Come and See
In this week’s reading from the Gospel of John (John 1:29-42) we hear of Christ’s first encounter with some of the disciples. Actually, it seems that some of them were disciples of John the Baptist first; after meeting Jesus, they change their alliance!
    Why the change of allegiance? Well, the clue comes in Christ’s non sequitur response to their simple question. They ask where he is staying, and Jesus replies, “Come and see.” Jesus says this several times in John’s gospel. The disciples are invited to witness firsthand the work of God incarnated in Jesus Christ. And what they see makes them followers of Christ.
      Jesus also invites us to come and see: To open our eyes to the power of God’s activity in our world. He reminds us that the evidence of God’s love is all around us. And that love has the power to change us—to make us into reflections of love for the sake of the whole world.
     Welcome to St. Paul’s, where we help each other answer Christ’s call to come and see. 

Collect
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Altar Flowers are given this week in memory of Michael Hedges.

Words of our Worship – Adult Study
Next Class: Tuesday January 21, 6:00-7:30 pm
Episcopalians love using specific language for various aspects of our communal life. Our adult study will use that specialized vocabulary as a launching point for a general explanation of Anglicanism. This week we will focus on The Church Year. Join us for any or every one of the three remaining Tuesdays in the Church. Questions? Ask Father Sam. If there are concerns about weather, attendees should check the front page of the website for cancellations, www.stpaulsstockbridge.com.

Join us for our Annual Meeting – Sunday, January 26, following the 9:00 a.m. service
The Annual Meeting is an important event in the life of any Episcopal Church. We gather to do the official business of the church, but more than that, we tell the story of the past year and begin to write the story of the new one. We will have one service only at 9:00 a.m. in the church, followed by a potluck brunch and a brief meeting in the parish house, ending around 11:30. Please bring food to share as well as your story!

Paint & Sip to benefit St. Paul’s Children’s Center –January 26, 1:00 p.m.
Learn how to paint a serene image of “Two Pines Pond” on a large 16×20 canvas at the Cork ‘N Hearth, 635 Laurel Street, Lenox. All painting materials, donation and snacks included. Beverages will be available for purchase. To reserve seats call (413) 205-8346 or go to https://berkshirepaintandsip.squarespace.com/deliveries/sun-126-1pm-open-to-the-public-two-pines-pond-lenox-ma

Lee Food Pantry: This Sunday’s food pantry suggestion is peanut butter. When you shop this week, please consider buying a few items to bring to church next Sunday, to share with those in need in our community. (Please be sure that food you bring for the pantry has not expired – we are not able to give away food beyond its freshness date.)

Altar Flowers
If you would like to honor or remember a loved one by providing altar flowers, the following Sundays are available: Jan. 26, Feb. 23, Apr. 19, Jun. 7, Aug. 23, Nov. 29 & Dec. 20. To sign up, please email stpaulsstockbridge@gmail.com and tell us the date you’d like to reserve, the wording of the announcement, and whether or not you’d like the office to order the flowers for you (cost is $60).

For the first time, in 2020 the U.S. Census Bureau will accept responses online. The process will be quick and secure. You can respond to the census in less time than it takes to finish your morning coffee. You’ll still be able to respond by mail. To learn more about what to expect, visit 2020census.gov.

Worship Teams (If you exchange shifts with someone, please notify the Church Office by Thursday morning at stpaulsstockbridge@gmail.com.)

This Sunday, January 19

Celebrant/Preacher:  The Rev. Sam Smith

8am:   Jorja Marsden

10am: Matt Fillio, Greeter

           Natalie Boyce, Usher

           Peter Dillon, Lector

           Nancy Murray, Intercessor

           Jennifer Carmichael, Altar Guild

           Diane Dillon & Anne Skakel, Hospitality

           Nancy King, Organist

Next Sunday, January 26 – Annual Meeting – One Service Only at 9:00 a.m.

Celebrant: The Rev. Jane Tillman

Preacher:  The Rev. Sam Smith

9am:   Matt Fillio, Greeter

           Chris Johnson, Usher

           Martha Bodine, Lector

           Vaunie Graulty, Intercessor

           Tracy Johnson, Altar Guild

           Mari Enoch, Organist

Parish Prayer List

  • People we pray for on Sundays: Cecilia, Jane, Katrina, Sarah
  • Long-term prayer list: George, Jeff, David, Doug, Barbara, Charles, ZsuZsa, Tom, Rich, Ronnie, Karen, Michael, Christy, John, George, Khali
  • Our partners at Grace Church, Great Barrington and the Rev. Janet Zimmerman; Trinity Episcopal/Christ Lutheran, Sheffield and the Rev. Erik Karas; the Austen Riggs community and the Riverbrook Residence; victims of violence, abuse, persecution and disaster at home and abroad
  • Outreach Ministries of the Week: Cathedral of the Beloved
  • Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: St. John’s, Ashfield
  • Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Church of Bangladesh
  • Birthdays: Valerie Takai (17th), Katie Race, Valerie Race & John Davies (19th)