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Weekly News for August 9, 2020
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Worship-at-Home
Sunday, August 9 at 11:00 a.m.
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Pastors' Weekly Message: From Pastor Pat
This past Sunday a flurry of activity across the apartment complex caught my eye. The bevy of first responders in itself was not unusual, so I turned from the window and went back to what I was doing expecting this incident to be over shortly. Sadly, it was not. When the fire truck and EMTs departed and the ambulance left empty, but the police remained, I knew what that meant. It meant someone had passed away.
Until that moment I had selfishly believed I had experienced the worst weekend ever. My grocery delivery brought a few moldy surprises, an unexpected delivery had been swiped from my doorstep, and I confess I was wallowing in a deep pool of self pity. But in the moment that I recognized someone had passed away, nothing I had experienced was important.
Life is fragile. Every day potentially holds both joys and sorrows, opportunities to find fault, basis for disagreements. We tend to add an extra measure of importance to those things that don’t go our way. But it is only in the moment we are confronted with the finiteness of life, that we realize what is truly important.
In the gospel of John, chapter 10 verse 10, we are reminded that Jesus came to give us life more abundant. Abundance is not about "more" but "fullness." It is life lived to its exponential best. So let us not be distracted by those things which will cause us to forget that life is far too precious to dismiss or diminish, to waste focusing on moldy tomatoes or soggy lettuce.
I don’t know who passed away. It is my prayer that their family is comforted during their time of loss. But for those of us left behind, let us be reminded to appreciate life, to live life, to embrace life and to value life.
-- Pastor Pat
pallen@stpaulsk.org
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Sunday, Aug. 23
9:30 a.m.
Reinhardt Park
We will have one outdoor in-person worship experience (weather permitting) on Sunday, August 23 starting at 9:30 a.m.
Wear a mask and bring picnic blankets or folding chairs to the park directly across from St. Paul's front doors, or enjoy from the safety of your car "drive-in" style.
As part of worship, pastors will lead a communion service and the confirmands who wish to become members at this time will be welcomed into membership. More details will be available at http://stpaulsk.org/worship.
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Sunday, Aug. 23
8:30-10:00 a.m
Town Hall Parking Lot
Our Justice & Compassion team is partnering with Interfaith Works again in 2020 to get new school supplies to disadvantaged children for the start of school in Montgomery County. This school year, of course, things will look very different -- but students still need essential items to succeed!
Weather permitting, we will have a supply drop off on Sunday, August 23 at the Town Hall parking lot.
Some of the most-needed items include: spiral or composition notebooks, wide-rule filler paper, pens, pencils, markers, 24-pack crayons, colored pencils, pocket folders with fasteners, and scissors. The full list of supplies, plus a link to the Interfaith Works Amazon wish-list, is available here: http://stpaulsk.org/service/justice-and-compassion
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starting August 16
contact Meg Baker: mbaker@stpaulsk.org, 301-933-7933 ext. 104.
Our Children's Ministry will be providing a free virtual camp experience the week of August 16! Compassion Camp: Be Loved, Be Kind, Be You is an at-home experience. Through Bible stories, crafts, music, and movement, your family will explore ways we can practice compassion. Families may participate at their own pace using the Family Camp Guide.
Optional online sessions will be available. Campers will also have opportunities to gather virtually, by age group, giving kids time to engage with each other in community!
Materials, additional info, and a detailed schedule will be included in a Care Package coming soon to families with young children.
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Wednesdays
1:00-2:30pm by appointment
Reinhardt Park
Pastor Pat will be available to chat outdoors on Wednesdays (weather permitting). Even though everyone will need to wear masks and use social distancing precautions, there is something meaningful and important about in-person interactions. These chats will help us get to know one another better. Email pallen@stpaulsk.org to arrange a meeting time.
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July 30-Aug. 8
Aug. 12-26 (tentative)
Pastor Kate will be out of the office July 30 - August 8 for a planned visit with family. She will have a final surgery to repair a chronic condition in her left leg on August 12. As with the surgery on the right leg back in February, she will likely be out of the office for about two weeks afterward for recovery. During Pastor Kate's absence, Pastor Pat and other members of the staff will be caring for the needs of our community. For contact information for all of St. Paul's staff, visit http://stpaulsk.org/community/meet-the-staff.
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Even though we have not yet figured out how to safely hold an in-person distribution event, our Hunger Ministry reaches vulnerable families in the 20895 ZIP code by mailing grocery store gift cards. Sometimes we get letters and calls reminding us how much our work impacts families with fewer means. Here are messages we've received from two families in recent weeks:
"We just wanted to reach out and thank you and your church from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness and generosity once again. We're continually humbled and inspired by our community's steady support and care for us and so greatly appreciate it!"
