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Weekly
Postings
news & events
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One of the first things I do every Sunday is check the announcements in the back of the bulletin, to remind myself of what is going on and plan out how best to highlight the church’s activities in the coming days. This past Sunday when I began reading the back of the bulletin, I was startled to realize that there weren’t many special events going on in the week that is now ending. Oh sure, we still had a lot going on. We were still beginning a new adult formation series at 9:30 on Sunday mornings (JESUS SAVES—but how? It’s not too late to join this series on the atonement!). The Sunday afternoon book study of Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul was still meeting, as was the Sit and Wait contemplative prayer group after our regular Celtic service. Wednesday night still had choir practice and Compline. We still had our usual Thursday midday programming, with a Eucharist in the chapel at 11:30 and our Lectio at Lunch bible study at noon. And a dozen ministries and committees continued the quiet work that keeps the building standing and makes all of our worship, outreach, fellowship, and formation happen.
But compared to our usual habits, it looked like a quiet week. And I confess that for just a moment a thought went through my head: how did this happen? What’s wrong?
But of course the only thing that was wrong was that rogue thought, or maybe the deep instincts that prompted them. We’re an active place because we are a gifted people, and with joy and gratitude we proclaim the gospel in wonderfully diverse ways. But busy-ness is not a reliable measure of faithfulness, and at times may even be an ineffective substitute for faithfulness.
I’m reflecting on this for two reasons. First, we sometimes approach Lent as if it were meant to be a feast of self-flagellation, as if the person with the most severe discipline is necessarily the holiest person. I hope that we’re all maintaining whatever commitments we made for this season, but much more than that I hope that this season is a time when we open ourselves up further to the God of love and mercy. That opening up to the nearness of God is not always effected by striving for the greatest degree of pious exhaustion. A normal week in the normal rhythms of faith, without an episode of spiritual super-heroism is a good thing. And second, I’ve heard quite a bit lately about how busy the clergy at Saint Paul’s are, and it’s starting to make me a little uncomfortable. We’re working hard (and it would be a different problem if the general perception was that we weren’t), but we’re working hard precisely as the pastors of this parish. So regardless of how many announcements are in the back of the bulletin, please don’t ever think, “I’d like to talk to Fr. Eric or Mtr. Kimberly, but I don’t want to bother them when they’re so busy.” Your Christian life and our shared witness to the love of God are the bread and butter of the clergy’s work. It’s not something we’re too busy for—it’s the center of our work. We love you. We love serving God with you. We’ll see you Sunday.
Eric+
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HORNSBY PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY | |
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CALLING ALL WANNABE JOCKS AND FRUSTRATED REFS
W. S. Hornsby Elementary School Needs you!
Field Day is scheduled for Friday, April 19, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and Ms. Jacquelyn Williams, physical education teacher, needs 15 volunteers to help with setup and assist with running a variety of games and races. If you thought adolescent soccer games were a challenge, just wait until you help a group of second and third graders run sack races. Yep, they fall down and they can’t get up (without your help). This will be the most fun you will have had since you were that third grader lying on the ground in a burlap bag.
Questions? Email Barbara Coleman or call at 706-495-1884.
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EVENTS THIS SUNDAY | March 3 | |
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Sunday Worship Schedule for 03/03/24
8 AM Rite I
11 AM Rite II
11 AM Facebook Live
11 AM YouTube Live
5:30 PM - Celtic Evening Prayer & Communion
6:30 PM - Compline + Sit and Wait (Chapel)
All of our Sunday worship services are in-person.
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Biscuits for Breakfast this Sunday
Sunday, 9 - 10 AM Tyler Hall
Busy morning? We have McDonald's biscuits this Sunday in Tyler Hall at 9 AM. Donations welcomed.
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JESUS SAVES—but how?
Sundays; February 25 - March 17
9:30 AM, The Berlin Room
We all affirm that God saves us through the work of Jesus. But many of us reject what we learned in Sunday School about "how" God saves us without ever really replacing it. In this series we'll discuss various "theories of the atonement" to move towards a mature gratitude for our redemption.
