Weekly ePistle 8/6/14

Aug 7, 2014

Thoughts from Lori+

I always expect summer will be quieter, that things will slow down. You’d think after all these years, I’d have learned: it never does. In fact, it’s been a busy summer, both here at church and for me personally. Lisa and I have been learning to work together – very successfully, I might add. Our combined worship service has felt energized. I’ve been away, both for family time and for some very good continuing education. And it’s been busy here in the community, too, what with Fiesta Days, Rotary’s BB&B, and the county fair in Woodstock. Then Sunday, our parish picnic was great! It’s almost enough to make me wish that things would slow down in the fall, but I know that won’t happen!

Actually, fall is my favorite time of year, and if things keep going like they have this summer, it will be here before we know it. Actually, I look forward to so many things about fall: the cooler weather (although this summer has certainly been mild!) and turning of the leaves, and most especially, the ramping up of our community life here at the church.

Labor Day falls on September 1st this year. Our informal fall parish meeting will be on Sunday, September 28th following our morning worship. Meanwhile, the wardens and vestry will be putting plans and events on the parish calendar and will provide you with a little brochure with important dates. To be a small church, we have a lot going on!

Meanwhile, I’m sure we’ll all be making the best of these last weeks of summer. As for me and Bill, I’ll be attending a workshop/retreat next week, Monday through Thursday, called “Habit of the Heart for Healthy Congregations.” I won’t be missing a Sunday, so you’ll hardly know I’m gone. If you need anything while I’m away, Bill will be available. Then he and I will take a mini-vacation August 18-20. Lisa and the wardens will know who to contact in an emergency.

Wherever we are, whatever we’re doing, I pray for you “unceasingly,” as St. Paul says. Take dear good care during these August weeks.

Faithfully,

Lori +


Last Sunday’s Parish Picnic!

Fellowship and delicious food!

2014 08 03 St Paul's Picnic III

2014 08 03 St Paul's Picnic II 2014 08 03 St Paul's Picnic IV

 


We’re on Facebook!

Be sure to check us out and “friend” us! “St Paul’s Episcopal Church”


Women’s Wednesday Tonight!

At 7:00 p.m. all women of the parish (and friends) are invited to meet for wine, refreshments, and conversation.


Available for your convenience

For the ease and convenience of those of us who need special assistance, we have a wheelchair and two walkers available for use here at the church. In some cases, that might make attendance easier than unloading your own wheelchair or walker. Feel free to ask for assistance if you need it. Also, the clergy are most willing to take Communion to you in your seat. Simply let the usher or the celebrant know of your request.


August 10 Servants:

Ushers: Bobbi Fiali, Pam Dietmeyer    
Lector: Jill Harrison  
Intercessor: Judy Robel  
Eucharistic Ministers: Nancy Backer, Al Robel   
Vestry Person of the Day: Bob Backer


Lessons and Hymns for August 10th, Pentecost IX – Proper 14A

by the Rev. William P. McLemore

THE SCRIPTURE LESSONS:

The First Reading: The Track I readings are Genesis 37:1-4,12-28 and Psalm 105:1-6,16-22,45b; the Track II readings are I Kings 19:9-18 and Psalm 85:8-13.   Genesis tells the story of Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers. The reading from I Kings, Elijah hears the voice of God in the silence of the moment who sends him into Damascus. The first reading from the psalter tells of the sale of Joseph into slavery and the other selected Psalm begins by telling of God’s call for righteousness and peace.

The Epistle: Romans 10:5-15. Here, St. Paul affirms that God is the God of all people and there is “no distinction between Jew and Greek.”

The Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21. In this portion of Matthew, we hear the story of Jesus walking upon the water and Peter trying but sinking, and needing Jesus to save him.

THE HYMNS:

PROCESSIONAL HYMN: No. 680. “O God, Our Help In Ages Past.” This hymn is based on Psalm 90:1-5 and was written by Isaac Watts (1674-1748). He moved church music from the old medieval office hymns to that of the reformation, He composed 600 hymns many of which are still in hymnals of many denomination. This particular hymn has been in the Episcopal hymnal since 1874. The tune “St. Anne” with all its beauty is of dubious origin but was enhanced by William Croft in a 1708 book of arrangements for singing the psalms.

THE SEQUENCE HYMN: No. 529. “In Christ There Is No East or West.” This hymn was written by a traveling businessman named William Arthur Dunkerley. He began writing novels and songs as a diversion with the penname John Oxenham. This particular hymn reflects his deep theology from visiting countries all over the world embracing a God whose Son Jesus Christ brings together East and West, and North and South.   The tune, “McKee,” was adapted from an Afro-American spiritual by Harry T. Burleigh, a choir member of St. George’s, New York City, and is named in honor of his Rector, Elmore McNeill McKee.

PRESENTATION HYMN: No. 608. “Eternal Father, Strong to Save.”   This hymn which is sung at most every service at the Naval Academy chapel was written by William Whiting (1825-1878). The tune, “Melita,” was composed by John Bacchus Dykes (1828-1876) and named for the island of Malta where St. Paul was shipwrecked (Acts 28:1). It is an appropriate presentation hymn as its climatic verse exclaims, “thus evermore shall rise to thee glad hymns of praise from land and sea.”

COMMUNION HYMN: No. 345. “Savior, Again To Thy Dear Name We Raise.” This hymn was written by John Ellerton (1826-1893) to be sung at the close of the 1866 Hymn Festival of the Natwich Choral Association.   It was a personal prayer at the blessing but subsequent changes have made it more of a corporate expression of the church in society.   The tune, “Ellers,” was composed for this text by Edward J. Hopkins (1818-1901) when it was finally adapted for use in the church hymnal (1869).

RECESSIONAL HYMN: No. 559. “Lead Us Heavenly Father, Lead Us.”   This hymn, written for the children of the London Orphan Asylum by James Edmeston, was first published in the second set of his “Sacred Lyrics” of 1821. It has been in the Episcopal Hymnal since 1874. The tune, “Dulce Carmen,” has been ascribed to Johann Michael Haydn, but the composer of this lyric is yet unknown. It’s earliest appearance is in the “Essay on Church Plain Chant,” of 1782. The message of this hymn has long provided strength for those who suffer physically or mentally.


Summer Diaper Drive is still going on!

Please help us by bringing your diaper donations to church on Sunday mornings.  We will also accept monetary donations.  Checks should be made out to the “St. Paul’s Diaper Bank.”  Let’s make this a huge success!  Remember, every little bottom counts.

June Collection = 619
July = 556
August (as of 8/5) = 163


101 Reasons to be Episcopal

Reason 11

“At our best, Episcopalians can respectfully disagree about a great many things–and still break bread together.”

Barbara Tensen Ross
Diocese of Oregon


From the cartoons created by the Rev. William P. McLemore

1965 – 2014.

Pentecost 14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love God. Love Your Neighbor.

Change the World.

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