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St. Paul's at Midweek
May 24, 2023
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Whoever you are,
and wherever you find yourself on your journey of faith,
we welcome you to our inclusive faith community.
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This Week
by Martin Brown
Senior Warden
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The liturgical season we are entering, moving from Eastertide into Pentecost and beyond, continues to speak to us about transformation. Up to this point we have learned in the Gospel story that the birth, life, and ministry of Jesus the Christ changed the lives of many to include changing the entire world. As the Savior of humankind, Jesus touched the lives of faithful people who were each looking for renewal, a second chance, and a change in circumstances and he provided those things to them through human connection and miracles. We read in scripture that he said to the twelve, “Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.” We are just after Christ’s Ascension and before Pentecost (the birth of his Church) when the miracles or “works” begin to manifest more fully through the Apostles and the Church as a whole. The focus then shifts to edification of members, equipping one another with a deeper understanding of the risen Christ and what that looks like in our daily lives. The Great Commission the Apostles received from Jesus, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you; And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
How are we called to participate in this Commission and how do we play a role in this Jesus movement today? How do we edify ourselves and one another? In what ways can we equip ourselves and each other with knowledge and understanding of this risen and eternal King who is our living Lord and Savior? One distinct way we have in the Anglican tradition is the practice of a Rule of Life. Having a consistent daily prayer life – in whatever form that can be to you individually – is a particularly good start. The Book of Common Prayer has all the help to get us on our way to a good consistent prayer practice that can coincide with the liturgy on Sundays. However, I would like to share a few other options that we have in the church as well.
There are four Devotional Societies that I am personally a member of and promote within the church. They are: the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, the Guild of All Souls’, the Society of Mary, and the Society of King Charles the Martyr. Each one has a focus on a particular doctrine or idea, and they encourage a daily Rule of Life, often suggesting prayers and devotions one can participate in which can draw us closer to God and one another. At St. Paul’s, we have such a loving community of believers already who meet consistently on Sundays and many who stay afterwards for socialization which strengthens that bond of community. These Devotional Societies are also an extension of that comradery.
Currently, we have a highly active and vibrant group at our parish with the Daughters of the King who have a Rule of Life for the members to use as a guidepost for their religious journey. The Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament encourages devotions and the promotion of the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament as it is used in the Book of Occasional Services, published by the Episcopal Church. This group is also instrumental in promoting the doctrine of the Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament and the unity we share as Christians at the altar. The Guild of All Souls’ is a group that is very dear to my heart as it not only promotes a Rule of Life and doctrine of the Church, it also can serve as a bereavement organization for our parish. In addition to assisting the priest in preparing for the annual Requiem Mass on November 2nd (All Souls’ Day), it also promotes visiting those who are sick and the administration of sacrament to those who are unable to come to church due to illness and the reservation of consecrated sacrament for such occasion. The Society of Mary uses the Blessed Mother as an example of being a servant in the Church and by promoting her devotion we remember that she always points us to her Son, our Savior. The Society of King Charles the Martyr is dedicated to promoting the remembrance of King Charles I of England. The society also helps in the propagation of the true knowledge about the life and times of King Charles I and winning general recognition of the great debt the Church of England and the Anglican Communion at large, owe to him for his faithfulness unto death in defense of the Church and Her apostolic ministry.
I want to encourage you to prayerfully consider participating in one or more of these Devotional Societies to not only give you more guidance in practicing a Rule of Life, but to also act as a vehicle which can do great things for our parish and the community around us. Blessings to you all as we continue to move liturgically through the year as a faith community united in belief.
Yours in Christ,
Martin D. Brown, Senior (Bishop’s) Warden
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The Coming Days at St. Paul's
Wednesday, May 24
Jackson Kemper, Bishop & Missionary, 1870
8.30am Morning Prayer
Thursday, May 25
Bede, Priest & Historian, 735
8.30am Morning Prayer
Saturday, May 27
Bertha and Ethelbert, Queen and King, 616
8.30am Matutina (Morning Prayer in Spanish)
9.00am Santo Rosario (Rosary in Spanish)
May 28, 2023
The Day of Pentecost: Whitsunday
8.00 am Eucharist
10.00am Eucharist
Monday, May 29
The First Book of Common Prayer, 1549
Memorial Day
10.00am Food Pantry
Joan of Arc, Mystic & Soldier, 1431
Tuesday, May 30
8.30am Morning Prayer
Wednesday, May 31
The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
8.30am Morning Prayer
6.00pm Evening Prayer
6.30pm Eucharist
Thursday, June 1
Justin, Martyr, 167
8.30am Morning Prayer
Friday, June 2
Blandina and Her Companions, Martyrs of Lyons, 177
8.30am Morning Prayer
Saturday, June 2
Martyrs of Uganda, 1886
8.30am Matutina (Morning Prayer in Spanish)
9.00am Santo Rosario (Rosary in Spanish)
June 3, 2023
The First Sunday after Pentecost: Trinity Sunday
8.00 am Eucharist
10.00am Eucharist
The 10am service is live-streamed via our Facebook page.
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This Sunday: Wear Red for Pentecost Sunday!
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Pentecost is celebrated fifty days after the Resurrection of Christ, and ten days after His ascension. "The Pentecost event was the fulfillment of a promise which Jesus gave concerning the return of the Holy Spirit...It emphasizes that the church is understood as the body of Christ which is drawn together and given life by the Holy Spirit." (An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church)
Celebrating Pentecost recognizes that the Holy Spirit dwells in us as believers and moves us deeper into the love of Christ, and moves us forward into the life and the people of God we are made to be. As it is an appropriate feast day for baptisms, we at St. Paul's also get to celebrate the baptisms of candidates within our own community!
