What’s Happening at St. Paul’s 12-12-2021

What‘s Happening at St. Paul’s 12-12-2021

Last Sunday we gathered together for our first Life Together worship service since the pandemic began. It also happened to be my very first Life Together service with you! It was such a joy to gather together in this special way– one gathered body joyfully praising God! I rejoiced as I heard readings from various generations. I was blessed by our young ones dancing, and even one waving a flag with joy as the choir sang. After worship he proudly told me, “I waved my flag for EVERY song!” A true banner of the joy, hope, love, and peace of the season. As I reflected this week on the delight of the day, and looked again at that little felted cardinal ornament I showed you all during my sermon, I felt a deepening call to consider how I might continue preparing for Jesus this Advent season. (In case you missed seeing the ornament, here is a picture of it perched on our tree.)

This week, one of the things that has become clear to me… is God’s call to slow down and rest. Trusting that in being rested I can hear and see God more clearly. It is so much easier said than done, especially this time of year. And yet, it feels like a holy practice. To slow down knowing the world goes on. To rest knowing that there will always be something to do. To know that the presence of God is with us as we wait and rest in anticipation. How might you, in this busy season, slow down and rest? How might doing so help you be on the lookout for God breaking into the world each day this Advent season? How might the practice of waiting in the presence of God prepare your mind, body, and spirit to welcome Jesus in just a few weeks time? May we all find the grace to slow down and rest. And may we meet God in new ways in doing so.

Join us for worship this Sunday, the third Sunday in Advent! We will welcome back our Rector from her three month sabbatical! Welcome home, Carolyn!

With love,

Rev. Katie Holicky, Assistant Rector

The December Messenger has arrived.

Click here to read all the news!

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS AT ST. PAUL’S

Welcome Home, Carolyn! Our Rector returns from sabbatical.

The Third Sunday of Advent 12/12
9:00 am Family Worship (in the Hall & on Zoom)
10:30 am Eucharist (in the Nave & on Facebook Live)

Blue Christmas Healing Service, Thursday 12/16
11:00 am Blue Christmas service (in the Great Hall & on Zoom)

The Fourth Sunday of Advent 12/19
9:00 am Family Worship (in the Hall & on Zoom)
10:30 am Eucharist (in the Nave & on Facebook Live)

Christmas Eve Worship 12/24

4:00 pm Family Service (in Nave & on Facebook Live)
7:30 pm Candlelight Holy Eucharist (in the Nave & on Facebook Live)

Christmas Day Worship 12/25

10:00 am Holy Eucharist (in the Nave & on Facebook Live)

First Sunday after Christmas 12/26

10:30 am Holy Eucharist (in the Nave & on Facebook Live)

We are now gathering for indoor worship

Please click on this LINK and watch a short video for important information from the Wardens and The Rev. Katie on our regathering.

St. Paul’s Guidance for Indoor, In-Person Worship and Gatherings
Indoor worship begins 11/14
Updated November 5, 2021
Guidelines subject to change as pandemic unfolds.

INDOOR IN-PERSON WORSHIP (Digital worship offered as well!)
Based on the most recent CDC instructions, please follow our guidelines for safer in-person indoor worship:

We will require that you wear a mask. (sanitizer & masks will be at each entrance)
We will require that you sign in for contact tracing purposes.
We will encourage three feet of physical distancing. (Seating will be clearly marked and ushers will help us keep our distance. Please only pass the peace to those near you to limit movement around the Hall and Nave)
We will say the responses, but no congregational singing. (The choir will sing)
We will not come forward to receive the bread or wine; communion of one kind from pews.
We will limit two people or family units in each restroom, masked.
We will not require a limit on the number of people in attendance, and will use the Vestibule for overflow seating at 10:30.
We will not offer in person fellowship after worship.

These are reasons we are able to assemble more safely for indoor in-person worship at this time:

Cumberland County has a high vaccination rate and lower cases than other parts of the state.
St. Paul’s membership has a high vaccination rate, though we are not requiring proof.
The Nave and the Hall are well ventilated. (*Bundle up!)
There will be no congregational singing. (The choir will sing)
There will be no coming forward to receive bread or wine. (Taken individually while seated in pew)
We will continue our contact tracing sign-in upon entering.

INDOOR GATHERINGS AND MEETINGS FOR ST. PAUL’S GROUPS

Masks are required for all people accessing the building.
Sign-in for contact tracing is required.
St. Paul’s fellowship and committee groups may meet in the building. (Please no food at this time. If you need to take a drink, please replace your mask quickly.)
Outdoor receptions may not require masks, but masks are recommended. (We will NOT have indoor receptions at this time.)
No limit on the number of people inside the building.
Limit to two people or family groups in each restroom.

Dear St. Paul’s Parishioners,

What a joy it has been to be back in the Church for the Sunday service! Thanks to Rev. Katie Holicky and the Wardens for helping us take the next step towards normality.

Speaking of “normality,” the members of the Finance Committee are in the annual process of developing budgets for 2022. To that end, they need a good sense of where pledges stand for the next year.

To all of you have submitted your pledge for 2022 we offer a heartfelt, “Thank you!”

