Friday, October 23, 2026 | Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost | | |
Dear People of St. Paul's,
Earlier this week, I had the fortune of attending the St. Luke’s Day celebration at St. Luke’s Hospital on The Plaza. St. Luke, known as both the author of the Gospel bearing his name and the Acts of the Apostles, has his feast day observed annually on October 18. It’s a day when we give thanks for Luke’s particular witness, which is seen in a particular way in the stories he emphasizes in those two books from the Bible: the welcome of all, the gifts that all—especially women and the outsider—bring to communities, care for the lost and last and least, and more.
Tradition holds that he was both a physician and an iconographer and so is the patron saint of both artists and physicians even now. Because of his ministry as a physician, the feast day celebration at the hospital includes a blessing of hands for nurses, medical staff, and all who desire it. I was struck by this act: a marking of hands as holy, able to carry out the healing that God imagines for each person and for the whole creation. Though healing does not always take the form that we desire, I was reminded in that moment that God’s restoration and renewal can be achieved through human hands, through the work of the faithful day by day.
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Behind the altar in the chapel is a beautiful mosaic seen in the included picture. The mosaic portrays the story of a woman, from her deep faith, reaching out and touching Jesus and being healed. We often hear the words, “Your faith has made you well,” but this version has it, “Great is your faith; be it as you desire.” You’ll remember from that story that the witness of this woman is a courageous, graceful one to touch even just barely the edge—the hem—of Jesus’ robes. Her story reminds us that courageous faith to draw even a little bit nearer to Jesus can begin to draw us even more into the work God would have us do, and can often accomplish much more than we can ask or imagine. And, when God is at work, healing and renewal and restoration of what is broken in us and the world begins to take shape—all of it through the hands of people like you.
Remember that in one week or so, on November 1, we will invite you to bring forward your commitment (or pledge) of financial support for St. Paul’s in 2027 to be blessed during church. I invite each of you to make such a gift, recognizing that all that we have been given is a gift freely offered and intended to be freely offered again by us that God might use it for more than we might be able to see. Your pledge is a courageous act of faith that joins together with a whole community’s to enable St. Paul’s to continue to be a place of God’s healing, renewal, and grace in this world. And, as you can see below, don’t forget to join us after church on November 1 for a celebratory jazz brunch with the premiere of the video we announced at our anniversary party in May about the Saints of St. Paul’s! We are excited to share it with you.
Thank you for your generosity and support!
Fr. Steven
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We begin at 9:00 AM with:
Bible Study | Garden Room | Readings
Nursery | Birth–5 Years | Walnut Room
Sunday School | Toddlers–5th Grade | Third Floor
And continue at 10:00 AM with:
Worship | Nave | Lord of all hopefulness - Healey Willan
- Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: St. Thomas a’ Becket Episcopal Church, Cassville
Children's Worship | Pre-School–2nd Grade | Walnut Room
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Find out more about what's happening at St. Paul's on our website.
To view the Sunday worship bulletin and join us for online worship, click here.
| | Full calendar is available on our website. | |
Oct. 25: Book Group | 11:45 AM | Youth Room | Info Below
Oct. 25: Fall Festival | After Service at St. Paul's | Info Below | Volunteer
Oct. 31: Deadline to Sign Up for Hosting A Progressive Dinner Group | Sign Up
Nov. 1: Pledge Ingathering | Rejoice in Hope | All-Parish Brunch After Service
Nov. 1: All Saints' Day
Nov. 6 - 7: Diocesan Youth Gathering | Grace and Holy Trinity | Info Below
Nov. 8: Young Adults Soup-er Social | 1:00 PM | RSVP | Info Below
Nov. 14: Choral Evensong: Feast of St. Margaret of Scotland | 6:30 PM | Reception to Follow
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Oct. 25: Holy Eucharist | Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost | 10 AM | Nave
Oct. 28: Midweek Eucharist | 12:10 PM | Chapel | Saint Simon and Saint Jude, Apostles
Nov. 1: Holy Eucharist | All Saints' Day | 10 AM | Nave
Nov. 4: Midweek Eucharist | 12:10 PM | Chapel | Adeline Blanchard Tyler and her Companions
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Fall Festival Coffee Hour is This Sunday
After the service | Northwest Churchyard
Join us as we celebrate the arrival of fall together as a parish! There will be pumpkin painting, popcorn, a pop-a-shot basketball game, face painting and temporary tattoos, and a photo booth.
Bring your favorite fall coffee hour treats. This is a coffee hour, not a meal, so please stick to sweet or snack-style items (baked goods, fruit, cider donuts, and the like) rather than savory dishes such as chili or meats.
We need your help to run the event! Sign up for a shift here. We especially need a volunteer to watch over the pumpkin painting station!
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Rejoice in Hope: Ingathering Sunday is Nov. 1!
