Breaking Chains
This week’s reading from Paul’s second letter to Timothy (2 Timothy 2:8-15) includes a phrase that really struck me: “the word of God is not chained.” What a profound observation! I imagine the power this statement has had for enslaved people through the centuries. But it is also fuel for us.
Sometimes in our lives we may feel captive to unfavorable forces—to a job that isn’t fulfilling, to an economic system that seems unfair, to a body that betrays us through sickness or injury, or to other painful and unjust occurrences. Paul reminds us that even in moments of pain, God offers us unfettered promise through the scriptures, and through the living Word—Christ Jesus. Paul speaks of the promise that is ours even when we endure hardship: God remains faithful to us. This doesn’t make suffering holy; rather it reminds us that we have a promise beyond our pain, and that God will not abandon us.
Welcome to St. Paul’s, where we’re learning to lean into God’s grace in moments of difficulty.
Collect
Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Altar Flowers are given in memory of Anna Pilling.
Lee Food Pantry
This week’s food pantry
suggestion is cereal. Please bring this or other non-perishable food items
with you to church on Sunday to share with those in need in our community. (Suggested items for next week are: canned
fruits and vegetables). St. Paul’s will volunteer at the Lee Food Pantry this Saturday, October 12th.
Audio Sermons Now
Available Online
Father Sam’s sermons are now available online in an audio format in
addition to the written format. Visit our website and
click on the link for the Sunday sermon you are interested in. Here is the
sermon from October
6th.
Gospel of Matthew – Bible Study
Continuing Next
Tuesday, October 15, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Our third of six sessions will focus on the
teachings of Jesus, chapter 3 of the accompanying book, Conversations with Scripture: The Gospel of Matthew, by John Yieh
(published by Morehouse Publishing and available new, used, or electronically
from Amazon). Please feel free to join
in even if you haven’t read the book or can’t get to every session. Questions?
Ask Father Sam.
You’re Invited
Baroque Concert –
This Saturday, October 12 at 5:00 pm.
The concert promises to be a real
Baroque extravaganza with music from the late 16th and early 17th centuries (a
very experimental period in the history of music) and will feature Emily Hale,
Baroque violin, Anne Legêne, viola da gamba, and Mariken Palmboom, harpsichord.
The program will end with a not so often heard sonata by J.S. Bach. Donations
will be gratefully accepted.
Mark Your Calendars!
- Sat., October 12 St. Paul’s will volunteer at the Lee Food Pantry at 10:00 a.m.
- Sat., October 12 Baroque Concert at 5:00 p.m.
- Tues., October 15 Bible Study at 6:00 p.m.
- Sun., November 17 Stewardship In Gathering
Worship Teams (If you exchange shifts with someone, please notify the Church Office by Thursday morning at stpaulsstockbridge@gmail.com.)
This Sunday, October 13
| Celebrant/Preacher: | The Rev. Sam Smith |
| 8 am: | Pam Drumm |
| 10 am: | Anne Covell, Greeter |
| Bill Higgins, Usher & Lector | |
| Vaunie Graulty, Intercessor | |
| Tracy Johnson, Altar Guild | |
| Anne Covell & Bill Higgins, Hospitality | |
| Ron Hanft, Organist |
Next Sunday, October 20
| Celebrant: | The Rev. Sam Smith |
| Preacher: | The Rev. Jane Tillman |
| 8 am: | Jorja Marsden |
| 10 am: | Vaunie Graulty, Greeter |
| Tom Skakel, Usher | |
| Kim Savery, Lector | |
| Ginny Willcox, Intercessor & Altar Guild | |
| Don Cook & Tim Swingle, Hospitality | |
| Nancy King, Organist | |
| Virgil Stucker, Native American Flute |
Parish Prayer List
- People we pray for on Sundays: Cecilia
- 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: St. Paul’s Children’s Center
- Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Church of the Reconciliation, Webster
- Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Church of the Province of West Africa
- Birthdays: Jean Rousseau & Anne Skakel (11th), Tom Race (13th), Faith Savery & Ruslan Sprague (17th)
- Anniversaries: Matt & Danielle Fillio (13th)