August 7, 2025 l ISSUE 32

From the rising of the sun

to where it sets,

God, the Lord God, speaks.

Palm 50:1

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

Friends,

It appears that I have been hacked! Someone is using the email address Reverandjeffgoldone@gmail.com. The message is asking for money to buy gift cards for needy children. This email request is not from me. Please don't open it or reply to it. My email address is jgoldone@yahoo.com. Thanks for being cautious!

Last Sunday, my sermon focused on the sinfulness of greed and always wanting more, and more, and more - more money, more things, more power - and then I went on to talk about the parable of the "rich fool," and being "rich towards God" from Luke's Gospel 12:13-21. 

In this story, a man's land produced a bumper crop of grain, and he thinks to himself,

"What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?" He decides to tear down his barns and build bigger ones to hold all his excess wealth. He then says to his soul, "Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, and be merry."

But God calls him a fool, saying, "This very night your life is demanded from you; and as for the things you have prepared, whose will they be?" Jesus concludes the parable with a stark warning: "So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."

What does "Rich Towards God" look like? Here's a quick recap of what I spoke about.

Well, being rich toward God is the opposite of the rich fool's self-centeredness. It's not about the amount of money or possessions you have, but about the posture of your heart and the purpose of your life. And here's what that might looks like:

• Valuing God as Your Ultimate Treasure: The rich fool's treasure was his possessions. To be rich toward God means counting God as your greatest treasure—more valuable than any earthly wealth, comfort, or security. Your heart is focused on God, not on your bank account.
• Stewardship, Not Ownership: The rich fool spoke of "my crops" and "my barns." Being rich toward God means recognizing that everything you have—your money, your talents, your time, your relationships—is a gift from God. You are a steward, a manager of what God has entrusted to you, not an owner.
• Generosity and Good Works: The fool's plan was entirely for himself. A person rich toward God uses their resources to bless others and build God's kingdom. This means being "rich in good works," generous, and willing to share.
• Investing in Eternity: The rich fool's plans were all for this life, but he was unprepared for the next. Being rich toward God is about storing up "treasures in heaven" by living a life that honors God and serves others. These are the riches that can't be lost, stolen, or taken away by death.

In essence, being "rich toward God" is a call to a life of faith, trust, and radical generosity—a life where God, not money, is your security and your joy.

Riches

You can lose it all in the stock market:

rake in a ton, but be robbed of the moment;

make a killing, but end up the one without life,

impoverished of the true wealth of having loved,

the riches of friendship compounded.

Selfishness can cost you the security

of a family you create by extending mercy,

a nest egg of beauty and wonder and grace.

You can waste your greed not just on things,

but feelings, beliefs, oh, those tantalizing highs,

and miss out on the real riches:

the exceeding value of a discerning eye

for beauty in ordinary places,

the gold mine of gratitude.

No deposit box can fail you

of the lasting treasure of watching an evening

grow dark in silence with people you love,

or listening to summer rain on a porch,

the wealth of being able to love without reserve,

from a bottomless account that grows

and is renewed moment by moment.

Look around: love-misers are never happy,

but not so with those who are generous with kindness:

it is they who are given the whole Realm.

Steve Garnaas-Holmes 

Unfolding Light 

www.unfoldinglight.net

Paint Bucket Update

To date, 9 congregation members have pledged $3,300 toward our $6,800 goal for the church painting project. We have just two weeks left before the August 17deadline of making a pledge. Several members have not yet made a pledge. Everyone is counting on you to participate and show that you care about your church and are willing to make a sacrifice to maintaining its beauty. Please, if you haven't done so already, complete a pledge slip and drop it in the collection plate. Those who worship on line, we're counting on you as well. Please send an email to Fr. Jeff with your pledge, jgoldone@yahoo.com. And, if you've already made a pledge, you can always add more to it!!! Pledges need to be paid by December 31, 2025. Thank you for your generosity!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Our next BBQ is

August 22

6:00-7:00 pm! 

If you haven't attended our BBQ yet this summer, plan on being part of the August 22 event. Your help and extension of hospitality to our neighbors is always appreciated!

The registration link will be available soon.

 CARPOOLING IS BEING PLANNED

WITH A FEW VEHICLES FROM ST. PAUL'S

TO ATTEND THIS YEAR'S PICNIC.

SEE RANDY WICKS FOR MORE DETAILS. 

LET'S HAVE A GREAT ST. PAUL'S TURNOUT!

Save the date and spread the word—this is one picnic you don’t want to miss!

Interested in Volunteering?

Reach out to our Planning Committee at bowersoxb@gmail.com or kjpmcgrane@yahoo.com to sign up and learn more.

We’re looking for helping hands to assist. Whether you can give an hour or the whole day, your time and spirit will make a big difference.

AUGUST BIRTHDAY & ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS!