MARCH, APRIL, MAY, 2019

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1 340 Locust Street Columbia, PA Web site: A Jubilee Ministry GOOD NEWS MARCH, APRIL, MAY, 2019 Over the past year, our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, has been preaching and talking about a new way for us to live he calls it The Way of Love. In the Gospels, Jesus is asked as way to trip him up what is the greatest commandment? The religious leaders wanted to catch Jesus favoring one of the many commandments and laws that governed the religious lives of Jesus and the people. Jesus is aware that they want to trap him so that they can find a reason to discredit him, silence him, or have him arrested by the Temple Police. Jesus is fully aware of what they want to do. Jesus goes back into the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and speaks the Word of God: The greatest commandment is to love God FROM FATHER PATRICK with all that we are our mind, our body, our soul, our spirit, our heart. Jesus then says that the second commandment is very similar to the first and greatest to love our neighbor as our selves. At the time, this silenced Jesus critics and they went away to plot another scheme. If we truly believe what Jesus said that we are to love God and love our neighbor then living a Way of Love is at the heart of our faith. Over the centuries, the Church has morphed from a small loving and faith-filled community to many large institutions with policies, procedures, rules, commandments, canons, bylaws, constitutions, etc., etc., etc. The Jewish people at Jesus s time had nothing on us when when it comes to the thousands of rules that we are supposed to follow. And woe to the one who violates one of these policies, rules, commandments, canons, by-laws, constitutions, etc. the hand of judgement will fall swift and hard. Many religious leaders today are more judgmental than any Pharisee of Jesus time. We are often left at the mercy of the rule rather than the commandment of love. Bishop Curry has asked us not to abandon all the institutional rules of our life and church but he has asked us to think about our priorities. Paul says, I can be the best at everything, I can fulfill every rule, follow every procedure, live the perfect life as defined by policies, procedures, etc. but if I do not have love I am nothing more than a noisy and useless clanging noise-maker in today s language an empty shirt. The question we are asked is What do we seek? The answer needs to

2 to be we seek Love, we seek Freedom, we seek Abundant Life WE SEEK JESUS! The Way of Love gives us seven practices for a Jesus-Center Life: Turn: Pause, listen, and choose to follow Jesus Learn: Reflect on Scriptures each day, especially Jesus life and teachings Pray: Dwell intentionally with God each day Worship: Gather in community weekly to thank, praise, and draw near to God Bless: Share faith and unselfishly give and serve Go: Cross boundaries, listen deeply, and live like Jesus Rest: Receive the gift of God s grace, peace, and restoration Elsewhere in this newsletter,there is a full-page image that shows how the above rests on the cross of Jesus. In early March, each member of the Parish Family of Saint Paul will receive a booklet that outlines The Way of Love for families. It will give you ideas on how to incorporate the practices of The Way of Love into your family life. For each of the practices, the booklet provides more information, prayers, and things to do as a family to put into practice the Way of Love. It is imperative that every member of the Parish Family of Saint Paul read, learn, mark, and inwardly digest the Way of Love so that we can fulfill the one and only mission and ministry that we have to Together Build the Kingdom of God. In addition, everyone will be given a Way of Love button that you are asked to wear everywhere. It is a sign of our commitment and also a great discussion starter. more centered in Jesus and share his loving, liberating, life-giving way in the world? Bishop Curry and I invite you to join others in The Way of Love: Practices for a Jesus-Centered Life. Between now and the summer, I will preach a sermon on each of the Practices for a Jesus- Centered Life. I hope they will be more of a dialogue-sermon with each of you participating with your thoughts and ideas and your experiences of living The Way of Love. You can find resources from across the Episcopal Church and share your gifts and stories at: or text WAYOFLOVE With love Father Patrick+ THANKS, THANKS, THANKS --- Our Advent Angel Tree Project collected over 200 items for the residents of the Episcopal Home in Shippensburg. Your generosity is boundless. --- During 2018, the members of our parish and community donated over 48,140 pounds of food and over $46,428 to The Columbia Food Bank. Your generosity and the generosity of this community knows no bounds! Columbia seldom gets enough credit for the good that it does nor do the people of Columbia get all the credit they deserve for caring for one another. God be praised! You be Blessed! We follow Jesus. As the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement, we follow the Way of Jesus. His way is the Way of Love, and that love has the power to change lives and change the world. How will you, your family, and your ministry grow more centered in Jesus and share his loving, liberating, life-giving way in the world? Bishop Curry and I invite you to join others in The Way of Love: Practices for a Jesus- Centered Life.

3 SAINT PATRICK S DAY CELEBRATION On Sunday, March 17 we will celebrate the Patronal Feast of the Rector at our 9:00 a.m. Sunday service. It will be a grand celebration. Come and bring your friends to honor the Apostle to the Irish. Patrick, like Paul, was an evangelizer who spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to new peoples. Following the service, Father Patrick is treating everyone to a light Irish style breakfast in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center. At 4:00 p.m. there will be a Traditional Irish Dinner in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center. We will have Shepherd s Pie, Corn Beef and Cabbage, Irish Coffee, and wonderful desserts. There will be plenty of Irish Liquid Grace for those who are of a certain age. This day will be a time of celebration of faith faith in Jesus Christ and the faith that we have in our mission and ministry together in this place. Please note: We will have our Saturday evening service (March 16) in the Chapel of the Saint John Herr Estate at 5:30 p.m. as normally scheduled. RIM PARISH WEDNESDAY LENTEN PROGRAM In communion with our brothers and sisters of the Rim Parishes of the Lancaster Convocation Saint John (Marietta), Hope Church (Mt Hope), Saint Paul Church (Manheim), Saint Luke Church (Mt. Joy) and Saint Paul Church (Columbia) there will be a joint Lenten Education / Reflection Program. The program will be held on five Wednesdays during Lent: March 13 March 20 March 27 April 3 Saint Luke Mt Joy Saint Paul - Manheim Saint John - Marietta Saint Paul Columbia PALM / PASSION SUNDAY Palm / Passion Sunday is Sunday, April 14. We will begin our celebration with breakfast at The Columbia Presbyterian Church at 8:00 a.m. Following breakfast we will bless the palms and process to the church. The reading for the blessing of palms recounts Jesus entry into Jerusalem. Palms will be distributed as we begin the procession. Our Saturday evening service (April 13) will be held as regularly scheduled at 5:30 p.m. at the Saint John Herr Estate Chapel. The blessing distribution of the palms will take place at this service also. April 10 Hope Mt Hope Our topic will be Death Let s Talk About It. Each night we will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a light dinner with the program / reflection beginning at approximately 6:45 p.m. We close the evening with Compline / Night Prayer and end about 8:15 p.m. If you would like to car-pool, please let Father Patrick know so he can make arrangements.

