THIS COMING WEEK

The Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 10, 2015

• SUNDAY'S APPOINTED MASS READINGS: Acts 10:44-48;  Psalm 98:1-6;  I John 5:1-6;  John 15:9-17; Preaching: the Rector
• ROGATIONTIDE, MARY’S MONTH OF MAY, AND MOTHERS DAY TOO!:  May 10 is not only the Sixth Sunday of Easter, but it marks the beginning of a tiny three day-long “season within Easter season”: Rogationtide.  Rogation comes from a Latin word meaning “to ask”, or “pray”.  Prayer for the well-being of the natural world is intensified during these days, along with prayer for the commonweal.  By tradition, May is Mary’s Month when thoughts of the Blessed Mother are encouraged.  During May, liturgies at St. Paul’s contain pious references to the Lord’s mother.  And in America’s secular calendar, this Sunday is Mothers Day when we have collective encouragement to give thanks for our own mothers, and pray for mothers the world over.

TIMELY NOTICES

• RESPONSE TO EARTHQUAKE IN NEPAL:  A reminder that in addition to prayer, a most helpful way to respond to the needs raised by Nepal’s deadly earthquake is through donations to aid work.  Our national Episcopal Church maintains an excellent agency—the Episcopal Relief and Development fund (ERD)—which is on the front line of response.  If you are interested in learning more of ERD, or would like to make an online donation, check out their website at www.episcopalrelief.org 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Looking ahead to Pentecost & Summertime

• FIRST HOLY COMMUNION SUNDAY:  May 17, at the 11:00 Mass.  (May 17 is also the closing session of the Sunday School’s spring semester.  We look forward to resuming classes in the fall!)
• THE FEAST OF PENTECOST: WHITSUNDAY  May 24
• TRINITY SUNDAY:  May 31
• SPRING RUMMAGE SALE:  Saturday, June 6.  Please start looking around for items to donate to our Rummage sale, but please, please do not bring stuff until asked!
• SUMMER SCHEDULE BEGINS:  Sunday masses move to 10:00 o’clock during the months of June through September.  Mass is simplified to accommodate for the heat.

CONCERTS . . .

• EMPIRE CITY MENS CHORUS: Tuesday, May 12, in our Parish Hall.  More information and tickets at www.empirecitymenschorus.org
• CHORAL CHAMELEON: StoryTime: Part Two  CC’s last concert of its 2014-15 season will be offered not at St. Paul’s, but at ACME Studio in Williamsburg with an option of two 8:00 p.m. performances: May 16, and 21.  Information at tickets at www.choralchameleon.com 
• CHORAL CHAMELEON SUMMER INSTITUTE CONCERT: June 19, at St. Paul’s.  This concert of new compositions interpreted by new directors is the climax of a week of workshops offered to rising musicians.  It is always an inspiring and exciting event.