
Little by little I’m getting to know you all–I love what I see! One special quality I have found to be quite common, especially in the new folks I have met, is that a lot of them love animals, particularly dogs–no disrespect to cats intended.
For example, Sunday and Monday this week I was on Zoom with the Inquirers’ Class and Noonday Prayer group respectively. During the Inquirers’ class, a beautiful cat appeared on the screen. We forgot what deep theological points we were discussing as the conversation turned to our pets. It wasn’t long before all sorts of dogs of all sorts of shapes and sizes appeared on the various screens, for a total of five dogs and the one cat. I could have added to that number, but my pups, Lily Belle and Alexis Valentine, were at home. I had lost control of the teaching session–I didn’t mind that one bit!
I took a survey of the Noonday Prayer group, and many of those present had dogs or other critters! So far, 100% of my new friends loved animals. I knew from the start these were pretty special people!
I have been privileged to have at least one dog in all the years I have been on this planet. I am much the better for all those fuzzy, happy lives that have had much to do with teaching me about unconditional love. Saint Paul beautifully describes the unconditional love of God in his letter to the Church in Rome (8:38-39). My dogs have shown me how to practice that love.
Peace,
Joe+
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Holy Week & Easter Schedules |
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Prepare your calendar to fully participate in the height of the Christian story.
All in-person services will require a reservation.
HOLY WEEK & EASTER SERVICES: March 28 - April 4
PALM SUNDAY
Facebook Live - 11 a.m.
MONDAY IN HOLY WEEK
Zoom - 7 p.m.
TUESDAY IN HOLY WEEK
Zoom - 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY IN HOLY WEEK
Zoom - 7 p.m.
MAUNDY THURSDAY
Facebook Live - 7 p.m.
GOOD FRIDAY
Facebook Live - 12 noon
THE SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION: EASTER DAY
Limited In-Person Worship Outside - 9 a.m., followed by Easter Egg Hunt
Limited In-Person Worship in the Church & Facebook Live - 11 a.m.
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Like the 2020 Christmas offering, this year's Easter offering will be used to make a real difference in our community. The Outreach Committee has selected Christ Community Health Services to be the recipient of this year's Easter offering. CCHS is a nonprofit in Augusta that offers affordable, quality primary health and dental care to the uninsured and underserved. Their mission is "To proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and to demonstrate His love by providing affordable, quality primary health care to the underserved."
In 2019, their ministry served more than 7,600 patients. We are excited to be a part of this important organization in our community! You can learn more about CCHS on their website.
Gifts for the Easter Offering will be received through Monday, April 12. If you would like your gift to be included in the Easter bulletins, then please ensure the parish office receives your memorial/thanksgiving by Wednesday, March 31, 12:00 noon.
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Ways to Give to the Easter Offering
As in years past, your Easter Offering, made in memoriam or in thanksgiving, will be listed in the Easter bulletin. Please be sure to include all names as they should appear.
Mail a check to the Parish Office to be received by April 12
- Make your check payable to Saint Paul's Church and designate it as "Easter Offering"
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To give your gift in Memory, Honor, or Thanksgiving of someone, include their name(s) on a note in the envelope with your check. Please be sure to write the text as it should appear in the bulletin (Ex: In thanksgiving for Jane Doe by Bob Smith; In memory of John Doe). Memorial/Thanksgiving text must be received by March 31.
Give Online by clicking the button below
- Under Fund, select "Outreach," then select "Easter Offering" as the Sub Fund
- To give your gift in Memory, Honor, or Thanksgiving of someone, leave their name(s) in the comment box. Please be sure to write the text as it should appear in the bulletin (Ex: In thanksgiving for Jane Doe; In memory of John Doe by Bob Smith).
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EVENTS THIS SUNDAY | March 28 |
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Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
Sunday of the Passion, or Palm Sunday, marks the start of Holy Week. We recall Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and Jesus' Passion on the cross. Stop by the Parish Office to pick up palm fronds for your Palm Sunday observance from home. Palms are available on the Portico of the church (where we traditionally enjoy lemonade after Sunday morning worship). Grab yours to make your own palm cross in time for Palm Sunday.
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Godly Play - Children through 5th grade
K-2nd grade, 9 - 9:40 a.m.
3rd-5th grade, 9:45 - 10:30 a.m.
Meeting ID: 814 3601 6314
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We take children and their relationship with God seriously and seek to provide both space to foster encounters with God and the language necessary to make meaning of those experiences. Within the Godly Play classroom, the Biblical narrative is lovingly presented to children using beautiful materials with an invitation to step into each story with awe and wonder. Children are then allowed time to respond to and reflect on their experience of the story.
The Godly Play class sends weekly emails on Saturday morning. If you have children K-5th grade and would like to receive this email, please contact Maddy Baker.
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Foundations of Christianity Inquirer’s Class
Newcomers & long-term members welcome
Sundays, 9 a.m.
Led by Fr. Bowden
Meeting ID: 893 0981 4467
Password: SPCgather
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All are invited to this series of conversations about the foundation of Christian life. Each week we reflect on content from two sources:
1) one half of a chapter in Julia Gatta’s "Life in Christ."
More details from the orientation session are available here.
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Sunday Forum
Sundays, 9:30 a.m.