4 HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE Palm / Passion Sunday April 13 & 14, :30 p.m. (Saturday) Eucharist Saint John Herr Estate Retirement Community Chapel 8:00 a.m. Breakfast The Columbia Presbyterian Church 9:00 a.m. Festive Eucharist Church. Wednesday of Holy Week April 17, :30 a.m. Morning Prayer with Healing Service Our Lady s Chapel Maundy Thursday April 18, :30 p.m. Celebration of the Lord s Supper in the context of a simple meal Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center Good Friday April 19, :00 noon Observance of the Passion of Jesus Christ - Church Easter Sunday April 21, :00 a.m. Festive Choral Eucharist Church 10:15 a.m. Young People s Easter Egg Hunt begins in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center

5 PALM / PASSION SUNDAY BREAKFAST On Palm / Passion Sunday, April 14, we will have our Annual Palm / Passion Sunday Breakfast with our brothers and sisters of The Columbia Presbyterian Church in the social hall of the Presbyterian Church at 8:00 a.m. STATIONS OF THE CROSS This year we will celebrate the Stations of the Cross on two Fridays in Lent. On Friday, March 15, we will join our brothers and sisters from Saint Peter Roman Catholic Church at 7:00 p.m. at Saint Peter Roman Catholic Church on Second Street. On Friday, March 29 our brothers and sisters from Saint Peter Roman Catholic Church will join us here at Saint Paul beginning at 7:00 p.m. The Stations or Way of the Cross is a wonderful service that helps us walk with Jesus the incredibly painful way of the cross that he walked for us. Come and pray! This is a great service to bring a guest just a simple song and prayer. Could you not spend just one hour with me in prayer? MAUNDY THURSDAY We will have one service on Maundy Thursday, April 18, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center. Our Eucharist will be set in the context of a simple meal of soup, salad, and bread and will include the foot washing ceremony. Following the service, we will process to the church to strip the altar in preparation for the Good Friday service. GOOD FRIDAY On Good Friday, April 19, there will be only one service. At 12:00 noon, in the Church, we will have our Good Friday Liturgy with Proclamation of the Passion, the Great Prayers, Veneration of the Cross, and Communion from the Reserved Sacrament. EASTER SUNDAY On Easter Sunday, April 21, we will have one Festival celebration of the Easter Eucharist at 9:00 a.m. in the church. On Easter Sunday, after the service, we will have our traditional Easter Egg Hunt for our young people which will begin at 10:15 a.m. in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center.

6 BAPTISM The next scheduled times for Baptism are Easter Sunday (Sunday, April 21), and Pentecost Sunday (Sunday, June 9). If you have not yet been baptized or would like your child baptized, please call the parish office to make arrangements. Father Patrick will schedule a meeting with you to discuss Baptism prior to the date you select. ASCENSION THURSDAY EUCHARIST As we have over the last twelve years, we will have a joint Lutheran / Episcopal Eucharist to celebrate the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ into heaven. The service will be held in the chapel of the Saint John Herr Estate Retirement Community on Thursday, May 30 and will begin at 7:00 p.m. Come and celebrate this great feast with our brothers and sisters of Saint John Lutheran and Saint John Herr Estate. Pastor Beth Costlow and Chaplain Dione Klepletka will be the main celebrants with Father Patrick concelebrating. WEDNESDAY MORNING PRAYER AND HEALING SERVICE Each Wednesday morning at 9:30 a.m., we celebrate Morning Prayer in the Rector s Office. As part of this service, there is a healing service that consists of anointing with oil and a prayer of healing. This service is open to all. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the healing power of Jesus Christ. RUMMAGE SALE The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of Saint Paul will hold its Annual Rummage Sale Tuesday, June 4 through Saturday, June 8 at the Ironville Band Building on Prospect Road at Holly Drive from 8:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. each day. Items for the rummage sale can be brought to the second level of the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center at any time. Please do not leave any items in the parish hall, the first floor hall, or the stairs. All proceeds go to help fund the operating budget of the parish. MEMORIAL DAY PARADE PARISH FOOD STAND On Sunday, May 26, 12:00 noon 4:00 p.m. during the Columbia Memorial Day Parade, the parish will have a food stand in the parish yard to help raise money for the operating budget of the parish. A sign-up sheet will be posted in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center beginning on April 21 for donations of food and time to help with this fundraiser. Please plan on coming. Beginning at 1:00 p.m., a Memorial Service will be held at the Gazebo in the Locust Street Park

