The E-pistle

Friday, March 7th, 2025

Daylight Savings Time starts Sunday! Turn your clocks forward one hour.

Sunday, March 9th, 2025

8:00 AM Holy Eucharist Rite I

10:00 A.M Holy Eucharist Rite II

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; 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 Last Sunday after the Epiphany: Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13

Serving this Sunday:

Altar Guild: Jennifer Carmichael

Fellowship: Tracy Johnson

Serving at 8:00 AM

Celebrant: The Rev’d Jane G. Tillman

Preacher: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Acolyte: Darryl Lafferty

LEM: Jorja Marsden

Lector: Sebastian Bonner

Greeter: Sebastian Bonner

Serving at 10:00 AM

Celebrant: The Rev’d Jane G. Tillman

Preacher: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Acolyte: Virgil Stucker

LEM: Kendra MacLeod

Lector: Carl Sprague

Greeters: Liza Picoli and Brett Roberts

Musician: David Smith

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

Danielle Fillio

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 3/9)

Congregations, Ministries, and Partners in Ministry

St. Paul’s Church, Gardner

Cathedral of the Beloved, Pittsfield

Retired Clergy of the Diocese

The Church and Wider Mission

Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN)

US Disaster Program of Episcopal Relief & Development

Anglican Cycle of Prayer

Sun 3/9: The Anglican Church of Canada

Mon 3/10: Diocese of Malakal (South Sudan)

Tues 3/11: Diocese of Lake Malawi (Central Africa)

Wed 3/12: Diocese of Northern Malawi (Cen. Africa)

Thurs 3/13: Diocese of Southern Malawi (Cen. Africa)

Fri 3/14: Diocese of West Malaysia (South East Asia)

Sat 3/15: Diocese of Malek (South Sudan)

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.

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!