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Weekly News for July 2, 2023
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A Letter from Pastor Pat
It is summer! That time of the year when the days are longer, the nights are shorter, and the temperatures are unimaginably hot! I remember as a child, I could not wait for summer to arrive.
While we weren’t in school, there were those household chores we needed to tend to before we could go outside. We could not wait to get outside, to play jacks, ride our bikes, jump double-dutch or take over the street for a neighborhood game of dodgeball. We were oblivious to the heat; it was never too hot to be outside.
As I look back on those memories I see how those were times that shaped us.
We didn’t all go to the same schools, but we found ways to come together and have a good time.
We didn’t always get along, but our disagreements rarely lasted longer than a day or two, resolved without the assistance of mediators.
We shared what we each brought to the “table;” while we didn’t all have the same things, we each had something we were willing to share so that no one was left out.
I think I understand why Christ instructed us to be like children. Too bad we’ve all grown up and quenched our inner child.
I do realize not everyone had a childhood as I did. Maybe for you, there is no connection. But at some place in your life, you were able to see the joy of children playing together and longed to be a part. It’s never too late to reawaken or rediscover your inner child.
Tag, you’re it!
~ Pastor Pat
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Wilderness Trail
Sign up deadline: July 17
Trail dates: July 26-31
Youth in grades 6-12 are invited for a hiking, backpacking, and camping adventure with Wilderness Trail. This backpacking ministry is set along the Appalachian Trail in southern Virginia with the aim of participants getting to better know themselves, each other, God, and God's natural world.
We need to have a number of participants to make the trip viable, so please sign up soon. Last day to join is July 17. Wilderness Trail dates are July 26-31. More information and sign-up forms are available at stpaulsk.org/community/youth
Please contact Mr. Micah Smartt with questions: [email protected].
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Holiday Hours
St. Paul's building will be closed and staff will be unavailable on Monday, July 3 and Tuesday July 4 in observance of the Independence Day holiday. We wish everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July celebration!
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Short Term Disciple Study: Gospel of John
Interest Form deadline: August 1
The Short Term Disciple Bible Study on the Gospel of John entitled "Invitation to John" will be offered this fall, led by Pastor Pat. Tentative dates would be Sept. 17 - Nov. 5 immediately following the 10:30 AM worship service.
We need a minimum of six participants to make the class possible. Deadline to express interest in August 1, 2023. Please go to stpaulsk.org/community/adult-education or click here to fill out the interest form.
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Summer Worship and Office Schedule
now-September 3
Worship: We will have one service at 10:30 AM only for the summer. Communion will be offered each week. Find more details about worship events at stpaulsk.org/worship
Announcements: All announcements during the summer will be shared through this weekly email and church website. Announcements will not be printed in the bulletin in the summer.
Drop-In Office Hours: Summertime drop-in office hours are generally Tuesday-Thursday, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM - but may be affected by holidays. Staff and access to the building is also available by appointment!
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This Week: Children's Programming
Sunday, July 2
The “Kids with Compassion” program continues this week. Children will start in the Sanctuary with their families for worship. Following the Children’s Message, children in Grades K-5 who wish to participate in the Kids with Compassion activity will be escorted to the Parlor. This week we will support the local chapter of Project Linus by making blankets to provide comfort for critically ill children in the region. Childcare for infants and preschoolers is available in the 2nd floor Nursery. Questions? Visit stpaulsk.org/community/children or contact Meg Baker at [email protected].
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Next Week: Bring-Your-Own-Lunch Picnic
Sunday, July 9, after 10:30 worship
Fellowship Hall Yard
Bring Your Own Lunch (BYOL) for this picnic, and spend some time hanging out with St. Paul's friends. In addition to your lunch, bring blankets or lawn chairs, and dress casually so you're comfortable. We plan to have some yard games to engage the young and young-at-heart. We'll also have access to restrooms (and a rainy-day backup location) using the Fellowship Hall entrance. Contact Pastor Joey with questions: [email protected]
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Summertime Craft Time
The Yarn Ministry will hold the St. Paul's Craft Fair again in Fall of 2023 and encourage all crafters to work on projects now while our in-person meetings are on summer break. All craft fair items are donated by members and friends, and all proceeds benefit designated charities. Past craft fairs have included jewelry, woodworking, weaving, knit and crochet items, needlepoint, quilting, canned goods, photographs, handmade cards, candles, pottery, and more.
