St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 16457 Old Frederick Road, Mt. Airy, MD. 21771 (410-489-4411)

January 2017 Rector’s Reflection

A Star

The star beacons in the upper right corner.  A figure in the foreground points to the star with one hand, and with the other hand encourages a band of escapees from slavery to follow the star.  There are also trees, animals and people on the move in the painting. The people are coming out of the woods and crossing a stream. They are all moving toward the star. The painting is  “Through Forests, Through Rivers, Up Mountains” by Jacob Lawrence.  It gives us an image of those liberating themselves from the South and slavery, to the North and freedom. Their beacon, giving direction for their journey is the North Star.

This is the season of Christmas and Epiphany (on January 6th).  We remember another star pointing to the birth of Jesus.  The star gave direction for the journey of the magi, as told in the Gospel of Matthew. A journey to find the child, who is to become Saviour and giver of hope to all people. 

As 2017 begins, let us remember the star and Christ as the “World’s True Light” (Hymn # 542).  We are called both to follow the “light” and share His light.  The words of the hymn say “new life, new hope awakes, for all who own his sway; freedom - bondage breaks, and night is turned to day”.

A New Year’s Blessing  (author unknown)

May God be with youthrough the New YearMay you be guided by the Light and filled with strength, comfort and cheer.

Many Blessings in 2017

Grace and PeaceRev. Susan+

St. Paul’s Beacon

The St. Paul’s Beacon

Mark Your CalendarsSunday Service Schedule

Sunday, Jan. 1, 10:00 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, 15, 22 & 29 8:00 &10:30 a.m.

Thursday, Jan.12, 6:30 p.m.Vestry Meeting

Wednesday, Jan 11, 10:00 a.m. Pastoral Care Meeting

Fridays, 7:00 p.m.Prayers in the Evening

Stars and Foreigners “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 NIV

One of the focal points in Matthew’s telling of the incidents surrounding the birth of the Christ Child was a bright light – a Star. The Star provided light, direction, guidance and location. In the darkness it could be seen clearly. But not just the light of the Star, stars and moon are important in this story. More important is the light that cannot be hidden by darkness or evil - the light that is Christ. Another feature in Matthew is the Epiphany. Strangers – foreigners – people from a different and distant place seek out, find and give expensive and valuable gifts to the Child they recognize as the Christ, the light for all the world to behold. Today we seek the light in a world not too unlike the world Jesus was born into. In our effort to find the light we journey through many physical, spiritual, and emotional prisms. Yet, because we know the end of the story, our hearts and lips will always say Glory to God in the Highest and Peace, Goodwill to humankind and all of creation. The hope found in the light of the cross renders our song to be one of God’s promises kept.

St. Paul’s is a beacon that provides not only a location but direction and guidance. All of its lights give expensive and valuable gifts to the community and to each other. St. Paul’s provides a space where there is no stranger and where love abides. We at St. Paul’s know “the light shines on in the dark, and the darkness has never mastered it.” John 1:5 NEB CAB

Each month a different theme will be featured in The St. Paul’s Beacon. As you can guess from the Rector’s Reflection and the above article, January’s theme is “Stars and Foreigners.” You are invited to share in this ministry and write a reflection or thoughts on the theme of the month. The theme of the Month for February will be “Legacy.” Please submit your reflection to the parish office by the 20th of the month. Questions call Carrie Brown at 240-459-5549.

Help Make St. Paul’s Paint Out a Success!!Once again we will gather for a night of fun while benefiting St. Paul’s. Bring friends and family and join us while creating a beautiful picture, uniquely your own, to take home and cherish. Sip a hot chocolate, tea, or glass of wine while you paint. No experience needed. All supplies provided.Date: January 14, 2017 Snow Date: January 21, 2017 Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Place: St. Paul’s Church Price: $35/ personQuestions call Ginny Chandler 443-266-7168Registration forms will be in the Parish Hall and at www.stpaulsmtairy.orgSign up by Friday, January 6, 2017Mail registration form with payment to St. Paul’s Church (in memo line “Paint Out”) 16457 Old Frederick Rd, Mt. Airy, MD 21771 Hope to see you there.

Soup-er Sundays in JanuaryPlease bring a can or more of soup for the Mt. Airy Net Food Pantry, on

the 5 Sundays of January. Let’s fill the box in the Parish Hall with all kinds of soup, so we can fill up the shelves with soup at the food

pantry. We can do a soup-er job and you will feel soup-er in helping people who need food. The people who benefit from the food pantry will be grateful.

The Polar Bear Plunge: Celebrating 21 years of the “Coolest” Maryland Tradition. Yes, our Jeff Spaulding will once again lead the charge. The Maryland State Police “Polar Bear Plunge” will be held January 26 – 28

2017. Every January over 10,000 courageous plungers head to Sandy Point State Park seeking thrills and chills all to benefit the 7,311 Special Olympics athletes. Please support Jeff and this event through your tax deductible donation by check (made out to “SOMB”) or by an on-line donation. Thank you for supporting persons with Differing Abilities by contributing to this life enhancing charity.

