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The Week of October 27- November 1, 2020
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This week's readings
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"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy."
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."
We're pretty lucky that God allows us to be flawed and come to Him with all of our issues. Look at the list from the Beatitudes. It's okay, even celebrated, to be poor in spirit, to be meek, to be pure in heart, to be peacemakers. In our dog eat dog ever more increasingly polarized world these aren't attributes that are regularly seen as being desired. God loves you and will eternally reward you for being kind and being helpful.
--Shawn Prater-Lee
To be redirected to the Lectionary Page and get a digital copy of the readings
Revelation 7:9-17; Psalm 34:1-10,22; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12
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The Sunday sermon
What an incredible journey it had been; but during those holy moments at the end of Moses' life, the writer of Deuteronomy reflected on some of the accomplishments that God had achieved through Moses. This was Moses, whom God saved from infanticide at Pharaoh's hand. This was Moses to whom God appeared in the burning bush, and through whom God freed the Hebrew people from slavery. Moses had stared down the mighty Pharaoh, ordering him through words that have carried down through the centuries, "Let my people go!" Moses was there on top of Mount Sinai to receive the ten commandments. Scripture says that Moses had even talked face to face with God, convincing God not to destroy the Hebrew children when they had turned to idolatry.
However, as we are remembering this great figure from the past, it is easy to forget that he also had clay feet. Moses was a murderer before he became a man of God. He was also reluctant to accept God's call; he tried to make excuses based on his lack of eloquence. He suggested that God call his brother Aaron instead. But these are not the things that Israel remembers; they remember only the good things about Moses.
Isn't that true for us also? I think so. When I think back, it's the good things that I remember. For instance, I remember the Christmas that I got a beautiful red and blue bicycle. I was so excited. I couldn't go out on it on Christmas day, because we had to do family stuff. But I kept sitting on it in the living room with the kickstand down. The day after Christmas that year, would you believe it, we had a blizzard. Again, I couldn't go out on my new bike. But I kept sitting on it in the living room. One day I happened to move it, and where the kickstand was there was a hole in the rug. Oh boy, was I in trouble. I found myself standing on the hole, hoping my parents wouldn't see it. Regrettably, that didn't work very long. My mother saw it, and guess what. She played the Star-Spangled Banner on my backside. I try to forget about that part of that Christmas memory.
It feels good to indulge in the pleasant memories of the past, but if we get stuck there, it can sap our strength, leaving us no energy to work in the presence, and no imagination with which to engage the future.
So, even the writer of Deuteronomy indulges in a bit of nostalgia. He speaks about how there has never been a prophet greater than Moses." But then he points to how Joshua, even though he had hands laid on him by Moses, Joshua would lead in his own way in the future.
The Most Reverend Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, has said that on the day that God calls him home, when he gets to the "Pearly Gates" he will not be asked why he was not like Martin Luther King or Mother Theresa. He explains that he cannot become holy by copying another person's path. "I may watch the elders," he says, "and learn from those who have walked further and worked harder than me. But then I have to take my own steps, seek out my own path, and create a life that has never been lived before."
That explains the position in which Joshua found himself in this morning's Old Testament lesson. He was grateful to Moses for giving him his blessing but God would lead Joshua through different circumstances and different challenges. Joshua had to be God's servant in his own way.
It is so very intriguing how we can see ourselves in stories we read in the Bible. A little more than a decade ago, God talked with the Rev. Tyler Jones and urged him to consider taking the leadership position at St. Paul's Church, Poughkeepsie. After much prayer and thought, he accepted the call. The years that followed were most challenging as most of you know, both for priest and parishioners. But together you accomplished a number of significant things. The one that stands out for me is when the Bishop came to St. Paul's and declared that you, people of St. Paul's, had become a parish. At some point not too long ago, God again spoke to Fr. Jones; he praised him for the work he had done in God's name at St. Paul's. He further told him that it was time for him to step down from his position as rector. A difficult message for Fr. Jones to hear. As it was for Moses and the Hebrew people, I am sure he wanted to continue with this congregation, with the people he had grown to love, with the people he had led to parish status. But that would not be the case.
And now, you members of the St. Paul's parish family, led by your vestry, have to seek out a Joshua to take up the mantle worn by your former rector. That means that you must be faithful in prayer and attendance. It also means that you must maintain the sense of family and joy that you have created through the years. It means that you have to hold on to that sacredness and love that has attracted other people to become part of your parish family. The journey continues and because of your dedication this obstacle, if I may call it that, this obstacle you have come to in the road, will not stop you from making wonderful memories as you continue to manifest to the community that surrounds St. Paul's, the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
--Fr. C. Allan Ford
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PARISH NEWS
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS
AT 2 AM ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST
Thanks to all who have attended church these past months whether it was in person at 161 Mansion Street or whether it was on Zoom. We will continue to have in person worship on the first and third Sundays and on Zoom all other Sundays through the end of January.
We will be in church November 1, 15, and 29 and December 13 and 27.
We will be on Zoom the other Sundays.
Our Zoom connections remain the same and are
Meeting ID: 823 3911 5280
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,82339115280# US (New York)
+13017158592,,82339115280# US (Germantown)
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Hope to see you in church on Sunday and/or on Zoom.
--Shawn Prater-Lee
PLEASE DONATE TO OUR CHURCH FOOD PANTRY. 
