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Weekly News for Dec. 6, 2020
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Worship-at-Home Service
Sunday, December 6
11:00 a.m.
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Pastors' Weekly Message: From Pastor Pat
"Keep the change, ya filthy animal.” Not exactly the line you’d expect from a Christmas movie, is it? But for me, Home Alone (especially Home Alone I and II) is one of my favorite Christmas movies.
Besides the antics of the mini-MacGyver wannabe, who if nothing else is the affirmation for why children rarely if ever should be left to their own devices, or near power tools, this is a movie that actually has a meaning.
Once you look beyond all of the comedic moments you find the invitation for some who have been estranged, and some who have been lost, to come home for Christmas.
For some home is the place where they were raised, the place where every growth mark is permanently etched on a door frame, the place of secret hideouts, and memories time will never erase. Home for others is the place where loved ones reside, whether townhouse or apartment. Home for some is the shelter of underpasses, the bench in the park that converts to a bed. Home for yet others is the place from which they have escaped in search of a better or safer life.
My first Christmas as a pastor, a member who had been ill and away from his family longed to be home for Christmas. He made it, but not necessarily the way you would imagine. For he did make it home to his wife a few days before Christmas, but on Christmas morning he went home to be with our Lord.
Home means many things to many people, but home truly is wherever Christ is.
-- Pastor Pat
pallen@stpaulsk.org
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cards due by Dec. 11
For 2020, we will be sending $25 Target gift cards and grocery cards by mail to local families in our Hunger Ministry and those referred to us by through the county Dept. of Health & Human Services. Last year, your compassion and care helped make the holidays brighter for 142 families in our area, including 245 children.
We welcome Christmas cards with your hand-written notes to carry the gift cards through the mail! Please click HERE to read more! Cards are due by December 11 and can be dropped in the mail slot at the church office door on Mitchell Street or sent through the post office to St. Paul's Christmas Cards, 10401 Armory Ave, Kensington MD 20895.
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It was our sincerest hope that we would be able to celebrate worship in-person on Christmas Eve. However, the rising number of COVID cases statewide, state and local government re-imposition of more restrictive measures, the onset of the flu season, and concern for each of you has led the pastors to a difficult yet responsible decision. We will not be gathering for in-person worship during Advent and Christmas. Please click HERE to read more about this decision on the Pastors' Page.
While we are unable to gather physically for our Christmas Eve worship, we invite you to join us virtually on Thursday December 24, 2020 for our Christmas Eve “Lessons in Carols.” Beginning at 5pm on Christmas Eve you will be able to view this recorded service, which includes music, readings, and imagery sharing the story of Christ’s birth. Worship will be available at http://stpaulsk.org/worship/worship-at-home
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A message from the pastors
2020 has deeply impacted life as we know it. Many of us have had to re-evaluate our personal budgets and make adjustments. So has our church. This year with the pastoral transition, the pandemic, and social unrest, we have seen a measurable decline in giving. This has necessitated a re-evaluation of our current and 2021 budget, as well as making difficult decisions about what will need to happen if there is no turnaround in 2021.
It is important that you hear this. We’ve invited you to watch the Let’s Talk Video (available HERE) to gain understanding of the financial picture. Now we need you to decide what you are willing to do to help St. Paul’s continue to be the beacon of light to the community. Pledge what you are able to give, and honor that commitment.
Go to stpaulsk.org/giving to find the pledge form or make an offering. For assistance, contact Michelle Gregonis, Treasurer: mgregonis@stpaulsk.org, 301-933-7933 ext. 110.
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Tuesdays at 4pm now through Dec. 22
Wednesdays at 4pm now through Dec. 23
If you missed the first meeting, you can still join us for the remaining sessions of this DVD-based study, Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas. Pastor and best-selling author Adam Hamilton examines the many different names of Christ used by the gospel writers, exploring the historical and personal significance of his birth.
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A message from Kim Longsworth, Hunger Ministry coordinator
Proverbs 21:26 says "the righteous give and do not hold back." Your generosity shined in both financial contributions and in the over one-hundred beautifully personalized cards you supplied for our Thanksgiving Card Challenge. We mailed 157 grocery cards to our regular Hunger Ministry families and households referred to us through the Montgomery County Holiday Giving Program. Imagine the smiles when the recipients opened their mail to find Thanksgiving greetings and a generous gift card to help them buy their feast!
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now - Dec. 10
Scattered for Service is St. Paul's "Alternative Gift" program. This year features a selection of favorite local and international groups working to bring food to the hungry, help to the housing insecure, and educational opportunities for children. You can select a ministry or agency from the list and 100% of your financial contribution will be sent to them for use as directed. You will still receive personalized cards, which you may in turn give to loved ones in whose honor each contribution was made.
The easiest way to order is online, using a credit card. Each Scattered for Service gift online costs $30. Read more here: http://stpaulsk.org/service/scattered-for-service Paper order forms, instructions, and brief descriptions of each organization are available in the December issue of the Epistle newsletter, starting on page 10. Click HERE to download the Epistle. The recommended gift amount is listed as $30 per selection, but you may also make a donation of a lesser or greater amount of your choosing by check.