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St. Nicholas Choir (age 5 - grade 2)
Canterbury Choir (grades 3-9)
Sundays, 9:25 - 10:00 AM
The Canterbury Choir (children in grades 3-9) and the St. Nicholas Choir (age 5 through grade 2) will meet this week as scheduled.
If you or any family or friends are interested in the choir program, please email Director of Music, Keith Shafer or call (706) 724-2485 ext. 215.
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Godly Play
(grades pk4-2)
Sunday, 10-10:45 AM
St. Francis Room
Kim Butler and Sara Dimsdale will lead our younger children in the Saint Francis Room (Godly Play Room). If your child is in the Saint Nicholas choir, they will transition from choir to formation
Contact Kim Butler for more information.
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Children's Sunday Formation
(grades pk4-5)
Sunday, 10-10:45 AM
St. Patrick's Room
Kitty Gordon will be our lead teacher and we also have volunteers to help teach our older elementary children. They will meet in the Saint Patrick Room (large classroom across from the office). If your child is in the Canterbury choir, they will transition from choir to the formation class.
Contact Kim Butler for more information.
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Middle School Formation
(grades 6-8)
Sunday, 10-10:45 AM
St. Benedict's Room, CMC
Our middle school class continues. Elizabeth Lindroth will lead the class. For more information contact Elizabeth Lindroth.
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Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul
Sunday, February 25
Session 4 of 10, 4:00-5:15 PM, The Berlin Room
Please note the change of start time.
Join us for a new Sunday afternoon formation gathering which precedes the Celtic Service. The clergy will lead a discussion of John Philip Newell’s Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul: Celtic Wisdom for Reawakening to What Our Souls Know and Healing the World. Books are available from many retailers. For more information contact Eric Biddy.
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EYC (Episcopal Youth Community)
Grades 6-12
Sunday, 5-7 PM, St. Bart's
EYC Meets this Sunday at St. Bart's (471 W. Martintown Rd, North Augusta) for dinner and your favorite Minute to Win it challenges. Friends are ALWAYS welcome. For more information contact Elizabeth Lindroth.
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A Service for Quiet for Lent
Sundays, 6:30 PM, Chapel
You’re invited to begin a practice of silence for Lent. Sit and Wait follows the Celtic Service Sunday evenings (6:30 PM). The service begins with a Service of Quiet and will end with a twenty-minute sit. The people end in silence.
Please email Suzanne Pursley-Crotteau or contact by phone at (706) 910-9331 for further information.
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EVENTS NEXT WEEK | March 4 - March 10 | |
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1Book1Diocese Selection for Lent
The Good Life
This Lent, the people of the Diocese of Georgia will consider what makes a life fulfilling and meaningful through the lens of the Harvard Study of Adult Development. The 1Book1Diocese Selection is The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness by Robert Waldinger, MD and Marc Schulz, PhD.
Saint Paul’s will not be convening our regular zoom-based discussion group this time, but we have copies available in the narthex (donation $$20-$30) and the diocese provides reading guides and other materials to enrich your read of this book. You can find those resources in the diocesan newsletter From the Field, and we will link to them in the Weekly Postings each week.
The Good Life is not an intentionally theological text, but the book does open up topics that a church group can discuss with easy connections between this study and our faith in Jesus.
As the authors write, "The good life is joyful ... and challenging. Full of love, but also pain." And for those of us who follow Jesus, the good life is one in which loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself is central. We will see how these two greatest commandments connect to the key insights of the study that is the heart of this book.
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Tuesday's Music Live
Tuesday, March 5, 12 noon
Tuesday’s Music Live 35th season continues Tuesday, March 5, at 12 noon, with a free concert by Astralis Ensemble. More information by calling the Box Office, (706) 722-3463 or tuesdaysmusiclive.com.
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No Compline - ZOOM This week only
Please Note the Change
Wednesdays, 8 - 8:15 PM
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Meeting ID: 595 177 454
Dial-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, those who gather through Zoom have an opportunity for a mid-week visit.
