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If you are searching for a place to worship God in a committed, inclusive, and intentionally affirming Christian community, you have found it! God is searching for you too.

Come and see!

Mother Jane’s Reflection

Our Gospel this week contains what can be argued is the most familiar passage in all of scripture: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” There is some background to this succinct command in Jewish writings that I think is helpful.

“The great Talmudic sage Hillel was born in Babylonia in the first century BCE. As a young man he came to the Holy Land to study Torah at the feet of the sages of Jerusalem. He was initially a very poor, but brilliant student, and became a famous Torah scholar and eventually the Nasi (president) of the Sanhedrin. He is often mentioned together with his colleague, Shammai, with whom he often disagreed on the interpretations of Torah law: Shammai often follows the stricter interpretation, whereas Hillel tended toward a more lenient understanding of the law. In the great majority of cases, his opinion prevailed. Hillel encouraged his disciples to follow the example of Aaron the High Priest to “love peace and pursue peace, love all G‑d’s creations and bring them close to the Torah.” Hillel was a very humble and patient man, and there are many stories that illustrate this.

One famous account in the Talmud (Shabbat 31a) tells about a gentile who wanted to convert to Judaism. This happened not infrequently, and this individual stated that he would accept Judaism only if a rabbi would teach him the entire Torah while he, the prospective convert, stood on one foot. First he went to Shammai, who, insulted by this ridiculous request, threw him out of the house. The man did not give up and went to Hillel. This gentle sage accepted the challenge, and said:

‘What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah; the rest is just commentary—go and study it!’”

www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/689306/jewish/On-One-Foot.htm

Hillel most likely lived into the Common Era and so his teachings would have been well known by Jesus’ family. In fact it is possible that Jesus was a student of the Hillel school of thought. So it is not surprising that Jesus answers with essentially the same response as Hillel. But instead of a command, he invites them to wrestle with a theological question of their own time to engage the Torah and the hard questions there. He doesn’t send them away to read and study, but Matthew tells us he invites them into that “study” with him by asking them, “What do you think?”

When someone comes to me and says that they have read the “whole Bible”, my first question is “with whom did you read it”? The problem with reading in isolation is that scripture often holds truths that are beneath the surface of the text. When read in community, our collective observations, understandings, and insights offer perspectives we could not see on our own. There are opportunities for study at both St Patrick’s and St Thomas. It’s also a time to get to know one another better. Check out the programs each week in the newsletter.

I am looking for some folks who would be able to help prepare both children and adults for baptism in January. If you would be willing to share your thoughts on what it means to be “received into the household of God” (BCP), please let me know.

See you in church!

Buen Camino,

Mother Jane

Image attribution: Hillel the Elder teaching a man the meaning of the whole Torah while the man stands on one foot (detail from the Knesset Menorah, Jerusalem) [retrieved October 19, 2026]. Original source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/Hillel22.jpg?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=original

The Gospel

The Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost

Proper 25

When the Pharisees heard that [Jesus] had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, an expert in the law, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: “What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” He said to them, “How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying,

‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at my right hand,

until I put your enemies under your feet”’?

“If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?” No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

—Matthew 22:34–46 (NRSVue)

All Saints’ Day Necrology

All Saints’ Day (November 1^st) is fast approaching, and we will have our necrology read during the Eucharist Prayer. If you have a name of someone who has died within the past year (since last All Saints’ Day), please let Jason Trumble know, so he can place it in the bulletin.

Intergenerational Faith Formation Class

Sunday, October 25th, 9:45 AM – 10:30 AM

Join us for a formation class on the legend and impact of St. Patrick!. Beth will be talking about the history and legend of the saint, and of St. Patrick’s Breastplate. Adult volunteers are requested, please.

