Weekly Announcements

What Your Offering Does/Church Finances - Thank you for your offerings, which enable us to help our wider community in many ways: hosting scouts and support groups, through our Food Pantry, Men’s Rescue Mission, Prayer Shawls, gleaning, clothes drives and more!

Rector’s Discretionary Fund – the loose plate offering will go the Rector’s discretionary fund, which is most often used to help church members who are having financial challenges.

SAVE THE DATE & SIGN UP TODAY!  - Parish Retreat at Shrine Mont, September 14-16. The theme of the retreat will be “Your Story and God’s Story” The cost is $138.00 and includes all conference fees and materials, room for 2 nights, 6 meals, and the beautiful setting of Shrine Mont. The program will be led by Hilary and will help you reflect individually and, if desired, with others about God’s presence in your life.  Time for centering prayer, walking the labyrinth, and daily Celtic prayers will also be offered. There will be time to relax, hike, sleep, read, and get to know each other more deeply.

Newcomers, Inquirers and Adult Confirmation Class – Begins Wednesday, September 5th, 7:30-8:30 p.m. and will meet for eight weeks. We are using the book, Your Faith, Your Life: An Invitation to the Episcopal Church, by Jenifer Gamber.  Sign-up sheet for class and the book is in the mailbox table in the Narthex.  The book is also available on Kindle. Bishop Shannon will be with us on Sunday, October 28th, in the afternoon (time TBA), to confirm and receive those who want to make an adult affirmation of faith and become Episcopalian to the fullest extent possible.

Wednesday Night Service Returns – on Wednesday, September 5th, join us for the Holy Eucharist with prayers for healing, 7-7:30 p.m. every Wednesday.  If desired, you can receive the laying-on-of-hands from our clergy for physical, spiritual, and/or emotional healing for yourself or another.

Centering Prayer  & Labyrinth Walk – Centering prayer resumes onSeptember 5th at 9:30 a.m. followed by the Labyrinth Walk at 9:55 a.m.

Wednesday Bible Study –will resume Wednesday, September 5th at 10:15 a.m.

Book Club – Next meeting is Thursday, September 6th at the home of Amanda Epperson, 7pm; we will discuss Saint Maybe by Anne Tyler.

Choir practice - will resume on Sunday, September 9th at 9:15a.m.  in the sanctuary. Everyone is invited, whether you've sung with us in the past or not.

Youth Confirmation Classes - for Middle School and High School youth, will meet on Saturdays at 4:00pm - 4:45pm beginning September 22ndthrough October 22nd. Our rector, Hilary, will be leading the class. Those who are juniors or seniors in High School also have the option of taking the adult class. Please let Hilary know if you/your child is interested.

Youth Group – for all middle and high school youth and their friends begins on September 22nd with gleaning.  Meet at 8:30 a.m. at SPOTH or at 9 a.m. at Marker Miller Orchard, 3035 Cedar Creek Grade Road, to collect apples for the hungry.

Saturday Eucharist Returns - on Saturday September 22nd, 5pm, and the first Saturday service will be the Celtic Eucharist.

Sunday School – for children begins on Sunday, September 23rd.  The children gather with the priest at the start of the 10:30 a.m. service for a blessing and then process out to Sunday School in the parish hall.

Blessing of the Animals - in celebration of St. Francis' Day (Oct. 4), will be on Saturday, October 6th as part of the 5pm Eucharist and will be celebrated outside on and around our Labyrinth.

St. Paul's Table Food Pantry –The Food Pantry is the first Sun. of each month, 1-3 pm. Donate to the pantry by bringing meat for our freezer or a bag of apples or potatoes or other food items. For more information contact Linda Binder, 540-665-0675 or lbinder798@comcast.net

Local Clothing Closet – will be distributing clothing to those in need during the Food Pantry this Sunday.

Men’s Rescue Mission Ministry – This takes place the last Sun. of each month, our members prepare & serve a meal at the Men’s Mission, Cameron St.  If you can help or for more information, contact Scott Lang (smlnva@aol.com, 540- 662-0216).

Additional Outreach Opportunities - Gleaning - on Saturday, September 22nd at Marker Miller Orchard; and the Crop Walk in Winchester on Sunday, October 7th. Our Youth Group will take part in these activities and younger children are also welcome to walk with their parent or other adult.

Sunday Adult Education thru September – the Bishop’s Bible Challenge discussion at 9:15am in the Library.

Tuesday Bible Study – In lieu of our usual Bible Study we will be participating in the Bishop’s Bible Challenge. All are welcome to join us at 12:30 p.m. in the Library.

New Youth Blog! - I have just started a blog dedicated to the youth of our church - http://spothyouth.blogspot.com/

I intend this blog to be for the youth...to give them info and as a place where they can exchange ideas, make comments, I also invite any of them to write a post for the blog...just send it to me and I will post it...it can be about anything he or she would like to share, within reason of course :)

Mobile App - for our church now available on Android systems and soon for iPhone and iPad, search “SPOTH” in app stores to find it.