Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, Collect for The Fifth Sunday of Easter)
Readings for the Third Sunday of Easter
Sunday – April 29 – Fifth Sunday of Easter - Who’s Who at 10 AM
Verger – Leslie Black; Greeter – Holly Hall; Host – Roy Black; Readers – Nancy Snyder and Pete Lapre; Psalms and Prayers – Karen Smith; Chalice Bearers – Pam Hanson and Joan Lawrence-Studebaker; Nursery Care – Kate Townsend; Announcements – ???; Coffee Hour –Vestry ; Counters – Harry Kendrick and ???; Altar Guild – St. Paul’s Altar Guild; Acolytes – Jonathan and Kathryn Brennan, Doug Jenisch
Scott’s Schedule
April 30 – Office Hours, 9-12
May 1-2 – Church Pension Fund Conference - Middlebury
May 4 – Sabbath Day
May 5 – Sabbath Day
Upcoming Events
Please send event and prayer updates to announcements.spc@gmail.com
April 29 – Bishop’s Visitation
May 1-2 – Scott away - Pension Fund Conference
May 10 – Ascension
May 20 - Pentecost
June 2 – Bargain Bin
June 9 – Parish Potluck and Discussion
Prayer Requests
For the Church: Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Thomas our bishop, and Rob his NH colleague; Scott our Priest and Diana our Deacon; for St. John the Baptist Church, Hardwick; and for the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East.
FOR THE NATION AND WORLD
For us as a people, that we may uproot all forms of violence, discrimination and injustice, especially those based in racism, religious intolerance, gender and sexual bias and promote mutual understanding and trust. For our community partners who serve neighbors in need, and for the United Nations and all who work for peace.
For those bearing the responsibility of leadership, especially Donald our president, Phil and Chris our governors, our legislators and judges, and all who do the work of governance.
For those who serve in the Armed Forces: Alden; Ryan, Isaac, Eric, Tom, Terry, Jesse, Mick, Grant.
For refugees; for exploiters and the exploited; for those committing acts of terror, that their hearts may be turned to peace.
For the sick: Jack
For those asking our prayers: Shirley Barnes; Isasc and Carrol; Jay Burzak; Mary Ellen; Mary B.; Jack Belding; Duffy; Nick; Piotr; Paula; Mary Corrigan; Michael T.; Sekula Duffy; Lexi; Eric; Jim Sires; Fred and Patsy White; Alex, Laurie and family; Edwin and Eduardo; Geri; Candy; Betsy Townsend; Nate; Jon; Akash, Akhila; Nived, Jecin, Renjith, and Navathej, our godchildren in India; Jocelyn, our godchild in Honduras and the entire LAMB community; the poor and the oppressed, for the unemployed; for the homeless and the destitute; for refugees; for prisoners and captives; for those affected by the violence and natural disasters around the world, hurricanes, fires and floods.
For those who have died:
In thanksgiving: for our worship committee and for the vestry; for the many ministries of the members of this parish; for all good gifts around us; for children and grandchildren; for the gift of faith; for the hope of peace;.
Please contact Holly Hall with your prayer requests.
Button Machine Mystery - A couple of years ago Dede Mackie donated a new button making machine to St Paul’s (for our name tag buttons). Holly Hall is our current button maker. Thank you Dede and Holly! Cynthia Keith, who was our button maker for about 12 years, (thank you Cynthia!) would like to purchase the old button maker for use by a dance group to which she belongs. She has currently borrowed the machine, pending our decision to let her make the first purchase of the 2018 Bargain Bin. If anyone has sentimental or ownership relations to the old button machine, please speak to Rich Kremer immediately, or forever hold your peace.