7 HOMEMADE EASTER EGG SALE The women (and some men) of the parish will once again make homemade Easter eggs during Lent. They will begin on Monday, February 25, and will continue through the week of April 8. They are making Peanut Butter (light and dark), Peanut Butter Krispy (light and dark), Coconut (dark), Cherry (dark), and Butter Cream (dark). You can order eggs by calling the parish office at Cost: $11.00 a dozen or $1.25 each. Orders must be placed by 11:00 a.m. the Tuesday before the Friday you intend to pick them up. The first pick-up is Friday March, 15 and the last Friday pick-up is Friday, April 12. Egg orders may be picked up in the parish hall between 11:00 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Friday mornings or after the service on Sunday mornings. Homemade Easter Egg Sale EPISCOPAL RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT During Lent, we are called to think of others in need and how we can help them. Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) sponsors many opportunities for us to share with others who are less fortunate. One of the ways is through the Hope Chest. All active members will be given an ERD Hope Chest at the beginning of Lent and we hope that you will take the opportunity to fill it during Lent with your spare change (or more). They should be returned on Easter Sunday (April 21) or the Sunday after Easter (April 28). There will be two Golden Egg awards (awarded May 5) for those who return the Hope Chest (please remember to put your name on the box). There will be one Golden Egg for the Hope Chest with the most money in it and another Golden Egg for the heaviest Hope Chest. 100% of the money given to Episcopal Relief and Development goes to relief and development projects in our own country and around the world. LENTEN PRAYER SUPPORT All active members will receive a Lenten Meditation booklet to help them pray during the Lenten Season. This booklet has a Scripture passage and Meditation for each day of Lent. In addition, there is a Lenten Prayer Bookmark from Episcopal Relief and Development. If you need additional copies of these items for yourself or your friends, please contact the parish office ( ) and we will get them to you. If you are someone who gets this newsletter by mail / and would like copies of the Lenten Prayer materials, please call the parish office and we will mail you copies. Please be generous.

8 MOMENTS If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God.

9 FEEDING, NOURISHING, AND SUSTAINING BY THE NUMBERS Numbers are never the whole story of a parish family, but they do give us a view of ourselves that helps us measure how well we are doing. In 2018, 2,379 people came to our Saturday evening and Sunday morning services. Adjusting for days like Easter and other special events, this translates into an average Sunday attendance of 46 a decrease from 54 in We had 1,226 attend our weekday services, which includes our Wednesday Morning Prayer and Healing Services, Stations of the Cross, Home / Hospital Communions and Anointings, Weddings, Funerals, and our joint prayer, and worship services with other churches. This is an decrease of 284 over The primary reason for this was fewer services during the week. In 2018 there were 106 Saturday and Sunday Eucharists, 39 weekday Eucharists, 8 home communions, 5 celebrations of Morning / Evening Prayer; 0 weddings, 3 funerals, and 9 other services, e.g., Stations of the Cross, individual Anointings, last rites, etc.. During 2018, the food bank fed 1,275 families, which translates into 2,397 people and 50,337 meals served. This is down from the 1,412 families, 2,621 people, and 55,322 meals in This decrease is a possible hopeful sign that the economy is improving although it is too early to be sure. In addition, we distributed 101 Easter hams, 96 Thanksgiving turkeys, and 97 Christmas turkeys. Our screening process ensures that we help those most in need and we see the need is continuing as the economy continues to improve. We have seen an increase in the number of children and elderly.. Our breakfast program (once a month plus Christmas Day) fed 612 people in 2018 a decrease of 111 over In addition, Impact Christian Ministries (2 breakfasts) and Columbia Christian Fellowship (12 breakfasts) combined fed 791 people, a decrease of 79 over Columbia Christian Fellowship uses our parish hall for their breakfast program. In 2018, our monthly Free Community Dinner served 602 meals over 10 dinners an increase of 10 over For the 2018 parish budget, 30 pledged $50,220. For 2019, 33 pledged $56,500. Please note that during 2018 we lost 3 active and generous members who fought the fight, ran the race, and achieved their crown of glory..

10 FEEDING, NOURISHING, AND SUSTAINING BY THE NUMBERS (cont d) Our mission and ministry impacts thousands of lives each year: we feed, nourish, and sustain God s people from our table in the parish hall to the Table of the Lord in the Eucharist. We provide over $500,000 worth of donated time, service, and facilities to our community, which does not include the parish budget or any of the stewardship of time, talent, and treasure that supports the parish itself. The Columbia Food Bank raised over $46,428 that goes to support its mission and ministry. The parish supports the Millennium Development Goals at about a 10% level in our community, our state, our nation, and around the world. The Food Bank also received over 48,140 pounds of donated food during Finally, the most important number of all: Over the course of an average week, 235 people are fed, nourished, and sustained by the mission and ministry of the Saint Paul Parish Family. That means over 12,184 people in our community are impacted by the way we live the Gospel. Whether it is at the Table of the Lord in the Sanctuary or the Table of the Lord in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center, Christ changes the lives we touch through our hearts, minds, spirits, and hands. Our stewardship of the blessings that God has given us even the blessing of our building is worthy.. We do all of the above with about 86 active members and an operating budget of just under $200,000. Wow! In reality, we are just continuing a long history of both inreach and outreach that has marked this parish family since its founding 170 years ago in Be proud! Share our story with someone! Invite someone to be part of our Parish Family! Ask someone to fight the fight with us; to run the race with us; to Build the Kingdom of God with us! OFFICE CLOSED During the months of March, April, and May the parish office will be closed on the following days: March 18 (Saint Patrick s Day); April 22 (Easter Monday); and May 27 (Memorial Day). On these days, please leave a message on the office answering machine. In the case of emergency, you may reach Father Patrick on his cell phone ( ). SAGES SOCIETY The dictionary defines the word sage as profoundly wise. Current members are: Alverta Hossler, Kit Brommer, Delores Baker, Annabelle Vecero, Ethel Edelman, Bob Brubaker, Pat Dancause, George Brommer, Janet Herman, Joann Fals, Alf Kuhns, Joanne Barr, Shirley Wagner, Evelyn Martin, Rose Huber, Jan Wood, Rev. Richard Geib (Special Honorary Member.) We recognized these foundation stones of the parish at our Patronal Celebration The Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul. All active members of the parish automatically become a member of the Sages Society when they turn 80 years of age. Congratulations to our profoundly wise foundation stones the stones upon which this parish is built. God s blessings be to you and thank you for your life among us. SAGES: Seniors Are God s Experienced Servants.

