Hello, Dear Friends!
Last Sunday (8/16), the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, we looked at the ways in which God provides, even when it seems unlikely that provision will be made. We also said our annual prayers of blessing over all students, faculty, and staff who are beginning a new school year.
This Sunday (8/23), the 13th Sunday after Pentecost, we’ll continue our focus on one of our freedoms in Christ – that is, the assurance that God is good all the time – and we’ll look at what it means to embrace our role as co-creators in God’s goodness. Please join us at 10 am for Holy Eucharist, followed by coffee hour.
Summer Movie Night
Our final movie night of the summer will also be the kick-off to our RSU campus ministry for the school-year. Tomorrow night, Friday, August 21, at 6pm, we’ll gather for food and fun while we watch the unfolding story of a young person who bravely decides to share their sexual orientation with their family. Feel free to bring your own pallet and join us for pizza and entertainment!
Coffee Hour Pot-Luck & Fifth-Sunday Sermon-in-Song
As a reminder, the next two Sundays (8/23 & 8/30), will be pot-luck Sundays during Coffee Hour. Every fourth Sunday, and on the occasions when there are five Sundays in the month, we all pitch in to provide the food we share.
As is also our custom, each time we have a 5th Sunday, we try to “mix things up” a bit during our worship service. Sometimes, we bring in guest speakers, we share our favorite passages of scripture, or we hear testimonials from some of our own. This month, on Sunday, the 30th, we’ll try something new: a sermon in song. As such, each of you is invited to choose a favorite hymn from either of our commonly used hymnals, or from another source. When it comes time for the sermon that day, we’ll all sing along to our favorite hymns, and let the Holy Spirit speak to us in song. Be sure to let Rev. Nancy know in advance which hymn you would like to sing. If it is one that is not in our commonly used hymnals, please provide a copy of the music. (Ideally, we will have all hymns collected by this coming Sunday (8/23), so that our musicians may prepare in advance.)
Classroom Needs
Last year, we began to support our very own “ambassador to the school,” Christina. As such, we were asked to bring certain supplies for her classroom. Indeed, it was such a successful mission, that she was frequently able to share those supplies with her fellow teachers.
This year, instead of donating the supplies themselves, we have established a “School Supplies Fund.” In lieu of bringing the supplies to a donation box at the church, we will donate money to this fund; that way, Christina will be able to purchase whatever is needed for the classroom/s and we will be able to reimburse her for those expenditures.
To donate to this fund, follow this link: www.givelify.com/donate/st-pauls-episcopal-church-claremore-ok-2j7wy5MTUyNjM3NA==/donation/amount
- Select the amount you wish to donate
- Select “School Supplies”
- Click “Give Now”
Community Cooling Station
Our church building will be open every Friday from Noon-6pm (at least through the end of August) for folks in need to come in and cool off. We’ll have light refreshments and beverages available, and offer space for people to simply sit and take a break from the heat. Our Safe Church policies encourage us to have at least two volunteers on hand to serve anyone who may come in. The job is not difficult: simply be present to greet people when they enter and direct them towards the refreshments, seating, and facilities. If you are available to work part or all of any of these shifts, please let Ron Parker or Rev. Nancy know.
If you would like to donate funds for this ministry, please visit this link: www.givelify.com/donate/st-pauls-episcopal-church-claremore-ok-2j7wy5MTUyNjM3NA==/donation/amount
- Select the amount you wish to donate
- Select “Warming/Cooling Station”
- Click “Give Now”
Community Shelf
Our community shelf is dangerously low on supplies! Please add this to your regular grocery shopping list. As we have many people who are utilizing this resource, this has become a crucial ministry for us; so, keep the non-perishables coming! The donation box is located just inside the double red doors to the church building.
If you would like to donate funds for the community shelf, please visit this link: www.givelify.com/donate/st-pauls-episcopal-church-claremore-ok-2j7wy5MTUyNjM3NA==/donation/amount
- Select the amount you wish to donate
- Select “Food Pantry”
- Click “Give Now”
Tuesdays at RSU
In September, we will resume Tuesdays @ RSU with the book Forging a Sacred Weapon by Kathy Baldock. You may join in person on campus or via Zoom. If you want to participate and need a copy of the book, let Ron Parker know.
Let Us Pray
- For the success of the Soft Space in the Nave – and that word will spread about this ministry
- For all students, faculty, and staff as they return to school; especially Christina, Liam, Lex, John, Lena, and Radar
- 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 those whose work is uncertain due to changing technologies or shifting economies, and for all who struggle to provide for themselves and their families; that they may find strength, support, and new opportunities for meaningful work
- For all individuals living in fear due to executive orders and mandates being imposed nationally and internationally
- For Ukraine and Russia, Israel, Palestine, and Iran
- For Vince/ Dylan/ Sunny/ Maddie/ Grace/ Jerrell/ Cindi/ Andrea/ Destiny/ Beverly/ Michael/ Bob/ Gina/ James/ Lane/ Tony/ Maddy/ Wayne Hanway/ Tammy Morales/ Cynthia Woods/ Karen/ Jeff/ Catherine/ Vicki/ Brady/ Zachary/ Donna/ Paul/ Stacy/ Joshua/ Jackie/ Spenser/ Sydney/ Cassidy/ Ashley/ Logan/ Nichole/ Dan/ Taylor/ Don/ Kevin/ Roger/ Art/ Linda/ Pastors Coulter, Elizabeth, Tim, Tom, and Jerry, and their congregations
If you have prayer requests to add to the Newsletter, email them to Clergy@stpaulsclaremore.org
Save the Dates
- Friday, August 21 – St. Paul’s Cooling Station open from Noon-6; Summer Movie Night @ 6pm
- Sunday, August 23 – Holy Eucharist @ 10am; 13th Sunday after Pentecost; 4th Sunday pot luck during coffee hour
- Friday, August 28 – St. Paul’s Cooling Station open from Noon-6
- Sunday, August 30 – Holy Eucharist @ 10am; 14th Sunday after Pentecost; 5th Sunday Sermon-in-Song; 5th Sunday pot luck during coffee hour