Led by Fr. Dolen
Meeting ID: 860 972 849
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THIS SUNDAY'S TOPIC:
Walking the Stations of the Cross in Jerusalem
Last week we explored the question, "What is Holiness?" Join us this week as we learn about Walking the Stations of the Cross in Jerusalem.
There will be no Sunday Forum on Easter.
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Coffee and Conversation
Sundays, 10:35 a.m.
Meeting ID: 860 972 849
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We miss seeing you! Grab a cup of coffee and join us on Zoom before the 11 a.m. service for a few moments of fellowship! |
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EVENTS NEXT WEEK | HOLY WEEK: March 29 - April 4 |
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Sacred Space at Saint Paul's
Monday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Friday, 10 - 11:30 a.m.; or by appointment
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Sacred Space is an opportunity for you to be in your church’s sacred space to rest and pray. You will be provided with a simple Order of Service to guide your prayers, but pray according to your practice and however fulfills your needs for your own sacred time and space. We have extended Sacred Space offerings during Holy Week. If your desired time is not available, contact the Parish Office to schedule a time.
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Labyrinth Walk
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Wednesday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.; or by appointment
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The Labyrinth is available for self-guided walks in the Berlin Room. Printed guides will be provided in the room. Please wear or bring socks to wear after removing your shoes. Visit veriditas.org for more information about prayer and meditation with labyrinths. If your desired time is not listed, please contact the Parish Office to schedule a time.
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About Your Sermon: Conversations on Sunday's Sermon
Mondays, Noon - 1 p.m.
Led by Fr. Bowden
Meeting ID: 595 177 454
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Every Monday we invite you to gather for and discuss the Good News of Jesus Christ proclaimed in Sunday’s sermon from the 11 a.m. service. We begin with Noonday Prayer at 12:05 p.m. and then jump into discussion to explore your questions and interests, theological themes, and implications. We end promptly at one o’clock for those joining during a lunch hour.
The video of the service is available on our Facebook page immediately following Sunday’s 11 a.m. livestream. The sermon usually begins at about 25 minutes into the service, to which you can advance the video.
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Evening Prayer
Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday in Holy Week
March 29-31, 7 p.m.
Meeting ID: 595 177 454
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday during Holy Week, Evening Prayer is offered. During these quiet liturgies, we will hear gospel lessons that recount the final days of Jesus’ life.
Please note: Because we will observe Evening Prayer this week, we will not gather for Compline on Wednesday evening (this week only!).
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Maundy Thursday
April 1, 7 p.m.
In this service, we remember the Passover and the institution of the Holy Eucharist and Christ’s words “a new commandment I give you, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
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Good Friday
April 2, 12 Noon
Observe the Passion of Jesus Christ. Although it is a day of solemnity, devotion, self-examination, and prayer, it is also a day of restrained anticipation, promise, and hope.
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Good Friday Offering
Good Friday offerings are invited from across The Episcopal Church to support the four dioceses of the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. These offerings are used to promote peace and mutual understanding through pastoral care, health care, and educational programs throughout the region. The generous donations of Episcopalians help the Christian presence in the Land of the Holy One to be a vital and effective force for peace and understanding among all of God's children. To make a donation, please make your check payable to Saint Paul's Church and write "Good Friday Offering" on the memo line or online, choose fund: Special offering, sub fund: Diocese of Jerusalem.
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Sunday of the Resurrection: Easter Day
April 4
Limited In-Person Worship * | Outside 9 a.m.
Limited In-Person Worship * | Inside 11 a.m.
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Easter Sunday: Easter Egg Hunt
April 4
Join us for this joyful annual event in the Churchyard. Limited in-person following the 9 a.m. service. Don't forget your basket!
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LOOKING AHEAD: FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES |
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LOVE IS THE WAY: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times
Beginning Eastertide
This Easter season, the Racial Healing Ministry of our diocese will host a diocesan-wide reading group of Bp. Curry’s Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times.
12 Copies are available ($20 per) in the Parish Office.
Book Discussion Guide Now Available
A book discussion guide for the Diocese of Georgia's 1Book1Diocese reading of Love is the Way is now online here: Discussion Guide PDF
Bishop Curry to meet online
Individuals may also read the book and then join for the online meeting with Bishop Curry to discuss the book.
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OTHER RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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From the Stewardship Chair
Lord, we give faithfully, and in our giving, we honor you,
the source of all our blessings, our daily bread, and all the gifts in our lives.
Received as of 3/24/21 for the Year 2021
136 Pledge Cards representing $605,801.00
If you have not completed a pledge card, please complete this year’s annual stewardship appeal and return it to the church as soon as possible, or pledge online on our website at saintpauls.org/pledge-card/. If you did not receive a pledge appeal in the mail or have simply misplaced yours, please email the parish office or contact by telephone at (706) 724-2485 ext. 225.
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Saint Paul's Faithfulness
as of 3/24/21
Offerings pledged this Week $11,650.02
Offerings received this Week $415
Operating Expenses to Date $176,084.45
Total Income Received to Date $201,506.90
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COVID-19 Vaccine Registration |
Eligible individuals, including those ages 16 and older, can now register to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the Washington Square shopping center. Registration must be completed in advance on the AU Health website.
South Carolina residents who are eligible can also register to receive the vaccine at Aiken Technical College through the AU Health website.
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Are we missing your birthday?
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