Sword Points Jesus

Transforming Lives Through Sword Points Jesus

June7, 2012 www.saintpaulsbrookfield.com (203) 775-9587

† Twenty One To Be Confirmed on Sunday

his Sunday at the 10:30 am service 13 members of St. Paul’s will receive the T Sacrament of Confirmation, four will reaffirm their baptismal vows and four will be received into the Episcopal Church by The Right Reverend Jeffery Rowthorn, who will be the preacher and celebrant at the service. This is a great moment for St. Paul’s and a sign of our growth as a parish. This an excellent time for us as a parish to support the movement of the Holy Spirit among us. Confirmation is the Rite of the Church which recognizes a person's public and mature affirmation of faith in Jesus Christ and which, through the laying on of hands by a bishop, calls forth the strengthening and sustaining presence of the Holy Spirit in a person's life. Confirmation for teenagers and for adults is an intensely personal moment of prayer and commitment. It is neither the beginning of our life with Christ or some kind of statement of the completion of our formation as people of Christ. Holy Baptism, by water in the name of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is the Sacrament of full membership in the Body of Christ, and each of us is called, throughout our lives, to grow deeper in love, commitment, and service of our Lord. In our Christian journey, Confirmation is a Rite of renewal and empowerment. Within the Anglican tradition, confirmation by a bishop in apostolic succession is a mark of our individual union with the Church catholic. The service of Confirmation gives each individual confirmand the opportunity to claim, within the midst of the gathered Church, his or her identity as a Christian who chooses to live out their faith within the Episcopal Church. Every Confirmation provides the opportunity for the whole gathered community to renew the faith and promises of the Baptismal Covenant.

ur Rector Emeritus, the Rev. George Crocker will preach at the 8:00 am worship O service this Sunday.

† Ladies AM Bible Study

he Ladies Tuesday AM Bible Study will T continue to meet on a more informal basis on Tuesdays at 9:30 am beginning June 19th. They will be studying the only two books in the Bible named for women, Ruth and Esther. The book of Ruth shows how three people remained strong in character even when the society around them was collapsing. It is a book of encouragement and demonstrates that God is at work in the world and wants to use you. The book of Esther is a story of the profound interplay of God’s sovereignty; human will and his loving care for all of his people. Please join us for coffee and discussion on how God works in the lives of ordinary people. For a Study Book, please call or email Donna Betts at 203.830.9415 or [email protected].

† This Week at St. Paul’s

Thu., June 7 - 7:30 pm - Mission Committee, Guild Room 7:30 pm - Property Committee, Upper Classroom 7:30 pm - Music Night, Sanctuary Sat., June 9 - 7:30 am - Men’s Prayer Breakfast, Parish Hall Sun., June 10 - Second Sunday after Pentecost 8:00 am - Traditional Eucharist 9:15 am - Adult Christian Education, Guild Room 10:30 am - Sunday School 10:30 am - Contemporary Eucharist/Confirmation 12:00 pm - Church Picnic 5:00 pm - Youth Group 6:15 pm - Vespers w/Holy Eucharist Mon., June 11 - Saint Barnabas, Apostle Tue., June 12 - 7:00 pm - Grief Group, Guild Room Wed., June 13 - 10:00 am - Holy Eucharist and Healing 6:30 pm - Staff Meeting, Tuck Room 7:30 pm - Vestry Meeting Thu., June 14 - 1:00 pm - Dorothy Day Ministry, Danbury 7:30 pm - Music Night, Sanctuary

† Sermon Shorts

n Trinity Sunday, O Fr. Shepley looked at Isaiah's vision of God and its repercussions for understanding the holiness of God. To replay or watch sermons follow this link for The Sunday Sermons each week.

Put on your Jesus Glasses!

