“Our Welcome”

In the light of God’s unconditional love, we respect the dignity of every human being by welcoming and supporting all persons whatever their race, color, gender, age, sexual orientation, health status, marital status or stage of spiritual journeying. We invite you to explore, investigate, and grow in your faith and become a part of our shared journey with God.

THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD January 10, 2021

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 218 W. Ottawa St. Lansing, MI 48933 Office: 517-482-9454 www.stpaulslansing.org

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St. Paul’s Staff: The Rev. Karen C. Lewis, Rector; Ms. Stephanie Gewirtz, Minister of Music; Ms. Theresa Milne, Parish Administrator; Mr. Brandon Blanchard, Sexton; Ms. Ciera Hart, Nursery Attendant; Ms. Kathy Vogel, Wedding Coordinator. St. Paul’s Vestry: Maria Wawro, Sr. Warden; Sue LeDuc, Jr. Warden; Jack Baker, Jane Bryce, Michael Hart, Jennifer Humphries, Bob Merriman, Dave Parks, Libby Richardson, Margaret Schulte, Gloria Sutton, Jeff Irwin, Treasurer, Sally Boron, Secretary. Please prepare yourself for worship. Find a space where you can be comfortable and undisturbed for awhile. Perhaps have a small cross and/or a candle placed on a small table by you. Take a moment to be still and think of all those who will be joining you this morning in prayer.

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THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD January 10, 2021

PRELUDE Reflection Douglas E. Wagner The people standing, the Officiant says Officiant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen. Officiant There is one Body and one Spirit; People There is one hope in God’s call to us. Officiant One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism; People One God and Father of all. Officiant The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Officiant Let us pray. THE COLLECT OF THE DAY Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. The People are invited to sit for the readings THE FIRST LESSON GENESIS 1:1-5 Reader A reading from Genesis.

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God. PSALM 29

1 Ascribe to the Lord, you gods,* ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his Name;* worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. 3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders;* the Lord is upon the mighty waters. 4 The voice of the Lord is a powerful voice;* the voice of the Lord is a voice of splendor. 5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees;* the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon; 6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,* and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.

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7 The voice of the Lord splits the flames of fire; the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;* the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 8 The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe* and strips the forests bare. 9 And in the temple of the Lord* all are crying, “Glory!” 10 The Lord sits enthroned above the flood;* the Lord sits enthroned as King for evermore. 11 The Lord shall give strength to his people;* the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.

THE SECOND LESSON ACTS 19:1-7 Reader A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions and came to Ephesus, where he found disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They replied, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Then he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They answered, “Into John’s baptism.” Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied – altogether there were about twelve of them.

Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God. THE GOSPEL The People stand MARK 1:4-11

Officiant The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Officiant The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ. THE SERMON The Rev. Karen C. Lewis

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PRESENTATION & EXAMINATION OF THE CANDIDATE Officiant The Candidate for Holy Baptism will now be presented.

Sponsors I present Violet Marilyn to receive the Sacrament of Baptism.

Officiant Will you be responsible for seeing that the child you present is brought up in the Christian faith and life?

Sponsors I will, with God’s help.

Officiant Will you by your prayers and witness help Violet to grow into the full stature of Christ?

Sponsors I will, with God’s help.

Officiant Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?

Answer I renounce them.

Officiant Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?

Answer I renounce them.

Officiant Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God? Answer I renounce them.

Officiant Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior? Answer I do.

Officiant Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love? Answer I do.

Officiant Do you promise to follow and obey him as your Lord? Answer I do.

Officiant Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support this person in her life in Christ?

People We will.

Officiant Let us join with those who are committing themselves to Christ and renew our own baptismal covenant.

The People all stand Officiant Do you believe in God the Father? People I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Officiant Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? People I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the

power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

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Officiant Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? People I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of

saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Officiant Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?

People I will, with God’s help.

Officiant Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?

People I will, with God’s help.

Officiant Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ? People I will, with God’s help.

Officiant Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? People I will, with God’s help.

Officiant Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?

