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St. Paul's
at Midweek
September 22, 2021
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Whoever you are,
and wherever you find yourself on your journey of faith,
we welcome you to our inclusive faith community.
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The Coming Week
at St. Paul's
September 26, 2021
The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The 10am service will also be live-streamed via our Facebook page.
Tuesday, September 28
Paula and Eustochium of Rome, Monastic and Scholars,
404 and c. 409
Wednesday, September 29
Saint Michael and All Angels
October 3, 2021
The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
10am Eucharist in our church building followed by Animal Blessing in the courtyard.
The 10am service will also be live-streamed via our Facebook page.
Next Bishop's
Committee Meeting:
Sunday, October 17, 12noon
via Zoom
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Finding the
Sunday Readings
Did you know you can always find the readings for Sunday by following this link?
Did you find two sets of readings for the Sunday? If there are two "tracks",
at St. Paul's we are using "Track 2".
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St. Paul's
Food Ministry Report
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While we continue collecting food donations for Catholic Charities (click here to find out more), we are also preparing to re-open our on Food Ministry on November 1. You can find more information on that here. Contact Deacon Cathy Kline with any questions.
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Getting in Touch
Although mail will be regularly collected, the parish office will be closed until further notice.
However, if you have questions or concerns,
you can reach
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This Week
by Brian Whitfield,
Bishop's Warden
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“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius[a] for the day and sent them into his vineyard.” (Matt 20:1-2)
As September has come and almost went, it brought with it memories of the fair, the “harvest season,” and the beginning of pumpkins everywhere. At St. Paul’s, we have begun a season of harvesting and reconnecting with those who may have disconnected with us over the years. Soon our Stewardship campaign will be upon us, and we will be thinking about harvesting differently. Throughout all of this, my mind is drawn to the parable of the laborers in the vineyard and its anti-modern message of harvesting and fairness.
For those that do not remember, the landowner sets out to hire workers in his vineyard, and those workers join at different stages throughout the day. Some come early, some mid-way, and some at the end of the shift. However, when it comes to paying wages, he starts with the last to join and pays them all the same. It ends with the famous line, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Matt 20:16)
It destroys our ideas of what is fair, just, and how we should be treated. As the laborers begin to complain about making the same for working all day as the workers that worked only a few hours, he scolds them for being greedy and envious that others received what he had promised. It is like this as well in our own harvest. We are all called to be laborers in the vineyard of the Lord and help him reap the harvest. Some of us have been at St. Paul’s for a long time, others for a short time, while others seem to come and work only from time to time. It is not our place to question others or their timing, but we are called to simply be laborers in the vineyard. We are also obliged to welcome new laborers in and welcome laborers who have left us back as they will help us in our work. Our community is essential, and all the laborers are called to join in the work, regardless of whether they have been “idle” or not.
Personally, it is the perfect parable and bridge for our seasons of harvest and Stewardship. It helps us reconnect, realize that all are welcome and should be encouraged to return and that our treasures have been freely given to us even if we don’t deserve them. I cannot help but think of the Prayer of Humble Access that is prominent in Rite I and traditional Anglican liturgies that says, “We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies” (BCP 337). As the laborers that complained found out, they were not more deserving because they worked longer, but all were given their wages generously by the landowner. These treasures are not to be stored up, but we are called to focus on the work and riches of the Kingdom of God.
May we all be happy and productive laborers. Tend the vineyard, welcome fellow laborers back, and give freely the gifts that, while we don’t deserve, we still obtain through our Lord’s great mercy. Peace be with you all.
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The Order of the Daughters of the King is an order for women whose mission is the extension of Christ’s Kingdom through prayer, service and evangelism. At the St. Paul's the order serves our community through their prayers and acts of service.
Do you have a special concern you'd like the Daughters to pray for? Contact Kathy Harlan who heads our parish chapter. You can also contact her for further information on the DOK, or you can visit the Order's website here. The Daughters of the King are also at the front of church during the distribution of communion to pray with you for your needs and concerns.
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As we move into a new phase of the COVID pandemic, Diocesan protocols have been relaxed and our services continue in our church building. However, please not, that masks are now required for all persons attending church services, regardless of vaccination status.
Full details and more information about Sunday's worship can be found here.
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Remember, the Parish Directory is being revised. Each Sunday in September information cards will be available from the ushers. Please complete a card and put it in the collection plate at the offertory. Each adult member (remember according to the canons of The Episcopal Church an adult member is anyone 16 years old or older) should complete a card. You can also complete a digital version of the card here.
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Blessing of Animals
October 3, 2021
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Our animal companions are important parts of our lives. They so often demonstrate unconditional love while teaching us how to live authentically. Each year St. Paul's sets aside special time to give thanks for them and to ask God's blessing on them. Our Animal Blessing Service will be Sunday, October 3. After the 10am Eucharist we will gather in the main courtyard for the blessing, and afterwards there will be snacks for everyone - human and animal alike. As always, pets are welcome in church during the main service, and they need not wear masks.
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Beginning Sunday, Oct 3, we will resume to our Altar Server Ministry. Have you served as an altar server in the past? Are you new and interested in this ministry? Have you never served in this ministry, but want to know more? Let Fr. Luis know via email and he will be in touch to talk about your availability, rotations, and training. Do you have of questions about what altar servers are? Again get in touch with Fr. Luis.
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Revision of Parish Prayer List
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As we approach the end of the third quarter our parish prayer list will again be revised. This means that all names will be removed at the end of September, and a new list compiled starting October 1. If you would like a name to remain on the list or a name to be added please contact Fr. Luis via email.
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St. Paul's Creation Care Committee is in its initial stages. As part of its ministry, it has launched its own monthly newsletter. It will cover all kinds of tips and practical information for more responsible use of our natural resources, as well as advertising and promoting ways we can get involved in this increasingly important aspect of Christian stewardship. You can access September's edition here.
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O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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In Our Prayers
Remember in your prayers Louis, Roy, Martha, Kammie, Celina, Brandy, Lisa, Rosemary, Rita, Dee, Brian, all those living with the effects of COVID-19, and all who are in sorrow, sickness, or any kind of need.
Remember all the recently departed, among them Jon Shelby Spong, bishop, and Cynthia Bullock, and all those whose year's mind falls at this time.
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Monthly Prayer Diary
You can access the
Prayer Diary for September here.
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Rockport (stanza 2)
by Jack Hernandez
I sit in a chair
alone watching
the morning
white like a sheet
of paper a blank
page offering me
the possibility
of poetry
or simply
the silence
mending
my weary heart.
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Nils Carlson
Sean Williams
Catherine Henry
Draven Brown
Maceo Brown
Faith Haney
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September 2
September 9
September 16
September 18
September 18
September 29
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Connecting with St. Paul's
and The Episcopal Church
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Church Office
(661) 869-1630
Priest-in-Charge
The Rev'd Luis Rodriguez
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Bishop's Warden
Junior Warden
Michael Dunham
Midweek
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