† Church School Picnic his Sunday, June 10th St. Paul’s annual T Church School picnic will take place immediately following the 10:30 am service. Please join us outside (weather permitting) as we celebrate our youth and all that they have accomplished this year in their Church School classes. Hamburgers and hotdogs will be provided. What can you bring, you ask???? Last names A-M - please bring a side dish (macaroni salad, potato salad, mixed green salad, etc.); N-Z - please bring a dessert (cookies, fruit, watermelon slices, etc.). Any questions, please contact either Heather Melody ([email protected] or 203-797-1434) or Lori O’Hara ([email protected] or 860-354-8089).

† Cornerstone Secrets Learned

For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”

n Valentine’s Day, 1937 our second O church edifice was totally destroyed in a spectacular fire. Construction started almost immediately. To the left of our front door are two cornerstones. One from the 1837 building and our current 1937 stone. Other than several black & white uncaptioned photos of the cornerstone laying, that’s about all we knew. Then recently Stuart Terrill graced us with a newspaper article from the Danbury News-Times loaded with the details!

† Friendship Caravan - Tzofim

zofim is the Israel Scouts Organization, a Zionist national youth movement T structured to foster positive leadership, nurture a strong Jewish identify, encourage social responsibility and to support community building. On Monday, June 4, after an introduction by Rabbi Jon Haddon, President of the Danbury Jewish Federation, a group of about 12 Israeli teenagers shared stories and performed songs and dances representing Israeli culture. The members of the “Friendship Caravan” are carefully selected and trained to carry out a three-month mission in North America: to teach, learn and create lifelong friendships. After a short tour in the Greater Danbury area, the group will head to the mid-west for the remainder of the summer. There are three other Tzofim Friendship Caravan groups touring to other areas. The goal of the movement is to provide a variety of social activities and educational experiences. The scout troops include a diverse population including children and teenagers from across all parts of Israel, new immigrants, secular and religious and children with special needs. Songs included Born for Peace “Noladti Lashalom” which expresses the role they take as Israelis and as Scouts to pursue peace; the “Hora”, a medley of songs and dance among others. They ended their set with “Halleluiah which in Hebrew means “Praise God”. In the audience were members of St. Paul’s, John and Elaine Skewis, Pam and David Szen and many Christians from our communities.

Vespers

During the summer Vespers will be held on the 2nd Sunday of the month and will include Holy Communion.

utwardly n June 22nd St Paul’s OWN will be having O O their summer “Lock-in.” We’ll be starting at 7 pm on Friday, and finishing up at 7 am on Saturday itnessing morning. This event is open to all current youth-group W the members and their friends. In order to make sure we have enough food and youth leaders around, we need ews! th. everyone who is attending to RSVP by June 15 You N can e-mail [email protected] if you’re planning on being there.

Youth Work Day St. Paul’s OWN is planning our first Youth Work Day this July 28th – and we need your help to make it happen! We’re looking for a handful of small projects to tackle that will make a difference, big or small, to some members of our St. Paul’s family. If you have, or know someone who has, a small project at your house that you’re not able to complete yourself – please let us know how we can help! Some examples of projects we can take on: Yard cleanup (raking, mowing, clearing overgrowth) Basement or attic that needs a little cleaning or organizing Minor household repairs – broken fence, wobbly step Small painting projects Examples of projects which are too big for us to tackle: Painting your whole house Building a deck, addition, barn, in-ground pool Laying sod Cleaning a teenager’s bedroom… Please send in any project ideas and suggestions by Sunday, June 17th. You can e- St. Paul’s OWN mail them to [email protected] th June 10 - Youth Group 5-7pm We’re also in need a few nd June 22 - Lock-In 7 pm-7am handy adults who are willing to spend the day with some of th July 8 - Youth Group 5-7pm our youth and help oversee th one of the projects. If you are July 28 - Youth Work Day free on July 28th and would th like to help out, please e-mail Aug 12 - Youth Group 5-7pm us at [email protected]. Aug 26th - Mini-Golf & Ice Cream 2-4 pm