Bargain Bin Buzz - - The Bargain Bin Committee is meeting regularly and we are making steady progress. Nearly all the department chairs are in place. There will be a signup sheet in the Parish Hall on Sunday for volunteers to sign up for each department. Pickups start on Monday, April 16. All pick up requests are scheduled through Jean and Harry Kendrick. Phone number for Kendricks: 802-295-5490
Personal Mission Discovery Workshop - I would like to offer a half-day Personal Mission Discovery Workshop for those who are interested in exploring how God is calling us to live out our faith in our own unique life situations. Rather than set the date, time and place myself, I'm asking those who are interested in this event to sign the sheet on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall or to contact me at revdrb@gmail.com. Once there are five or more people interested, we will figure out together the date, time and place that works for everyone. -- Duane Brown
Calendar Events
April 29 – Bishop’s Homecoming and Visitation - On Sunday, March 29th, Bishop Tom Ely will be at St. Paul's. In addition to three baptisms and the reception of two candidates, Bishop Tom will attend both services with time for discussion following both services during special coffee hours. This could be the next-to-last of his visits to St. Paul's. If you have ideas about discussion topics and/or questions for him, please let Pam Hanson know.
April 29 - Sunday Coffee Hour – The vestry is looking for an parishioner or two willing to make a total of two dozen deviled eggs for this Sunday's Coffee Hour with the Bishop. If you are able to help out, please contact Holly Hall. Thank you.
May 6 – Rogation Sunday – Bring your seeds, seedlings and plants next week to receive a special blessing. Rogation Sunday[1] is the day when the Church has traditionally offered prayer for God’s blessings on the fruits of the earth and the labors of those who produce our food. The word “rogation” is from the Latin rogare, “to ask.” Historically, the Rogation Days (the three days before Ascension Day) were a period of fasting and abstinence, beseeching God’s blessing on the crops for a bountiful harvest. Few of us today directly derive our livelihood from the production of food, yet it is good to be reminded of our dependence upon those who do and our responsibility for the environment. A prayer for Rogation Day is found on page 258 in The Book of Common Prayer:
Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth: We humbly pray that your gracious providence may give and preserve to our use the harvests of the land and of the seas, and may prosper all who labor to gather them, that we, who are constantly receiving good things from your hand, may always give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
May 6 – The Concerned About Racial Justice (CARJ) group will change our May meeting date to May 6th so as not to conflict with Mother's Day family events. We will meet in the parish house.
May 15 - Let There Be Light – a documentary film by Peter Swanson
Grand Masters of Glass Illuminating The National Cathedral
Tuesday, May 15th
7pm
Loew Auditorium, Black Family Visual Arts Center
Co-sponsored by D-H Arts and OSHER
What do the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative and Hospice Care and the National Cathedral in Washington, DC have in common? Magnificent stained glass made by stained glass master Mary Clerkin Higgins. This film, by Canaan resident Peter Swanson, follows the work of Rowan LeCompte, Dieter Goldkuhle and Mary Clerkin Higgins, all masters of glass and light, who were commissioned to create and install their final stained glass window in Washington National Cathedral. The film explores the intense, painstaking work that goes into each window, and the sometimes painful, but ultimately joyous human process of bringing great art to life. Working their magic, these artists seek to control the light that shines into the massive building. Interviews with cathedral administrators, and clergy provide further insight into the human struggle of commissioning, creating, and installing windows on a monumental scale. This film has been nominated for an Emmy at the 41st Annual Boston/New England Emmys.
Post film discussion with filmmaker Peter Swanson, stained glass master artist Mary Clerkin Higgins and renowned Vermont artist Sabra Field who created the image portrayed in the Jack Byrne Center For Hospice and Palliative Care chapel window.
For more information contact Marianne Barthel at 603-650-6187.
May 20 - Upper Valley Community Clothing Swap and Food Drive at the Bugbee Senior Center
262 North Main Street, White River Junction, VT. What’s in your closet? Do you have items to donate? Want to refresh your wardrobe with some free clothes? Donations are accepted on Saturday, May 19, from 10–2. ‘Shopping’ for free clothes is on May 20, from 10–2.
SATURDAY is DONATION day, SUNDAY is FREE CLOTHES day. On Saturday from 10 to 2, bring the good clothing you no longer need; come back Sunday between 10 and 2 to choose new-to-you clothes for the whole family. You don't need to donate to receive!
Donations of non-perishable food (both days) will go to the Upper Valley Haven. Advance donation of clothing during the previous week can be brought to the Upper Valley Food Coop, N. Main St., White River Junction. This is a volunteer operation; no money changes hands.
