St. Paul's Messenger

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St. Paul’s Messenger

August 25, 2021

“…a Christ-centered, caring congregation”

Fruits of the Spirit

Each Fruit of the Spirit nourishes the soul satiating fuel for young and old

Love, peace and joy nutrient dense, Goodness and kindness sharing makes sense

Patience and gentleness handle with care, Self-control and faithfulness replenish through prayer

The fruits of the spirit staples for living good for the soul receiving and giving

Lorraine Battista

Seasons

Hybiscus flybiscus Crepe Myrtle too fading fast from summer's blast the beauty I hoped time would outlast just a tad longer before winter's cold shuts nature down let it rest catch its breath beneath the frost’s protective vest with boutonniere’s floral cheer awaiting a chance to reappear annual dance of another new year.

David M. Finch

Puzzles

“Count it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” - James 1:2-4

This past Sunday, our two & a half year old, granddaughter, Haylee, came to visit. With a cabinet full of toys, and shelves filled with children’s books, she immediately requested the “Winnie the Pooh Puzzle,” a ten-piece puzzle of Pooh Bear eating from a honey pot with a friendly bee buzzing overhead. Scattering the puzzle pieces on the floor, with amazing dexterity and problem-solving skills, (This is not just her grandfather writing. She could be a genius?), she had it together again within moments. She repeated this process several times before moving on to other puzzles, mastering them also with amazing ease for her age! What impressed me most, as I watched with delight, except for one momentary frustration, was her patience and joy with fitting the pieces together - first turning them this way, then that.

I will confess, I’ve been finding it challenging to get my puzzle pieces to line up: whether it’s getting a hold of my health issues, managing my mother’s care, checking all the boxes as a husband and father, and having a clear vision and plan for our church. But, maybe, watching Haylee’s patience, playfulness, and determination were just what the doctor ordered, especially the playfulness part. Maybe, I’ve been taking things a little too seriously and missing the joy in it all. How about you? What are the puzzles you’ve been working on in your life and are you remembering to trust and “count it all joy”? - Pastor Dave

Men’s Breakfast, Saturday, September 11, 8 AM

The St. Paul’s Men’s Group will begin meeting again for breakfast on Saturday, September 11 at 8 am, at the Hollywood Grill. Pastor Dave will offer a devotion followed by a brief discussion, food, and fellowship. Everyone is encouraged to bring a guest. Please call me if you have any questions. - Pastor Dave

Meet our New Bishop: Bishop Latrelle Easterling

Our Peninsular Delaware Conference will soon have a new Bishop: Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, the episcopal leader of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, the oldest and most diverse annual conference in The United Methodist Church. She was appointed to this office in September 2016.

Prior to being elected, she served as Dean of the Cabinet of the New England Conference and as a superintendent, leading 57 congregations in the Boston Hope District. She was ordained a Deacon in 1995 and an Elder in 1997, and was pastor of Union UMC in Boston’s historic South End, Pearl Street UMC in Brockton, Mass., and Old West Church, UM, in Boston.

Easterling is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana. The child of Mary and Walter Miller. As an active United Methodist, Easterling sang in numerous choirs, served as a youth group leader and Sunday school teacher. Upon moving to Denver, Colorado, she joined the African Methodist Episcopal Church, where she learned the art of preaching and the importance of advocacy and justice ministries.

A strong proponent of education, Easterling received a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and a Law degree from Indiana University School of Law. She graduated summa cum laude in 2004 with a Master of Divinity from Boston University School of Theology. In 2020, she was named a Distinguished Alumna of that school for her leadership in The United Methodist Church.

Prior to entering the ministry, she worked as a human resources manager and director, and as a prosecuting attorney.

A delegate to General and Jurisdictional Conference in 2012 and 2016, Easterling serves on a number of boards and agencies, including the Committee for the National Plan for Hispanic and Latino Ministries, The Council of Bishop’s Immigration Task Force, the Boards of Directors for Wesley Theological and American University, the Board of Child Care and The Jane Robinson Bancroft Foundation. Easterling also serves as the President of the Northeast Jurisdiction Multi- Ethnic Center, the Anna Howard Shaw Board of Boston University School of Theology, and Boston University School of Theology Dean’s Advisory Counsel. Upon arriving in the Baltimore- Washington Conference, she founded The Seeds of Security ministry, or SOS, which benefits people in crisis who are seeking to leave abusive relationships. Easterling is a much sought-after speaker and preacher, poet and published author. She has received numerous awards and recognitions, most recently receiving the 2017 Rainbow Push Trombone Award for Faith in Action, presented by the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

She is married to the Rev. Marion Easterling Jr., pastor of Locust UMC in Columbia. They have two grown sons, Garret Walter and Miles Teronza.