7 † Israel 2012 

By Pam Szen

Tel Dan

ontinuing on our second full day in Israel, we headed north from the Mount of C Beatitudes to the Ancient City of Dan, named after the Israelite tribe of Dan, 5th son of Jacob. In Hebrew Dan means "Judge": Genesis 49 16: "Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel." The mound of the biblical city of Dan is located at the foot of Mount Hermon in the northeast area of Israel. Tel Dan is an impressive archaeological site with unique remains of the Canaanite and Israelite cities including a Biblical High Place. Dan was first settled in 95th Millennium BC ast year Fr. Joe & Tara (Neolithic Period). Later the city expanded L and our rector and was transformed into a large Canaanite emeritus Fr. Crocker toured city, about 5000 years ago. The Canaanite the Holy Land. This past April city, known in the Bible as Leshem or Laish, Dave & Pam Szen completed was one of the largest cities in the region, the same trip and are planning heavily fortified and offering protection on a pilgrimage to Israel for our all sides. It was located on the crossroads parish for 2013. Each week of major ancient trade routes from the Galilee to Damascus. The Canaanite city Pam is writing a summarySword Points. of their journey in had an impressive brick arch on its southeast side which was unearthed by archaeologists. This is the oldest arch in the Middle East. The triple-arch entrance is made of sun-baked bricks. This was the front entrance to the city and the gate where Abraham passed during his pursuit against the North Kings (Genesis 14:14). Today it is known as “Abraham’s Gate.” Families from the Israelite tribe of Dan relocated here after being forced out of the center of Israel by invading Philistines. In Dan, they found a fertile valley with plenty of water coming down from Mt. Hermon and the surrounding hills: Judges 18: 9 “we have seen the land, and, behold, it is very good.” After King Solomon’s death, King Jeroboam divided the Kingdom and established a substitute worship place for Jerusalem here in the 10th century BC. He built an altar bearing a golden calf in two cities; “he set one in Bethel and the other he put in Dan…and the people went up to worship…even unto Dan” (1 Kings 12 29-39). The city was destroyed in 732 BC but continued to be inhabited until the Roman period. One of the interesting findings at Dan was a bilingual Green-Aramaic inscription which read “to the God who is in Dan.” The excavation team also unearthed and reconstructed the (Continued on page 9)

8 (Continued from page 8) remains of a unique Israelite High Place which was used for hundreds of years and by different religions. On the altar of the High Place, animals were sacrificed and their bones were found at the site. The monumental city gate complex and a long section of the wall of Israelite Dan were exposed at the foot of the southern side of the mound. A square leads to the gate complex, which is composed of an outer and an inner gate, both built of large basalt stones. Beyond these gates, a magnificent processional road winds its way up the slope to the city. The inner gate is the best preserved and is a good example of Israelite city gates during biblical times. It consisted of four guard rooms, two on each side of a paved passageway. The threshold, made of a large basalt stone, includes the doorstop and hinge-sockets which once supported the massive wooden doors. Outside this gate, five undressed stones were found standing erect marking a cultic place. In this context, Josiah's deed comes to mind: he broke down the high places at the gates which were at the entrance of the Gate of Joshua the governor of the city... (2 Kings 23:8) Also outside this gate a bench was exposed, reminiscent of the place where the elders sat in biblical times, a custom referred to many times in the Bible. Next to the opening of the gate itself, four squat, decorated stones served to hold four pillars supporting a canopy. It is probable that the king or judge sat here when he came to the city. More recently Tell Dan was a front military post until 1967, when the border with Lebanon and Syria passed at this location. A great panorama of Mt. Hermon and the bordering villages in Lebanon can be seen from this abandoned trench, located near the High Place. The Dan River originates from the springs at Tell Dan and is the largest of the three sources of the Jordan river. The other two are the Hermon (Banias) and the Snir streams. The waters originate from two springs (Dan and Leshem) which are located on the north-western part of the site. The Dan Nature Reserve has many brooks that stream into the Dan River, water ponds, with walking trails among the trees and water. On the south side of the park is a hidden pond. By this time, many in our group were ready for a refreshing dip in the crystal clear waters.

