September 18, 2025 l ISSUE 38

God of our salvation,

help us for the glory of your name!

Psalm 79:9

Sunday Morning Adult Formation Conversations

Join us every Sunday

from 9:30 - 10:15 a.m.

in the Parish Hall

as we listen to God's Holy Word

and discuss how it impacts our personal lives.

9:30a.m. in the Parish Hall

Sunday service

at 10:30 a.m.



UPCOMING SCRIPTURE READINGS

SUNDAY LEADERS

A Note From Fr. Jeff

My favorite poet again has a wonderful reflective poem to continue our meditation from last Sunday's Gospel regarding the lost sheep and the lost coin.  

Lost Sheep

Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness 

and go after the one that is lost until they find it?

~ Luke 15:4

None of us, of course.

We cut our losses and guard what we have.

But God, well, God has different math.

With God it's all about the whole.

With God a hundred minus one is zero, 

like marriage minus one.

God doesn't have a hundred.

God has ones. Many of them. They all count.

So of course, God seeks the one.

There is no one God doesn't seek.

The ninety-nine complain,

as if they're somehow slighted.

Affirmative action, they say -

it's reverse discrimination.

But ever since Eden there's been

the One Law of God; that we all live together.

Until we're all included

even God isn't whole.

Steve Garnaas-Holmes

Unfolding Light

www.unfoldinglight.net

How blessed we are that our God is always watching out for us and never allowing us to stray too far away!

There will be an inner-faith Gun Prevention Prayer Vigil Service this Sunday afternoon, September 21st, at St. Timothy's Church in Creve Coeur, beginning at 4:00p.m. I hope you will make the time to join all our sisters and brothers of different faiths and beliefs as we lift up our collective prayers for an end to the horrific gun violence plague we have in our nation.   

I will be attending the Fall Diocesan Clergy Retreat next Tuesday - Thursday. Please keep me and all my clergy colleagues in your prayers.

And please be inviting family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to join us on Sunday, October 5th, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, at our 10:30 service for the annual blessing of the pets. It should be a fun time! Pets should be on leashes and/or in carriers please.

Discernment Team

to Sign Covenant on Sunday -

Seeks Congregational Input

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not your harm, plans to give you a future full of hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Your Discernment Team continues meeting to discern the movement and work of the Holy Spirit which will enable us to call a rector to faithfully lead St. Paul’s Church. We have created a Covenant – between each of us, and between our Team and you - to guide us in this discernment process. This Sunday, Sept. 21, during the service, we’ll read the covenant aloud and sign it. Please join us as we solemnize our commitment as a Team.

Calling our next Rector is an important decision in the life of our parish, and we can’t do it without you. We need your input! We’re planning three “Coffee and Conversation” gatherings as an opportunity to hear what is important to you as we move into the future and to identify the key qualities and skills we are hoping for in our next rector. We can also discuss what we feel are our strengths, and where we have room for improvement.

Please plan to attend one of these gatherings:

Thursday, Oct. 2, 10:00AM-12:00PM in Affton

(Gary & Angela Breeher’s home)

Saturday, Oct. 11, 1:00-3:00PM in Oakville

(Ed & Leanne Rahe’s home)

Tuesday, Oct. 14, 6:00-8:00PM in South St. Louis

(Karen Watts' home)

RSVP by Sept. 30 by clicking on the link below or response cards can also be found in the entry into the parish hall.

Coffee & Conversation RSVP Link

And, mark your calendar for Sunday, Oct. 26 (11:30AM-1:30PM)! 

Following the service, we’ll review notes from our small group conversations to find common themes and core values to guide us in our search for a Rector. All are invited! (Lunch will be provided; more info to come!)

Please continue to keep your Discernment Team members in your prayers.

“God our Father, You have a plan for each one of us,

You hold out to us a future full of hope.

Give us the wisdom of your Spirit,

so that we can see the shape of your plan

in the gifts you have given us,

and in the circumstances of our daily lives.

Give us the freedom of your Spirit,

to seek you with all our hearts,

and to choose Your will above all else.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”

~ St. Ignasius of Loyola

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Our last BBQ

this year is on

September26

6:00-7:00 pm! 

If you haven't attended our BBQ yet this summer, plan on being part of the September 26 event. Your help and extension of hospitality to our neighbors is always appreciated!

Join us as we celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi by taking part in a special service for pets with their friends and families.



Dogs must be on a leash and cats and other small animals must be in a crate.

The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of the Diocese of Missouri

is holding its retreat and annual meeting on

Saturday, October 4

9 am to 3 pm

Calvary Church in Columbia, MO.

Our theme this year is Creative Soul, Sacred Sound, and it features a program of journaling, storytelling, personal exploration and sound meditation. We hope all Episcopal women will come to our warm, welcoming space and leave with their spirit refreshed. All women who attend an Episcopal Church are welcome to join ECW events at the parish, diocese and national level.

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY & ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS!