I recently read an article about the ministry of the interim minister. The opening sentence was very familiar, but I needed to hear it again. “Always remember that the job of the interim priest is not about you, it is not about the former rector, it is not about the next rector, it is about Jesus.” Our mission and ministry together is about “restoring all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.” It is all about Jesus. This weekend the Vestry is holding its Retreat, via Zoom, with a concluding in-person gathering to share a meal and fellowship. We are blessed to have the Rev. Canon Jim Hanisian as our retreat leader. Jim is well known to us at St. Paul’s. He helped facilitate the work of the Strategic Planning Committee. He led a course on the theology of money that our clergy and three parishioners attended. He also preached a stirring sermon on stewardship back in October. What is the retreat about? It is about Jesus, of course. Jim will help us explore the five main duties of the Vestry 1. “To grow closer to God and to one another. 2. To support the ministry of the Rector. 3. Annually to pass a budget. 4. To vision for the future of the congregation. 5. To manage the Strategic Plan.” These are all in service to the furtherance of God’s Kingdom. The reason we are here is to proclaim the good news of God’s transforming love in a broken and hurting world.
We proclaim the good news of Jesus through Christian formation, outreach, fellowship, pastoral care, but most critically, in our corporate worship. In worship, we hear the story of salvation as it is revealed to us in the pages of Scripture. We confess our sins and receive absolution. We pray for our own needs and the needs of the world. We confess the faith. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. We share the bread of life and the cup of salvation. We go out into the world in peace to love and serve the Lord. It is all about Jesus.
Our worship schedule for Holy Week and Easter is as follows— (Please read carefully)
Palm Sunday, March 28, The Liturgy of the Palms & Holy Eucharist
- 8:30 a.m. This service will be conducted in the Church with limited seating of 75 people. You must make a reservation via Eventbrite in order to attend. Your temperature will be taken at the door and you must wear a mask and maintain physical distancing.
- 10:30 a.m. Outdoor service in the Parking Lot (No reservation needed)
Maundy Thursday, April 1, 7:00 p.m., Holy Eucharist and Stripping of the Altar
- This service will be conducted in the Church with limited seating of 75 people. You must make a reservation via Eventbrite in order to attend. Your temperature will be taken at the door and you must wear a mask and maintain physical distancing.
Good Friday, April 2, 12:00 p.m. The Liturgy for Good Friday
- This service will be conducted in the Church with limited seating of 75 people. You must make a reservation via Eventbrite in order to attend. Your temperature will be taken at the door and you must wear a mask and maintain physical distancing.
Easter Day, April 3 (3 services )
- 8:00 a.m. Spoken Eucharist
- 9:15 a.m. Choral Eucharist
- 11:00 a.m. Choral Eucharist
Each service will be conducted in the Church with limited seating of 75 people. You must make a reservation via Eventbrite in order to attend. You must wear a mask and maintain physical distancing.
Earlier this week you received an email from the Stewardship Committee letting you know about an anonymous donor who has offered to match up to $5000 for new donations to the St. Paul’s Endowment Fund. Please accept the “March Match-ness Challenge” and make a donation. Why? Because it is all about Jesus. This Fund ensures that St. Paul’s can continue its mission and ministry of sharing the good news for generations to come. The interest from this fund supports new ministries and enables us to make capital repairs and improvements. You can make a donation by mailing a check to St. Paul’s with “Endowment Challenge” written on the memo line or by going to our website and selecting the online payment option.
Be kind to one another. Stay safe. Keep the faith!
Peace,
Ray