The E-pistle

January 19th, 2024

A Note from Father Sam

Dear friends in Christ,

First, a note of gratitude for our first Sunday together earlier this week. It was hard to contain my nerves and excitement as the altar party lined up at the back of the church—how lovely that the first time we met was in the context of beautiful worship! Thank you for showing up, for bringing your prayers and praises to God, and for joining in the good food and drink afterward. I had so much fun, and I hope you did too! In the sermon on Sunday, I shared my belief that we have been called together by God in this time and place, and your warm and generous welcome has only strengthened that conviction. Thank you.

This coming Sunday, we’ll hear another story of Jesus calling disciples—arguably the most famous one, the calling of Simon Peter and Andrew from their boat, when Jesus says to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” This back-to-back theme in the lectionary gives us another chance to reflect on God’s call to us, today. Every day is a new opportunity to listen for the voice of Jesus saying to us, “Follow me.”

How can you listen this week—in the silence of newly fallen snow, in the words on the news, in the voices of your neighbors, in the worship of the Church, for the voice of Jesus? God in Christ is always calling out to us—even when we’re not aware! May we be good listeners this week.

See you Sunday,

Father Sam

Sunday, January 19th

8:00 and 10:00 A.M.

Holy Eucharist

Collect for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Scripture for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany:  Jonah 3:1-5, 10, Psalm 62:6-14, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20

Worship Team for January 21^st

8:00 and 10:00 AM

Celebrant                                             Father Sam

Preacher                                              Father Sam

Assisting Priest              The Rev. Jane Tillman

Reader (8)                              Sebastian Bonner

Reader (10)                                      Carl Sprague

Intercessor (8)                               Rob Maloney

Intercessor (10)                             Diana French

Usher/Greeters                           Jean Rousseau

Fellowship                                    Vaunie Graulty

Musician                                           David Smith

Worship Team for January 28th

8:00 and 10:00 AM

Celebrant                                                      Father Sam

Preacher                                                        Father Sam

Assisting Priest                         The Rev. Jane Tillman

Reader (8)                                                       Matt Fillio

Reader (10)                                             Martha Bodine

Intercessor (8)                                        Darryl Lafferty

Intercessor (10)                                     Sharon Billetter

Usher/Greeters                                Kim & Don Savery

Fellowship                                                                  TBD

Musician                                                       David Smith

Parish Prayer List

-People we pray for on Sundays:  Bruce, Charles, Linda, Veronica, Jeff, Karen, Lisa, Rosalind, Kit, Jacob, Kathleen, Doug, Holly, Rick, Keith, David, John, Leonore, Vicki, Donna, Cynthia, and Eliza

-People on our Long-term prayer list: Allie, Irby, Ginger, Joan, Duncan, Bernadette, Ray, Piers, Katrina, Rich, Karen, Michael, Tom, Khali, George, Barbara, Christy, John, and Anthony

- Our partners at Grace Church, Great Barrington, and their priest Tina Rathbone; Christ Trinity Episcopal-Lutheran Church, Sheffield, and their priest Erik Karas; the residents and staff of the Austen Riggs community and the Riverbrook Residence

- Outreach Ministry of the Week: Cathedral of the Beloved

- For peace and an end to violence and oppression in the world

- Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: St. John’s, Ashfield

- Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Church of South India (United)

-We pray for the repose of the soul of Sonja Mason

-Altar flowers are given this Sunday by Natalie Boyce, in memory of Michael Hedges

Upcoming Events 

-Every Wednesday at 8:30 AM- Morning prayer on Zoom

-Sunday, January 21st at 8:00 and 10:00 AM- Holy Eucharist

-Sunday, January 28th at 8:00 and 10:00 AM- Holy Eucharist

-Sunday, February 4th - Holy Eucharist 10:00 AM only

-Saturday, February 10^th – St Paul’s serves at the Lee Food Pantry

-Sunday, February 11 – Holy Eucharist at 10:00 AM only, Annual Parish Meeting to follow

Represent St. Paul’s at Diocesan Convention

Each year at the Annual Meeting, we elect 2 delegates to Diocesan Convention, the yearly meeting of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts. At Convention, delegates pass resolutions affecting our common life and witness as a diocese, approve the diocesan budget, elect members of diocesan committees, and hear the Bishop’s annual address, all in the context of prayer, worship, and fellowship. This year, Diocesan Convention will take place on Saturday, November 9. If you are interested in being a convention delegate, please reach out to Senior Warden Jorja Marsden, Junior Warden Martha Bodine, or Father Sam.

Dr. Martin Luther King's hands, depicted in the Embrace sculpture on Boston Common. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

Celebrating the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On Monday, the 95th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birth, WBUR produced a special edition of Radio Boston highlighting Dr. King’s religious faith and role as a pastor in the midst of his work for civil rights and racial justice. Listen here to the conversation with three Boston pastors about the role of the Christian faith in Dr. King’s life and witness.

Did you know? The Episcopal Church commemorates Martin Luther King, Jr. in our calendar of saints each year on April 4, the anniversary of his death.

Bending Toward Justice is now online!

Bending Toward Justice is now an online event, tomorrow, January 20, from 9 am to noon. Click here to get your Zoom link.

Come pray in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Listen to the Word and discern how the Spirit is calling the Church to action. Connect with others who are working for God's justice in our time and place.

Keynote Speaker: The Right Reverend Allen K. Shin, Bishop Suffragan, Episcopal Diocese of New York.