Weekly
Postings
news & events
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November 27 - December 6, 2020 |
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To the community of Saint Paul's,
As we move into the beginning of a new Church year, the season of expectation, the four weeks of Advent, we do so this year in a new way. So much of the frenetic activity of past years will be set aside and we can breathe and live into a time of quiet reflection.
Our Celtic liturgy during this season begins with a prayer by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin:
Above all, trust in the slow work of God
We are quite naturally impatient in everything
to reach the end without delay.
We should like to skip the intermediate stages.
We are impatient of being on the way to something
unknown, something new.
And yet it is the law of progress
that it is made by passing through
some states of instability-
and that it may take a very long time.
And so I think it is with you.
Your ideas mature gradually-let them grow,
let them shape themselves, without undue haste.
Don’t try to force them on,
as though you could be today what time
(that is to say, grace and circumstances
acting on your own good will)
will make of you tomorrow.
Only God could say what this new spirit
gradually forming within you will be.
Give Our Lord the benefit of believing
that his hand is leading you,
and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself
in suspense and incomplete.
There is so much right now that is incomplete, there is so much uncertainty about what our future holds. The words of the Scripture we read and the liturgy of this season of Advent will lead and guide us.
Take a deep breath and “Above all, trust in the slow work of God.”
May this season draw us ever closer to the experience of Emmanuel, God with us.
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ADVENT BEGINS THIS SUNDAY |
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#AdventWord
A Daily Practice for Advent
How long, O Lord…. How long will you turn you face from me? —Psalm 13
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Advent captures our longing and expectation for the coming of God’s mighty presence to come among us to heal us and renew our common life. After all 2020 has been (and not been), we stand nearer the voices throughout the Scriptures who cry out their tribulation for God’s advent and salvation.
Saint Paul’s clergy encourage everyone to take up a daily practice of observance this Advent using # Advent Word . Advent Word is a global digital Advent calendar that offers a daily meditation, both visual and written, on a different word each day of the season beginning Sunday, November 29. Each morning's meditation is distributed at the Advent Word website. Sign up for emails, and follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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Make an Advent Wreath for your Home
Advent Wreath Kit Available for Pick up
Sunday, November 29, 1-2 p.m.
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On the first Sunday of Advent, November 29, the Parish Office will have Advent Wreath kits available for you to put together at home. All supplies will be provided, including wreaths, live greens, and candles. The kits are $15. Donations are accepted. Supplies are limited; a RSVP is required to reserve your wreath kit. Please contact the Parish office if you are unable to pick up your wreath during this time. |
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A Booklet of Advent Blessings for Your Home |
Download this booklet for Weekly Advent Blessings with activities and prayers for each Sunday in Advent. |
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NEW FORMATION OFFERINGS FOR ADVENT |
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RECTOR'S FORUM - ADVENT LECTIONARY STUDY
Sundays in Advent
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Who: Open to everyone, week-by-week
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 860 972 849
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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During our time together we will reflect on the Collect of the Day and lessons appointed for that Sunday. Our time is spent understanding how ancient words impact our current reality. |
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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.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 366 090 592
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Advent is the beginning of our liturgical year. Advent means “coming,” as in the coming of Jesus.
Godly Play will spend the next four Sundays preparing our hearts and minds for the mystery of the birth of Jesus.
Over the next weeks, we will share our Advent stories, light our Advent candles, and spend time with our Holy Family.
As in previous years, the culmination of these lessons will be an opportunity to prepare the creche for the parish on the fourth Sunday of Advent at 3:30 p.m.
We encourage all the parishes' children to join us this Advent season as we prepare to find God-with-us, Emmanuel.
Please feel free to bring your Advent Wreaths or any items your family shares during Advent in your home.
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 Elledge.
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PRAYING TOGETHER:“About Your Sermon…"
Mondays immediately following Noonday Prayer
12:05 - 12:10 p.m. Noonday Prayer, all are welcome even if you don’t stay for the sermon discussion.
12:10 - 1:00 p.m. Discussion about Sunday’s sermon.
