What’s Your Star?

January 6 is marked on the church calendar as the Feast of the Epiphany—the commemoration of the visit of the Magi to the Christ child. We will “transfer” that celebration to this Sunday.

     We are all familiar with the elements of this story: Wise folk from the East, a disgruntled king in Jerusalem, and, of course, the star. What exactly was that light that the Magi followed to the manger in Bethlehem? Explanations abound on the Internet: perhaps it was an alignment of planets, or a comet, or even a rare supernova.

     But the “what” probably isn’t important; more important is that the Magi read the signs and followed the star’s beckoning. In this new year, what is your star? What are you being called to follow? As Christians, we believe that God is still speaking, and it is our job to listen—and working to achieve attentiveness to the voice of God is the task of a lifetime.

     Welcome to St. Paul’s, where Christ’s love is our guiding star.

Collect

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Join us for our next adult study
Words of our Worship – Four Tuesday Evenings, 6:00-7:30 pm, beginning January 14.
Episcopalians love using specific language for various aspects of our communal life. Our next adult study will use that specialized vocabulary as a launching point for a general explanation of Anglicanism. Each week will focus on a different aspect of churchmanship:

  • – The Eucharist and Liturgy
  • – The Church Year
  • – Building and Denominational Structure
  • – Theology

Each session will also delve into some specific theological concepts and will include a “Stump the Priest” Q&A session. No need to register ahead; join us for any or every one of the four consecutive 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.

Lee Food Pantry: This Sunday’s food pantry suggestion is tuna. 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. St. Paul’s will volunteer at the Lee Food Pantry next Saturday, January 11 at 10:00 a.m.

The 2020 Census is fast approaching. Data collected in the census will inform the distribution of more than $675 billion in federal funds to states and communities each year for things like infrastructure, health care, and food assistance. It’s important that we all respond to shape the future of our communities. Learn more at 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 5

Celebrant/Preacher: The Rev. Sam Smith

8am:   Jorja Marsden

10am: Diana French, Greeter

           Tom Skakel, Usher

           Don Temples, Lector

           Ginny Willcox, Intercessor

           Natalie Boyce, Altar Guild

           Libby & Jim Wade, Hospitality

           Nancy King, Organist

Next Sunday, January 12

Celebrant:  The Rev. Sam Smith

Preacher:   The Rev. Jane Tillman

8am:   Pamm Drumm

10am: Natalie Boyce, Greeter

           Peter Dillon, Usher

           Diana French, Lector

           Bill Higgins, Intercessor

           Robin Race, Altar Guild

           Diana Frency & Patty Mellvile, Hospitality

           Nancy King, Organist

Parish Prayer List

  • People we pray for on Sundays: Cecilia,  Patricia and David
  • 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: Lee Food Pantry and Berkshire Community Diaper Project
  • Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: St. David’s, Agawam
  • Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia
  • Birthdays: Sarah Ginocchio & Diana French (4th), Chris Johnson (10th)