Month: November 2023

  • St. Paul’s Newsletter – November 30

    Advent greetings, Dear Ones!

    The Season of Hope

    Last Sunday (11/26), our sermon reminded us that every person is a reflection of Christ – what a fabulous affirmation!

    This Sunday (12/03), marks the beginning of Advent. The first candle in our Advent wreath will be lit – that which symbolizes hope. Sometimes called the Prophecy candle, this reminds us of the foretelling of the birth of Christ by the Old Testament prophets, and of all the promises God gave us which would be fulfilled in the birth of Jesus.

    To mark this liturgical season, we will celebrate using Rite I during our Sunday Eucharistic services.

    Way of Love in Advent – Week 1

    The Way of Love is a program which emphasises setting aside time each day to focus on living a Jesus-centered life. The seven practices of the Way of Love are

    • Turn – pause, listen, and choose to follow Jesus
    • Learn – reflect on scripture each day
    • Pray – dwell intentionally with God each day
    • Worship – gather in community weekly to thank, praise, and dwell with God
    • Bless – share faith, and unselfishly give and serve
    • Go – cross boundaries, listen deeply, and live like Jesus
    • Rest – receive the gift of God’s grace, peace, and restoration

    The Way of Love invites us to a rule of life that leads to incarnating Divine Love in the world, so it is appropriate to initiate a journey on the Way of Love during Advent, the season we slow down to get ready to welcome Jesus, God incarnate, anew. Now, and through December 24, multiple opportunities to participate in the Way of Love series will be offered. Ron Parker will post daily thoughts on Facebook and Instagram; both he and Shelby Mancell will collaborate to post a devotional video on Wednesday of each week; and, together, we will journey through the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke in these weekly newsletters (so stay tuned).

    This week, you are all invited to focus on The Annunciation: Saying “Yes” to the journey (Luke 1:26-38). You are encouraged to read and reflect on this passage of scripture daily. Mary’s “yes” to her encounter with the angel is a model for our own yes to the Way of Love. We, too, are called to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Saying “yes” to the Way of Love, to Jesus, is one of the most countercultural things we can do today. It is just as countercultural as Mary’s “yes” more than two thousand years ago to birth the infant Jesus. Saying “yes” to our own call to the Way of Love is scary. It may be just as frightening as Mary’s. We may not know the implications of saying yes just as surely as Mary did not know. We can never be fully prepared for the magnificent journey with Jesus. It is sure to transform our lives. Like Mary, we are called to say “yes” to this impossibility made possible.

     • Where have you heard the invitation to say yes to birthing good news in the world?

     • When has such an invitation perplexed or frightened you?

     • How can each of the practices be seen as an invitation to say “yes” to the journey?

    Prayer for the Week: Holy One, who makes the impossible possible, open my ears to hear you calling me to birth new life into the world. Grant me, through the power of the Spirit, the courage of Mary to respond with “yes” so that your Word may dwell in my heart; through your son Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

    Faithful Innovation

    How do we discover God’s mission in the world beyond our congregations? What is God calling us into? Where might we meet Lydia along the way? Faithful Innovation is a program designed to help congregations (especially small ones) discover new ways in which they might begin to move out into their communities. 

    Next Saturday, December 9, members of our congregation will meet with The Rev. Canon Steve Carlson, Canon for Congregational Vitality, in the Parish Hall from 10am – 2pm for the first of three Faithful Innovation training sessions. Subsequent meetings will take place at various locations on the following dates: Saturday, January 27, 2024, and Saturday, April 27, 2024.

    Anyone interested in participating in this collaboration is welcome to join us. Lunch will be provided.

    Sunday School

    On Sundays at 8:30am, Fr. Bill is leading us in a discussion of the book, The Practice of Prayer, by Margaret Guenther. Last week, we learned about several different forms of prayer (some quite ancient), and practiced Ignation Prayer together. Anyone interested in learning new (and old) ways of improving your prayer life is welcome to attend.

