Greetings from St. Paul’s 7.24.20
This Sunday we will try on worship in a new way! We will be worshiping with the Diocese through a prerecorded video. You will find that worship service on our facebook page Sunday morning, and we will still gather for coffee hour via Zoom at 11:30. As always, we welcome your feedback. One of the gifts of this particular service is that we will be invited to join in Spiritual Eucharist, part of which I had the honor of celebrating from our very own Nave. So, what does “Spiritual Eucharist” mean? While the hunger to share in the body of Christ around the Altar can’t be fed in the same way in this particular moment, we can still come together as we honor our connection to the Communion of Saints. In using prayers for Spiritual Eucharist we acknowledge our longing for this sacrament that we can’t receive in person, and we spiritually welcome the sacrament into our hearts as members of the Body of Christ. The prayer for Spiritual Communion has been used by many over the centuries who longed for the sacrament, yet for a variety of reasons did not have access to it. The following prayer is by St. Alphonsus de Liguori. It is perhaps, one of the most famous prayers for this spiritual sacrament. Below is an excerpt from a worship service in March from the National Cathedral in Washington. “A spiritual communion is a personal devotional that anyone can pray at any time to express their desire to receive Holy Communion at that moment, but in which circumstances impede them from actually receiving Holy Communion. The presider invites the following prayer to be said by all: My Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. I love you above all things, and long for you in my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though you have already come, I embrace you and unite myself entirely to you; never permit me to be separated from you. Amen. (St. Alphonsus de Liguori, 1696-1787)” I hope these words of St. Alphonsus draw your heart, mind and spirit more deeply into the trust we share in God. That no matter what is happening in the world, no matter what concerns we may carry, God is at work and we still bask in the splendor of our sacramental faith. While we will be sharing a different prayer for Spiritual Eucharist this Sunday, I look forward to trying on this new way of worship with you all the same! In addition, please do know that I am available to you all and covering any needs that arise while Carolyn is on vacation. I can be reached at katieholicky@stpaulsmaine.org and at (804)839-2833. I typically take sabbath Friday and Saturday, however, will be occasionally checking my phone for calls and texts should there be an emergency. Peace, Rev. Katie Holicky Assistant Rector for Children and Youth |
| The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost July 26, 2020 10:30 Spiritual Eucharist from the Diocese of Maine Click to link to Worship Booklet Click to link to Announcements Click here to join the St. Paul’s Zoom Coffee Hour Sunday, at 11:30 am Click here for a Zoom meeting How-To & Tips Readings Genesis 29:15-28 Psalm 128 Romans 8:26-39 Matthew 13:31-33,44-52 The Lectionary Page |
| Family Worship Sunday, July 26, 9:30 a.m. Rev. Katie Holicky and musician Susan Brown will lead us in a time of song, prayer, story and sharing with our friends! Here is the link for the Zoom gathering.Click here for the 9:30 Family Worship Booklet |
| Parish Announcements The rector will be away July 17 to August 18. For any pastoral emergencies during this time, please contact The Rev. Katie Holicky, at katieholicky@stpaulsmaine.org and at (804)839-2833. This Sunday, July 26 at 10:30 a.m. – The pre-recorded “Spiritual Eucharist” will be our St. Paul’s worship, offered by the Diocese of Maine. Join us as it will feature members of St. Paul’s and our clergy. This worship service will be viewable on St. Paul’s Facebook page. Daily Morning Prayer and Compline – Join us every morning and evening on St. Paul’s Facebook Live for Morning Prayer and Compline, 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Podcast Series on Hope Faith in Maine offers a series of audio essays on the concept of hope by Rev. Martin Smith. The series runs Monday, June 15 until Monday, August 3. Find Faith in Maine at http://faithinmaine.org/ or anywhere you download podcasts. Parish Office Staff Hours for July & August: (*with the exception of 7/29, 8/5 & 8/12 for Rev. Carolyn Rev. Carolyn during her vacation when the office will be closed.)  Precautions to Observe While you are in the building of St. Paul’s We want parishioners and guests to be able to contact staff members in person while at the same time we take the Maine CDC recommended precautions. The hallway off the Union Street parking lot to the office and the office itself are the only areas open. Call or email the staff member working that day to alert them you’ll be coming and use the intercom at the parking lot door to call them to open the door when you arrive. Wear a mouth and nose covering when in the building. We have a mask to give you. Use hand sanitizer to wash hands. (Restrooms and kitchen will be closed.) We will provide hand sanitizer stations along the hallway off the Union Street parking lot. Please be sure to sign in. Observe distancing precautions: 6 feet apart. No more than four will be in the building at a time. |