Facilitator: Sunday’s preacher
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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The clergy are excited to announce a new formation opportunity that has been in our minds for a while: hosting conversation on ZOOM each Monday to discuss the prior day’s sermon. We are calling it “About Your Sermon”.
Every Monday we will begin with Noonday Prayer at 12:05 p.m. and then watch of the sermon together, followed by discussion to explore the theological content, context, themes, and implications. We will end promptly at 1:00 p.m. so those joining from work can resume their day. No reservation is required. If you need any help learning how to join a ZOOM meeting, contact Maddy Elledge for help.
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Advent Stories in Scripture:
hearing our story in God’s
Wednesdays in Advent
7:00-7:55 p.m.
Who: Open to everyone, week-by-week
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
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2020 has been hard. Every year during Advent we expectantly await and prepare for God’s arrival, but this Advent we have much more to bring before God in supplication and longing. Gather with others each Wednesday to hear a part of the Advent story from our Godly Play ministry and then reflect with Fr. Jenkins through conversation and other media about seeing our life as part of God’s story in this season. This experience will help you prepare to rejoice at the coming celebration of the incarnation, the Mystery of Christmas! Inquiries, contact Fr. Jenkins.
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EVENTS THIS SUNDAY | November 29 |
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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.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 366 090 592
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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 Elledge.
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RECTOR’S FORUM
Sundays, 9:30 a.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 860 972 849
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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Join us for the Rector’s Forum this Sunday. During our time together we will reflect on the Collect of the Day and lessons appointed for that Sunday. Our time is spent understanding how ancient words impact our current reality. |
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COFFEE & CONVERSATION
Sundays, 10:35 a.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 860 972 849
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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Grab a cup of coffee and join us on Zoom before the 11 a.m. service for a few moments of fellowship! Participants will be split into groups of 5-6 people to allow everyone a chance to catch up with your Saint Paul's family. |
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CELTIC EVENING PRAYER AND COMMUNION
Sundays, 5:30 p.m.
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Our Celtic Evening Prayer is a candle-lit service that emphasizes the contemplative side of worship and features some of Augusta’s best Celtic musicians. Come as you are and enter into a place of rest, prayer, and reflection.
Please note that during this time, we ask that everyone sign up to attend as each service is limited to the number of participants. You will be required to submit your email address for contact tracing.
Masks are kindly required by all individuals at all times.
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EVENTS NEXT WEEK | November 30 - December 6 |
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Noonday Prayer
Monday, November 30, 12:05 p.m.
Wednesday, December 2, 12:05 p.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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Noonday Prayer is a short and simple service which allows prayer to enter into the midst of our daily work or other activities, while joining our prayers in the ongoing prayer of the Church around the world. It may also be observed in private and is found online here and on p.103-107 in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) or in the simplified version daily devotions on page 138.
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Sacred Space at Saint Paul's
Tuesdays and Fridays
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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.
Please note that during this time, we ask that everyone sign up to attend as each time is limited in the number of participants. You will be required to submit your email address for contact tracing.
Masks are kindly required by all individuals at all times. You will receive a follow up email with more details on additional guidelines.
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Compline – Facebook Live and Zoom
Wednesdays, 8 - 8:15 p.m., social time follows worship on Zoom.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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, which are streamed on Facebook Live, those who gather through Zoom have opportunity for a mid-week visit.
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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.
Pledges are still coming in and as of this week, we have received a total of 121 pledges representing $542,434. 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 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
Offerings pledged this Week $15,000.00
Offerings received this Week $13,943.90
Operating Expenses to Date $851,375.44
Total Income Received to Date $778,026.05
Stewardship Campaign:
Pledge Cards Received to Date for the Year 2021: 121 representing $542,434.00
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The new Day by Day issue for November, December, and January has arrived. If you would like to have one mailed to you, please contact the parish office.
Forward Day by Day is a booklet of daily, "page-a-day," inspirational meditations each reflecting on a specific Bible passage from the daily lectionary readings of the Episcopal Church. The meditations are rich in substance and offer a wide range of witness and experiences.
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Are we missing your birthday?
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