DEAR FRIENDS 

There is a strong tradition at St. Paul’s of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.  March 17 happens to land on a Sunday this year, so we’re doubling up a bit at mass.  The essential character of the day is still Lent II, with all the attendant colors, readings, prayers, themes, and local St. Paul’s traditions, but we are also honoring St. Patrick’s Day in several ways.  First, St. Patrick will be included in our prayers at mass. Secondly, two of the hymns this Sunday are of Irish origin, including the much-beloved “I bind myself unto myself this day”― attributed to St. Patrick; translated by the prolific hymnodist Cecile Frances Alexander, an Irish woman from County Tyrone who later married the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe; and set to the hymn tunes St. Patrick’s Breastplate and Deidre, both of which are Irish melodies.  Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, there is to be Irish-themed Coffee Hour, full of Irish music and Irish food.  Overall, not very “lenten” perhaps but fun, nonetheless. Remember that one is excused from one’s Lenten Rule on Sundays during Lent (because they are in Lent but not of Lent), so you may partake fully, if you choose, of the festivities.   Please thank JillEllyn Riley and Keith Edwards for coordinating this year’s events. 
 
See you at Mass,
Fr. Wallace
 

UPCOMING CONCERT―Young New Yorkers Chorus’ Presents:  For Now

Saturday, March 16th at 7:00pm

Under the direction of our own Alex Canovas, the YNYC presents a celebration of the present moment through music that contemplates time from many angles:  the passing of a year, a blossoming romance, and as a means of measurement; with music by Chatman, Brewbaker, Dove, and Joni Mitchell.  Tickets are $20 in advance, and $25 at the door.  Purchase tickets here. 

ST. PATRICK’S DAY

Sunday, March 17

Since St. Patrick’s Day lands on a Sunday this year, we’re celebrating all things Irish at a special Coffee Hour after mass.  See JillEllyn Riley and Keith Edwards if you would like to help.  

ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: LENTEN DISCUSSION FORUM—Christians and Politics 

Continues Sunday, 1:00 pm, in the Library (or perhaps slightly later because of the special Coffee Hour)

We had a great beginning to our Lenten Discussion Forum this past Sunday.  This will not be a lecture-style class, but rather moderated discussion, on the subject of the ways in which Christians enact their in a political world.  Please plan to join us.  Everyone and all political viewpoints are welcome and encouraged to attend.  

LENT MADNESS!

Don’t forget to play!

What better way to explore the mystery of our faith than a head-to-head popularity contest? Lent Madness is an engaging way for people to learn about the men and women comprising the Church’s Calendar of Saints. Following an elimination bracket format, a group of 32 saints have been selected, and each week participants vote for their favorite saint in a one-on-one match up.  For example, one week might have "St. Francis vs. St. Antony” or “St. Joseph vs. St. Benedict.”  Every week the votes are tallied and the winning saint proceeds to the next round until a single saint is left.  The “official “voting will be done on the Lent Madness Facebook page, and we will be putting up a poster in the Parish hall to track the progress over the Lent Period.  You can participate by just checking out the board as it’s updated every week, or you can really commit and buy an official Lent Madness Scorecard booklet for $5 (all proceeds go to St. Paul’s).  The scorecard booklet contains bios of the saints and a personal scorecard.  For the really enthusiastic, you can predict the outcomes of all the match ups beforehand and compare your picks with the actual results.    Lent Madness is published by Forward Movement, a publisher of books associated with the Episcopal Church.  You can visit Lentmadness.org and forwardmovement.org to learn even more. 
 

LENTEN FOOD DRIVE

The Sunday School invites you to bring donations for their annual Lenten food drive.  Beginning Sunday, March 6.  Bins will be available back of the church throughout Lent to receive your donations.  As usual, the food will be donated to the food pantry at First Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn Heights.  The children will deliver the food and stock the shelves on Good Friday.  Of particular need are the following foods: peanut butter, tuna fish, Vienna sausage, canned vegetables, apple sauce, pasta, rice and canned soup. Please make sure that the donations are unopened and have not expired.  If you have any questions, please feel free to speak with Jean Del Colliano.  As always, thank you for your generous donations, and please take the opportunity to thank the Sunday School kids for their dedication and hard work.
 