    December 24 Marks the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve

    Did you know that Advent IV and Christmas Eve only fall on the same day approximately every six years? In fact, depending on how leap years affect the calendar, this may happen as infrequently as every 11 years. This year marks one of these rare occasions; so on Sunday, December 24, we will forego our regularly scheduled morning service and have only one service in the evening – at 5:30pm – to celebrate the blending of these two special occasions.

    International Student Ministry

    Canon Betsy, Rev. Nancy, and Barry Clark (RSU’s International Student Coordinator) are working together to establish a new ministry on the RSU campus. It will involve volunteers from St. Paul’s who are willing to befriend students from other countries. The implementation of this ministry will be fairly simple. Volunteers will

    • meet students face-to-face to exchange contact information
    • call or text students to check in once a week
    • get together once a month for an off-campus activity
    • be required to complete the free and easy Safe Church (formerly Safeguarding God’s People) training

    If you are interested in being a volunteer for this exciting ministry opportunity, contact Rev. Nancy.

    Fr. Bill Announces Retirement

    How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace ~ Romans 10:15

    Our own Father Bill Martin has announced that he will be retiring soon; so please join us as we celebrate his service to St. Paul’s! The Rev. Canon Betsy Randall will be with us for this momentous occasion which will take place on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 9:30am. We will, of course, cap off the event with a wonderful meal after the service. Please make plans to attend so we can show Fr. Bill and Carole how much we love and appreciate them. What a blessing it has been to have had them with us; they will be missed!

    Let Us Pray

    • Lift up all those traveling throughout the holiday season
    • Pray for the victims of the war in Ukraine
    • Remember the victims of the war in Gaza
    • Pray for our congregation as we explore our dreams and discern where God is leading us next.
    • For the needs of the members, family, and friends of our congregation, specifically Nancy S/ Velma/ Jim/ Judy/ Ani/ Aaron Blum/ Robert/ Jim Walker/ Lloyd/ Patricia/ Marie/ Russell/ Virginia/ Barbara/ Grace/ Lauren/ Cindy/ Anne & her family/ Sarah/ Matthew & Rushda/ Christoph & Jenn/ Teddy & family/ Linda, Ken, & their family/ Amy, Bill, & their family/ Stephen/ John/ Tom Patterson/ Jan/ Tom/ Bob & family/ Jean/ Al/ Carol W/ Mark/ Caroline & Rudy/ Bicky & Spencer/ Brian/ Pat/ Mark H/ Mike/ Chris

    If you have prayer requests you’d like to add to the Newsletter, email them to Clergy@stpaulsclaremore.org or reply to this email.

    Save the Dates 

    • Sunday, December 3 – First Sunday of Advent: Hope
    • Saturday, December 9 @ 10:00am – Faithful Innovation (Parish Hall)
    • Sunday, December 17 – Decorate for Christmas Eve service
    • Sunday, December 24 @ 5:30pm – Advent IV/Christmas Eve Service (no AM service)
    • Sunday, January 7, 2024 – 1st Sunday after Epiphany, and Fr. Bill’s retirement celebration
    • Saturday, January 27, 2024 @ 10am – Faithful Innovation (location TBA)
    • Tuesday, February 13, 2024 – Shrove Tuesday
    • Wednesday, February 14, 2024 – Ash Wednesday
    • Sunday, February 18, 2024 – 1st Sunday of Lent
    • Sunday, March 10, 2024 – The Rev. Canon Steve Carlson will be celebrating with us
    • March 24-30, 2024 – Holy Week
    • Sunday, March 31, 2024 – Easter
    • Saturday, April 27, 2024 @ 10am – Faithful Innovation (location TBA)

    St. Paul’s Online

    Check us out! Like us! Share us! Follow us!

    Find us on Facebook at St Paul’s Episcopal Church | Facebook

    Follow us on Instagram at St Paul’s Episcopal Church Claremore (@stpaulsclaremore) • Instagram photos and videos

  • Way of Love Advent 11/29/23

    Shelby introduces our Way of Love Advent program this week defining the key points and the ways you may be able to follow along on this Advent Journey.