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Mid-Week Eucharist
Thursdays, 11:30 AM
A mid-week Eucharist in the Chapel begins at 11:30 AM. Lunch in the Berlin Room follows at 12 noon with a weekly Bible study (more information below.) Join us as your schedule allows: Come for Eucharist and lunch, lunch and Bible study, or stay for all three. (So that we may honor mid-day schedules, lunch is scheduled for 15 minutes and will continue through the Bible study conversations.)
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Lectio at Lunch
Thursdays, 12 Noon, Tyler Hall
Every Thursday in Tyler Hall you’ll find a lunch combo that can’t be beat! We offer a tasty meal with a generous helping of fellowship, plus a lively discussion arising from the Gospel of Mark. Our text is N.T. Wright’s Mark for Everyone which takes this Gospel in small bites, reflecting on each week’s reading with relevant and important insights. We finish promptly at 1:00 PM and invite you to join us as your schedule allows. You may bring your own lunch or share in the meal provided. Donations accepted.
Questions? Contact Kitty Gordon.
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Veterans' Ice Cream Social
Sunday, March 10, 2:30-3:30 PM
Dish and serve ice cream and cookies at our quarterly Veteran’s Social March 10, 2:30-3:30 PM. We’ll meet at the GA War Veterans’ Nursing Home located at 1101 15th Street to share a dessert and then spend much-appreciated time visiting. All ages are welcome to participate. For more information contact Gene Helmich.
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Hospitality Team Rose Sunday Reception
Sunday, March 10
The Parish Life & Hospitality Committee invites you to make or purchase a dessert or beverage for the Rose Sunday Reception immediately following the concert at 4:00 PM, March 10. Sign up to bring an item and to serve on the hospitality team to set up or clean up.
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Rose Sunday Concert
Sunday, March 10, 4 PM
This year’s annual Rose Sunday Concert at 4:00 PM on March 10th features organist Keith Shafer will play music of Bach, Franck, Stebbins, Bedard, and the Beatles (yes, the Beatles!) The concert is free, and a reception follows in Tyler Hall.
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Dates for Your Calendar
March 18 - Vestry
March 19 - Tuesday's Music Live Concludes
March 21 - Senior Lunch
March 23 - Manna Pantry
March 24 - Holy Week Begins
March 31 - Easter
April 20 - Earth Day Celebration
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Friday Night Fish Fry
March 15, 6-7 PM,
Prep Team begins at noon; Cooking begins 4 PM
You are invited to our Friday Night Fish Fry. The fun starts at noon with a prep team, the cooking team begins at 4 PM, and dinner of fish, fries, hush puppies, and coleslaw from 6-7 PM. Bring your own beverage; tea and water available. As always, we appreciate your gift of time to serve on a parish life team. Sign up for dinner and to volunteer. The Fish Fry takes the place of our Mmm...dinner in March.
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Senior Lunch
March 20, 12 noon, Tyler Hall
Join us for lunch Third Wednesdays each month, at 12 Noon in Tyler Hall. Just a relaxing social time. Lunch is provided but donations welcome. Please sign up in the Narthex on Sunday mornings or on our website using the link below.
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Manna Pantry
Saturday, March 23, 8:15-11:30 AM
Tyler Hall
Manna Pantry provides a box of food six times a year to those in our community who need this supplemental assistance. With your help we will unload the groceries from Golden Harvest, pack food boxes, reload the truck, and deliver all food boxes on Saturday. Sign up for the Manna Pantry Team using the link below. For more information contact Melissa Friedman .
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OTHER RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS | |
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A NOTE ABOUT OUR WEBSITE
We are unable to update our current website, so you'll note our bulletins, Weekly Postings, and assigned readings are not up to date. We are working to find a temporary solution as we continue plans for our new redesign early this year. In the meantime, we will continue to send the Sunday bulletin on Sunday mornings.
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Saint Paul's Faithfulness
(A new budget will be presented)
Offerings Pledged this Week
Pledged Offerings Received this Week
Total Expenses to Date
Total Income Received to Date
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Are we missing your birthday?
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