Thursday, August 28, 2014

September brings Rally Day and Returning Groups!

Sunday, September 7 is a busy day at St. Paul's.
We have our Rally Day Breakfast at 9:30 - 10:45 am in Trinity Hall. We hope you all take advantage of this time for food and fellowship. Rally Day is the start of a new year of teaching and learning. It is an essential part of the life and mission of St. Paul's as it is in many congregations. Sunday School is a partnership of parents and teachers and congregation members to show that we affirm a life style that is Christ's.

Worship will change on September 7 as well. The 8:30 am service will continue using the setting, "Now the Feast and Celebration" by Marty Haugen, while the 11:00 am service will begin using Setting three of the Evangelical Lutheran Worship book. This setting is the old LBW setting One so it will probably be very familiar with most people.

Between services and after the 11:00 am service, we invite you to take a few minutes to stop and speak with our members at the Time and Talent Tables. Committees and groups will be set up around the main level of the building with information on what they do, their goals, and are there to answer any of your questions. Spend a few minutes and you may happen upon a group or committee which interests you -- all need additional participants. Our Time and Talent board will also be on view where you can select a task, complete the form, and drop it in the basket.

During both services, 8:30 and 11:00 am, we will have a "backpack" blessing, so bring your backpack, briefcase, or just yourself to receive a blessing for the start of this new educational year -- all ages, all schools.

With the ending of summer, we see several of our other groups returning to rehearsals and meeting times.

Senior Choir will begin Wednesday night rehearsals on Sept. 3 at 7:00 pm downstairs in Genesis Hall. They will begin singing at the 11 am service on Sept 14. In addition to Wednesday night rehearsals, choir will warm-up/rehearse on Sunday mornings at 10:30 am upstairs in the balcony. Stop by the Music Time & Talents table to sign up -- all choirs, handbell ringers, and musicians -- past or future!  Jackie wants to meet you all!

The Thursday Morning Bible Study will be back at 10:30-11:45 am. Bring a bible and come to the conference room whenever you can.

We also return to our Wednesday Night suppers on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month. Our traditional September meal is "Reading, 'riting, and ravioli" to kick off the school year. That will be on Wednesday, September 3 at 6:00 pm.

On Friday, Sept. 5 at 6:00 pm, we celebrate Holy Communion and the Ordination of our former Vicar, Andrew Jacob Tucker. The Rev. Dr. Richard Lischer will preach, the Rev. Scott Anderson will preside. All are invited, if vesting, the color is red. There will be a simple reception following the service.  Andrew has been called to serve Christ Lutheran Church in Radford, VA. 

The work on our murals downstairs is moving slowly along. Can't rush artists! If you have a desire to help us paint, we sincerely invite you to contact the church office to get information. Stop by and see the work going on -- it is taking on a new appearance.



Friday, August 8, 2014

August Activities

Gretchen Wilson Memorial Organ Concert

Sunday, August 17, 2014 at 4:00 pm
in the Sanctuary of St. Paul's Lutheran Church
located at the corner of Cornwallis & Pickett Roads
in SW Durham
Reception follows in Trinity Hall
Performers Christa Rakich and St. Paul's new Minister of Music, Jacqueline Nappi, present works for organ, harpsichord, and piano. Also premiering a new work by Durham composer Michael Trinastic. All are welcome to this free concert! Details on the artists are in the August issue of Cross Connections which can be found on the website under "Resources" clicking on "Parish News and Notes."

Vicar Daniel Locke will be arriving at St. Paul's on August 14 for his year with us. We will welcome Vicar Daniel with a "pounding." You are invited to bring household supplies, such as paper goods, cleaning supplies, pantry basics, non-perishable foods, etc. Containers are in the foyer.

Interfaith Hospitality Network homeless families will be staying at St. Paul's the week of August 17-24. Sign-ups are in the foyer now. Stop by and indicate if you can assist with meals, driving, overnight hosting, as well as setting up and laundry. Contact Margot Wuebbens or Ellen Lavery for questions. You may also contact the church office.

The Durham area Lutheran Churches are coming together in the month of September to participate in the NC Synod effort -- God's Work. Our Hands. We will be collecting coats, jackets, and diapers to be distributed to the needy in early October. Please help us with this effort. Boxes will be placed in the foyer to collect the items.

