What’s Happening at St. Paul’s- 12-11-20

What’s Happening at St. Paul’s

As the nights grow longer toward December 21, the longest night of the year, we remember those who are without shelter. We remember them, particularly because the God of compassion and mercy calls us to help those in desperate need:  our neighbors who are struggling financially and those who have no shelter. My thanks go to you parishioners who have given so regularly and generously to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund. You are an example of the words in the Bidding Prayer of Advent, “And because God particularly loves them, let us remember in God’s name the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry and the oppressed, the sick and those who mourn, the lonely and unloved, the aged and little children…” (Book of Occasional Services, p. 33)

Equally important is for us to pray for those in trouble and those who have died in distress. Many of us are familiar with the Tedford Housing, Inc. annual Homeless Memorial Service that remembers those who are homeless and who have died in the past year. It is a Brunswick Community service. 

Please mark your calendars for the annual outdoor Homeless Memorial Service, Monday, December 21, 5:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s.

Dress warmly and gather in the circle drive on Pleasant Street. We will hear from the new Executive Director of Tedford Housing, Rota Knott, say a prayer, read a special reading and name those who have died in 2020.

We will observe CDC precautions. Please wear a mask, but we will provide one if you don’t have one.

Advent peace to you all,
Carolyn+


Third Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 13, 2020
10:30 a.m. Spiritual Eucharist
Worship Booklet
Worship Summary
 St. Paul’s Announcements

Readings
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11          1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8,19-28           Psalm 126
The Lectionary Page 

Family Worship

Sunday, December 13, 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

Sunday Parish Fellowship Time
Click here to join the Sunday Parish Fellowship Time
Sunday, 11:30 am

Join in for a facilitated virtual gathering to check in with each other and explore the morning’s sermon. 

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS AT ST. PAUL’S
Blue Christmas Worship online from the Washington National Cathedral
Wednesday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m., 
https://cathedral.org/christmas/

4th Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 20
9:30 a.m. Family Worship on Zoom
10:30 a.m. Spiritual Eucharist from the Nave on St. Paul’s Facebook 

Christmas Eve
Thursday, December 24
4:00 – 4:45 p.m. Zoom Family Service Live with Nativity Video of St. Paul’s people in Costume

5:30 – 5:50 p.m. Come to Union Street Parking lot for Christmas Eve Candle Lighting.

7:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Spiritual Eucharist streamed from the Nave on St. Paul’s Facebook live

Christmas Day
Friday, December 25
10:00 a.m. Christmas Day Spiritual Eucharist
streamed from the Nave on St. Paul’s Facebook live

First Sunday after Christmas
Sunday, December 27
No 9:30 Family Worship today
10:30 a.m. Diocesan “Spiritual Eucharist” on St. Paul’s FacebookParish

Announcements

Upcoming Worship & Activities
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.

Christmas Flowers — If you would like to remember loved ones with a donation toward Christmas Decorations and Flowers for the chancel, please mail your contribution to St. Paul’s, PO Box 195, Brunswick, ME 04011 or go to stpaulsmaine.org and from the Home page click on “make donation” then select “Give to Flowers: Special Contribution” by December 14. Please include the name of the person(s) when making your donation.

Christmas Giving Tree — This year our Giving Tree requests are for gift cards that families can use for not only small gifts but also for essentials. We will have tags with a name and type of gift card that will help fulfill a child, teen, or family’s wish. Please purchase gift cards in smaller denominations of $15 & $25. We will sort the cards and make sure that every child, teen, and family on our list receives something. This year we are adding gift cards to area food stores as well as gas cards to be given to many of the kinship families that are in the most need. We would like all gift cards sent to the church by today, December 13th. (St. Paul’s PO Box 195 Brunswick, ME 04011). Look for information about giving online in St. Paul’s emails.

Anniversary Christmas Ornaments
In this time apart, wouldn’t you like to be reminded of the 175th anniversary of our church? We have a perfect reminder for you: a lovely anniversary ornament to hang throughout the holiday season. $20 apiece. Please let Carol Martin, Nancy Whitehouse, or Anne Banks know if you would like us to get one to you. Payment can be sent to the church, earmarked for the 175th anniversary committee. Enjoy!

While the Fair is over, it’s not too late to give.
Please consider a donation to the Outreach Fund to help offset a potential decrease in fair profits because of Covid-19 restrictions. Donations can be sent to the church office or made online at https://stpaulsmaine.breezechms.com/give/online
 
Faith Filled Generosity — If you haven’t already made your pledge, there are two easy ways to complete the form. Just go to St. Paul’s website, there you can download and print out a form or chose a link below. Then just fill it out and mail it back to the church at St. Paul’s, PO Box 195, Brunswick, ME 04011. If you prefer you can fill out the online form also found on the Giving page of our website. Thank you!

Find a pledge form here: Online pledge form here.  Click here to download and print a pledge form, then complete and mail to St. Paul’s PO Box 195 Brunswick, ME 04011.

Looking Ahead
Wednesday, January 6, 7pm –
First Wednesday All-Parish Hymn Sing – Zoom
Friday, January 8 
– Annual Reports due
Sunday, January 17, 4:00 p.m.
– Zoom Small Group Soup and Scripture chat. Join us to eat your warm soup and to chat over the Scripture passage: Mark 1:14 -20, the call of Simon and Andrew.
Sunday, January 24 Zoom all-parish Annual Meeting:
Presentation of Ministry Reports, Pledging and Financial Reports, 2021 Budget and Parish Election.
Sunday, January 31, 3:30 pm – St. Paul’s parking lot in-person gathering outdoors, candle lighting vigil to renew our baptismal covenant and pray for peace.

Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program
The COVID-19 virus is raging across the country. Maine has experienced a sharp increase over the past two weeks and this has put a significant strain on the mission of MCHPP. Families and people of all ages who had never been clients are increasing the number who need assistance. Please consider writing a check in any amount to support them. If possible, if your budget can afford it, set a recurring amount that you can give each month. Please send your check to Mid Coast Hunger Prevention, 12 Tenney Way, Brunswick, ME 04011.

Prayer Requests
Pray for St. Barnabas’ in RumfordPray for all immigrants and refugees and the ministries that serve themPray for Anderson, Andrew, Cedric, Jason, Michael, Richard, and all in the military.

We pray for Spencer Smith, Brunswick High School sophomore who died last week. We ask God’s loving-kindness and consolation on his family.

Thanksgiving for the birth of Johann, Pam and Tom Nugent’s grandson.

We pray for:
Christy, Ryan & family, Ethel, Ray, John, David, Judi, Nick, Bob, Kathy, Skip, the Blackburn family, Willow, Tierra, Ann, Jim, Lollie, Steve, James, Nia, Linda, Dave, Caroline, Jeffrey, Arthur, Tracey, Carol, and Roger W.
Jennifer, John, Reeve, Victor, Travis & family, Ben, Diane, Nate, Elijah, Priscilla, Garrett, Elliot, Marcia, Lynn, Peter, Patricia, Pat-rick, Bill, Bob, Paul, Sue, Julie, Harlan, Nan, Clare, Cameron, Linton, and Barbara
Matthew, Herb, baby Savannah, Gair, baby Thomas, Jason, Annie, Carole, Arline, Franklin, Terry, Mark, Donelda, and Sudie, Pat, Marie, Michael, and Jim, Debbie, Carol, Robbie, Ron, and Hope

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.

Click here for this week’s calendar