For more information contact: uvclothingswap@gmail.com 603-448-1889
May 21 – Listen Community Dinner - Our May Listen Dinner date has changed from May 14th to Monday, May 21st. Our menu will be Tuna Vegetable Casserole with Chocolate Chip Cookies. We will plan on feeding 110 meals and the sign-up sheet will be on Parish Hall bulletin board 4/28. We will need five volunteers and cooks to make Tuna Casserole and Chocolate Chip cookies. Your help is greatly appreciated! Holly Hall
General Announcements
Ride Ministry - St. Paul's Caring Ministries are looking for drivers willing to give Parishioners rides to church days and evenings. If you can help with driving, please e mail or call Holly Hall - hchall50@gmail.com/ 802 295 9095) If you are in need of a ride to our church services day or evening, please contact Holly.
Good Neighbor Health Clinic Dinners
Who: St. Paul’s Church commits to
What: Provide dinner for 8-10 volunteer staff (entrée and side dishes OR soup,
bread & salad OR a 1 dish meal: really whatever you might prepare at home!)
When: On the 1st Tuesday of each month, delivered by 4pm,
Where: To the Clinic in downtown White River Junction.
How: Please sign up to provide a meal, either on your own, or as a team with others!
There will be is a sign up-sheet posted in the Parish Hall this coming Sunday.
Contact Pam Hanson with any questions: 603-558- 1239 or pamela.r.hanson@comcast.net
Contemplative Prayer and Meditation- is an opportunity to come into our Sanctuary to pray and meditate 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the Month, 5:30-6:30. All Parishioners, friends and neighbors are welcome to come for whole hour or part of the hour that works for you. Four votive candles are lit and a hand bell rings at 5:30 at beginning of silence. Hand bell rings again at 6:30 at the closing. Contemplative Prayer and Meditation began monthly November, 2017 and continues for anyone who wants to take quiet time for self. For more information, please see Holly Hall.
Weston Priory Services - Brothers at Weston Priory welcome everyone at their services. Please check their web site to see when Brothers are on Sabbatical or on Retreat.
Bible Study - meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 7 PM in the Parish house. Each gathering is totally independent of previous gatherings. No experience necessary. Come and explore the readings for the following Sunday. All are Welcome.
Knit and Purl Fellowship -meets 1st and 3rd Monday of the month in Parish House, 6:30 pm. All are welcome, and all handcrafts are welcome. If you have questions, please contact Holly Hall or Susan Pillsbury.
Bone Builders- Bone Builder's Class is now meeting at St. Paul's Parish Hall Monday and Thursdays 9-10 except Bargain Bin week and Holiday Bazaar week. If you would like to come see what exercises Bone Builders offers and if you are man or women 55 and older and want to ask instructor questions, please come on a Monday or Thursday before 9:00am. As of now, there are 8 students with capacity of 20 students. If you have questions, please contact Holly Hall.
+ + + + +
St. Paul’s Vestry: Pam Hanson (’19), Senior Warden; Greg Taylor (’19), Junior Warden; Holly Hall (’19); Rich Kremer (’20); Molly Castaldo (’20); Andrew Pillsbury (’20); Bev Barton (’21); Dick Davis (’21) and Geri Williams (’21).
Ongoing Reminders
- Discretionary Fund Reminder – First Sunday of every month. Please be as generous as possible.
- Executive Group Meeting – every Wednesday 3:30-5:00pm -- Anyone is welcome to attend.
- Vestry meets – 3rd Tuesday of the month in the Parish Hall at 6:30pm. All are welcome to attend.
- Valley Terrace Church Service – Please join us! – The fourth Tuesday of every month at 3 PM.
- Knit and Purl Fellowship – Meets 1st and 3rd Monday of the month in the Parish House, 6:30 PM. Contact Holly for info.
- Bible Study – meets the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month in the Parish House at 7 PM. We will focus each meeting on the lectionary for the upcoming week. This is a come as you can discussion group, you can do not have to come every meeting. All are welcome!
- St. Paul’s Concerned about Racial Justice group meets the 2nd Sunday of each month, after church (and a little of coffee hour!), for discussion and planning. We meet in parish house. All are welcome to join us!
- Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) sponsors two regularly scheduled events open to the public: Mondays, 5:30 – 6:00 pm, on the corner of the green across from Hanover Inn, Vigil for Racial Justice.
[1] http://stpaulsivy.org/did-you-know-series/did-you-know-rogation-sunday/