The Last Sunday after the Epiphany
The Collect
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
.A link to the Diocesan Newsletter:
Readings from the Lectionary
Scott’s Schedule
February 24 – Office Hours, 9-12; Bible Study, 7:00 pm
February 25 – Weekly Council 2:30-4 pm; Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper at the Fort 5:30 pm
February 26 – Ash Wednesday – worship 12 noon and 7 pm and quiet day
February 27 – Office Hours 9-12; Valley Terrace 2-4
February 28 – Sabbath Day
February 29 – Sabbath Day
Who’s Who at 10 AM
Verger – Virginia Umland
Greeter – Bruce Lather
Host –Stew Wood
Readers – Doug Jenisch, Judi Shank
Psalms and Prayers – Nancy Snyder
Chalice Bearers –Judi Shank, Mary Burton
Assisting Clergy – Louise Pietsch
Nursery Care – Greg Taylor
Announcements – Rich Kremer
Coffee Hour - Virginia Umland and Beth Neal
Counters –Greg Taylor, Holly Hall
Altar Guild – All, as available
Acolytes –Kathryn Brennan, Doug Jenisch
St. Paul’s Vestry: Bev Barton (’21), Senior Warden; Greg Taylor (’22), Junior Warden; Jeff Wilcox (’23); Molly Castaldo (’20); Andrew Pillsbury (’20); Dick Davis (’21); Geri Williams (’21); Holly Hall (’22) and Virginia Umland (’22)
Upcoming Events
Please send event and prayer updates to announcements.spc@gmail.com
February 22 – Parish Potluck and Discussion
February 24 – Bible Study
February 25 – Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Supper at The Fort
February 26 – Men’s Coffee at McDonald’s
February 26 – Ash Wednesday
March 1 – First Sunday in Lent
March 27-28 – Vestry Retreat at Mission Farm
Prayer Requests
For the Church: Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Shannon, Our Bishop; Scott our Priest; Ministry of Shannon, our 11th Bishop; St. Michael’s Church, Brattleboro; Iglesia Anglicana de la Region Central de America.
For those bearing the responsibility of leadership, especially Donald our president, Phil and Chris our governors, our legislators and judges, and all who do the work of governance.
For those who serve in the Armed Forces: Cody O’Dell; Alden; Ryan, Isaac, Eric, Tom, Terry, Jesse, Mick, Grant.
For refugees; for exploiters and the exploited; for those committing acts of terror, that their hearts may be turned to peace.
For those asking for our prayers: Kayci Bayerle; Pat H.; Susan, Judy and Cindy White; Yufeng and her husband Charlie, Judi; Barbara; Karen; Francis Monahan and the Breen family; Kevin; Ray Pecor; Terri Q., Mike Fraga; Sarah; Terry; Joan; Norma Hamel; Gloria Wheeler; Jay; Susan Hatfield; Mary Corrigan; Akash, Akhila; Nived, Jecin, Renjith, and Navathej, our godchildren in India; Jocelyn, our godchild in Honduras and the entire LAMB community; the poor and the oppressed, for the unemployed; for the homeless and the destitute; for refugees; for prisoners and captives; for those affected by the violence and natural disasters around the world, hurricanes, fires and floods.
For those who have died: Theresa; Robert White; Francis Monahan; Norma, Lois Miller; Jean; Rodney Throne.
In thanksgiving: For this parish family; for vestry and their hard work; for all good gifts around us; for children and grandchildren; for the gift of faith; for the hope of peace.
Please send prayer requests to spcvtprayers@gmail.com
General Announcements
MealTrain for Christine and David Davison - Their life is a bit over-full right now with appointments helping Christine's son Nick. Any help with meals would lighten their burden and be greatly appreciated.
You can sign up by clicking the link: https://mealtrain.com/d3lk83. Questions or problems with access to the mealtrain, please contact Pam Hanson, 603-558-1239 or pamela.r.hanson@comcast.net
A Reminder: This is a gentle reminder to please remember to keep your belongings with you during church and coffee hour. It is important that while we are hosting our neighbors from the Overnight Shelter we keep temptation to a minimum.
February 22 – Parish Potluck and Discussion – Please mark your calendars and plan on attending this parish potluck and discussion. We will begin to examine priorities and options as we move forward as a parish. Remember to bring your plates, cups, silverware and napkins.