"Thank you for all the great help you have provided for our family."
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Wednesday, Aug. 19
7:00-8:00 p.m.
The August gathering for Still Wednesday will be held on August 19. We'll resume weekly gatherings starting September 9. Still Wednesday offers a time of prayer, connection, and quiet contemplation in a busy world. Email kenzier@rcn.com or call Kenzie Raulin at 301-237-1520 for the Zoom link. All are welcome.
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In summers past, congregants took Flat John Wesley and Flat Paul hand fans on their travels to over 200 locations around the world. This year, of course, most people are staying home, unable to visit St. Paul's UMC in person or enjoy summer adventures. Introducing.... Flat St. Paul's! Click HERE to download Flat St. Paul's as a *pdf, then color it in and share your photos. Text your images to Meg at 240-723-6642 or email mbaker@stpaulsk.org. (Printer broken? Don't worry. Meg can provide a Flat St. Paul's upon request.) Flat St. Paul's is also available in the August Epistle.
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The United Methodist Committee on Relief provides long-term humanitarian relief when war, conflict, or natural disaster disrupts life to such an extent that communities cannot recover on their own. UMCOR's operations, including training for their first responders, are supported by this UMC designated Special Sunday: UMCOR offering. You can still give securely online: stpaulsk.org/giving or mail your donation to the church office, attn Michelle Gregonis. Please make checks payable to St. Paul's UMC with "UMCOR Sunday" on the memo line.
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Saturdays & Tuesdays by Zoom
Contact Meg Baker: mbaker@stpaulsk.org or 301-933-7933 ext. 104.
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The Saturday study this month meets 11:00 am-12:00 noon - note the new time! - and uses the BibleProject’s Church at Home: Small Group Bible Study, with an online video, Scripture selection, and discussion questions. Each week has a different topic - view the list at http://stpaulsk.org/community/adult-education
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The Tuesday study (4:00-5:00 pm) on The Psalms is a traditional Bible study, using a guide from Eugene Peterson. Each week focuses on a different Psalm. The list is available here: http://stpaulsk.org/community/adult-education
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If you would like to pray alongside others from St. Paul's, call 425-436-6326 at 9:45 each Tuesday morning. When prompted for the “access code," type in 774042 followed by #.
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Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
9:00 a.m.
Facebook Live
Three days a week (except holidays!), St. Paul's staff and guests take turns offering a live meditation or reading, reminding us to start our day by taking a breath. Once the live session closes, the recording remains available for later viewing. No Facebook account required - simply go to https://www.facebook.com/stpaulskensington/
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Questions? Contact stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org
The Re-Entering Well Team contacted the leaders & coordinators of church ministries and outside groups regularly using St. Paul's facilities, inviting them to submit plans outlining how they might re-enter the building. If you have questions, please contact Erin in the church office at stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org. Staff have re-entered the building to complete tasks which cannot be done remotely but the building remains generally closed while we are engaging in distancing restrictions and extra sanitation practices.
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Contact Meg Baker, Director of Christian Education
mbaker@stpaulsk.org or 301-933-7933 ext. 104.
Kids’ Connection episodes are short videos featuring members of the St. Paul's community sharing stories, songs, and activities geared for our youngest friends. We will continue sharing videos through August, and older installments are still available for viewing any time at http://stpaulsk.org/community/children. S croll down the page to find it! New episodes are available each Friday. We would love to feature you or your family sharing a joke, magic trick, favorite recipe, puppet show, or brief special message in a future episode! To find out how, please contact Meg Baker.
Summer Sunday School materials, which include children's bulletins and activity sheets, continue to be sent via email each week with short worship-oriented Children's Message videos. If you are not receiving these but would like to, let Meg know.
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Sign up any time
This ongoing opportunity matches friendly home cooks at St. Paul's with any family who might appreciate having one less meal to make. Those who would like to receive a meal should start with the form found here: https://forms.gle/PBxN89ECm8Tg9kVZ7 and those who would like to cook should email Bill Butz or Erin Steele at the church office (stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org).
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Scripture for August 9, 2020
Gospel Reading: Matthew 13:10-17
10Then the disciples came and asked him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11He answered, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 13The reason I speak to them in parables is that ‘seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.’ 14With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says:
‘You will indeed listen, but never understand,
and you will indeed look, but never perceive.
15For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and their ears are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes;
so that they might not look with their eyes,
and listen with their ears,
and understand with their heart and turn—
and I would heal them.’
16But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it."
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Contact us! ● 301-933-7933 ● stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org ● stpaulsk.org
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