Weekly News for Nov. 8, 2026

Pancake Breakfast

Saturday, Nov. 7

1st Saturday of each month

8:00-10:00 AM

Invite your friends and neighbors to the Fellowship Hall for the monthly community breakfast, with delicious pancakes, scrambled eggs, sides, and beverages. Diners are asked to make a generous donation at the door.

Want to help behind the scenes? Contact Phil Rush (phil_rush@hotmail.com).

New! Make Thanksgiving Happier

Please help make a happy Thanksgiving possible for our neighbors in need by donating towards our special Thanksgiving - Hunger Ministry Holiday Giving project. Our goal is to serve our existing Hunger Ministry recipients and those in the 20895 ZIP code referred to us by Montgomery County’s Department of Health & Human Services at the holidays. Your financial support will let us provide about 190 households with a $50 grocery store card. This enables families to select food for their Thanksgiving feast that best reflects their traditions, dietary restrictions, and needs. Please donate any amount by check made out the St. Paul’s UMC with “Thanksgiving” in the memo line, or securely online at stpaulsk.org/giving. Thank you!

Bible & Brews

Sunday, Nov. 8

5:00-6:00 PM

All are welcome to gather for this casual monthly interfaith conversation with Pastor Joey, Rabbi Adam, and friends from Temple Emanuel. Our meetings are family friendly, and held at a local restaurant where you can order beverages or food as you like. This month we will be at Knowles Station Wine & Co. (10414 Detrick Ave, Kensington, MD). Contact Pastor Joey at joeyhm@stpaulsk.org or find more dates at stpaulsk.org/community/calendar-events

Drop-in and Phone Office Hours

The office is open on our regular schedule for drop-in visits and phone calls: Mon.-Thurs., 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Appointments encouraged! Contact info is on our Meet the Staff page. If you have a pastoral emergency when the office is closed, please dial the emergency line for Rev. Sheridan Allmond at 410-205-5568 and leave a message - she will be notified of your call.

Building for Tomorrow

The generosity of those who came before us helped create the St. Paul's we know today. Now we have the opportunity to help shape what comes next.

This week's reflection question: What do you hope St. Paul's will be for future generations?

Our annual stewardship pledges help us plan for the future while sustaining the ministries that serve our congregation and community today. Please submit your 2027 pledge by mail, drop it off at the church office, or go online to stpaulsk.org/giving. Please submit your pledge by November 20.

This Week: Sunday School

Sunday, Nov. 8

All children in grades K-5 are invited to Sunday School at 10:30. Grades K-2 meet in Room 200; grades 3-5 meet in the Parlor. The nursery is available for those Pre-K and younger. For children in worship, Busy Bags with quiet activities can be borrowed from the Welcome Desk. Restless friends (accompanied by an adult) are welcome to take a break in the Octagon or Library near the family restroom. If being part of the Sunday School teaching ministry is appealing to you, please contact Pastor Joey at joeyhm@stpaulsk.org to find out more.

New! Advent Bible Study

Starting November 29.

Join us this Advent for a fresh look at the story of Jesus’ birth through a Bible study by acclaimed biblical scholar Amy-Jill Levine. Explore familiar scriptures, discover new insights, and prepare your heart for Christmas! We’ll start the first week of Advent and meet for four sessions. There are two weekly opportunities: Sundays, 12:00-1:00 PM in Room 109 or Wednesdays, 12:00-1:00 PM in the Octagon. You may attend either day! A light lunch of soup and bread will be provided. We'll be guided by the book "Light of the World." Book purchase is optional. Questions? Contact Pastor Joey (joeyhm@stpaulsk.org).

New! Kensington Coffeehouse Last Show of 2026!

Saturday, Nov. 21, 7:00-10:00 PM

Our November show promises a variety of musical delights! Boy Meets Pearl will fire up the evening with an exciting and eclectic mix of sea shanties, circus waltzes, and music-hall sing-a-longs. Juels Bland, a soulful artist from Takoma Park, will be followed by Alicia Deeny, a guitarist who traces her musical roots to Puerto Rico. Wrapping up the evening, Erin Frisby and Selena Benally of the band Ammonite will perform their genre-bending and ethereal harmonies. JennyCakes specialties, along with an array of homemade baked goods and our signature bottomless mug of coffee, will be available for purchase to keep the joy flowing. Tickets are $10 at kensingtoncoffeehouse.org or at the door while seats remain.

Next Week: An Advent Evening of Biblical Storytelling

Thursday, Nov. 12, 7:00 PM via Zoom

Join Meg Baker and friends for an evening of biblical storytelling presenting the birth narrative of Jesus. This online event is brought to you by Voices of the Heart, the Metro-DC Guild of the Network of Biblical Storytellers International (www.nbsint.org). The experience will help us prepare our hearts for the Advent and Christmas seasons to come. For the Zoom link, please contact Meg Baker at megbaker@verizon.net or go to https://tinyurl.com/2jnrj5fr

Next Week: SPY

St. Paul’s Youth is for all friends of St. Paul’s in grades 6-12. SPY is not meeting on Nov. 8 but we’re back for our regular meeting on Sunday, Nov. 15, 7:00-8:30 PM in the MPR with fellowship, faith building, and dinner. Please note, IGNITE – the big Youth Conference in Ocean City MD – has closed earlybird registration but regular registration continues. Contact Megan Montgomery (megan.w.montgomery@gmail.com) ASAP if you’re interested! IGNITE takes place January 22-24, 2027, earlier than previous years. All SPYs must be registered - find the form at stpaulsk.org/community/youth

Next Week: Taste & Sing

Tuesday, Nov. 17, 12:00-1:30.

