With Sympathy and Prayer
Dear friends, it is with sadness that we share the news that Barbara Bajon’s mother, Velma Landley, has passed from this life. Please join us in prayers for her family and friends as they walk through this difficult time.
O merciful Father, who has taught us in your holy Word that you do not willingly afflict or grieve your children: Look with pity upon the sorrows of your servants for whom our prayers are offered. Remember them, O Lord, in mercy, nourish their souls with patience, comfort them with a sense of your goodness, lift up your countenance upon them, and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Into your hands, O merciful Saviour, we commend your servant, Velma. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
Lenten Meditational Thought
“Lent is a call to renew a commitment, grown dull, perhaps, by a life more marked by routine than by reflection.” ~ Sister Joan Chittister OSB
May you find this to be a season in which you are drawn into a deep knowledge of, and love for, God.
Way of Love in Lent
Did you enjoy the journey of The Way of Love during Advent? Well…The Way of Love is back to guide us through this season of Lent! If you haven’t already, be sure to check out our Facebook page for daily Lenten meditational thoughts and weekly videos provided by our very own Shelby Mancell and Ron Parker.
The Rev. Canon Stephen Carlsen to Visit
You won’t want to miss our service THIS Sunday, March 10 at 9:30 am, when Canon Steve – our Diocesan Canon for Congregational Vitality – will be joining us. We will have the pleasure of hearing an inspiring message from him during Eucharist, then he will be staying for lunch and a Q&A during coffee hour.
The Fourth Sunday in Lent
Last week (3/03), the third Sunday in Lent, our Gospel lesson reminded us that, though sometimes Jesus’s comments to his disciples seemed harsh, the real purpose was to prepare them for what was to come – the fulfillment of God’s divine plan.
Our Gospel lesson this coming Sunday (3/10), includes the well-known promise that “everyone who believes in [Christ] may…have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Join us at 9:30 am for Holy Eucharist.
Community-wide Lenten Services & Luncheons
Invite a friend and join us at St. Paul’s at Noon each Wednesday during Lent for a service led by various churches from the Claremore Ministerial Alliance. Each service is followed by lunch (donations appreciated) in the Parish Hall. Next Wednesday, March 13, our service will be led by and lunch provided by Claremore Nazarene Church.
Christian Formation
Last Sunday, the third Sunday of Lent (3/03), we discussed chapter 3 – The Rung of Hope – in the book Ladder to the Light by Steven Charleston. A Native American, former Episcopal Bishop of Alaska, and current resident of Oklahoma, Charleston shares insight he has gleaned about his Christian journey as related to his indigenous customs. The journey he guides us through in his book correlates beautifully with the journey upon which we embark during the Lenten season.
This Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent (3/10), we will discuss chapters 4 & 5 – The Rung of Community, and the Rung of Action. All are welcome to join us each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. as we discuss this indigenous elder’s meditations on hope and courage.
Holy Week Schedule
Mark your calendars for the following events during Holy Week!
- Maundy Thursday Service – 7:00 pm at St. Paul’s
- Good Friday Tenebrae Service – 6:00 pm at Grace Methodist Church
- The Great Easter Vigil – 7:00 pm at St. Paul’s (with guests Canon Betsy, Grace Methodist, and First Christian)
- Easter Day – Holy Eucharist at 9:30 am, followed by Easter dinner (Ham will be provided; feel free to bring a side item.)
Hospitality Continues
For the next several weeks, until they are able to repair the damage that flooding has done to their own building, our friends from First Christian Church will continue to utilize the nave for their worship services on Sunday mornings @ 11:00 a.m.
Let Us Pray
- For a holy Lent
- For the repose of Velma Landley
- For Rick’s nephew, Corey
- For Dellaura
- For the victims of the war in Ukraine
- For Israel and Palestine, and for the victims of the war in Gaza
- For the needs of the members, family, and friends of our congregation, specifically The First Christian Church of Claremore/ Rick/ Doris, as she travels/ Vernon/ Dellaura/ Miranda & Brayden/ Nancy S/ Jim/ Judy/ Ani/ Aaron Blum/ Robert/ Lloyd/ Patricia/ Marie/ Russell/ Virginia/ Barbara/ Grace/ Lauren/ Cindy/ Stephen/ John/ Tom Patterson/ Jan/ Tom/ Bob & family/ Jean/ Al/ Carol W/ Mark/ Brian/ Pat/ Mark H/ Mike/ Chris/ Brady/ Patrick/ Zachary
If you have prayer requests to add to the Newsletter, email them to Clergy@stpaulsclaremore.org or reply to this email.
Save the Dates
- Sunday, March 10 – The Rev. Canon Steve Carlson visits; Fourth Sunday in Lent
- Wednesday, March 13 @ Noon – 5th Lenten luncheon
- Saturday, March 16 – Vestry Academy at St. Crispin’s, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Sunday, March 17 – Bishop’s Committee Meeting; Fifth Sunday in Lent
- Wednesday, March 20 @ Noon – 6th Lenten luncheon
- Sunday, March 24 – Palm Sunday (kickoff to Holy Week)
- Wednesday, March 27 @ Noon – 7th Lenten luncheon
- Thursday, March 28 @ 7 p.m. – Maundy Thursday service
- Friday, March 29 @ 6 p.m. – Good Friday Tenebrae service at Grace Methodist Church
- Saturday, March 30 @ 7 p.m. – The Great Easter Vigil service
- Sunday, March 31 – Easter Day!
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The Rev. Nancy Gill, Vicar