What’s Happening at St. Paul’s 1-29
 What’s Happening at St. Paul’s |
 Remember the Light: a Quiet Morning in late Epiphany Saturday, February 6, 2021 9-11 a.m. via Zoom This past year’s pandemic and political chaos, continuing now into this new year, have darkened and damaged so much in our lives. How can it be that “darkness is not dark to you, O Lord,” when so much is amiss? But the opening of John’s gospel tells us that “light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” The light is there, even if we can’t see it. Mark saw the good news of Jesus even as Jerusalem burned. The light of God is here, among us, no matter the situation. So now, in the waning days of Epiphany, it seems a good time to offer a Quiet Morning on Light, to help us remember the promise of light and hope given to us in Jesus. If you’d like to take part, please email the church office stpauls@stpaulsmaine.org or me maryleewile@gmail.com and I will send along some preliminary handouts and a link to the Zoom gathering. And remember to look for the light: days really are getting longer! Mary Lee Sunday, January 31 The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany  9:30 a.m. Family Worship Rev. Carolyn Eklund, Rev. Mary Lee Wile, 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  10:30 a.m. Pre-recorded St. Paul’s Spiritual Eucharist Thank you to all who participated in the pre-recording of today’s 10:30 service! Click on the links below: To watch for the Worship Booklet for the St. Paul’s Announcements Readings Deuteronomy 18:15-20 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Mark 1:21-28 Psalm 111 Lectionary Page  Explore the Sermon over coffee on Zoom Sunday, 11:30 am Join in for a facilitated virtual gathering to check in with each other and explore the morning’s sermon. Parish Announcements  Annual Meeting of St. Paul’s The Annual Report can be view here by clicking here. It is also posted on our website stpaulsmaine.org Those wanting a hard copy, please contact stpauls@stpaulsmaine.org. A recording of the meeting can be view here passcode: iT5^eYb9  Lenten Meditation Booklets are now available! You may pick up a copy during Parish Office Hours or on Ash Wednesday at the Parking Lot Liturgy (10 am—11:30 am) Upcoming Worship & Activities Rev. Katie Holicky is on vacation from January 31—February 10. During that time please contact Rev. Carolyn Eklund for pastoral needs. The Vestry has approved the 2021 budget totaling $508,602.24 which includes a 3% increase in pledges. Thank you for your pledge. If you haven’t submitted your pledge we eagerly will accept it! Even if you give automatically through electronic giving, we still need your 2021 pledge for our records. Please contact Susan Tyler to make your pledge for 2021. Parishioners who would like giving envelopes please contact the church office to arrange delivery or pick up. 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. Wednesday, February 3 at 7:00 p.m. Join the All-Parish Hymn Sing on Zoom! A reminder and link will be emailed. Zoom Meeting ID: 895 0389 3668 , Passcode: 520194 Looking Ahead February 17, Ash Wednesday 10:00 a.m.—Parking Lot Liturgy Blessing of the ashes after which we will be present until 11:30 to distribute your own ashes and the St. Paul’s Lenten Daily Meditations booklet written by St. Paul’s parishioners. Noon – Ash Wednesday Spiritual Eucharist with music on Facebook February 21, First Sunday of Lent 10:30 Spiritual Eucharist, The Great Litany February 20 (back-up date February 21) – Ice Fishing Drop-in 11:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.—Ice Fishing Outing at Pleasant Pond. Contact katieholicky@stpaulsmaine.org for information and to sign up. Third Sundays from 4:00 -5:00 p.m. – Zoom Soup and Scripture Chat February 21, Mark 8:31-38 March 21, Mark 11:1-11 April 18, John 10:12-18 First Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. – Zoom Hymn Sings February 3 and March 3 Zoom Lenten Program Offered by the Society of Saint John the Evangelist Believed to be the last Gospel written (by whom is a bit of a question, although many believe that John is John the son of Zebedee), the Gospel of John is beloved by many. Because it is not one of the Synoptic Gospels, which tell what Jesus did, John’s Gospel dwells more on who Jesus is, most obviously in his “I am” statements. The author’s self-proclaimed purpose in writing this Gospel is explained in John 20:30-31: “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” Many people love John’s Gospel for its beautiful poetic language, its “spirituality of love and intimacy,” and its frequent use of symbolic language and metaphors, but those very things that are unique about the Gospel also can make it difficult to understand. The Society of Saint John the Evangelist (SSJE), an Episcopal monastery in Massachusetts, is offering a Zoom “eight-week retreat and course of study” that “will provide an overview of the Gospel of John and introduce participants to its major themes.” Br. David Vryhof is the presenter. Here are all the details you need to know to sign up. Registration: https://www.ssje.org/prayingjohn/ Dates: Tuesdays—February 9, 16, 23, March 2 (not March 9), 16, 23, 30, April 6 Time: 7:30 p.m.-8:15 p.m. This is such a special opportunity, and it’s free. I hope many of you will participate. Pam Nugent Adult Formation Participate in an Upcoming Dio-Wide Online Service The Diocese is looking for volunteer readers for the upcoming diocesan-wide online worship services! If you would like to share your gifts with the diocese in this way, please contact Director of Communications Katie Clark at kclark@episcopalmaine.org. Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program Last week I received a report card from MCHPP. I want to let you know what they are facing. The figures are BEFORE and during the first part of the COVID-19 pandemic. Between July 2019 and June 2020, they served over 5,000 clients from 6 surrounding counties. These clients were served 580,000 meals. They operate 8 different programs. A couple of these programs are the backpack program for the schools and remote food panties. I would also like to tell you how they spend the money they receive: 81% is spent on their programs, 9% on fundraising and 10% on administration. The money used to support their programs comes from these sources: 4% comes from the United Way, 7% from the government, 13% from grants and 76% from donations. These are donations that you and I make to help feed those who are in need of food. Any amount that you can give will enable them to continue their mission to help those in need. Their address is MCHPP, 12 Tenney Way, Brunswick, ME 04011. Prayer Requests Pray St. Bartholomew’s in YarmouthPray for the sick and those who care for them Pray for Anderson, Andrew, Cedric, Jason, Michael, Richard, and all in the military. Altar flowers were given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the 60th anniversary of Ellen and Allen Shaver. We pray for: Christy, Ryan & family, Ray, John, David, Judi, Nick, Bob, Kathy, Skip, the Blackburn family, Willow, Ann, Jim, Lollie, James, Nia, Linda, Dave, Caroline, Jeffrey, Carol, Roger W, Harlan, and Shirley Jennifer, John, Reeve, Victor, Travis & family, Ben, Diane, Nate, Priscilla, Garrett, Elliot, Marcia, Lynn, Bill, Bob, Paul, Sue, Nan, Clare, Cameron, Barbara, Carol, Chris+, Christy, Michael, Ryan, and Jacob Matthew, Herb, Gair, baby Thomas, Jason, Annie, Terry, Mark, Donelda, Sudie, Pat, Marie, Michael, Debbie, Carol, Robbie, Ron, Hope, Therese, Lois, Bob, Sally, and Virginia 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 |
