The Epistle. In this issue

Transcription

1 August 2018 The Epistle From Diane & Todd Dear People of St. Paul s, What a summer it has been! What blessings we have received! We hope you all have had a terrific summer. Ours has flown by. It has become a running joke at St. Paul's that during the summer months, we expect to have me to catch up on some deferred ac vi es and catch a breath from the full speed ahead pace of the program year. And, every summer, we con nue to be as busy as we are during the rest of the year. This summer has been no excep on. The blessing is that all we do, whether during the program year or during the summer, is God s work. We are blessed to be gi ed in so many different ways, with strong lay leadership and support of ministries and ac vi es, and a wonderful and suppor ve staff. We are grateful to all of you for the many different ministries and gi s you relessly provide throughout the en re year. (con nued on Page 2) Living Local, Joining God Along with other churches in our diocese, a guiding team made up of St. Paul s parishioners has been involved in an ini a ve known as Living Local, Joining God (LLJG) for almost two years. LLJG is being ac vely carried out in churches all over the US and in other countries. It began with reading and re-reading passages of Scripture. The purpose of this exercise was to learn to listen first to the (con nued on Page 5) In this issue From Diane & Todd Page 1 Living Local, Joining God Page 1 Bench Notes Page 2 Financial Update Page 4 Looking Toward Lent Page 4 Upcoming Events/ Calendar Pages 6 8 St. Paul s Episcopal Church a parish of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia

2 From Diane & Todd (continued from Page 1) Rev. Dr. Diane Vie Rev. Todd Vie Please be on the lookout for the many opportuni es and ways you can be part of this me of God s unfolding salva on plan, here, now and in the days, weeks and months to come.. In the past few months we have planned for the coming year. We have been busy ge ng ready for all of the fall fes vi es that will start up again with our Time and Talent kick-off on Sunday, September 9, at the 10:30 a.m. service. During Time and Talent Sunday you will have the opportunity to see banners represen ng all of the ministries available here at St. Paul s. We celebrate this kick-off with a parish wide potluck lunch in the courtyard a er the service. We can t wait to see you there! May we all have our hearts open and ready for the ministries God has invited us into for the spread of the Gospel in this part of God s kingdom. Gratefully yours in Christ, Diane+ and Todd+ May we all have our hearts open and ready for the ministries God has invited us into for the spread of the Gospel in this part of God s kingdom. 2 Sumner Jenkins Bench Notes As the (very) old saying goes, He who sings once prays twice. Have you ever wondered why we sing in church? Is it to cover me, is it to sing our favorites? Why are we doing this? I believe the answer is that we sing our faith, and music helps to ingrain it upon our souls. I tell any choir I work with that most people hear the Word through a combina on of music and words. The words we sing are our faith, but I believe we don t give those words enough a en on. It usually becomes why don t we sing our favorites, or I want hymns that are full of energy and upli me. I offer that faith is not always about our favorites or upli ing words. Growing in faith is o en about struggle; we hear that most Sundays in the readings. What would our spiritual lives be if all we ever heard was The Lord is my shepherd, or Joyful, joyful we adore thee? It isn t that those are not important, but there is so much more than just that. It is Jesus, Lover of my soul, let me to thy bosom fly and Praise, my soul, the King of heaven. It is also God moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform; and O sorrow deep! Who would not weep with hear elt pain and sighing! (con nued next page) The Epistle, August 2018

3 Choir Season Begins Now! Bench Notes (continued) I challenge you (yes, you!) to pay a en on to the texts we sing, they are as important as the words we hear. Take a moment before the liturgy begins and read through the hymns; apart from their tunes they are beau ful poetry. I offer this, one of my favorites, Hymn 34, with text from the 10 th century: Christ, mighty Saviour, Light of all crea on, you make the day me radiant with sunlight and to the night give gli ering adornment, stars in the heavens. Now comes the day s end as the sun is se ng: Mirror of daybreak, pledge of resurrec on; while in the heavens choirs of stars appearing hallow the nigh all. Therefore we come now evening rites to offer, Joyfully chan ng holy hymns to praise you, with all crea on joining hearts and voices singing your glory. Give heed, we pray you, to our supplica on: That you may grant us pardon for offenses, strength for weak hearts, rest for aching bodies, soothing the weary. Though bodies slumber, hearts shall keep their vigil, For ever res ng in the peace of Jesus, in light or darkness worshiping our Saviour now and for ever. -Sumner Jenkins We sing, we learn, we teach, and we share, that s what choir is about! Join us as we explore our faith as expressed through the anthems, psalms, and hymns we sing, and as we share with the congrega on through all those things. Most people learn about faith and the Word through a combina on of word and song so come and be a part of this teaching ministry at St. Paul s. All choirs have openings! Rehearsal Schedule Bell Choir ~ 4pm Adult Choir ~ 7pm Choristers ~ 11:45am 3 To Know Christ To Worship Christ To Serve Christ And To Make Him Known