Flights and hotels have been finalized for our St. Paul’s trip to Israel on April 3-12, 2013. If you would like to be part of this life-changing spiritual journey, contact David or Pam Szen or send an e-mail to [email protected].

9 † This Date on the Church Calendar

June 11

St. Barnabas

“Joseph, a Levite born in Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), sold a field he owned, brought the money, and turned it over to the apostles” (Acts 4:36–37). This first reference in the New Testament to Barnabas introduces one whose missionary efforts would cause him to be called, like the Twelve, an apostle. As a Jew of the Dispersion, he had much in common with Paul. When Paul came to Jerusalem after his conversion, the disciples were afraid to receive him. It was Barnabas who brought Paul to the apostles, and declared to them how, on the road to Damascus, Paul had seen the Lord, and had preached boldly in the name of Jesus (Acts 9:27). Later, Barnabas, having settled in Antioch, sent for Paul to join him in leading the Christian Church in that city. Barnabas and Paul were sent by the disciples in Antioch to carry famine relief to the Church in Jerusalem. Upon their return, the Church in Antioch sent them on their first missionary journey beginning at Cyprus. At Lystra in Asia Minor, the superstitious people took them to be gods, supposing the eloquent Paul to be Mercury, the messenger of the gods, and Barnabas to be Jupiter, the chief of the gods, a testimony to the commanding presence of Barnabas. The association of Barnabas and Paul was broken, after their journey, by a disagreement about Mark, who had left the mission to return to Jerusalem. After attending the Council of Jerusalem with Barnabas, Paul made a return visit to the Churches he and Barnabas had founded in Asia Minor. Barnabas and Mark went to Cyprus, where Barnabas is traditionally honored as the founder of the Church. It seems that Barnabas continued his journeys for the Gospel, because Paul mentions him several times in his letters to the Galatians, the Corinthians, and the Colossians. Tradition has it that he was martyred at Salamis in Cyprus. The parish office, Fr. Joe or Barbara Cappiello.

† Newcomers Welcome

Last Sunday afternoon about a dozen newcomers met with Fr. Joe, members of the Vestry and other parishioners. oly Spirit living within us, guide our hearts H and minds as we welcome newcomers who worship with us at St. Paul’s. Give us discerning hearts so that everyone who crosses our threshold feels welcomed in the spirit of your love. Help us to recognize each person as an individual sent by you who will enrich our lives. And most of all, O God, let this be a place of love and acceptance of all your children; in the name of your Child, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Newcomers: Clockwise, top to bottom: Jack Simmons; Stuart Terrill, Jack Collins; Bob Case with Fr. Joe; Joe & Polly Sorrentino and David & Ann Allen.; John Bilski & Debbi Pomeroy.

† This Sunday’s Readings (click on the red links below to go directly to the text)

Jesus’ Power to Heal

1 Samuel 8:4-20, 11:14-15 In our Hebrew Bible lesson the elders of Israel insist that the aging prophet Samuel anoint for them a king such as governed the surrounding nations. The biblical account refers to the military threat of the Philistines as the primary motivation for this request, but other pressures were likely at work as the tribal structure of Israelite society underwent change. God tells Samuel to consent to the request of the elders, but to make clear the cost involved in submission to the arbitrary power of a human monarch. 2 Corinthians 4:13 Yet the people persist in their request and Samuel anoints Saul as king over them. Just as we have the same Psalm 138 spirit of faith that is in A hymn of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord on high who has saved God’s servant and cares for the lowly. accordance with scripture-- 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 In this passage Paul speaks of the eternal and glorious hope that belongs to "I believed, and so I spoke" Jesus’ disciples even in the midst of trouble and mortality. The apostle has just -- we also believe. told of the difficulties that beset his ministry. These, however, have not prevented his preaching of the gospel. Now he quotes scripture to express his conviction that the belief of Christians can and must be proclaimed in all circumstances. Although our physical being is gradually decaying, we are inwardly being renewed in accordance with what is unseen and eternal. Mark 3:20-35 In our gospel lesson Jesus is accused of being possessed by the prince of demons. He responds by describing his battle against Satan and indicating that true relationship with him is based in the doing of God’s will. The passage suggests a certain separation between Jesus and his own relatives due to the intensity of his ministry. To those who charge him with doing good by the power of evil, Jesus answers with figures of speech - one implies that Jesus himself is the man who must first bind Satan before destroying his power. A warning is given not to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit - by which perhaps is meant calling good evil.