  • Sermon 11/26/23

    Fr Bill Martin’s Sermon

  • St. Paul’s Newsletter – November 23

    Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

    Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. ~ Psalm 100:4-5

    Preparing for Christ the King

    Last Sunday (11/19), the gospel lesson compared the Kingdom of Heaven to a wealthy landowner preparing to go on a journey. The prophet Zephaniah reminded us that “the great day of the Lord is near.” 

    This week (11/26), our reading from the gospel of Matthew tells of events to come “When the Son of Man comes in his glory.” What is one thing you can do this week to prepare yourself, and those around you, for that great day?

    International Student Ministry

    Canon Betsy, Rev. Nancy, and Barry Clark (RSU’s International Student Coordinator) are working together to establish a new ministry on the RSU campus. It will involve volunteers from St. Paul’s who are willing to befriend students from other countries. The implementation of this ministry will be fairly simple. Volunteers will

    • meet students face-to-face to exchange contact information
    • call or text students to check in once a week
    • get together once a month for an off-campus activity
    • be required to complete the free and easy Safe Church (formerly Safeguarding God’s People) training

    If you are interested in being a volunteer for this exciting ministry opportunity, contact Rev. Nancy.

    Way of Love in Advent

    The Way of Love is a program which emphasises setting aside time each day to focus on living a Jesus-centered life. The seven practices of the Way of Love are

    • Turn – pause, listen, and choose to follow Jesus
    • Learn – reflect on scripture each day
    • Pray – dwell intentionally with God each day
    • Worship – gather in community weekly to thank, praise, and dwell with God
    • Bless – share faith, and unselfishly give and serve
    • Go – cross boundaries, listen deeply, and live like Jesus
    • Rest – receive the gift of God’s grace, peace, and restoration

    The WOL Advent series accents these practices as they pertain to the liturgical season of awaiting the coming of Christ. Beginning November 29, and through December 24, multiple opportunities to participate in the Way of Love series will be offered. Ron Parker will post daily thoughts on Facebook and Instagram; both he and Shelby Mancell will collaborate to post a devotional video each week; and our Sunday School (Christian Formation) class will journey through the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke. 

    December 24 Marks the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve

    Did you know that Advent IV and Christmas Eve only fall on the same day approximately every six years? In fact, depending on how leap years affect the calendar, this may happen as infrequently as every 11 years. This year marks one of these rare occasions; so on Sunday, December 24, we will forego our regularly scheduled morning service and have only one service in the evening – at 5:30pm – to celebrate the blending of these two special occasions.

    Fr. Bill Announces Retirement

    How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace ~ Romans 10:15

    Our own Father Bill Martin has announced that he will be retiring soon; so please join us as we celebrate his service to St. Paul’s! The Rev. Canon Betsy Randall will be with us for this momentous occasion which will take place on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 9:30am. We will, of course, cap off the event with a wonderful meal after the service. Please make plans to attend so we can show Fr. Bill and Carole how much we love and appreciate them. What a blessing it has been to have had them with us; they will be missed!

    Let Us Pray

    • Lift up all those traveling throughout the holiday season
    • Pray for Velma Landley (Babara’s mom) as she recovers from a fall
    • Doris has asked that we pray for the health of her son, Jim
    • Remember the victims of the Israel-Hamas war
    • Pray for our congregation as we explore our dreams and discern where God is leading us next.
    • Verna has requested prayer for Robert.
    • Keep Lloyd Bajon in your prayers as he recovers from a horse riding accident.

    If you have prayer requests you’d like to add to the Newsletter, email them to Clergy@stpaulsclaremore.org or reply to this email.

