Sunday's readings and verger schedule
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Serving on Sunday (Feb 22nd)
Old Testament: Barb Lather Epistle: Bev Barton Psalm and Prayers: Kristin Wood
Greeter: Penny McClure Host: Lather Chalice: Leslie Black, Pam Hanson
Announcer: Bev Taylor Counters: Rich Kremer, Dave Davison
Sunday's readings Genesis 9:8-17 1 Peter 3: 18-22
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.
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About our worship during Lent
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.
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Caring Ministries
The next meeting for St. Paul's Caring Ministries is March 2nd, in the Parish House, 6-7PM. Anyone who would like to join Pastoral Care, Healing, or Prayer Ministries, are welcome to join.
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Embracing Life’s Third Act: A Day-Long Retreat in a Circle of Trust - Sat, March 7th
Aging with grace, purpose, and integrity is both a challenge and an opportunity for those of us transitioning into—or already “inside”—the Third Act of our lives. We invite you for a day at Vermont College in Montpelier to join us in an exploration of those challenges and opportunities within a safe space created by a Circle of Trust. Circles of Trust are associated with the work of Parker Palmer, an author and teacher, and the Center for Courage & Renewal, http://www.couragerenewal.org/
Through the use of reflective journaling, silence, active listening, and opening ourselves up to the beauty of nature, we’ll share our stories and harvest some of the wisdom embedded within our life experiences. The day will include an opportunity to participate in a Clearness Committee, a discernment process from the Quaker tradition.
For more information and/or to register for the retreat, please contact David Leo-Nyquist at dleonyquist@gmail.com or (802) 233-5565
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Knit and Purl Fellowship
We meet the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 6:30. March 2nd, we will meet at Judy Barwood's home and March 16th, at Janie Bell's home.
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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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Listen Community Dinner
Ev, Tom and Holly and four Girl Scouts will be organizing and serving Chicken Vegetable casserole and Gingerbread on March 16th. The sign up sheet is now posted on Parish House bulletin. We need twelve sign ups for the main course and for dessert, one casserole/dessert should serve 10. Food can be delivered to church March 15th or at the Listen Center March 16th, 3-4PM. Thank you so much for helping us provide a nourishing meal for 100 people. If you have questions, contact Holly.
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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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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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UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, March 2nd
Caring Ministries meeting
Monday, March 2nd
Knit and Purl
Saturday, March 7th Vermont College, Montpelier
Embracing Life’s Third Act: A Day-Long Retreat in a Circle of Trust
Monday, March 14th Lake Morey Resort
Recalculating the Way: Recalculating Worship
Monday, March 16th
Knit and Purl
Monday, March 16th
Listen Community Dinner