EPISCOPAL MINISTRIES OF LONG ISLAND ANNUAL APPEAL

Let us Continue to “Walk in love as Christ Loves Us”

Episcopal Ministries of Long Island responds to Christ’s call to care for our neighbors, as if directly caring for Christ, establishing, nurturing and funding parish-based programs and community partnerships that affirm the dignity of all people. Information about the work of EMLI is available on the back table, as well as envelopes for your donation.
 

CONFESSION

It is traditional for Christians to make their Confessions during Lent. If you have made your Confession before, simply schedule a time with Fr. Wallace. Confession is a spiritually fulfilling Lenten Discipline, drawing you closer to God. For those who have never made their Confession, or have not done so for many years, some instruction is required in order to prepare properly. Please see Fr. Wallace.
 

PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND!

April 20 Deadline for Discount

Eleven people have already committed to St. Paul’s pilgrimage to the Holy Land, January 20th―29th, 2020.  Won’t you join us?!   There is a $100 discount if you put down at $350 deposit by April 20th.  
We are using using Nick Mancino’s company Journey’s Unlimited.  Please see the poster in the Parish Hall and the flyers on the back table for details.  This is an extraordinary opportunity for experience a life-changing event.  Please don’t miss it!  Ask Fr. Wallace or Nick Gjeca if you have any questions.
 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

• Monday, March 25, The Feast of the Annunciation, 7:00 pm, Low Mass in the Lady Chapel
• Saturday, April 13, All-Parish Clean Up Day (Watch for details)

HOLY WEEK SERVICE SCHEDULE 

• April 14, Palm Sunday―11:00 am, Solemn High Mass, Blessing of Palms and Palm Procession 
• April 18, Maundy Thursday―7:30 pm, Mass; followed by the Watch Before the Altar of Repose
• April 19, Good Friday
  • 12:00 pm (noon)―Mass of the Pre-Sanctified
  • 5:30 pm―Stations of the Cross (designed for children, but everyone invited)
• April 20, Easter Vigil―7:30 pm, Solemn High Mass (Easter Repast in the Library following mass)
• April 21, Easter Day―11:00 am, Solemn High Mass of Easter

CONTACTING THE SEARCH COMMITTEE

In the course of the Search Committee presentation on the status and process of the rector search at the parish Annual Meeting on January 27, the Committee offered interested parishioners a tool to reach out to it regarding any concerns they might wish to voice related to the search. If you want to provide your suggestions or comments, please contact us at search@stpaulscarrollst.org.
 

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:
  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: 
  Eternal God, the foundation of all wisdom and the source of all courage:  enlighten with your grace the Search Committee of this congregation, and so rule their minds, and guide their counsel that in all things they may seek your glory and promote the mission of your Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THIS COMING SUNDAY: March 17, 2019

The Second Sunday in Lent & St. Patrick’s Day

• Appointed Readings and Sermon
  • The First Reading—Genesis 15:1-12,17-18
  • Psalm 27
  • Epistle—Philippians 3:17-4:1
  • The Gospel—Luke 13:31-35
  • Sermon:  Fr. Wallace
• Music
  • Mass Setting: Merbecke
  • Organ Prelude:  Chorale Prelude on “Hereford”—Malcolm Riley
  • Hymn at the Entrance: “The God of Abraham praise,” Hymnal, 401
  • Offertory Anthem: “Thou Knowest, Lord” (Funeral Sentences, Z860, No. 3)—Henry Purcell
  • Hymn at Communion: “Be thou my vision,” Hymnal, 488
  • Hymn at the Dismissal: “I bind unto myself this day,” Hymnal, 370
  • Organ Postlude:  Meditation No. 2—Eric Thiman