The E-pistle

Friday, March 14, 2025

Dear friends in Christ,

On Ash Wednesday, we remembered that one of the earliest functions of Lent in the ancient Church was to provide “a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism.” Ever since, this forty-day season of preparation for Easter has been, for many, a time of preparation to receive the waters of new birth. Baptism and Easter go together, because it is Christ’s very passage from death to life that we participate in when we ourselves are baptized. In Baptism, we are adopted as God’s children and made members of the Church, which is Christ’s Body. By bringing ourselves (or our children) forward for Baptism, we are saying “yes” to the invitation into deeper relationship with God in Christ.

If you have not been baptized, might God be inviting you? Do you long for a deeper relationship with the one who created you in love, and sustains you in love?

Or perhaps, if you have already been baptized, would you like to make a renewed commitment to your faith through Confirmation or the Renewal of Baptismal Vows?

If any of that sounds appealing, or if you are looking for a new start in your life with Christ, it could be that Baptism or Confirmation or the Renewal of Baptismal Vows is right for you. I am starting to plan a baptism/confirmation class to be held throughout the Easter season. If you are interested, please me know! There will be more information in the coming weeks about these different rites and for whom they might be appropriate.

As we say each week in the invitation to communion (and Baptism!): Christ calls each of us; all are welcome in this place.

Faithfully,

Father Sam

Sunday, March 16th, 2025

8:00 AM Holy Eucharist Rite I

10:00 A.M Holy Eucharist Rite II

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Scripture for the Second Sunday in Lent: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Psalm 27, Philippians 3:17—4:1, Luke 13:31-35

Serving this Sunday:

Altar Guild: Natalie Boyce

Fellowship: Patty Melville

Celebrant: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Preacher: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Acolyte/LEM: Rob Maloney

Lector/Intercessor: Jorja Marsden

Greeter: Jorja Marsden

Celebrant: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Preacher: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Verger: Darryl Lafferty

Acolyte: Kim Savery

LEM: Brett Roberts

Lector: Gale Page

Intercessor: Frank Smith

Greeters: Natalie Boyce and Jim Wade

Musician: Nancy King

Parish Prayer List

Those who are ill or in need of intercession

Jacob, Kathleen, Donna, Cynthia, Lori, Kit, David, Ann, Celia, Anne, Dawn, Bill, Tom, Tracey, Ginny, Rebecca, Jim, Travis, Faye, Linda, Mary, Emery, Martha, Anne, Win

Those who have recently died

Those who have asked for our long-term prayers

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

Those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries

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; 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 

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer (Week of 3/16)

Congregations, Ministries, and Partners in Ministry

Grace Church, Great Barrington

Donald Allison, Chancellor of the Diocese

The Church and Wider Mission

CREDO

The Roman Catholic Dioceses of Springfield and Worcester

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

The Anglican Communion throughout the world; Stephen, Archbishop of York

Anglican Cycle of Prayer

Sun 3/16: Church of the Province of Central Africa

Mon 3/17: Diocese of Malek Rup (South Sudan)

Tues 3/18: Diocese of Malindi (Kenya)

Wed 3/19: Diocese of Te Manawa o Te Wheke (ANZP)

Thurs 3/20: Diocese of Manchester (England)

Fri 3/21: Diocese of Mandalay (Myanmar)

Sat 3/22: Diocese of Manicaland (Central Africa)

Prayers for those in Authority

The Town of Stockbridge 

The Stockbridge Select Board 

Ernest Cardillo, Jamie Minacci, Patrick White

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 the Middle East, Sudan, Ukraine, Myanmar, Haiti, and other places of conflict

For kidnapped Ukrainian children and their families and friends

For all affected by natural disasters and climate change, especially in Kentucky

For all who live in fear, especially migrants and transgender children and adults

March Red Letter Days

Tuesday, March 18: Eve of Saint Joseph. Holy Eucharist at 6pm.

Tuesday, March 25: The Annunciation. Holy Eucharist at 6pm.