On November 1, we’ll come together to present our pledges for the coming year. If you still have your pledge card, be sure to bring it with you. If not, don’t worry! Blank cards will be available at both ends of each pew. If you’ve already pledged online, you’re invited to bring a blank card forward instead. The act of everyone coming forward together is an important symbol of our shared commitment.
After the service, stay and enjoy a wonderful brunch with live jazz, and the premier of a Saints of St. Paul's video.
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2027 Online Pledge Process
Submitting a pledge and fulfilling a pledge are two separate steps. When you submit your 2027 online pledge card, you are telling St. Paul’s what you intend to give, but no money is withdrawn from your account at that point. Your pledge is fulfilled, then, when you make the gifts themselves.
The online pledge card makes that second step easy. After you submit your pledge, simply check the box at the bottom of the Thank You screen to set up a one-time or recurring gift through Realm, our preferred online giving portal.
Scheduling a recurring gift is one of the simplest ways to fulfill your pledge. It takes a task off your to-do list, and it helps St. Paul’s plan our budget and steadily fund the ministries that serve our parish and community.
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Choral Evensong: Feast of St. Margaret of Scotland
Saturday, November 14 | 6:30 PM
Join the St. Paul’s Choir, Kurt Knecht at the organ, and the KC Celtic Pipes & Drums for a festive Evensong honoring St. Margaret of Scotland. The music includes Howells’ St. Paul’s Cathedral Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis and Kurt Knecht’s Prayer of St. Margaret of Scotland.
A full Scottish reception follows. No tickets needed.
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Congratulations to Tyler and James!
Tyler Smith-Howells and James Howells have recently welcomed an infant into their home, and we’re celebrating with them. Friends have set up a Meal Train, and you’re welcome to sign up to bring a meal as the family settles into life with a new little one.
Please keep Tyler, James, and their growing family in your prayers.
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St. Paul’s Young Adults | Soup-er Social | Sunday, Nov 8
Join us for a Soup-er Social on Sunday, November 8th at 1:00 PM. Bring your favorite soup, appetizer, side dish, or dessert to share. We'll sample the soups and vote for the best one to win the Golden Ladle. Then stay to hang out and watch football with the group. Please RSVP and sign up to let us know what you’ll bring. When choosing, keep in mind dietary needs: vegetarian, gluten-free, allergic to potatoes and tomatoes.
Who’s this for? If you’re 21 or older and looking for friends at St. Paul’s, you’re our people. Pull up a chair!
Location: Grand Station Lofts - East Building (8707 Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Merriam, KS 66202)
Questions? Contact Rachel Haley (rachelhaley93@gmail.com, 785-865-6662)
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Progressive Dinner: Call for Hosts!
Our annual progressive dinner is a beloved tradition where the congregation gathers in small groups to share dinner across Kansas City, then reconvenes for dessert and Christmas carols together. This year’s event will take place on Sunday, December 6.
Though it may seem far off, planning starts now. We need a group of hosts to make it happen! Hosts can either welcome guests into their homes or organize an outing to a restaurant.
If you’re willing to host, there are just two steps:
RSVPs for participation (without hosting) will be available in the coming weeks.
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Diocesan Youth Gathering (D.Y.G.): November 6-7
Grades 5-12 | Grace & Holy Trinity | Fee: $25
Youth in grades 5th – 12th across the diocese are invited to gather for this year’s Youth Gathering during Annual Convention at Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kansas City on November 6 and 7. This event will include an overnight stay and opportunities to serve at Convention in various ways.
A weekend designed to help youth dig deeper into faith, community, and creativity, the Diocesan Youth Gathering (D.Y.G.) offers a vibrant, welcoming space for youth to grow, reflect, and have fun together. Breakout sessions include prayer through art, living faith outside the church, music, meditation, games, and community service.
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Diocesan Council Nominations Sought
The Diocesan Council for the Diocese of West Missouri serves like the vestry of the diocese helping to discern vision, financial spending, and other oversight of the life of the diocese. Two nominees are needed to stand for election at the upcoming Diocesan Convention. To submit yourself for nomination, click here. Questions? Contact Fr. Steven or Mtr. Brittany.
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Touching the Soul Book Group - October
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
Discussion: October 25
Leif Enger's debut, Peace Like a River, is a richly evocative novel, narrated by an asthmatic 11-year-old named Reuben Land. It is the story of Reuben's unusual family and their journey across the frozen Badlands of the Dakotas in search of his fugitive older brother. His brother, Davy, is charged with the murder of two locals who terrorized their family. Davy has fled, understanding that the scales of justice will not weigh in his favor. But Reuben, his father, Jeremiah—a man of faith so deep he has been known to produce miracles—and Reuben's little sister, Swede, follow closely behind the fleeing Davy.
Everyone is welcome! The location has changed! Come to the Archive Room Youth Room on the third floor at 11:45 after coffee hour to join in the discussion. We will discuss the entire book on the 25th. If you'd like to personally receive updates and discussion questions in advance, please register by emailing Loretta Birkenmeier at lbirkenmeir@comcast.net. We hope to see you there!
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