Happy New Year, one and all!!!
Though last year was not an easy one for many of us at St. Paul’s; I do believe the Lord carried us through, and showed us that our God, working through us, is indeed “able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine!” (Eph. 3:20) Because that is true, we experienced many exciting opportunities for ministry – ones which will become traditions, and some that will undoubtedly grow into even bigger and better things!
My prayer for each of you during this coming year is this: that God “may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe.” (Eph. 1:17-19) I invite you to add this passage to your own prayers as we collectively watch to see the exciting things God has in store for St. Paul’s and its ministries in 2026!
This Sunday (1/04), the Second Sunday after Christmas, we’ll kick things off with a celebration of the God who promises, “I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.” (Jer. 31:13b) Join us at 10:00 am for Holy Eucharist followed by coffee hour.
***Note: Just after the service this Sunday, and before coffee hour, we will be taking down the Christmas greenery in preparation for the season of Epiphany. The more helping hands we have for this task, the quicker it will go. Then, we’ll tuck in for a delicious meal before heading our separate ways.
Tuesdays at RSU
We are taking 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 evenings, be sure to check us out when we come back next month!
Soft Space
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me.”
Help us spread the news about the new soft space at St. Paul’s!!! Let your friends with children know that instead of asking them to leave their kiddos with a stranger during our worship services, they can bring them right into the nave where they can be held and rocked; they can 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 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 the repose of Phylis Goodner/ Woodard family/ Bob/ Krislyn/ 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, January 4 – Holy Eucharist @ 10 am; Second Sunday after Christmas; removal of Christmas greenery
- Sunday, January 11 – Holy Eucharist @ 10 am; First Sunday after Epiphany; observance of Epiphany & the journey of the three kings; The Baptism of Our Lord
- Sunday, January 18 – Holy Eucharist @ 10 am; Second Sunday after Epiphany; Bishop’s Committee Meeting
- Sunday, January 25 – Holy Eucharist @ 10 am; Third Sunday after Epiphany
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