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Saturdays, Dec. 5, 12, 19
11:00 a.m. -12:00 noon
via Zoom
This study uses the Church at Home Small Group Bible Study program. Each week features new audio & video study resources and group discussions, and each session has its own theme. You can read all the topics for December and sign up to participate by clicking here: http://stpaulsk.org/community/adult-education All are welcome to join this one-hour, no-prep weekly study opportunity on a regular or drop-in basis. If you have questions, please contact Meg Baker at mbaker@stpaulsk.org or 301-933-7933 ext. 104.
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Sunday, Dec. 13
In-Person, Fellowship Hall
Middle High 3:30-5:00 pm
Senior High 5:30-7:00 pm
While we'll need to remain socially distanced and masked the entire time, Fellowship Hall has plenty of room to spread out so we can have our annual Youth Christmas Party. We will NOT be doing the annual ornament exchange this year - instead, the SPY team will be providing an ornament and a Christmas goody bag for each youth! As always, we hope you'll wear your favorite holiday outfits! We'll play (socially distanced) games and have a great time celebrating together. Click here for the form to sign up for the SPY email news to get all the SPY details directly from Micah, or email questions to msmartt@stpaulsk.org.
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Register by Tuesday, Dec. 15
St. Paul's 2021 Confirmation Class is open to youth in 7th grade through 9th grade. Things may be looking a bit different this year, but we are excited to welcome a new class of Confirmands in 2021. Remember that this is a serious commitment, which requires participation in class sessions, certain worship services, and a pre-confirmation rehearsal, along with a parent meeting, mentor connections, and possible retreats. You can find the form here: http://stpaulsk.org/community/youth - please sign up by Dec. 15. The class will be invited to join St. Paul's as full members at the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 2021.
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Videos available throughout Advent
This year, St. Paul’s brings many elements of our annual Advent Craft Workshop to you virtually. Our virtual experience includes a variety of short videos and craft-making demonstrations featuring some familiar faces! Please visit http://stpaulsk.org/worship/advent-christmas - the video will remain accessible throughout the season.
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Sundays at 10:30 a.m.
beginning January 1, 2021
A message from the pastors and staff: We want you to know we’ve heard you! We appreciate your patience as we navigated these past several months with a fluctuating worship schedule. Beginning January 1, 2021 our livestream worship broadcast and any outdoor services will be at 10:30 am each Sunday. We will continue to re-evaluate the situation and once health conditions allow us to return to the Sanctuary, we will notify our community of any changes.
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Tuesdays beginning January 12
via Zoom
Pastor Kate will lead this 6 session study using the text A Disciple’s Path: A Guide for United Methodists by James Harnish and Justin LaRosa to help participants develop spiritual practices, discover their unique gifts, and engage in ministry that brings transformation to their own lives and to the lives of others and the world. There is no fee to sign up, however participants are asked to purchase their text (A Disciple's Path Daily Workbook) independently. Please read more and find the sign-up link here: http://stpaulsk.org/community/adult-education
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If you would like to receive copies of The Upper Room through the mail as it arrives every two months, please sign up for this special mailing list. Email Erin Steele at stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org or leave a message at 301-933-7933 ext. 100. Please providing your name, mailing address, and whether you would like the small booklet or large print size.
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Due to the many challenges posed by Covid-19, the UMM-sponsored Christmas Tree Sale will not be held this year. We'll miss watching families select their perfect tree, and are thankful for the regular customers and volunteers who've made the tree sale possible in years past.
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We regret to announce that we will not be holding a sale of the collectible White House Historical Association Christmas Ornament this year. The White House Historical Association, an independent non-profit founded in 1961, is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the White House for all people to enjoy. The WHHA commemorative ornament for 2020 features John F. Kennedy; individuals can purchase ornaments directly from the WHHA by going here: https://shop.whitehousehistory.org/collections/ornaments/products/official-2020-white-house-christmas-ornament
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Ongoing Activities - Click on each heading to learn more.
Still Wednesday: Wednesdays, 7pm. - All are welcome for this time of prayer, connection, and quiet contemplation in a busy world. We are meeting each week by Zoom. Email kenzier@rcn.com or call Kenzie Raulin at 301-237-1520.
Card Ministry: Congregational Care Log - Anyone who wishes to send cards to friends experiencing times of grief, change, or celebration can access the Congregational Care (aka "Sick List") online. Please contact Erin Steele at stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org
Prayerwaves: Tuesdays, 9:45 am - During this time of Prayer over the Air Waves, we pray together over the phone. Call 425-436-6326 at 9:45 each Tuesday morning. When prompted for the “access code," type in 774042 followed by #.
Sunday School: Sundays, 9:30 am - Classes are available for children in preschool through 12th grade. Contact Meg Baker at mbaker@stpaulsk.org or 301-933-7933 ext 104.
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Scripture for December 6, 2020
Isaiah 40:1-11
1Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.
2Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
3A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.
5Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
6A voice says, “Cry out!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field.
7The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass.
8The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever.
9Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!”
10See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.
11He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.
Mark 1:1-8
1The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”
4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
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Contact us! ● 301-933-7933 ● stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org ● stpaulsk.org
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