Happy Ascension Day, Everyone!
In the words of Scott Gunn, Executive Director of Forward Movement:
On this day, we celebrate the ascension of Jesus as he returned to his Father in heaven 40 days after Easter Day.
Celebrating the ascension of Jesus is less about the mechanics of his return than it is about the fact that Jesus is reigning with his Father—no longer confined by time and space. Jesus is, as Ephesians says, all in all. He is for all people for all time in all places.
We now have a Lord who loves us wherever we are, who abides in the church, and who is our advocate in heaven.
The heart of the Christian faith is a theological concept called the Paschal Mystery—the suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. By these acts, Jesus made possible our salvation, and not only our salvation but the salvation of the whole world. We just need to turn to him and accept this gift by believing.
His victory changes everything. Earthly tyrants no longer have dominion over us, nor does death itself. Instead, we live in a world that is defined by eternal grace and mercy.
That’s worth celebrating – the triumph of Jesus Christ over sin, evil, and death. “Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with a cry of joy.” (https://mailchi.mp/forwardmovement.org/forward-today-jesus-christ-fills-all-in-all?e=40feff38d8)
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Last Sunday (5/25), The 6th Sunday of Easter, our Gospel lesson offered a foreshadowing of Pentecost. Jesus shares the good news that, when he is gone, the Holy Spirit will be sent to the disciples to remind them of all the things Jesus taught them while he was on the earth. Not only was this good news for the early disciples; but it extends to us today!
Church on the Lake
This Sunday, June 1, we will be joining the congregation from 1st Presbyterian Church for Eucharist and a cookout at Pavillion 1 on Claremore Lake. The service will begin at 10:00am, followed by the cookout. The Presbyterian congregation will provide burgers and hot dogs, buns, condiments, ice, tea & water, plates, napkins & utensils. We have been asked to bring side items or desserts as well as our own chairs. Bring a friend and join us for church on the lake!
Watch Party
Later that same day….You’re invited to join us in the Parish Hall on Sunday evening, June 1, at 5:00pm, for a watch party! We will be watching a livestream service with Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe in the Episcopal Church Center chapel, during which he will bless all upcoming Episcopal Pride events and participants. We thought it would be nice to watch it together as a congregation! Popcorn, candy, and other snacks will be provided, so plan on joining us for some fun.
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I am thrilled to share with you the many exciting opportunities God has prepared for us during June and July; so, read on to find out how you can get involved!
Christian Formation: Summer Yoga with the Psalms
In June and July, we will be participating in the Good Book Club’s “Summer with the Psalms.” There are two separate but complimentary tracks for this study. Here is the link to the reading schedules: https://www.goodbookclub.org/readings/
Readings for Week 1 (beginning June 1)
- Track 1 – Psalms 1, 5, 9, 10, 11, 13, 17
- Track 2 – Psalms 1-17
Optional Activities:
In conjunction with this study, we will be hosting yoga classes in St. Paul’s Parish Hall at 7:00pm on Thursday evenings (beginning June 5). We have two instructors who will take turns guiding us through beginner-friendly yoga routines while helping us to focus on parts of our weekly Psalms. Don’t have a yoga mat? No problem; the instructors have extras. These classes will be FREE and open to the entire community, so spread the word and invite everyone you can!
The instructors do receive $30 per class, so the members of our St. Paul’s congregation are invited to sponsor one or more classes. If you wish to sponsor a class, you may place $30 in the offering plate or give it to our treasurer, Kaitlyn. Be sure to indicate that the money is for Summer Yoga with the Psalms.
In addition, these classes will be an opportunity for charitable giving. At each class, a basket/jar/collection plate will be provided wherein we will collect voluntary donations. At the end of July, all donations collected will be given to Meals on Wheels.
Pentecost BBQ at Grand Lake in Grove
Sunday, June 8, we will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 10am at St. Paul’s (on the front lawn if the weather permits). After the service, we’ll all load up for a road trip to Art & Linda Paul’s house in Grove for a BBQ by Grand Lake. Art will be grilling up some marvelous ribs for us, Linda will provide chicken and beverages, and the rest of us will bring side items and/or desserts. What a fantastic opportunity to relax and enjoy each other’s company, so don something red to celebrate Pentecost and join us for food and fun!
