St. Paul's Episcopal Church

May 18 – Thurgood Marshall

Eric — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:33:38 +0000

Eternal and ever-gracious God, you blessed your servant Thurgood with exceptional grace and courage to discern and speak the truth: Grant that, following his example, we may know you and recognize that we are all your children, brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ, who teaches us to love one another; and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Today is May 18. Yesterday there were two commemorations on the calendar and we paid heed to the church-oriented one. There being none today, we acknowledge the second, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Learn about Justice Marshall here.

May 17 – Bishop William Hobart Hare:

Eric — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:11:12 +0000

Wakantanka, Holy God, you called your servant William Hobart Hare to bear witness to you throughout the vast reaches of the Niobrara Territory, bearing the means of grace and the hope of glory to the peoples of the Plains: We give you thanks for the devotion of those who received the Good News gladly, and for the faithfulness of the generations who have succeeded them. Strengthen us with your Holy Spirit that we may walk in their footsteps and lead many to faith in Jesus Christ, in whom the living and the dead are one; and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Learn more about Bishop Hare.

May 17, 2012 – Feast of the Ascension

Eric — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:50:12 +0000

Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things: Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his Church on earth, even to the end of the ages; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. (From the BCP 1979, p. 226)

May 16 – The Martyrs of the Sudan

Eric — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:51:42 +0000

O God, steadfast in the midst of persecution, by your providence the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church: As the martyrs of the Sudan refused to abandon Christ even in the face of torture and death, and so by their sacriﬁce brought forth a plentiful harvest, may we, too, be steadfast in our faith in Jesus Christ; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Learn more about the Martyrs of the Sudan.

May 15, 2012 – A Collect for Peace

Eric — Tue, 15 May 2012 09:35:49 +0000

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (From the BCP 1979, p. 99)

May 14, 2012 – A Prayer for Renewal of Life

Eric — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:58:51 +0000

O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (From the BCP 1979, p. 99)

The Church With the OPEN Red Door

admin — Sun, 13 May 2012 15:00:16 +0000

We love our red doors – they are a tradition in the Episcopal Church. We love them most because they open to receive our friends and family members. C’mon in and join us at worship, at fellowship, and in service to others!

Brown Bag Concert – Organ Recital – May 15, 2012

Eric — Sun, 13 May 2012 14:30:05 +0000

St. Paul’s Parish presents organist Ralph Morrison in concert on Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at 12 noon. This is our monthly Brown Bag Concert which is free to the public! Bring your lunch and enjoy the music! (Or buy a lunch from our church ladies! Call the church office at 330-725-4131 to reserve a lunch no later than 24 hours before the concert.)

Dancing for Joy – Sermon for Easter 6B – May 13, 2012

Eric — Sun, 13 May 2012 14:00:55 +0000

Fr. Funstons’ sermon for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 13, 2012, is now on line:

Are you a music fan? A classical music fan? I am. I love the great symphonies – Beethoven’s Fifth, his Ninth, Tchaikovsky’s Fifth, Dvorak’s From the New World, and many others – they just bowl me over. I can sit down in a concert venue and no matter what emotional state I may be in, a good symphony or concerto can overcome it – cynicism, depression, grumpiness, whatever my condition may be it will be conquered by the music and I will be uplifted. It doesn’t even have to be live in a concert hall. Sometimes when I’m feeling a bit out of sorts, I’ll put on a CD and just let great music lift me up. In fact, even badly played band music can have that effect.

Read the entire sermon here.

May 13, 2012 – Sixth Sunday of Easter

Eric — Sun, 13 May 2012 09:55:35 +0000

O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (From the BCP 1979)