Making a return in November will be our "Lutherans Got Talent" show. Start thinking now of a talent you can share or combine your talents with others for an evening of enjoyment!

"Growing thru Grief," a grief care and grief support group, continues to meet Tuesdays at St. Paul's. The program begins at 4:30 pm with a brief lecture followed by small group discussions. Come at 4:00 pm for registration, refreshments, and fellowship. For more information, email: growingthrugrief@gmail.com.



Friday, June 20, 2014

Vacation Bible School

Welcome to SonWest Round Up!
On Monday morning, June 23, there will be 28 adults, with the assistance of 14 Teen Team members,  leading 43 children, through our Wild West town of SonWest. There will be music, food, games, crafts, and amazing stories that point you and your children to Jesus. We'll be traveling down the trail through the Old Testament stories of Moses to discover God's ultimate plan -- Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Drop on by to get a taste of the wonder of VBS, visit our Wild West Town, sit around the campfire. We especially invite you on Friday, June 27 at 12:00 noon to come to the sanctuary for our closing events followed by a Chuck Wagon picnic in Trinity Hall. So, saddle up and mosey on down to St. Paul's for SonWest Round up, Monday through Friday, June 23-27 at 9:00 am - 12:30 pm.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

June Events

Vacation Bible School 2014
Come to SonWest Roundup - June 23-27 at 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
  • VBS activities will include Bible learning experiences, team building games, cool songs, tasty treats and crafts. VBS Registration needs to be submitted ASAP so we can have the proper materials ready for each child.
  • Adult leaders are still needed to shepherd groups of young children to and from the various learning stations. The groups of children will rotate between worship, music, crafts, recreation, snacks, story time, movie time, and closing activities each day.
If you have any questions, please contact the church office at 919-489-3214 or email admin@stpaulsdurham.org.

Icon Workshop

     Are you considering signing up for the August 4-9 Icon Class? If so, Lettie Anderson needs to hear from you right away! Please email her at arts@stpaulsdurham.org. The actual deadline to register is July 12, but for planning purposes, we need to assess our numbers; there's both a minimum to hold the workshop and a maximum beyond which we'll need an extra teacher.
     The class is scheduled to meet from 9 am to 4 pm for six days in a row beginning August 4. The $550 cost includes all materials: gessoed board, gold leaf, hand crushed pigments, brushes, etc. (valued approximately $150). Because we trace the initial image onto the board, a reasonably steady hand is the only requirement; clear and effective instruction allows even non-artistic participants to create a product of lasting personal value. The instructors, Tatiana and Dmitriy Berestov, will come from New York to stay at St. Paul's for the week. They have long experience as iconographers in Russia and the U.S.
     Creating an icon is a beautiful spiritual and artistic experience. If you would like more information, send an email to arts@stpaulsdurham.org, call Lettie Anderson or talk to people who have taken the class before: Pastor Anderson, Alice Barnes, Amanda Montgomery, or Tina Bessias.

Come to an Ice Cream Social
Monday, June 9 at 7:15 in Trinity Hall -- everyone is welcome to attend. Women's Connection (formerly Tabitha) is hosting.

Picnic Time for the Young in Spirit group -- bring your picnic lunch on Wednesday, June 11 at 11:30 am to Trinity Hall. We'll enjoy fellowship as we dine and then we'll hop in the church van to travel to Maple View Farm to enjoy their delicious ice cream for dessert.

For the summer, we will enjoy our Wednesday Night Suppers only once a month -- on the third Wednesday of the month -- to give our Trinity Kitchen crew a break. In the fall, we will be looking for individuals or groups to create the meals on the first Wednesday evenings. Contact the church office or admin@stpaulsdurham.org if you may be interested.






Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Liturgical Mysteries Evening

An Evening of Desserts & Liturgical Mysteries
with Mark Schweizer
Sunday, May 4, 7:00 pm in Trinity Hall
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Durham
presented in conjunction with St. Philip Lutheran in Raleigh
St. Germaine is a little like Lake Wobegon, Garrison Keillor's fictional hometown. Except that St. Germaine is in western North Carolina and it has a recurring problem with murders. They are solved by Hayden Konig, whose role as detective/chief of police is supplemented by his other role -- organist and choir director for St. Barnabus Episcopal Church. Who knew that so many crimes could have a liturgical connection?
 
