st. paul's news - april, 2010

8/9/2019 St. Paul's News - April, 2010

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newsSt.Pauls

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF ST. PAULS EPISCOPAL CHURCH

April 2010 VOLUME 35, ISSUE 4

Strange scriptural verse for Easter isn't it! The last time we heard it was in the service ofLessons and Carols, the Sunday before Christmas. Taken from Isaiah, it served to remindus how the coming of the Christ Child might give new light to our dark lives. The season ofEpiphany followed, and we heard numerous stories reminding us of how the coming ofthe Christ changed people's lives in the time of Jesus and how it can/should change peo-ple still. In Lent we have tried to examine ourselves to see where the light has been pre-sent and where we have changed, but also where we have not changed and still "walk indarkness."

Now comes Easter. A few days ago, when the weather was warm and the sun bright, I

walked downtown to meet a parishioner for lunch. I wore no jacket because it was sowarm. On the way back I walked on the east side of Capitol Avenue where the tallbuildings blocked the sunshine. I looked across the street and on the other side the sunwas still brightly shining - it was so inviting. I said to myself, "What am I doing on thisside of the street - the sunlight is so much better over there." Even though it was the mid-dle of the block, I dodged the traffic just to get to the sunlight - it was so inviting.

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By The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon F. Weller

Church Events

April

1MAUNDY THURSDAYAGAPE MEAL

2GOOD FRIDAY ECUMENICALSERVICE

4 EASTER SERVICES

13 B&PW

18 FOOD COLLECTION

23 BOX CITY

24 BLOOD DRIVE

25 YOUTH GROUP OUTING

Great Vigil of Easter

By The Rev. Dr. Richard Sauerzopf

At 7 p.m., on April 3, Easter Eve, we will celebrate the Great Vigil of Easter. The service, which is also called the Pas-chal Vigil, is the Churchs oldest known liturgy. We will begin with the lighting of the Paschal candle. As we welcomethe light of Christ into our lives together in this way, we will hear once again the story of Gods salvation of his peopleIsrael, and of his promise of redemption for all of his people. And then, for us, it will be Easter. As we complete ourworship together, we will celebrate our first Easter Eucharist. And so, we will worship together with great joy in themystery of our salvation, which Christ has given to us not only that we might live, but that we might live most abun-dantly and everlastingly, with God in Christ glorified, being filled with the Holy Spirit in the mystery of that life of theTrinity, which is love. Please join us, so that we might move together from the time of preparation and healing, which isLent, to the joyful celebration of life in love, which is Easter!

The people who have

walked in darkness have

seen a great lightIsaiah 9:2


2/12

Confirmation ClassesThis years Spring Confirmation for the Lansing area is scheduled for May 8, at 10:30 a.m., at All Saints', East Lansing.As always, it offers people the opportunity to come before the Bishop and declare your intention to God and thisbranch of the Church. Three options are available. The first is to confirm your Baptismal vows. This is for those baptizedas an infant and now ready to "Confirm" those vows as an adult. The second option is to be "received" into this branchof the Church. Perhaps you were baptized or confirmed as an adult in another branch of the Church? This is the oppor-tunity to be welcomed into this Episcopal branch. Finally, there is the opportunity to "reaffirm" your commitment to God

and the Church. We all should take these opportunities during the course of our lives because it often gives the HolySpirit a willing heart to work with.

In any case, if you are considering Confirmation, Reception or Reaffirmation, a class is offered on three successive Sun-days from April 18 - May 2. It will begin at approximately 11:30 a.m. and last until 1 p.m. Refreshments will be pro-vided and nursery care will be available if needed. Make reservations by contacting one of the clergy or calling theChurch office.

B&PW

By Nancy Rudd, President

The April meeting of the B&PW Guild is Tuesday April13. We will meet in the Hill Room at 6 p.m. for dinner,business meeting, and fellowship. Our program thismonth will be given by our own Steve Lange on the lifeof St. Paul.

Please call Debby Pierce for a reservation. Dinner is$8. Please join us for an evening of delicious food andgreat companionship.

Some Time Away


Our office manager, Kathleen Johnson, will be taking abit of well deserved vacation from April 8-26. She willbe in Florida visiting a new grandchild (born January3) whom she has not yet seen. While she is away, theoffice duties will be covered. Do not hesitate to callwith your normal concerns.

In addition, I (Fr. Weller) will be away visiting my owngrandchild from Sunday evening April 4 through Fri-day evening April 9. Again, any needs you may havewill be met. In case of emergency, call Jeff Kressler,Sr. Warden, or Sally Lawrence, Jr. Warden.

