The E-pistle

Friday, November 1st, 2024

A Note from Father Sam

Dear friends in Christ,

Today is All Saints’ Day, the feast of the church year that commemorates all the saints—all those known to us, and those known to God alone, who are part of that “great cloud of witnesses” that surrounds us on every side. The saints are not just the heroic few whose lives we remember on special days—Peter, Paul, Mary, etc. Rather, the saints are all those who have found their lives caught up in the grace and mercy of God, all those who have striven to follow Christ in their own day. Because of the free gift of grace in Jesus Christ, we can all be saints as we find our lives transformed—sanctified, to use the word that shares a root with saint—by the power of Christ’s love.

This great cloud of witnesses includes those we love, but see no longer, and so on Sunday, as we celebrate this great feast, we will pause to remember and pray for our departed loved ones. We’ll process outside to the columbarium to pray for those buried in our churchyard, those in our community who have died in the last year, and all others for whom we have been asked to pray. Though we see them no longer, we are in communion with these saints, in the mystical fellowship of Christ’s Body. Because Christ was victorious over the grave, we can be assured that death will not separate us from those we love forever.

So come, let us celebrate the victory of life in Jesus Christ that includes everyone, and welcomes everyone. All the saints. Even you and me. 

Faithfully,

Father Sam

P.S.– Don't forget to turn your clocks back on Sunday morning!

Sunday, November 3rd, 2024

8:00 AM and 10:00 AM

Holy Eucharist

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Scripture for All Saints' Day: Isaiah 25:6-9, Psalm 24, Revelation 21:1-6a, John 11:32-44

Serving this morning, November 3 (8:00 a.m.)

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

Assisting Priest: The Rev’d Jane G. Tillman

Acolyte/LEM: Darryl Lafferty

Lector/Intercessor: Torey Winn

Greeter: TBD

Altar Guild: Tracy Johnson

Serving this morning, November 3 (10:00 a.m.)

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

Assisting Priest: The Rev’d Jane G. Tillman

Verger: Darryl Lafferty

Acolyte: Virgil Stucker

LEM: Ginny Willcox

Lector: Frank Smith

Intercessor: Virgil Stucker

Musicians: Nancy King, John Davies

Greeters: Devyn and Matt Fillio, Genet Jeanjean

Fellowship: Carl Sprague

Altar Guild: Tracy Johnson

Serving next week, November 10 (8:00 a.m.)

Celebrant: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Preacher: The Rev’d Jane G. Tillman

Acolyte/LEM: Darryl Lafferty

Lector/Intercessor: Torey Winn

Greeter: TBD

Altar Guild: Ginny Willcox

Serving next week, November 10 (10:00 a.m.)

Celebrant: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Preacher: The Rev’d Jane G. Tillman

Verger: Darryl Lafferty

Acolyte: TBD

LEM: Ginny Willcoc

Lector: Jean Rousseau

Intercessor: Vaunie Graulty

Musician: Nancy King

Greeters: Lis and Virgil Stucker

Fellowship: Patty Melville

Altar Guild: Ginny Willcox

Altar flowers are given by Cheryl Resetarits, in memory of Irvin E. Rogers.

Parish Prayer List

Those who are ill or in need of intercession

Charles, Jacob, Kathleen, Donna, Cynthia, Cindy, Lori, Elaine, Kit, David, Ann, Jessica, Heidi, Lisa, Shawn, Betty Jo, Celia, Anne, Dawn, Natalie, Bill, Tom, Ginger, Tracey, Mary

Those who have recently died

Those who have asked for our long-term prayers

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

Those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries

Eamon McCandless

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer (Week of 11/3)

Congregations, Ministries, and Partners in Ministry

Trinity Church, Whitinsville

Stewardship & Planned Giving

The Church and Wider Mission

“Messy Church” Ministry

Episcopal Booksellers Association

Anglican Cycle of Prayer

Sun 11/3: Church of the Province of South East Asia

Mon 11/4: Diocese of Kasai (Congo)

Tues 11/5: Diocese of Katakwa (Kenya)

Wed 11/6: Diocese of Katanga (Congo)

Thurs 11/7: Diocese of Katsina (Nigeria)

Fri 11/8: Diocese of Kebbi (Nigeria)

Sat 11/9: Diocese of Kentucky (Episcopal Church)

Daylight Savings Time begins November 3rd

Turn your clocks back one hour!

Organ Pipes returning: Help needed tomorrow

John Bishop has been hard at work repairing some of our organ pipes at his workshop in Maine. His work is finished, and it’s time to get the pipes back into the organ! If you like working with your hands and can help lift moderately heavy pipes, or if you’re interested in learning more about how pipe organs work, come to St. Paul’s tomorrow, Saturday, November 2, at 9:00 a.m. We need a small crew to get the work done, and it promises to be a fun task! Father Sam will have some snacks on hand, too. If you’re planning to come, please email Father Sam so that we know how many folks to expect. 

Newcomers’ Lunch November 3

Are you new to St. Paul’s? Would you like to learn more about our community? Join Father Sam and other parish leaders for a Newcomers’ Lunch after the 10:00 service on Sunday, November 3. We will gather to get to know each other better, learn more about St. Paul’s, and discuss our ministries. All are welcome—you decide if “new” applies to you!

