Report from Sunday's Food Pantry

The St. Paul's on-the-Hill Food Pantry is held the first Sunday of each month, from 1pm to 3pm.
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The St. Paul's Table Food Pantry for September was extremely busy . We want to thank everyone that helped at the pantry. There were 13 people today that worked the pantry. A very special Thank You to everyone.  Also to everyone that purchased bags, vegetables, fruits, meat, etc., thank you again.   It means so much to the people we serve.

This month we had a total of 279 individuals (THE MOST WE'VE EVERY HAD!), which included 120 children, 134 adults, 25 elderly and 81 households served.

We gave out every bag we had along with every vegetable and meat .  Toward the end not everyone received a bag.  We really need hamburger (one pound packages), hot dogs, cereal or oatmeal.

For the month of October, I would like to put the word out for peanut butter and pasta.  It is quite costly even at the food bank.

The clothing ministry, Mobile Clothing Industry, run by Cindy and Sonny Larrick, did very well.  So many people received free clothing.  They even had quite a shoe department.

They will be back for the October food pantry with Winter items.  If you have clothes that you are giving away, please bring it to the church for the Mobile Clothing Ministry.  You can leave it in the back room next to the nursery.  Thanks so much.

Linda Binder

St. Paul's Table

For more information, please contact Linda Binder  lbinder798@comcast.net.

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.

August 26 Sermon: Choices

The Rev. Dr. Ellen RichardsonChoices

SPOTH Mobile App

We now have an app for St. Paul's on-the-Hill, called SPOTH, of course! It went live on Android, the Google Play Store, today; and should be available for iPhone, iPad in the next couple of weeks. The app brings all of our social media together in one spot, as well as our sermons, our calendar, and much more. Install it today if you have an Android device, phone, tablet; and Apple users, I will let you know when it is in the App Store.

SPOTH on Twitter

St. Paul's on-the-Hill now has a Twitter feed all its own. I'm posting info about our church and also verses from the Bible, usually from one of the morning/evening prayer psalms, to be a support to the followers of the feed. Follow SPOTH@spothva on Twitter to be encouraged and strengthened throughout your day.

Back to School Prayers

Back to School Prayer for

I wrote three of these and adapted the one for Educators. 

Students

Loving God, we give you thanks for all students, the youngest and the oldest, help them to know of your companionship with them as they go to school and as they seek to learn. Help them know of the gifts you have given them, and give them joy in the possibilities that await them this year…new friends, deeper friendships with those they already know, new knowledge and new challenges. We pray for them, and that your blessing be upon them and that your Spirit guide on the first day of the new school year, and every day that follows; through Jesus Christ our Savior and our Friend. Amen.

Educators – adapted from Jane Deren

As I step into a new academic year,
Restore my spirit.
Renew my passion for sharing knowledge
And nurture my compassion
for those You put in my charge.

Transform me as I seek to transform:
Guide me as I seek to guide;
Open my mind and heart
As I seek to open minds and hearts.

Help me listen more deeply
To the world and to your Word,
So I can walk with my students,
Attentive to the your Wisdom.  Amen.

Parents

O God, you are our Divine Parent, our Father/our Mother in heaven…give to all parents wisdom and joy as they help and encourage their children in their studies, sports, and social relationships this year. Give them patience; give them insight; give them help as they seek to be the parents you are calling them to be; through Christ. Amen.

Blessing of Backpacks and other school-related items

O God, we pray for your blessing upon these backpacks and other school-related items, that those who use them may know of your presence with them…your love for them, and that you, O God, have called them to the ministry of learning, and of teaching, for their benefit and for the benefit of others. Amen. 

A Return to the Blog - and the sermon from today

Well, it has been a while since I wrote anything for my main blog. My General Convention blog got most of my attention for awhile, Finding God at General Convention 2012, and I've been focusing on Facebook posting. But for those of you who do not use Facebook, I thought it would be good to get back to this method of connecting with you. Hope you have been well!

Here is the link to listen to the sermon that I gave today. The sermon is entitled "To Be Wise." Enjoy. Almost all of my sermons since April can also be found on this website, the Sermon Network.

http://sermon.net/spoth/sermonid/1199795360