Holy Week and Easter were especially beautiful and renewing this year. Thank you to everyone who helped to make it so: the Choirs, Altar Guild, LEMs and Lector, Ushers, parents and kids who helped with the outdoor ribbon banners, and our office volunteers and staff! There are pictures of the week up on our Facebook page, as well as additional photos of the Parish House construction. Take a look! And remember, Easter is fifty days long – keep celebrating! Alleluia. Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
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WORSHIP
Evening Prayer, Wednesdays 7:15 pm (2nd and 4th weeks of the month: 4/10 & 4/24). Scripture, prayer and psalms. Come for a mid-week calm and connection with God.
Special Needs Worship: All God's
Children - April 21, 12 noon. For children and families with a range of special needs – including anyone who has a hard time sitting still! Volunteers welcome!
Wedding Bells - Jody Doktor, our Director of Music, will marry Shea Velloso on May 4, 2013 at 10:30 am at All Saints’ and everyone is invited to the service!
SUNDAY SCHOOL/YOUTH
Sunday School
4/7: Family Service (no Sunday School)
4/14: Sunday School; J2A after coffee hour
4/21: Sunday School
4/28: Sunday School; J2A after coffee hour
Communion Class – 1st and 2nd graders are invited to join this 3-week class to learn more about the Eucharist. Classes meet on Mondays from 4-5:15 pm with Mother Vicki in the Rath House, 4/15, 4/22, and 4/29. On May 5th the children who have completed the class will be recognized at the 10 am service. To enroll your child, please e-mail the Parish Office. If you want your child to participate but have a scheduling conflict, please speak to Mother Vicki. This is an important aspect of your child’s Christian education.
ADULT SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
Bible Study-Bible Buddies groups meet as follows: Wednesday morning 10:15 am in the Church Narthex. Wednesday evening
7:45 pm in the Rath House-2nd and 4th weeks (4/10, 4/24) We’ll review the Bible Challenge readings from the previous week. Bring your questions, your wonderings, & your sense of humor. Bring your Bible, too, or use one of ours.
The Bible Challenge – if you haven’t already signed up for the Bible Challenge, but would like to start a practice of daily Bible reading, this is a good time to join in. We’ve just started reading the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament portion of the Challenge. If you’d like more information, please speak to Mother Vicki.
Women’s Book Group – Wednesday, April 17 at 7:30 pm in the Rath House. The book for the month is Mercy by Jody Picoult. The group is for all women, parishioners and friends alike. Hope you can join us.
FUN AND FUND-RAISING
Jody and Shea’s Shower - Sunday at 1 pm in the Parish Hall. It’s a pot-luck luncheon; bring a dish to share. Everyone is welcome!
Recycle - Keep bringing in those used printer & toner cartridges! We receive eight this week! Thank you! We receive $2 credit at Staples for each cartridge. In 2012, we raised $476 toward office supplies! Remember to drop them off in the box in the Narthex. ~Susie Harris
BUNCO is coming! Friday, May 31. Watch for more details, get a group together or sign up on your own, and come for a fun
evening!
STEWARDSHIP
Stewardship is a disciple’s response, a call to conversion. A life of stewardship calls us to share a part of ourselves – our time, our gifts, our resources. Thanks be to God! ~ St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Port Townsend, WA
Worship Attendance – Holy Week and Easter
2013 2012
Maundy Thursday 43 51
Good Friday Stations 29 16
Good Friday Liturgy 30 15
Holy Saturday Kids 33 17
Easter Vigil 39 27
Easter Day 8 am 35 27
Easter Day 10 am 167 131
YTD Average Combined Sunday Attendance 2013: 97
Parish House Construction Update – All of the inspections were done and we passed! The sheet-rocking in the Parish Hall and in the addition is underway. The wallboard is up and the taping and spackling has begun. The attached [pictures in clued the alcove for the new kitchenette, the closet for the table storage, and the addition.
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Easter Week – in the Eastern Orthodox Churches called “Bright Week” and is considered one long day of God’s New Creation in the Resurrection. The following Hymn 210 (written c. 460 AD) expresses it well.
The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad;
the Passover of gladness,
the Passover of God.
From death to life eternal,
from earth unto the sky,
our Christ hath brought us over,
with hymns of victory.
Our hearts be pure from evil, that we may see aright
the Lord in rays eternal
of resurrection light;
and listening to his accents,
may hear so calm and plain
his own "All hail!" and, hearing,
may raise the victor strain.
Now let the heavens be joyful! Let earth her song begin!
The round world keep high triumph,
and all that is therein!
Let all things seen and unseen
their notes in gladness blend,
for Christ the Lord hath risen,
our joy that hath no end.
Blessings,
Vicki McGrath+