People I will, with God’s help. Prayers for the Candidates

Celebrant Let us now pray for Violet who is to receive the Sacrament of new birth. Leader Deliver Violet O Lord, from the way of sin and death. People Lord, hear our prayer. Leader Open her heart to your grace and truth. People Lord, hear our prayer. Leader Fill her with your holy and life-giving Spirit. People Lord, hear our prayer. Leader Keep her in the faith and communion of your holy Church. People Lord, hear our prayer. Leader Teach her to love others in the power of the Spirit. People Lord, hear our prayer. Leader Send her into the world in witness to your love. People Lord, hear our prayer. Leader Bring her to the fullness of your peace and glory. People Lord, hear our prayer. Officiant Grant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ your Son, may live in the power of his resurrection and look for him to come again in glory; who lives and reigns now and for ever. Amen.

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Thanksgiving over the Water

Officiant The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Officiant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People It is right to give him thanks and praise. Officiant continues We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water. Over it the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. Through it you led the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt into the land of promise. In it your Son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, to lead us, through his death and resurrection, from the bondage of sin into everlasting life. We thank you, Father, for the water of Baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit. Therefore in joyful obedience to your Son, we bring into his fellowship those who come to him in faith, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Officiant Now sanctify this water, we pray you, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that those who here are cleansed from sin and born again may continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Savior. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. Officiant Violet Marilyn, I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of

the Holy Spirit. Amen. Violet, you are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ’s own for ever. Amen. Officiant Let us pray

Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon this your servant the forgiveness of sin, and have raised her to the new life of grace. Sustain her, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give Violet an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen. Officiant Let us welcome the newly baptized. Officiant and People say together

We receive you into the household of God. Confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Glorious God, as Jesus prayed at his baptism, your Spirit brooded over him, providing sustenance and strength. So brood over us today as we offer our prayers for the church and world responding to each prayer, hear our prayer.

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We pray for Michael our Presiding Bishop and Bonnie, our Bishop; for our congregation, and for your church throughout the world; may your word spark our lives with truth and joy as we serve one another to the glory of your name. Sustaining Spirit, hear our prayer.

We pray for all leaders and people around the globe and especially for our President, President-Elect and Governor: may your justice provoke us to shape a peaceful world where all work for the common good. Sustaining Spirit, hear our prayer.

We pray for the well-being of your creation: may your goodness startle us to our exploitation and abuse. Sustaining Spirit, hear our prayer.

We pray for the homeless, refugees throughout the world, those who are lonely or struggling and for all who suffer grief or sickness of any kind especially those on our parish prayer list; we pray for those battling COVID-19 and those we now name either silently or aloud ______; may your tender presence abide with us and hasten our healing. Sustaining Spirit, hear our prayer.

We pray for all who lack the essentials of life: may your righteousness raise us up to walk together with respect and dignity for all. Sustaining Spirit, hear our prayer.

We give thanks for the baptism of Violet into the Body of Christ. May we be present to her in all ways as she grows in her faith and ministry. Sustaining Spirit, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who have died remembering that your steadfast love may shelter them in the peace of your eternal light. Sustaining Spirit, hear our prayer. The Officiant concludes the prayers saying

Gracious and loving God, you have anointed your people with the waters of baptism and have made us your beloved children: Let your Spirit spread mightily among us, that we may share in the work of your Son, bringing blessing and light to all the world in the power of the Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. THE PEACE All stand. The Officiant says to the people

The Peace of the Lord be always with you. People And also with you. OFFERTORY Let us with gladness present the offerings and oblations of our life and labor unto the Lord.

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THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

The people standing, the Officiant says The Lord be with you People And also with you. Officiant Lift up your hearts. People We lift them to the Lord. Officiant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People It is right to give him thanks and praise. It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Because in the mystery of the Word made flesh, you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of your glory in the face of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name: Officiant and People say together Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. The people stand or kneel, as the Officiant continues

We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.

On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

Therefore, according to his command, O Father, Officiant and People say together

We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory;

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The Officiant continues

And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.

We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.

