Friday, October 30, 2026 | All Saints' Day | | A Note from Mtr. Brittany | | |
Dear People of St. Paul's,
When the Apostle Paul urged the Church in Rome to “rejoice in hope,” he was speaking to a community tossed about by the winds of change. Roman rule was marked by inequality and political strife. Inside the church, believers struggled to find their footing as their growing community diversified to include people of different backgrounds: Jews and Gentiles, enslaved and free, rich and poor. This is why Paul reminded them that their hope was rooted not in the stability of Rome or the certainty of their circumstances, but in their faith in the risen Christ.
We find ourselves in a similar time. As we enter the midterm elections, many worry about the future of our democracy. Trust in political leadership has been shaken on every side, and our country remains entrenched in the assumptions of its prejudices. Yet amid this chaotic social and political backdrop, St. Paul’s has grown, and with that growth has come diversity within our community. Like the church in Rome, we have a decision to make. Will we allow the anxieties of this life and the fear of change to trap us in stagnation, or will we rejoice in hope that, no matter what the future holds, we are committed to unity and love?
The good news is that we do not have to make this decision alone. We look to those who have come before us for strength and guidance. This Sunday, we celebrate All Saints’ Day, followed by All Souls’ Day on Monday. It is no coincidence that the stewardship campaign culminates around these feast days. We look to the example of the saints of long ago, like the Apostle Paul, and to those recently departed who cared for this church and this community, for guidance on how to preserve the faith and participate creatively in God’s mission. We ensure this work will continue, now and in the future, by giving freely from the resources God has given us. The church in Rome is part of this legacy because it chose to rejoice in a hope that transcends political strife, to embrace change boldly, and to become a community of inclusivity. The pledges we make of our time, talent, and treasure are an outward sign of our commitment to join in the same work as those who have gone before us.
Mtr. Brittany
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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 | For Thy Gracious Blessing - Traditional, arr. Z. Stelzer (St. Paul's Youth Choir)
- Prelude: Justorum Animae - William Byrd (St. Paul's Octet)
- Communion: Justorum Animae - Charles Villiers Stanford (St. Paul's Adult Choir)
- Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Kansas City
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. 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. 2: All Souls' Day Service | Chapel | 6:30 PM | Enter via South Doors | Info Below
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. 8 & 22: Book Club | Hamnet | 11:30 AM | Youth Room
Nov. 14: Choral Evensong: Feast of St. Margaret of Scotland | 6:30 PM | Reception to Follow
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Nov. 1: Holy Eucharist | All Saints' Day | 10 AM | Nave
Nov. 2: All Souls' Day | 6:30 PM | Chapel
Nov. 4: Midweek Eucharist | 12:10 PM | Chapel | Adeline Blanchard Tyler and her Companions
Nov. 8: Holy Eucharist | Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost | 10 AM | Nave
Nov. 11: Midweek Eucharist | 12:10 PM | Chapel | Martin of Tours, Bishop
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Rejoice in Hope: Ingathering is this Sunday!
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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Youth Choir Sings the Offertory This Week
The 2026-2027 St. Paul’s Youth Choir will perform for the first time this Sunday!
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All Souls’ Service Added for Monday
Though we said otherwise during announcements last Sunday, we have added a spoken All Souls’ Service on Monday, November 2, at 6:30 PM in the chapel. Please enter through the south doors, as the north entrance will be locked and unmonitored.
All Souls’ Day, observed each year on November 2, is the day the Church remembers all the faithful departed. This simple service is a quiet time to remember those we miss and entrust them to God’s care.
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Help Us Provide Holiday Meals
Harvesters has allocated some chickens and turkeys to our food pantry for distribution in November and December. To supplement that allocation, the pantry usually purchases hams and additional turkeys. With more than 100 households visiting the pantry each week, plus over 30 households who receive grocery deliveries, we would love to provide a festive meal for every one of them.
If you would like to help, you can give toward holiday meats and any extra ingredients for special side dishes by clicking the button below!
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November Birthdays
Jackson Beam, Eileen Benninghoff, Tyler Benninghoff, Melanie Bowman, Liam Brouse, Tom Coen, Alexander DeBey, Rob Fletcher, Mitzi Foster, Nancy Franklin, Corinne Johnson, Arthur Keatley, Louis Keatley, Eva Kmeck, Jane Lampo, David Lyons, Tom Mayfield, Amy McKune, Charlie Mueller, Julia Murray, Bella Niewald, Brooklyn Niewald, Nick Perkins, John Readey, Joan Riffel, Philip Schaefer-Calvert, Ed Schultz, Meredith Seaton, Deborah Smith, Reid Van Engen, Charlotte Wagner, Lindsay Wagner, Russell Waitman
November Anniversaries
Jim & Rose Mary Comfort, Cole Griffin & Jose Hernandez, Ryan & Kerry Hofman, Jane Lampo & Rick Welsch, David & Luci Powell, Lindsay & Bryan Wagner, Richard & Bridget Wagstaff
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Deadline Today! 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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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 Scottish reception follows. No tickets needed.
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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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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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Touching the Soul Book Group - November
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
Discussions: November 8 and November 22
Hamnet is a novel inspired by the son of a famous playwright. It is a story of the bond between twins, and of a marriage pushed to the brink by grief. It is also the story of a kestrel and its mistress; a flea that boards a ship in Alexandria; and a glovemaker's son who flouts convention in pursuit of the woman he loves. Above all, it is the tender reimagining of a boy whose life has been all but forgotten, but whose name was given to one of the most celebrated plays ever written.
Everyone is welcome! Come to the Youth Room on the third floor at 11:30 after coffee hour to join in the discussion. The reading for discussion on Nov. 8 is through page 163. 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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