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Weekly News for July 25, 2021
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Worship for Sunday, July 25, 2021
9:00 & 10:30 AM in-person in the Sanctuary
Drop-in Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
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The Pastor's Weekly Message is on Summer Break!
Many of St. Paul’s employees have plans to make use of vacation time this year. Don't worry, St. Paul's is fortunate to have a full roster of multi-talented staff and lay leaders able to cover the needs of the church. Here are out-of-office plans for July:
- Senior Pastor Pat Allen will be out of the office July 4-August 1; while she is gone, Pastor Kate will take care of all pastoral concerns. Other questions can be directed to Erin Steele in the church office and she will forward it to an appropriate party.
- Meg Baker will be out July 18-24.
- Micah Smartt will be out of the office July 25-30 to lead youth on the faith-building Wilderness Trail hiking and camping experience. While this is a working trip and not a vacation, he will still be out of reach, somewhere along the Appalachian Trail.
Service and study opportunities are available now and in the coming weeks. Look in next week's message for even more previews of activities coming this the Fall!
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now-July 25
Do you know a great non-profit or municipal organization, or other opportunity for community service?
St. Paul's Justice & Compassion team members are interested in connecting with potential partner organizations for the Great Day of Service on October 3 and we welcome your suggestions! Projects should take approximately 1-to-4 hours.
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August 1-15
St. Paul's Justice & Compassion team partners with Interfaith Works and with YOU to get new school supplies to disadvantaged children for the start of school. Donation bins will be in the Narthex.
Items currently needed:
- backpacks
- 1-inch three-ring binders
- 2-inch three-ring binders
- dividers
- lined filler paper for binders
- 2-pocket folders
- pens (blue or black ink)
- colored pencils
- pencil pouches
- scissors
- markers
- erasers
- index cards
All items should be new.
Interfaith Works is also requesting new, unopened packages of children’s underwear, any size.
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Sign up by August 15
Classes Tuesday mornings beginning Sept. 7
This popular adult study will meet in-person this Fall to explore the evolution of Christian faith, doctrine, scripture, and practice. For more info, contact instructors Brian Walden (bewalden@verizon.net, 301-509-8129) or Therese Walden (tcwalden@verizon.net, 301-509-8128).
Enrollment is limited. Details for in-person class meetings will be determined in consultation with the Re-Entering Well committee, and will be shared with all who register.
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resuming July 31
11:00AM-12:00 noon
The adult Bible Study group leader, Dr. Meg Baker, is on vacation this week so there will NOT be a session on July 24. Saturday Bible Study will resume on July 31. This study is open to all on a regular or drop-in basis and meets most Saturdays throughout the year using Zoom. Visit stpaulsk.org/community/adult-education to sign up and receive the Zoom invite, and to find topics for the next several weeks:
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July 31 – One Handful of Rest. How can we approach our responsibilities in life with wisdom and a healthy mindset? We will discover some practical advice on living from the book of Ecclesiastes.
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Next meeting July 26
All crafters welcome! The Yarn Ministry will continue to connect over Zoom throughout the summer. Contact Karen Codner (kdc811@gmail.com) for the Zoom log in. Meeting dates for the rest of 2021 are available at stpaulsk.org/community/calendar-events.
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Register by noon on Saturday
Childcare is available for children rising-grade-3 and younger during the 10:30 AM worship service through August 1. Each week we offer a different community-service-focused project as our kids consider the many ways they can be the hands and feet of Christ for our neighbors. Register by noon on Saturday at stpaulsk.org/community/children.
Please note: August 1 is the last day we are offering Children's Summer Programming during worship. We look forward to sharing plans for Fall Sunday School coming soon!
Nursery care is available year-round for those age 2 and younger at both 9:00 and 10:30 - email Meg (mbaker@stpaulsk.org) to reserve a spot.
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St. Paul's Hunger Ministry coordinators have plans for restarting in-person food distribution in September! We welcome your donations. Because the distribution will look different than events before covid, please follow these simple guidelines:
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Please donate only those items found on the list at stpaulsk.org/service/hunger-ministry.
- Ensure items have a sell-by or use-by date of October 2021 or later.
- We cannot accept glass containers.
Shopping bags and printed lists are available on the table in the Narthex. Food donations may be placed in the bins on Sunday or during office hours.
Financial contributions are always welcome! We use these funds to purchase essential food items at bulk prices and provide grocery store gift cards that enable our recipients to purchase fresh produce, meat, and dairy. Please donate at stpaulsk.org/giving, or by check made out to St. Paul's UMC with "Hunger Ministry" on the memo line.
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We are updating the church directory of St. Paul’s members and friends, and always want to include the most up-to-date information possible. Please send contact information or other updates to Erin Steele at stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org or 301-933-7933 ext 100. Family photo updates also welcome! If you would like to pick up the current directory, or know someone who cannot come to the church in person but would like to receive one by mail, please call or email the office to request a copy.
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If you have unused greeting cards, consider donating them for the Card Ministry. There is a plastic box at the Welcome Desk. Our volunteers will address them for members and friends experiencing challenges and changes.
Anyone can stop by the Welcome Desk to pick up a pre-addressed, pre-stamped card to mail! We know the card recipients are truly thankful for the notes that come their way.
Want to send your own card later, or to spend some time in prayer for our members and friends? When someone experiences illness, grief, or a joyous life change and wants to share that news, we include them on the Congregational Care list. You can find a fresh copy of the full Congregational Care list at the Welcome Desk each week.
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7:00-8:00 PM
Wednesday, August 18
All are welcome for this hour of quiet prayer. Come as you will, no registration required. We will be very still for the summer, meeting just once in August instead of each week. We will share plans for the fall as we get closer to September.
To join Still Wednesday, use this link:
Log-in information:
Meeting ID: 815 9385 9811
Passcode: Oliver
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Ongoing Activities - Click on each heading to learn more.
Prayerwaves: Wednesdays, 10am - During this time of Prayer over the Air Waves, we pray together over the phone. Call 425-436-6326 at 9:55 each Wednesday morning. When prompted for the “access code," type in 774042 followed by #.
Prayer Request Form: If you have a joy or concern, you can share it confidentially with St. Paul's ministers or share with the entire Prayer Team using our online prayer form.
Lydia Circle Meeting: Every other Friday, 1:30 pm - Lydia Circle women are gathering via Zoom. We invite any woman interested in joining us to contact leader Susan Schwarz at susan10748@aol.com or call 301-339-8242.
Stephen Ministry: Trained lay-people provide comfort to those who need a listening ear as they navigate life challenges like birth and death, job changes, divorce, illness, or depression and stress. Contact Pastor Kate (kfulton@stpaulsk.org) to learn more.
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Scripture for July 25, 2021
John 6:1-21
1After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. 2A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” 6He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” 8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” 10Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. 11Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” 13So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 14When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”
15When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
16When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. 20But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.
(New Revised Standard Version)
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Contact us! ● 301-933-7933 ● stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org ● stpaulsk.org
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