WE ARE IN GREAT NEED OF: RICE, CANNED SOUPS, DRIED BEANS.
--The Rev. Dcn. Julett Butler
This is our only Fund Raiser since February!!!!! Please consider supporting St. Paul's by either buying some corned beef to cook or making a donation.
We expect to have between 25 and 40 packages of corned beef for sale on Sunday, Nov. 1 following the church service. The Corned beef will be wrapped in 3-5 lb. packages and will include pickling spice and a recipe for Corned Beef & Cabbage. If you are unable to pick it up Sunday, between 11:30am & 12:30pm you can get it Monday, Nov. 2 between 10 & 12. Price is $4.00 per lb.
CALL THE CHURCH OR EMAIL BOBBIE GORDON
TO RESERVE YOUR PACKAGE!!
A NOTE FROM THE TREASURY TEAM
Total deposit for the past week - $641 (including $575 for the Food Pantry). Many thanks to all who are remembering their pledge and to those both within and outside of the church who are generously supporting the Food Pantry.
We're looking forward to seeing you in person the first and third Sundays of the month when we'll be in church with communion. The other Sundays will be on Zoom. Don't forget to wear your mask!!!
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COMMUNITY NEWS
IBRAM X KENDI HOW TO BE AN ANTIRACIST
~ Recorded webinar now available ~
Meet Ibram X. Kendi
Author of How to Be an Antiracist
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A recording of the October 22 webinar with
Ibram X. Kendi
author of
is now available at the link below.
Click here:
And use the password:
Z&B8Sve
to view the recorded webinar.
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Please note that it will only be available until end of day Tuesday, November 10.
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EPISCOPAL CHARITIES
VIRTUAL TRIBUTE DINNER
THURSDAY ● NOVEMBER 19 ● 2020 ● 8 PM
In a year like no other, Episcopal Charities has responded to the call of our neighbors in need to outreach programs by providing crucial assistance to the most vulnerable among us. We ask you help us in this mission by attending our Virtual Tribute Dinner on Thursday, November 19th, 2020.
Our Virtual Tribute Dinner will be evening of remarks and performances by friends of Episcopal Charities, during which we'll come together throughout the ten counties of the Diocese of New York -- and beyond! -- to celebrate, give thanks, and reaffirm our commitment to transforming lives.
We hope you can join us. To buy tickets -- or to make a donation in lieu of attending -- click the link below.
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Tip: Unable to attend? You can still help us respond to the call of those in need. Click the link below to make a gift.
--The Rev. Gloria Payne-Carter
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OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS
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4 Susan Saavedra
| 8 Ashley Lynn Dubois
| 20 Macy J. Marrero
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12 Tiffany Lynne Dubois
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30 Bella Winkler
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8 Norma Williams
| 18 Alexis Rose Plain
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31 Carol K. Rohde
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Please keep those on our parish prayer list in your minds and in your
prayers, especially at this time of separation and isolation.
Intercessions
OCTOBER 2020
Our prayers are asked for:
Rhonda, Lillian, G.J., Paul, Sasha, Matthew, Joe, AletaAnn, all Teachers, Parents, Students,
Theodore, John, Paul, Kathy, George, Janett, Renate, and Notoe, Stephanie, Aaron; Sharon
Greene, Owen,Agnes, Norma; McLauren family; Graham family; Wood family; Braxton family;
Lori, Steven, Elyse, Jim, Seth; Phil; All essential workers;
Beryl & Glen, Vincent family; George; Daniel Mizell and family; Liz, Martha; Lourdes;
Eileen; the Butler, Richards and Barrett families; Fr. Allan and family; St. Paul's Vestry; Darien
family; Richardson family; Sherow family; Edna Clarke,Michelle, Kathy B.; Carola and Violet;
Whitman, Medical Reserve Corp. of Dutchess County, Dept. of Behavioral and Community
health of Dutchess county; The Laken family; All Parishioners; Kairos International,
Catherine, Michelle, Yamily; G.J., Joe; Lois, Matthew, Lillian; Lynita, Perry, Melius family,
Sasha; Stacey, Linda, Phil, Jody; Tucker family, Branch family, Atkinson family; Ibadan
Diocese, All Saints Anglican Church,Oni family; Donna; Alison, McGhan, Sterling, Unah,
Avonel, Kim, Santos family, Madeline, Bramble, Charlie, Cynthia, Gencia, Val, Joanne,
Janet, Corkey, Pelaez, Josephs - Clarke family, Dixon family, Paulette, Jarah,
Mertlyn; Adam, Paul, Andrew & family, Douglas family, Annie, Ron, Dave, Liz; Jill, Lana,
Andrew, Susan; Schneider family, all in need; Susie; Sherry, Claudia
Please "Like" our page to stay up to date with all services and events.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church-Poughkeepsie
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'In Service to God & You' 
Our food pantry volunteers are in active service at St. Paul's these days. We give thanks to them and thanks to God for their willingness to help us by helping others. |
THIS WEEK'S CALENDAR October 27- November 1, 2020
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS AT 2 AM ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST
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| TUE 27
| 10:00am Food Pantry & Thrift Shop |
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| WED 28
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10:00am Food Pantry & Thrift Shop
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| THU 29
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10:00am Food Pantry & Thrift Shop
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| SUN 01
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10:00am RITE II - In Church
11:30am Corned Beef Sale
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