logo
Highlights This Week: Click to go to the featured item
 
Music This Sunday

Hymns :
#463
Lord, Speak to Me
#596
Blessed Jesus, at Thy Word
#541
See How Great a Flame Aspires
 
Sanctuary Choir:

The Heavens are Telling
Franz Josef Haydn

Organ:

13. Allegretto
from Works for Flute Clock
Franz Joseph Haydn

Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier
(Blessed Jesus, at Your Word)
Frederick Frahm

Trumpet Tune in C
Aaron David Miller


Quick Links



Find us on Facebook 

 

 

 Visit our website to sign up for Weekly News!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 16, 2018

Rev. Adam B. Snell, preaching
James 3:1-12

1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. 3If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. 4Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.
How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! 6And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8but no one can tame the tongue - a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. 10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. 11Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? 12Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.

 

Dear friends:
 
The teachers made it memorable last week.
 
St. Paul's was absolutely full of young people last weekend, all weekend long. The youth started off Friday night with an overnight lock-in in which 12 participated. Saturday night 17 youth breathlessly raced around the building for a night of laser tag. And then, Sunday night, 24 youth came to middle high youth group, and 17 came to senior high. These robust numbers are the largest I've seen since I've been at St. Paul's. Under the leadership of Youth Pastor Micah Smartt, many kids are excited to be in the house of the Lord.
 
Our first day of Sunday School was equally robust. Director of Christian Education Meg Baker was in the church late last Saturday getting ready for opening day, and her labors bore much fruit. From the nursery to the senior high crew, we had 88 children present in Sunday School that morning. Again, these are big numbers, the biggest I've seen in years. All this great attendance despite a steady downpour that Sunday morning. Even in this recent wet weather, something's starting to catch fire at St. Paul's.
 
Little 2-year old Iris Clark caught some of that excitement. I saw her running down the hall in her rain boots after Sunday School was over, her mother in hot pursuit. Before she raced out into the rain, Iris came to me and shared some exciting news. "I went to Sunday School today!" she said. With a smile to match her own, I told her I couldn't believe how grown up she had become in just two short years. Kudos to Hans Chen, Keith Scott, and Ryan Cooper, teachers and helpers in the 2's class, for making Sunday School that day memorable for those among the youngest of God's children.
 
This Sunday we'll consecrate all our teachers for the labor of love before them this program season. All teachers and Sunday School children will be present in the Sanctuary to start the day, and then will be dismissed to their classrooms following the Young People's Message and distribution of Bibles to the 3rd Graders. Not everyone should become a teacher, James says in this week's Scripture lesson, but I'm so glad so many at St. Paul's have responded to the call to do so.
 
See you Sunday at St. Paul's, friends. I'm confident it will be memorable.

Peace,
 
A.B. Snell
Sanctuary Choir Retreat!

Sanctuary Choir is having a welcome-back Retreat this Saturday, September 15, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Room 211. Lunch will be provided and some other surprises. We will also preview this fall's music. Regular rehearsals are held Thursdays, 7:30-9:00 p.m., then we gather on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. to get ready to sing in worship. We welcome you to come try our supportive, worshipful choir experience. Please contact Tom Pedersen, Director of Music, at tpedersen@stpaulsk.org with any questions.
Sunday School Details

September 16 is Children's Sunday as well as Christian Education Sunday and all children, youth, and teachers will begin in the Sanctuary at 10:30 a.m. Teachers and leaders will be consecrated, Director of Music Tom Pedersen will lead the children in a song, and 3rd Grade students will receive Bibles. Following the Young People's Message, all children and youth will transition to Sunday School classes with their teachers. A list of classroom locations is posted in the Narthex, and "Welcome to Sunday School" packets are available at the Visitors' Center desk and in the church office. On most other Sundays:
  • Pre-school children (2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds) should be dropped off at their classrooms with their teachers, then teachers will escort them to the DuVall Chapel for a brief worship experience with singing and prayer later in the morning.
  • Elementary school children (Kindergarten to grade 5) will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the DuVall Chapel for their own worship time of song, scripture, and prayer during Opening Chapel, and then transition to their classrooms with their teachers.
  • Youth (grades 6-12) go straight to their classrooms at 10:30 a.m. on most Sundays. On the first Sunday of each month, however, all youth will attend worship in the Sanctuary.
New Crucifers Welcome

