Hello, One and All!
Last Sunday (5/18), the 5th Sunday of Easter, we saw how God “make[s] all things new” (Rev. 21:5) through the efforts of those who follow Jesus’ command to “love one another.” (John 13:34)
This Sunday (5/25), The 6th Sunday of Easter, our Gospel lesson offers a foreshadowing of Pentecost. Jesus shares the good news that, when he is gone, the Holy Spirit will be sent to the disciples to remind them of all the things Jesus taught them while he was on the earth. Join us at 10:00am as we celebrate Holy Eucharist and learn more about how this is also good news for us!
_________________
School’s out for Summer, and I am thrilled to share with you the many exciting opportunities God has prepared for us during June and July; so, read on to find out how you can get involved!
Church on the Lake
Sunday, June 1, we will be joining the congregation from 1st Presbyterian Church for Eucharist and a cookout at Pavillion 1 on Claremore Lake. The service will begin at 10:00am, followed by the cookout. The Presbyterian congregation will provide burgers and hot dogs, buns, condiments, ice, tea & water, plates, napkins & utensils. We have been asked to bring side items or desserts as well as our own chairs. Bring a friend and join us for church on the lake!
Watch Party
You’re invited to join us in the Parish Hall on Sunday evening, June 1, at 5:00pm, for a watch party! We will be watching a livestream service with Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe in the Episcopal Church Center chapel, during which he will bless all upcoming Episcopal Pride events and participants. We thought it would be nice to watch it together as a congregation! Popcorn and candy will be provided, so plan on joining us for some fun.
Christian Formation: Summer Yoga with the Psalms
In June and July, we will be participating in the Good Book Club’s “Summer with the Psalms.” There are two separate but complimentary tracks for this study. Here is the link to the reading schedules: https://www.goodbookclub.org/readings/
In conjunction with this study, we will be hosting yoga classes in St. Paul’s Parish Hall at 7:00pm on Thursday evenings (beginning June 5). We have two instructors who will guide us through beginner-friendly yoga routines while helping us to focus on parts of our weekly Psalms. These classes will be free and open to the entire community, so spread the word and invite everyone you can!
The instructors do receive $30 per class, so the members of our St. Paul’s congregation are invited to sponsor one or more classes. If you wish to sponsor a class, you may place $30 in the offering plate or give it to our treasurer, Kaitlyn. Be sure to indicate that the money is for Summer Yoga with the Psalms.
In addition, these classes will be an opportunity for charitable giving. At each class, a basket will be provided wherein we will collect voluntary donations. At the end of July, all donations collected will be given to Meals on Wheels.
Pentecost BBQ at Grand Lake in Grove
Sunday, June 8, we will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 10am at St. Paul’s (on the front lawn if the weather permits). After the service, we’ll all load up for a road trip to Art & Linda Paul’s house in Grove for a BBQ by Grand Lake. Art will be grilling up some marvelous ribs for us, Linda has beverages covered, and the rest of us will bring side items and/or desserts. What a fantastic opportunity to relax and enjoy each other’s company, so don something red to celebrate Pentecost and join us for food and fun!
Grace UMC Mobile Food Pantry
The date of the next visit by the Grace UMC food truck has been set for Wednesday, June 11, from 3-6 pm. They will arrive around 2pm to set up, and if there are still several people arriving at 6:00, we may extend the hours a bit. There is always plenty to do if you are available to help out during any of the allotted time. They can use help setting up at 2:00, help assisting people with paperwork and with shopping for and loading groceries, help keeping the workers fed and hydrated, and help breaking down at the end of the event; so, if you are available for any or all of this time, come along. It is always fun!
PRIDE in the Park
Saturday, June 21, from 3-9pm, St. Paul’s will host a booth at the Claremore Pride Festival to be held at the park on Claremore Lake. Come one, come all, to celebrate love and community and the fact that ALL people are created in God’s image!
PRIDE Mass
Speaking of celebrations…. In honor of PRIDE month, and to round out the Saturday festivities, our service on Sunday, June 22, will be a PRIDE Mass. It will be a customary Episcopal Eucharistic service; but the lessons and prayers a specifically suited to supporting the LGBTQIA2S+ community. As such, feel free to wear your shirts, buttons, and pins that show your love for all God’s people to church that day. After the service, we will – of course! – feed all who are in attendance!
Let Us Pray
- 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 new executive orders and mandates being imposed
- For the safety of all individuals involved with the Claremore Pride in the Park event
- For all students and school personnel, especially those graduating this month
- For Ukraine and Russia
- For Israel and Palestine
- For Lucas/ John/ Kaitlyn/ Patty/ Karen/ Lee/ Nathan/ Tammy Morales/ Cynthia Woods/ Chris/ Rose/ Brady/ Zachary/ Donna/ Justin/ Robert/ Lenny/ John/ Cooper/ Josh/ Steven/ Connor/ Pastor James Coulter and Mt. Zion Baptist Church
If you have prayer requests to add to the Newsletter, email them to Clergy@stpaulsclaremore.org
Save the Dates
- Sunday, May 25 – Holy Eucharist @ 10:00am; 6th Sunday of Easter
- Sunday, June 1 – Multi-denominational church service & cook-out at Claremore Lake @ 10:00am; 7th Sunday of Easter
- Thursdays, June 5 – July 31 @ 7:00pm – Summer Yoga with the Psalms in the Parish Hall
- Sunday, June 8 – Holy Eucharist @ 10:00am on the front lawn (weather permitting); Day of Pentecost; BBQ at Art & Linda Paul’s house by the lake in Grove
- Wednesday, June 11 – Grace UMC Mobile Food Pantry at St. Paul’s from 3-6 (-ish) pm
- Sunday, June 15 – Holy Eucharist @ 10:00am in the Nave; 1st Sunday after Pentecost/Trinity Sunday; Deacon Linda Paul to preach
- Saturday, June 21 – Rogers County PRIDE in the Park at Claremore Lake from 3-9pm
- Sunday, June 22 – Holy Eucharist @ 10:00am; 2nd Sunday after Pentecost; PRIDE Mass
Leave a Reply