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Weekly News for April 28, 2024
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Greetings Beloved,
Have you ever been at the right place at the right time? Sometimes, we are perfectly positioned to receive an unexpected blessing. Other times we find ourselves called into unexpected service.
The latter was the case for one of our staff this past Tuesday. While walking in the park that morning, a cry for help was heard, and our staff person immediately responded, as did others who had also heard. Someone was experiencing a medical emergency, and our staff performed life saving measures until EMS arrived.
This could very easily have been the moment where staff left to head to work. But instead, staff remained, offering prayer and other support to the victim’s loved one. And as difficult as this situation was to live through, it is overwhelmingly clear that God placed our staff at the right place at the right time.
There are times when we receive divine nudges to travel a particular route, call a specific person, or do something seemingly simple but unbeknownst to us, divinely influential.
On the day in question, our staff had almost talked themselves out of taking a walk in the park. But God had other plans.
You may not be called to perform CPR or administer first aid, but whatever God nudges you to do, will definitely be life giving.
So the next time you feel the nudge of the Holy Spirit, lean into it. Because you never know the impact you might have on the day and the life of another.
And thank you Erin Bone Steele, for following the nudge of God on Tuesday.
~ Pastor Pat
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Worship at 10:30 only for Heritage Sunday with Special Sipping Ministry Fellowship Hour
Sunday, April 28
St. Paul's will have one worship service at 10:30 this week. We welcome back our former associate pastor, Rev. Claire Matheny, as the guest preacher for Heritage Sunday and we'll recognize those who have been members of St. Paul's for 50 years. Immediately following the service, enjoy a robust Sipping Ministry time of fellowship with drinks and refreshments, sponsored by church leaders serving in the Simplified Accountability Model.
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Notes for Confirmands
Sunday, April 28
We have seven youth journeying along the path of faith formation in Confirmation Class. Sunday April 28, 2024 is the deadline to leave a note in the basket in the Narthex. Please drop words of encouragement, your favorite scripture, or a prayer in the designated Narthex basket for our confirmation class students. Please do not address these notes to individual confirmands by name - notes will be divided among all the confirmands and presented as part of their welcome into membership at their confirmation on Pentecost Sunday.
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Pastor Joey's General Conference Q&A
May 8, 2024
7:00-8:00 PM by Zoom
Rev. Joey Heath-Mason is attending the United Methodist Church’s General Conference in Charlotte NC, and will be out of the office until May 1. Please contact Pastor Pat for all pastoral needs. Pastor Joey is offering a post-General Conference Q&A session on May 8, 7:00-8:00 PM by Zoom! This is an opportunity to ask questions about what has just happened and any particular changes that have been made. All are invited to bring questions and Pastor Joey will do his best to respond. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87301455402
Meeting ID: 873 0145 5402
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Committal Service for Becky Little
Wednesday, May 1, 11:00 AM
A Service of Committal will be held in the Columbarium to celebrate the life of Mrs. Becky Little, who was a member of St. Paul’s from 1955 to her death on January 21, 2024, at age 106. Family and friends are invited to attend.
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This Sunday: Children's News
Sunday, April 28
Children attend worship in the Sanctuary with their families this week for our special event, Heritage Sunday, and will have a Children's Moment during the service. Children will also be in worship with their families next week, May 5, as is usual for the first Sunday of the month. “Busy Bags” with quiet children’s activities can be found at the welcome desk. Childcare for infants and preschoolers is available in the Nursery on the second floor at 10:30. To receive Sunday School updates by email, contact Dr. Meg Baker (mbaker@stpaulsk.org). For news about Children's Choir, contact Christina Griffin directly (clgriff18@gmail.com).
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Last Week for Support for Key Bridge Victims
Closes April 28
While monetary support can never replace the loss of a loved one, we can help ease the burden of the eight families immediately affected by this tragedy. You are invited to make a donation by check or cash, or by using the miscellaneous option at stpaulsk.org/giving. Please note “Key Bridge” in your memo line or send a note with your donation. St. Paul’s will ensure funds reach the families through established groups officially recognized by Baltimore authorities to aid Key Bridge victims’ families. It doesn’t have to happen in our neighborhood for us to be of help!