    Save the Dates 

    • Sunday, November 26 – The Feast of Christ the King
    • Monday, November 27 @ Noon – Birthday celebration for Velma Landley 
    • Wednesday, November 29 – WOL in Advent begins online
    • Sunday, December 3 – First Sunday of Advent; WOL in Advent begins in Sunday School
    • Sunday, December 24 @ 5:30pm – Advent IV/Christmas Eve Service (no AM service)
    • Sunday, January 7, 2024 – Fr. Bill’s retirement celebration

    St. Paul’s Online

    Check us out! Like us! Share us! Follow us!

    Find us on Facebook at St Paul’s Episcopal Church | Facebook

    Follow us on Instagram at St Paul’s Episcopal Church Claremore (@stpaulsclaremore) • Instagram photos and videos

  • Sermon 11/19/23

    Fr. Bill Martin’s Sermon 11/19/23

  • St. Paul’s Newsletter – November 16

    Greetings & salutations, People of St. Paul’s!

    Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

    Annual Thanksgiving Potluck

    This Sunday, November 19, St. Paul’s will host our annual Thanksgiving Dinner. This is a great opportunity to extend hospitality to our family, friends, and neighbors who normally would not attend church, so invite someone to come and break bread with us (we’ll even overlook it if they don’t come to church first)!

    Recognition of Veterans

    Last Sunday (11/12), we prayed for those who have served in our armed forces. We are so grateful to those who have put their own lives on the line for the safety of ours. If you know or meet a veteran, be sure to thank them for their service.

         This week (11/19), the prophet Zephaniah reminds us that “the great day of the Lord is near,” and our gospel      lesson reminds us to be good stewards of the gifts we are given – both good lessons to remember as we      navigate this season of “the in between.”

    International Student Ministry

    Canon Betsy, Rev. Nancy, and Barry Clark (RSU’s International Student Coordinator) are working together to establish a new ministry on the RSU campus. It will involve volunteers from St. Paul’s who are willing to befriend students from other countries. The implementation of this ministry will be fairly simple. Volunteers will

    • meet students face-to-face to exchange contact information
    • call or text students to check in once a week
    • get together once a month for an off-campus activity
    • be required to complete the free and easy Safe Church (formerly Safeguarding God’s People) training

    If you are interested in being a volunteer for this exciting ministry opportunity, contact Rev. Nancy.

    Way of Love in Advent

    The Way of Love is a program which emphasises setting aside time each day to focus on living a Jesus-centered life. The seven practices of the Way of Love are

    • Turn – pause, listen, and choose to follow Jesus
    • Learn – reflect on scripture each day
    • Pray – dwell intentionally with God each day
    • Worship – gather in community weekly to thank, praise, and dwell with God
    • Bless – share faith, and unselfishly give and serve
    • Go – cross boundaries, listen deeply, and live like Jesus
    • Rest – receive the gift of God’s grace, peace, and restoration

    The WOL Advent series accents these practices as they pertain to the liturgical season of awaiting the coming of Christ. Beginning November 29, and through December 24, multiple opportunities to participate in the Way of Love series will be offered. Ron Parker will post daily thoughts on Facebook and Instagram; both he and Shelby Mancell will collaborate to post a devotional video each week; and our Sunday School (Christian Formation) class will journey through the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke. 

    December 24 Marks the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve

    Did you know that Advent IV and Christmas Eve only fall on the same day approximately every six years? In fact, depending on how leap years affect the calendar, this may happen as infrequently as every 11 years. This year marks one of these rare occasions; so on Sunday, December 24, we will forego our regularly scheduled morning service and have only one service in the evening – at 5:30pm – to celebrate the blending of these two special occasions.

    Fr. Bill Announces Retirement

    How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace ~ Romans 10:15

    Our own Father Bill Martin has announced that he will be retiring soon; so please join us as we celebrate his service to St. Paul’s! The Rev. Canon Betsy Randall will be with us for this momentous occasion which will take place on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 9:30am. We will, of course, cap off the event with a wonderful meal after the service. Please make plans to attend so we can show Fr. Bill and Carole how much we love and appreciate them. What a blessing it has been to have had them with us; they will be missed!