Vote and Pray for the Nation

You are invited to approach Election Day in a spirit of prayer and hope as together we pray for peace, a fair election, and unity amidst our deep social divisions. On Election Day, November 5, the church is open all day, as always. Special prayers for the nation will be offered at 9am, 12pm, 3pm, and 6pm. Consider joining for one of these prayers on your way to or from the polls. On November 6, the day after the election, there will be a service of Holy Eucharist at 6pm in the church for those who would like to gather in a spirit of prayer amidst likely uncertainty around the outcome of some elections. Come, let us pray.

Relatedly, you might like to read some of Bishop Doug’s recent essays on his blog in the runup to the election. You can find them, and more, here.

Are you looking to deepen your faith? New EfM group forming!

Do you want to know more about the Bible, Christian Tradition, and Church History? In our

complex world, do you find yourself longing for a group to reflect on your personal experiences

and how they connect to our Christian Tradition? If so, EfM (Education for Ministry) may be for

you!

EfM is a four-year Christian Formation program founded by the School of Theology at Sewanee and designed for lay (non-ordained) people. Through study, prayer, worship, and reflection, EfM groups journey together through Scripture, Church History, and Tradition to help make sense of our own Faith and the world around us. At the end of four years, it is our hope that Christians will be empowered to take on ministries in their home parishes in whatever way God calls them! While EfM is a four-year program, we only ask that you commit one year at a time. You can learn more about EfM here.

There is a new EfM group forming in the Berkshires! If you’d like to be a part of the group or

simply want to know more, please contact Brett Roberts from St. Paul’s, Stockbridge at

brett.roberts25@gmail.com.

140 Pantry items for 140 Years

On Sunday, November 17, we will gather for the 140th Anniversary of the Dedication of St. Paul’s Church, with one festive Eucharist at 10:00am (no 8am service). We have been challenged by one of our dedicated volunteers to gather 140 items for the Lee Food Pantry in honor of 140 years in our current building! Please bring your donations of food (along with your pledge card) on November 17! Suggested items include cooking oil, coffee, gluten-free pasta, salt, and baking items such as sweetened condensed milk.

College Care Packages

Greetings:

As our college students from St. Paul’s settle into the new school year, we would like to again send them care packages to remind them that they are always in our thoughts and prayers and have support within their faith community. As the fall term progresses, we know that the work, lack of sleep and the feelings of isolation from being far from home can often feel overwhelming. A small package of thoughtful gifts can serve to brighten up a day. You can contribute by purchasing some of the items on our list, helping us to pack the care packages or posting the packages.

We have complied a list of much-appreciated items by interviewing two of the students. Included are:

Small note cards

candy

pens

pencils

bookmarks

Small flip notebooks

stickers for laptops   

popcorn

If you have a college student, please let Father Sam know and we will include them in the list of recipients.

Thank you for your help in this project,

Kim Savery, Rob and Jess Maloney

Message from Episcopal Relief and Development

We can pray. We can give.

Episcopal Relief & Development is in touch with partners in the southeastern US as they meet the needs of people impacted by Hurricane Milton, which made landfall in southwestern Florida on Wednesday, October 9. 

Two weeks following the devastating Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton has killed at least five people and left over three million people without power. Episcopal Relief & Development is continuing to accompany diocesan leaders as they assess the impact and respond to the needs of their communities over the coming days.  

“Our hearts go out to the people who have been affected by Helene and Milton,” said Katie Mears, Senior Technical Specialist, Disaster Risk and Resilience, Episcopal Relief & Development. “We are continuing to work on responses that were already underway due to Helene, and are adapting and creating new plans in collaboration with dioceses to meet new needs.” 

Please pray for the people affected by Milton and Helene. Support to the Hurricane Relief Fund will help people affected by the storms to restart their lives with dignity and agency.

Watch at home or together: Investiture of next Presiding Bishop

The Rt Rev’d Sean Rowe, currently Bishop of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Provisional Bishop of Western New  York, will be invested as the next Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church on Saturday, November 2. You can watch the investiture, live from the Chapel of Christ the Lord at the Episcopal Church Center in New York City, at the link in the image above. Are you interested in joining or hosting a watch party for fellow parishioners? Speak to Father Sam or email the office, and we’ll organize a gathering if there is enough interest! Please do continue to pray for Bishop Sean as he prepares to take up this new ministry on behalf of the entire Episcopal Church.

Be on alert for Email Scams

Once again, it has come to our attention that parishioners have been targeted by email scams pretending to be Father Sam. These emails come from a generic email address such as “pastor65@...” or “churchp082@...” and may even come with the name “Rev. Samuel T. Vaught.” They might ask for a favor, such as purchasing gift cards for someone in need, or detail some kind of financial update. 

Father Sam will never email you from any address other than rector@stpaulsstockbridge.org. Father Sam will never ask you over email to buy anything for anyone. If you ever suspect that a communication purporting to be from the church is a spam, please call Father Sam’s cell phone at 765-401-6112. Thank you for your vigilance in looking out for one another.

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.