11 WORSHIP ASSISTANTS It takes many people to help with our prayer and worship services. Vergers, Acolytes, Eucharistic Ministers and Visitors, Lectors, Prayer Leaders, Ushers, Greeters, and Altar Guild, are all necessary so that we can pray and worship together. Did you ever think about volunteering to be a Worship Assistant? Why not? You need only to be 16 years of age (or the 4 th grade for Acolytes). You get plenty of training and support, and a wonderful opportunity to serve God. Vergers have overall responsibility for all prayer and worships services in the parish; ensures that the people who are scheduled are present and everything necessary for the service is ready. Acolyte young person or adult assists at the Eucharist carrying the Gospel Book and helping the priest at the altar. Eucharistic Minister one who helps with the distribution of communion and other parts of the Eucharist. Eucharistic Visitor one who takes communion to shut-ins or others unable to attend the Saturday / Sunday Eucharist. Lector one who reads one or both of the lessons (Old and New Testament readings) at the Eucharist. Prayer Leader one who leads the Prayers of the People and introduces the Confession of Sins during the Eucharist. Others may lead Morning and Evening Prayer. Greeter one who greets everyone coming to our prayer and worship services and ensures that our guests get any help or information that they need. Provides an accurate number of attendance. Usher one who takes up the collection, assists the Greeters in giving out bulletins, and helps with the attendance count. Also provides any assistance needed during the service. Altar Guild the group who ensures that the items needed for worship are prepared and set out. Responsible for the vessels, linens, and the cleaning of the sanctuary area of the church. Take a moment and think how you can take an active role in our prayer and worship. Call Father Patrick (or the parish office at ) and sign-up.

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13 2019 BUDGET In December, the Vestry approved a budget that shows $147,300 (a $3,630 increase from 2018) in income and $176,264 (a $23,239 decrease from 2018) in expenses. As you can see, there is a $28,964 deficit in our budget. While this deficit may still seem large, the decision to approve this budget was not made lightly. Over the last eight years, our budgets have been approved with deficits but each year we seem to make it through the year with the blessings of God and you. None of the staff received any increase in salary for The economy is still affecting people s ability to give in support our mission and ministry. Generosity is still a hallmark of this parish but expenses are rising faster than the number of people and thus the kingdom of the world influences the Kingdom of God.. For 2019 we have three major sources of income: Offerings $ 69,550 Investments $ 53,200 Miscellaneous* $ 24,550 *includes fundraisers $147,300 On the expense side, we have four major types of expenditures that reflect the priorities of the Mission and Ministry Plan of the parish: Worship & Prayer $ 66,980 38% Christian Formation $ 29,965 17% Evangelization and Outreach $ 58,167 33% General Parish Life $ 21,152 12% $176,264 All of the line items in the expense budget (salaries, utilities, supplies, etc.) have been allocated across the four mission and ministry categories of the parish. We are confident; as we always are that, the growth and the continued generosity of the current members and new members will enable us to end 2019 with a balanced budget.

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18 ECUMENICAL ACTIVITIES OF THE PARISH As we continue to implement our Mission and Ministry Plan, we continue to maintain and expand our ecumenical activities with joint prayer, worship, education, and outreach ministries. Listed below are our current ecumenical endeavors. If you have suggestions or ideas for additional ways we can work together, please call Father Patrick at With Lutherans (Saint John Lutheran, Saint John Herr Estate Retirement Community, Saint James Lutheran, and Concordia Lutheran) began May / October 2005 Three joint Eucharists - Ascension Thursday May / June at Saint John Herr Estate Retirement Community Feast of the Epiphany January 6 at Saint John Lutheran Saint Paul Day January 25 at Saint Paul Episcopal Monday Adult Forum Christian Formation Classes First Monday in October through the Monday prior to Ash Wednesday at Saint John Herr Estate Retirement Community With Lutherans (Saint John Lutheran) Joint Good Friday Service with Communion (alternated between churches and preachers) With Presbyterians (The Columbia Presbyterian) 2019 is our eleventh year Joint Ash Wednesday Eucharist Service with ashes at Saint Paul alternate preachers Joint Thanksgiving Eve Eucharist at The Columbia Presbyterian alternate preachers Joint Palm / Passion Sunday Breakfast and Blessing / Procession of Palms With Roman Catholics (Saint Peter) 2019 is our thirteenth year Joint Stations of the Cross (twice during Lent) once at Saint Paul and once at Saint Peter With Roman Catholics (Saint Peter and Holy Trinity) 2019 is our tenth year Joint Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Prayer Service alternate churches and preachers

