Did you know you can have fun at church too?  It's true!  Are schedules are relaxed in the summer at St. Paul's, but there's still plenty of ways to give thanks to God through service in your church and in our neighborhood. We are continuing a practice we began last summer for our summer Sunday morning ministries in the Holy Eucharist: First to Come, First to Serve.  Ever wanted to try reading a lesson or leading the prayers of the people? Perhaps you've wondered about serving communion as a chalice bearer? Come a few minutes early to service, pick up the appropriate name tag and give it a try.  Don't worry about being perfect, have fun! It's all to the glory of God, and therefore pleasing in God's sight.

Do you like pulling weeds or hanging out in your lawn chair on a summer evening? Come out on Tuesday nights from 6:30-7:30 to work in the Thrive Garden and hang out with friends and neighbors.  We'll end each garden evening with a short prayer and send you home for a peaceful night.  And sign up to work at one of our three Thrive Markets this season starting on Saturday July 16th. We always have fun giving away produce from the garden for an affordable price and talking with our neighbors.

Like to read? Look for emails later this summer about a summer read-a-long we are planning with C.S. Lewis' The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.  And if you haven't checked out our Adult Sunday School lately (9:15A.M. In the conference room), you are definitely missing out on some fun!  We are reading Joan Chittister's The Ten Commandments: Laws of the Heart.

 

Whatever you do for fun this summer, stay in touch, be safe, and give thanks for the presence of God in your life and in the world about you. A prayer for the "Good Use of Leisure" from the Book of Common Prayer p. 825: "O God, in the course of this busy life, give us times of refreshment and peace; and grant that we may so use our leisure to rebuild our bodies and renew our minds, that our spirits may be opened to the goodness of your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

 

God's Peace be with you,