Come to the Octagon for this casual time of food and song. We start by singing hymns from the UM Hymnal, by request! Then we have a short program offering a deeper dive into the stories behind some of our worship songs. The afternoon wraps up with a tasty fellowship lunch ($5 donation) prepared by Ginny Hagberg.

This Month: Community Thanksgiving Service and Hospitality

Tuesday, Nov. 24, 7:30 PM

St. Paul’s is honored to be serving as the host congregation this year for the Kensington-Chevy Chase Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. Community members will come together in our Sanctuary to share grateful fellowship and faith through music, prayer, and inspirational texts from many faith traditions. Help welcome friends from across the Kensington area to St. Paul’s for the Interfaith Community Thanksgiving Service with a special sipping ministry following the evening service. We are looking for baked goods and drinks. Contact Anne Dean (annepdean@gmail.com) with questions.

Hunger Ministry

We distribute groceries starting on the second Monday of each month and we serve about 170 households facing food insecurity. We rely on our donors to fill our shelves with non-perishable pantry staples! Please place items in the donation bins outside the office door. A list of our most-needed items can be found at stpaulsk.org/service/hunger-ministry. Financial contributions help us order food to make up the gaps, and fund grocery store gift cards so families can choose fresh produce, dairy, meat, or hygiene products. If you are interested in volunteering, or know a member of the church community who might need food, please contact the office or email Mr. Pat Maloney at hunger@stpaulsk.org. 

Church Leadership Team

Go to stpaulsk.org/community/meet-the-staff and scroll down to learn more about what we do! If God is calling you to join the church leadership team, reach out to Pastor Sheridan, Pastor Joey, Leadership chair Bill Stephens (wtstephens@verizon.net), or Lay Leader Anne Deane (annepdean@gmail.com). 

Other Ongoing or Regularly Scheduled Activities.

Prayerwaves - Wednesdays, 10:00-10:30 AM. On Wednesdays, dial 425-436-6326 a few minutes before 10:00 AM, then enter access code 774042 followed by the # sign. We take turns praying for those on our prayer list. To receive the prayer list by email, contact Erin Steele at stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org.

Sanctuary Choir -- Sundays, 9:30 AM. Our music ministries are looking forward to welcoming new members and old friends! Contact Tom Pedersen (tpedersen@stpaulsk.org) with questions.Adult singers and youth in Grade 7 and up are welcome each Sunday to rehearse at 9:30 AM, then sing in worship at 10:30 AM. 

Children's Choir -- Sundays, 11:45 AM - 12:30 PM. All children in grades K-6 are encouraged to be part of Children’s Choir, under the direction of Ms. Christina Griffin. We meet after worship for singing, learning, snacks, and fun in the Multi-Purpose Room. Email: childrenschoir@stpaulsk.org

Still Wednesday -- Wednesdays, 7:00-8:00 PM. Come light a candle and experience this time for reflection, togetherness, and silent prayer. We will be meeting in the Octagon each Wednesday.

Sermon Safari -- Wednesdays 4:00-5:00 PM. This come‑when‑you‑can, drop‑in Zoom study invites participants to watch a sermon together and then dive into a lively, thoughtful discussion. For more information or to receive the Zoom link, contact Dr. Meg Baker at megbaker@verizon.net.

Yarn Ministry -- Bring your knitting, needlework, or other projects and craft alongside friends in the Library at St. Paul’s twice a month. Meeting 7:00-8:30 PM on Sept 14 and 28, October 12 and 26, Nov 9 and 23, Dec 14. Contact Karen Codner (kdc811@gmail.com) with questions.

Joyful Ringers -- Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30 PM Our handbell ensemble will meet in Room 109 for rehearsl, with plans to play in worship about once a month. If you’ve never played handbells before, we can teach you! Contact Tom Pedersen, director of music, at tpedersen@stpaulsk.org.

Sipping Ministry - Host a fellowship time after Sunday worship with coffee, sweets, or other treats. Sign up on the bulletin board in the church office and take a How-To guide.

Sponsoring Flowers - Sponsor the Sanctuary flowers ($45) and make a dedication in celebration, honor, or memory of a loved one. Simply add your name on the Flower chart in the main office and fill out a form, or contact Erin Steele at stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org to inquire about a date.

Stephen Ministers - These trained lay people provide a listening ear for those experiencing life changes or turmoil. Please contact Martha Lipscomb (301-518-1642) to be connected to a Stephen Minister for confidential care.

Scripture Readings for Sunday, November 8, 2026

Matthew 25:1-13

¹“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten young women took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. ²Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. ³When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, ⁴but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. ⁵As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. ⁶But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ ⁷Then all those young women got up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ ⁹But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ ¹⁰And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. ¹¹Later the other young women came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ ¹²But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ ¹³Keep awake, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition

Worship Schedule for 2026

• Worship Sunday at 9:00 AM with a contemplative feel and Communion each week.
• Worship Sunday at 10:30 AM with Communion on the first Sunday of the month and music from the Sanctuary Choir.
• The 10:30 AM service will continue to be available by livestream at stpaulsk.org/worship/worship-at-home.