The Bazaar of the Churches on Saturday, November 19th, at the Lisbon Fire Hall was very successful for St. Paul’s. Our final total is $2,900. Many thanks to Jeff Spaulding and Al Yeater for their help in transporting boxes of bazaar items/shelves to and from the fire hall for our participation. Also, many thanks to all who gave of their

time, talent, help, commitment and dedication .

Stephen Ministry

The Longest Night Service

to this event. Bless you all.

St. Paul’s Cookie Exchange

Many thanks to Suzanne & Paul Bourg for hosting the cookie exchange on Friday, December 9th. The pot luck dinner was delicious, the cookies scrumptious and the fellowship wonderful with much fun and many laughs. St. Paul’s is blessed to have great bakers. We filled 13 tins to give to the sick, home-bound and various parishioners.

We always look forward to this annual event. Linda Barnes

Mission and Outreach Update

Thanks to all who donated gifts to the five families sponsored by St. Paul’s through the Salvation Army. Your generosity helped these families have a joyful Christmas Season.

St. Paul’s sent gifts and cards to Shakirah, our sponsored child in Uganda.

Monies were also contributed to the “Nets for Africa” project. Celeste Humphreys

St. Paul’s joined with Calvary United Methodist Church in Mt. Airy for a service of caring for all dealing with loneliness or loss during the holiday season. The service was well attended and appreciated by those who feel left out of what is a happy and joyful time for many. St. Paul’s looks forward to hosting the service next year. Lee Hajek

The First 2017 St. Paul’s Event will be the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tuesday, February 28th, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. More details will be in the February newsletter and the Sunday bulletins.

During the month of December

We lost two dear friends in Christ.

Mary Jo Grabau passed on December 15.Mary Jo was known for her creativity, and knowledge of all things Episcopal. Her memorial service will be held Saturday,

January 7, 2017 at St. Bartholomew’s in Laytonsville, MD at 2:00 p.m.

Dottie Streaker passed on December 26. Dottie was a long serving chairperson of the Altar Guild and contributed to the success of our annual bazaars. Her funeral was on Thursday December 29, 2016.

May the souls of the faithfully departed rest in peace and light perpetual shine upon them. We pray especially for the souls of Mary Jo Grabau, Dottie Streaker and those who mourn.

Spiritual Enlightenment (Adult Forum)

Continues 9:30-10:15 a.m. on Sundays. Please note: there will be NO class on the first Sunday of each month and on the occasions when there is only one service.

St. Paul’s Thrift Shop

Helpers are still needed to sort and restock on Monday and Wednesday mornings; help carry Mission bags out to the shed on Wednesday mornings, as you are available; and volunteers to sell in the shop at least one day per month on a regular basis. Shop is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11:30 -3:00.Phyllis Weston & Kathy Audia

Helping Hands Outreach

The Helping Hands outreach team is ready to help you. Please let Dick Wilcher know if you can use some help, @ 301-829-3908 and he will schedule a time to help you.

Sunday Breakfast All

you Can Eat!

Jan 8- Lisbon Fire Hall- 7:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. Adults-$8.00

Jan 15 - Mt. Airy Fire Hall 8:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m. Adults $8.00 Jan 22 - St. Michaels Church 8:30 a.m. -12:30 a.m. Adults $8.00; children 5-10 $4.00; under 5 free.

Happy Birthday To:Irene Hillen Jan 01Carly Cassera Jan 04Rev. Susan Keller Jan 10Herb Grabau Jan 10Jackson Young Jan 12Lee Hajek Jan 16Kojo Brown Jan 17Polly Moore Jan 18Carolyn Prentice Jan 24

Happy Anniversary To:Charles & Michele Samuel Jan 29

Prayer List Paul BourgDave & Trudi LawsonDallas ReeveKeith PrenticePhyllis HeffnerDoris SharpBill WinebrunnerJoannie LeeKurt VonHurstAllene VonHurstAl ParkerCraig Johnson Joanne JohnsonJeffrey JohnsonLora HollandsPam SherfeyDebbie GardnerAnn BoylesSandra & Stanley NapierIrene Hordubay Beth HustedLynn CarrAllison PolegerSam LucasJohn LucasMary Wales-NorthPatsy MavityDonna ShurneyKaye RineerBelinda BlizzardJanice EslerMatt WillinghamSusie GibsonAndrew Oberle Herb GrabauJohn TuelDelphine Koval

John BelousBill AaronAlbert Hutchison Katherine GilbeertzRyan MertonKathleen RumpleNancy McIntoshGinny TriplettMarie Cagle Brian ThompsonJames AnthonyThomas StevensJoan Selden Gil SeibelSuzanne BourgCarolyn PrenticeTeresa Regina HutchisonMary Ellen HutchisonKayleigh McIntoshHarless & Peggy H.Dottie WilliamsPat & Al MarquisHollyBevGerlinde Pflaumer-YeaterJeni Cassera

Pastoral Concern

Pastoral issues and concerns are important to us. Please contact the Rev. Susan S. Keller, at 301-785-1687 or revssk@yahoo.com.You may also call the church, 410-489-4411, Monday through Friday, 9:00-12:00. Parish Email: stpaulschurch-mtairy@verizon.netwww.stpaulsmtairy.org

VISION STATEMENT

Our Vision is: A community of faith ministering to those in need of justice, reconciliation, hospitality, sanctuary, and growth in their spiritual journeyMISSION STATEMENT

Our Mission is: To carry the good news of Jesus Christ into the community by word and deed and to help all people experience God’s presence intheir daily lives.

