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!
PLEASE NOTE THAT WORSHIP SERVICES HAVE BEEN CANCELED THROUGH April 5th. PODCASTS OF SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE
here
Simply Giving: Click Below
CONTACT INFORMATION
| Phone | 202-966-5489 |
| office@stpaulslutherandc.com | |
|
Address
and
|
4900 Connecticut Ave. N.W. We are located between Ellicott & Everett Streets NW, between Murch Elementary School and the Fire Station.
 St. Paul's Podcasts available online! |
From Pastor Walker's Desk:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ; I write to you as we shelter in place to flatten the curve of this global pandemic. I believe that the grace and peace of God is exactly what we need in this moment.
The staff of St. Paul's is busy trying to find ways to keep us connected. There have been Zoom Bible Studies and a Choir meeting. Facebook Live has allowed us to provide a brief story hour for children and prayer times. There is a mailing for families with children coming soon. We are staying in our respective offices or talking through doorways working together for the sake of the gospel.
This Sunday is Palm Sunday and while we cannot be together in the building, we will provide our podcast of the service. If you are in the vicinity of the church, you might want to pick up a palm. They will be just outside the Portico doors. Please take only one for each family member.
There will be Holy Week podcasts. This includes Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil. Please tune in and commemorate Jesus' death on a cross.
You might be asking, why we are not doing Holy Communion virtually? Our theological documents ("Use of the Means of Grace") remind us that Holy Communion takes place in the assembly. Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, Elizabeth Easton has also asked that this be a time of fasting from the sacrament and while we fast, we commit ourselves to the reading and study of scripture and prayer. We remember that God's presence is not only in the bread and wine, but all around us. "Jesus shows up, and we are still part of the body of Christ." (ELCA, Worship in Times of Public Health Concerns: COVID-19)
Please, be safe.
Blessings,
Pastor Andrea
PS - Don't forget to send us selfies and any prayer requests that you may have!
" For more information from the DC Metro Synod on Coronavirus, please click HERE.
For up to date information in the District of Columbia: dchealth.dc.gov/coronavirus
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will resume when the building opens. Look for future notices.
When we resume, beginners are welcome to join for lessons or to reach out to schedule alternate times for knitting and crochet lessons to explore this ministry. All are always welcome!
Questions? Please feel free to reach out to Amy Moorhus Baumgardner.
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Youth Choir Practice on Hold through March
If you wish to join the youth choir or would like more information, please contact director Marcia Perez .
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Adult Sunday School study of Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Adult Sunday School will meet virtually Sundays from 10 am to 11 am via zoom. We'll continue studying the book Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, a lay Irish author who came to public attention around the time of the second world war. He fell away from faith as a young adult but later went on to give radio broadcasts and to write dozens of works of both fiction and non-fiction with Christian themes.
In Mere Christianity, Lewis gives his view and defense of the basic tenets of Christianity, regardless of denomination.
If you missed prior sessions please feel free to jump in and join any week. Someone will provide printed quotes from the chapters and lead the discussion each week, so reading the book ahead of time is not a requirement. We're excited to explore together!
All are welcome!
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Daily Devotions for April, May and June Available through the church office.
If you are interested in receiving one of the following Daily Devotions booklets, please let the office know and we will mail one out to you.
- Christ in Our Home
- The Word in Season
- Hopeful Living
Call the office (202.966.5489) or email Joy Belew with your request. Please specify which one you would like mailed to you - we have limited supplies of each.
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MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLERS LOOKING FOR SERVICE HOURS: Please contact Lisa Wackler Community Service or SSL hours!
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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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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 HAS CANCELED ALL WORSHIP SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES THROUGH
April 5th.
St. Paul's Podcasts available online!
NEW WEEKLY SCHEDULE AT ST. PAUL'S
While we are physically away from each other there are ways that we have decided to be church together during this time.
Mondays at 3 pm - Storytime with Pastor Andrea (for children) via Facebook Live. Friend her at PastorAndrea Walker to listen in.
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12 noon via Facebook Live - Lenten prayers and devotions with Pastor Andrea. Friend her at Pastor Andrea Walker. to participate.
