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"Be on guard against every kind of greed."
Luke 12:15
Greed.
Nothing good comes of greed. Whether it be greed for power, approval, station, money, control, applause, food or just....more. There's never enough when you suffer from greed. Greed is the excessive desire for something. Greed is driven by fear. Greed is being obsessively concerned with the self. Greed troubles marriages, family budgets and public policy initiatives. Greed keeps us from discovering, clearly, what God is calling us to do with our strengths.
Nationally, greed is what has weakened our country. Greed for revenge. Greed for global power. Greed for profits, even when it means disenfranchising the American worker: greed of some on Wall Street and greed of some on Main Street. Greed of some in politics and greed of some in pulpits. The growth of the private storage industry is a testament to our greed and so is the growth of the poor.
Whether you are terribly afraid or obsessively self-centered, the only cure for greed is generosity. Only a generous trust in God and a generous commitment to the poor can save us from the cancer of greed. If we're following Jesus, this is the direction He is walking.
Thought for today: Our greed frustrates God.
Prayer for today: I repent of my greed Lord, forgive me.
+Rob
To respond to Fr. Wright, contact him at stpauls696@aol.com |
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 Upcoming Bible Studies
October
Study of Max Lucado's "Cure for the Common Life"
Events October 20 - 26
Saturday, October 22
9:30am: Career Transition Seminar
9:30am: Acolyte Server Training, Advanced Acolytes & Thurifers
Sunday, October 23
9am: Worship Service & Sunday School
10am: Adult Bible Study
10:15am: Drama Ministry Practice
11:15am: Worship Service & Sunday School
Monday, October 24
6:30pm: Financial Peace University
Wednesday, October 26
11:15am: Adult Bible Study
12:15pm: Eucharist & Healing Service
6:30pm: Adult Bible Study |
Stewardship Reflection - Statistics on Giving
The Top Half: In the year 2000, net assets of $2,160 were sufficient to place a household in the top half of the world's wealth distribution.
High Wealth, Small Population: Americans own approximately 40 percent of the world's wealth but comprise only 2.5 percent of the world's population.
Christian Wealth and World Poverty: On average, American Christians enjoy an annual household income of $42,409, while 1.2 billion of the world's poorest people must survive on $1 a day.
Incomes Up, Giving Down: Incomes have gone up nine to 10 times in the last 20 years while giving has gone down about 50 percent.
Pets: In 2007, it is estimated that Americans will spend over $40 billion on their pets.
Weight Loss: It is estimated that by 2010, Americans will spend over $60 billion on weight-loss programs.
Sunday Offerings: The average amount of money given by a full or confirmed member of a U.S. Christian church in 2004 was $691.93. This comes to an average of $13.31 per week.
Generosity is more than a message; it is a critical part of God's plan for you. Embracing a life of generous living enables you to grow more intimately in your relationship with Him.
Read more here >
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Retirement Reception
 After 14 years of service to St. Paul's, Church Administrator Jean Simon-Hazzard is retiring.
Please join us on October 30th following the 11:15am service for a reception in Jean's honor. All are invited. |
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Parents' Meeting for Sunday School
ATTENTION All SUNDAY SCHOOL PARENTS
All Parents of children attending Sunday School are strongly urged to attend this 1 hour meeting with Fr. Wright & Fr. Fischer.
12pm-1pm
Saturday November 12 in the Bowden Hall.
Submitted by Rob Wright (stpauls696@aol.com)
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Baptisms - November 6
 There will be baptisms on November 6. If you or a loved one would like to be baptized, please contact the Parish Administrator, Kelly King, at stpauls306@aol.com or 404-696-3620, x.221.
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Trunk or Treat Event - October 29, 3 - 5pm
WHAT IS A TRUNK OR TREAT?
A Trunk or Treat is a Halloween event that is often church or community sponsored. Cars are parked in the church parking lot, with the trunks facing out and up. The children will then come dressed in their Halloween finery and walk from trunk to trunk collecting candy. This is an alternative to the old door to door trick or treating, providing a safe family environment for our young people. We ask each vehicle owner participating to bring candy to pass out to the trunk or treaters.
