The E-pistle

May 31st, 2024

A Note from Father Sam

Dear friends in Christ,

When we gather on Sunday morning, you might notice that we will sing the same opening hymn we sang last week. This is not a mistake! In place of the usual Gloria in excelsis, our opening “Song of Praise” this summer will be three special hymns—one for June, one for July, and one for August—that each take Sunday, the first day of the week, as their theme.

Why sing about Sunday? Perhaps we should ask as well, why gather for worship on Sunday? From the earliest days after Jesus’ resurrection, Christians have been gathering on the first day of the week—Sunday—to pray, break bread, and praise God. This is not an accident; nor did anyone pick Sunday randomly or for its convenience. Because of the great things that God has done for us in the person of Jesus Christ, Sunday as a day of the week is infused with deep meaning. It was on Sunday that Christ broke the bonds of death and rose from the tomb. It was on a Sunday, 50 days later, that the Holy Spirit first came among the disciples. And upon reflection, it seems that Sunday is assigned as the first day of creation in the orderly, week-long account of Genesis 1.

God, made known to us in the three person of the Trinity, has done great things for us at least three times on this first day of the week: Creation. Resurrection. The giving of the Spirit. Each of the Sunday hymns we’ll sing this summer pick up this three-fold aspect in their words. For example, on Sunday, we will sing

This day at the creation, the light first had its birth;

this day for our salvation Christ rose from depths of earth;

this day our Lord victorious the Spirit sent from heaven,

and thus this day most glorious a triple light was given.

All things are being made new because of what God has done for us. Even the days of the week! Even time itself has been redeemed. Thanks be to God.

See you Sunday,

Father Sam

Sunday, June 9th 2024

9:00 A.M.

Holy Eucharist

Collect for the Third Sunday after Pentecost:

O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Scripture for the Third Sunday after Pentecost: Genesis 3:8-15, Psalm 130, 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1, Mark 3:20-35

Serving next week, June 9

Celebrant/Preacher: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Assisting Priest: The Rev’d Jane G. Tillman

Server: Darryl Lafferty

Lector/Intercessor: The Rev’d Libby Wade

Musician: David Smith

Greeter: Jim Wade

Fellowship: Genêt Jeanjean

Altar Guild: Jorja Marsden

Serving next week, June 16th

Celebrant/Preacher: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Server: Darryl Lafferty

Lector/Intercessor: John Davies

Musician: Nancy King

Greeter: Martha Bodine

Fellowship: Carl Sprague

Altar Guild: Tracy Johnson

Parish Prayer List

Those who are ill or in need of intercession

Bruce, Charles, Linda, Veronica, Jeff, Karen, Lisa, Rosalind, Jacob, Kathleen, Doug, Holly, Rick, John, Lenore, Vicki, Donna, Cynthia, Eliza, Cindy, Lori, LaDawn, Elaine, Kit, David, Ann, Jessica, Heidi, Paul

Those who have recently died

Margie Cosby, sister of Michael Cosby

Nina Fersen, friend of Mary Maltzoff

Joyce Monachina, former substitute at SPCC

Those who have asked for our long-term prayers

Allie, Irby, Ginger, Joan, Duncan, Bernadette, Ray, Piers, Katrina, Rich, Karen, Michael, Khali, George, Barbara, Christy, John, Anthony, and Astrida

Those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer (Week of 6/2)

Congregations, Ministries, and Partners in Ministry

Christ Memorial Church, North Brookfield

Budget and Finance Committee

The Church and Wider Mission

National Cathedral Association

Action Centered Tutoring Services, Springfield

Anglican Cycle of Prayer

Sun 6/9: Province de L’Eglise Anglicane Du Congo

Mon 6/10: Diocese Southeast Florida (Episcopal Church)

Tues 6/11: Diocese of Southwest Florida (Episcopal Church)

Wed 6/12: Diocese of Fond du Lac (Episcopal Church)

Thurs 6/13: Diocese of Fredericton (Canada)

Fri 6/14: Diocese of Free State (Southern Africa)

Sat 6/15: Diocese of Freetown (West Africa)

Newcomers’ Brunch

Are you new to St. Paul’s? Would you like to learn more about our community? Join Father Sam and other parish leaders for a Newcomers’ Brunch after church this Sunday, June 9. We will gather to get to know each other better, learn more about St. Paul’s, and discuss our ministries. All are welcome—you decide if “new” applies to you!

