Happy New Year, one and all!!!
Last Sunday, we were reminded of some of the many ways in which St. Paul’s has “received grace upon grace” (John 1:16) in the last year. During 2024, we had several opportunities to serve the Claremore community in collaboration with our brothers and sisters in Christ at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, at Claremore First Christian Church, and at Grace United Methodist Church – from shared services during holy week to Trunk or Treat at Halloween, and from hosting the mobile food pantry to combined worship on Christmas Eve. We celebrated three confirmations (and have another just around the corner), and we have seven new and returning parishioners – most of whom have started attending in the last few months. “Grace upon grace,” indeed! Furthermore, we were privileged to hear from Ron Parker and from Tjode Favier as they shared some of the ways they experienced God moving in their own lives throughout the year. How fitting that our Old Testament lesson was from Isaiah 61: “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord!” (v10)
God is definitely alive and well and working in and through St. Paul’s Claremore! We look forward with great anticipation to what is to come in 2025!
Bishop’s Visit and Confirmation THIS Sunday!
This coming Sunday, January 5, will be an exciting day at St. Paul’s. Not only is it the second Sunday after Christmas and the first Sunday of the new year, it is also the day that Diocesan Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Poulson Reed, will be visiting St. Paul’s. While he is with us, he will serve as both preacher and celebrant for the Eucharistic service. In addition, our own Joyce Landrum will be confirmed during this special service.
After the service, we will enjoy a scrumptious pot luck luncheon during which time the bishop will share in a Q&A discussion with all of us. If there is a question you’ve always about our theology or traditions, this Sunday will be a great time to find out the answer. The bishop is especially fond of answering questions about the Book of Common Prayer and about liturgy. What a fabulous way to kick off the year 2025! We hope you will join us!
Note: Following lunch, Bishop Poulson will meet with the Bishop’s Committee.
Mobile Food Pantry to Return to St. Paul’s
Wednesday, January 8, the mobile food pantry from Grace United Methodist Church will, once again, be in the St. Paul’s parking lot from 3-6 pm (note that this a different time frame than previously advertised). Parishioners are invited to help set up beginning at 2:00, and to help fill, carry, and load grocery bags for local residents. Come for 30 minutes, an hour, or the whole time – whatever time you have available is greatly appreciated. This is a fun way to spread Christ’s love and minister to our local community! We hope to see you there.
Let Us Pray
- For the safety of Bishop Poulson as he travels from Oklahoma City this weekend
- That our parishioners will exemplify God’s peace during this time when so much religious, social, and political unrest plagues our community, nation, and world
- For all students and school personnel
- For Ukraine and Russia
- For Israel and Palestine
- For Chris/ Mike/ Brian/ Mark H/ Ron H/ Rose/ Brady/ Zachary/ Donna/ Vernon/ Corey/ Janie/ Rick/ Lillian/ Carol Sue/ Erin/ Mike/ Don/ Pauline/ Doris/ Stephen/ Jim/ Tjode/ Rusti/ Joyce L/ Justin/ Robert/ Lenny/ Rose Ridge/ Bertha Boyles/ Alberta Hardy/ Gabriel/ Michael/ and for the repose of Charles Ziriax
If you have prayer requests to add to the Newsletter, email them to Clergy@stpaulsclaremore.org
Save the Dates
- Sunday, January 5 – Holy Eucharist @ 10:00 am; Confirmations with Bishop Poulson; Pot luck Q&A with Bishop; Bishop’s Committee meeting with Bishop
- Wednesday, January 8 – Grace UMC Mobile Food Pantry at St. Paul’s from 3-6 pm
- Sunday, January 12 – Holy Eucharist @ 10:00 am; 1st Sunday after the Epiphany
- Sunday, January 19 – Holy Eucharist @ 10:00 am; 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany; Bishop’s Committee meeting
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