CAN I DECORATE MY TRUNK?
By all means!! If you feel so moved, you are welcome to decorate your trunk anyway that you like. It can be Halloween, sports , Biblical, exotic island, animal or favorite cartoon character themed. Anything your creative mind can think of, it can be really simple or super advanced.
We kindly request nothing too scary or gruesome
There will be games and food making it a fine fun affair!!!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
3:00-3:45 -Games and Crafts
3:45 -4:20 - Hotdog Dinner
4:20-4:30 - Vehicle/Trunk Set-up
4:30- 5:00- Trunk- or- Treating
For more information please contact Julie Abram, juliaabram@bellsouth.net or Marsha Sanabria, marshws@bellsouth.net |
Annual Churchmen's Mystery Theater Event
The Episcopal Churchmen invite you to join them again, this Christmas season, at the Agatha's Mystery Theater on Saturday, December 17, 2011 @ 7:00 PM.
This year's audience-participation play is entitled "Yes Virginia, Someone Killed Santa Claus", and promises to be as much fun and as entertaining as the previous productions. The ticket price includes a five (5) course meal consisting of appetizers, soup, salad, choice of entree' and desert. A glass of wine is served with the salad.
A member of the Churchmen will be available, in the Bowden Hall, beginning Sunday, October 23, after both services, to accept deposits or full payments. We have spaces for fifty (50) persons and urge you to get your seats as soon as possible. The price per ticket remains the same as in previous years ($62.50). We would love to have you join us for an enjoyable evening during the holiday season.
Submitted by Bob Martin. |
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Lay Eucharistic Minister Training
 What: Mandatory Annual LEM training
When: Saturday, October 29th
Time: 9 - 11am
Where: St. Paul's Sanctuary/Bowden Hall
If you are interested in becoming a LEM, please feel free to attend. If you are a current LEM and are unable to attend, please contact Ken Singleton (bmagic823@aol.com) or Melissa Coleman (embeecee1@yahoo.com).
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 Feel the Spirit calling you to step up in your faith? Here's how you can answer: learn all about serious discipleship in Adult Confirmation Class!! Learn how to have more peace, more hope and more joy by following Jesus more closely as a mature disciple.
In this 4 session class, you'll learn about the six tools of a mature faith as you prepare to be confirmed, re-affirmed, received into the Episcopal Church. And if you're already confirmed, please know you're welcome to come and take the course as a refresher.
The dates for our 4 sessions are Nov. 12, 19, & Dec. 3, & 10, Saturdays, from 9:00-11:30am . The Confirmation Service will be held at 4:00pm, at the Cathedral of St. Philip, on Dec. 11. Ask yourself...is God calling you? If so, we'll see you at Confirmation Class!
Submitted by Mother Nikki Mathis (stpauls731@aol.com) |
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 Are you in transition from your job or exploring new career opportunities and not sure how to get started? You are not alone on this journey. St. Paul's will be hosting a Free Career Transition Seminar on Saturday, October 22, 2011 from 9:30am to 11:00 am at the church. The seminar will focus on Staying Motivated in Transition and helping you develop your Career Toolbox - Winning Resumes, Effective Interviewing Skills, Personal Presentation, and Mapping your Career Plan.
 The seminar will be facilitated by Jennifer W. McCrary of 22nd Century Career Development. For more information or to register* please contact Jennifer W. McCrary at 22ndcenturysuccess@gmail.com or online at www.22ndcenturycareerdevelopment.webs.com
*Space is limited /Bring your career tools to be assessed [Resume, Cover Letter, Etc.]
"You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only you shall serve" "Then the devil left Him and behold, angels came and ministered to him" Matthew 4:10-11
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 At the Feast of All Saints, it is with great joy that our St. Paul's family gives thanks to God for the gift of the whole communion of saints, including all those so dear to us who are now at rest in the Lord.
You are invited to bring pictures (please remove frames and adhesives) of your loved ones to church on All Saints Sunday, November 6, 2011. Please place these pictures on the altar during both the 9am and the 11:15am service. Let us bless the Lord for those who have gone before!