If you have not you pledged for 2022, we encourage you to do so. Every pledge in any amount will help us continue to fulfill our mission.

Click here to fill in an electronic 2022 Pledge Card and for an online giving link.

Click here to download a pdf of the 2022 Pledge Card, which you can print and deliver or mail to St. Paul’s (P.O. Box 195, Brunswick, ME 04011).

Blessings to all,

David Treadwell and Bob Jackson
Stewardship Committee, Co-Chairs

Diocese of Maine Hymn Advent Calendar

We are delighted to share this Advent resource with you. Follow along each Advent day in December as we share favorite Advent (and Christmas) hymns and songs, submitted by members, youth, clergy, and staff from all around the diocese!

The link to the Advent calendar is here.

This Sunday, December 12th, 3rd Sunday of Advent

We welcome back our Rector! We missed you, Rev. Carolyn!

Sunday, December 12th The Third Sunday Of Advent

10:30 a.m. Picnic Eucharist in the Nave and on Facebook
Click on the link below to view from home:
To watch on Facebook
for the Worship Booklet
for the St. Paul’s Announcements

Readings

Lectionary Page

Family Ministries Sunday Schedule

9 am Family Picnic Eucharist in the Great Hall & on Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/96617111762?pwd=SGlCQmpXMnYvWTZCNkpzR2dnU1VqQT09

Meeting ID: 966 1711 1762
Passcode: church
Family Worship Bulletin Here

Family Group following worship, ending by 10:15

12-1 pm, 2nd & 4th Sundays Middle & High School Youth Group

Parish Announcements

When Jesus instructed his followers to love their neighbors as themselves, nobody was thinking of vaccines…. read more by Dr. Daniel Summers, M.D., F.A.A.P. Dr. Summers is a pediatrician and regular contributing columnist at Arc Digital, and his writing has appeared in The Washington Post, the New Republic and Slate, among others. Dr. Summers is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in both General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. Dr. Summers is on-staff at Children’s Hospital, and MassGeneral Hospital for Children. He lives in southern Maine with his husband and their four children.

Please follow this link to read more.

Hope for Christmas
For the past few years the St. Pauls’ family had reached out to teens and children in foster and kinship care programs to let them know that they are not forgotten at Christmas. This year you can help by taking a wish off the Christmas tree at the church, fulfilling the wish and returning it to the church by Sunday, December 12th. Another way to help is by donating grocery, store, or gas gift cards that we can give to our Kinship and Foster Families. Any donation will be greatly appreciated and passed on to our families. Thank you for care about the children and families who are often forgotten. Contact Linda Ashe-Ford 207 841 3370 with any questions.

Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program
Unfortunately the price of gas is up, food is up and heating oil is up. The latest report says that 1 in 9 Mainers face food insecurity. You have seen many ads on TV and newspapers asking for coats and toys for children. MCHPP will help fill the need for a Christmas dinner for food insecure families and seniors in our area. Despite our growing economy, the need to support our neighbors is greater than before. Your donation in any amount will help insure that no one who needs assistance goes hungry. Each dollar you give is multiplied 4 times by the buying power of MCHPP. Please send your check to MCHPP, 12 Tenney Way, Brunswick, ME 04011. Thank you for your continued support for our friends and neighbors in the Brunswick area.

Thank you for your support.

St. Paul’s Schedule

Sunday
9:00 a.m. Family Picnic Eucharist in the Great Hall & on Zoom
(ID: 96617111762, Passcode: church)

9:30 a.m. Family Group in the Garden

10:30 a.m. Picnic Eucharist in the Nave & on Facebook Live. https://www.facebook.com/StPaulsBrunswick/live

12:00 p.m. Middle & High School Youth in the Garden (2nd & 4th Sundays)

St. Paul’s Zoom Exploring the Sermon after 10:30 a.m. “picnic Eucharist’ approximately 11:50 a.m.

Daily Morning Prayer and Compline
Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday, 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Facebook Live.

Tuesday 12:30 pm Women’s Bible Study in the Garden (if raining, on ZOOM, ID: 814 5988 6763 Passcode: 032484)

Wednesday afternoon Bible Study, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. meets in the Garden (or Great Hall if raining)

Prayer Requests

St. Ann’s, Windham
For our Justice Commission and all ministries of racial justice
Pray for Anderson, Andrew, Cedric, Jason, Michael, Richard, and all in the military.

We pray for:
Christy, Ryan & family, Ray, John, David, Judi, Nick, Bob, Kathy, Skip, the Blackburn family, Willow, Ann, Lollie, Carol, Harlan, Rick+, Elizabeth, Lyn and family, and Chip

Patsy, Ward, Robert G., Donna, Alan, Victor, Travis & family, Diane, Nate, Priscilla, Garrett, Elliot, Barbara, Alice, baby Isla, Cyndie and Bob, Ed Barker family, Nancy and Dave

Matthew, Ron, Hope, Darah, Ronald, Ray, Patricia, Steven F, Diane, Therese, Sallie, Julie, Jacob, Carolyn B, Ralph R, Caroline, Kimberly B. Jane and family, Julia, and Sue

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