† Pick Up Your Copy Today! Synthesis CE Study Guides for each weeks readings will be available at the back of the church.

† Photo Contest for July Sword of the Spirit

alling all photographers! We are looking for a cover photo for our C next monthly Sword. The July issue covers the Pentecost season, summer, VBS. Last year’s pictures are OK. Have fun. The deadline is June 22nd. Send your pictures to [email protected].

† Scholarly Speaking

Corpus Christi

atin for “Body of Christ” this is the name of a city in Texas, a submarine of the US L Navy (actually she is the “City of Corpus Christi”) built here in Connecticut, a college of Oxford University, many Churches (not all of them Roman Catholic), and more to our immediate purpose an observance celebrating the institution of the Holy Eucharist – traditionally kept on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday. While it does not appear as such in our Calendar (it is in some newer Anglican calendars including the Church of England), our Prayer Book does include the Proper among the Special Occasions, so it really does have a place in our tradition. This feast originated in the 13th century, and like Trinity Sunday celebrates a doctrine rather than a person or event. From the very beginning most Christians affirmed that Christ was really present and really received in the Holy Communion and by the fourth century Christian writers were speaking of a change in the elements to mark Christ’s presence. It is only in the 11th century, however, that we start to find widespread discussion of how this happened. In 1215 the Lateran Council described the process using the term ‘transubstantiated’ and by mid- Thomas Aquinas century Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) defined the term as it is still used in the RC Church. At about the same time two other things happened in people’s attitudes towards the Sacrament. Lay people began receiving Communion much less often, and they began showing more visible reverence to the consecrated elements themselves. My suspicion is that these changes, as well as the definition itself, all grew out of an increasing interest in what might be called the mechanics of the sacrament. What we know is that at this time we find an interest in having a feast to celebrate the institution of the sacrament and to honor Christ’s presence there, and various decrees requiring people to receive Communion a minimum number of times (thrice a year in England, a little as once in some places) were being Sr. Juliana enacted. An Augustinian nun, Juliana of Liège, began petitioning for the creation of a feast of the Blessed Sacrament in 1208, and nearly forty years later her bishop created one for that diocese. The real push came in 1263, when a visiting priest in Bolsena, Italy, was saying Mass, and as he broke the bread it bled onto the corporal. Whatever actually happened, the corporal was taken to the cathedral in nearby Orvieto where it is enshrined in one of the chapels (and where my research assistant and I saw it on our visit to Italy last fall). Pope Urban IV visited Orvieto soon after this and established the feast of Corpus Christi throughout the Roman Catholic Church. Although he does not mention the miracle in the proclamation, it is generally believed that it was in fact the particular inspiration for the feast. It is certainly o you have a question you true that in Orvieto today Corpus Christi Orvieto: Procession with a banner of D would like answered by our is a major civil as well as religious the miracle Scholar-in-Residence? Send your holiday marked by a procession in which ecclesiastical, liturgical, doctrinal, both the corporal itself and a banner depicting the historical or other inquiries to: miracle are carried through the streets. I would add that similar processions, usually involving carrying a [email protected]. consecrated host, are quite common throughout the world. The English Reformation went through several stages. Under Henry VIII Papal

(Continued on page 15)

† Hopeline Baby Bottle Campaign

he Hopeline Baby Bottle Campaign began on T Mother’s Day. Hopeline is a Christian-based ministry supporting women during unplanned pregnancies. In addition to material assistance for the care of the newborn, such as cribs, clothing, diapers, and other supplies, Hopeline offers counseling, support, and ultrasounds performed on newly pregnant women by an Ob-Gyn trained physician. They offer post-abortion counseling to women of any age. St. Paul’s supports Hopeline through its annual “Change for Change” Baby Bottle Fundraiser. There are baby bottles at the back of the church and in the Parish Hall that we ask you to please fill with your loose change and bills and return them on June 17th, Father’s Day. For more information, contact: Rory Palmer, Bonnie Wanzer or Debbie Werneburg..