Submitted by Mother Nikki Mathis (stpauls731@aol.com) |
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Couples Getaway!
Be amazed at what God can do
Between the two of you
When you take some time away
So you can play and you can pray
 It's not too late. Come get away for the weekend with your spouse for some fun and fellowship. The retreat begins on Friday evening, October 28th and concludes on Sunday morning, October 30th.
Please contact one of the following committee members to register or for more details:
- Jan Hilliard (janhilliard@mindspring.com) 404-344-9711 (home) or 404-428-9766 (cell); or,
- Amadeus Mason (rmaso01@emory.edu) 404-861-8860 (cell); or,
- Racquel Mason (racquelhm@yahoo.com) 404-791-9305 (cell).
Also, please note that our next Couples Connection Group will be November 5th from 6:30-9:30pm. Childcare will be provided!
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The St. Paul's Acolyte ministry has grow n by leaps and bounds. In an effort to ensure that all acolytes are adequately trained, mandatory training has been instituted for the month of October. Each Saturday in October has been designated as a training day for a specific group, beginning with our youngest members - candle bearers. Training will begin at 9:30 am. Please arrive on time.
The October training schedule is as follows. All training sessions begin at 9:30am. You will receive notification of the date your child(ren) should attend.
October 22 - Advanced acolytes/Thurifers (Teens)
You will be contacted by Ken Singleton or a designee by email and/or phone to inform you of the date your child should attend training. Also, please hold October 29th at 9am for a brief meeting to discuss plans for Acolytes and LEMs for the remainder of the Church year.
If you have questions or concerns or if you would like your child to be a part of this ministry, please contact Ken Singleton by email (bmagic823@aol.com).
Thanks so much for your continued support of and commitment to the Acolytes of St. Paul's. |
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The flowers on the altar were arranged to the
"Glory of God"
by
Kellye Carter, Yolanda Lee,
Saphire Lee-Farrington and Rose Marie Lockett.
The flower guild welcome our new member, Lori Henry. |
Member Birthdays
October 20 October 23
Forriss Elliott Delores Ratteray
Arletta Morant
October 21 Marissa Osbourne
Gordon Watson Miles Joseph
Vincent Napoleon
Prentice Bailey October 24
Luther Dennis
Daneillo Armeno
October 26
Kathi Miles
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St. Paul's Prayer List
 Please pray for the sick and shut in: Mary R. Allen; Fr. Van Bird; Horace Goodlett; Charles Harding, Sr; Jorge Lawton; Mabel McCullough; Lorraine McIver; Rhoda Tolbert; Janet Turner; Edward Williams; Beatrice Watley; Louise Williamson.
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Community News
Diocese of Atlanta Sets 35,000 as Goal for Nets
Episcopalians across our diocese are called to join together in the Episcopal Relief & Development Inspiration Fund/Nets for Life campaign. This yearlong effort commences with Annual Council November 4-5 in Rome. Many dioceses across the country already have campaigns planned or underway.
Nets for Life is a partnership of nonprofits, corporations, foundations and private donors committed to eliminating this disease in the 17 African countries where malaria is most insidious. The Episcopal Relief & Development Inspiration Fund will help Nets for Life deliver 7 million nets over a three-year period.
Submitted by Cheryl Maddox
Visit Epiphany's Nativities
For the fourteenth holiday season, The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany presents an exhibit of over 250 nativity scenes from around the world on Saturday, November 26 and Sunday, November 27 and from Wednesday November 30 through Sunday, December 4. Many of the nativities are accompanied by scriptural quotes and hymn texts. Admission: $5.00 for adults; $4.00 for Seniors & Students, Children under 12 free. For a brochure or more information call 404.373.8338 or visit www.epiphany.org.
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If
you have events, meetings or anything that you would like to share with the St. Paul's community,
please make sure to send it to news@stpaulsatl.org by Tuesday of the week you
would like it published. Please limit your submissions to approximately 100 words and submit them in Word format. We look forward to your input
and ideas.
Looking
forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Communications Committee
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
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