The Way of Love: Practices for a Jesus-Centered Life – This week's word is: PRAY. Let us pray this collect composed by a group of Episcopalians and Lutherans for use in our parishes this summer. Is there a line or phrase that speaks to you, that you might consider memorizing? God of all power and love, we give thanks for your unfailing presence and the hope you provide in times of uncertainty and loss. Send your Holy Spirit to enkindle in us your holy fire. Revive us to live as Christ’s body in the world: a people who pray, worship, learn, break bread, share life, heal neighbors, bear good news, seek justice, rest and grow in the Spirit. Wherever and however we gather, unite us in common prayer and send us in common mission, that we and the whole creation might be restored and renewed, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (A Prayer for the Power of the Spirit among the People of God)
Thank you to all helping lead today’s worship — Many thanks to Stephen Gamboa-Diaz for playing the organ today while our music director Jay Lindsay is on vacation. We appreciate Amy Foster (reader and “milestone tracker”); Ralph and Kim Nardi (intercessors); Brad Schide and YOU. Many thanks to Tim Rowe for tech support.
“Living with COVID-19” Regathering Task Force — — Using guidelines and protocols suggested by the Episcopal Church in CT, the Vestry has formed a task force to develop best practices for the health and safety of all as we move through the next phase of this era of COVID-19. Please contact Senior Warden Chuck Maynard or the Rector at stpaulswallingford@gmail.com if you’re interested in participating or learning more. The next meeting is this Thursday, July 9, at 8:30 AM.
St. Paul’s “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself” Event, THIS WEDNESDAY, July 8th! - Help those in need in our community as you help yourself and others stay safe. Donate food and diapers at St. Paul’s “Love your Neighbor as Yourself” event and pick up a free St. Paul’s cloth face mask. We’ll be collecting food donations for Master’s Manna (cash, check, or non-perishable food please) and money for diapers and wipes (cash, or check payable to “Community Health Center, Inc.” with a note for “Healthy Families Partnership” in the memo). Drive through the church parking lot on Wednesday, July 8th, from 10-12 or 5-7, to say hello to some of your church friends and drop off your donations. *Enter via Wallace Avenue (off Center Street) through the back parking lot nearest the police station. Exit through Wooding-Caplan lot back onto Wallace Ave to Center St.* Our volunteers – wearing masks and keeping a safe distance -- will be there to guide you. No donation is required to receive a free mask.
Joining Jesus Campaign Virtual Reception NEXT Sunday July 12 at 10:30 - Before our world was turned upside down, we had started a Joining Jesus Capital Campaign to improve accessibility of our physical building, deepen our spiritual life by expanding the youth and music programs, help secure our endowment and support the ECCT. After the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we set the campaign aside to focus on how to serve and worship in the “new normal” of social distancing. Even so, we are still almost halfway toward meeting our financial goal! The Joining Jesus Committee feels we are ready to finish our journey. It looks different than when we started, but doesn’t everything these days? To learn more, please attend our virtual reception next Sunday, July 12 following our worship livestream. You may participate online, or by calling in on a cell or landline phone. Check your St Paul’s email this week to receive the Zoom link OR contact Jen Parsons at 203-269-5050 to request the call-in information. Please contact Donna Regan, chair thedonnajregan@gmail.com, Senior Warden Chuck Maynard (203) 671-0041 or the Rector with any questions about the campaign and how you can get involved.
Summer Book Group – We begin this summer’s book group with the highly regarded young adult novel The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. This book has been recommended by youth and adults alike. We’ll have a few copies available for payment and pick-up at the “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself” event this Wednesday, July 8, at 10:00-noon or 5:00-7:00PM; cost $10 each, checks made payable to St. Paul’s earmarked “summer book”. You may also find this book on your own at a local book store, electronically or from your favorite teen! Please let the Rector know at stpaulswallingford@gmail.com or leave a message at 203-269-5050 if you plan to participate AND if you wish to purchase a copy from us or on your own. Note: Because of the nature and popularity of the book, we’d like to offer this to AGES MIDDLE SCHOOL THROUGH ADULT for a one-time, lively, conversation via Zoom. Our meeting time will be set at the convenience of the participants so please let us know ASAP.
Thank you for keeping up your pledges – Thank you to everyone who has gotten their financial gifts to us even during the chaos of moving Sunday services online. Consider online banking if you don’t already do this, or mail to the parish office.
Online giving - You can now make online payments and donations to St. Paul's by credit, debit card or by electronic transfer from your bank account. We have partnered with Vanco, a premiere online payment company to process your gifts securely. This online giving system enables you to make a payment toward your 2020 stewardship pledge or make a one-time donation. To explore this option, simply visit stpaulswalllingford.org and click on the "Donate Now" button
Beware Scams — Tragically, electronic scammers are working overtime to take advantage of compassionate people during the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that church folks are prime targets! Please know that clergy and church staff will NEVER text or email you personally asking for a “favor” or gift certificate for someone in need. (We have other, legitimate ways of addressing such matters.) If you receive such a scam, please say a prayer for the lost soul who sent it and delete immediately. Do not give out personal financial communication to strangers online — including those posing as clergy or other church staff.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39) - Many thanks to all who’ve been in touch to support our fledgling efforts to BE church together in this time of “physical distancing”. We need each other more than ever! Worship will be live-streamed from church at 9:30; these services are archived on our YouTube channel and rebroadcast on WPAA-TV at the regular times. Please sign up for our email blasts and to receive text notifications. Check out our website. Like us on Facebook. Let us know what other ideas you have for reaching out in love and service at this challenging time. Email stpaulswallingford@gmail.com or call 203-269-5050 for help accessing any of these platforms. Thank you, and thanks be to God for you
Thank you to all helping lead today’s worship — Many thanks to Stephen Gamboa-Diaz for playing the organ today while our music director Jay Lindsay is on vacation. We appreciate Amy Foster (reader and “milestone tracker”); Ralph and Kim Nardi (intercessors); Brad Schide and YOU. Many thanks to Tim Rowe for tech support.
