Dear Friends in Christ:
You are welcome here, every summer Sunday at 10am!
St. Paul’s is a lively gathering of God’s people around the Gospel-centered promise of grace, a “Reconciling in Christ” congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in NW Washington, DC.
St. Paul’s is a gospel centered gathering of God’s people, focused on living thankfully in light of God’s gracious love, gathered in prayer for the world, and actively working for justice and peace locally and globally. Join us for worship this Sunday and often!
John R. Spangler, Interim Pastor
Simply Giving: Click Below
Contact Information
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202-966-5489 |
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Address
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4900 Connecticut Ave. N.W.
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The Faith that is in Us
Last Sunday, the sermon led me to the conclusion that as Jesus sent the 70 out to proclaim, he knew that God had given them the gift of faith, that their words would be sufficient to bear witness to the good news of God in Christ. Same still applies to the members and friends of St. Paul's church. You have been given the gifts of faith, of grace, of fellowship, of the spirit of service, and much more.
I asked in that context, what is it that brought you to St. Paul's and keeps you coming back? Several of you actually began to answer the query, and so I reiterate that request now: tell me your story, the Spirit's work that ties you here. This will help us create tools and strategies that engage and reach out to our neighbors. Authenticity counts in this day and age. And your thoughts and stories will help me understand this community of faith better. Send them by email, text, letter or face to face in the elevator, portico or wherever! Share with Deaconess Cassie, or Ms. Lisa or Ms. Joy!
In faith,
John R. Spangler, Interim Pastor
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UPDATE ON ST. PAUL'S SHELTER
St. Paul's Lutheran Church continues its commitment to ministry for and with persons experiencing homelessness and remains actively supportive of the long-term mission to address the need for short term, transitional housing in DC. You may recall that last fall, we announced the shelter would be closing temporarily and would likely reopen in the future using a new model based on peer support. That decision was put on hold when it became clear that the current residents would not be able to find suitable long-term housing before the cold winter.
Since that time, the church staff has been working diligently with the current residents to be more closely connected to Friendship Place services staff, encouraged and supported in working toward finding appropriate housing. The St. Paul's shelter was never intended to be long-term housing, and there is much evidence that long-term stays in shelters can have significant negative impacts on the residents and may even impede their ability to find suitable housing.
In order move forward with the plan to reassess its structure for short term shelter for homeless persons, the congregation's Council decided to close the current shelter on July 31, 2019. This date provides time for current residents to plan for more permanent housing or alternative short-term shelter with the help of Friendship Place. We will continue to support and assist the residents during this transition, and we ask the congregation to keep the men in your prayers.
If you are interested in participating in the reassessment of our ministry with homeless persons, please give your name to Joy Belew in the church office or by phone.
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School Supply Collection! 
As part of the Six Sundays of Summer Service, we're collecting school supplies for DCPS students through July 21. Our goal is to collect 10 backpacks and fill each with:
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1 box of crayons
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1 box of markers or colored pencils
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12 #2 pencils
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6 pens (blue or black ink)
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2 big glue sticks
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1 1.5" 3-Ring Binder
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2 packs loose leaf paper
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1 pack graph paper
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1 pack of dividers (at least 6)
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four 2-pocket folders
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1 pair of scissors
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2 large erasers
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2 highlighters
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1 pack of white 3x5 ruled index cards
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2 spiral wire-bound notebooks
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2 marble composition notebooks
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1 compass
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1 ruler (inches and centimeters)
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1 graphing calculator (see note)
(NOTE: Basic graphing calculators are fairly expensive. Please consider donating a gently-used, fully operational calculator if you do not wish to purchase.)
Please place donations in the baskets in the Narthex and Portico. If you have any questions or would like to make a monetary donation that we can use to buy supplies, please contact Emily Foley or Lisa Wackler.
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Donors Needed for Altar Flowers
There are several dates available to donate altar flowers. The cost of the flowers is $65. Flowers can be donated in memory of a loved one, in honor of someone's special event, or in thanksgiving for something special to you. Dates available: July 21st and 28th. Please contact Joy Belew to reserve a date. Thank you.
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TELLERS NEEDED!
We are looking for people interested in volunteering for this very important church function. It consists of a two member team that works on Sundays after church or Monday for about 1 or 2 hours collecting, counting and recording the offering. The teams are assigned a month at a time, usually 3 or 4 months a year (depending on how many teams we have). Sundays can be switched with other teams. Training and written instructions are provided. Please contact Paula Stewart 410-956-7117 or the church office to volunteer.
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FROM Mar-Lu-Ridge
Are you ready for summer camp 2019?! Our brochure is now available online. Take a look at the programs offered for 2019, including a brand-new "Extended Stay" program for senior high youth! Online registration is now open. Click HERE for more info.