Stay tuned for more details about these holy days.

Lee Food Pantry: Current Needs

Baby wipes

Laundry detergent

Flour

Sugar

Rice

Paper towels

Toilet paper

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.

Shrove Tuesday

Lenten Retreat Day for Young Adults 18-40

The Young Adult Ministry Network (YAMN), led by both lay and clergy young adults in the diocese, organizes events open to young adults throughout out region who are seeking to grow in faith and friendship. YAMN defines "young adult" as anyone 18-40. Coming up, the network is holding its second annual Lent retreat day on Sat. April 5th at Grace Episcopal Church in Amherst. We ask that you spread this news to any young adults you know who might be interested and eligible. Please register by Thurs. Mar 27th or as early as possible, so the retreat organizers can make plans for lunch and worship. If you have any questions or if young adults in your congregation have questions, please reach out to the Rev. Megan McDermott, Priest Associate and Director for Creative Formation at Grace Church, at mmcdermott@gracechurchamherst.org. You can register for the event here.

Lent Formation Series: “In the Garden”

Our Lenten supper series returns this year on Wednesday nights in the Rectory. This year, our theme is “In the Garden.” Have you considered that the creation story in Genesis, Jesus’ arrest, and Jesus’ resurrection all take place in gardens? Is that a coincidence? Why is there a tree at the center of Eden and a tree at the center of heavenly Jerusalem in the book of Revelation? We will explore the important gardens and agricultural images in scripture as we walk the journey towards Easter together. A simple supper of soup and bread will be served each evening.

In the Garden: 2025 Lenten Formation Series

March 12: Life Began in a Garden (Creation)

March 19: Trees by Streams of Water (Life in Christ)

March 26: Laborers in the Vineyard (The Kingdom of God)

April 2: The Garden of Gethsemane (Suffering and Death)

April 9: An Empty Tomb in a Garden (New Creation)

All sessions will be at 6:00 p.m. in the Rectory.

Journey through Lent

Attention: Parents and Grandparents

We’re offering something new for families with preschool and elementary children or grandchildren—a booklet of simple yet meaningful activities for each week of the Season of

Lent, which began on Ash Wednesday, March 5. The suggested activities center around themes of blessing, loving our neighbors, hospitality, giving, and praying. You can pick up a copy of “Journey through Lent” on the Children’s Table in the church. If you would rather receive a copy by mail, please e-mail our Priest Associate Libby Wade. (libby_wade@yahoo.com).

March 16: Sunday Forum on Supporting Immigrants

Join us on Sunday, March 16 after the 10 a.m. Eucharist for a conversation with Fernando Leon, a volunteer with Berkshire Interfaith Organizing. Fernando coordinates a program for nonprofits and faith communities to help immigrants obtain driver’s licenses by becoming authorized sponsors. In Fernando’s words, “This initiative not only provides practical support for immigrants but also fosters community building.” Stick around after church to learn more.

Hate Has No Home Here



The Jewish Federation is partnering with local chambers, businesses, cultural organizations, houses of worship, and schools to amplify the message that “Hate Has No Home Here” through posters, social media, and lawn signs (in the spring.) In addition, there will be billboards across the Berkshires in December, January, and February with the expanded message “Antisemitism threatens us all – Hate Has No Home Here.”



Praying the Offices in Church

You are invited to join Father Sam in praying the Daily Office (Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer) in the Church four days a week. Each Tuesday-Friday, Morning Prayer is offered at 8:00 a.m. and Evening Prayer at 5:00 p.m. Come begin or end your day in prayer with fellow parishioners!

Our regular weekday services of Wednesday Zoom Morning Prayer and Friday Intercessory Prayer continue at 8:30 a.m. on those days. Consider staying after Morning Prayer on Fridays to pray through the parish prayer list with others at Intercessory Prayer. Or, if you are a regular at the online Morning Prayer on Wednesdays, and would like to find more ways to pray with others, consider coming to the Church on another day of the week!