Dear Friends in Christ:
You are welcome here, every Sunday at 11 am!
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
| Phone | 202-966-5489 |
| office@stpaulslutherandc.com | |
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Address
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4900 Connecticut Ave. N.W. We are located between Ellicott & Everett Streets NW, between Murch Elementary School and the Fire Station.
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The Difference a Year Makes
The people of St. Paul's greeted me graciously just over a year ago, amidst some anxiety about what life might be like after such a long and stellar pastoral term with Pastor Tom. But the Spirit of God prevailed over fears and anxiety and together we made a good journey this year. I could tell along the way months ago that St. Paul's was ready to move forward toward a call process. With the call to Pastor Andrea, you are right to experience excitement for the next chapter of St. Paul's ministry and mission. The synod has guided you well and you have discerned the Spirit and together with the pastor, all parties have chosen well.
My work is nearly done at this point, and officially, I will conclude my service among you December 31st. Worship will be covered on the first two Sunday's in January by the Rev. Dr. Scott Ickert, and there will be provision for emergency pastoral care until the mid-month arrival of Pastor Andrea. I will be with you yet on Advent 4, Christmas eve, and the first Sunday after Christmas.
You cannot know how much I have enjoyed serving as interim pastor among you. Your engagement with preaching, pastoral conversations and learning experiences have been simply a joy. Even when administrative duties challenged us, you were faithful, attentive and supportive. I am grateful to a gifted, excellent staff, who are so good they seamlessly covered over my weaknesses. (I bet you didn't even notice.) Ministry is a privilege, and I consider this year as a great gift to me. I found several friends sojourning among you and met many new people i will carry forward.
The same rules apply to interim pastors as it did with Pastor Tom about my role after concluding service, wisely crafted so that you welcome the new pastor as you did me. Keep up the good work, keep growing in grace, and continue to engage the work of the Gospel here in DC.
John R. Spangler, Interim Pastor
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Shawl Ministry - December 8th
Please join us this Sunday for our December shawl ministry. We will be meeting in Room 207 from 10 to 10:45 am. We are also interested in hearing if you would like to meet other dates/ times that better suit your schedule
Novices and all skill levels are welcome! While members have been providing their own supplies, please reach out if you would like to contribute but would like to partner on supplies. The focus has been knitting and crochet, and this fiber arts ministry is open to other suggestions.
Over the years the shawl ministry has provided handcrafted comfort to those in need in our community including members of the congregation and their families, women's shelter residents, individuals in hospice, patients at Children's hospital and others. New ideas are welcome! There are also volunteer opportunities to deliver our offerings and contribute in other ways.
Any questions or suggestions please don't hesitate to reach out. Amy Moorhus Baumgardner.
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Join the YOUTH CHOIR !
The St. Paul's youth choir has begun its 2019-2020 season!
New this year, we will meet to rehearse in the downstairs choir room, opposite the kitchen (conveniently close to Epiphany Chapel for the chapel gathering before Sunday School classes).
We'll practice as usual for 30 minutes-from 9:15-9:45am-to work on vocal warmups and technique, learn new music and incorporate Orff instruments to accompaniments.
We have planned our anthem schedule through the spring: our first anthem for a church service will be October 20th.
The Youth Choir is open to young people ages 7-high school.
If you wish to join the youth choir or would like more information, please contact director Marcia Perez .
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MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLERS LOOKING FOR SERVICE HOURS: Please contact Lisa Wackler if you would like to package candy for Community Service or SSL hours!
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'Tis the Season to Order Your St. Paul's Christmas Ornament!
We have a limited number of beautiful pewter finish ornaments available featuring St. Paul's on the front with the dates of our anniversary (1843-2018) and a quote from Martin Luther on the back: "Now the church is not wood and stone, but the company of believing people."
If you are interested in purchasing one, please let Lisa Wackler (lwackler@stpaulslutherandc.com) know. Each ornament is $25, and checks may be made out to St. Paul's.
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Parents of College Students!
Please make sure that the church office has your son's or daughter's college address so we can reach out to them periodically.
If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Wackler.