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Educational Award
Apply by May 5
These modest but meaningful monetary awards are a sign of St. Paul’s support for our graduating high school seniors entering their next phase of education or training. The application deadline is Sunday, May 5, and only those who apply can be considered! Go to stpaulsk.org/community/youth to apply. To make a donation to the Educational Award fund, please make checks payable to St. Paul’s or use the Miscellaneous option at stpaulsk.org/giving with “Ed Award” in the memo.
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New Pastoral Appointment
St. Paul's leaders are delighted to announce Bishop LaTrelle Easterling has appointed Rev. Sheridan B. Allmond as the next senior pastor of our congregation. She will begin her new responsibilities with us on July 1, 2024. Read more about Rev. Allmond at stpaulsk.org/we-are-all-about/the-pastors-page For questions about appointment process and clergy transitions, contact Jenny Lipford, SPRC chair, at jennymariev@hotmail.com.
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Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, May 4, serving 8:00-10:30 AM.
Our all-you-care-to-eat Community Pancake Breakfast, sponsored by our United Methodist Men's group, serves breakfast in the Fellowship Hall. Enjoy pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, and other breakfast foods. Families are asked to make a generous donation at the door to support St. Paul's and worthy local charities. NOTE: Howard Avenue will be closed for the Kensington Car Show on May 4; use an alternate route to the church.
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Looking Ahead: Committal Service for Ida DeVierno
Sunday, May 12, 11:45 AM
A Service of Committal will be held in the Columbarium to celebrate the life of Mrs. Ida DeVierno, who was a member of St. Paul’s from 1960 to her death on March 8, 2024. This service of committal will take place immediately following the regular 10:30 Sunday worship service.
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Looking Ahead: RSVP for the African American History Museum Trip
Saturday, May 18, time TBD
All members and friends are invited to explore the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. We will meet directly at the museum. RSVP by May 13 using the form here: https://tinyurl.com/stpaulsaamuseum and Rachel Stalcup will coordinate obtaining the required timed-entry tickets and confirm our exact time (museum hours are 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM). Contact Rachel at rachelstalcup@gmail.com with any questions.
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Love Offering For Pastor Pat
Now-June 2
To commemorate all of the blessings Pastor Pat has brought to St. Paul's, we are collecting a Love Offering as she moves into retirement. You may contribute by check made out to St. Paul's UMC with “Pastor Pat Love Offering” in the memo, or online using the miscellaneous option at stpaulsk.org/giving. Gifts received on or before June 2 will be presented to Pastor Pat on her last Sunday, June 9.
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Looking Ahead: Book Drive
June 16-July 7
St. Paul’s will be collecting new and "like-new" gently used books for the Montgomery County Correctional Facility Library, to better the lives and minds of those in correctional facilities and those re-entering the community. We seek current best-sellers and popular authors (like Stephen King, James Patterson, or Nora Roberts), and nonfiction published in the last five years. A drop-off table will be in the Narthex June 16-July 7, or make a monetary donation to St. Paul’s UMC with “Prison Books” in the check memo or use the Miscellaneous option at stpaulsk.org/giving. Contact Travis Stalcup with questions: travisstalcup@gmail.com.
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Register Now for Vacation Bible School
June 17-21, 9:00AM-12:00 noon, at Bethesda UMC.
St. Paul’s is partnering with Bethesda UMC and Chevy Chase UMC to bring Vacation Bible School to kids age 3 through Grade 5. All activities will take place at Bethesda UMC (8300 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda, MD). Go to https://vbspro.events/p/events/d42030 to register. Contact Meg Baker at mbaker@stpaulsk.org if you have questions.
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Ongoing Activities - Click on each heading to learn more.
Sermon Safari Bible Study Wednesdays, 4:00-5:00 PM by Zoom, led by Dr. Meg Baker. Join us for this come-when-you-can drop-in Bible Study via Zoom. We will view and discuss a sermon by a different speaker each week. For more information or to receive the Zoom link, contact Meg at mbaker@stpaulsk.org.