Happenings at St. Patrick’s, Long Beach

Wednesday, October 28^th, 6:00 PM: Evening Prayer followed by Christian Formation with light supper
Monday, November 2^nd, 5:30 PM –7:30 PM: Ultreya (a Cursillo gathering)

Happenings at St. Thomas, Diamondhead

Thursday, October 22nd, 5:15 PM: Healing Eucharist
Sunday, November 1^st, 6:00 PM: Lecture #4 on History of the Bible

T³: Time, Talent, Treasure

It’s that time again. St Patrick’s has kicked off the 2027 Stewardship drive. Would you prayerfully consider how you might support the work of our parish this coming year?

Please be a part of the future of St Patrick’s both with your financial contribution and by stepping forward to serve on vestry, behind the scenes monitoring online, or as lector or crucifer/lay minister.

Giving Estimate Cards can be found by downloading the file here, picking up a printed copy from the desk in the narthex, or by filling out a digital Giving Estimate at

https://www.stpatrickslongbeach.org/stewardship.

Vestry Corner

Announcements and information from the Vestry will be placed here, along with the latest approved Vestry meeting minutes. Remember, all members of St. Patrick’s have seat and voice at all meetings of the Vestry.

We are looking for volunteers to stand for election to the Vestry in 2027. We will be filling one one-year term (Dorothy Hope’s unexpired term), and two three-year terms. Please prayerfully consider if you would like to be part of the parish leadership.

Please click here to download the September 2026 Vestry Meeting Minutes (Final)

Please click here to download the October 2026 DRAFT Vestry Meeting Minutes

St Patrick’s Prays Together

Let my prayer be set forth as the incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

“When you pray, rather let your heart be without words than your words be without heart.”

—John Bunyan

Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. We pray especially for Alex, Anne, Barbara, Bear, Brad, Brody, Bruce, Caison, Cheryl, Chris, Craig, Dolores, Donna, Dottie, Eddie, Francis, Gary, Garry, Irina, Jason, Jean, Jim, Joyce, Judy, Judy, Kayla, Kathy, Krystal, Marlin, Martina, Mary, Mary, Maureen, Michael, Mick, Nancy, Norah, Norm, Patricia, Patricia, Reneé, Rick, Robin, Rosie, Sarah, Scott, Susan, Teri, Terrell Jr, Theresa, Tina, Tracy, Trish, Wayne, William, and the Matherne family; for all those who feel isolated due to illness of body, mind, or soul; and all those who, in this transitory life, are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity, and for others known only to You.

We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will for them may be fulfilled; be with the the bereaved and comfort them, and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom.

Almighty and everlasting God, you alone search the hearts and test the minds of your people: Pour out your Holy Spirit upon all who are discerning a call to Holy Orders, especially Carllene, Jason, and Laureli. Guide their uncertain steps, open their ears to your still, small voice, and grant them the courage to embrace your will. Give them pure motives, wisdom, and steadfast faith, that if it be your will, they may be found worthy to serve at your altars as shepherds of your flock; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Please email Kristi Johnson and Jason Trumble (click here) if you would like to add, change, or stop a prayer request.

Worship — Faith — Community

Click Here for Zoom Tutorials

Sunday Morning Service

The Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost

Holy Eucharist (Rite II)

11:00 AM Central Time

In-Person & Live on Zoom and Facebook

(Uploaded to YouTube after the Service)

For those who are unable to attend in-person services, we invite you to enjoy and participate in the service from the comfort of your own home via the Zoom link below, or on Facebook Live (click here to go to St Patrick’s Facebook Page).

St Patrick’s Episcopal Church is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Sunday Service 2026

Time: October 25^th, 2026, 11:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Click Here to Join the Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 856 9616 5688

Passcode: 802423

To join the meeting via telephone (no camera or computer needed):

Dial into the meeting: (312) 626-6799 (Long distance charges may apply)
Meeting ID: 856 9616 5688, then press #
No “Personal ID” is required; just press #
Passcode: 802423, then press pound #

Click here for the bulletin for Holy Eucharist (Rite II), 22 Pentecost (Proper 25)

Children’s Lesson for Proper 25A (click here to go to website)