KnowSomeoneWho WillMiss Easter

Communion?If you do, contact theChurch office of one of theclergy with the name, andwe will contact that personand see that his or herneeds are met.

Good FridayEcumenical ServiceSt. Paul's in pleased to host this year's GoodFriday Ecumenical Service on April 2. It will be-gin at noon and will last approximately 90 min-utes. The service will be followed by a soup/

salad luncheon provided at no charge.

Our preacher will be The Rev. Michael Dunkle-berger for Christ Community Church (formerlyFirst Baptist). Participating churches will be Un-ion Missionary Baptist, First Presbyterian, Cen-tral United Methodist, and perhaps North SidePresbyterian. This will be the only service forthe day. There will be not be a 7 p.m. service.

KnowSomeoneWho isGraduating?If you do, please contactthe Church office with aname. In this season ofGraduation we try tohonor all those who haveachieved an accomplish-ment.

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3/12

Maundy Thursday Ecumenical Agape Meal


Once again, St. Paul's will be inviting some of our ecumenical friends to join us forthe meal that binds all of Christianity together. On Thursday, April 1, we have in-vited Central United Methodist Church, Christ Community Church (Formally First Bap-tist), and Judson Memorial Baptist Church to join us for the Agape Meal. We willgather at 6 p.m. and begin dinner at 6:15 p.m. This commemoration of the Last Sup-per will be followed by the traditional foot washing memorialized in the Bible, aswell as the Garden Experience and concluding with the ceremonial Stripping of theAltar in the Church.

Please plan on attending and making your reservation by calling the Church office or signing the guest list on Sundaymorning.

Hosts Needed for DinnerGroups

By Sally Lawrence, Jr. Warden

Parishwide dinner groups have been successful in thepast, and we would like to bring them back. They area great way to integrate new members into our familyand have some great fellowship. We need to beginthis process, however, by identifying those who would

be willing to host or co-host a group, sometime in May.If you are interested in hosting, please contact SallyLawrence or Deb Pierce.

Newcomers Class


Not sure what St. Paul's is all about, even though youhave been a parishioner for 10 years? Only been herefor a few months and are considering joining? Want toknow more, but aren't sure if this place is for you?Sounds like you need to come to a Newcomer's Class.Don't let the name fool you. We want to know you andmake ourselves better known to you, regardless of

your status. Consider attending the class on Saturday,May 15, from 9-11 a.m. at the Church. Some funnopressurequestions asked and some answered.

Even if you can't come to the class, consider attendingthe Newcomer's Dinner on Friday, May 21 at 6 p.m.This is one more offering to allow us to meet and greetone another in a less formal way than the Sundaymorning Peace. Sign up is by calling the Church officeor signing the guest list on Sunday mornings.

Easter Services

Sunday, April 4

8 a.m. Sunrise Service with Music

10 a.m. Full Choral Eucharist

Save these Dates

June 6 Graduations Sunday

June 13 Parish Picnic

June 21-25 Tentative dates for Vacation BibleSchool

July 21 Deanery Picnic and Eucharist atHawk Island Park

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4/12

The 4 Fs Group

By Nancy Sheldon

The group usually meets the 2nd and 4th Mondays of eachmonth. (Exceptions noted *due to Town Hall conflict)

12 noon Eucharist, 12:30 p.m. Lunch ($4) 1 p.m. Bible Study (Steve Lange) 1:15-2 p.m. Program

Anyone is invited who has time in the middle of the day!

April 19: Yasir Belgin, a Turkish Muslim, who has visited St.Pauls before with Carol Ingells, will be talking with usabout his religion, its history and customs. How might the

practice of their faith differ from others of Muslimfaith? How is the role of women in Turkey differentthan in other countries of Muslim faith? Is it difficult toworship and follow their religious beliefs here in theUnited States? Yasir will engage us in a fascinatingconversation and some special food will be provided!

May 3: Well visit the Butterfly House and the beautifulChildrens Garden at MSU and take a box lunch from

A Catered Affair with us.

May 17: This will be our end-of-the-year picnic, annualbook share, and next years planning time at NancySheldons.

Spring Blood Drive

Saturday, April 24

By Elisabeth Richardson

We still need people to work this annual event. You can choose to sign up donors, help on the day of the Drive, bringsandwiches, set up and tear down. I will be running the drive this year, but Ellie Doersam and Pat Riley will still beinvolved. You may contact me at either 372-1369 or [email protected]. If you have never participated before, theRed Cross always needs blood. If you have never worked a drive, its fun and shifts are only two hours in duration.