Pancake Breakfast - Our all-you-care-to-eat Community Pancake Breakfast, sponsored by our United Methodist Men's group, serves breakfast in the Fellowship Hall on the first Saturday of the month Sept-June. Families are asked to make a generous donation at the door to support St. Paul's and worthy local charities.
Feeding Hungry Neighbors - This signature ministry provides resources for over 130 families each month facing food insecurity in the 20895 ZIP code. Volunteers, financial contributions, and/or donations of shelf-stable pantry staples are welcome! (Please, no glass and no expired items.) Pick up a flyer in the Narthex or visit stpaulsk.org/service/hunger-ministry for details.
Church Directory: Copies of the church directory are available for pick-up. Visit the Epistle stand by the Narthex exterior doors or the wall rack by the main office door. Please take one!
Taste & Sing: Third Tuesday each month, September-May. Enjoy a casual hymn-sing with favorites by request, a short program about the stories behind some of our worship songs, and a tasty lunch. ($5 donation.) No musical expertise necessary!
Sipping Ministry Fellowship Time: A Sipping Ministry gathering happens any time a family, class, or group volunteers to hos after worship. If you would like to host, please see the sign-up chart on the office bulletin board for available dates, and take an instruction sheet. https://stpaulsk.org/community/calendar-events.
Music: Sanctuary Choir for adults and advanced youth rehearses each Sunday at 9:30 AM, sings at 10:30, and continues to welcome new members! Joyful Ringers bells welcome all ringers with rehearsals 7:00-8:30 PM on most Wednesdays. Contact Tom Pedersen, director, at tpedersen@stpaulsk.org. Children's Choir rehearsal happens during the school year after the 10:30 service in the Multi-Purpose Room, 11:45-12:30 - for the current schedule, please email Christina Griffin at clgriff18@gmail.com.
Sanctuary Flower Sponsors: To sponsor flowers, add your name to an open spot on the flower chart in the main office, then provide your dedication wording using the yellow form. The cost is $45.
Still Wednesday: Meets most Wednesdays, 7:00-8:00 PM in the Sanctuary. Give yourself the gift of stillness and calm with this hour of contemplative communal prayer. Read more at stpaulsk.org/worship/still-wednesday or contact Kenzie Raulin (kenzier@rcn.com)
Lay Readers Wanted: If you would like to assist in worship by serving as lay reader for 9:00 service, please Click HERE to go to the 9:00 sign up sheet. If reading at the 10:30 service appeals to you, please email Meg Baker at mbaker@stpaulsk.org.
Epistle Announcements: Announcements and news for our large-format monthly newsletter should be submitted by the 15th of each month in order to appear in the next issue. Visit stpaulsk.org/community/epistle-weekly-news and use the form.
Lydia Circle: The Lydia Circle sisters are meeting the first Wednesday of each month at 2:30 PM. Ladies should contact Susan Schwarz at susan10748@aol.com or 301-339-8242.
Yarn Ministry: Bring your knitting, crochet, or other projects and craft along with friends. Contact Karen Codner for details: kdc811@gmail.com. The meeting schedule for 2024 is available at stpaulsk.org/community/calendar-events.
St. Paul's Online Shop: We're offering two colorful T-shirt designs. Visit stpaulsk.myspreadshop.com to see the options!
Prayer Request: 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. You can also contact Meg Baker at mbaker@stpaulsk.org.
Stephen Ministry: Trained lay-people provide comfort and a confidential listening ear for those who are navigating life challenges like birth and death, job changes, divorce, illness, or depression and stress. Contact Meg Baker (mbaker@stpaulsk.org) to learn more.
Inclement Weather Policies: St. Paul's follows Montgomery County Schools students' schedule announcements for weather-related delays or closures. You can read more here: stpaulsk.org/we-are-all-about For Sunday worship, the pastors will make a determination about in-person worship by 5:00 PM the night before.
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Scripture for April 28, 2024
John 15:9-17
9“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
12“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing, but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.”
(New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)
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Contact us! ● 301-933-7933 ● stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org ● stpaulsk.org
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