August 14, 2025 l ISSUE 33
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Let us run the race that is laid out in front of us,
since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us.
Hebrews 12:1
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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
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Sunday service
at 10:30 a.m.
| | UPCOMING SCRIPTURE READINGS | | |
SUNDAY, AUGUST 17
Reader
Justin Vitale
Prayer
Melissa Ketcherside
Chalice
Karen Watts
Organist
Yvonne Sullivan
Celebrant & Preacher
The Rev. Jeff Goldone
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 24
Reader
Sybil Fisher
Prayer
AnDrea Loomis
Chalice
Randy Wicks
Organist
Burnell Hackman
Celebrant & Preacher
The Rev. Anne Kelsey
| | I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling our summer journey with Jesus in the Gospel from Luke has been challenging, demanding, and anything but “ordinary.” Remember when I wrote right after Pentecost Sunday that the Ordinary Time of our Church Year is anything but ordinary? It’s the season when we grow closer to Jesus and have an opportunity to examine the true cost of discipleship and determine what it means for us to be a true follower of Christ | | | |
So far this summer we’ve witnessed Jesus send out seventy-two disciples because there is an urgency for the harvest and the mission of God’s people. Jesus taught us that we must always rely on God’s provision and stay focused.
We once again heard the story of the Good Samaritan and pondered what it really means today in our turbulent and divisive nation, and how we are called to active love and mercy for every one. We traveled to Bethany and experienced the hospitality of Mary and Martha and learned that our devotion to Christ must take precedence over all other tasks, no matter how important they may seem.
Jesus taught us how to boldly pray, confident that we have a generous heavenly father/mother that is always giving us good gifts, and especially the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The past couple of Sundays we’ve focused on the dangers of greed, the accumulation of “stuff” instead of being rich toward God. We’ve witnessed the foolish ways of the wealthy farmer and how his best laid plans didn’t work out so well. We’ve learned that there is much in our world that distracts us from truly loving Christ fully and completely, and that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. We arrived at the conclusion that if we’re focused on “stuff” we can’t be focused on Jesus!
And this upcoming Sunday we will hear Jesus say that he did not come to bring peace, but instead division. This is a jarring reality of just what it means to be all in as a follower of Christ. 100% committed, nothing short of that. We are called to give up everything in order to follow Jesus completely, and that may mean giving up family and friends in the process. Being a follower of Jesus is tough stuff, hard work, challenging opportunities, and a full commitment on our part.
I hope you’re still committed to our faith journey with Jesus. We’ve come too far now to give it all up! Hang in there! The reward of eternal life in Christ is beyond our wildest imagination! I don’t want to miss out! Do you?
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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!
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1st and 3rd Neighborhood Meals are Coming!
One more neighborhood barbecue next Friday, August 22, and then our final barbecue of the season on September 26. That can only mean one thing. Our first and third Thursday meals are just around the corner! Yeah!
There is a sign up sheet on the table outside the parish hall for you to sign up to volunteer to prepare and serve the meals now through the end of this 2025. Please take a moment to commit to do your part in extending hospitality and care for our own parish family and those who live in our neighborhood.
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Paint Bucket Update
We are officially wrapping up our summer fundraising drive this coming Sunday. Ten generous pledges were made, raising $4,330 toward our goal of $6,800, attaining approximately 64% of our goal. Remember we received $5,200 from the diocese to assist in the $12,000 paint project. We are grateful for all those who made a personal sacrifice to pledge. Thank you! And if you haven't made a pledge, please consider doing so. It's really never too late. Just drop a check in the collection plate, or in the mail, with a note in the memo section "for the summer fundraiser." Those who consistently watch our service on-line, we'd love for you to make a financial gift toward our efforts. Anything and everything is appreciated!
| Our Sanctuary candle burns in adoration with our Lord in the reserved Eucharist in adoration with our Lord in the reserved Eucharist in memory and love of Grace Narez, dear friend of Maddie Nador. May she rest in the loving arms of Jesus. | |
"For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat."
Help feed our neighbors in need – without having to cook!
Your help is always appreciated for a few minutes after services to make a dozen or so peanut butter & jelly sandwiches for our Blessing Box.
There is a sign up sheet on the small table at the entrance to the parish hall or stop in any Sunday. Many hands make light work!
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August 8th County Detention Center Birthday Party Well Received!
Many thanks to Leanne Meadows-Rahe for planning and coordinating St. Paul's annual St. Louis County Detention Center birthday party. 5 birthday recipients and 65 other young adults enjoyed pizza, soda, Ted Drewes custard, and a snack bag of goodies, along with some special gifts for the birthday honorees. Thanks to volunteers Sybil Fisher, Randy Wicks, Rev. Joel Miller, and Fr. Jeff who brought many smiles and caring wishes to everyone.
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Items still needed!
Our Blessing Box is always in need of the following items;
- Protein bars
- Canned pasta, easy to open pull top
- Single serve tuna packets
- Fruit cups
- Personal hygiene items:
- Toothpaste and Toothbrushes
- Disposable razors
- Sanitary products for women
- Travel size toiletries - shampoo, lotion, & coffee packets
Place items in the basket at the back of church. Thank you for your kind generosity.
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There is no Vestry meeting
in August.
Our next Vestry Meeting is
Thursday, September 25
at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom
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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.
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Diocese of Missouri
Episcopal Church Women
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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.
See Karen Watts for more details.
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Right Reverend Hays Hamilton Rockwell, 9th Episcopal Bishop of Missouri and rector of St. James Church in New York City died in his sleep at his family home in Rhode Island. He was 88.
For nearly seven decades, Bishop Rockwell served as a clergyman, and the Episcopal Church was a central part of his professional, personal and spiritual life. He was also an educator, an author, a dedicated husband and father; and a passionate advocate for a variety of causes which included civil rights in the United States, the plight of the world’s refugees.
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Rev. Deacon Barbi Click, receiving treatment for colon cancer, and her wife Debbie Wheeler.
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Mary Jane Machalek, safety and hope in difficult circumstances.
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Dawn McMurtry, recovering from a stroke & grieving for her mother.
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Charles Renshaw, for healing in his lungs.
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Ben Redmond, 8 yrs, friend of the Ragland family, suffering with undiagnosed symptoms.
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John Birdsong as he recovers from a major sickness and grieves the death of his wife, Belinda.
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Linda Rockwell and family as they grieve the death of Bishop Hays Rockwell, 9th Bishop of Missouri.
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Anita Breitenstein, Maddie Nador's sister, suffering from Alzheimer's
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Melissa Ketcherside - as she recovers from a recent hospitalization
- Kay Reid
- Erin Reid
- Shep Adams-Shepherd
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David Schulte and family as they grieve the death of David's mother, Julianne Agelson.
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For Tom and Peggy Schroeder, and family, as they grieve the recent death of Tom's father, Ed.
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The Mustedangic Family as they grieve the tragic death of their son, Dino Mustedanagic.
| | | | AUGUST BIRTHDAY & ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS! | | | | | |
03 Scott & Rebecca Ragland
07 Nancy Early
11 Betty Breeher
13 Emily O'Chiu
20 Stacey Smith
21 Justin Vitale & Melissa Ketcherside
21 Indus Alexander
30 Sybil Fisher
| | | BELIEVE. BEFRIEND. BE LOVED. | | | | |