| Prayer Requests Pray for the summer chapel congregations of St. Philip’s by-the-Sea in Fortunes Rocks and St. Martin’s in-the-Field in Biddeford Pool and for all of the New England dioceses of Province One.Pray for Anderson, Andrew, Cedric, Jason, Michael, Richard, and all in the military. We pray for: Christy, Mathew, Ryan & family, Ethel, Ray, John, David, Judi, Carolyn B., Nick, Bob, Linda, Kathy, Skip, the Blackburn family, Willow, Tierra, Bill, Ann, Susan, Jessica, Jim, Lollie, and SteveReeve, Victor, Travis & family, Ben, Diane, Nate, Elijah, Priscilla, Rick R., Alison, Garrett, Elliot, Marcia, Hannah, Lynn, Peter, Carolyn, Patricia, Patrick, Bill, Bob, and Paul Melissa & family, the Hawkes family, Marnie, Gair, Sharon and family, baby Thomas, Jason, Peg & family, Annie, Sarah, Carole, Patrick, Liam, Arline, Franklin, Terry, Mark, Alan, and Ronda Call or email the parish office if you would like a name to be placed on the prayer list. The names will be removed after three months, unless otherwise notified. |
| St. Paul’s Celebrates 175 Years of Our Body of Christ The St. Paul’s Gratitude Project of making and collecting 175 items of warm clothing is making continuous gradual progress. The total of warm clothing items collected is now 87, which puts us more than half-way towards our goal, thanks in part to an encouraging boost from a generous donation of unused flannel shirts. In the meanwhile, Holy Stitchers are industriously working on projects, many hats, scarves, mittens, and socks. Anyone in the congregation is welcome to join in, both in making items or in donating. Anyone who would like to use some of our “stash” of donated yarn should contact either Charla Spann or Carol Martin. (We have tubs of donated yarn in the attic. Fortunately, a good number of our items for the Gratitude Project are helping to use up at least a little of our collective stash.) At least part of the point of the Gratitude Project is to give us a concrete focus for the gratitude we feel for 175 years of congregational flourishing. At points, our existence may have seemed more a matter of survival, but survive we did, and we’re still here to worship in and serve our community. |
| Community Information Contribute to the Diocese-Wide Anti-Hunger Initiative Join congregations and individuals in the diocese to help feed those in need and assist Maine farmers. This spring, the diocese and several parish partners purchased many pounds of Aroostook County potatoes. These were bought from farmers whose crops would have otherwise spoiled because they were unable to get them to market in the pandemic. They were driven by donated trucks to food pantries throughout the state. The diocese is now expanding their response to local food insecurity beginning with a second purchase of 30,000 pounds or more of potatoes through the Maine Farmers Exchange. Their immediate goal is to raise $5,000 to purchase the next truckload and make shipping arrangements. Please consider making a contribution. You can donate by check made out to Episcopal Diocese of Maine with subject line “Food Insecurity Fund” mailed to: Attn: John Hennessy Episcopal Diocese of Maine PO Box 4036 Portland, ME 04101 They also have set up some ways for you to give electronically: Mobile app – Download the GivePlus mobile app on the App Store or on Google Play, enter our zip code “04101”, select “Episcopal Diocese of Maine” and give. Visit episcopalmaine.org – Easily enter your donation from our website. Click on the “donate” button on the top of the home page. Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program Our country is going through a very rough period now with the COVID-19 virus, high unemployment, and businesses not being able to operate at full capacity. Mid Coast Hunger is also going through a rough period. Many organizations, clubs, and churches that support their effort to feed the hungry have not been able to donate non-perishable items. They have had to use limited cash to purchase these items in order to meet the need. School will soon be in session and MCHPP will be feeding students whether in school or at home. We can continue to support them with donations. A check in any amount would be greatly appreciated. Please mail your check directly to them at 12 Tenney Way, Brunswick. Thank you for your continued support in this crucial time. Local Brunswick Support Resources: https://www.facebook.com/groups/support.brunswick/ https://fredhorch.wordpress.com/support-brunswick/ |
| St. Paul’s Online This Week Click to Join Sunday 7/26 Zoom 9:00 am Youth Prayer Zoom 9:30 am Family Worship Facebook 10:30 am Diocesan Worship Zoom 11:30 am Virtual Coffee Hour In person at St. Paul’s Memorial Garden Zoom (in case of rain)1:00 pm Middle & High Schoolers Monday-Saturday Facebook 7:30 am Morning Prayer Facebook 7:30 pm Compline Tuesday 7/28 Zoom 9:30 am Holy Stitchers Zoom 12:30 pm Bible Study Wednesday 7/29 See meeting format 7:30 am Contact Al Niese 406-2396 Rick Wile 756-0095 Paul Womer 449-7425 Contact leaders to receive updates each week time and location dependent on weather. Contact Julia Walkling, 725-6353 or Pam Nugent, 737-2369 Wednesday Afternoon Bible Study Thursday 7/30 Zoom 11:00 am Healing Prayer Service Zoom Noon Prayer Group The group is taking a summer break Women’s Group |
