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Weekly News for Sept. 13, 2020 |
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Worship At Home
Sunday, September 13 at 11:00 a.m.
(We'll be streaming LIVE from the Sanctuary! Thanks for your patience as we try something new.)
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Pastors' Weekly Message: From Pastor Pat
Today, Thursday September 10, is the eve of a day which for some has faded into the background of their consciousness, for others is only a historical account, but for far too many is an undeniable reminder of immeasurable and unimaginable loss.
Nineteen years ago today, people were going about their normal routine, preparing for the next day, looking forward to the coming weekend, without knowing that in a matter of hours life would be altered in a way that time has been unable to mend or heal.
Every person who perished on September 11, 2001 was valuable and precious in the sight of God. Each and every person who gave their lives trying to save others or spent their final moments trying to support others, whether known to us or not, was part of God’s plan of life, had a destiny and purpose, a call and an assignment that ended on that momentous day.
We the living are the beneficiaries of battles we may not have fought, or borders we may have never defended. We the living are the recipients of the sacrifices of those who have stood on our behalf and died without ever meeting us. We are the privileged who live because our Savior died, leaving us the promised inheritance of life abundant and eternal.
As we sit in this sacred space embracing the privilege of freedom that has been and is still denied to many, may we never forget, freedom is not free.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
(2 Timothy 4:7-8 NKJV)
-- Pastor Pat
pallen@stpaulsk.org
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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: msmartt@stpaulsk.org
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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 (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. Readers will be inspired by Collin’s personal story of struggling with doubt, as well as the many wonders of God’s creation.
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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 from the comfort of your vehicle.
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St. Paul’s is entering a season of decisions. Much has happened within these past few months and we are the place of making decisions as a congregation. Please read the full invitation at stpaulsk.org/we-are-all-about/the-pastors-page. The following dates designate the end of our time of discerning and the moment of decision:
Tuesday September 29, 2020
7:00 pm
Special Church Conference to vote on the finalized scope of the building (renovation) project.
Sunday October 18, 2020
3:00 pm
Church Meeting to vote on becoming a Reconciling Congregation
Sunday October 25, 2020
1:30pm
Annual Church Conference
Given the social distancing precautions required because of COVID, all of these events will be conducted virtually. The instructions for how the voting will be accomplished will be shared by Sunday September 20, 2020.
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August 13, during worship
We take time each year to consecrate and bless the teachers and leaders who will be educating and guiding our children, youth, and adults through educational programming at St. Paul's. We will recognize them by name during online worship at 11am this week. Additionally, twelve 3rd grade students are receiving personalized Bibles from St. Paul's (delivered this week via "Bible Brigade" volunteers!).
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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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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
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.
Sessions are led over Zoom by Dr. Meg Baker, our Director of Christian Education. Read more about each study and sign up at stpaulsk.org/community/adult-education Questions? Contact mbaker@stpaulsk.org or 301-933-7933 ext 104.
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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 pallen@stpaulsk.org to arrange a meeting time that will work for your schedule!
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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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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. She 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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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 13, 2020
Old Testament Reading: Exodus 14:19-31 (NRSV)
19The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them. 20It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night.
21Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. 22The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. 23The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. 24At the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. 25He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the Israelites, for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt.”
26Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and chariot drivers.” 27So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, the LORD tossed the Egyptians into the sea. 28The waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained. 29But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left.
30Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31Israel saw the great work that the LORD did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the Lord and believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 18:21-35 (NRSV)
21Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
23“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; 25and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. 31When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ 34And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. 35So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
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Contact us! ● 301-933-7933 ● stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org ● stpaulsk.org
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