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Website Work for St. Paul's
We are planning for some web redesign and expansion. Please let us know what you would find useful on the congregation's website. What's missing? What do you use? If there is old and bad info, please continue to point us to that as well. But do talk to us! It makes our work better.
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Announcement from the Bell Choir
This December marks 250 years since Ludwig Von Beethoven was born. Do you want to be part of the bell choir offering on December 8th? We'll be playing to offer glory to God and in thanksgiving for this great music master.
Rehearsals start soon. Thursdays, 7 November through 5 December (minus Thanksgiving) from 6:15-7:15 pm in the Nave. No audition. No experience needed. Come and we'll teach you the rest. Commitment is for the performance for 8 December's 11 am service.
A great family experience!
Let Bell Choir director Karen Leigh Campbell know.
God bless you!
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New Benches for Portico Garden
We would like to thank both Lynn Adkins and Bruce Pihlstrom for their wonderful generosity in the purchase of the two new black steel memorial benches that were installed recently in the Portico garden. Not only do they look perfect in their setting, but the benches are also comfortable and functional. In fact, we are pleased to note that many visitors to St. Paul's have already been able to enjoy using the two benches.
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Donors Needed for Altar Flowers
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.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church Calls the Rev. Dr. Andrea Walker to be 11th Pastor
On Sunday, December 8, 2019, the congregation of St. Paul's English Lutheran Church of Washington, D.C. approved the call of its new pastor, the Rev. Dr. Andrea Walker. Members of the congregation had the opportunity to meet Pastor Walker at a reception before the service this past Sunday, and Pastor Walker delivered the sermon during the service. Afterward,the congregation convened in a special meeting to vote on the St. Paul's Council's recommendation to call Pastor Walker to St. Paul's. Led by the Holy Spirit, the overwhelming majority of the 90 members in attendance voted to approve the Council's recommendation. The congregation also approved a compensation and benefits package. After the vote, Pastor Walker entered the sanctuary to a standing ovation and many hugs and tears of joy. Pastor Walker, who will serve as the 11th pastor of the 176 year-old congregation, said "The feeling of love and connection that I felt in my first encounter with the call committee bodes well for our life together."
Pastor Walker comes to St. Paul's with extensive experience as a parish pastor, and most recently as ELCA Global Mission Area Director for Madagascar, West and Central Africa. She received her Master of Divinity and doctoral degree in preaching from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Speaking for a unanimous call committee, Sue Hollar said that "the committee was confident that Pastor Walker would value and respect what we hold dear, including our music and liturgy, and that she would bring energy, ideas, and a commitment to collaboration that will lead this faithful congregation to live out the Gospel in new and exciting ways."
"What an exciting time for St. Paul's as we enter the next chapter of our ministry together," added Council President, Kate Belinski. Pastor Walker will begin her call in mid-January, moving into the parsonage on Ellicott Street. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Kate Belinski at kate.belinski@gmail.com.
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Regular Worship Times at St. Paul's
9:45 am--Sunday School
11:00 am--Service with Holy Communion
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And don't forget! The church nursery is available in room 111 every Sunday during the 11 am worship service. Let us give you a break when you need it!
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December 15th: Christmas Craft Workshop
December 22nd: Advent Lessons and Carols followed by the annual Christmas pageant.
December 24th: Christmas Eve - Services at 4 pm & 8 pm.
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Gifts of Hope On Sale Now!
Looking for the perfect Christmas gift? This Advent Season we will be offering Gifts of Hope once again at St. Paul's!
Gifts of Hope is a ministry sponsored by the Metropolitan Washington DC Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Gifts of Hope is an alternative gift-giving program that serves as an intermediary between donors and organizations serving individuals and families in need locally and internationally.
We are currently looking for people to staff the Gifts of Hope table before and after the 11 am service. High Schoolers, this is a great way to get service hours!
If you're interested in serving, please contact Megan Petry at or Lisa Wackler.
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Click HERE for more information about the Prime Time Senior Center.
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StLuthRefA (SLRA) Youth Group
Our next meeting is Sunday, December 15th, Augustana Lutheran Church, 1-4 pm.
For more info, contact Lisa Wackler.
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