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Weekly News for Sept. 20, 2020 |
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Worship At Home
Sunday, September 20 at 11:00 a.m.
(We'll be streaming portions LIVE from the Sanctuary!)
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Pastors' Weekly Message: From Pastor Pat
In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.
A decision is defined as the “act of making up one’s mind.” It sounds so simple, yet it has the potential to be one of the most prevalent impediments to change. If there is any uncertainty to the outcome, insufficient information, or an abundance of information, it can single-handedly derail a necessary project or derail a way forward.
Every moment of the day is composed of a multitude of decisions. Yet when the weight of decision making becomes overwhelming we make in essence make the decision Theodore Roosevelt determine as the worst, which is no decision at all.
We are entering a season of decisions. For some the thought of the decisions we face is foreboding. For some our decisions represent winning or losing, and wondering if we will still have a place no matter the outcome. For others the decisions we face remind us of our depleted energy, but tasks still needing to be accomplished. All of this, in addition to the everyday decisions of what to wear or what to eat, is more than enough to send us into a state of avoidance, refusing to make any decisions at all.
Beloved, in this season it is not my call to tell you what to do. I do however want to assure you that within this community of faith, each of you has a seat at the table. We don’t need to agree on anything other than we are in love with Jesus to take our seat. You are loved, valued, and appreciated… and that is all that matters.
-- Pastor Pat
pallen@stpaulsk.org
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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
9:30 am
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 from the comfort of your vehicle.
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Tuesday Sept. 29, 2020
7:00 pm
Special Church Conference to vote on the finalized scope of the building (renovation) project.
Sunday Oct. 18, 2020
3:00 pm
Church Meeting to vote on becoming a Reconciling Congregation.
Sunday Oct. 25, 2020
1:30 pm
Annual Church Conference
Beacuse of COVID, these events will be conducted virtually. Instructions for how the voting will be accomplished will be shared by Sunday Sept. 20.
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NEW DATE: Sunday, Sept. 20
Middle High (Grades 6-8): 4:30-5:30
Senior High (Grades 9-12): 6:00-7:00
Sorry for the inconvenience, but we had to reschedule! For our first in-person gathering, we'll decorate the St. Paul's parking lot with chalk on Sept. 20. Each participant will get their own parking space (with one empty space in between), and their own packet of chalk to adorn the parking lot, and we'll be able to visit a little while maintaining a safe distance. Check out more details on the Youth web page! stpaulsk.org/community/youth St. Paul's Youth is open to all friends of St. Paul's in grades 6-12. Questions? Contact Youth Pastor Mr. Micah Smartt: msmartt@stpaulsk.org
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beginning Sept. 20
9:30 a.m.
Sunday School classes will be provided online for children and youth this fall. Please note - on days when there are in-person outdoor services, we will not hold Sunday School so that families may worship together. Classes are available for children in preschool through 12th grade. Contact Meg Baker (mbaker@stpaulsk.org, 301-933-7933 ext 104) if you have any questions!
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NEW DATE: Monday, Sept. 21
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 (higginsmarge@gmail.com). 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 a logical stride.
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Sept 6-26
On Sunday September 6, 2020, Pastor Pat invited you to join in 21 days of prayer. Consider it, if you will, as a spiritual check up, the preventive soul maintenance that will remove anything that will keep us from being who God needs us to be in this season. Let us hope that we will ask God to reveal to us the place within each of us where we are resistant to God’s move or rebelling against God’s will.
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Tuesdays, 4-5pm
Wednesdays, 4-5pm
Saturdays, 11am-12pm
Three separate Bible study classes are available each week over Zoom; you can attend regularly or occasionally as your schedule allows. Find the sign-up and a full description at stpaulsk.org/community/adult-education or contact Meg Baker, our Director of Christian Education, at mbaker@stpaulsk.org or 301-933-7933 ext 104.
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Tuesdays: Prayer & Listening, with an optioal 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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by appointment
Reinhardt Park
Pastor Pat is 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 pallen@stpaulsk.org to arrange a meeting time that will work for your schedule!
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October 26
7:00 p.m.
Our presenter, AARP speaker Phyllis Meyerson, had to reschedule the meeting originally planned for September. Please join us next month by Zoom for “Know the 10 Signs: An Alzheimer’s Checklist." 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, mbaker@stpaulsk.org.
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Fridays, every two weeks
3:00 pm
Lydia Circle ladies enjoy seeing each other via Zoom and discussing what we have all been doing, along with an update on our Smart Sacks activities. Anyone who would like to join us can email Susan Schwarz (contact the office at stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org if you need Susan's personal email address) or call 301-339-8242. Susan will put you on the email list to get a Zoom invitation.
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Wednesdays, 7pm
Still Wednesday offers a 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 for more information. All are welcome.
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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 mbaker@stpaulsk.org. We'd love to share your Flat St. Paul's photos in the next Epistle!
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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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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, reading, music, or message reminding us to start our day by taking a breath. Simply go to https://www.facebook.com/stpaulskensington/ - no account required!
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Scripture for September 20, 2020
Gospel Reading: Matthew 20:1-16 (NRSV)
1“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; 4and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. 5When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. 6And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ 7They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ 8When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ 9When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. 10Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. 11And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ 16So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
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Contact us! ● 301-933-7933 ● stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org ● stpaulsk.org
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