Sunday's readings and verger schedule
O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Sunday's readings and verger schedule
Serving on Sunday (Feb 15th)
Old Testament: Kate Conner Epistle: Bruce Lather Psalm and Prayers: Bev Barton
Greeter: Holly Hall Host: Wood Chalice: Judi Shank, Kate Conner
Announcer: Jane Carroll Counters: Andrew Pillsbury, Bruce Taylor
Sunday's readings 2 Kings 2:1-12 2 Corinthians 4:3-6
this week's announcements:
Resource Lists, click lines below:
Resource Contact List for whom to contact with questions or concerns.
Verger List has Sunday assignments through March.
Before we get to our weekly announcements, below is information about St. Paul's plans for the upcoming Lenten season. It will be followed by our regular announcements format. But... before we get to Lent:
Join us for the delicious tradition: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Tues, Feb. 17, 5:30-7pm, in the parish hall. Pancakes, bacon, sausage and more. By donation. Put on by the men of St. Paul's.
Intentions for Lent 2015
What is Lent?
The name Lent comes from an Old English word meaning "spring" reflecting the simultaneous reawakening of the earth. The forty days of Lent begin with Ash Wednesday culminating in Maundy Thursday and Good Friday leading up to the Easter celebration of the resurrection. To quote the Book of Common Prayer, in preparation for the Paschal feast, Christians observed "a season of penitence and fasting" (BCP, pp. 264-265) as a preparation for Easter life. Lent was also a time when those wishing to be baptized were instructed and prepared, making it a season for formation, deepening, and renewal. All Christians are invited "to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer and fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word" (BCP, p.265).
How do we, the St. Paul's community, plan to observe this Lenten season?
At the heart of Christian practice is our worship. Indeed, this commitment is embedded in our baptismal vows: Will you continue in the Apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers? I will, with God’s help. Here we join with Christ to worship God and be renewed in Spirit. This Lent we are invited to recall the origins of our worship and the meaning of the actions, prayers and symbols of the Eucharist. To support this intention, we will begin the Sundays of Lent with a very simple service modeled on the earliest liturgies we can recover, and with a bare sanctuary. Lent 2 we will celebrate the same service using the language of the Book of Common Prayer, and add a little music. Beginning with Lent 3 we will expand to our usual service, incorporating just a few elements from Taize and Iona worship. Also on Lent 3, the Altar Guild will ‘dress’ the sanctuary as the service opens, so that all may appreciate the service they give so graciously. During some services, there will also be a brief teaching on an element of the service.
Individual practice: what feeds you spiritually?
For many years Lent was known as a time for giving up things, famously chocolate. More and more, people have come to see it as a time to take on a new practice, or let go of something unhelpful in their lives. The Lenten question is: What will open your heart and feed your soul? Reflect on what you need in your life spiritually at this time. There are classic choices such as adding meditation or prayer, reading the Bible, or service to others. It could also be very personal, for example a commitment to yourself and to God to address a barrier in your life, challenge your self to take a new risk, etc. We will be praying for each other. Each day during Lent, we will receive a prayer and short of list of names via e-mail.
The Brothers of the Society of St. John the Evangelist in Boston are offering short daily videos (2 min.) presenting meditation topics with title, It’s Time To…Stop, Pray, Work, Play & Love. To participate, sign up at www.SSJE.org/time.
Our community practice for Lent
· Coffee hour is our precious time, not just for sharing food, but more importantly, for welcoming visitors, and connecting with each other about our lives. This Lent, we are invited to share with each other about 'how were you fed spiritually in this past week?’
· We ask our community to recommit to donating food for those who are hungry in our community. The food will be collected in the parish hall and coffee hour will begin by blessing the donations.
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Recalculating the Way: Recalculating Worship
March 14, at Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, VT Cost (includes breakfast & lunch): $20
The Episcopal Church in Vermont and The Vermont Conference, United Church of Christ invite you to Recalculating the Way II: Recalculating Worship. Featuring keynote speaker the Rev. Michael Piazza, director for Congregational Vitality for the Center for Progressive Renewal. The day will include presentations, TED talks, and small group experimentation and experiences.
Bring your creativity with you to a day geared toward experiencing, recalculating, and hearing about evolving ways to worship and expand participation. Teams of 4 - 6 people from each church are encouraged to attend. Individuals are also welcome!
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Caring Ministries
Caring Ministries meets four times a year at 6PM in the Parish House. Our next meeting will be March 2nd. Caring Ministries includes Pastoral Care, Healing Prayers, and Intercessory Prayer members. If you would like to join either of these ministries, please join us at the meeting on March 2nd.
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Knit and Purl Fellowship
We meet the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month at 6:30. Next meeting is February 16th at Janie Bell's home.
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Prayer List
All prayers are welcome, confidential prayers or public prayers. To make a prayer request, please contact Holly Hall.
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Listen Community Dinners
The first dinner in 2015 is Monday, March 16th. Ev and Holly will be organizing the meal with three or four girl scouts to help serve. Main course will be chicken vegetable casserole- a big hit last fall- and gingerbread with whip cream for dessert. We will be serving 100 people and we are asking for 12 casseroles so there will be extra for extra people coming to eat. We also need 12 pans of gingerbread and ten containers of cool whip/ whip cream. Each casserole and pan of gingerbread will serve ten. A signup sheet will be posted on Parish Hall bulletin on Sunday. Thank you for your help!
St. Paul's Church serves total of six meals a year. We are in need of a member or a family to organize meals on August 10th and September 21st. Holly is available to answer any questions and give support to anyone willing to be the organizers for those two dates. Please contact Holly by email or by phone.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, February 16th
Knit and Purl Fellowship at 6:30
Monday, March 2nd
Caring Ministries meeting
Monday, March 14th Lake Morey Resort
Recalculating the Way: Recalculating Worship
Monday, March 16
Hosting Listen Community Dinner