Greeting our Brothers and Sisters

Posted by Webmaster on July 10, 2009 under Webmaster Blog | Read the First Comment

Greeting our brothers and sisters as they come to church on a Sunday morning is one of the ways we manifest God’s love for us. When we welcome the newcomer or first-timer at our door, we welcome our Lord in our midst. As baptized Christians, we are called to serve all people following the example of Jesus, who said, “whatever you did for one of the least of these [brothers and sisters of mine] you did for me.”

If you would like to contribute your time and talent toward this powerful ministry to our community, please see Tim Conklin after the service or send him an e-mail.

“Tend my Sheep”

Posted by Webmaster on July 5, 2009 under Bible Readings, Webmaster Blog | Be the First to Comment

John 21:15-19 ~ Gospel reading for July 5, 2009

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Stewardship Committee Meeting

Posted by Webmaster on July 4, 2009 under Webmaster Blog | Be the First to Comment

Hey everyone, everywhere: Wherever you find yourself on your journey, you are welcome at GOD’S Table to share in the body and blood of Christ.

My name is Linda Sklazeski, and Roy Simeon, Melissa Krull, Elizabeth Erlach, and I have formed a Stewardship Committee. I know I can hear the groans now: “here we go again talking about money, when the economy is hitting us in our pockets every day…”

But that is not what I mean by stewardship. Stewardship to me is between GOD and myself and the church – with no guilt attached.

My story isn’t unique as a person coming to St. Paul’s. I was always an anglican, confirmed and baptized, and actually married at St. Paul’s on August 1, 1981 by Father McSherry. My dad walked me up the aisle and the rest is history….

I worked in a small Northern town where the church was a shared ministry – Anglican, Lutheran and United – and sometimes, the Anglican priest was more a fundamentalist than a priest: another story, another time.

I moved back to the Lower Mainland and learned that St. Paul’s has an advocay office and I went one day, as I have a diagnosis of mental illness. I walked into the church and into the cold room and who is sitting behind the desk but Leslie Buck, and it was his calmness, his quietness and his willingness to help that endeared me. He was very gentle with me, and a young girl who volunteered there took me to the hospital and stayed with me until I could see a doctor.

When I think about what the church means to me and if the church doors closed tomorrow what would happen to the community…

I realize now that St. Paul’s is just not for Sundays but to keep the doors open for the rest of the week… and for me that is really important. The labryinth is not a maze but is a journey for me to get grounded when the days are hurried; the advocacy office is where they helped get me back on my feet; the office itself is to book rooms, Our House and its ministries and its meetings to which everyone is welcome; bible reflections; movie nights; fund raisers; and of course Father Markus’s pastoral care; and the healing that goes on because of some past church issues; and of course YOU my family who give me hugs and support me in my well days and my unwell days. You who phone me or email me just to say hi!

This is why I give to the church. It’s not a lot every month, but it is a commitment. It is a small cash commitment. That way, if I have extra, I can top it up.

I am on disability, but my ability is the small things I can do: time, talent and treasure to St. Paul’s.

There is so much that goes on behind the scenes just to get ready for Sundays: Markus to do the bulletin, then to cut and paste them, then to fold, etc. etc. etc. And then for him to have time to do the sermon. The sub deacons, the readers, the intercessors, and the list goes on….

Then it all comes together: the table is there and the banquet is laid out and “Taste and see that the Lord is Good.”

Stewardship is not guilt. It is not what we despise every week, but what our GOD Hearts inspire us to commit to every day, week, month and year. It is all confidential between God, church and you.

We are asking for new stewardship committee members and our next meeting is July 19 after coffee after the 11:00 a.m. service, over a light cheap lunch in the neighbourhood. Please come and join us. We have fun at our meetings. Please be part of this ministry. Pray and see what GOD reveals to you.

Peace and Blessings

Linda.

Rainbow Spiritual Reflections Bible Study

Posted by stpauls on under Webmaster Blog | Be the First to Comment

God said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I establish between myself and you and every living creature with you, to endless generations: My bow I set in the cloud, sign of the covenant between myself and earth. When I cloud the sky over the earth, the bow shall be seen in the cloud.”

Genesis 9:13-14

We are called to lift up our hearts, to see God’s rainbow in the clouds; to know that whoever we are and wherever we find ourselves on the journey of faith, God loves us, God is with us every step we take.

Reading Schedule – October 2008 to May 2009

All are welcome to join us.

Time: 7:45 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. following the Wednesday evening Eucharists
Location: St. Paul’s Anglican Church

For more information, you are welcome to contact Rose by email.