Weekly News for June 11, 2023

Funeral for Mich Kuipers

Saturday, June 10

11:00 AM

The funeral service celebrating the life and faith of Mrs. Micheline (Mich) Kuipers will be held in the Sanctuary at St. Paul’s on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at 11:00 AM. Visitation with family and a light reception will immediately follow the service in the Octagon room.

Please find the obituary and other information at stpaulsk.org/worship/memorials.

DC Pride Parade

Saturday, June 10, 2023

2:30 PM gathering

3:00 PM parade starts

Join us for the Pride Parade in DC on Saturday, June 10. Look for us on T Street between 14th & 16th NW. 

We will have communion at 2:30 PM and the parade steps off at 3:00 PM. We are in the early part so don't be late! 

Contact Pastor Joey with questions. [email protected]

St. Paul's at the Kensington Juneteenth Celebration

Saturday, June 17

12:00-4:00 PM

St. Paul Park (3500 Plyers Mill Road)

St. Paul's UMC will have a presence at Kensington’s 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration this year! We'll have a table set up, with a few goodies to give away. If you would like to volunteer to cover the table for a shift, please add your name to the sign-up sheet in the Narthex on Sunday, or contact Grace Graham of the Justice & Compassion team by email at [email protected].

For more information about the town festival, click here: 

https://tok.md.gov/event/juneteenth-celebration-2/

Summer Worship and Office Schedule

starting June 4, 2023

Worship: We will have one service at 10:30 AM only for the summer. Communion will be offered each week. Find more details about worship events at stpaulsk.org/worship

Announcements: All announcements during the summer will be shared through this weekly email and church website. Announcements will not be printed in the bulletin during the summer.

Drop-In Office Hours: Beginning June 6, 2023 our summertime drop-in office hours will be Tuesday-Thursday, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Staff and access to the building will also be available by appointment!

This Week: Children's Programming

Sunday, June 11

“Kids with Compassion” begins this Sunday, June 11! Children will start in the Sanctuary with their families for worship, when a Children’s Message will be offered. Children who wish to participate in the Kids with Compassion activity will then be escorted to the Parlor to assemble Smart Sacks for families in our area who are food-insecure. Childcare for infants and preschoolers is available in the 2nd floor Nursery. Parents / guardians should pick up their children immediately following the worship service. Questions? Contact Meg Baker at [email protected]. Additional Sunday School details can be found at stpaulsk.org/community/children.

SPY Summer Kick-Off Meeting

Sunday, June 11

4:30-6:30 PM

This week will be our FINAL week of youth programming until September. For this event, any college-aged former youth that would like to attend and see some of their old friends are also welcome! We'll provide summery popsicles and lemonade, and we'll have plenty of games. If the smoke clears and air quality improves, we'l spend time outside with chalk, backyard games, and maybe some water squirt-guns - so consider bringing something that can get wet, and something to use to dry off!

Please note - we'll be in Fellowship Hall and the yard right next to it. (The MPR & Youth Lounge are unavailable due to floor repair work.) Questions? Contact Mr. Micah Smartt: [email protected].

Next Week: Wednesday Study "Reckless Love"

Wednesdays, June 14 - July 19

4:00-5:00 PM via Zoom

This six-week study, "Reckless Love," written by Bishop Tom Berlin, explores Jesus' teaching and travels with his disciples to suggest that Jesus teaches us how to love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength by showing us how to love our neighbor. The text (optional) is available for $12. For more information and to receive the Zoom link, please contact Dr. Meg Baker at [email protected] or 301-933-7933 ext. 104.

Next Week: Interfaith Hoppy Hour

June 17, 5:00 PM

Babycat Brewery

Join Pastor Joey and Rabbi Adam from Temple Emanuel for our next interfaith gathering at Babycat Brewery (10241 Kensington Parkway, Kensington MD 20895) in June. Come for a family-friendly social time and an opportunity to build relationships with our Temple Emanuel neighbors and discuss faith-related topics. Alcohol is optional and light snacks are provided. Email Pastor Joey, [email protected] for more information. 

This Month: Love Offering for Marco Palma

Now-June 25

After 20 years caring for the building and people of St. Paul’s, Mr. Marco Palma moves to a new career this summer. If you are moved to contribute toward a financial gift, checks should be made out to St. Paul’s UMC with “Marco Love Offering” in the memo line. To donate by credit card, go to stpaulsk.org/giving and click on “Additional Contribution Options” then type Marco Love Offering for the designated fund or cause. Questions? Contact Ari Brooks at [email protected].

This Month: SAM Meeting

June 21, 7:00-8:00 PM on Zoom

Church leaders serving in the Simplified Accountability Model (including the Ministry Table and the Strategy, Accountability, and Leadership Table) hold open meetings; all may attend. Contact chairperson Rachel Stalcup at [email protected] for the Zoom link or more info.

Hunger Ministry

This signature ministry serves over 100 households each month, providing hungry families with pantry staples and grocery store gift cards. Please donate non-perishables in the bins in the Narthex. (Please note, we can’t give out expired food or glass containers.) To find the list of most-needed food items and other ways to help, read more at stpaulsk.org/service/hunger-ministry.

Next Week: Pastor Vacation Days

Pastor Pat will be on vacation June 5-10. During this time, Pastor Joey will lead and tend to the needs of the St. Paul’s community.

Ongoing Activities - Click on each heading to learn more.

Many groups and activities at St. Paul's take a summer break, with plans to return in the fall. Currently on summer break: Taste & Sing, Pancake Breakfast, Yarn Ministry, Tuesdays Together. Sanctuary Choir and SPY take a break after June 11.

Still Wednesday: Wednesdays, 7:00-8:00 PM through June 2023. All are welcome for this contemplative prayer experience; the format varies but usually includes time for creative reflection and time for silent prayer in the Sanctuary.

Daily Breath: Wednesdays, 9:00 AM. Enjoy about 10-20 minutes of sharing, prayer, or music led by St. Paul’s clergy, staff, or volunteer leaders. Go to facebook.com/stpaulskensington.

Sipping Ministry: Coffee and treats are offered following worship whenever a group, family, or class volunteers to sponsor this time of fellowship. Email Erin Steele in the church office ([email protected]) to find available dates.

Lydia Circle: The Lydia Circle sisters are meeting the first Wednesday of each month at 2:30 PM. Ladies should contact Susan Schwarz at [email protected] or 301-339-8242.

Flower Dedications: If you would like to sponsor the Sanctuary flowers, please reserve your date using the chart and dedication forms found on the church office bulletin board. 

St. Paul's Online Shop: We're offering two colorful T-shirt designs. Visit stpaulsk.myspreadshop.com to see the options! 

Prayer Request Form: If you have a joy or concern, you can share it confidentially with St. Paul's ministers or share with the entire Prayer Team using our online prayer form. You can also contact Meg Baker at [email protected].

Stephen Ministry: Trained lay-people provide comfort to those who need a listening ear as they navigate life challenges like birth and death, job changes, divorce, illness, or depression and stress. Contact Meg Baker ([email protected]) to learn more.

Read-Thru-the-Bible: Find a short guide and some reflection ideas to support your Bible reading journey at stpaulsk.org/community/adult-education, along with the reading schedule.

Scripture for June 11, 2023

Mark 9:33-41 

     ³³Then they came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” ³⁴But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. ³⁵He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” ³⁶Then he took a little child and put it among them, and taking it in his arms he said to them, ³⁷“Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”

        ³⁸John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he was not following us.” ³⁹But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. ⁴⁰Whoever is not against us is for us. ⁴¹For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.”

(New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)