St Paul's Episcopal Church

Springville, New York

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From the Vicar’s Desk

(An excerpt from Fr. Jerry’s message in the St. Paul’s November newsletter)

As we enjoy the most colorful but shortest of our seasons, we also begin to plan for Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas. It can be overwhelming, harried, and stressful. But this is also a season full of hope and anticipation. It is a special time to give generously and to receive graciously. A time to reconnect with loved ones near and far. It is also a time to draw closer to God and experience His love as we give thanks and await the greatest gift of all, the birth of Jesus.

This is the season for developing plans for the new year, which includes getting some idea of how much income we can expect for the support of our mission initiatives, and for the maintenance of our facilities. Before too long you will be receiving materials for our stewardship program for the next program year. Please understand that a pledge is not a firm contract. It is a reasonable promise of support for your church and its ministries. We certainly understand that life situations can change overnight, and spending priorities suddenly may have to be changed. Pledges are needed so that we can develop a budget. It is hard to plan if you have no idea how much money you can expect to have to work with.

Finally, my prescription for heading into the holiday season is to take a few minutes at the beginning of each day to use a daily devotional, such as “Forward Day By Day”. Connecting with Jesus before the incoming rush of the day can help us to stay peaceful and know that there’s more than enough time for all that is essential, each day. I hope you’ll be inspired to follow the example of Jesus’s kindness, gentleness, and love. Be challenged by His words to the disciples and us. Be strengthened to perceive and enjoy the abundance and extravagance of Jesus’s love.

Peace and many blessings to you all,

Fr. Jerry

Our St Paul’s Family

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A Prayer for Our Community

This prayer is from the Center for Action and Contemplation

Loving God, you fill all things with a fullness and hope that we can never comprehend. Thank you for leading us into a time where more of reality is being unveiled for us all to see. We pray that you will take away our natural temptation for cynicism, denial, fear and despair. Help us have the courage to awaken to greater truth, greater humility, and greater care for one another. May we place our hope in what matters and what lasts, trusting in your eternal presence and love. Listen to our hearts’ longings for the healing of our suffering world. Please add your own intentions . . . Knowing, good God, you are hearing us better than we are speaking, we offer these prayers in all the holy names of God. Amen.