Summer Bible Study begins Wednesday, June 5

Summer Bible Study continues this Wednesday, June 12. In the months of June, July, and August, we will gather each Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. to explore the readings for the upcoming Sunday. Bring a Bible if you have one, and come with your curiosities, questions, and an open spirit! We will meet on the screen porch of the Rectory—you can enter on the west side of the house, from the church gardens. Questions? Email Father Sam.

Newcomers’ Brunch

Are you new to St. Paul’s? Would you like to learn more about our community? Join Father Sam and other parish leaders for a Newcomers’ Brunch after church this Sunday, June 9. We will gather to get to know each other better, learn more about St. Paul’s, and discuss our ministries. All are welcome—you decide if “new” applies to you!

Summer Bible Study begins Wednesday, June 5

Summer Bible Study continues this Wednesday, June 12. In the months of June, July, and August, we will gather each Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. to explore the readings for the upcoming Sunday. Bring a Bible if you have one, and come with your curiosities, questions, and an open spirit! We will meet on the screen porch of the Rectory—you can enter on the west side of the house, from the church gardens. Questions? Email Father Sam.

Appalachian Trail Ministry to resume June 17

With summer quickly approaching, it is time once again to serve our neighbors hiking the Appalachian Trail through the AT Angels ministry in Sheffield. This year, St. Paul’s is on the “home team,” which means that we will be part of the volunteer crew on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays, together with Christ Trinity Church and the First Congregational Church of Sheffield. Please consider signing up for a few days on the trail this summer. There are various things needed to make the “trail magic” happen, most importantly, volunteers to offer the gracious ministry of presence that happens when we just show up! To access the online sign-up sheet, please email Father Sam. He will share your information with the team in Sheffield, and they will give you access to the sign-up. The ministry will run from June 17 to August 9. Thank you to Libby Wade and Peter Trapp for representing St. Paul’s at the organizing meeting in late April!

A New Ministry Opportunity: Sponsor Immigrants’ Road Tests

Sebastian Bonner has let us know of an exciting new ministry opportunity from our friends at Berkshire Interfaith Organizing. If you are interested in helping immigrants in our community gain driver’s licenses, read more! Contact Sebastian (link: SebBonner@gmail.com) for more information. Thank you, Sebastian!

The State of Massachusetts recently offered driver’s licenses to immigrants regardless of their legal status. Berkshire Interfaith Organizing (BIO) is recruiting churches and community based organizations to apply for 5 volunteer members to accompany immigrants to six road tests every six months (i.e., the church can help with 60 road tests per year). An individual can sponsor 3 tests per year so there’s a very large number of immigrants who are waiting for this help.

This is a powerful act of Christian charity: helping immigrants access a driver's license means enabling them to legally drive to and from work, buy groceries, get their children to school or after school activities, get to PTA meetings, get medical care during crises, etc. Moreover, a driver's license usually leads to safer, more responsible driving.

We invite you to join us if you're eager to contribute to this meaningful endeavor. BIO currently has a dedicated team of volunteers, but the demand for assistance far exceeds their current capacity. Once a new volunteer group is established, they will organize a training session to ensure everyone can effectively lend their support. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you're interested or have any questions. Your involvement could significantly impact someone's journey toward independence and mobility.

Two Opportunities to Pray Together Each Week

Wednesday: Morning Prayer at 8:30am (Online)



Every Wednesday, a group of parishioners meet at 8:30am to pray Morning Prayer online via Zoom. All are warmly welcome to join via the Zoom link on our website. Thank you Darryl Lafferty for continuing to lead this weekly offering.

Friday: Intercessory Prayer at 8:30am (In-person)

Some may remember that several years ago, a group of parishioners met each week to pray for the needs of those on the parish prayer list. All are invited to join on Friday mornings in the church as we revive this tradition of intercessory prayer. Thank you Alice Wohl for your leadership in reviving this weekly offering.