Wednesdays by Zoom at 6:30 p.m. for our Exploration of the Lord's Prayer meeting. Click here to join. If joining by phone, download the free zoom app, open it and enter the meeting ID (255-778-855) and select join meeting.
Sunday mornings at 10 am Donna Hershey will lead Adult Bible Study via ZOOM (see details at left, below).
Sunday, March 29th - Fifth Sunday in Lent Service of the Word will be available by Podcast. A link to a pdf of the Sunday bulletin will be available so you can participate from your home.
Saturday, April 4th - Food Pantry will be distributing pre-bagged food from 10 am-12 noon for those in need.
Please while you are listening to the podcast or participating in these opportunities, remember you can support the work being done at St. Paul's through online giving.
Let's continue to keep each other in prayer.
Pastor Andrea
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Regular Worship Times at St. Paul's
9:45 am--Sunday School
11:00 am--Service with Holy Communion
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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FROM STEWARDSHIP...
Please get your intention cards into the office!
Please return your intention for giving to St. Paul's in 2020. This is an important opportunity to start the new year in a strong position, helping St. Paul's achieve a sustainable financial program. This is one of our top congregational priorities. Thanks to all who have returned their cards already. To date, we have received 50 forms.
NOTE: If you pledged online, please also take the time to fill out a paper intention form as well so we are able to have all of the information in one place. Thank you!
Questions may be directed to Mike Charlton or Rod Larson .
Intention Form - Click here
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Mid-week Lenten Explorations -
Moved online during Lent.
We all know the Lord's Prayer; we recite it so often that many of us have not for a long time thought about what these words mean. We know that we were commanded by Jesus in the scripture to pray this way. Yet, why? How can we recover the meaning of this ancient prayer? On Wednesday evenings this Lent, we will explore this prayer and discover why it has so much meaning still today. We will have a little learning time in the context of an Evening Prayer service.
During Lent, we will continue to meet remotely by Zoom to continue our explorations of the Lord's Prayer. Join us Wednesdays by Zoom at 6:30 p.m. Click here to join. If joining by phone, download the free zoom app, open it and enter the meeting ID (255-778-855) and select join meeting.
Please join us as we journey to the cross together this Lent. All are welcome!
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A Special Note for the Kids!
When we started our Lenten journey, we were going to talk about what the Lord's Prayer means, and do a special activity relating to the Lord's Prayer.
The great thing about prayer is that we can still do it, even when we aren't here together! So I will post information here for you to take a look from home, and I will update it throughout Lent.
Know that I am thinking about and praying for you.
--Lisa Wackler
Director of Congregational Life
Week One: Teach Us to Pray
Week Two: Our Father in Heaven
Week Three: Your Kingdom Come
Week Four: Your Will be Done, on Earth as in Heaven
Week Five: Give Us Today Our Daily Bread
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Holy Week at St. Paul's
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Sunday, April 5th -Palm and Passion Sunday
Service at 11:00 am on Souncloud
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Thursday, April 9th -Maundy Thursday
Service on Soundcloud at 7:30 pm
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Friday, April 10th -Good Friday
Tenebrae Service on Soundcloud at 7:30 pm
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Saturday, April 11th -Holy Saturday
Vigil at 7:30 pm
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Sunday, April 12th -Easter Sunday
Service at 11:00 am
10:40 am Pre-service music~
11:00am Festival Service
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SPLC Food Pantry Toiletry Drive!
Did you know that people on public assistance cannot use their benefits to purchase toiletries? We're trying to lighten that burden for people so as this year's Lenten Service Project, the Social Ministry Committee is collecting full-sized toiletries for patrons of the SPLC food pantry! Please place donations in the labeled boxes in the Narthex or Portico between Ash Wednesday (February 26th) and Easter Sunday (April 12th).
We're collecting:
- Brushes and combs
- Body lotion
- Deodorant
- Lip balm
- Maxi pads
- Razors
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Tissues
- Toilet paper
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss
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ST PAUL'S PRIME TIME CENTER IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Click HERE for more information about the Prime Time Senior Center.
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StLuthRefA (SLRA) Youth Group
Our next SLRA Youth Group Meeting has been postponed.