Up-Coming Town Hall Meeting: Discussing the Affiliation between the BWC and Pen-Del Conference Tuesday, August 31, 2021 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

This coming Tuesday evening, Bishop Easterling and conference leaders from the Peninsula- Delaware and Baltimore-Washington Conferences will meet online to share information and insights about the new affiliation between our two conferences, which goes into effect Sept. 1.

Registration is required. After registering, you will receive information about joining the Zoom town hall webinar in an e-mail. To register, please click on the “Register” button below.

If you have trouble registering, please visit our conference website @ https://www.pen-del.org/ and look under the conference calendar, August 31 for more information.

Welcome Eric Moore Guest Song Leader

We are happy to announce that we will have a guest Song Leader, Eric Moore, to help lead us in worship on Sunday mornings. Eric is a past student of Music Director, Rob Kennan, a graduate from Shenandoah University in Music Studies, and a current graduate student in Music Therapy at Immaculata University. Following morning worship, please take a moment to introduce yourselves and welcome Eric to our fold.

You’re Invited to Our Annual Welcome Back Picnic Brunch Sunday, September 12

Come and join us on Sunday, September 12, for our annual Welcome Back Picnic Brunch to kick off our new year. Following morning worship, we will gather on our back lawn for a delicious brunch provided by our Fellowship Team. All you need to do is to show up and enjoy a great time of food and fellowship. Along with our delicious meal, there will be picnic games and prizes for children and youth. We will also be blessed with a concert performed by The Diamond State Concert Band. Don’t miss the fun and remember to bring a friend!

We are returning to the in-person small group experience. All the studies are designed to meet you where you are in your faith journey enabling you to put into action what you learn.

The book we will study is First Corinthians: Searching the Depths of God by Jaime Clark-Soles. This is a 6-week study with an accompanying video to supplement the teachings in the book.

 Monday mornings from 10-11:30 a.m. with Chet Thayer (302-388-9290) starting on September 13. Chet’s group will be hosted by Sue Marvian in North Wilmington.  Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. with Fran Smart (302-477-1629) starting on Sept. 14. hosted by Ray Clowesley & Trish Kronen in their North Wilmington home.  Wednesday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. with Lynn Simpson (302-525-6501) starting on September 15. This group will meet in the Simpson’s house in Newark, DE.

Please sign up on the St. Paul’s website or contact the leader of the group you wish to join. Order your book as soon as possible! We are really looking forward to having these sessions in person. We have really missed your physical presence and energy (and the snacks!). Fran, Chet, and Lynn

Up-Date for Sunday Morning Worship

In light of a significant uptick in COVID cases reported in New Castle County, our Church Reopening Team, following Delaware State and CDC guidelines, is now strongly recommending the use of masks and social distancing for fully vaccinated persons, during Sunday morning worship, and other large group indoor church gatherings. Mandatory indoor mask wearing remains in effect for all unvaccinated persons. Because fully vaccinated persons can be carriers of COVID, the wearing of masks is primarily intended to protect the unvaccinated – including our children under the age of 12 who are not yet eligible for vaccination in the U.S.

The Reopening Team will continue to monitor the intensity of the coronavirus pandemic in New Castle County, as well as, State and CDC guidelines, to make changes in our protocol as warranted.

Church-Wide Retreat Mark Your Calendar! October 1-3, 2021

Mark your calendars now for the St. Paul’s Fall Retreat at Pecometh the weekend of October 1st- 3rd. Join us in a beautiful setting along the Chester River for a spiritual weekend to refresh your soul and strengthen your friendships. We sleep in hotel-like rooms, eat great meals cooked by someone else, enjoy recreation, fellowship, learning and growing together with some free-time to rest. For more information regarding the facilities, click on the link below to learn about Camp Pecometh. Please look for our new brochures and retreat registration information in the Narthex.

Retreat Planning Team: Ted Dwyer, Pastor Dave, Nancy Gorman, Rob Kennan, Teresa Powell, Fran Smart, Lynn Simpson

Thursday Morning Hybrid Bible Study (10 AM)

Our Thursday Morning Bible Study meets from 10-11:30 am in the Philip Embury Room. We are reading through the Gospel of John, including the seven Signs or Miracles performed by Jesus. You can attend in person or on-line, via ZOOM. If you would like our ZOOM address, contact Pastor Dave.

Remember “Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” - 2 Timothy 3:17

Rise Against Hunger Saturday, October 9 9-12 noon

Looking ahead, please remember to put our Rise Against Hunger Event on your calendar. For several years now, our Mission Team has been sponsoring a Rise Against Hunger food packaging day here at St. Paul’s UMC. At our last event, we packaged 14,000 meals to feed the hungry. We need more than two dozen volunteers to help. Will you be one?

Rise Against Hunger is an international hunger relief non-profit organization that coordinates the packaging and distribution of food and other aid to people in developing nations.

