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"Be not conformed to this world...." Rom. 12:2
Complexity.
I have spent the last couple of days talking with clergy, the Mayor and the Occupy Atlanta folks. It has been complex, in a word.
On the one hand, certainly the Occupy Atlanta folks are right. Something is wrong in our country. Very wrong. The middle class are the new poor while banks have more cash then they know what to do with, according to one bank executive. On the other hand, the Mayor has honored Atlanta's civil rights heritage by issuing an executive order to allow the protesters time and space to cry out, for the best part of a month. But, crowds being crowds, and always a mixed bag, he must anticipate the misguided few jeopardizing the safety of many. They already have. He must act. But, nobody has any real answers. Police action to clear the park will only clear the park, nothing more. Occupying parks indefinitely around the country will not bring corporations and banks to the negotiating table. No way. What is there to do?
What did Jesus do in the face of political unrest and a greedy empire? First, He resisted the temptation to give and accept easy answers. Second, He didn't let those forces seduce Him into apathy or simple self -preservation. What He did was pledge himself to compassion and the radical affirmation of all human dignity. What He did was give in a taking world.
Thought for today: The world has always been complex.
Prayer for today: Make me a sign of your compassion Lord, to this broken and sinful world.
+Rob To respond to Fr. Wright, contact him at stpauls696@aol.com |
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 Upcoming Bible Studies
October 30
Max Lucado's "Cure for the Common Life"
November 2 & 6
Rejoice & be glad. Matthew 5:1 - 12.
November 9 & 13
To have and have not. Matthew 25:14 - 30
Events October 27 - November 2
Saturday, October 29
3 - 5pm: Trunk or Treat Event
LEM Training - cancelled
Sunday, October 30
9am: Worship Service & Sunday School
10am: Adult Bible Study
10:15am: Drama Ministry Practice
11:15am: Worship Service & Sunday School
After 11:15am: Retirement Celebration for Jean Simon-Hazzard
Monday, October 31
6:30pm: Financial Peace University
Wednesday, November 2
11:15am: Adult Bible Study
12:15pm: Eucharist & Healing Service
6:30pm: Adult Bible Study
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Stewardship Reflection - A Stewardship Prayer
Open, O Lord, the eyes of all people to behold they gracious hand in all thy works, that , rejoicing in thy whole creation, we may honor thee with our substance and be faithful stewards of thy bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (adapted from the Book of Common Prayer, page 329)
 This prayer really helps illustrate my experience in Stewardship. The ability to "behold the Lord's gracious hand and to be faithful stewards of thy bounty" is something that my job has helped me experience personally. I lead a non-profit that works with families in great need. We help people overcome barriers and gain needed skills, which lead to jobs that enable them to support their families. The need for our services often seems endless, but the resources needed to provide these services often feels quite finite. There have been times I worried that we might not be able to find the resources to continue meeting the needs of the community we serve. Despite these concerns we have moved forward with plans on nothing more than faith and belief in the Lord's gracious hand in our work. This faith has time and time again helped us make plans, accomplish them and serve the families that are in need. We work daily to be good stewards of the Lord's bounty and through his grace we have continued to meet the needs of the families we serve.
Click here to read more >
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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 |
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Thank You
The Brookins family would like to extend our sincerest and heartfelt appreciation to our St. Paul's family. You have really shown us how St. Paul's loves it's members. Your good wishes, kind words, visits, cards, calls, gifts, and prayers have been a true blessing. Thank you so much for supporting us through this difficult time.
Carolyn Brookins, Melissa Coleman, and the extended Brookins family
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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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 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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 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 flowers on the altar were given to the
"Glory of God"
by the Wilborn Family.
The flowers were arranged by Frances Martin.
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Member Birthdays
October 28 October 31
James Barzey Adam Moore-Voltaire
Adlyn Poe-Paul
November 1
October 29 Jeanne Pearson
Leslie Joseph-Meyers Leteria Clemons
Michael Eversley Matthies Evans
Kara Sylvain
November 2
October 30 Norma Young
Gabrielle Hickman Herb Edwards
Edmund Toms Laura Haynes
Aidan Weeks Julian Young
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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
An Evening with Carmen Deedy & John McCutcheon
A Concert to Benefit RRISA
Thursday, November 17 at 7 p.m. at The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany.
Enjoy an evening of storytelling and music with Carmen Deedy, beloved local children's book author, and John McCutcheon, multiple Grammy nominee and folk musician. Stay for a reception after the show to meet the artists and sample foods from around the world. Proceeds to benefit Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services of Atlanta (RRISA), a local nonprofit organization that helps rebuild the lives of people displaced by violence and war. Tickets: $25 advance, $30 at the door. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.rrisa.org. Venue: The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 2089 Ponce de Leon Ave., NE, Atlanta, GA 30307.
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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