DEAR FRIENDS
By now you have received information about our Boiler/Water Meter Project, either through the announcement at Coffee Hour this past Sunday or through the special Eblast earlier this week. Circumstances have forced this expenditure upon us, and I am sure that the people of St. Paul's will rise to the challenge. Read the specific details of the project here. The bad news is that we need to raise $30,000 over the next two months. The good news is that two St. Paul's families have stepped forward to propose a fund-matching program. If St. Paul's will raise $15,000, these two families will match that amount, giving us the total we need. Please consider your contribution prayerfully and commit to the project as soon as you can so that we can track our progress. You may either write a check or donate through our website here. You will hear more about this effort this Sunday.
I will be in and out during the month of August, attending a conference in New Haven, CT, then on vacation. Here is the schedule:
- Monday-Friday, 8/6-8/10, in New Haven, CT, attending the annual conference of the National Episcopal Historians and Archivists, which I serve as Vice-President.
- Friday-Sunday, 8-10-8/12, at St. Paul's.
- Monday-Friday, 8/13-8/17, in Florida visiting my parents (sort of a vacation).
- Friday-Friday, 8/17-8/24, here, but on "stay-cation" (that's a newly coined word which means staying home, but on vacation).
I will be available by phone and e-mail while I am away, but if you experience a pastoral emergency, please contact Deacon Tony Bowen or Fr. Lau at Christ Church, Cobble Hill: 718-624-0083.
See you at mass
NEW EXPANDED OPEN DOOR SCHEDULE
St. Paul’s is expanding its important Open Door ministry to include Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, in addition to the regular time on Saturdays, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. This is simply a time when the church is open for anyone to stop by to pray, to meditate or just to look around, and it is also a critically important ministry. You would be surprised how many of our neighbors think St. Paul's is closed! The new evening times show that we are indeed open and vital. We have a beautiful space, as you well know, and this gives people the chance to stick their heads for a few minutes to look around. Several of your fellow parishioners were brought to St. Paul's because the church was open and they just dropped in, and there are many, many stories of people who found solace and comfort at St. Paul's because the church was open when they needed God the most.
Please consider volunteering to sit in the church during one of the Open Door times. For more information, please contact Sandy Miller, and she will be glad to tell you stories from the Open Door program and sign you up.
DEANERY CELEBRATION OF THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION
Solemn Evensong, 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 BBQ, 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.
AUGUST PRAYER DAY
Saturday, August 25, 2:00 pm—4:00 pm
Please plan to join us for the next Prayer Day, again led by Lilo Carr Rivera, in a workshop/practicum learning environment. 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.
NEXT JAZZ MASS!
Sunday, August 26th, 10:00 am
The second of our two summer Jazz@Mass services in August 26. 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.
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 eacheach week in the Eblast.
For St. Paul’s: O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light riseth up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, we beseech thee, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what thou wouldest have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in thy light we may see light,, and in thy straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Search Committee: Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with the Search Committee as they take counsel together for the renewal and mission of St. Paul’s. Teach them in all things to seek first thy honor and glory. Guide them to perceive what is right, and grant them both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THIS COMING SUNDAY
August 5, 2018: The 11th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday's Appointed Readings and Homily
The First Reading—2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a
Psalm 51:1-13
Epistle—Ephesians 4:1-16
The Gospel—John 6:24-35
Sermon—Fr. Wallace
Music
Entrance Hymn: “Glorious things of thee are spoken,” Hymnal, 522
Offertory Hymn: “Lord enthroned in heavenly splendor,” Hymnal, 307
Communion Hymn: “My God, thy table now is spread,” Hymnal, 321
Dismissal Hymn: “God of the prophets,” Hymnal, 359
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