February 24 – Bible Study 7:00 – 8:30 PM We will focus on Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19 and Matthew 4:1-11, the First Sunday in Lent. All are welcome!
February 25 – Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper at The Fort, Lebanon, at 5:30. Please sign-up if you want to attend as we’ll need to give them an idea of numbers attending. The sign-up sheet is on the piano in the parish hall. To simplify check-out, Scott will pay the bill with the church credit card; please give your donation to Scott to cover the cost of the supper.
February 26 - "SPC Men's Coffee" is open to all men at 9:30am at McDonalds in West Lebanon, NH.
We get together every Wednesday.
February 26 –- Ash Wednesday Service Schedule – Holy Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes. Services at 12 noon and 7 pm with St. Barnabas as follows:
12 noon – St. Barnabas, Norwich. Jennie Anderson – presiding; Scott Neal, preaching.
7 PM – St. Paul’s, WRJ. Scott Neal – presiding; Jennie Anderson – preaching.
The Lenten series this year introduces Sacred Ground, a readings and film-based dialogue on race and faith developed by the National Episcopal Church. We will meet on the following six Sunday afternoons: March 1st, 15th, and 29th, April 19th, and May 3rd and 17th. The meetings will be held from 4 to 5:30 pm at Kendal in Hanover. Members of St. Barnabas and St. Martins are invited to join us.
Sacred Ground invites participants to reflect on family histories and stories, as well as important narratives that shape the collective American story. It holds as its guiding star the vision of beloved community – where all people are honored and protected and nurtured as beloved children of God, where we weep at one another’s pain and seek one another’s flourishing.
There is no limitation on the number of participants but it is necessary to register in advance. A sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall and you can also sign up or ask questions by contacting Mary Burton at maryburton@earthlink.net or call 603-277-9243.
Please join as many sessions as possible, but with the understanding that all dates may not work for everyone. All sessions are open to new participants. More information about Sacred Ground is available on the National Episcopal Church website at https://episcopalchurch.org/sacred-ground.
Kendal is located in Hanover, at 80 Lyme Road (Route 10) about 2 miles north of Dartmouth. The entrance drive is on your left. Take a left at the intersection and continue to follow the road to the Community Center entrance. Parking is located to the left of the entrance. Check in at the front desk and tell the attendant you’re part of the Sacred Ground group and you’ll be directed upstairs to the meeting room.
February 28 - a Celebration of Ministry at St. James Church, Woodstock, at 6 pm.. The Rev. Amy Spagna has been called as the rector at St. James’.
March 1 – Episcopal Relief and Development (ER-D) In-Gathering - the First Sunday in Lent is designated as ER-D In-Gathering Sunday by The Episcopal Church. Episcopal Relief & Development is the compassionate response of The Episcopal Church to human suffering in the world. Hearing God’s call to seek and serve Christ in all persons and to respect the dignity of every human being, Episcopal Relief & Development serves to bring together the generosity of Episcopalians and others with the needs of the world. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Thank you, Scott
March 21 - Vermont Special Olympics will have a Penquin Plunge at Bromley Mountain at 1pm. Their poster is on the Parish Hall bulletin board. Three Boys Baking uses our kitchen every Monday and Randi, Bo and Rose will take the plunge! They would appreciate anyone coming to cheer them on or help with fund raising.
A note regarding the Server schedule - It has come to my attention that scheduling changes are being made on the schedule in the hallway in the church. This is great but the office needs to be notified of those changes in order to provide accurate ‘Who’s Who’ listings in the weekly announcements. If you switch with someone on the schedule please be sure to notify Jenny in the parish office, stpaulsvt@gmail.com. Thank you, Scott
Flu Season and Coronavirus Precautions:
At the Peace - - It is fine if you choose a friendly wave or bow with hand clasped instead of a handshake as a sign of peace.
At Communion - - I also remind you that “since we understand that Christ is fully present in both the bread and/or wine, you may choose to refrain from receiving the wine until the flu season has passed.” If you choose to receive wine from chalice, science has shown that it is better to drink from the cup than to intinct.
