Fall Season Begins this Sunday, October 5th

9:00 am Choir rehearsal
9:45 am Sunday School
11:00 am Mass
4:00 pm Animal Blessing @ Sacred Hearts and St. Stephens
9:00 pm Compline

About this year's return:

2014's major church project has come to a timely completion, and we are planning our return to the church for masses beginning on October 5th at 11:00 am!  There are some related projects that are not yet completed.  For example, the organ will still be encased in protective plastic, and therefore unusable until mid-October.
 
Parish volunteers will be needed to help us to move furniture, prayer books, hymnals, etc. back into place.  As soon as necessary prep work has been completed, we will send out a separate email blast with the date and time when you can help.
 
We have set October 19th as the day when solemn celebrations resume, complete with full choir, incense, acolytes, etc.  October 19th is also the Sunday when our former rector, Fr. Cross, will return as our guest preacher.  We have also invited as our special guests workers who labored in the church rafters during the hot summer months.  We pray that October 19th will be a great day of joy and thanksgiving to the glory of God.  Plan to be here and bring guests.

Fall Activities to Mark:

• October is Stewardship Month at St. Paul's.  Vestry member, Doug Munson, leads off this year's campaign to help each of us plan for 2015.
• Beginning on October 5th, Sunday School for children, kindergarten through sixth grade, is offered starting at 9:45 am.  Cathy Torrigian is our head teacher.
• Adult Christian Education offers a series of special events beginning on October 19th when Brad Winters will present a class on the Old Testament tabernacle.  This talk will be in preparation for this year's Lenten Series.  On November 9th, vestry member and architect, Sheryl Jordon will present a talk on the symbolism to be found in our parish church.
• Hospitality - Coffee Hour Returns on October 5th after mass.  At St. Paul's, every parishioner takes part in helping to provide this much anticipated moment in parish life.  The more who sign up, the less work that falls on the shoulders of a few.  Please speak to JillEllyn Riley or Amelia West about how you can participate.
• Calls to Service:  For Choir members and interested singers, rehearsals are held every Sunday morning at 9:00 am in the library Choir.  For more information, speak with choirmaster, Vince Peterson or email him at musicatstpaulscarrollst@gmail.com.   The Acolytes Guild invites interested new members to join current members in serving at the altar.  Speak to Brad Winters or Cullen Riley-Duffy.  The Ushers guide us through the service.  If you are interested in helping with this essential guild, please speak to Drew Helstosky.

Fall Fundraisers

• October Pop-Up Sidewalk Sale.  This year, because of the summer project, there will be no fall rummage sale.  However, On Saturday, October 4th, John Lord will head a pop0sidewalk sale of  items that accumulated.  This way we can clean out the Sunday School room and the rectory basement.  PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO THE SALE.  Speak to John about how you can help.
• ST. PAUL'S AUCTION.  Our major annual fundraising event will be held on Saturday, November 8th.  Mark your calendars, buy your tickets, and ask how you can help.  Contributions deadline is October 12th, but offers to help work are always welcome.  Speak to Madge Willner.
• As a fundraiser for the parish, on November 22nd at 7:30 pm, the Adult Christian Education Committee will present "St. Mark's Gospel," an oral performance by parishioner Christopher Johnson of the Gospel according to St. Mark.
• The Second-Annual Sing-it-Yourself Messiah will be held in the church on Sunday, December 21 at 4:00 pm.  Vince Peterson will conduct the singers along with a baroque instrumental ensemble.

Prayers

• Prayers of the Parish are asked for the repose of the soul of John Slain.  Jack died at home on Saturday evening, September 27th.  He will be buried quietly on Block Island, his childhood home.  A Mass of the Resurrection will be offered here at St. Paul's at a date to be announced.  Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord, and light perpetual shine upon him.  May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
• A Prayer for the Parish - Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family.  Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent.  Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy church; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.