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All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee. Psalm 145:10
Saints.
Just being dead doesn't make you a saint. To be a saint, you have to have been alive once. Saints are alive to God. Saints aren't perfect people, thank God. Saints are people who are experiencing the perfecting grace of God. God makes saints out of aint's because that's just what God does. God does this to show us what kind of God, God is.
When we get a glimpse of this saint making God in the mirror or in our neighbor, then we pay God glory with our lips and with our real life choices. Jesus gave us countless examples of this. He met people and people responded to that meeting. Some responded instantly some more slowly, but that meeting - those meetings - happen our whole life long. Being a saint is serious business. Nothing we can do can mess it up. You are a saint no matter what you have done or left undone because nothing we can do or not do can reverse God's work in us. The only question is, are you an active saint or an inactive saint?
The Holy Spirit is crafting, out of ALL that we are a beautiful work. Give into to it. He made you for life. He made you for love. He made you for his glory.
Thought for today: I am God's active saint.
Prayer for today: I give in Lord, You made me to live differently from the world.
+Rob
To respond to Fr. Wright, contact him at stpauls696@aol.com
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 Upcoming Bible Studies
November 6
Rejoice & be glad. Matthew 5:1 - 12.
November 9 & 13
To have and have not. Matthew 25:14 - 30
November 16 & 20
I was hungry, thirsty, naked, sick and in prison and you did.... Matthew 25:31-46
Events November 3 - 9
Sunday, November 6 - All Saint's Day
9am: Worship Service & Sunday School
10am: Adult Bible Study
10:15am: Drama Ministry Practice
11:15am: Worship Service & Sunday School
Monday, November 7
6:30pm: Financial Peace University
Wednesday, November 9
11:15am: Adult Bible Study
12:15pm: Eucharist & Healing Service
6:30pm: Adult Bible Study
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Stewardship Reflection - The Meaning of Stewardship
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Linda McMurray
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The meaning of stewardship has been debated for quite some time with definitions surrounding time spent focusing on the Lord, building relationships with others and using the gifts God has given. The meaning of Christian stewardship has focused many times on tithing, but this is not the priority definition when discussing the subject. The priorities involved are how time is spent, how relationships are retained, and then how money is spent.
There are a lot of things that have to do with this responsibility that many people have never been aware of. Most agree that a good idea is to spend time studying ways to become a responsible Christian. The Lord gives a few thoughts on the subject in the Bible, but those who were good stewards, were incredibly blessed. The meaning involves how the precious gifts that God has given to all are used and cared for. The good steward is someone who is doing the best he can with the things that God has given him. The reality shows up in how a person reacts in situations and how much they are willing to sacrifice to retain their responsibility.
To read more, click here >
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Congratulations Mother Nikki! The Rev. Nikki Mathis has been called as Assistant Dean for Community Life At the School of Theology, University of Sewanee in Sewanee, TN.
Rev. Mathis will answer directly to the Dean of the School of Theology, and is a member of the University Dean's Council. She will teach, preach, and provide pastoral oversight and canonical evaluation oversight of the seminary's student body. She is responsible for ecclesial leadership formation, and subsequent deployment of ordination candidates. Also, she provides oversight of psychological evaluation, counseling, and spiritual direction programs, as well as for service and mission projects, and student organizations. Please join me in extending a heartfelt congratulations to Rev. Mathis as we wish her a bright future of endless possibilities! Her last day of worship at St. Paul's will be Sunday November 13. A farewell reception will be planned for a later date, so we'll be sure to let everyone know when details are forthcoming. -Fr. Rob Wright
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Servants Needed!
Vestry Nominations
 Nominations for the Vestry will be accepted from November 13th until December 13th. Please submit your name and resume to the Parish Administrator, Kelly King at stpauls306@aol.com.
To be eligible to serve on the Vestry: you must be a Confirmed member of the church older than 16 years of age; you will have attended church regularly in the year proceeding the election; you will have made and completed your financial pledge by December 13, 2011.
The Election Process for the Vestry of St. Paul's.
1. Nominations accepted Nov. 13-Dec. 13
2. Nominating committee prepares the slate for election
3. The Nominating Comm. will publish the slate. Jan. 1
4. Nominations from the floor at Annual Meeting, Jan. 15, 2012
5. Four new Vestry members are elected, Annual Meeting.
Submitted by Fr. Wright (stpauls696@aol.com) (12/11) |
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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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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) (11/11)
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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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Peyton Forest's Male Read-In Day
 St. Paul's Outreach Commtteee invites the men of St. Paul's to read their favorite children's book or any book to the children of Peyton Forest on November 16th, 2011, 9 am to 10:30 am on Peyton Forest's Male Read-In Day. It is a simple way to share so much. Contact Lizzie Bridges @ lmbridges@atlanta.k12.ga.us by November 14th, if interested. |
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LEM Training Rescheduled
What: Required Annual LEM training
Time: November 12th @ 10am
Why: To receive updated requirements and expectations and to show your commitment to the Eucharistic ministry.
Who: New and existing LEMs and anyone who is interested in becoming one
Also, Parents of Acolytes are invited to join us at 11:30 for a brief meeting to discuss training and other plans for 2012.
Contact Ken Singleton at bmagic822@aol.com for further information.
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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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The flowers on the altar were given to the
"Glory of God" and "In Memory"
of a St. Paul's Pillow, Josephine Wilborn.
The Wilborn Family, children and grandchildren,
celebrated her 100th Birthday on October 29, 2011.
The flowers were arranged by Carol Chestnut,
Janice Ayer Jackson and Alison Ligon.
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Member Birthdays
November 3 November 6
Doris Oglesby Van Dee Perry
David Smith
Linda McMurray November 7
Bryan Smith Janaia McNeill
Pamela Bryant Jerica Jones
Kimberly Willis Jerin Jones
Andrew Boyd
November 4
Fran Ragland November 8
Katarina Chiller Ellis Appling
Courtney Wadley Claude Jarrett
November 5 November 9
Carson Evans Karim Booth
Camille Clarkson
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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
Hospitality for International Students Needed
AMIS provides opportunities for fellowship, friendship, and hospitality to international students from over a hundred locations outside the United States who attend colleges and universities in the metro-Atlanta area. With the support of Spelman College, Morehouse School of Medicine, Emory University, and Ebenezer Baptist Church, among others, AMIS connects international students with "host" families and individuals in a number of different ways, providing students with opportunities for meaningful and personal relationships with American families and individuals.
AMIS is currently seeking applicants to host international students during the upcoming holiday season when many are unable to return home during that time. Among those requesting host families are students at Atlanta Metropolitan College, Candler School of Theology, Clark Atlanta University, Emory University, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Interdenominational Theological Seminary, Morehouse College, Morris Brown College, and Spelman College.
Applications may be obtained from the AMIS website at www.amis-inc.org or at www.christmasih.org.
Health & Beauty Expo
The Center for Black Women's Wellness is hosting a Family Health and Beauty Expo at Twelve, Atlantic Station on November 5th, 11 am to 3 pm. Free screenings and flu shots, panel discussions and a natural hair fashion show.
Prematurity Awareness Month
The March of Dimes h as designatedNovember as Prematurity Awareness Month and November 17 as Prematurity Awareness Day. The March of Dimes wants women to know that there are steps they can take to reduce their risk of premature birth, which is the number one killer of newborns and a major cause of serious health problems.
One of the best things a woman can do for her baby is to get a medical check up before she gets pregnant. If she's healthy, her baby has a better chance of being born healthy and on time. Babies born too early may have serious health problems. It costs society billions of dollars every year. More than half a million babies are born prematurely every year, and the number is rising.
During November, help the March of Dimes fight premature birth. Please visit marchofdimes.com to learn how.
Submitted by Nicole Lowry for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. - Kappa Iota Zeta Chapter (Atlanta, GA)
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. |
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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