Whether or not you've had a chance to read The Alto Wore Tweed or any of Mark Schweizer's other books in our library, you'll enjoy this evening of conversation, music, and dramatic reading.
 
You are invited to bring a dessert which will be shared by all in attendance. If you need a ride, please contact the church office.
 
 

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Holy Week and Easter Services

April 17 -- Maundy Thursday
  • 12:00 pm service of Holy Communion and Stripping of the Altar
  • 7:00 pm service of Holy Communion, representative foot washing, and Stripping of the Altar
April 18 -- Good Friday
  • 12:00 pm "Way of the Cross" service utilizing the stations of the cross on display in the sanctuary
  • 7:00 pm "Tenebrae" service, the worship space becomes gradually darker as we hear Christ last words
April 20 -- Easter Sunday -- The Resurrection of Our Lord
  • 8:30 am Worship -- Holy Communion
  • 9:30 am Easter Breakfast for all -- menu includes: scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits, pancakes, grits. A free-will offering will be accepted
  • 10:15 am Easter Egg Hunt for children -- please bring a basket for each child. They will hunt eggs in age-divided groups, keeping the items in the plastic eggs, returning the plastic eggs and receiving a gift bag
  • 11:00 am Worship -- Holy Communion
  • Flowers can be brought to decorate the cross
The Church Office will be closed Monday-Tuesday, April 21-22.

Friday, March 28, 2014

April News and Notes

Lent continues at St. Paul's...
Wednesday Night Suppers and Mid-week Lent Worship continues on April 2 and 9 -- supper is in Trinity Hall at 6:00 pm and worship in the sanctuary at 7:00 pm.
 
On April 2, our supper  at 6:00 pm involves a pot-luck salad/dessert offering.
If you are able, please bring a salad or dessert to share at the meal. Main dish will be provided.  The salad can be anything: garden, potato, pasta, slaw, fruit, Jell-O, etc. Dessert -- anything goes!
 
The last two Ecumenical Mid-Week Lent worship and Meals will take place:
  April 2 at St. Stephen's Episcopal with Rev. Deborah Steed preaching
  April 9 at Pilgrim UCC, Rev. Robert Kaynor, preaching
Worship is at 12:00 noon and lunch follows at 12:30 pm.
 
Stations of the Cross in the Sanctuary
During Lent and Holy Week, the fourteen Stations of the Cross are displayed in the sanctuary. You may use them for contemplation and meditation any time the church is open. On your way into the sanctuary, pick up a copy of Biblical Way of the Cross by Richard Haas. Begin at the station next to the Brombaugh organ and proceed towards the back and up the other side. Please return the booklet when you are finished. The Worship Committee and the Liturgical Arts Committee worked with Pastor Anderson to select and design these stations. Perhaps you recognize the artistic style as that of Nicholas Markell, illustrator of the ELW. Feel free to share your response with Jeff Anderson, Tina Bessias, or other members of the Worship and Arts Committees.

Adult Sunday School class continues with the Book of Faith Bible Study. Copies of the Bible Study schedule are available in the foyer and on our website (downloadable in PDF).

Looking ahead to Holy Week and Easter...
Palm/Passion Sunday is April 13
    8:30 and 11:00 am worship - palm procession and Passion Story from Matthew
    9:45 am Easter Egg coloring for children downstairs in Genesis Hall

Maundy Thursday is April 17
    12:00 noon and 7:00 pm  Worship with Holy Communion
   
Good Friday is April 18
    12:00 noon and 7:00 pm Worship -- noon is "The Way of the Cross" and 7 pm is Tenebrae

Easter Sunday is April 20
    8:30 am and 11:00 am Worship -- both celebrate Holy Communion
    9:30 am Easter Breakfast in Trinity Hall (free-will offering accepted) all are invited!
    10:15 am Easter Egg Hunt for children ages 2 through 5th grade -- bring a basket!