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Weekly News for Sept. 6, 2020 |
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Worship At Home
Sunday, September 6 at 11:00 a.m.
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Pastors' Weekly Message: From Pastor Pat
This past weekend the entertainment world was rocked by the announcement of the death of actor Chadwick Boseman. Simultaneously, the sports world lamented the loss of former Georgetown University Coach John Thompson. Accolades from celebrities, citizens, athletes, and fans have graced social media and every conceivable platform mourning their loss.
Perhaps far too often we look to celebrities and athletes as role models or examples of who we ought to be. In this case however, it might be said that these two individuals have shared a message in their deaths that reminds us how to live.
"Let us search out and examine our ways, And turn back to the Lord"
Lamentations 3:40 NKJV
Jesus has assured us that all will stand before God. That moment will be the opportunity to hear God’s final assessment of how we have lived our lives on earth. But we don’t have to wait until that moment to do a self-check and, if necessary, a redirect to get ourselves back on the right path. By inviting the Holy Spirit to help us discern where resistance, rebellion, hurt, and woundedness exist within us, we can move toward the healing God offers us. What we learn from introspection is a blessing all its own.
How we will be remembered in death will most certainly be influenced by how we lived. Take time for a self check; the honest examination of how we are in life. Then ask God to help us live in a way that will be a reflection of Christ at our death.
In the words of hymn writer Sullivan Pugh:
May the works I've done speak for me.
When I'm resting in my grave,
there is nothing to be said;
May the works that I've done,
Speak for me.
-- Pastor Pat
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Sign Up by September 24
The Book of Nehemiah Tuesdays, 6 sessions starting Oct. 6. Led by Pastor Pat. We may not face exactly the same kinds of battles that Nehemiah faced, but focusing on his story offers lessons we can use in our world.
Me & White Supremacy Thursdays, 4 sessions beginning Oct. 1. Led by Pastor Kate. Using the bestselling book of the same title, this class invites participants to learn about the work we all have to do, personally and in community, to move toward a world free of racial injustice.
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Sunday, Sept. 27
Join us for this outdoor in-person worship service
(weather permitting). As in previous months, all those in the park should wear a mask and bring picnic blankets or folding chairs, or enjoy from your car "drive-in" style.
This service will also include a Pet Blessing! All pets are welcome. Pets must be secured in a cage, carrier, or on a leash the entire time. Even though we're outdoors, those with pet allergies or phobias may prefer to worship drive-in style from the comfort of your vehicle.
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Sunday, Sept. 13
Middle High (Grades 6-8): - 4:30-5:30
Senior High (Grades 9-12): 6:00-7:00
For our first in-person gathering, we'll decorate the St. Paul's parking lot with chalk! Each participant will get their own parking space (with one empty space in between). We'll provide each SPY with their own individual packet of chalk to adorn the parking lot, and we'll be able to visit a little while maintaining a safe distance.
St. Paul's Youth is open to all friends of St. Paul's in grades 6-12. Questions? Contact Youth Pastor Mr. Micah Smartt: [email protected]
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Resumes Sept. 9
We are enjoying summer break and will resume weekly gatherings starting September 9 by Zoom. Still Wednesday offers a time of prayer, connection, and quiet contemplation in a busy world. Email [email protected] or call Kenzie Raulin at 301-237-1520 for more information. All are welcome.
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by appointment
Reinhardt Park
Because there is no substitute for in-person connection, Pastor Pat will be available by appointment to chat outdoors (weather permitting), in the park across from St. Paul's front doors. Masks and physical distancing will be required. Please email [email protected] to arrange a meeting time that will work for your schedule!
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Tuesdays, 4-5pm
Wednesdays, 4-5pm
Saturdays, 11am-12pm
Kick off the fall season with a new Bible study practice. You can attend regularly or occasionally as your schedule allows.
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Tuesdays: Prayer & Listening, with an optional guide by Jan Johnson ($10), helps deepen the spiritual discipline of spending time in prayer with God.
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Wednesdays: You Are Never Alone, the newest study from popular author Max Lucado, with a focus on the miracles of Jesus recounted in the Gospel of John.
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Saturdays: The Bible Project's "Church at Home" Bible Study, featuring video and guided discussion questions on different themes each week.
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Tuesday, Sept. 15
6:30 pm via Zoom
Please join us to discuss the thought-provoking work The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief, by Dr. Francis S. Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health. Contact Marge Higgins for the log-in! It has long been believed that science and faith cannot mingle, but Collins provides a testament to the power of faith in the midst of suffering without faltering from its logical stride. Readers will be inspired by Collin’s personal story of struggling with doubt, as well as the many revelations of the wonder of God’s creation.
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beginning Sept. 20
9:30 a.m.
Sunday School classes will be provided online for children and youth beginning September 20. Please note - on days when there are in-person outdoor services, we will not hold Sunday School so that families may worship together. Classes for children in preschool through 5th grade will be virtually led by members of St. Paul’s faithful teaching team guided by Dr. Meg Baker, Director of Christian Education. Sunday School classes for youth in 6th through 12th grades will be led by Youth Pastor Micah Smartt. Families will receive more detailed information and a Sunday School registration form in early September.
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Monday, Sept. 28
7:00 p.m.
Join us via Zoom for “Know the 10 Signs: An Alzheimer’s Checklist” by AARP Speaker Phyllis Meyerson. While this one-hour event is a part of St. Paul’s Stephen Ministry continuing education program, it is open to all. As we age, it is tempting to attribute the gradual changes our bodies go through to normal aging. Mrs. Meyerson will identify changes we should be more attentive to, including memory lapses that begin to affect our quality of life. To attend, contact Meg Baker, [email protected].
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Click HERE to download Flat St. Paul's as a *pdf, then color it in and share your photos. Printer broken? Don't worry. Meg can provide a Flat St. Paul's upon request. Then, send your photos of yourself with Flat St. Paul's to Meg by text at 240-723-6642 or email [email protected]. We'd love to share your Flat St. Paul's photos in the next Epistle!
In years 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 go on great adventure or big vacations. We hope Flat St. Paul's will be a part of your stay-cations, and help us stay connected.
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Do you have a joy or concern on your heart? Instead of yellow cards in the pew, use our secure online form to share your thoughts. Submit Prayer Requests at stpaulsk.org/community/prayer-requests
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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Taking a break on Labor Day!
Back to our Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays schedule on Sept. 9
9:00 a.m.
Facebook Live
Three days a week (except holidays!), St. Paul's staff and guests take turns offering a live meditation, reading, music, or message reminding us to start our day by taking a breath. Simply go to https://www.facebook.com/stpaulskensington/
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Scripture for September 6, 2020
Romans 12:1-13
1I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. 6We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; 7ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 8the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. 9Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
Acts 2:42-47
42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 28:16-20
16Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
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