Three Boys Baking update - A quick reminder that Three Boys Baking Bakery is using our kitchen on Monday mornings. They have dedicated space in the shelves in the kitchen for their supplies and cooking utensils. Please do not use or move these items. Thanks, Scott
A note to coffee hour hosts – cleanup is part of your coffee hour hospitality. Recently Doug and Ann have been left with lots of kitchen cleanup to do after everyone else has gone home for the day. These duties include washing and putting away the dishes, putting away the tables and chairs and sweeping the floor. Often our Overnight Shelter Guests are willing to help and pitch in with these duties. Thanks, Scott
Name Buttons will be made morning of February 13th. If you would like a new name button, please let Paula Stevens or Holly Hall know by Monday, February 10th.
Thank you to Overnight Shelter Guest Ministries Teams – Thank you for the fantastic hospitality you all have been offering our shelter guests on Sunday Mornings. I have spoken to many of our guests and they are extremely grateful for our hospitality, warm and delicious breakfast and lunch foods. Thank you also to Jenny for her willingness to be the ‘bridge’ between our two communities. Jenny is helping identify places where improvement is needed, long term planning needs happen and is developing systems and protocols for the future of this ministry. Thank you all very much for ministry and caring, Scott
Good Neighbor Health Clinic Dinners
Who: St. Paul’s Church commits to
What: Provide dinner for 6-8 volunteer staff (entrée and side dishes OR soup, bread & salad OR a 1 dish meal: really whatever you might prepare at home!)
When: On the 1st Wednesday of each month, delivered by 4pm,
Where: To the Clinic in downtown White River Junction.
How: Please sign up to provide a meal, either on your own, or as a team with others!
There will be a sign up-sheet posted in the Parish Hall.
Contact Pam Hanson with any questions: 603-558-1239 or pamela.r.hanson@comcast.net
Listen Community Dinners – We are still looking for a coordinator for these dinners; the first is scheduled for March 16. If no one steps in, we will need to tell the Listen coordinator we are no longer able to provide dinners. This has been an important ministry of the parish.
Food Shelf Needs at Upper Valley Haven: Tuna, canned vegetables, canned fruit, soup, shelf-stable milk, cream cheese and cheese.
Milk With Dignity is an effort to improve work and living conditions for dairy farm workers supported by UVIP, SURJ, Jewish Voice for Peace, and several other organizations. Hannaford's grocery stores are being encouraged to join the effort. Please come and help!
Visibility events are being held near the West Lebanon Hannaford’s store.
Week one of every month: UVIP: Every first Wednesday at 11am-12pm
Week two of every month: Rise! Upper Valley: Every second Tuesday 6-7pm
Week Three of every month: Jewish Voice for Peace: Every third Sunday 1pm
Week four of every month: SURJ: Every last Saturday at 11:30am
Caring Ministries - Caring Ministries is a group ministry made up of individuals interested in healing, prayer, and pastoral comfort. We meet 4-6 times a year in the Parish House to learn, share, and refresh our mission. Talk to Ger Williams (team leader), Scott Neal, or members you see offering healing prayer on Sundays for more information.
Knit and Purl Fellowship – meets the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month in the parish house at 6:30. All are welcome!
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Ongoing Reminders
· Discretionary Fund Reminder – First Sunday of every month. Please be as generous as possible.
· Vestry meets – 3rd Tuesday of the month in the Parish Hall at 6:30pm. All are welcome to attend.
· Weekly Meeting – Tuesdays, 2:30 – 4 pm.
· Valley Terrace Eucharist and Ministry is usually held the fourth Thursday of the month at 2:00 PM , but due to the holiday season the dates may change. Come and join us for this special time with the residents of Valley Terrace.
· Knit and Purl Fellowship - meets 1st and 3rd Monday of the month at 6:30 in Parish House. Anyone who likes hand crafts are welcome to join in!
· Bible Study – meets the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month in the Parish House at 7 PM. We will focus each meeting on the lectionary for the upcoming week. This is a come as you can discussion group, you can do not have to come every meeting. All are welcome!
· St. Paul’s Concerned about Racial Justice group meets the 2nd Sunday of each month beginning at 11:45 in the Side Chapel in the Sanctuary. All are welcome to join us!
· Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) sponsors three regularly scheduled events open to the public: 1) Vigils for Racial Justice, Monday 5:30 – 6:00 pm, on the corner of the green across from Hanover Inn and Tuesday at 4 p.m. on the sidewalk across from City Hall, Lebanon. The Wednesday WRJ vigil is suspended for the winter. 2) "Difficult Conversations about Race" at the Howe Library. Usually 3rd Wednesday at noon - next one Dec. 18th. 3) Meetings as announced, usually 4th Wednesday of the month.