    Let Us Pray

    • Lift up all those traveling throughout the holiday season
    • Pray for Velma Landley (Babara’s mom) as she recovers from a fall
    • Doris has asked that we pray for the health of her son, Jim
    • Remember the victims of the Israel-Hamas war
    • Pray for our congregation as we explore our dreams and discern where God is leading us next.
    • Verna has requested prayer for Robert.
    • Keep Lloyd Bajon in your prayers as he recovers from a horse riding accident.

    If you have prayer requests you’d like to add to the Newsletter, email them to Clergy@stpaulsclaremore.org

    Save the Dates 

    • Sunday, November 19 – Annual Thanksgiving Potluck
    • Monday, November 27 – Birthday celebration for Velma Landley (stay tuned for more details!)
    • Wednesday, November 29 – WOL in Advent begins
    • Sunday, December 3 – First Sunday of Advent
    • Sunday, December 24 @ 5:30pm – Advent IV/Christmas Eve Service (no AM service)
    • Sunday, January 7, 2024 – Fr. Bill’s retirement celebration

    St. Paul’s Online

    Check us out! Like us! Share us! Follow us!

    Find us on Facebook at St Paul’s Episcopal Church | Facebook

    Follow us on Instagram at St Paul’s Episcopal Church Claremore (@stpaulsclaremore) • Instagram photos and videos

  • Sermon 11/12/23

    Rev. Nancy Gill’s Sermon

  • St. Paul’s Newsletter – November 9

    Greetings, St. Paul’s Family!

    No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ~ John 15:13

    Recognition of Veterans

    Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11. The day that honors those who served began in 1919 as Armistice Day. Veterans Day marks November 11, 1918, as the date – the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month – when fighting ceased and World War I ended.

    Join us at 9:30 a.m. this Sunday, November 12, as we recognize and pray for our veterans during our service. 

    Visit by the Canon to the Ordinary

    Last Sunday (11/05), The Reverend Canon Betsy Randall, Canon to the Ordinary, was with us as we observed All Saints’ & All Souls Days. After the service, she stayed for an encouraging and informative conversation during coffee hour. She assured us that, from her observations, she believes that St. Paul’s Claremore is on a very exciting path of ministry within our community – with many opportunities yet to be discovered!

         Our prayer continues: Oh, that God will bless us indeed, and enlarge our territory, that God’s hand will be

         with us, and keep us from evil and harm. ~ 1 Chronicles 4:10

    Way of Love

    Last Wednesday (11/08) was the final session in the 9-week Way of Love series. Shelby Mancell led us in a concluding discussion on how committing to living this way of life has, and can continue to, change our lives and the lives of those with whom we come into contact.

    Though this 9-week series has reached its conclusion, we will be learning more about the Way of Love during the season of Advent. Ron Parker and Shelby Mancell will be collaborating to present a series of videos and Facebook/Instagram posts which will take a closer look at the lectionary readings of Advent as they relate to the seven topics within the Way of Love curriculum. Stay tuned!

    Sunday Morning Formation

    On Sunday mornings at 8:30, Fr. Bill is leading discussions on the book The Practice of Prayer. According to author Margaret Guenther, you don’t have to be one of the great spiritual Mystics to reap the benefits of prayer.  Anyone interested in joining the class is welcome! 


    Let Us Pray

    • We offer prayers of thanksgiving for those who have served in our armed forces.
    • Remember the victims of the Israel-Hamas war
    • Pray for our congregation as we explore our dreams and discern where God is leading us next.
    • Verna has requested prayer for Robert.
    • Keep Lloyd Bajon in your prayers as he recovers from a horse riding accident.
    • If you have prayer requests you’d like to add to the Newsletter, email them to Clergy@stpaulsclaremore.org or reply to this email

    Save the Dates 

    • Sunday, November 12 – Recognition of veterans
    • Sunday, November 12 – Bishop’s Committee Meeting
    • Sunday, December 3 – Advent begins
  • Sermon 11/5/23

    We were honored to have a visit from The Rev. Canon Betsy Randall this Sunday. Here is her sermon.

