Weekly
Postings
news & events
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Last Sunday Hillary Bryant was our "Meet Saint Pau's" special guest and the children and young people of Saint Paul’s learned about the many ways that Hillary, Greg, and James care for everything at Saint Paul’s. We also learned that a sexton is an officer of the church who cares for the sacred things. Our sextons take care of all the things AND all of us. We give thanks for all they do for us every day! |
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Last weekend, the vestry met in retreat at Saint Paul's. We met on Friday night and all day Saturday, to pray, grow closer together as a group, and to have the kind of long-form conversations that our monthly meetings need, but cannot always accommodate. Prayer and fellowship were woven through everything we did this weekend. We had three other major topics of conversation. We made significant progress in developing how we will implement the parish's strategic plan. We introduced ourselves to a ministry called Invite-Welcome-Connect. And we took steps to equip the current vestry to work with an informed faithfulness on the Polk Memorial. (I realize that last point may draw a lot of attention. Here's what we did: retired Senior Warden Ashley Wright met with the new vestry to tell the story, from her well-informed and insightful perspective, of how we got to where we are today. In keeping with our commitments to transparency and genuine communication, we did not make any decisions regarding church furnishings on retreat.)
I recently saw a t-shirt that said in giant letters, "Normal isn't coming back. Jesus is." I'm not sure that the designer of the t-shirt shares my exact theological convictions, but that shirt speaks a truth I'd affirm. In many ways, our task as a church is the same. We are here to proclaim by word and action God's good news to a world that thirsts for it. And the world in which we are doing that task has changed. We are blessed to have a vestry with the courage to see the ways that old "normals" have crumbled, and the faith to believe that even after normal, Jesus remains our hope. As we live in new ways into that hope, please keep the vestry in your prayers and let us strive for the kind of honest, vulnerable conversations that draw us closer to each other and to God.
Eric+
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EVENTS THIS SUNDAY | May 8 |
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Saint Paul's Nursery is OPEN
Sundays 9:30 AM -12:30 PM
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We are pleased to announce that the Saint Paul’s nursey has reopened for children 6 months to 4 years of age. The nursery will be available on Sunday mornings beginning at 9:30 a.m. to allow parents to attend formation. If you have any questions about the nursey, please contact the parish office. Miss Connie and Miss Jenna are all VERY EXCITED to welcome you back! |
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Sunday Forum
Sundays, 9:30 AM, Berlin Room
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The Good News of the Apocalypse: the Revelation to John as gospel
This Easter season, the second reading each Sunday comes from the Revelation to John--one of the most misunderstood and most frequently misused books in the bible. At 9:30 each Sunday we'll gather to explore how the Apocalypse, or Revelation, communicates the good news of God in our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Godly Play (grades PK - 1st)
9:30 AM -10:30 AM
In the Children's Ministry Center
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ALL children inherently know God, but it is up to us to give them the language of the Christian faith so they can grow to make meaning of our faith in their own lives. Godly Play is a profound method rooted in Montessori principles that forms child spirituality by attending to their natural gifts for wonder and discovery. Children are greeted at the door of the Godly Play room by the "door person." It is VERY important for parents to respect the boundary of the door threshold by not entering the children's sacred space--their Godly Play room. We cannot wait to welcome your children each Sunday!
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Spark: (grades 2-3)
9:30 AM -10:30 AM
In the Children's Ministry Center
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Our older children will again immerse themselves in SPARK, where they will work with the same themes and Scripture that we all encounter in common worship. Every lesson follows a four-part pattern: Gather, Open the Bible, Activate Faith, and Send. Week after week, the children and their leaders gather together, explore the Scriptures, enjoy one another's company, pray, and discover God's presence in their midst.
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Spark: (grades 4- 6) "Look at the Gospels”
9:30 AM -10:30 AM
In the Children's Ministry Center
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Our older children will continue to "Look at the Gospels” of Jesus’ life and ministry. His parables, miracles and teachings are displayed with posters, colored drawings, and miniature models. They are also studying the many wonders of the Old Testament through the first seven books of the Bible.
Each Sunday using the Spark Curriculum we follow a five-part pattern: gather, read the scriptures, discuss its meaning, pray and play “Who dat?” (“Who dat” is a game of Bible trivia based on what they have already learned).
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Sunday Worship Schedule
8 AM Rite I - In person
11 AM Rite II - In person
5:30 PM - Celtic Evening Prayer and Communion
All three of our Sunday worship services are in-person.
