June 12, 2025 l ISSUE 24

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

2 Corinthians 13:14

Sunday Morning Adult Formation Conversations

Join us as we continue to celebrate Christ's Resurrection

and discuss our Sunday Scripture readings

and how they are part of our everyday 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

This coming Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Trinity. We celebrate one of the great mysteries of our faith. It's not something that can be fully grasped or logically explained in human terms. It's a day when preachers like me try, and try, and really try to explain this unexplainable nature of our God. The doctrine of Trinity is foundational in our beliefs. We believe that our one God eternally exists as three distinct persons: the Father, the Son (our savior and redeemer Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. 

Of course, it's complicated, and a mystery. As Episcopalians, as are all Christians, we are monotheistic, meaning we believe in only one God. The Trinity does not mean there are three gods. This is a crucial point that distinguishes Trinitarianism from polytheism (the worship of more than one god).

While we believe in only one God, this one God exists as three distinct "Persons." These Persons are not merely different roles or manifestations. They are truly distinct, yet inseparable.

• God the Father: Often associated with creation, sovereignty, and the ultimate source and being of all things.
• God the Son (Jesus Christ): Believed to be God incarnate, who lived as one of us on Earth, died for humanity's sins, and was resurrected from the dead. He is often seen as the revealer and redeemer and reconciler with the Father.
• God the Holy Spirit: Understood as the presence of God dwelling within, we believers, who empowers, guides, and sanctifies all things.
• Co-eternal and Consubstantial: The three Persons of the Trinity are all equally divine, co-eternal (having no beginning or end), and consubstantial (meaning they share the same divine essence, substance, or nature). No one Person is greater or less than the others in terms of their godliness.

While the word "Trinity" itself does not appear in the Bible, Christians believe the doctrine is implicitly and explicitly revealed throughout Scripture.

• Old Testament: Some passages in the Old Testament are interpreted as hinting at a plurality within the Godhead (e.g., "Let Us make man in Our image" in Genesis 1:26).
• New Testament: The New Testament provides clearer distinctions and associations between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For example, at Jesus' baptism, all three Persons are present (Matthew 3:16-17), and the Great Commission commands baptism "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). Various passages also attribute divine qualities and actions to all three.
• Our doctrine of the Trinity developed over centuries as early Christians wrestled with understanding the relationship between God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in their scriptural documents and traditions. Major councils, like the Council of Nicaea (325 AD) and the Council of Constantinople (381 AD), played a significant role in articulating and solidifying the orthodox Trinitarian doctrine in response to various theological controversies.

In essence, the Trinity describes how Christians understand the one God to exist: a perfect, eternal communion of three distinct, co-equal divine Persons who are united in essence and purpose.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Last month's summer barbecue was a huge success and lots of fun! If you missed it, don't let our next one pass you by. Our next summer barbecue will be on Friday, June 20th, from 6:00-7:00p.m. I hope you have it on your calendar and are planning to attend. We could use your help with set up, clean up, grilling, and extending a welcome and general hospitality to our neighbors that will be attending. Set up begins around 4:00p.m.; grilling at 5:00p.m. and clean up when things wind down at 7:00p.m. Wearing a welcome smile is required throughout the entire event! Our fearless leader, Justin Vitale, unfortunately won't be able to be with us that evening. But we know he will be with us in spirit. Let's all give our best efforts to make Justin proud of what we can accomplish! Questions - check in with Angela and Gary Breeher, who are coordinating this month's event. 



All members of our churches and ministries are welcome to attend convocation meetings and events. Each convocation is named in honor of a person who has made a significant contribution to our diocese and the life of our church throughout our history. The convocation of which St. Paul's is a member is named after The Rev. Emery Washington, Sr.  St. Paul's is one of fifteen Episcopal congregations in the St. Louis area that convenes as the Emery Washington Convocation.  Our sister member congregations in the convocation are:

Advent, Crestwood

All Saints & Ascension, Northwoods

Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis

Emmanuel, Webster Groves

Grace, Kirkwood

Holy Communion, University City

St. Barbabas, Florissant

St. Johns, Tower Grove

St. Mark's, St. Louis

St. Michael & St. George, Clayton

St. Paul's, Carondelet

St. Peter's, Ladue

St. Stephens & the Vine, Ferguson

St. Thomas Deaf Church, Crestwood

Trinity, CWE, St. Louis

Continue to watch this space for more information and upcoming events that you can participate in the Emory Washington Convocation.

As we celebrate

Pride Month,

JUNE BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS!