Celebrating our Feast Day

Today is the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, our patronal feast day. Each parish of the Episcopal Church celebrates annually the Feast of its namesake; we will do so this coming Sunday. Most often (for churches named after saints) the feast day commemorates the day of that person’s death—the day they were born into heaven. But we have a unique feast, celebrating Paul’s conversion to Christianity. As you might expect, it is a great tale!

     The official history of our parish gives no hint as to why the parish was named for Paul, the fiery evangelist who wrote many of the letters that make up the latter half of the New Testament. He is known for his travels throughout the early church, for his focus on ministry beyond the Jewish community, and for the advice he doled out it in the Epistles.

      Do the writings and example of St. Paul hold a new message for us? What inspiration can we take from his life and work? Join us at St. Paul’s this Sunday, when we will explore the life and legacy of our patron saint. 

Collect

O God, by the preaching of your apostle Paul you have caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world: Grant, we pray, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show ourselves thankful to you by following his holy teaching; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Words of our Worship – Adult Study
Next Class: Tuesday January 28, 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 Building and Denominational Structure. 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 – This 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 –This Sunday, 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 suggestions are hearty soups and tomato sauce. 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 are given today in honor of the Pece and D’Ambrosio families, Naples, Italy.

Altar Flowers
If you would like to honor or remember a loved one by providing altar flowers, the following Sundays are available: 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 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

Next Sunday, February 2

Celebrant/Preacher:  The Rev. Sam Smith

8am:   Pam Drumm

10am: Diane Dillon, Greeter

           Jean Rousseau, Usher & Lector

           Kim Savery, Intercessor

           Ginny Willcox, Altar Guild

           Nancy King, Organist

Parish Prayer List

  • People we pray for on Sundays: Cecilia, Jane, Katrina, Sarah, Donnice
  • 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: Gideon’s Garden and Construct
  • Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: St. John’s, Athol
  • Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil
  • Birthdays: Dennis Ryan (29th), Sam Graulty (30th), Louisa Carmen (31st), Thomas Weston (Feb. 1st)
  • Anniversaries: Darryl Lafferty & Peter Wright (28th)