Eucharistic Visitor and

Minister TrainingBy The Rev. Deacon Bill Fineout

An extremely important lay ministry during our Sundayservice is the one of the Eucharistic minister, the cupbearer who distributes the Blood of Christ during thesacrament of the Eucharist. Eucharistic visitors distributethat Body and Blood as they visit those who may behomebound or sick and could not attend the regularSunday services. Eucharistic visitors take this Holy Com-munion to others, connecting them with the church com-munity and Christ.

Eucharistic minister and visitor training will be offeredin two parts, on Saturday, April 17, and Wednesday,April 28. If you have any interest in becoming a chalicebearer or home communion visitor, please contact Fa-ther Gordon or Deacon Bill before this date. The firstsession on Saturday will be from 9:30 a.m. until noon.The second session on Wednesday, scheduled for 6:30p.m., will be about an hour.

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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


5/12

Financial Information as of February 28, 2010

By Julie Young, Treasurer

Year to date through February is 16 percent of the year. Pledge income in February was $33,813, making the year todate total $63,696, which is 19 percent of the annual budgeted pledge income. At this early point in the year, it appearswe are ahead of the estimated pledge collection.

Operations for February had a net gain of $11,227. This is due in large part to a generous bequest received from theVirginia Hilbert estate in the amount of $10,000. There were no transfers required from the investment account into theoperating account. The investment accounts/funds had a net income of $8,446 for February.

Vestry Highlights

At the March 16 Vestry Meeting, your Vestry:

Enjoyed the pleasure of each other's company over apork roast dinner

Did devotions based on the book Fingerprints of Godby Barbara Bradley Hagerty. Question? Where arethe fingerprints of God in your life?

Approved an amended agenda Approved February minutes Accepted the resignation (with regret) of Roger

Fowler from the Vestry. Business considerations im-pinge on the hours that Vestry and Vestry Committeesmeet

Received a treasurer's report with anticipatedchanges to come

Noted the improvement in the cleanliness of the build-ing with the new cleaning arrangement

Noted that the Vestry will cook for Canterbury - MSUSunday night, March 21

Received committee reports Noted and viewed the prototype of the new website

- impressive! Received Clergy reports Adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Requests for PrayerWe pray for those who are sick and in need: Cindy Robinson, Shelley Robinson, Mason Hill, Lois Caswell, BarbHacker, Marjorie Belles, Aleda, Dave, Kathryn Senko, Barb Powers, Patricia Reno, Skip and Marsha Macholz, Tom

Foltz, Vivian Hawkins, Linda, Bill, Kent Riley, Jan Bigham, Max Sutton, John Hawkins, Joan, Karol Ryan, Julie,

Phyllis Quinn, Amanda, Laura Miller, Stephanie, Maureen Nauss, Grace, Norm Landon, Jared Miller, Aviana Bridge-

man, Pat Amundson, and Sam Montie, Sacha Mallory and Seth Burris

We pray and remember those in the Military, serving in dangerous areas: Daniel Reno, Tyson Carter, Matthew Raw-lins, Jonathon Reno, and Jeff Doorlag

We pray for the people of Haiti and the relief and rescue workers attempting to assist them

We pray for comfort for the family and friends of Michael Skinner,Florence Julia (Olszewski)Polack, Peggy Brede,Katey Lynn, and Richard OConner who recently passed away

We pray for those expecting: Jenelle and Paul Rawlins, Kym and Matt Hall, and Summer (Sleight) and Jake Stevens

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6/12

Food Collection - Brown Bag Sundays

By The Rev. Deacon Bill Fineout

Your outreach team will sponsor a food/grocery collection to support Open Door Ministries and the Greater LansingArea Food Bank programs. These are the same groups we have helped in the past. You will be offered brown papergrocery bags to fill and return the first two weeks of Easter. Bags will be passed out on Easter Sunday as needed.Please return the filled bags by Sunday, April 18. Last year we collected and donated 52 bags of groceries.

Suggestions for most used products: canned peas

vegetable cooking oil

canned fruits & vegetables

tuna fish

juice & coffee

spaghetti noodles & sauce

syrup

peanut butter & jelly

napkins

flour & sugar granola bars & Pop Tarts

cereals, hot and cold

Jell-O

canned soups & stews: beef, chili, hash

dried beans (kidney, navy, pinto) canned beans

Mission and Outreach Activities

Where is Christ calling you to help others?

