ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
112 E. Main Street (P.O. Box 206) Lock Haven, PA 17745 Telephone: 570-748-2440 www.st-pauls-lock-haven.diocpa.org
NEWSLETTER Epiphany - Lent - 2019 Email: [email protected]
MINISTRY AT ST. PAUL’S
The Rt. Rev’d Audrey Scanlan Bishop of Central Pennsylvania
The Ven. Canon Daniel L. Selvage Priest-in-Charge Email: [email protected] Telephone: (814) 353-0124
MUSIC
Neil Kim Feerrar Organist/Choir Director
ALTAR GUILD & FLOWERS Phyllis Durost Telephone: (570) 726-6502
VESTRY
Joanne Waters, Senior Warden Serena Pfaff Charles Foulsham, Assistant Treasurer Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Telephone: (859) 588-91459 Telephone: (570) 660-9893 Telephone: (570)-748-7465
Donald J. Adams, Junior Warden Peggy Adams Courtney Berry Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Telephone: (570) 748-6415 Telephone: (570) 748-6415 Telephone: (570) 295-6521
Ed Hosler Email: [email protected] Telephone: (570) 295-9116 Dear Friends in Christ,
The themes of light and revelation to the nations are dominant during the season of Epiphany. The realization that the light of God is alive and at work in us is the gift we celebrate at Epiphany. That light within us leads us in turn to recognize the light in others.
Trappist mystic Thomas Keating wrote, “The full development of faith is the accessing of the drive presence within us and submitting to its transforming power.”
At St. Paul’s we see God’s transforming power in our work with our youngster’s in our Christian Education program, in our young adults who are sensing a call to leadership … lay and ordained … in the Church, and also in those who recognize and support this calling and work. As a church we are called to recognize where the light is shining, to welcome and extend that light to the world.
Truly, all of the baptized are called to ministry and when we recognize that, we live into that calling. We realize that to bear God’s word and message in the world requires courage and stamina. True transformation in the church and the world takes the whole church, acting as Christ, to support each other as we move forward into the new day that is dawning.
As this Epiphanytide draws to a close, let us resolve to follow the light, to be bearers of that light, and to support those journeying to the places God has called them. Daniel+ Report: Annual Parish Meeting
St. Paul’s 2018 Annual Parish Meeting has held on Sunday, January 27, 2019. The meeting opened with prayer. There were 18 baptized, confirmed, communicants in attendance. The minutes of the January 21, 2018 Annual Meeting were approved.
Elections were held for Vestry membership and for a delegate and alternate to the 2019 Diocesan Convention. Peggy Adams was elected to the Vestry to serve a 3-year term, while Serena Henry was re-elected to an additional 3-year term. Joanne Waters was elected to be St. Paul’s delegate to convention, while Lynn Bruner was elected as our parish’s alternate delegate.
Dr. Chip Foulsham, parish treasurer, presented the adopted 2019 Parish Budget and reviewed the year-end 2018 budget and status of our endowment funds. The parish gave unanimous acclaim for Chip’s hard work.
Retiring Senior Warden, Ed Hosler presented his report and noted various accomplishment during the past year including: the construction of our Tiny Food Pantry, our 100% compliance with the “Safeguarding God’s Children” program, our newly instituted service for the “Blessings of the Badges” Sunday, and various other achievements.
Junior Warden, Don Adams outlined various repairs and improvements that were made to our physical facilities during 2018 including: repair of the chair lift, the handicapped access ramp, fixing rotted windowsills, roof repair, organ repair, and the repairing of drains and broken pipes. In addition, fire extinguishers and boilers were inspected and found to be in good order.
Additional reports were filed by St. Paul’s Altar Guild, and our Music and Choir programs, including the annual Kellerman Concert and annual Christmas Concert. Peg Adams, director of Christian Education, provided a fine outline of the current activities of our Sunday school.
In offering his annual report, Canon Dan Selvage noted that he has now begun his seventh year as priest-in-charge at St. Paul’s. He spoke of growth and progress during his tenure, and gave thanks for the institution of our Sunday school. He challenged the congregation to focus on inviting more people to St. Paul’s and noted that during 2019 we would focus on two principle themes: “Seek to Serve” and “Come and See.” In concluding his report, he announced his appointment of Joanne Waters to serve as Senior Warden.
Following the adjournment of the business meeting, a potluck luncheon was enjoyed by all in attendance.
Daylight Savings Time Returns Please be reminded that we’ll be returning to Daylight Savings Time on Sunday, March 10. Be sure to adjust your clocks and watches accordingly. Concerning Altar Flowers The gift of flowers for the High Altar for Sunday worship is a wonderful way to remember departed loved ones, special anniversaries, or other significant life events. Altar Guild directress, Phyllis Durost maintains a calendar for the placement of our altar flowers and you are encouraged to contact Phyllis to reserve your selected dates. The cost is $30.00, with check payable to St. Paul’s Church. Please note altar flowers on the memo line of your check.
