Deacon Steve will be convening a Social Ministry Commission in the new year to formulate a strategy for helping us share God’s love with our community and with the needy around the world. The Commission will work according to the pattern used for the Evangelism Commission in 2007 and should produce a three year strategic plan to coincide with Deacon Steve’s tenure at Saint Paul’s.The Commission will study the Biblical and theological mandate for social outreach, assess community needs, interview leaders from parishes with successful programs and develop a list of short and long term goals. It will consider targets for benevolence contributions and hands-on projects to be pursued by different parish groups. The Commission will meet monthly, for a total of four or five sessions. If you are interested in serving on the commission, see Deacon Steve or Father Mark.
An information guide to the Sharpsburg and Keedysville areas has been produced by members of Saint Paul’s and is available for free to anyone who would like one. We hope this resource will be especially useful to people who have just moved into our community. The 36 page guide provides all sorts of useful information about local government, community organizations and businesses. It is in a handy size that should be easy to keep by the telephone to consult regularly. You may request this free booklet by sending an email to stpaulssharpsburg[at]gmail.com, or by calling the church office at 301-432-7098. Please be sure to note your name and address in your message (including P.O. Box if you live in town)
We hope that this guide can help to bring old and new members of our community closer togetherand build a strong spirit of cooperation. Thanks for your participation in this project.
In consultation with the Junior Warden and the Altar Guild, the vestry have authorized the following wish list. The items listed are definite needs, but we cannot now afford to fund them. We have ranked them in order of need. Review the list, and discern if you may be able to help by offering all or part of the funds for one of the items. Please speak with the Rector, or one of the Wardens if you have any questions. Costs are approximate. We thank those who have already provided support for several items that have been removed from the lost
Parish Hall Doors (3 at $1500-2000 a piece, plus installation)
Repairs to the Bell Tower ($8000)
A concrete Apron for the parking lot ($3000)
A Parish Banner ($800-1500)
Rectory Picket Fence ($3000)
Interior Painting Work ($10,000)
Plexiglass Window Covering Replacements (at least $30,000
Holy Week is, an important sense, the turning point of the entire Church year. As we reenact, in vibrant and powerful liturgies, the events of the last week of our Lord’s life, we are reminded of the convictions at the very center of our Faith. God has come to the world in Christ to save us from our sins, to defeat the power of death, to share with us his unending love. Continued
Sharpsburg churches came together to mark Palm Sunday and Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem at the start of Holy Week. The Hagerstown Herald Mail was there and covered the celebration in full in Monday’s editions. Here’s the story. Don’t miss the video. Click below for another.
Ash Wednesday, today (February 6), marks the beginning of the Church’s forty day period of fasting, prayer and self denial. The Lenten period urges us to repent of our sin, to renew our practice of the spiritual disciplines and to meditate on God’s Word, so as to be ready to keep the Easter Feast with joy. There are variety of helpful web resources to help you learn how to keep Lent well, some of which are listed here. May this be a season of renewal and growth for you.
Full Homely Divinity–has two great pages, one “Preparing for Lent,” discusses the spiritual practices of the season, while “Lenten Customs” describes cultural traditions surrounding the season.
Lent: A Call to Conversion– This Catholic resource features a Lenten Calendar, like the more familiar Advent Calendars, with readings and meditations for each day. Â
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an annual observance lasting from the Feast of the Confession of Saint Peter (January 18) until the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul (January 25). This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the Week, which was begun by the Graymoor Friars in Garrison, New York. Many resources are available to inspire and direct you in your prayer for reconciliation and healing within the body of the Church and for greater structural unity among church bodies. This year’s theme is “Pray Without Ceasing,” and the designated Bible passage is I Thessalonians 5:12-18
Almighty Father, whose blessed Son before his passion prayed for his disciples that they might be one, as you and he are one: Grant that your Church, being bound together in love and obedience to you, may be united in one body by the one Spirit, that the world may believe in him whom you have sent, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Today, December 17, begins an eight day time of prayer in preparation for the Christmas Feast. The O Antiphons are a short series of prayers that are especially associated with Evening Prayer in these days before Christmas, with one assigned for each day. Today, we begin with the prayer “O Sapientia” or “O Wisdom of God”. Each of the antiphons traces one of the Old Covenant’s great promises about the Messiah that we see fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Follow these links to learn more about the antiphons. and use them in your own recitation of Evening Prayer or for meditation. Â
Enjoy this wonderful Advent Calendar produced by the Diocese of Washington. Featuring pictures from the National Cathedral’s Creche Collection, scripture passages and seasonal music, it is a wonderful resource for your devotional life in this season of preparation.
With the London Olympics less than two years away, in Southwark Diocese work has begun to engage with the mission opportunities presented by the games. [More]
An Anglican Army chaplain who recently served in Afghanistan has been awarded a Churchill Fellowship to help heal war veterans suffering from spiritual wounds. [More]
The Bible Society in Northern Ireland has placed a new range of worship resources on its website at www.bsni.co.uk to encourage churches to celebrate access to the Scriptures. [More]
The Archbishop delivered a sermon for Opening Eucharist at the 'Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa All Africa Bishops' Conference, Entebbe, Uganda [More]
Cape Town, 19 August. South Africa’s public service strike is hurting hospital patients and students, and the government and unions should act to end it, says the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town. [More]
Sharpsburg churches came together to mark Palm Sunday and Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem at the start of Holy Week. The Hagerstown Herald Mail was there and covered the celebration in full in Monday’s editions. 
