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DEAR FRIENDS
Our first Jazz@Mass is this Sunday, and I trust everyone is planning to be there. As I mentioned in my sermon this past Sunday, it is your obligation as a Christian to be in Church as often as is possible, for the benefit of your spiritual health, to "rest in the Lord," and to invest in your relationship with Almighty God, your Creator and Savior, through participation in worship with your brothers and sisters in Christ. But there is an important secondary benefit, one which has an effect on church growth and outreach, and it's a very simply formula: people are more likely to return to a church which is full of people and less likely to return to a church in which the congregation is sparse. We have visitors nearly every Sunday at St. Paul's, and the Jazz@Mass is popular and we will have even more visitors than normal this Sunday. A full church, especially on a hot Sunday in late July, communicates to a visitor that something important and special is happening here, that people want to be a part of it, and that maybe it's worth coming again. A sparse and scattered congregation communicates the exact opposite. We have a rather large space at St. Paul's, as you know, so it takes more people to make it look and feel "full." Add to that a friendly smile and handshake and enthusiastic participation in the service--yes, that means responding and singing, not just standing there--and you've got a winning combination. It's a win-win, as they say.
See you at Mass.
NEXT PRAYER DAY
This Saturday, July 28th, 2:00 pm—4:00 pm, in the Library
Please plan to join us tomorrow for the next Prayer Day, again led by Lilo Carr Rivera, in a workshop/practicum learning environment. We will explore the prayer tradition which uses Anglican Prayer beads and we will repeat Ignatian mediation prayer, which was popular with the participants. These Prayer Days are part of our Prayer Covenant with Bishop Provenzano. More information about the Prayer Covenant may be found on the back table in the church.
JAZZ@MASS!
This Sunday, July 29th, 10:00 am
The first of our two summer Jazz Masses is this Sunday. This has become an annual favorite both with parishioners and in the neighborhood, so please plan to join us. Parishioner Willie Martinez is again coordinating the musicians for the popular and well-attended event. The second Jazz Mass is set for Sunday, August 26th.
DEANERY CELEBRATION OF THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION
Sunday, August 12, 4:00 pm, Christ Church, Cobble Hill
Christ Church and St. Paul’s are co-hosting the Brooklyn Deanery’s celebration of the Feast of the Assumption with Solemn Evensong at Christ Church. This will be followed by a community barbeque, to which everyone is invited. The guest preacher is The Rev’d John Shirley, Assistant Priest at St. Luke’s and St. Matthew’s, in Clinton Hill
DIRECTORY CORRECTORY
Please note the new address for Francis Rivera and Lilo Carr Rivera (under R in the Directory):
70 La Salle St., Apt. 9C, New York, NY 10027
PRAYERS FOR ST. PAUL’S DURING THE TRANSITION AND RECTOR SEARCH
As you read the Eblast each week, it is a good opportunity to take 30 seconds and offer a prayer for St. Paul’s during its transition and for the members of the Search Committee. Prayers to that effect will be included each week in the Eblast.
For St. Paul’s: Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to thee, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly thine, utterly dedicated unto thee; and then use us, we pray thee, as thou wilt, and always to thy glory and the welfare of thy people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
For the Search Committee: Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on St. Paul’s, and so guide the minds Keith, Monika, Anne, Michael, Willie, Julie, Cynthia, Ken, and Rob, and all those who shall call a rector for this parish, that they may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for thy people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THIS COMING SUNDAY AT ST. PAUL’S
July, 22, 2018: The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
JAZZ MASS: 10:00 AM
Sunday's Appointed Readings and Homily
The First Reading—2 Samuel 11:1-15
Psalm 14
Epistle—Ephesians 3:14-21
The Gospel—John 6:1-21
Sermon—Fr. Wallace
Music
The Entrance Hymn: “I come with joy to meet my Lord,” Hymnal, 304
Communion Hymn: “Let us break bread together,” Hymnal, 325
Dismissal Hymn: “Lift every voice and sing,” Hymnal, 599
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