“Living with COVID-19” Regathering Task Force — — Using guidelines and protocols suggested by the Episcopal Church in CT, the Vestry has formed a task force to develop best practices for the health and safety of all as we move through the next phase of this era of COVID-19. Please contact Senior Warden Chuck Maynard or the Rector at stpaulswallingford@gmail.com if you’re interested in participating or learning more. The next meeting is this Thursday, July 9, at 8:30 AM.
St. Paul’s “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself” Event, THIS WEDNESDAY, July 8th! - Help those in need in our community as you help yourself and others stay safe. Donate food and diapers at St. Paul’s “Love your Neighbor as Yourself” event and pick up a free St. Paul’s cloth face mask. We’ll be collecting food donations for Master’s Manna (cash, check, or non-perishable food please) and money for diapers and wipes (cash, or check payable to “Community Health Center, Inc.” with a note for “Healthy Families Partnership” in the memo). Drive through the church parking lot on Wednesday, July 8th, from 10-12 or 5-7, to say hello to some of your church friends and drop off your donations. *Enter via Wallace Avenue (off Center Street) through the back parking lot nearest the police station. Exit through Wooding-Caplan lot back onto Wallace Ave to Center St.* Our volunteers – wearing masks and keeping a safe distance -- will be there to guide you. No donation is required to receive a free mask.
Joining Jesus Campaign Virtual Reception NEXT Sunday July 12 at 10:30 - Before our world was turned upside down, we had started a Joining Jesus Capital Campaign to improve accessibility of our physical building, deepen our spiritual life by expanding the youth and music programs, help secure our endowment and support the ECCT. After the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we set the campaign aside to focus on how to serve and worship in the “new normal” of social distancing. Even so, we are still almost halfway toward meeting our financial goal! The Joining Jesus Committee feels we are ready to finish our journey. It looks different than when we started, but doesn’t everything these days? To learn more, please attend our virtual reception next Sunday, July 12 following our worship livestream. You may participate online, or by calling in on a cell or landline phone. Check your St Paul’s email this week to receive the Zoom link OR contact Jen Parsons at 203-269-5050 to request the call-in information. Please contact Donna Regan, chair thedonnajregan@gmail.com, Senior Warden Chuck Maynard (203) 671-0041 or the Rector with any questions about the campaign and how you can get involved.
Summer Book Group – We begin this summer’s book group with the highly regarded young adult novel The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. This book has been recommended by youth and adults alike. We’ll have a few copies available for payment and pick-up at the “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself” event this Wednesday, July 8, at 10:00-noon or 5:00-7:00PM; cost $10 each, checks made payable to St. Paul’s earmarked “summer book”. You may also find this book on your own at a local book store, electronically or from your favorite teen! Please let the Rector know at stpaulswallingford@gmail.com or leave a message at 203-269-5050 if you plan to participate AND if you wish to purchase a copy from us or on your own. Note: Because of the nature and popularity of the book, we’d like to offer this to AGES MIDDLE SCHOOL THROUGH ADULT for a one-time, lively, conversation via Zoom. Our meeting time will be set at the convenience of the participants so please let us know ASAP.
Thank you for keeping up your pledges – Thank you to everyone who has gotten their financial gifts to us even during the chaos of moving Sunday services online. Consider online banking if you don’t already do this, or mail to the parish office.
Online giving - You can now make online payments and donations to St. Paul's by credit, debit card or by electronic transfer from your bank account. We have partnered with Vanco, a premiere online payment company to process your gifts securely. This online giving system enables you to make a payment toward your 2020 stewardship pledge or make a one-time donation. To explore this option, simply visit stpaulswalllingford.org and click on the "Donate Now" button
Beware Scams — Tragically, electronic scammers are working overtime to take advantage of compassionate people during the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that church folks are prime targets! Please know that clergy and church staff will NEVER text or email you personally asking for a “favor” or gift certificate for someone in need. (We have other, legitimate ways of addressing such matters.) If you receive such a scam, please say a prayer for the lost soul who sent it and delete immediately. Do not give out personal financial communication to strangers online — including those posing as clergy or other church staff.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39) - Many thanks to all who’ve been in touch to support our fledgling efforts to BE church together in this time of “physical distancing”. We need each other more than ever! Worship will be live-streamed from church at 9:30; these services are archived on our YouTube channel and rebroadcast on WPAA-TV at the regular times. Please sign up for our email blasts and to receive text notifications. Check out our website. Like us on Facebook. Let us know what other ideas you have for reaching out in love and service at this challenging time. Email stpaulswallingford@gmail.com or call 203-269-5050 for help accessing any of these platforms. Thank you, and thanks be to God for you