By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN. And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. THE FRACTION ANTHEM The Officiant breaks the consecrated bread Officiant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia. THE COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE Communion will be distributed in bread only. One at a time, each household unit will come to the railing to receive communion. Please do not remove your mask and consume the bread until you return to your seat. POST-COMMUNION PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Officiant and People say together:

Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen. ANNOUNCEMENTS

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BLESSING May Christ, the Son of God, be manifest in you, that your lives may be a light to the world; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen. DISMISSAL Officiant Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. People Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE Concerto in F Major Antonio Vivaldi trans. J. S. Bach Musical selections licensed through Rite Song. PRAYER FOR A PANDEMIC

May we who are merely inconvenienced remember those who lives are at stake. May we who have no risk factors remember those most vulnerable. May we who have the luxury of working from home remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close remember those who have no options. May we who have to cancel our trips remember those that have no safe place to go. May we who are losing our margin money in May we who settle in for a quarantine at home remember those who have no home. As fear grips our country, let us choose love. During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbor. Amen. Author unknown

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRAYER January 10, 2021

We pray for those who have ongoing needs for healing prayers: Margaret (Peggy) Richardson, Mason Hill, Marsha Macholz, Sebastian Cuesta, Clint Hogue, John Hawkins, Julie, Van Anderson, Marian Boulus, Nancy Rudd, Meadow Rawlins, Anna Hayward, Harvey Clark & Mary Armstrong, Michelle Levenick, Norma Lindholm, Audrey & David, Pat Bellinger, Joanne Boulton, Claudia Hamlin, Ronda Peters, Erica, Marta & Venancio, Mike Jacobs, Rick Wendorf, Chris Krupka, Paul Doersam, Robert Madrigal, Joy Brewer, William Gabel, Pat Seger-Krawczynski, April Cruz, Karlene Bach, Sally Boron, Pam & John Irwin, Kate Johnson, Doug, Jeff Waters, David Hemingway, Max Pierce, Michael Crouch, Terry Bryce, Sherry Sutton, Danielle Laurion, Michael O’Toole, Penny, Peggy, Karen Clarke, Eric, Amy Crabtree, Judy Manson, Patricia McMartin, Doug Boor, Craig, Odie, Leonard, Sarah, Larry Gut, Delaine Counseller, Ellie Doersam, Gail & Bill Kendall, Lynn Dayton, Herb Tanner & Stacey O’Toole, Brian Baker, Margo Rudd, Barb Webb, Carol Wilson, Barb Heany, Jim Ewing, Jerry Simpson, and Jane Bryce. We pray and remember those in the Military, and those who are serving in dangerous areas: Brendan Moody, Zachariah Reeves, Zachary Bellinger, Conrad Laurion, Alex Van Koevering, Tyson Carter, Amy Peryea, Suzette Bauman, John Bellinger, Doug Laurion, Erika Harkness Wilson, McKenzie Counseller, and Josh Cramer. We pray this week for the following St. Paul’s members & family: Max Pierce; Joyce Renfrew; Tom & Martie Repaskey; and Barbara Richardson. We pray this week for the following community service agency: Salvation Army, 701 W. Jolly Rd., Lansing, MI 48910 We pray for our worshiping communities: St. Paul’s, Lansing; All Saints’, Brooklyn; and St. Matthew’s, Jalongo, DR. We pray for those in the Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Pray for the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. We pray for: Michael Bruce Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church; Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury; Bonnie A. Perry, our bishop; Karen C. Lewis, our rector; our worship ministers, and staff at St. Paul’s.