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Graduating Youth and Educational Awards
Congratulations to our graduating seniors: Kyle Carmen, *Delia Chen, Sage Crittenden, Meryl Docking, *Allison Griffin, *Kaitlyn Griffin, *Mattison Harvey, Will Holland, Luka Maxam, Hannah Molander, Kaiea Naehu, Raleigh Seabreeze, *W. Thomas Stephens
* - Recipient of the 2023 St. Paul's Educational Award! The award amount available is partially determined by donations from St. Paul's members and friends. If you feel led to contribute to the Educational Award fund, checks may be made out to St. Paul's UMC with "Educational Award" in the memo line, or use the Additional Contributions option on our Giving page and put "Educational Award" as the designated cause.
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This Week: Wednesday Study "Reckless Love"
Wednesdays, now-July 19
4:00-5:00 PM via Zoom
This drop-in study, "Reckless Love," using text written by Bishop Tom Berlin, explores Jesus' time and travels with his disciples to suggest that Jesus teaches us how to love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength by showing us how to love our neighbor. This study will meet by Zoom. The book (optional) is available for $12. For more information and to receive the Zoom link, please contact Dr. Meg Baker at [email protected] or 301-933-7933 ext. 104.
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Reflections from Annual Conference
In case you missed it... St. Paul's member Dawn Ely served as our Lay Member to Annual Conference at the BWC gathering in Baltimore. Dawn has shared a summary of her activities, from voting to community service work to guest speakers addressing leadership in anxious times, at the recent meeting of church leaders serving in the Simplified Accountability Model (SAM). You can find her reflections and some photos from conference at The Pastors Page on our website: stpaulsk.org/we-are-all-about/the-pastors-page
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Hunger Ministry
This signature ministry serves over 100 households each month, providing hungry families with pantry staples and grocery store gift cards year-round. We need your donations! Please place non-perishables in the bins in the Narthex. (Thank you for understanding that we can’t give out expired food or glass containers.) To find the list of most-needed food items and other ways to help, read more at stpaulsk.org/service/hunger-ministry.
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Ongoing Activities - Click on each heading to learn more.
Many groups and activities at St. Paul's take a summer break, with plans to return in the fall. Currently on summer break: Taste & Sing, Pancake Breakfast, Daily Breath, Yarn Ministry, Tuesdays Together, Sanctuary Choir, Joyful Ringers Bell Ensemble, and St. Paul's Youth.
Still Wednesday: Meeting once a month in the summer 2023: July 19 & August 16, 7:00-8:00 PM. All are welcome for this contemplative prayer experience including a time of silent prayer, in the Sanctuary.
Sipping Ministry: Coffee and treats are offered following worship whenever a group, family, or class volunteers to sponsor this time of fellowship. Email Erin Steele in the church office ([email protected]) to find available dates.
Lydia Circle: The Lydia Circle sisters are meeting the first Wednesday of each month at 2:30 PM. Ladies should contact Susan Schwarz at [email protected] or 301-339-8242.
Flower Dedications: If you would like to sponsor the Sanctuary flowers, please reserve your date using the chart and dedication forms found on the church office bulletin board.
St. Paul's Online Shop: We're offering two colorful T-shirt designs. Visit stpaulsk.myspreadshop.com to see the options!
Prayer Request Form: If you have a joy or concern, you can share it confidentially with St. Paul's ministers or share with the entire Prayer Team using our online prayer form. You can also contact Meg Baker at [email protected].
Stephen Ministry: Trained lay-people provide comfort to those who need a listening ear as they navigate life challenges like birth and death, job changes, divorce, illness, or depression and stress. Contact Meg Baker ([email protected]) to learn more.
Read-Thru-the-Bible: Find a short guide and some reflection ideas to support your Bible reading journey at stpaulsk.org/community/adult-education, along with the reading schedule.
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Scripture for July 2, 2023
John 6:35, 41-51
35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
41Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42They were saying, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 43Jesus answered them, “Do not complain among yourselves. 44No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me, and I will raise that person up on the last day. 45It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. 46Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48I am the bread of life. 49Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever, and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
(New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)
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