It is traditional to decorate our churches in red, and wear red, as a symbol of the joy and fire of the Holy Sprit, and is a tangible reminder of an invisible reality. We hope you will join us Sunday, on this "birthday of the Church," and help us celebrate this momentous day for our community.
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Wednesday, May 31
The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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8.30am Morning Prayer
6.00pm Evening Prayer
6:30pm Eucharist
The Visitation commemorates the Virgin Mary's visit to her cousin, Elizabeth, and the leaping of John the Baptist in the womb of Elizabeth upon their meeting. Elizabeth responds with a blessing for Mary and Jesus her child, and Mary in turn responds with the famous Magnificat, the canticle found in the Evening Prayer service in the Book of Common Prayer. This feast day is a day to recognize Mary's humility and willingness to be used by God. We hope you'll join us at St. Paul's for the Daily Office Prayer Services and Evening Eucharist to commemorate this joyful event.
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Forum in the Forum:
Opening the Prayer Book
on SHORT HIATUS until June 4
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The 9am "Forum in the Forum" series will take a short break, but will continue more sessions from "Opening the Prayer Book" on June 4th. This session will cover Chapters 5 & 6 of Jeffrey Lee's book. Contact Fr. Luis if you have any questions.
Reading Schedule
June 4 - Chapters 5 & 6
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Parishioner Information Card | |
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Our congregation is growing, and this means that we no longer have a very current Church Roll (listing of members’ information contact details). We last updated our roll two years ago but it is already out of date, and so it is time to re-gather information to create a new roll of our parish community.
This Sunday will be distributed the Parishioner Information Form to be completed by everyone over 16 years of age – one form per person over 16 years regardless of their living in the same household. These will be available throughout the month of May to gather information, and all the information compiled into the roll over the Summer. There is also interest in forming a Parish Directory to be made available to all members. On the Parishioner Information Form you will be asked whether you would like your information included in a public directory. Please complete a form. Its information will help as we plan for the future of our parish.
If you have any questions, speak with Fr. Luis.
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July 29
Diocesan Ordination Invite
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St. James Cathedral in Fresno will be hosting the ordination service for our diocesan candidates to the Priesthood, and you are invited. Please be sure to RSVP here if you are able to make it.
Please note the date change since the first announcement made in Friday's Reflection.
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June 14
Keep Kern County Cool Fan Drive
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O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. | |  |
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In Our Prayers
Remember in your prayers Joey, Kenny, and all those preparing for baptism; Grace, Phyllis, Leslie, Mac, Mary, Sophia, Joyce, Penelope, and all who are in sorrow, sickness, or any kind of need.
Remember in your prayers all the recently departed; also those whose year's mind falls at this time, among them Brandon Scott Kline.
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Monthly Prayer Diary
You can access the
Prayer Diary for May here.
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Opportunities to Serve and Pray for our Parish | |
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As our parish grows, so does our need for volunteers and lay ministers who may enjoy helping our parish on Sundays. Please continue to watch this space below for new opportunities to serve within our parish.
A space in next week's Midweek will also be made available for current volunteers and minsters to view a master schedule of the Sunday volunteer rotations. This may assist our parish in communicating volunteers' schedules and other needs for at least one month's worth of Sundays.
For more information, or if you have any questions, contact Michael Cava.
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The Altar Guild is a volunteer group of women and men in our parish who assist the Priest-in-Charge in creating beautiful worship services for our parish and community. Altar Guild members care for the altar, vestments, altar linens of the parish, and eucharistic instruments. Members prepare the sanctuary for the services, including special occasions such funerals and weddings. We are currently looking for more volunteers who can help for a few hours once a month. If you are interested in joining a regular rotation and learning more about the parts of the church, the church seasons, the names of vestments and other instruments used in the services, this is the perfect opportunity.
For more information on how to get started, contact Jan Dunlap:
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Good news! Our food ministry is growing in both those we are feeding and volunteers assisting. The word is out that we are now open every Monday. The challenge for our congregation is to provide for those coming to be fed. Our shelves are currently pretty bare. We ask that, as your budget allows, you put us on your weekly grocery list and bring your offering to the narthex on Sundays. We are in need of non perishables such as:
peanut butter, Spam, canned chicken, tuna, canned potatoes, soup, cereal, cookie packets, crackers, hot chocolate packets, juice boxes, razors.
Whenever possible,
all canned items should have pop-tops.
If you have any questions are want to find out how you can help contact either Jan Dunlap or Marilyn Droppers.
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The Order of the Daughters of the King is an order for women whose mission is the extension of Christ’s Kingdom through prayer, service and evangelism. At the St. Paul's the order serves our community through their prayers and acts of service.
Do you have a special concern you'd like the Daughters to pray for? Contact Cathy Henry who heads our parish chapter. You can also contact her for further information on the DOK, or you can visit the Order's website here. The Daughters of the King are also at the front of church during the distribution of communion to pray with you for your needs and concerns.
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Finding the Sunday Readings
Did you know you can always find the readings for Sunday by following this link? Did you find two sets of readings for the Sunday? If there are two "tracks", at St. Paul's we are using "Track 2"
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Our Bishop's Committee meets next on
Sunday, June 18.
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Connecting with St. Paul's
and The Episcopal Church
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