Happy 175th Anniversary, St. Paul's!
Prayer Shawl Ministry
The Prayer Shawl Ministry will not gather during the summer months (June through August). Prayer shawls, blankets, and lap covers will be available during those months. The ministry will continue to meet the needs of those experiencing difficulties and challenges in their lives. Please contact Deaconess Cassie with any requests.
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June 16th - September 1st
One Worship Service at 10 am
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And don't forget! The church nursery is available in room 111 every Sunday during the 10 am worship service. Let us give you a break when you need it!
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Some shots from VBS last week!!
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Family Campfire Night
Saturday, July 20th 6:30 - 8:30 pm
........................The story isn't over yet...
Hungry for more stories of God's love for you and your kids? Mark your calendar to join us for food, friends, bible stories, a campfire and even s'mores! RSVP to Lisa Wackler .
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Six Sundays of Summer Service Starts June 30th!
Help the Social Ministry Committee share some summer sunshine with those in need! Join us each week in the dining room after the 10AM service between June 24th and August 5th. Projects will take 45-minutes and are geared for helpers of ALL ages! Here's what's coming up:
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July 14: Lunch and Lutheran Immigration Services (LIRS) Please join us in the dining room after the 10 am service this week (7/14) for lunch and a presentation on the work of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services by Pastor Spangler's daughter, Marta! *Please RSVP to Lisa Wackler so we can plan for food*
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July 21: Fill backpacks with school supplies for DCPS students
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July 28: Decorate reusable shopping bags for food pantry patrons
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August 5: TBD!
Please check the bulletin, weekly e-news, and social media for specific info as we get closer to each week's project. If you have any questions or would like to make a monetary donation to offset the cost of supplies, please contact Emily Foley or Lisa Wackler
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Save the Date!
Please mark your calendars! St. Paul's will be going to the ballpark on September 27th!!! More to come next week....
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ABOUT THIS PAST SUNDAY'S MUSIC---
If this past Sunday the 7th you had wondered about the two references to the "music note" at the prelude and offering titles in the bulletin, here is that background information.
(The music note did not print properly.)
The prelude (on hymn #675: "O Christ, our Light, our Radiance true") is on a choral--suggested for liturgical use this fourth Sunday after Pentecost--that was written during the Thirty Years' War (as was the chorale in the prelude for June 23rd). The text by Johann Heermann could have been vindictive, given that wartime context, but instead it prays that faithful Christians, even in persecution, rejoice in a single voice in gratitude for God's grace.
The offering duet (on hymn #659: "Will you let me be your servant?") by Karen Brunn and Gail Ferris is adapted from an anthem version by David Haas that the St. Paul's choir sang last Rally Sunday. This hymn is recommended for the next few Sundays given the Scripture readings on service, hospitality and ministry. New Zealander Richard Gillard wrote both the text and the folk-style tune in the 1970s, and it became immediately popular. American church musician Betty Pulkingham arranged it for hymnal use; it is now published in many mainstream American hymnals and in English-language hymnbooks of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
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St. Paul's Thanks Its Incredible Sunday School Teachers!
As the Sunday School Year draws to a close next week, we just want to take a moment to say thank you to all of the dedicated men and women who were a part of the Sunday School program this year. We appreciate your willingness to commit your time and energy to spreading the news of God's love to all of our students! Be sure to stop by the Church Portico after the service for a small token of our appreciation!
Our Sunday School teachers for the 2018-19 School Year are:
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Tammy Larson, Sunday School Superintendent and Grade 5/6 teacher
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Liz Rihani and Anna Dueholm, Grade PreK/K Teachers
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Peter Guerber and Kim Stonerook, Grade 1/2 Teachers
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Amy Moorhus Baumgardner and Christi Barnhart, Grade 3/4 Teachers
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Lisa Wackler, Confirmation Teacher
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Ted Wackler, Adult Class Teacher
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And Many Thanks to our "Chapel Team":
Neil Berger
Gail Ferris
Rod Larson
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Reminder!
Please return your intention cards for 2019 Annual Giving!
Year- end statements of giving were mailed to households on January 30th. In that same envelope was a letter from stewardship chair Mike Charlton along with an intention card to be returned to the Treasurer indicating your intentions for giving to the church in 2019. To date, 63 households have responded. Please take the time to return your card!
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Our Transition Committee members are eager to hear from everyone in the Congregation about your thoughts and ideas about the ministries of St. Paul's and what we should be looking for in a new pastor. Contact information for the committee members is below:Christi Barnhart (chair)Gail FerrisRebecca HighsmithSarah HinesPaul Reichert |
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