  • St. Paul’s Newsletter – November 2

    Greetings, Dear Ones!

    This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it! ~ Psalm 118:24

    Welcome November!

    Did you know… 

    • In the Roman calendar, November was the ninth month until January and February were added, causing it to move to the 11th month.
    • November got its name from “novem” which is Latin for the number nine.

    Observed in November:

    • World’s Diabetes Day
    • Veterans Day
    • American Indian Heritage Month
    • Thanksgiving
    • Aviation month
    • National Peanut Butter Lover’s Month
    • American Diabetes Awareness Month

    For more fun facts, visit Fun November Facts & Trivia – Original Works

    Which Commandment is the Greatest?

    Last Sunday (10/29), our sermon was about what Jesus declared to be the greatest commandments: Love God, and love others as yourself – six simple words, easily memorized; not always as easy to do. But imagine how our world might be different if everyone were to strive to live by these commands. May we take them to heart and be the Christ we wish to see in our community.

    All Saints’ Day & Visit by the Canon to the Ordinary

    This Sunday (11/05), we will observe All Saints’ Day. Join us as we commemorate this “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) by which we are surrounded.

    The Reverend Canon Betsy Randall, Canon to the Ordinary, will be with us to preach and celebrate. She will also be available for a Q&A session during coffee hour after the service is concluded. We hope you are able to join us for this very special day. 

    Recognition of Veterans

    Join us Sunday, November 12, as we recognize and pray for our veterans. If you know anyone who has previously served in the Armed Forces that you would like to have mentioned during our prayers, please send their names to Clergy@stpaulsclaremore.org  

    Sunday Morning Formation

    On Sunday mornings at 8:30, Fr. Bill is leading discussions on the book The Practice of Prayer. According to author Margaret Guenther, you don’t have to be one of the great spiritual Mystics to reap the benefits of prayer.  Anyone interested in joining the class is welcome! 

    Way of Love Wednesdays

    The Way of Love is a formation series in which participants discover and discuss reasons and ways to intentionally live a Jesus-centered life.

    This week (11/01), our discussion focused on how rest helps us to live a life more centered on Jesus. In rest, we receive the gift of God’s grace, peace, and restoration. From the beginning of creation, God has established the sacred pattern of going and returning, labor and rest. Especially today, God invites us to dedicate time for restoration and wholeness – within our bodies, minds, and souls, and within our communities and institutions. By resting we place our trust in God, the primary actor who brings all things to their fullness. 

    Next Wednesday (11/08) will be the final session in this 9-week series. Shelby Mancell will be leading us in a discussion on how committing to living the Way of Love has, and can continue to, change our lives and the lives of those with whom we come into contact.

    Join us, either in person or online through Facebook Live (Facebook) or via Google Meet (meet.google.com/kdu-asvd-ygy) at 7:00 p.m.

    Spoiler Alert: In the coming weeks, be on the lookout for more Way of Love learning opportunities during the season of Advent.

    St. Paul’s Online

    Check us out! Like us! Share us! Follow us!

    Let Us Pray

    • Pray for traveling safety for Canon Betsy as she comes to visit us this Sunday
    • Lift up the victims of the mass shooting in Maine
    • Remember the victims of the Israel-Hamas war
    • Pray for our congregation as we explore our dreams and discern where God is leading us next.
    • Remember Jim Walker as he recovers from knee replacement surgery.
    • Verna has requested prayer for Robert.
    • Keep Lloyd Bajon in your prayers as he recovers from a horse riding accident.
    • If you have prayer requests you’d like to add to the Newsletter, email them to Clergy@stpaulsclaremore.org 

    Save the Dates 

    • Sunday, November 5 – Observation of All Saints’ Day; The Rev. Canon Betsy Randall, Canon to the Ordinary, will be celebrating with us
    • Wednesday, November 8, 7:00 p.m. – Final session (for now) of Way of Love Wednesdays
    • Sunday, November 12 – Recognition of veterans
    • Sunday, December 3 – Advent begins