Interested in becoming a crucifer? There will be a training session Sunday, September 16, immediately following the 10:30 a.m. worship service for those youth in grades 9-12 who are interested in serving by carrying the processional cross during worship. Questions? Please email Laura Simpson at LPSimpson44@gmail.com.
Weekly News Survey

We are looking for ways to improve the Weekly News email! Before we start changing things, we'd like to hear from you. This Sunday, September 16 is the last day to send your feedback. Please go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MXCCW55 to take a two-minute survey.
Memorial for Ernie Burnett

A memorial service celebrating the life of Ernie Burnett will be held in the Sanctuary at St. Paul's at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 16, followed by a time of fellowship with the family with light refreshments in the Octagon.
Bible Study & Prayer Lift

Prayer Lift will gather each Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. in the DuVall Chapel to lift up the prayer requests of the St. Paul's community. Bible Study sessions are held each Tuesday morning at 10:45 a.m. in the Cleveland Library with Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton. All are welcome! There is no registration or fee, and all visitors are welcome.
2x4s Book Club

Do our behaviors align with our good intentions? Find out this month along with the 2x4s Book Club as we read Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald. Readers in the 20s-40s age range are invited to meet for discussion, 7:30-9:00 p.m., Monday, September 17 at the home of Jim and Rachel King. Email Rachel at reking30@gmail.com for the address and information. (The October 2x4s Book Club meeting will be October 15, book title TBD.)
Taste & Sing

This monthly time to enjoy music, prayer, and lunch returns Tuesday, September 18.  We open with an opportunity to share a few of our favorite hymns, then move into a short program focused on a specific composer or lyricist. Charles Wesley will be featured throughout this Fall's sessions on September 18, October 16, and November 20. Join Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton and Meg Baker in the Octagon starting at 12:00 p.m. and stay for a tasty lunch provided by Ginny Hagberg. There is no registration or fee (lunch donations welcome), and no musical expertise is needed!
SPY Retreat!

Friday, September 21, is the last day to register for Middle High Retreat. We owe a headcount to West River Center, so please be sure to finish your online registration at stpaulsk.org/community/youth by the end of the deadline! The Middle High Retreat takes place September 28-30. Regular Sunday SPY meetings will be held September 16 & 23, October 7 & 21. SPYs are encouraged to participate in Trunk or Treat on October 28 - please contact Micah for details (msmartt@stpaulsk.org, 301-933-7933 ext. 111).
Justice and Compassion

J&C Awareness Day is next Sunday, September 23. The Justice & Compassion Ministry provides opportunities to participate in creating a more just and compassionate church, community, and world. Come and talk with us in the Narthex after both services to ask questions, suggest ideas, and join in!
Still Wednesdays

Still Wednesday returns! Each week will have a different focus or form of moving closer to the divine. We'll meet in the Sanctuary on September 19 with a focus on Centering Prayer, and on September 26 we will be in the Octagon to explore Mandalas. Join us any Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. for stillness, reflection, prayer, and quiet spiritual time.
UMW Book Club