19 ECUMENICAL ACTIVITIES OF THE PARISH (cont d) With United Methodists (The Columbia Methodist Church / Ironville United Methodist Church) Weekly Lenten Study Program with dinner Joint Maundy Thursday Eucharist and foot washing ceremony Community-wide Service of Healing Lent 2010 Stations of the Cross Good Friday With the Columbia African-American Churches (Mt Zion AME, Saint Paul Missionary Baptist, and Ashley s Tabernacle) Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Evening of Prayer and Remembrance 2019 was our twelfth year. Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2004 Lutheran pastor presided and preached at all Sunday Eucharists at Saint Paul to begin the week. Roman Catholic priest closed the week with a Catholic service of Evening Prayer. Prayers of the People Included in the Prayers of the People a prayer for the Bishops of both the Upper and Lower Susquehanna Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg Columbia Ministerium Father Patrick and the people of Saint Paul are involved in the Columbia Ministerium, which supports a number of ecumenical outreach programs: bus vouchers; emergency winter shelter; homeless day center; food bank; Homes of Hope, Community Life Network, clothing bank, summer feeding program, Power Packs Program, etc. The Ministerium provides a forum and a source of support for a number of programs sponsored by member churches. Meal Programs In addition to its 11 year monthly Free Community Breakfast Program (and Christmas Day), Saint Paul s provides space for one other churches (The Columbia Christian Fellowship) so that they can provide a free breakfast program. Saint Paul also has a monthly Free Community Dinner Program on the 3 rd Saturday of the month.

20 ECUMENICAL ACTIVITIES OF THE PARISH (cont d) The Columbia Food Bank For over 40 years, Saint Paul has supported The Columbia Food Bank that feeds the hungry of our community. They have over 30 volunteers who represent many different religious traditions. We continue to explore additional ways that we can work with other churches in education, prayer, worship, and outreach. While our national churches work on sharing and communion agreements, we at Saint Paul are hard at work working with others to Build the Kingdom of God in our community. CHURCHYARD The Property Committee needs help with the churchyard. We need volunteers who can trim the plants, weed, and mulch. If you can help us out, please call Father Patrick or Bill Kaufhold or leave word with Darlene Swartzbaugh in the parish office at AUDIT OF PARISH FINANCES A review (our outside / independent auditor has suggested a full-blown audit every five years with a review for each of the intervening years) of the parish finances for 2017 was completed and we received a clean bill of health with only minor recommendations. If any member of the parish would like a copy of the audit, please contact Bev Euculano, Treasurer, and she will ensure that you get one in your mailbox. OPEN INVITATION Over the last 100 years, it has been demonstrated repeatedly that the most effective way to grow membership is through a personal invitation by a current member. Please invite others to join you in prayer and worship. You do not have to ask them to become a member of Saint Paul that is too scary for you and for them. Just invite them to come and pray with you. Whom do you invite? Anyone! A neighbor, a friend, a family member! You can also invite someone who tells you that they are looking for a church, someone who is going through a crisis in their life, or someone who complains about their current church. You can also invite someone who asks faith questions, life questions, or who wonders why you believe. See so many people you can ask. There are many people just waiting for your invitation. Just try it.

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24 STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE INFORMATION During the spring of each year, the Stewardship Committee works on three different aspects of good stewardship. First, they begin the planning of our Fall Stewardship Drive by reflecting on past programs and how we might better communicate the needs of the parish and the instructions of the Gospel. More immediately, they work on Funeral Service Planning and Planned Giving. The Funeral Service Planning workbook is for all members (and even non-members) who want to have a say in how their funeral service will be conducted. It helps survivors come together and respect your wishes. This planning includes music, readings, readers, worship assistants, etc. In early spring all active members who have not completed a Funeral Service Planning workbook, will be sent one for their consideration in completing. Father Patrick indicates that when he works with the family of someone who has died and who completed this workbook, it is much easier on other members of the family. It is hard to think of a favorite hymn or Scripture reading in the emotional days following a death. Please consider completing the workbook and sending it to the parish office. The other work of the Stewardship Committee is Planned Giving. This is where someone makes a decision in their estate planning or will development to remember Saint Paul. It is the planting of a tree that someone, many years later, will come and sit under and be refreshed. Remembering your parish is an appropriate way of giving to the future. We could not have completed all the parish hall renovations or other projects without the generous bequests of those who loved their parish family as much as their own personal families. In late May, information will be mailed to all active members of the parish for their consideration. Those who indicate to us that they have remembered the parish in their will or estate planning become members of our Legacy Society. New members are inducted each year at our Annual Open House and Homecoming celebration in September. MEMORIAL GIFTS If you think that you would like to give a gift to the parish in memory of someone for example, a family member or in thanksgivings for some gift or blessing, you have received; we have some suggestions for your consideration: Stereo for the parish hall so that music may be played through the sound system Reserved pew signs for the church for use during baptisms, weddings, and funerals Digital projector for the parish hall for power point presentations and seminars Flat screen TV in the parish hall for parish gatherings and social events Wireless security cameras for the entrance doors of the church and parish hall Please see Father Patrick if you wish more information about any of these items. None is essential; but all would enhance our time together. In Loving Memory

25 ELEVENTH ANNUAL CHOIR FESTIVAL The Eleventh Annual Choir Festival will be held on Sunday, May 5, 2019 beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the Church. Church choirs do not often get a chance to hear each other since they are all leading the singing in their churches at the same time. Our Choir Festival gives choirs a chance to listen and learn from other choirs in the area. We have invited a number of churches to come and perform. This is a festival, not a competition. Come and hear fantastic music from some of the hardest working choirs around. This is an afternoon of good music and good fellowship. The concert is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be taken up. PEW SOCIETY The Pew Society is responsible for making sure the books needed for worship and the welcome material for our guests are in the pews, neatly, and in good order. Ralph Jones is the Coordinator of this ministry, but we can always use a few more members. If you would like to help, call the parish office ( ) and let us know. It takes about 30 minutes each week. One big help is to let the Rector know when any of the books need to be replaced. The other job of the Pew Society is the semi-annual cleaning and polishing of our pews and other wood in the church. Again, anyone who would like to help, please call the parish office ( ) and we can let you know when it will be scheduled.

