Hello, Everyone! I hope you are prepared for the winter storm coming in this weekend! We want you all to be safe and warm.
Last Sunday (1/18), the Second Sunday after Epiphany, we looked at the variety of people God calls to share the good news of the gospel. In essence, your life experiences have equipped you in unique ways to share your story with others; so when you feel like you are not enough, remember that the words spoken through the prophet Isaiah are still true for you today: “I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” (Is. 49:6)
This Sunday (1/25) we continue our Epiphany theme of proclaiming the good news of the Gospel of Christ. Join us at 10:00 am for Holy Eucharist followed by coffee hour.
Community Warming Station
This weekend, St. Paul’s will be hosting our very first warming station.
Between noon on Friday through 2 pm on Monday, the church will be open and available for people in need to come in for hot beverages and food. We will also offer overnight accommodations for those without.
Please be in prayer for the safety of everyone that will be staying with us and for the volunteers who are working the shelter. In addition, pray that we have plenty of food available, and that our electricity stays on during this bout of brutally cold winter weather.
If you would like to volunteer your time or contribute food/snacks, please contact us at admin@stpaulsclaremore.org
UnClobber
Each Wednesday, January 14 – February 18, St. Paul’s will be collaborating with Grace UMC to provide a 6-week class entitled UnClobber. This course covers the “clobber verses” frequently used to condemn people of the LGBTQIA2+ community, and will discuss the historical and cultural context of each of these verses, including some of the ways in which certain words and phrases have been mis-translated and/or misinterpreted.
The class will take place each week from 6:30-8:00 pm in room 207 of the Stratton Taylor Library on the RSU campus. You may also join via Zoom email admin@stpaulsclaremore.org for a link.
Tuesdays at RSU
We have finished our discussions over the book God Didn’t Make Us to Hate Us. Now, we will pause our Tuesday gatherings until after the 6-week Unclobber class on Wednesday evenings has ended.
We will resume Tuesdays at RSU on February 24 with a new book entitled Transforming by Austen Hartke. If you would like a copy of this book, please reply to this email or let Ron Parker know.
POSTPONED: Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle
Due to the incoming inclement weather, we have decided to postpone our celebration of the feast day of our patron saint. We WILL, however, still observe Holy Eucharist at our normal time this Sunday morning for those who are able to make it, and for anyone who is sheltering at the church.
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
Christine has made us aware of a new need for the students at her school: highlighters. Any color, any size will work. We are still collecting good quality No. 2 pencils, Post-it note pads, and Kleenex; 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 during these colder months and as the school year progresses!
Let Us Pray
- For the success of the Community Warming Station and for the safety of everyone effected by the winter storm.
- For the success of the new Soft Space in the Nave
- For all students, faculty, and staff, especially Christina, Shelby, Tony, Liam, and John
- For the success of the 6-week Unclobber class
- For 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 executive orders and mandates being imposed nationally and internationally
- For Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine
- For the repose of Ron Missinne/ the repose of Phylis Goodner/ the 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
- Friday, January 23 @ Noon – Monday, January 26 @ 2 pm – Community Warming Shelter
- Sunday, January 25 – Holy Eucharist @ 10 am; Third Sunday after Epiphany; Celebration of the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle CANCELLED
- Wednesday, January 28 – Week 3 of Unclobber at 6:30 pm
- Sunday, February 1 – Holy Eucharist @ 10 am; Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
- Sunday, February 8 – Holy Eucharist @ 10 am; Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
- Friday, February 13 – Claremore Pride Youth Valentine’s Mixer @ 6 pm in the parish hall
- Sunday, February 15 – Holy Eucharist @ 10 am; Sixth Sunday after Epiphany; Bishop’s Committee Meeting
- Tuesday, February 17 – Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
- Wednesday, February 18 – Ash Wednesday
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