The E-pistle

Friday, August 8, 2025

A Note from Father Sam

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Dear friends in Christ,

These words of reassurance, from Jesus to his disciples, open this Sunday’s Gospel passage from Luke. Jesus and his disciples have been on the road together for some time now. Jesus has been teaching the crowds, and healing the sick. The disciples have witnessed him cast out demons, denounce the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, and predict his own death. In the Lord’s Prayer, they have learned to call God “Father,” just like he does. Now, in a series of remarkable images, he tells them that the kingdom of God is on its way—only, no one knows quite when it will come! “Be dressed for action,” Jesus says. “The Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour,” like a thief in the night.

What does it mean for the kingdom of God to arrive? What is the kingdom? Well, the way Jesus tells it, it sounds like very good news. It’s like a master coming home from a party. The servants of the house stay up late, not knowing when he’ll be home. But when he arrives, rather than demanding anything from the servants, he will fasten his own belt, have the servants sit down, and serve them. It’s a delightful, unexpected surprise. The master serving the slaves!

We too are on the road together, if not as literally as Jesus and his disciples. As we face the future—the future of our institutions, buildings, and communities—the uncertain future of our country and world—the uncertain future of our own lives as we face illness and bury loved ones—let Jesus speak to right to you: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

The kingdom of God that Jesus proclaimed is good news. It is God’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Christ is among us as one not to be served, but to serve, and to give himself for the life of the world. Dare we hope in Christ? Dare we hope in the coming kingdom, in the final victory of God, a vision of all things put to right? It is coming at an unexpected hour. The night may be long, but it is coming.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Faithfully,

Father Sam

Sunday, August 10, 2025

The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

9:00 AM Holy Eucharist Rite II

Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Scripture for the Ninth Sunday After Pentecost: Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Psalm 50:1-8, 23-24, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40

Serving this Sunday:

Altar Guild: : Vaunie Graulty

Fellowship: Lis and Virgil Stucker

Celebrant: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Preacher: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Assisting Priest: The Rev'd Jane G. Tillman

Acolyte: Rob Maloney

LEM: TBD

Lector/Intercessor: Martha Bodine

Greeter: Carl Sprague

Musician: Amanda Watroba & Erin White

Parish Prayer List

Prayers for those in need

Those who are ill or in need of intercession

Jacob, Kathleen, Cynthia, Lori, Kit, David, Ann, Celia, Dawn, Tracey, Mary, Janet, Bobbie, Arthur, Dick, Loralee, Maggie, Michelle, Grace, Diana

Those who have recently died

Ginger Schwartz

Those who have asked for our long-term prayers

Josh, Mike, Ginny, Travis, Faye, Heidi, Rick, Allie, Joan, Duncan, Bernadette, Ray, Piers, Katrina, Rich, Karen, Michael, Khali, George, Barbara, Christy, John, Anthony, Astrida

Those in the military and other service

Prayers of Thanksgiving

Those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries

Natalie Boyce

Those preparing for Marriage or the Blessing of a Civil Marriage

Those preparing for Holy Baptism

Prayers for the Church

For all Christians in their daily life and work; for those who live in places of violence and persecution, especially the Christians of Benue State, Nigeria; Taybeh, the West Bank; and Komanda, the Congo.

Our Parish: St. Paul’s, Stockbridge

That we may grow in faith, hope, and love, and together strive to be the hands and heart of Christ for Stockbridge and the wider world; for Sam, our Rector; Jane and Libby, our Priests Associate; Molly, our Seminarian; for our Wardens and Vestry; for the students and staff of the St. Paul’s Children’s Center.

The Diocese of Western Massachusetts

Doug, Bishop

Steven, interim Canon to the Ordinary

Bishop search committee

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer (Week of 8/10)

All Saints’, South Hadley

Berkshires Region & Dean of Clericus

The Church and Wider Mission

Episcopal Young Adults & Campus Ministry

Anglican Society

The Episcopal Church in the United States of America; Sean, Presiding Bishop

The Anglican Communion throughout the world; Stephen, Archbishop of York; for those selecting the next Archbishop of Canterbury; for the Episcopal Church of Jerusalem & the Middle East

Anglican Cycle of Prayer

Sun 8/10: Eglise Anglicane du Rwanda

Mon 8/11: Diocese of Norwich (England)