For more info, contact Lisa Wackler.
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The MARCH 22ND and April 26th events at St. Paul's have been canceled.
Please contact the Washington Bach Consort for more information about these changes: https://bachconsort.org/
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Bach's St. John Passion-the ultimate tour de force!
Sunday, March 22, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church
4900 Connecticut Ave NW (at 36th & Everett), Washington, DC 20008
Buy Tickets Online
Box Office: 202.429.2121
J.S. Bach
Johannes-Passion, BWV 245
Bach's musical setting of the Passion captivates the listener in a highly-charged spiritual and emotional journey. The drama of Christ's betrayal by Judas and his tortuous treatment and trial under Pontius Pilate unfold with an irresistible momentum that has left listeners transfixed and awestruck for centuries. Visit bachconsort.org to purchase tickets online.
Dann Coakwell, Evangelist
Jason Widney, Jesus
Mark Duer, Pilate
Laura Choi Stuart, soprano
Robin Bier, alto
Matthew Loyal Smith, tenor
Paul Max Tipton, bass
Running time: 155 minutes including intermission
The Honorable & Mrs. John D. Rockefeller IV and Glen S. Fukushima, underwriters
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Concerti virtuosi
Bach's Brandenburg Concerti, Concerto by Torelli
Bojan Čičić, Guest Director
Sunday, April 26, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.
4900 Connecticut Ave NW (at 36th & Everett), Washington, DC 20008
Buy Tickets Online
Box Office: 202.429.2121
Johann Sebastian Bach
Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F major, BWV 1047
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D major, BWV 1050
Concerto for Violin and Oboe in C minor, BWV 1060R
Concerto for 3 Violins in D major, BWV 1064R
Concerto for Oboe d'amore in A major, BWV 1055R
Giuseppe Torelli
Concerto for Trumpet and Strings in D major, G.11
Virtuoso violinist and concertmaster of London's famed Academy of Ancient Music, Bojan Čičić, guest-directs the Consort in a program of brilliant concerti featuring our own Bach Consort instrumentalists!
Bojan Čičić, Augusta McKay Lodge and Tatiana Chulochnikova, violins
Geoffrey Burgess and Meg Brown Owens, oboes
Josh Cohen, trumpet
Leon Schelhase, harpsichord
Running time: 105 minutes including intermission
Glen S. & Sakie T. Fukushima, underwriters
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TEXT MESSAGE FROM A VISITOR TO ST. PAUL'S
Recently we received an interesting text message about St. Paul's from a work friend and colleague of Matt's; he was one of the numerous visitors who attended the cantata service on November 24, Christ the King Sunday. With his permission, we quote it below.
But first, a little background. This friend trots the globe for Internet work. He loves classical music and will travel a distance to hear music that interests him. He and his family live in Loudoun County, VA.
On October 28th, 2018 he drove in to St. Paul's to hear the Reformation cantata service. He heard Pastor Omholt preach a quite ecumenical, next-to-last sermon at St. Paul's. On November 24th, 2019, the day after returning from a trip abroad, this friend once again drove in to St. Paul's to take in the music. A few days later he texted Matt:
"So I went to a funeral mass today in Pennsylvania. Boy, what a difference from St. Paul's. The way I explained it to my wife, at St. Paul's there was (for me) a palpable sense of community. The congregation, the musicians, the chorus, and the clergy all pray together as a family. At this Pennsylvania church, it was a priest and deacon and a singer (not sure of the title; in Judaism she would be called the cantor) all talking TO the mourners. Very aloof and cold compared to what I, a stranger and a non-Christian, felt at St. Paul's."
This friend visited St. Paul's in appreciation and anticipation of fine music, and he left additionally impressed by the participatory power of the liturgy. He will return again for music, and because he is now interested to hear our new pastor...
-Sonja Kahler & Matt Larson, music directors
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SAVE THE DATE!
Vacation Bible School: June 22nd--26th, 2020! More details to follow...
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Mar-Lu-Ridge
Summer Camp 2020
Mar-Lu-Ridge is now accepting registrations for the summer of 2020. Go to www.mar-lu-ridge.org for more information or call 301.874.5544. _______________________________________________________________________