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2021 Vestry Candidates Diane L. Clark I was born in Mason, Michigan and grew up on the family farm west of Holt, Michigan. I attended the Grovenburg School, a mile north of our farm for kindergarten through fourth grade. Starting with the fifth grade, I attended and graduated from the Holt Public Schools. I attended Michigan State University for two years, majoring in Elementary Education and working as a student library assistant in the Science section of the Main Library. At the end of those two years, I married and was hired on the library staff as a senior clerk, a position that I held for two years, resigning shortly before my son, Jim was born. Four years later and after adding Larry to our family, I returned to a similar position in the Science section of the MSU Library. After nearly two years, I transferred to the Physics-Astronomy Library at MSU as a principal clerk, a position that I held until I retired from MSU twenty years later. During my years at MSU, I completed a B.A. in Elementary Education at MSU and a Master of Information and Library Studies at the University of Michigan, going to school part time while working full time. As a child, I attended and later joined the Grovenburg Methodist Church, as part of the fourth generation of the North family in attendance there. After my marriage, I transferred my membership to the Robbins United Methodist Church where we raised our family. After moving to Lansing, I attended the Plymouth Congregational Church for several years and then attended the Mayflower Congregational Church for a time, before returning to my home church, the Grovenburg United Methodist Church, remaining there until it closed. At that time, I began attending St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, joining my son, Larry and his family and my sister, Jane Bryce there. I started visiting St. Paul’s when my Granddaughter Emma was singing in the Children’ Choir and have attended almost every 4 pm Christmas Eve Service since that time. I have been a member of the choir of every church that I have attended. While a member of the Grovenburg UMC, I attended various classes offered at the district level and attained the level of Certified Lay Servant in the United Methodist Church and I held several positions on the Administrative Council of the local church. I am interested in being a member of the Vestry at St. Paul’s, because I want to be involved in the continuing mission of the church in its service to and care of its members and the community. Susan Henderson I began attending St. Paul’s with my husband, Chris Couch, and our children, Graham and Hannah, in December 1985. The early years were spent in large part supporting the youth choirs and teaching Sunday School, first and second grade and later, high school with Deb McMartin-Finkel. I currently sing in the adult choir and am a member of Mission and Outreach Ministry. This will be my second time serving on the vestry. At LCC, I teach foundational English classes to help students succeed in their college-level courses. Graham Crabtree

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Graham and Amy Crabtree are lifelong members of the Episcopal Church, and have been happily married for 41 years. They became members of St. Paul’s in 1997 with their children, Elizabeth, James and Dan, after moving to Grand Ledge from the Detroit area in 1991, followed by shorter periods of attendance at Trinity Church in Grand Ledge and St. David’s in Delta Township. Graham is an attorney specializing in civil appellate practice at Fraser Trebilcock Davis & Dunlap, P.C. Before joining the Fraser firm, he was employed as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Oakland County from 1980 to 1991 and as Majority Counsel to the Judiciary Committee of the Michigan Senate from 1991 to 1996. Graham participated in worship at St. Paul’s as a member of the adult choir for a number of years before serving his first term as a member of the vestry from 2004 through 2006, and has continued to serve as a Lector for the Sunday services. Martha Seaman McKee It feels like I have come full circle to serve on the vestry of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church as I was baptized in this church in December of 1947. My parents, John Seaman and Martha O’Brien were married in this church in 1939, as were my sister, Elizabeth Seaman Tenney, and my brother, Jack Seaman. My grandmother, Beatrice Madrigal O’Brien, served on the altar guild here for most of her adult life, and my aunt, Beatrice Herrmann Powers, was a lifelong member, as is her daughter, Susie Herrmann Brewster. So though my membership here at St. Paul’s is not long, my familial attachments run deep. I grew up at All Saints Episcopal Church and served two terms on the vestry there in more recent years. I also served on the vestry at St. James Episcopal Church in Birmingham, including serving as Junior Warden and as Senior Warden. Currently, I live in Bath Township with a Norwich Terrier, Rudy, and a black cat, Peanut, who likes to put in an appearance during Zoom meetings.

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THIS WEEK AT ST. PAUL’S

January 3, 2021 – January 10, 2021 Sunday, 1/3: 8:00am Ante-Communion Service – Online

11:30am Coffee Hour - Zoom Monday, 1/4:

Tuesday, 1/5: Wednesday, 1/6: Noon Wednesday Noon Book Study – Zoom 7:00pm Wednesday Evening Bible Study – Zoom Thursday, 1/7: 1:30pm Those Living Alone – Zoom Friday, 1/8: Office Closed

Saturday, 1/9: Sunday, 1/10: 8:00am Holy Communion and Baptism – Online

11:30am Coffee Hour - Zoom