St. Paul’s “A shining light in the community”

New Year PrayerThank you Lord for

giving me the brand new year ahead.

Help me live the way I should as each new

day I tread.Give me gentle

wisdomthat I might help a

friend.

Give me strength and courage so a shoulder

I might lend.The year ahead is

empty.Help me fill it with

good things.Each day filled

with joy and happiness

it brings. Amen

January 2017 ~ Church Calendar

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday110:00 a.m. Rite II

2 3 4 5 11:30-3:00Thrift Shop Open

6 11:30-3:00Thrift Shop Open

7 11:30-3:00Thrift Shop Open

No Coffee Hour Today

5:00 pm Stephen Minister Mtg.

8 8:00 a.m. Rite I9:30a.m. Adult Forum

10:30. a.m. Rite II

9 10 11 12 11:30-3:00Thrift Shop Open

13 11:30-3:00Thrift Shop Open

14 11:30-3:00Thrift Shop Open

Hospitality Hour following

10:00a.m. Pastoral Care Team 6:30 p.m. Vestry Mtg.

15 8:00 a.m. Rite I9:30a.m. Adult Forum

10:30. a.m. Rite II

16 17 18 1911:30-3:00Thrift Shop Open

20 11:30-3:00Thrift Shop Open

2111:30-3:00Thrift Shop Open

Hospitality Hour following

5:00 pm Stephen Minister Mtg.

22 8:00 a.m. Rite I9:30a.m. Adult Forum

10:30. a.m. Rite II

23 24 25 2611:30-3:00Thrift Shop Open

2711:30-3:00Thrift Shop Open

28 11:30-3:00Thrift Shop Open

Hospitality Hour Following

29 8:00 a.m. Rite I9:30a.m. Adult Forum

10:30. a.m. Rite II

30 31

Hospitality Hour Following

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January 2017 ~ Service Calendar ~ If you are not able to work, please find your replacement

January 1,The Most Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ

White

January 8,

1st Sunday after EpiphanyWhite

January 15,

2nd Sunday after EpiphanyGreen

January 22,

3rd Sunday after EpiphanyGreen

January 29,

4th Sunday after EpiphanyGreen

10:00 AM 8:00 AM 10:30 AM 8:00 AM 10:30AM 8:00 PM 10:30 AM 8:00 AM 10:30 AM

Greeter/Usher Greg & Norma

Prentice

Al Yeater, Michele Samuel

Linda Barnes,

Linda Sharp Al Yeater

Dana Fritzges

Greg & Norma

Prentice

Dana Fritzges

Linda SharpDana

Fritzges

Chalicist Ron AlexanderLeo

CampionPete

McIntosh Ron

AlexanderPete

McIntoshJeff

SpauldingPete

McIntoshLeo

CampionCarrie Brown

Acolyte(s) Ron AlexanderLeo

CampionPete

McIntoshRon

AlexanderPete

McIntoshJeff

SpauldingPete

McIntoshLeo

CampionCarrie Brown

Lector Kathleen AlexanderCharles Samuel Helen Tuel

Kathleen Alexander

Stephen Jones

Irene Hillen

Dick WilcherAl Yeater Helen Tuel

Psalm Ron AlexanderCharles Samuel John Tuel

Kathleen Alexander Bill Toole

Irene Hillen

Dick Wilcher Barb Campion Dick Wilcher

Prayers of the People Kathleen Alexander

Charles Samuel

Nancy McIntosh Al Yeater

Phyllis Heffner Al Yeater

Dorothy Kitt Barb Campion John Tuel

Altar GuildDana Fritzges,

Kathy AudiaJoanne Honsberger,

Barb CampionSuzanne Bourg,

Linda BarnesEtta Lee Spaulding,

Linda SharpDana Fritzges,

Kathy Audia

Coffee Hour No Coffee Hour TodayDana Fritzges,

Irene HillenBarb Campion,Doris Wilcher

Dorothy Kitt,Carrie Brown Phyllis Weston, Lee Hajek

Counters Lynda Sheckels,Dana Fritzges

Nancy & Pete McIntosh Linda Sharp, Linda Barnes

Celeste Humphreys, John Tuel

Lynda Sheckels,Etta Lee Spaulding

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January 8th ~ Altar Guild to clean up after service and take down Christmas decorations

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