† Announcement Deadlines For the Sunday bulletins please submit your information by the preceding Monday to [email protected]. For Sword Points please submit it by Wednesday afternoon each week to [email protected].

Hello, St. Paul's Family! VBS 2012 planning is in FULL SWING. We are inviting St. Paul's Members to enroll first this year before we open up registration. The General Public will be able to register after June 9th, so get your forms in TODAY! Remember, the dates this year are July 16-July 20. Download your registration form here: http://tinyurl.com/StPVBS2012. Save the dates! VBS 2012

Monday, July 16th Friday, July 20th 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Stay tuned for more details soon!

(Continued from page 13) Corpus Christi authority was rejected, and prayers for the Pope removed from the service books, but there were few other changes in worship or theology and our feast continued as before. Under Edward VI transubstantiation was rejected and there was a general tendency to define Christ’s presence as Real, but Spiritual (without much definition) and both the feast and most forms of outward reverence to the sacrament were abandoned. Mary I, of course restored Papal obedience and the whole pre-Reformation worship scheme but made enough enemies in the process that after her death the Reformation regime was restored. Elizabeth I was somewhat vacillating in her ecclesiastical governance, calling for retention/ restoration of vestments and church ornaments (and presumably some at least of the ceremonies that went with them) in the Prayer Book but in practice allowing a more minimalist approach. The Elizabeth I XXIX Articles (particularly XXV and XXVIII-XXX) deal with the Sacraments, and reject Transubstantiation (especially in the most literal sense that suggested consuming the physical Body and Blood of Christ), and certainly do not encourage the types of ceremonial associated with celebrations of Corpus Christi: “The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was not by Christ’s ordinance reserved, carried about, lifted up, or worshipped.” Even here, however, there is some wiggle room as these activities are not directly prohibited. In 1640 under Charles I bowing to the Altar was directed, and Archbishop Laud defended this on the basis that the Eucharist was consecrated there. I can find no examples, however, of direct acts of reverence to the Eucharistic elements until the Oxford movement of the mid-nineteenth century. This revival of interest in the Catholic aspects of Anglican heritage led to the recovery of vestments, richer ceremonial, and a fuller sacramental life quickly followed in some places by renewed devotion to the Eucharist and the celebration, even without official sanction, of Corpus Christi in at least a few more ‘advanced’ parishes. Today it has at least a small place in official Anglican life. Fr. Bill Loring, Scholar in Residence

1-There have been various natural explanations of this event including the spilling of a few drops of wine from the chalice, or the presence of a reddish fungus in the bread. Similar accounts also occur in other parts of Europe from that time period. 2-A classic example of such wiggle room is found in Article XVII which says in effect that Predestination can be helpful for the godly but dangerous for those who are not there yet.

15 † Transforming Saints of God

June 7

The Pioneers of the Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil

he presence of Anglicans in Brazil is first recorded in the T early nineteenth century and took the form of chaplaincies for English expatriates. It was not, however, until 1890 when missionary efforts among the Brazilian people began under the care of two Episcopal Church missionaries, Lucien Lee Kinsolving and James Watson Morris. They held the first service on Trinity Sunday 1890 in Porto Alegre. Within a year, three additional missionaries - William Cabell Brown, John Gaw Meem, Morris and Mary Packard - arrived and joined the work. These five missionaries are the pioneers and considered the founders of the Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil. In 1899, Kinsolving was made missionary bishop for the work Kinsolving in Brazil by the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church, and in 1907 the missionary district of Brazil was established by The General Convention. The number of parishes and institutions continued to increase. The bishops were raised up from among Episcopal Church missionaries who were serving in the missionary district. Fifty years after the work first began, in 1940, the first native Brazilian was elected to the episcopate, Athalício Theodoro Pithan. By 1950, the work had increased to the point that the missionary district was too large and it was divided into three dioceses. This set the stage for the continued development of the church in Brazil, which eventually led to the formation of the Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil as an autonomous Province of the Anglican Communion in 1965. Complete financial independence from the Episcopal Church was completed by 1982, although the two churches continue to have strong bonds of affection and united mission efforts through companion diocese relationships and coordination at the church-wide level. † Adult Christian Education

