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23 January
 
 

THE GABRIEL

 

 

Parish Newsletter for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

January 23, 2023

Church Office: 812-282-1108​​​​​ email: stpaulsjeff@gmail.com

 

 

Come and See What’s Being Born!

 

From Rev. Suzanne’s Homily of January 22:

 

‘There are so many people who would love to be here but don’t know it! Our challenge is to be an inviting body of faith where there is music and togetherness, warmth and hospitality, acceptance and welcome.’

 

 

Calendar for this week:

Monday, January 23 6:30 NA in Ed. Wing

Wednesday, January 25 6:30 Bible Study and Prayer in Ed. Wing

Saturday, January 28 10:00 AA in Parish Hall

Sunday, January 29 10:15 Eucharist with Rev. Suzanne

 

The COLLECT for Sunday, Jan. 29, 4th Sunday of Epiphany:

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

READINGS for Sunday, January 29: Micah 6:1-8; Psalm 15; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12.

 

HYMNS for Sunday, January 29:

Opening H82 437 Tell Out My Soul, the Greatness of the Lord

Offertory H82 628 Help Us, O Lord, to Learn

Closing H82 593 Lord, Make Us Servants of Your Peace

 

 

Two Beautiful Views from Outside our Parish Hall Window Sunday Morning!

 

 

 

Our “Bill and Sonny Table” has grown with the addition of Billy Bear in memory of Bill McCulloch.

 

Bill was a proud Air Force veteran and Billy proudly sports a U.S. Air Force Retired cap. Look closely and you will also discover (among other things) a coffee cup from their beloved Hardees, Bill’s ever-present laptop and a UofL cap, Bill and Sonny’s favorite team.

 

 

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS!

 

Letter from the Jr. Warden

  1. t is often said that God moves in mysterious ways and as the Vestry has been talking about the aftermath of the fire that St. Paul’s suffered on Christmas morning, we have begun to look at how we use our sanctuary space, and specifically how or what might we do to create a more immersive spiritual space within the sanctuary. One aspect that we have begun discussing is the setup of the pews within the sanctuary. We have not made any decisions about this, but would rather request that we all--as the parish of St. Paul’s-- reflect on what we value in our church services, and what thoughts or ideas we have about the setup of our sanctuary.

 

A few examples that have been discussed are placingthe pews at a slight angle to the altar so that parish members might see each other more readily during the service. Or: keeping some pews, but also adding a few rows of chairs to the sanctuary for members/visitors for whom using the pews might be challenging.

 

I would ask that we as a parish take a few minutes to reflect on these ideas over the next week or so and if anyone has any thoughts, concerns, etc. and is willing to share them, please email me at lstifler@icloud.com and I will share them with the rest of the vestry.

 

Thanks

Luke

 

 

1. The Offertory during our worship service is much more than just ‘taking up the collection.’ The Offertory is the time to prepare for communion by celebrating our Oneness in Christ and with that in mind we will observe the Offertory by singing our favorite hymns! Do you have a favorite? Let us know!

 

 

2. Our Bible Study group is doing a study of the Gospel According to Mark. It’s a great way to meet the scriptural Jesus. We are currently examining the Mark’s Gospel. The next meeting is Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at 6:30 PM in the Education Wing.

 

 

 

3. Our Un-Choir is for anyone who likes to praise God through singing. No experience necessary. Come and sing with us! See Mariane or Jim for details.

 

 

 

 

Morning Prayer is an important aspect of Episcopal worship and invites us to discover God in our midst. Please consider being a Morning Prayer leader! See Marylee or Rev. Suzanne.

 

Please sign up for coffee hour. Episcopalians are famous for our conversations and coffee! The signup sheet is in the Parish Hall. Help us extend our hospitality after the service.

A Giving Opportunity! St. Paul’s supports the Center for Lay Ministries’ Food Pantry serving the food insecure in Clark County. Look for the Little Red Wagon in the side door vestibule to leave your food contributions. The Top 10 requested foods are: Peanut Butter, Soup, Canned Fruit, Beans, Rice, Tuna, Cereal, Fruit Juice, Pasta, and Canned Vegetables.

 

 

 

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

We WELCOME you to worship! St. Paul’s is a WELCOMING Faith Community and Christ’s Table is open to ALL. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a long-time member you are a Blessing to us. You are invited to worship with us live on Sundays at 10:15. (Plan on joining us for coffee after the service!} You can also tune in on Facebook Live:https://www.facebook.com/StPaulsJeff/live_videos/

Also, check YouTube for videos of past services:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCynD2CNlCMbJ5YOb1Euce5Q

 

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND

LICENSED LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, Dennis and Charlene McAndrews, remain ready and eager to bring communion to any who are unable to be present at services. Whether you regularly attend Sunday service but cannot get here for any reason on a given Sunday, or you are homebound and would like to have the Eucharist brought to you once, or on a regular basis, please contact Marylee at the church office: 812-282-1108, or stpaulsjeff@gmail.com .

 

 

MANY THANKS for your continued faithful responses to the need for funds.

 

 

PARISH OFFICE HOURS 12 Noon to 4:30pm Monday – Thursday (other times by appointment)

 

 

If you have something you’d like to add to the next newsletter (including a brief update on what you and/or your family have been doing since last we met together), let us know atstpaulsjeff@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Q & A from the BCP

 

Our Book of Common Prayer contains an Outline of the Faith (P.845-62) that forms a framework for the way Episcopalians look at God and God’s work in the World. Each week we will feature a couple of these questions and answers!

 

Q. What is the Communion of Saints?

A. The Communion of Saints is the whole family of God, the living and the dead, those whom we love and those whom we hurt, bound together in Christ by sacrament, prayer and praise.

 

Q. What do we mean by everlasting life?

A. By everlasting life, we mean a new existence, in which we are united with all the people of God in the joy of fully knowing and loving God and each other.

 

Q. What, then, is our assurance as Christians?

A. Our assurance as Christians is that nothing, not even death, shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

Scenes from the Fire and Restoration (It’s still Christmas in the Sanctuary):

 

 

 

 

 

A Prayer for our Parish:

Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCP P.817

 

 

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