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Celtic Evening Prayer and Communion
Sundays, 5:30 PM
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Kathleen Chandler (vocalist) and Keith Shafer (piano), are our musicians this week. |
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EVENTS THIS WEEK| May 9 - May 15 |
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Compline
Wednesdays, 8 - 8:15 PM Social time follows worship on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 595 177 454
Dial-In: (646) 876-9923
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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, those who gather through Zoom have an opportunity for a mid-week visit.
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New Adult Formation – 3 sessions in May,
no homework!
Zoom meetings on Tuesday (May 10, 17, 24)
7:30-8:30 PM
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Why do readers read and travelers travel? Why do thinkers think and dancers dance? Why do we hope, gather, pray, and celebrate? The answer, according to author Brian McLaren, is that we are human beings seeking the "aliveness" described in the New Testament as "life in Christ" and "the kingdom of God." Join us for an hour on Tuesday nights for an informal, yet illuminating, look at We Make the Road by Walking. Questions? Contact Kitty Gordon. |
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Senior Sunday
May 15, 11 AM service
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Parents of graduating high school seniors: Senior Sunday is May 15. Please contact the parish office as soon as possible if your child is interested in being included in this service.
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Birthday Sunday
Sunday, May 15, 10:30 - 10:45 AM, Tyler Hall
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Sunday, May 15, is Birthday Sunday. Please note the change of date for our "Second Sunday Birthday Celebration." Because of Mother's Day we have moved Birthday Sunday to May 15. Join us during “Coffee and Conversation” (10:30 - 10:45 AM) in Tyler Hall. ALL are invited to our brief but joyful celebration for all whose birthdays fall in May. |
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SAVE THE DATE FOR OKTOBERFEST |
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"Oktoberfest by the River"
Saturday, September 10th, 6:30 - 10 PM
Here's a quick promotional video below
we're sharing on our social media.
More details coming soon! Save the Date!
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Wednesday Night Fellowship Dinner
Wednesday, May 18, 6-7 PM, River Room
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Join us for our monthly fellowship dinner, Wednesday, May 18, catered by Cordially Invited. The menu will be available next week. $5 per person; $20 max per family. Please RSVP using the link below. |
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Manna Pantry
Saturday, May 21, 8:15 - 11:30 AM
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Volunteers are needed for our next Manna Pantry, Saturday, May 21, 8:15-11:30 AM in the east parking lot. With your help we will unload the groceries from Golden Harvest, pack food boxes, reload the truck, and deliver all food boxes on Saturday. RSVP for the Manna Pantry team on our website or using the link below.
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Pentecost Picnic
Sunday, June 5, following the 11 AM service
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Pentecost is 3 weeks away! Save the date for our Parish Picnic (comfortably scheduled in the River Room) following the 11 AM service. Wear red and bring a dish to share. We'll spill out onto the terrace with music and games. More details to follow. |
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Baptism Offered
Sunday, June 5
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The Prayer Book notes Holy Baptism is especially appropriate on four dates: at the Easter Vigil, on the Day of Pentecost, on All Saints' Day or All Saints' Sunday, and on the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord.
We will celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, June 5. All who wish to be baptized are invited to contact Fr. Eric. |
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OTHER RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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The new Forward Day by Day issue for May, June, and July has arrived. If you would like to have one mailed to you, please contact Hannah in 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 experience. These meditations are also available online at the Forward Movement website. |
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May 16 - Vestry Meeting
May 18 - Wednesday Night Fellowship Dinner
May 21 - Manna Pantry
May 26 - Caregivers' Support Group
June 5 - The Day of Pentecost
June 18 - Quiet Morning
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Gathering Safely Plan Updated 03-17-21 |
The Vestry has approved a plan for gathering safely. This plan is available using the link below and on our website. Clergy, vestry, and regathering committee members will continue to monitor the situation and publicize precautions and changes. |
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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.
The Finance Committee and the Vestry are beginning the work of preparing the 2022 budget. Your pledge allows them to prepare a more accurate budget. If you have not yet completed a pledge card, please prayerfully consider your pledge to a momentous year. Pledge cards are available in the Narthex and by contacting the parish office. You may also pledge online using the link below.
Pledge Cards Received: 138
92 Increase (23 new), 6 Decrease, 40 no change
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Saint Paul's Faithfulness
as of 05/04/2022
Offerings pledged this Week $12,981.00
Offerings received this Week $8,984.90
Operating Expenses to Date $293,136.21
Operating Income to Date $407,018.85
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Are we missing your birthday?
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