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, …” - Matthew 25:35

Freeborn Garrettson Sunday School Class

From August 1 – September 5, the Freeborn Garrettson Sunday School Class will be doing a short but powerful study of the 7 Key Chapters of the Bible presented through videos and readings by Kris Langham of Through the Word. This study will begin with Seeds and Soil and our ability to grow our faith. It continues through Genesis as the beginning, Israel and its people, the prophesies of the Bible, God’s Big Plan and then we meet Jesus himself. The videos and reading plan can be found in the YOU Bible App plans; in the throughtheword.org or at my.Bible.com We will be meeting virtually at 11AM for this series in August. Our Zoom meeting ID number is 876 1112 0305 with password 486254. Please feel free to join us. We plan to be “hybrid” beginning on Sept. 12, 2021. We will then be studying the Bible Challenge: The Way of Love. - Agnes Barkley

Philip Embury Sunday School Class beginning on September 19 Live Series

Imagine how different your outlook on life would be if you had absolute confidence that God was with you. Imagine how differently you would respond to difficulties, temptations and even good things. Imagine PERFECT faith. Brent & Carole Burdge will begin a 6-week video series from Rev. Andy Stanley, immediately after church on 9/19 in the Embury room. This will be a “LIVE, only” series.

Rhythms from Rob: Looking for Musical Candidates

St. Paul’s Ministry of Music is a powerful part of our worship experience and work in the community. It is set up so that the people of the church participate in and produce music through various organized teams, most often called choirs. The members of these teams have varying musical capacities, but like any team, they work together to put out an effective product. Our teams have shrunk a bit to critical numbers, and Covid has not helped our situation.

We need more people in our musical groups. You are a possible candidate, so consider how you might be able to participate. Again, the only requirement is the desire to participate, no prior musical capacity is needed (although you will certainly gain musical competence through the experience).

I have been emailing music and recordings to the current team members so they can learn the music at home during Covid, which is something I will probably continue doing. Another possibility: do you know someone not associated with St. Paul’s who may be interested in joining us? I have been music director in many a church where we had choir members who were not originally part of the congregation who later joined – this can certainly happen with us as well (and has). Invite your friends and family to consider joining us.

The Chancel Choir, a vocal choir for teens – adults, will meet on Thursday evenings from 7:00- 8:00 or 8:30 and sing once or twice a month at worship (start-up date: September 9). JuBellation, a handbell choir, will meet on Tuesday evenings from 6:00-7:00 (start-up date: September 7). Worship Band, a contemporary music group, will meet TBD to learn the newer music of our faith. St. Paul’s Orchestra, a group for instrumentalists, will also meet TBD and play once a month in worship. I’d love to reinstate a children’s and youth choir as well. All of these groups will do occasional offerings in the community as well.

I could produce and perform all our worship music myself, but I’d much rather involve each and every congregant in making music, as it is indeed a command of our faith to ‘make music unto the Lord’. You can do it, and so can your friends and family! Talk with me about it: 478-3135 x6, [email protected]

Sunday Morning Worship

Come and worship this coming Sunday at our regular time 9:30 am. My message “A Pure Religion” is taken from the Epistle of James 1:17-27. What is a pure religion? How does the way we listen, speak, and act help to make our religion pure? Come and let us gather together as we wait upon the Word of truth.

Preaching Schedule for the Season of Pentecost

The Feast of Pentecost is celebrated on the 50th day from Easter Sunday commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem, as described in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:1–31). Although the start and end dates vary by liturgical tradition, the Season of Pentecost continues throughout the rest of the liturgical year, ending just before the season of Advent.

Aug. 29 Deut. 4:1-2,6-9; James 1:17-27; Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23 Pastor McMillan Sep. 5 Prov. 22:1-2, 8-9,22-23; James 2:1-17; Mark 7:24-37 Pastor Schuler Sep. 12 Prov. 1:20-33; James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38 Pastor Finch Sep. 19 Prov. 31:10-31; James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a; Mark 9:30-37 Pastor McMillan Sep. 26 Esther 7:1-10; 9:20-22; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50 Pastor McMillan

Prayer Requests

Please pray for:

Dawn & Tom Sobocinski (healing from COVID)

Rick & Bonnie Gamble (healing from COVID)

Dolores Garritano (healing/ recovering from a fall & heart condition)

Joanne Thiebault (healing/ lung infection)

Caroline Molter (healing/ recovering from stroke)

Carol Apanowicz (healing/ battling cancer)

Jim Jenkins, son-in-law of Dolores Garritano (healing/back)

Dot Wood (healing)

Elaine Linton (healing/heart)

Florence Seney (healing/back)

David Finch (healing)

Rick Stout (healing)

Rick Gamble (healing)

Bev Dennett and her family on the passing of her mother

Our church, nation, and world (Afghanistan)

Your family and self