Our Celebrant, Gospeler, and Preacher this morning is the Rev. Jane Bearden
Deacon-in-Training is Carllene MacMillan
Jason Trumble as Lay Minister
Dr. John Paul on piano
Technical support provided by Brad Bishop and Justin Pope
Bulletins produced and printed by Jason Trumble
Altar set-up and clean-up: Doug MacCullagh and Jason Trumble
Readers: First Lesson—Doug MacCullagh; Second Lesson—Mary Bostick
Intercessor—Jon Caridad

Evening Prayer 2026

Monday – Friday 6:00 PM CST

Online

St Patrick’s Episcopal Church is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Evening Prayer (and Other Weeknight Services)

Time: 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Every weekday in 2026

Click here to Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 893 4773 3376

Passcode: 384274

To join the meeting via telephone (no camera or computer needed):

Dial into the meeting: (312) 626-6799 (Long distance charges may apply)
Meeting ID: 893 4773 3376, then press #
No “Personal ID” is required; just press #
Passcode: 384274, then press pound #

Cemetery Tour

Carpool with Beth Powell from her house to the Long Beach cemetery on Girard for the not-scary but historical cemetery tour of the graves of those who shaped early Long Beach. This is a free event with local actors portraying the founders. Contact Beth at church or at childinfamily@gmail.com.

Christian Formation

Our Christian Formation program continues with the series of lectures/discussions on the History of the Bible by Dr. Bill Warren, Professor of New Testament and Greek at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Please see the below image for more details on this exciting series, or click here to download a PDF of the flyer.

Our last lecture in this series will be on November 1^st at St. Thomas.

Members of St. Patrick’s are invited to join us for Evening Prayer and further discussion of Sunday’s lecture on the following Wednesday, over a light supper.

—In the Community—

Good Golly, What’s OLLI?

OLLI (Oshner Lifelong Learning Institute) presents interesting courses and seminars on the campus of USM! These short courses and seminars are available year-round. Curriculum guides can be found on the table in the narthex. Any questions? See Jon Caridad or click here.

Featured at OLLI this Fall:

October 29^th: “Come out, Come out, Wherever You Are” is a seminar about the ancient tradition (and superstition) of exorcism, taught by Jon Caridad.

Long Beach Food Pantry Donations

On the Third Sunday of each month, St Patrick’s will collect and bless donations for the Long Beach Food Pantry and for the Blessing Box. We will also collect loose plate monies and donate them to the Long Beach Food Pantry on that Sunday. Please watch the newsletter for any special requests from the Food Pantry. Dry or canned non-perishable items only. Thanks for your generosity.

Items needed are cup o’ soups, ramen noodles, and boxed/packet instant mashed potatoes.

The Long Beach Food Pantry can be contacted on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 10:00 AM–2:30 PM, either in person at 21081 Johnson Rd, Long Beach, or at 228-861-1291.

Other food pantries in the area that accept fresh vegetables and fruits are Feed My Sheep in Gulfport and Back Bay Mission in Biloxi.

Click here to sign up for The Mississippi Episcopalian e-newsletter.

Would you like to let others know about something in the community? A workshop? A concert? An arts and crafts event? Let Jason Trumble know, and he’ll add it to the newsletter!

The Golden Rule

James Wells

In your daily round of duties,

As you make your way through life;

As you gaze upon its beauties,

And you look upon its strife,

There’s a rule of conduct given,

Which I will commend to you:

Always do unto another

What you’d have him do to you.

If, perchance, along life’s highways,

You should meet a man that’s down,

Or you meet him on the byways,

Where he meets with many a frown,

Won’t you try to help him, brother,

’Ere he passes from your view?

Won’t you do unto another

What you'd have him do to you?

Once upon a time the Saviour

Came into this world of sin,

Came into this world to suffer,

Precious souls that He might win.

And He gave to us a precept

Did this Saviour, kind and true:

Always do unto another

What you’d have him do to you.

Your offering makes our worship and mission possible.

Please give generously.

There is a small fee attached for using this online giving. St Pat’s will gladly cover it, but if you would like to do so, please choose to add the cost to your online donation.