26 PREGNANT PAUSES I was asked recently why we have so many pregnant pauses during our service. This person mentioned that other Episcopal churches he attends don t have so many pregnant pauses. Well, the answer is that our Book of Common Prayer calls for and / or suggests some times of silence while others are to enable us just some time to reflect. Let me provide the rationale again. The 5 minute time of silence before the service is mentioned elsewhere in this newsletter so I will begin with the pause after the Let us Pray at the beginning of the Opening Collect. It is specifically called the Collect and with good reason. At this point the celebrant is collecting our prayers. Well, if the celebrant says, Let us pray and then immediately begins the Collect prayer there are no prayers to collect and the Let us pray becomes meaningless since it says, Let us pray. If we don t have some time to pray before the beginning of the Collect Prayer, the celebrant might better say, Let me pray. The next periods of pregnant pauses are after the Old Testament and New Testament Readings and after the Sermon. This brief periods are for reflection what did I just hear? What do these words mean for me? What don t I understand? What do I need to follow-up on? What didn t I like? The Word of God and the Sermon hopefully provide some ideas to think about. The next period of silence is actually recommended in the Book of Common Prayer. After the invitation to confess we need time to confess or there is no confession. The prayer we pray together is really an Act of Contrition not an act of confession. This brief period of silence, is a time for me to actually confess my sins to God so that the absolution can be effective. After, I explained all this the person then said, It drags the service out too much. Well, if we add all the pregnant pauses together, it adds exactly 3.5 minutes to the service. To the question that other Episcopal churches don t have these pregnant pauses, I have no answer except that I experienced these pregnant pauses in a variety Episcopal churches in my travels.

27 SINGING SOME PARTS OF THE EUCHARIST I received a note a couple of months ago asking why we sing some parts of the Eucharist. Specifically, I was asked why we sing a Gospel Response, the Memorial Acclamation, the Great Amen, and the Our Father. The simple response is that any part of the Eucharist can be sung and the Hymnal 1982 has music for everything mentioned above except the Gospel Response. See S-132 through S-141 (Memorial Acclamation), S-142 through S-147 (Great Amen), and S-148 through S-150 (Our Father). Looking through the Service Music section of the Hymnal 1982, there are lots of other parts of the service that can be sung Prayers of the People; Sign of Peace; Breaking of the Bread; etc. The saying that to Sing Once is to Pray Twice has much truth to it. The sung Gospel Response is an option many Episcopal parishes sing verses 1 & 2 of the Gospel hymn and then verses 3 & 4 of the same hymn after the Gospel. We vary it with a sung response based on the Church year. We have even sung the Creed at some special services. SILENCE PRIOR TO THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST For some time now, we have begun our services with a 5-minute period of silence. All conversation, moving around the church, texting, checking s, etc. should cease so we can prepare in silent prayer for the great act of worship that we are about to begin. There is plenty of time before this period of silence begins to greet one another and catch-up on the week s activities. There is also plenty of time to continue those conversations after the service. This 5-minute period of time is just one small way for us to prepare to pray to prepare to enter into the intimate conversation with God that we are about to have in our Eucharist. In our secular lives, we prepare for lots of things trips to the store or the doctor s office; vacations, holidays, events, etc. If we can take lots of time to prepare ourselves for other things in our lives can we not take 5 minutes to prepare to meet our God? ONCE A DAY LOTTERY The Finance Committee has decided that there will be one Daily Lottery Fundraiser again this year. We will begin selling the tickets at various parish events in early summer. Any tickets not sold will then be distributed to members to purchase/sell. The drawing will take during the month of September. The goal is to sell as many tickets to the wider community through various events so that the impact on members will be reduced. Please use this time wisely. Ask God to fill you with zeal and enthusiasm forgiveness and redemption grace and glory. Thank God that you have the opportunity to be present at the Eucharist to receive the gift of God Jesus in communion. Seek God s forgiveness and petition Him for blessings. If we use this time wisely 5 minutes will not be enough time.

28 INQUIRER S CLASS We will have an Inquirer s Class this spring. This class is for any adult (16 and above) who wishes to: Be Baptized / Confirmed Be Received into the Episcopal Church (already Baptized) Renew the basic and core fundamentals of our faith The classes will be on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. in the Rector s office and will run no more than 90 minutes. Topics will be: The dates are as follows: The Basics of Scripture Old and New Testaments Prayer Sacraments Worship The Book of Common Prayer History of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion Open Question and Answer time at each session March 24 March 31 April 7 April 28 May 5 If you wish to enroll, please call the Parish Office ( ) no later than March 10. This will give time for the gathering of sufficient materials. This is a great way to learn one of the Practices of The Way of Love. BISHOP S VISIT Bishop Audrey Scanlan is scheduled to make her Pastoral Visitation to Saint Paul, Columbia on Sunday, June 2, Bishop Scanlan will preside at our Sunday Eucharist and following the all member reception and open forum in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center, will meet with the Vestry and Wardens. Please put this Pastoral Visit on your calendar and plan to attend to welcome our Bishop into our mission and ministry.

