The E-pistle

August 16th, 2024

Dear friends in Christ,

It’s been a beautiful summer in Stockbridge! Here at St. Paul’s, we’ve been enjoying fellowship dinners in each other’s homes, getting to know each other more deeply, and making new friends in the process. On Sunday mornings, we’ve been worshipping outside in our churchyard, joining the praises of the birds and trees and sky as we give God thanks for all things, especially the gift of Jesus Christ (and only rained out once!). The Vestry has recently been on a half-day retreat, dreaming and making plans for our common mission. We have continued caring for one another pastorally, and serving our neighbors on the Appalachian Trail, at the Lee Food Pantry, and at Gideon’s Garden. We’ve studied scripture together on Wednesday nights, and many of us have struck out on summer adventures far and near. And, thankfully, the summer isn’t over yet! Three more Sundays outdoors, two more Bible studies, a few more fellowship dinners, and many more cool summer evenings await us, we pray. To everyone who has contributed to this rich summer at St. Paul’s, let me say a humble and hearty thanks. I hope to see you in church soon, or in one of the many ways we are gathering as Christ’s body this summer. It is such a privilege to be here among you.

Faithfully,

Father Sam

Sunday, August 18th, 2024

9:00 A.M.

Holy Eucharist

Collect for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Scripture for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Proverbs 9:1-6, Psalm 34:9-14, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58

Serving today, August 18

Celebrant: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Preacher: The Rev’d Jane G. Tillman

Server: Darryl Lafferty

Lector/Intercessor: Martha Bodine

Musician: Nancy King

Greeter: TBD

Fellowship: Brett Roberts and Patty Melville

Altar Guild: Jorja Marsden

Serving next week, August 25

Celebrant/Preacher: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Assisting Priest: The Rev’d Jane G. Tillman

Server: Darryl Lafferty

Lector/Intercessor: Jean Rousseau

Musician: David Smith

Greeter: Jean Rousseau

Fellowship: Carl Sprague

Altar Guild: Tracy Johnson

Parish Prayer List

Those who are ill or in need of intercession

Bruce, Charles, Linda, Veronica, Jeff, Karen, Lisa, Rosalind, Jacob, Kathleen, Doug, Holly, Rick, John, Vicki, Donna, Cynthia, Eliza, Cindy, Lori, LaDawn, Elaine, Kit, David, Ann, Jessica, Heidi, Paul, Kate, John, Lisa, Shawn, Betty Jo, Celia

Those who have recently died

Giver Essien, student in Pittsfield

Sue Croll, former Riverbrook resident

Those who have asked for our long-term prayers

Doug, Allie, Ginger, Joan, Duncan, Bernadette, Ray, Piers, Katrina, Rich, Karen, Michael, Khali, George, Barbara, Christy, John, Anthony, Astrida

Those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries

Jim Wade, Quinn Dillon, Christy Cosby French, Martha Bodine, and Peter & Diane Dillon

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer (Week of 8/11)

Congregations, Ministries, and Partners in Ministry

Holy Trinity Church, Southbridge (The Rev’d Judith Mary Lee, Priest-in-charge)

Bishop’s Chaplains to Retired Clergy

The Church and Wider Mission

Western Massachusetts Food Bank

Anglican Cycle of Prayer

Sun 8/18: The Anglican Church of Melanesia

Mon 8/19: Diocese of Ifo (Nigeria)

Tues 8/20: Diocese of Igbomina (Nigeria)

Wed 8/21: Diocese of Igbomina West (Nigeria)

Thurs 8/22: Diocese of Ihiala (Nigeria)

Fri 8/23: Diocese of Ijebu (Nigeria)

Sat 8/24: Diocese of Ijebu South West (Nigeria)

Indoor Worship returns September 8

Mark your calendars: on the Sunday after Labor Day, September 8, we will return to our regular worship schedule, 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. each Sunday, indoors. 8 a.m. is Holy Eucharist, Rite One (traditional language, early morning quiet, and no music). 10 a.m. is Holy Eucharist, Rite Two (contemporary language, hymn singing, and organ music). We’ve had a wonderful summer of outdoor worship, and look forward to seeing you inside soon!

Two More Weeks of Summer Bible Study

Summer Bible Study will meet for two more weeks. Next Wednesday and the following (August 21, 28) we will gather at 5:30 p.m. on the screen porch of the Rectory to explore the readings for the upcoming Sunday. We let our curiosities guide the conversation, and we never know quite where we’ll end up! Bring a Bible if you have one (we have plenty here, too), and come with questions and an open spirit! You can enter on the west side of the house, from the church gardens. Questions? Email Father Sam.

Fellowship Dinners still going!

Would you like to deepen your relationships with fellow parishioners over good food? There is still space available at our final Fellowship Dinner of the summer, on August 26, and there is likely to be at least one more in September, as there have been a couple canceled dinners over the summer. If you’d still like to attend a dinner, check the sign up sheet here, and keep an eye out for new dates. Thank you to everyone who has hosted or attended a dinner so far. Questions? Contact Junior Warden Martha Bodine.

Vestry Retreat Recap

Last Saturday, the Vestry of St. Paul’s had a wonderful half-day retreat down in Sheffield, thanks to the hospitality of our partners at Christ Trinity Church. We explored different models of “Congregational Development” that helped us dream about many areas of mission: prayer/worship, study/learning, action, and life in community. We also prayed the Daily Office, celebrated the Eucharist, and shared food together! We’re excited to share with the parish the fruits of this work over the coming months.

For the second year in a row, St. Paul’s is sponsoring a hole at the Human to Human Golf Tournament, a new annual fundraiser to support a wide variety of ministries throughout Western Massachusetts. Father Sam would like to issue an additional challenge: this year, let’s field a team of 4 players to play the tournament! If you enjoy golfing, you can represent St. Paul’s, raise money for important work around the Diocese, and have fun all at once! You can find more information here. And don’t let the registration cost deter you—the Vestry is happy to pitch in to make any registration possible.

Two Opportunities to Pray Together Each Week

Wednesday: Morning Prayer at 8:30am (Online)



Every Wednesday, a group of parishioners meet at 8:30am to pray Morning Prayer online via Zoom. All are warmly welcome to join via the Zoom link on our website. Thank you Darryl Lafferty for continuing to lead this weekly offering.

Friday: Intercessory Prayer at 8:30am (In-person)

Some may remember that several years ago, a group of parishioners met each week to pray for the needs of those on the parish prayer list. All are invited to join on Friday mornings in the church as we revive this tradition of intercessory prayer. Thank you Alice Wohl for your leadership in reviving this weekly offering.