The UMW Book Club's next meeting will be on Sunday, September 23, at 12:00 p.m. in Room 109. All women are welcome as we discuss the meticulously researched historical novel The Orphan's Tale by Pam Jenoff. Setting the glitter of the circus against the tragedy of the WWII Holocaust, this novel follows Noa as she goes on the run with a Jewish infant and joins the Circus Neuoff, navigating new relationships with circus veteran Astrid and learning to fly with the acrobats.
Still Weekend Silent Retreat

spring_forest_sunrise.jpg
Come, take time to listen for the "still small voice." True stillness comes naturally from moments of solitude and in silence where we allow our minds to settle. Join us from Friday October 19 (evening) through Sunday October 21 (after lunch) for Still Weekend at the Dayspring Silent Retreat Center in Germantown MD. There will be time to explore the 200+ acres of forest and meadow, walk the labyrinth, use materials for creative expression, or simply be still. Registration deadline is October 5 but space is limited! The total cost is $220 ($110 deposit needed at time of reservation), and scholarships are available.  Questions? Ask any of the weekend guides: Rev. Kate Mackereth Fulton (kfulton@stpaulsk.org, 301-933-7933 ext. 103), Marty Bartley, Sallie Chatfield, Molly Jackman, Kenzie Raulin (kenzier@rcn.com), or Terri Lynn Simpson. For more information about Dayspring Retreat Center or to submit your reservation and payment, visit dayspringretreat.org (click on the "application" page then "payment options" to register online, or print the form and send your payment directly to Dayspring by mail). Details are also available in the September Epistle.Details are also available in the September edition of the Epistle newsletter. 
Craft Fair News

There is still time to get ready for St. Paul's Fall Craft Fair. The next annual St. Paul's craft fair will be in November. All crafters are invited to donate craft items, which will be accepted in October. All types of crafts are gratefully accepted, and past sales have included needle work, quilted or knit items, photos, greeting cards, paintings, pottery, decorations, jewelry, preserves, books, etc. All proceeds from Craft Fair sales will be donated to worthy causes to help those in need. If you have any questions or would like to suggest a charity we might support, you can contact Mary Revenis at mrevenis@cnmc.org (telephone 301-951-8470) or Helen Quave at hquave@yahoo.com.
Adult Sunday School

Adult Sunday School, led by Vern Schinski, will return beginning October 7, 9:00-10:00 a.m. in the Parlor. The group will be using several DVD sources to study the Gospel of John, including Adam Hamilton's "John: The Gospel of Light and Life." No homework is required, and nursery care is available. Please consider joining us for one or more of our fall sessions!
Stephen Ministers

Stephen Ministry
A Stephen Minister comes alongside a hurting person and meets with that person on a weekly basis for as long as it takes, to listen, care, encourage, pray, and provide emotional and spiritual support. Men are paired with men and women with women and the care is confidential. To learn more about connecting with the Stephen Ministry at St. Paul's, contact Pastor Kate (301-933-7933 ext. 103, kfulton@stpaulsk.org) or Virginia Bickford (301-598-5496). You may also wish to visit www.stephenministries.org/stories to access written accounts and videos offered by care receivers now eager to share their stories and encourage others.
Liturgists & Communion Stewards

We welcome Liturgists to read Scripture and Communion Stewards to help serve communion during the first worship service on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Spots are now available for all Sundays in October and November. To sign up, simply add your name and email address to the sign-up sheet found here: goo.gl/Xz5T79.
Online Prayer Requests

Upcoming surgery? Have a joy or concern? In need of prayer support? Submit a prayer request online, day or night. You have the option to share your request with the Prayer Lift team or only share directly with the pastors. Visit our online prayer request form linked on our website at:  http://stpaulsk.org/community/prayer-requests.
Announcements, Photos, and Social Media

We want to show the world what the people of St. Paul's are doing, and we encourage our members to share our news and spread the Word as well. For more information about St. Paul's policies concerning announcements, print publications, photos, the church website, and social media, please visit http://stpaulsk.org/community/epistle-weekly-news or contact the church office with questions.
 

Thank you for staying connected to St. Paul's UMC through this weekly publication.  The email addresses used in this mailing were provided by the addressees for church use.

 

To unsubscribe from our emails, follow the SafeUnsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.