Grace UMC Mobile Food Pantry
The date of the next visit by the Grace UMC food truck has been set for Wednesday, June 11, from 3-6 pm. They will arrive around 2pm to set up, and if there are still several people arriving at 6:00, we may extend the hours a bit. There is always plenty to do if you are available to help out during any of the allotted time. They can use help setting up at 2:00, help assisting people with paperwork and with shopping for and loading groceries, help keeping the workers fed and hydrated, and help breaking down at the end of the event; so, if you are available for any or all of this time, come along. It is always fun!
PRIDE in the Park
Saturday, June 21, from 3-9pm, St. Paul’s will host a booth at the Claremore Pride Festival to be held at the park on Claremore Lake. Come one, come all, to celebrate love and community and the fact that ALLpeople are created in God’s image!
PRIDE Mass
Speaking of celebrations…. In honor of PRIDE month, and to round out the Saturday festivities, our service on Sunday, June 22, will be a PRIDE Mass. It will be a customary Episcopal Eucharistic service; but the lessons and prayers a specifically suited to supporting the LGBTQIA2+ community. As such, feel free to wear your shirts, buttons, and pins that show your love for all God’s people to church that day. After the service, we will – of course! – feed all who are in attendance!
T-shirts, Get Your St. Paul’s T-shirts!
We are placing an order for new St. Paul’s t-shirts. Shirts are a pale blue and have the Episcopal shield, church name and location, and our motto: “Here you will be loved.” If you want one, the cost is $17.25 (more for 2x & 3x) per shirt. Let us know what size you need and have your money turned in no later than June 8. (Note: shirts are 100% cotton, so some shrinking will occur upon first wash.) Shirts will be in on time to wear them to the Pride festival and/or Pride Mass!
Meals on Wheels Needs Volunteer Drivers
For those of you who may not be aware, the metal building on the east side of our church parking lot is rented from us (at a very reasonable rate!) by Meals on Wheels. We have a history of supporting this organization; but lately it has fallen a bit by the wayside. However, in addition to the donations we will be collecting for them over the next couple of months, it has come to our attention that they are in need of volunteer drivers.
The job is simple and does not require a lot of time. They deliver meals on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. Drivers meet at the building to collect the groceries at about 9:45am, and are finished making deliveries by around 11:00am. If you, or anyone you know, is available on any of these days to volunteer in this capacity, please let Rev. Nancy know. If there are enough of us available and willing, perhaps we can form delivery teams – what fun!
Let Us Pray
- That our parishioners will exemplify God’s love and peace during this time when so much religious, social, and political unrest plagues our community, nation, and world
- For all individuals living in fear due to new executive orders and mandates being imposed
- For the safety of all individuals involved with the Claremore Pride in the Park event
- For all students and school personnel, especially those graduating this month
- For Ukraine and Russia
- For Israel and Palestine
- For Lucas/ John/ Kaitlyn/ Patty/ Karen/ Lee/ Nathan/ Tammy Morales/ Cynthia Woods/ Chris/ Rose/ Brady/ Zachary/ Donna/ Justin/ Robert/ Lenny/ John/ Cooper/ Josh/ Steven/ Connor/ Pastor James Coulter and Mt. Zion Baptist Church
If you have prayer requests to add to the Newsletter, email them to Clergy@stpaulsclaremore.org
Save the Dates
- Sunday, June 1 – Multi-denominational church service & cook-out at Claremore Lake @ 10:00am; 7th Sunday of Easter
- Sunday, June 1 – Watch Party with popcorn, candy, and other snacks in the Parish Hall @ 5:00pm
- Thursdays, June 5 – July 31 @ 7:00pm – Summer Yoga with the Psalms in the Parish Hall
- Sunday, June 8 – Holy Eucharist @ 10:00am on the front lawn (weather permitting); Day of Pentecost; last day to order t-shirts; BBQ at Art & Linda Paul’s house by Grand lake in Grove
- Wednesday, June 11 – Grace UMC Mobile Food Pantry at St. Paul’s from 3-6 (-ish) pm
- Sunday, June 15 – Holy Eucharist @ 10:00am in the Nave; 1st Sunday after Pentecost/Trinity Sunday; Deacon Linda Paul to preach
- Saturday, June 21 – Rogers County PRIDE in the Park festival at Claremore Lake from 3-9pm
- Sunday, June 22 – Holy Eucharist @ 10:00am; 2nd Sunday after Pentecost; PRIDE Mass
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