April 4 April 18

Brown Bag Sundays for Food Bank (pass out bags onEaster)

April 24

Red Cross Blood Drive

May 13

Ascension Thursday Deacons Dinner Fundraiser

May

United Thank Offering

August

SILS Collection for apartment setup

September 19

Memory WalkAlzheimers Association

Ongoing:

Manna Sunday (first Sunday of the month, loose anddedicated offerings for street ministry, bus tokens andwork boots)

Outreach Committee meeting (second Tuesday of themonth)

Heifer gift cards

Prayer quilts

Cars, INC

Habitat

Sudanese K-12 Education Scholarship

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7/12

April 4 (Easter)

10 a.m. Cherubs, Boys and Grace, High

School; Chancel

April 11 High School; Chancel



May 2 High School

May 9 All Choirs: Cherubs, Boys and

Grace, High School, Chancel

May 16 High School; Chancel



June 6 (Graduation Sunday)

High School; Chancel

Singing Schedule

Date Choirs Date Choirs

Choir News

Special Notes

Wednesday, April 7: No Family Night Dinner, and No Rehearsals for Cherubs, Boys and Grace, and High SchoolChoirs

Thursday, April 8: No Chancel Choir RehearsalSunday, May 23Choir Banquet

Ensemble Concert

By Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music

The Lange Choral Ensemble will present its annual Spring Concert at 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 2. Titled Music for Or-gan, Harp, and Percussion, the performance will feature Chichester Psalms by Leonard Bernstein, and Dorchester Can-ticles by Tarik ORegan. The program will also include works by Palestrina, Bach, Durufle, Stroope, and Clausen. Tick-ets are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and children.

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8/12

Box City is Coming to St. Pauls

On April 23-24, St. Pauls Youth Group will have an opportunity to walk in the shoes of the homeless for a night. Inan effort to raise awareness of the homeless situation right here in our own community, the youth will hold a Box Citylock-in at St. Pauls. The evening will be filled with eye-opening information, life changing experiences and, of course,fellowship and fun. This event is open to grades 5-12, and we highly encourage our youth to bring a friend to sharethe experience. If you have questions contact Barb Heany at 420-5316 or Gordon Weller at 482-9454.

Christian Music Night at

Edru Skating RinkBy Barb Heany, Youth Coordinator

Mark your calendars everyone and join the YouthGroup for Christian Music Night at Edru Skating Rink onSunday, April 25 from 5-7:30 p.m. The cost is $5.50which includes skate rental. For more info contact BarbHeany at 420-5316.

Personal Needs CollectionBeginning April 4, the Youth Group will be collecting

personal needs items such as non-perishable foods,personal hygiene products and cleaning supplies, aswell as blankets and clothing. Your donations will makea difference in the lives of men, women and children inMichigans Capital City area through the Lansing Res-cue Mission. Look for the grocery cart located in theMerrifield Room which will provide more detailed in-formation regarding the items that are needed. Thankyou for helping us help Lansing Rescue Mission helpothers!

St. Pauls Youth Group Activities

St. Patricks Day Festivities

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10/12

Easter is the culminating event of Christianity. But in order to appreciate it we have to make a conscious effort to immerseourselves in the bright light of the resurrection, the Son light. Most times that takes a conscious action on our part. It is soeasy to stray from the light and warmth of the Son into the shadows of doubt, despair, or even apathy, and simply loseour way. Often we do not realize when we are walking in the shadows.

We hope you will plan on making the effort to be with your St. Paul's Parish family this Easter. Participate as fully as youcan, knowing that the glow of the Resurrection provides a light and warmth that even death cannot overcome. Hallelujah!

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218 W. Ottawa

Lansing, MI 48933Phone: 517-482-9454

Fax: 517-485-8621

Choir Room: 517-482-0369

Website: Stpaulslansing.org

St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Lansing Michigan

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TheSt. Pauls News is a publication of St. Pauls Episcopal

Church, Lansing Michigan.

St. Pauls Episcopal Church Staff

The Very Rev. Dr. Gordon Weller, Rector

Dr. Stephen R. Lange, Minister of Music

The Rev. Richard Sauerzopf, Priest Assistant

The Rev. Deacon William H. Fineout

Ms. Mary Rodeck, Assistant Minister of Music

Ms. Kathleen Johnson, Office Manager

St. Pauls News Editorial Staff

Christine Caswell, Editor

Lyn Zynda, Layout Editor

st. paul's news - april, 2010

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