Join us this Sunday at 9:15 AM in the Guild Room for the Adult Education class on Christian Virtues led by Ray Ferro.

† Tuna Burgers Ingredients: 2 6 oz. cans tuna fish, drained and flaked Directions: ½ c. panko bread crumbs Combine tuna, bread crumbs, green onion, parsley, garlic, ¼ c. chopped green onions salt, pepper, lemon, sour cream and egg. Mix well. Form 3 T. minced fresh parsley into 4 patties, place on a greased 2 cloves garlic, minced baking sheet and bake for 20 ¼ tsp. each: salt and pepper minutes at 400º. Serve burgers on Juice of half a lemon toasted English muffins with 3 T. sour cream lettuce and tomato. Spread 1 egg additional sour cream on each 4 English muffins burger. 4 leaves romaine Calories: 175; Protein: 24.2g; Fat: 1 small tomato, sliced 3.7g.

† Choir Practice for Sword Points Readers (click on the red links below to begin your personal practice)

Opening Hymn Come, Thou Almighty King Gradual Hymn O Christ, the Word Incarnate Offertory Hymn Blessed Assurance Closing Hymn I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light

Come, Thou Almighty King

t is unknown who wrote this hymn - and that might be what the author intended. This I is a story of a hymn of praise to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that some might have considered subversive. This hymn originally appeared in a small pamphlet in 1757 along with another hymn by Charles Wesley. That led some people to believe that Wesley wrote "Come, Thou Almighty King" as well - but we have no evidence to that effect other than the hymn's appearance in that little pamphlet along with another Wesley hymn. So why would anyone consider this hymn to be subversive? Perhaps because it appeared about fifteen years after another song was written - "God Save Our Gracious King" - the British national anthem. While the hymn is now sung to a tune quite different from the anthem, they were originally sung to the same tune. The hymn might well have been written to call Christians to a higher allegiance than allegiance to the British king. During the Revolutionary War, British soldiers entered a Long Island church on a Sunday morning and ordered the congregation to sing, "God Save Our Gracious King." The congregation responded by singing, "Come, Thou Almighty King" - different words - a higher calling - sung to the same tune. The soldiers must have been quite perplexed about what to do next. So it is entirely possible that the person who wrote this hymn may have intended to remain anonymous to avoid prosecution for subversion. † We Must Have You, Holy Spirit!

hat a mechanical thing prayer is without the Spirit of God. It is a parrot’s noise, W and nothing more; a weariness, a slavish drudgery. How sweet it is to pray when the Spirit gives us feeling, unction, access with boldness, pleading power, faith, expectancy, and full fellowship; but if the Spirit of God be absent from us in prayer our infirmities prevail against us, and our supplication loses all prevalence. Did you ever resolve to praise God, and come into the congregation where the sweetest psalms were being sent to heaven, but could you praise God till the Holy Spirit came like a divine wind and loosed the fragrance of the flowers of your soul? You know you could not; you used the sacred words of the sweet singers of Israel, but hosannas languished on your tongue and your devotion died. I know that it is dreadful work to be bound to preach when one is not conscious of the aid of the Spirit of God! It is like pouring water out of bottomless buckets, or feeding hungry souls out of empty baskets. A true sermon such as God will bless no man can preach of himself; he might as well try to sound the archangel’s trumpet. We must have thee, O blessed Spirit, or we fail! O God, we must have thy power, or every action that we perform is but the movement of an automaton, and not the acceptable act of a living, spiritual man. From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled "Life's Need And Maintenance," delivered June 18, 1876. Image by SteveD. on Flickr under Creative Commons License.

