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Weekly News for Dec. 20, 2020 |
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Worship-at-Home Service
Live-streaming Sunday, December 20 at 11:00 a.m.
Recorded Lessons & Carols, Christmas Eve December 24 at 5:00 p.m.
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Pastors' Weekly Message: From Pastor Pat
No matter how old I get, there are some things about Christmas I just can’t forget:
- Christmas Eve’s spent with our Great Aunt Grace waiting for the update on Santa’s itinerary.
- The kitchen filled with tins of cookies baked by my mom beginning the day after Thanksgiving.
- That time Santa somehow gave all of our stuff to my sister... who claimed even my brother's gifts as her own (sorry sis).
- My first Christmas with my daughters and then my grands.
So many memories of Christmas.
Christmas can evoke a multitude of memories, some pleasant, some painful. With each memory comes the opportunity to re-live it, but we are unable to recreate it. We hold fast to those memories, especially when the rest of everything certain seems to have slipped from our grasp.
But our memories also open the pathway to make new memories. Memories are the mental and emotional snapshots of lived experience. Each day is an opportunity to create memories, some to hold and others to share.
This Christmas may we create new memories: memories that will hold us in difficult times; memories that will refresh us; memories that will inspire us to keep living, keep laughing, and keep loving.
May you make beautiful memories this Christmas season.
-- Pastor Pat
pallen@stpaulsk.org
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Tuesday at 4pm, Dec 22
Wednesday at 4pm, Dec 23
via Zoom
Newcomers and drop-in visitors are welcome for the final session 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. Read more by clicking here or go to https://forms.gle/FwQitjAZZtmjbnyE9 to sign up. Questions? Contact Meg Baker at mbaker@stpaulsk.org or 301-933-7933 ext. 104.
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Romans 12:13 tells us “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need." Although we could not invite our Hunger Ministry families to in-person events like the Cookies & Carols party, St. Paul’s rose to the occasion by sending Christmas to their homes. Those in need will have a brighter holiday because of your faithful contributions.
Your generosity made it possible to serve 153 households and 296 children, a combination of the families we serve monthly and county referrals. Literally hundreds of your thoughtfully crafted cards will carry messages of good tidings and hope for the New Year. Thank you!
“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." (2 Corinthians 9:11)
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Video Available Dec. 20
Given the pandemic, this year's Christmas Pageant will be quite a different experience, but even Covid-19 cannot possibly stifle the joyful celebration of the birth of Christ.
This year's pageant comes to you by video!
"Do Not Be Afraid," features two dozen pageanteers (children and adults alike) from St. Paul's.
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ending tonight, Dec. 17
Don't run around shopping for "stuff" when you can give gifts that really reflect the spirit of the season: food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, care for the ill... How about a flock of chickens for a struggling farm family, or books for toddlers? These things and more have been pinpointed by 16 local and global charities included in our Scattered for Service "alternative giving" program. 100% of your financial contribution will be sent to the charities for use as directed. You may receive personalized cards, to give to loved ones in whose honor a contribution was made.
Each Scattered for Service gift online costs $30. To make a donation of a smaller or greater amount, you may order by check and use the form found on page 10 of the Epistle. (For the Epistle, Click HERE.)
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Saturdays, Dec. 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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worship-at-home
Thursday, Dec. 24
5pm
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 restrictions, 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 Christmas. Please click HERE to read more about this decision on the Pastors' Page. We invite you to join us virtually on Thursday December 24, 2020 for our service of “Lessons and 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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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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Sign-up: now - January 8
Class: 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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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 a greater 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. Please 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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Ongoing Activities - Click on each heading to learn more.
Upper Room Mailing List - To receive paper copies of The Upper Room daily devotionals, please contact Erin Steele in the church office (stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org) with your mailing address and whether you prefer the pocket-sized or large print version.
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 - Please note: There will be no Sunday School lesson for December 27 or January 3. Currently, video classes, activity pages, and other materials are provided to children ages 2 through grade 5. To be added to the list, contact Meg Baker at mbaker@stpaulsk.org or 301-933-7933 ext 104.
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Scripture for December 20, 2020
Luke 1:39-55
39In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”
46And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
53he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
54He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
New Revised Standard Version
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Contact us! ● 301-933-7933 ● stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org ● stpaulsk.org
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