29 MARCH, 2019 SATURDAY SERVICE: St. John Herr Estate 5:30 p.m. FOOD BANK HOURS:: Screening: Monday 9:30 11:15 a.m. SUNDAY SERVICE SCHEDULE: Food pick-up: Tues. and Wed. 9:30 11:30 a.m. 8:50 a.m. Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Eucharist WED: Morning Prayer and Healing Service 9:30 a.m. 10:15 a.m. Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 Free Community Breakfast sponsored by Columbia Christian Fellowship 7:30 a.m. 3 Birthday Sunday Finance Committee Meeting 10:45 a.m. 4 Columbia Ministerium 9:00 a.m. 5 SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER 5:00 p.m. 6 ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES 9:30 a.m. 7:00 p.m. with Columbia Presbyterian at St. Paul Free Community Breakfast 7:30 a.m. 10 Vestry Meeting in the Library 10:45 a.m. Girl Scouts Parish Hall 4:00 p.m Rim Parish Lenten Program St. Luke, Mt. Joy Dinner 6 p.m. Program 6:45 p.m. 14 Lancaster Convocation Clericus St. Thomas 12 noon Clergy Council St. Thomas 1:30 p.m. 15 Easter Egg Pick-up 11:00-11:45 a.m. Stations of the Cross St. Peter Roman Catholic Church 7:00 p.m. 16 Free Community Dinner 5:30 p.m. 17 St. Patrick s Day Light Breakfast following the Service Irish Dinner at 4:00 p.m Daisy Scouts Parish Hall 6:30 p.m. 20 Friendly s Family Fun Night Centerville Road 5:00 8:00 p.m. Rim Parish Lenten Program St. Paul, Manheim Dinner 6 p.m. Program 6:45 p.m. 21 LARC Luncheon Harrisburg 12 noon Rim Clericus St. Luke 6:30 p.m. 22 Easter Egg Pick-up 11:00-11:45 a.m. 23 Declan s Birthday Party in the Parish Hall 1:00-8:00 p.m. 24 Inquirer s Class 10:30 a.m. Girl Scouts Parish Hall 4:00 p.m Rim Parish Lenten Program St. John, Marietta Dinner 6 p.m. Program 6:45 p.m Easter Egg Pick-up 11:00-11:45 a.m. Stations of the Cross St. Paul Episcopal Church 7:00 p.m. 30 Inquirer s Class 10:30 a.m. 31

30 WORSHIP ASSISTANTS MARCH, 2019 SATURDAY St. John Herr Estate 5:30 P.M. 2 6 ASH WEDNESDAY 9:30 a.m Lector Darlene Bev Bev Deb Charlene Darlene Eucharistic Minister Prayers of the People Les Alf Peter Les Les Les Charlene Bev Bev Charlene Bev Charlene SUNDAY Church 9:00 a.m. 3 6 ASH WEDNESDAY 7:00 p.m Lectors Mary Lynn/ Jessica Danielle/ Evan Bill W./Tracy Bea/Evan Danielle/ Mary Lynn Jessica/ Bill W. Eucharistic Minister Danielle/ Ralph Christine/ Ralph Bill K./Vickie Christine/ Ralph Danielle/ Bill K. Christine/ Vickie Crucifer Ralph Ralph Bill K. Ralph Bill K. Christine Server Ralph Georgie Georgie Christine Georgie Vckie Gospel Bearer Danielle Georgie Georgie Ralph Georgie Vickie Prayers of the People Mary Lynn Mary Lynn Bea Jeanne Mary Lynn Bea Ushers George/Ralph George/ Bill W. George/Bill W. George/ Ralph George/ Bill W. George/ Ralph Greeters Evelyn/Ralph George/ Bill W. George/Bill W. Evelyn/Ralph George/ Bill W.. Evelyn/ Ralph Verger (Open) Tracy Christine Christine Tracy Christine Tracy Verger (Close) Bev Father Patrick Janet Bev Bev Bev If you cannot assist when scheduled, please get a substitute. Please be at the church 20 minutes prior to the start of the service. Thank you.

31 APRIL, 2019 SATURDAY SERVICE: St. John Herr Estate 5:30 p.m. FOOD BANK HOURS:: Screening: Monday 9:30 11:15 a.m. SUNDAY SERVICE SCHEDULE: Food pick-up: Tues. and Wed. 9:30 11:30 a.m. 8:50 a.m. Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Eucharist WED: Morning Prayer and Healing Service 9:30 a.m. 10:15 a.m. Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Columbia Ministerium 9:00 a.m. 2 Daisy Scouts Parish Hall 6:30 p.m. 3 Rim Parish Lenten Program St. Paul, Columbia Dinner 6 p.m. Program 6:45 p.m 4 5 Easter Egg Pick-up 11:00-11:45 a.m. 6 Free Community Breakfast sponsored by Columbia Christian Fellowship 7:30 a.m. 7 Birthday Sunday Inquirer s Class 10:30 a.m. Finance Committee Meeting 10:30 a.m. Girl Scouts Parish Hall 4:00 p.m Rim Parish Lenten Program Hope Church, Mt. Hope Dinner 6 p.m. Program 6:45 p.m 11 Lancaster Convocation Clericus St. Thomas 12 noon Chrism Mass Harrisburg 3:00 p.m. 12 Easter Egg Pick-up 11:00-11:45 a.m. Food Bank Board Meeting 6:20 p.m. 13 Free Community Breakfast 7:30 a.m. 14 PALM SUNDAY Palm Sunday Breakfast Columbia Presbyterian 8:00 a.m Daisy Scouts Parish Hall 6:30 p.m MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE 6:30 p.m. 19 GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE 12:00 noon 20 Free Community Dinner 5:40 p.m. 21 EASTER SUNDAY Baptisms Service 9:00 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt 10:15 a.m Rim Clericus St. Luke 6:30 p.m Inquirer s Class 10:30 a.m

32 WORSHIP ASSISTANTS APRIL, 2019 SATURDAY St. John Herr Estate 5:30 P.M NO SERVICE ST. JOHN HERR ESTATES 27 Lector Bev Deb Charlene Eucharistic Minister Les Peter Les Prayers of the People Bev Charlene Bev SUNDAY Church 9:00 a.m PALM SUNDAY 21 EASTER 28 Lectors Tracy/Bea TBD Evan/Christine Mary Lynn// Jessica Eucharistic Ministers Ralph/Danielle Christine/Bill K. Ralph/Danielle Christine/Bill K. Crucifer Ralph Bill K. Ralph Christine Server Ralph Georgie Ralph Georgie Gospel Bearer Danielle Georgie Danielle Georgie Prayers of the People Jeanne Mary Lynn Bea Jeanne Ushers George/Bill W. George/Ralph George/Bill W. George/Ralph Greeters George/Bill W. Evelyn/Ralph George/Bill W. Evelyn/Ralph Verger (Open) Christine Tracy Christine Tracy Verger (Close) Bev Bev Bev Bev If you cannot assist when scheduled, please get a substitute. Please be at the church 20 minutes prior to the start of the service. Thank you.