Vestry Notes
Members of the Vestry are reminded that their scheduled meeting will be held on Sunday, March 10. As usual, we shall be meeting in the Lord Room following the 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
St. Paul’s annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake and Sausage Supper will be held on the date of March 5th. Supper will be served in the Upper Room of the parish hall from 5:30 – 6:30 pm. Those planning to attend should sign up for the meal on the appropriate sheet at the rear of the church. You are encouraged to invite other family members, neighbors, and friends. But again, remember to sign them up. While there is no charge for the dinner, a freewill offering will be received. Head Chef, Chip Foulsham, is also looking for volunteers to assist with both the setup and the cleanup following dinner. Please contact him if you can help!
Ash Wednesday Observances
There will be two opportunities for you to observe Ash Wednesday at St. Paul’s this year: There will be a Vigil Eucharist with Imposition Ashes celebrated on Tuesday evening, March 5, following our Pancake Supper at 7:00 pm. And on Ash Wednesday, March 6, we shall be offering “Ashes to Go”… the taking of Ashes to the street, giving busy Christians an opportunity to repent of their sins and receive Ashes without attending a full Ash Wednesday liturgy. Accordingly, Ashes will be imposed in front of the church (outside, weather permitting) from 10:30 a.m. – Noon. In case of inclement weather, Ashes will be imposed in the Narthex of the Church with the front doors wide open.
As we enter the solemn season of Lent, you will notice several changes in both the physical appearance of our worship space and in the Sunday morning liturgy. For instance, we shall follow the ancient custom (originating in the 9th century) of veiling the crosses during the entire Lenten season. You will also note that the “liturgical color” now shifts from green to a rich purple for the hangings and priestly vestments. You may also notice that, instead of our usual tall brass Eucharistic candlesticks on the Altar, we’ll be using a simple wooden set, as we’ll also do with the processional cross. All “Alleluias” are deleted from the liturgy and no hymns are used that include the word “Alleluia” in their text. The canticle, Gloria to God, is dropped and in its place, we sing Kyrie eleison (Lord have mercy). Traditionally, weddings are not solemnized during Lent nor are flowers permitted at the Altar. All of these signs and symbols are meant to underscore the penitential nature of this holy season, and to mark a stark contrast between Lent and the seasons of the Church Year that came before and those that will follow after. Lent is intended to be a time in the desert, a time of self-reflection, a time of personal discernment. The changes in both the appearance of the church and the words of our liturgy and hymns are intended so that when you attend church during Lent, you will think, “Wow! This is a very different kind of season!” May this coming Lent be a time of reflection that prepares you for the joy of the Easter Feast.
Home Visitation and Pastoral Needs
If you find yourself in need of a pastoral visit at home or in a hospital, please let me know. I am always happy to visit you in your home. Are there shut-ins that I don’t know about? Who else in our community needs a visit or is facing a difficult situation? Please let me know! Are there other pastoral needs? Perhaps you’d like to renew your marriage vows or chat with me about a baptism or confirmation? Maybe you are regularly attending St. Paul’s but are technically a member of another church/denomination. I would be happy to discuss the process for becoming a fully affiliated member of St. Paul’s parish. The best way to contact me is by telephone: Home (814) 353-0124 or Cell (814) 571-6403. You may also email me at: [email protected]. While I do live in Bellefonte, I’m frequently in Lock Haven, so please do not worry that you are “bothering me.” One final note: Because of privacy laws, hospitals are related institutions are now prohibited by law from notifying the clergy about admissions, etc. So, please do not assume that I’ll know that you are in the hospital. You or a family member must take the first step. Thank you! The Monthly Calendars
Sunday, February 17: Epiphany 6 10:30 a.m., Choral Morning Prayer – Lynn Bruner
Sunday, February 24: Epiphany 7 10:30 a.m., Choral Morning Prayer – Lynn Bruner
Sunday, March 3: Last Sunday of Epiphany 10:30 a.m., Choral Eucharist – Cn. Dan Selvage
Tuesday, March 5: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Shrove Tuesday Pancake and Sausage Supper 7:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday Vigil Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes
Wednesday, March 6: Ash Wednesday 10:30 a.m., - Noon., Ashes to Go
Sunday, March 10: Lent 1 (Daylight Savings Time Begins) 10:30 a.m., Choral Eucharist – Cn. Dan Selvage 11:30 a.m., Vestry Meeting
Sunday, March 17: Lent 2 10:30 a.m., Choral Morning Prayer – Lynn Bruner, Worship Leader
Sunday, March 24: Lent 3 10:30 a.m., Choral Eucharist – Cn. Dan Selvage
Sunday, March 31: Lent 4 10:30 a.m., Choral Morning Prayer – TBA