4 Looking Toward Lent In prepara on for the 2019 Lenten season, St. Paul s will produce a Lenten Medita on booklet with medita ons wri en by the St. Paul s congrega- on. The booklet will contain 43 medita ons, and the commi ee would like to have the booklet completed by December Below is an excerpt from a previous medita on booklet to provide an example of what the commi ee is looking for. Other examples will appear in the Sunday Epistle. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gi of God. The gifts of God are numerous and wonderful, but the most incredible gift of all which is given freely and unconditionally is salvation through His grace. Even though this gift may be beyond our understanding, we show our thanks by the way we daily live our lives, keeping in mind that this unmerited love of God is the mystery that is the very core of our Christianity. (authored by Nancy Walker and reprinted solely as an example) We ve made a great start as many of you have already responded to the request for medita ons, but we s ll need more volunteers. As the summer winds down, please keep your heart open to God s messages to you and be willing to share. More medita on examples will be printed in the Sunday Epistle bulle n insert to provide inspira on. Please don t hesitate to contact Edie Light at edielight2@yahoo.com or with any ques ons. Many thanks, The 2019 Meditation Booklet Committee Financial Update Year to Date, through 6/30/18 4 Total Receipts: $172,349* compared to $194,638 for the same period last year *this amount does not reflect pre-paid 2018 pledges which account for $25,998 YTD $37,825 in mission pledges, up $2,457 from 6/30/17 $41,808 in property expenses; down 44% from 6/30/2017 due to reduced repair expense Endowment balance of $2,673,138 compares favorably to 6/30/2017 Endowment income provides $104,000 in annual support of opera ons and missions Thank you for keeping your pledges current and please consider other ways you may support St. Paul s. Our online giving portal makes this convenient. The Epistle, August 2018

5 Living Local, Joining God (continued from Page 1) Holy Spirit and then to each other. The guiding team found that even though the same Scripture was read mul ple mes, new insight was gained each me we read. It is a rewarding experience personally and also in seeing the excitement of others as they gain new understanding from a familiar passage. This skill development was taken a step further when the guiding team interviewed various church members about their spiritual experiences, listening to their stories of how St. Paul s has impacted the community, how the community has changed Cel c music at the Lynchburg Community Market on Saturdays before Cel c Evening Prayer, invi ng the public to a end, passing out postcards with calendar dates for the season and being available to talk and to listen. LLJG is not a step program to fill the pews, it s a journey to a lifestyle of sensi vity to the Holy Spirit and to others that allows us to discern where God wants us to join in His work. The purpose of LLJG is to gain a deeper understanding of the Holy Spirit and each other and see where it leads. If you would like to know more about LLJG, please CLERGY AND STAFF The Rev. Dr. Diane E. Viedvie@stlpaulslynchburg.org The Rev. Todd M. Vietvie@stpaulslynchburg.org The Rev. Bill Bumgarnerdeacon.bill65@comcast.net Sumner Jenkinssjenkins@stpaulslynchburg.org Debbie Ingedinge@stpaulslynchburg.org Gayle Rhodesgrhodes@stpaulslynchburg.org Margaret Ann Eschenroedermae@stpaulslynchburg.org Susan Carolhymnsinger@me.com Living Local, Joining God is... a journey to a lifestyle of sensi vity to the Holy Spirit and to others that allows us to discern where God wants us to join in His work. over me, and what hopes they have for St. Paul s going forward. The guiding team also went on several walks in the downtown area. During these walks, the team observed who was on the street, what they were doing, what sparked curiosity and anything that caused concern or ques ons. It was also a me when the team drew closer as observa ons were discussed and dreams for the future started to form. The guiding team has since worked to provide informa on about LLJG to the larger church body and to enlist the ac ve support and par cipa on of our members as we move forward. We have also experimented in the community by performing contact Andrea Bain at sohandrea@yahoo.com or through the church office. -The St. Paul s LLJG Guiding Team Bishop Bourlakas teaches during an LLJG mentoring session. THE 2018 VESTRY 2018 George Hurt, Senior Warden Dan Frazier, Junior Warden Charlie McVeigh Megan Murphy 2019 Jen Brestel Mitch Garbee Sue Ellen Inman Andrew Proctor 2020 Andrea Bain Lee Pat Kelleher Turner Perrow Ron Thelin Connie Schieck, Secretary Steve Baldwin, Treasurer 5 To Know Christ To Worship Christ To Serve Christ And To Make Him Known

6 Sunday, September 9 9:30 am Church School begins -Nursery provided 10:30 am Time & Talent Procession and Blessing of the Backpacks A er the 10:30 am service Parish Picnic on the church lawn Last Name A I, please bring a side dish Last Name J Z, please bring a dessert 6 The Epistle, August 2018

7 Café Bring your family and friends and join us on Sunday mornings in the Undercro from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. beginning September 23 to feed your body, and then stay for Sunday School to feed your soul! Regular breakfast offerings include yogurt, fruit, cereal, toast, bagels and muffins. Some weeks include sausage biscuits and egg wraps. There is something for everyone and there is never a charge Celtic Evening Prayer & Communion Schedule (Dates subject to change) Hospitality Coffee Hour resumes every Sunday beginning September 16 September 23, 2018 November 4, 2018 February 3, 2019 March 3, 2019 May 5, 2019 Sign Up Now Who can par cipate? ANYONE! One or two singles/couples/families are needed each week to provide refreshments for Coffee Hour following the 10:30 am service. Invite a friend, or be er yet, ask someone you don't know well. Many hands make the work easy. Watch your weekly s for opportuni es sign up! 7 To Know Christ To Worship Christ To Serve Christ And To Make Him Known

8 POINTS OF CONTACT Phone: Fax: General Web: Facebook: StPaulsLynchburg Looking Ahead For a complete listing of calendar events, please visit our website August 15 - Wednesday Evening Prayer & Communion resumes August 16 - Vestry mee ng September 9 - Time & Talent Sunday Sunday School resumes Second morning service returns to 10:30 am Parish Picnic a er the 10:30 am service September 20 - Vestry mee ng September 23 - Cel c Evening Prayer October 13 - Conflict Resolu on Training Gilchrist Room (8 am - 3 pm) October 18 - Vestry mee ng The Epistle St. Paul s Episcopal Church 605 Clay Street Lynchburg, VA NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID LYNCHBURG, VA PERMIT NO. 15 Address Label To Know Christ To Worship Christ To Serve Christ And To Make Him Known