Tues 8/12: Diocese of Nova Scotia & PEI (Canada)

Wed 8/13: Diocese of Nsukka (Nigeria)

Thurs 8/14: Diocese of Nyahururu (Kenya)

Fri 8/15: Diocese of Nyamlel (South Sudan)

Sat 8/16: Diocese of the Nyang (South Sudan)

Prayers for those in Authority

The Town of Stockbridge 

The Stockbridge Select Board 

Ernest Cardillo, Jamie Minacci

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts

The General Court of Massachusetts 

Leigh Davis (House of Representatives) 

Paul Mark (Senate) 

The United States of America 

Donald Trump, President of the United States

Supreme Court of the United States

The United States Congress 

Richard Neal (House of Representatives)

Elizabeth Warren (Senate) 

Ed Markey (Senate) 



Prayers for the World 

For lasting peace in the Middle East; for the people of Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, Sudan, Ukraine, Myanmar, Haiti, the Congo, and other places of conflict; for kidnapped Ukrainian children and their families and friends; for all affected by natural disasters and climate change; for all who live in fear, especially migrants and transgender children and adults.

August Red Letter Days

August 15: Saint Mary the Virgin

August 24: Saint Bartholomew the Apostle

Lee Food Pantry: Current Needs

Baby wipes

Laundry detergent

Flour

Sugar

Rice

Paper towels

Toilet paper

Dish deteregent

Hand soap

Body wash

Items can be dropped off at the back of the church. On the second Saturday of the month, a team from St. Paul’s volunteers to distribute food. Questions? See Jim Wade.

Help Needed on August 16-17 -- "Creating Connections"

Saturday, August 16, 11 am - 3 pm

Sunday, August 17, 10:30 am - 3 pm

During the Stockbridge Arts & Crafts Festival, St Paul's will invite the community to enjoy our grounds and church in a casual, relaxed setting suitable for all ages. We'll offer a couple of hands-on art projects, occasional music, a Story Walk, and refreshments outside plus guided tours of the art inside the church. A special children's guide to the church will be available and other activities may be added.

How can you help?

++Bring a child, grandchild, or friend and participate.

++Help at the art tables for an hour or two.

++If you're a musician, offer to play outside or in the church for an hour

  (not a concert, just informal music-making)

++Lead guided tours of the church

There will be a sign-up sheet at church this Sunday morning or you can contact Martha Bodine or Libby Wade to volunteer.  

Appalachian Trail Ministry Volunteer's picnic August 10th

The local church volunteer picnic for the Appalachian Trail Ministry is Sunday, August 10th at noon, under the tent off West Rd in Sheffield. All are welcome, especially those who volunteered on the trail this year! The AT ministry will provide meat, buns, condiments, and iced tea.Volunteers can bring a salad, dessert, other beverages including adult beverages’ if desired. Please bring your own chair!

Diocesan Summer Reading Author Events

Video of Conversation with Author Cristina Rathbone

Resources for learning, support and advocacy

• Berkshire Immigrant Center
• Pioneer Valley Workers Center
• Worcester Refugee Assistance Project (WRAP)
• Episcopal Migration Ministry -- TAKE ACTION

Join us on August 19 for Conversation with Tim Crellin

The Land of the Living

BY THE REV. TIMOTHY CRELLIN

AUGUST 19 @ 6 PM

Join author, Tim Crellin, for a discussion of his first novel.

The Land of the Living is a historical novel that explores the themes of immigration and assimilation, war and its impact on families, the role of race and class in forging identity, and what it means to find home.

The conversation will be hosted by the Rev. Dr. Nina Pooley.

Episcopal Relief and Development– Disaster relief in the Texas Hill Country

Dozens are dead and dozens remain missing following the recent flash flooding in Texas Hill Country. Episcopal Relief & Development is working with the Diocese of West Texas to provide support in the coming days and weeks. Many in Kerrville, in their diocese and across Texas have personal connections to the missing campers and staff members impacted by this devastating crisis. As the scope of the disaster continues to unfold, we need your help. Episcopal Relief & Development is accepting donations to help with disaster relief here.

Summer Bible Study

Summer Bible Study continues!  Each Wednesday through August 27, we 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.