† Your Prayers Are Requested For…

t is such an intimate time when praying for the health and well being of others and I such a privilege. The people that we lift up to The Lord are part of our hearts for all time. Please pray for…

…..Grace Church, Norwalk; Iglesia Betania, Norwalk; St. Paul’s, Norwalk; Christ Episcopal, Norwich. …..Dot Blake, convalescing from a stroke at Filosa in Danbury. …..Sue Jennings, healing and strength. …..Gerry Mullen, strength and freedom from pain. …..Ministry of Creation; environmental stewardship committees; eco-justice work; community gardens. …..Doug Azzarito, healing of blood cancer. …..Paul Estok, healing of his broken leg. …..Cy Dennerlein, recovering from a fall. …..Barbara Kast, continued healing. …..Peggy Bauer, a miracle of healing. …..Ginny Beck for continued healing and strength. …..Mike Healey's brother, Tim who had a recent liver transplant; pray that he is able to assimilate the new liver in his body. …..Shirley Jessup, healing and comfort for her back. …..David Palmer, strength and peace as he recovers. …..Bill Mayers’ daughter, Kathleen for recovery from a heart condition. …..Walter Biscardi for healing and strength. …..Kelly & Tim Malloy, their children and their team, safety in Jos, Nigeria. …..Tom Balash, strength and mobility. …..a job for Mary Ellen. The recent plane crash in Nigeria took the lives of …..Kay Tucker who is undergoing chemotherapy several of Oby Okwuka's family members--a cousin for cancer, a miracle of healing. and his family. They lived in Hartford but had traveled …..Michael for-protection in Afghanistan, in the to Nigeria to attend a family wedding. Please keep service. Oby, Venus, and her entire family in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this difficult time. Psalm 25:6 "Remember, O Lord , your great mercy and love, for they are from old." † Fathers’ Day Memorials

nyone wishing to have flowers on the altar in loving memory A of a father on Fathers’ Day, June 17, please make your check payable to Saint Paul's Church and include the name(s) to be included in the bulletin. All memorials are due by Sunday, June 10. Each gentleman attending worship on Fathers’ Day will receive a boutonniere. † Transforming Stewardship

“Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them and they all drank from it.” - MARK 14:23 esus, the perfect steward, gave thanks, just before He gave Himself to us J completely for our salvation. He offered us the chance to drink from His cup. In Eucharist we meet Christ personally and, if we listen to Him, we will know what drinking from His cup means for each of us. Often it means our own sacrifice – giving up some of our time, talent and treasure to do His work on earth.

Just For Fun ! (And Christian Fellowship)

† Now You See Him...Now You Don’t! † It Takes An Editorial Board Contributors to this Weeks Sword Points:

Debbie Barackman, Donna Betts, Barbara Cappiello, Drew Crocker, Lynne Donnelly, Jen Falci, Deanne Hobson, Heather Melody, Beth Miller, Patrick O’Connors, Caroline O’Hara, During the Children’s Sermon last Sunday, Fr. Shepley used a little “Holy Lori O’Hara, Linda Smoke” to explain the Holy Spirit! Click here to watch the video. Pendergast, Kirsten Peterson, Joe Shepley, David † Happy Birthday to You! Szen, Pam Szen, lbert Chaleski celebrates today! Saturday is the big day for Joan Stein. Stuart Terrill, Austin Williams will be expecting your card on Sunday. Justin DoBosh Bonnie Wanzer, A will be another year older and wiser on Wednesday. Have a blessed day each one of Debbie you! Werneburg .

Technologically Speaking At St. Paul’s we embrace the digital age we live in. Click here for our active website. And you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Also if you would like to receive the Sunday bulletins in PDF format for your iPad or other type of e- reader to use during the services contact us at the following link. Scan our QR Code.