Hello, everyone, and happy Valentine’s.
Last Sunday (2/08), the fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, we discussed what it means to be a light to the world and follow God’s command to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. When we do these things, then, God says, our “light shall break forth like the dawn.”
This Sunday (2/15), the last Sunday after Epiphany, we’ll explore Jesus’ command to his disciples, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” (Matthew 17:9) Join us at 10:00 am for Holy Eucharist followed by coffee hour.
UnClobber
Each Wednesday, January 14 – February 18, St. Paul’s will be collaborating with Grace UMC to provide a 6-week class entitled UnClobber. This course covers the “clobber verses” frequently used to condemn people of the LGBTQIA2+ community, and will discuss the historical and cultural context of each of these verses, including some of the ways in which certain words and phrases have been mis-translated and/or misinterpreted.
The class will take place each week from 6:30-8:00 pm in room 207 of the Stratton Taylor Library on the RSU campus. You may also join via Zoom, for a link contact the church.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Next Tuesday, February 17, at 6 pm we will hold our annual Pancake Supper. This is a great way to celebrate and indulge our appetites before Lent begins. But it’s not just for the people of St. Paul’s, it’s for the entire community; so, invite everyone you know (and even someone you don’t know) to come eat with us. It’s free, though we will gladly accept donations.
Ashes To Go
Next Wednesday, February 18, is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. This year, we’re trying something a little different by offering ashes to go, rather than holding a formal Ash Wednesday service. If you, or anyone you know, would like to receive ashes, simply drive to the St. Paul’s parking lot between 5 pm and 6 pm, park in one of the parking spaces, and Rev. Nancy will come to you at your car window.
Lenten Dinner & Worship
This year during Lent, we will once again be collaborating with Grace UMC in Claremore, Claremore First Christian Church, and Verdigris UMC for weekly dinner and worship on Thursdays at 6 pm. The schedule is as follows:
Feb 19 – Grace UMC
Feb 26 – St. Paul’s
Mar 5 – Verdigris UMC
Mar 12 – FCC
Mar 19 – St. Paul’s
Mar 26 – FCC
Ap 2 – Grace UMC
Tuesdays at RSU
We have finished our discussions over the book God Didn’t Make Us to Hate Us. Now, we will pause our Tuesday gatherings until after the 6-week Unclobber class on Wednesday evenings has ended.
We will resume Tuesdays at RSU on February 24 with a new book entitled Transforming by Austen Hartke. If you would like a copy of this book, please let Ron Parker know.
Food Pantry Needs
So many in our community suffer from food insecurity, and we work with a couple of great organizations who are helping to fight this problem.
One: Pastor Tim from Grace United Methodist Church recently contacted us to let us know that, as of November 1, their food pantry is open every day. He asked us to donate funds to help with those extra expenses. If you wish to participate in this financial gift, please designate your offering to “Grace Food Pantry”.
Two: St. Paul’s is now the host location for the Pride Community Shelf (find it located near our entrance through the double red doors of the church next to the small community library). Suggested items for donation to this shelf include the following:
Proteins: Canned meat or fish, Canned or dried beans, Peanut butter, Lentils and other dried peas.
Grains: Rice, Pasta, Cereal and oatmeal, Microwaveable mac and cheese cups and ramen noodles
Fruits and vegetables: Canned vegetables like corn, green beans, and mixed vegetables, Canned Fruits, Dried fruits, single-serving Fruit and applesauce cups
Cooking and meal essentials: Pasta and tomato sauce, Canned soup or stew, Powdered, evaporated, or boxed shelf-stable milk , vegetable or olive oil .
Spices: Basic seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning can significantly
improve a meal’s flavor.
Snacks and beverages: Nuts, Crackers, Drink mixes (Packets of hot chocolate, coffee, and fruit juice)
Hygiene and household supplies: Baby food and diapers, Feminine hygiene products, Personal hygiene products (soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, and toothbrushes), Laundry detergent and dish soap, Toilet paper.
Classroom Needs
Christina has made us aware of a new need for the students at her school: highlighters. Any color, any size will work. We are still collecting good quality No. 2 pencils, Post-it note pads, and Kleenex; so, the next time you’re doing a little shopping, pick up one or two of these items, then bring them to church to donate.
Be on the lookout for new requests during these colder months and as the school year progresses!
Let Us Pray
- For the success of the new Soft Space in the Nave
- For all students, faculty, and staff, especially Christina, Shelby, Tony, Liam, and John
- For the success of the 6-week Unclobber class
- For the continued success of Tuesdays at RSU
- 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 executive orders and mandates being imposed nationally and internationally
- For Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine
- For the Woodard family/ Bob/ Krislyn/ Makayla/ Christopher/ Heidi/ Ron/ Gina/ James/ Lane/ Wayne Hanway/ Shelby/ Kaitlyn/ Tammy Morales/ Cynthia Woods/ Danny/ Vicki A./ Karen/ Jeff/ Catherine/ Vicki/ Brady/ Zachary/ Donna/ Don/ Kevin/ Roger/ Pastor Coulter and Mt. Zion Baptist Church / Pastor Elizabeth and First Christian Church / Pastor Tim and Grace UMC / Pastor Tom and Verdigris UMC
If you have prayer requests to add to the Newsletter, email them to Clergy@stpaulsclaremore.org
Save the Dates
- Sunday, February 15 – Holy Eucharist @ 10am; Sixth Sunday after Epiphany; Third Sunday Discretionary Offering; Bishop’s Committee Meeting
- Tuesday, February 17 – Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper in the Parish Hall from 6pm-7:30pm
- Wednesday, February 18 – Ash Wednesday Ashes to Go in church parking lot from 5pm-6pm
- Wednesday, February 18 – Week 6 of Unclobber at 6:30pm
- Thursday, February 19 – Ecumenical Lenten Dinner & Worship @ Grace UMC @ 6pm
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