Hello, All! I bid you tidings of peace during this Advent season.
Last Sunday (11/30), the first Sunday of Advent, we observed Break the Silence Sunday and learned of the importance of speaking the truth about domestic violence. In our gospel lesson, Jesus implored his followers to “keep watch.” In an unexpected twist to the traditional interpretation to this passage, we discussed the ways in which victims of domestic violence are constantly keeping watch for signs of impending abuse. It is our job, as Christ’s Church, to keep watch with them and to provide support and resources for those in need.
That afternoon, we hosted a regional service of Advent Lessons & Hymns. Other than our own congregation, members from St. Andrew’s Grove, All Saints’ Miami, and Church of the Holy Cross Owasso were present. Deacon Emeritus, Linda Paul played harp prelude and postlude and accompanied the hymns on our digital keyboard (which has not been used for several years; but still sounded great)! Afterwards, everyone enjoyed hot cider, campfire hot chocolate, friendship tea, cookies, and other sweets while we visited and caught up on happenings in our NE region.
This week (12/07), is the second Sunday of Advent, and we’ll continue our theme of expecting the unexpected as we look at John the Baptist who preached repentance during the season in which Jesus’ ministry was beginning to gain a foothold. Join us at 10:00am for Holy Eucharist, followed by coffee hour.
Angel Tree
“For it is in giving that we receive…”
Gifts for a couple of our Angel Tree recipients have now been delivered; but wait…there’s more! We have discovered a couple of other families who need help providing gifts for their kiddos this year; so, we’ve added them to the tree. Look for the green ornaments, take as many as you can, and bring those gifts back to place under the tree. Please place the green ornament card on the outside of the gift so we know to whom it should be delivered. We hope to collect all of these gifts by December 14.
Tuesdays at RSU
We will take a brief winter break from our Tuesday sessions on the RSU campus; but fear not, we will resume January 13! What started out as a 6-week book club turned into something that everyone involved wanted to continue indefinitely. If you haven’t had a chance to join us on a Tuesday evening, be sure to check us out when we come back next month!
Your Space – Community Growth Christmas Gift Workshop
Tuesday, December 16, from 6-8:30 pm, Your Space-Community Growth (the folks who brought us summer yoga classes) will be hosting a Community Gift workshop in the parish hall. They will offer a yoga session and crafts for the entire family to make and take to keep or to give as gifts. Also, Santa will be available for pictures!
The event is open to the entire community, but registration is required. Please visit this link to register: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/your-space-community-growth-christmas-gift-workshop
Friendsgiving Feast & Festivities
Friendsgiving was a huge success! We hosted 26 people from around the Claremore community, most of whom came early and stayed the entire time. What a blessing it was to share in the lives of these dear people and to witness the vast ways in which God’s image is seen the faces of those around us! This event will definitely become a St. P tradition!
Christmas Potluck & Dirty Santa
The RSU/Claremore Pride potluck was a rousing success! Word on the street is that “this [was] the loudest and most joyous event that’s happened [at St. Paul’s] in more than a decade.” As an added bonus, you’ll notice that a Pride Christmas tree is on display in the parish hall – an anonymous donation to us for our participation in the event. Perhaps we’ve started yet another St. P tradition!!!
Soft Space
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me.” So, we are in the process of creating a Soft Space in the area which used to house seating for the choir. Those pews have been removed, and you will see more and more soft and comfortable places for families with children to sit during our services.
“But St. Paul’s doesn’t have any families with children,” you might say. True….for now. We are hoping that creating a space specifically for them might encourage parents with children to join us, and you can help us spread the news about this space. Parents won’t be asked to leave the kiddos with a stranger during our worship services; instead, they can come right in…be held and rocked, play, color, and read books while services are in progress. It might be a little noisy; but what better reminder is there of the joy of life than the cacophony of sound created by children?
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
We are still collecting good quality No. 2 pencils, Post-it note pads, and Kleenex for Christina’s classroom; 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 as we move into the colder seasons and as the school year progresses!
Let Us Pray
- For a blessed and peaceful Advent season
- For the success of the new Soft Space in the Nave
- For all students, faculty, and staff, especially Christina and Shelby
- For a safe winter break and 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 new executive orders and mandates being imposed
- For Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine
- For 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, December 7 – Holy Eucharist @ 10 am; Second Sunday of Advent
- Sunday, December 14 – Holy Eucharist @ 10 am; Third Sunday of Advent
- Tuesday, December 16 – Christmas Gift Workshop hosted by Your Space Community Growth in the parish hall from 6:30-8:30 pm
- Sunday, December 21 – Holy Eucharist @ 10 am; Fourth Sunday of Advent; 3rd Sunday discretionary offering; Bishop’s Committee Meeting
- Wednesday, December 24 – Free harp concert from 4:15-4:45 pm, followed by Christmas Eve Eucharist at 5 pm
- Sunday, December 28 – Morning Prayer with Ron & Deacon Emeritus Linda @ 10 am
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