33 WORSHIP ASSISTANTS HOLY WEEK, 2019 MAUNDY THURSDAY APRIL 18 6:30 P.M. GOOD FRIDAY APRIL NOON Candle Lighter Iris None Lectors Eucharistic Ministers Danielle, Mary Lynn, Bill W., Christine None Passion Readers Danielle/Ralph Crucifer None Ralph Server Georgie None Gospel Narrator Tracy None Prayers of the People Bea Mary Lynn Ushers None George Greeters George Evelyn Verger (Open) Bev Father Patrick Verger (Close) Father Patrick Father Patrick If you cannot assist when scheduled, please get a substitute. Please be at the church 20 minutes prior to the start of the service. Thank you.

34 MAY, 2019 SATURDAY SERVICE: St. John Herr Estate 5:30 p.m. FOOD BANK HOURS:: Screening: Monday 9:30 11:15 a.m. SUNDAY SERVICE SCHEDULE: Food pick-up: Tues. and Wed. 9:30 11:30 a.m. 8:50 a.m. Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Eucharist WED: Morning Prayer and Healing Service 9:30 a.m. 10:15 a.m. Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Free Community Breakfast sponsored by Columbia Christian Fellowship 7:30 a.m. 5 Birthday Sunday Finance Committee Meeting 10:45 a.m. Inquirer s Class 10:30 a.m. Eleventh Annual Choir Festival 2:00 p.m. 6 Columbia Ministerium 9:00 a.m. 7 Daisy Scouts Parish Hall 6:30 p.m. 8 9 Lancaster Convocation Clericus St. Thomas 12 noon Free Community Breakfast 7:30 a.m. 12 Vestry Meeting in the Library 10:45 a.m Rim Clericus St. Luke 6:30 p.m Free Community Dinner 5:30 p.m. 19 Girl Scouts Parish Hall 4:00 p.m Daisy Scouts Parish Hall 6:30 p.m C L E R G Y C O N F E R EN C E 26 Memorial Day Food Stand in the Churchyard 12:00 4:00 p.m Clergy Council St. Thomas 1:30 p.m. ASCENSION THURSDAY SERVICE ST. JOHN HERR ESTATE 7:00 p.m.

35 WORSHIP ASSISTANTS MAY, 2019 SATURDAY St. John Herr Estate 5:30 P.M Lector Darlene Bev Deb Charlene Eucharistic Minister Les Peter Les Les Prayers of the People Charlene Bev Charlene Bev SUNDAY Church 9:00 a.m Lectors Bill W./Tracy Bea/Evan Christine/ Mary Lynn Jessica/Danielle Eucharistic Minister Ralph/Danielle Christine/Bill K. Ralph/Danielle Christine/Bill K. Crucifer Ralph Bill K. Ralph Christine Server Ralph Georgie Ralph Georgie Gospel Bearer Danielle Georgie Danielle Georgie Prayers of the People Mary Lynn Bea Jeanne Mary Lynn Ushers George/ Bill W. George/Ralph George/ Bill W. George/Ralph Greeters George/ Bill W. Evelyn/Ralph George/ Bill W. Evelyn/Ralph Verger (Open) Christine Tracy Christine Tracy Verger (Close) Bev Bev Bev Bev If you cannot assist when scheduled, please get a substitute. Please be at the church 20 minutes prior to the start of the service. Thank you.

36 340 Locust Street P. O. Box 96 Columbia, PA (fax) Parish Leadership Team Mary Lynn Geltmacher, Altar Guild Director Suzanne Ollar, Assistant Treasurer and Stewardship Committee Chair Cindy Mohr, President, Episcopal Church Women, Diocese of Central PA William Weinberg, Delegate to Diocesan Convention Ann Jones, Director of Public Relations and Vestry Secretary Jenny Bair, Director of Sunday School Ralph Jones, Free Community Breakfast Coordinator Bill Weinberg, Free Community Dinner Coordinator Christine Weinberg, Inreach and Hospitality Chair Darlene Swartzbaugh, Parish Administrator William Kaufhold, Property Committee Chair Ralph Jones, Sexton Darlene Swartzbaugh, Sunday Hospitality Chair Beverly Euculano, Treasurer and Finance and Investment Committee Chair Youth Minister, Vacant Robert Henry, Senior Warden Bill Weinberg, Junior Warden VESTRY: Jeanne Cooper (2020); Ralph Jones (2019); Bill Kaufhold (2021); Dee Kaufhold ((2020); Iris Lutz (2021); Pete Ollar (2019); Suzanne Ollar (2019); Beth Runkle (2020); Bill Weinberg (2021); Alfred Kuhns, Assistant to the Rector Liturgy Senior Verger The Reverend J. Patrick Peters, Rector The Reverend Canon Charles P. James, (Rector Emeritus, deceased Archangel of God) The Right Reverend Audrey Scanlan, Diocesan Bishop The Most Reverend Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop The Most Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury In the name of Christ we offer you welcome to our church. May those who sorrow find comfort; the weary, rest; the troubled, peace; the stranger, friends; the unhappy, joy; and to all, the sense of God s presence in this Holy Place.