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!
Simply Giving: Click Below
Contact Information
| Phone | 202-966-5489 |
| office@stpaulslutherandc.com | |
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Address
and
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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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From Pastor Walker's Desk:
Elizabeth A. Easton presiding bishop of the ELCA writes the following words in the February 2020 issue of Living Lutheran (p.50).
"In 2017, I called this church to study Luther's Small Catechism. I think we did for a while. I ask that we all study it again, use it in Bible study and preaching, refer to it when navigating the demands of daily life, incorporate it in our work of justice and advocacy, use it in honest self-examination, and trust its witness to the gospel when we receive the Lord's consolation."
Bp. Eaton is concerned that many in the ELCA have lost their reverence and need for God through Jesus the Christ. She is afraid that our faith has been "watered down." Because of this the bishop calls us back to the study of the Small Catechism.
Martin Luther wrote the Small Catechism so that ordinary people could understand what it meant to be Christian. Luther wanted us to know why we are baptized, receive the sacrament and recite all these prayers and creeds. The Small Catechism was written in simple common language to be used by pastors and preachers to teach congregations.
Here at St. Paul's we will begin our study of the Small Catechism with the Lord's Prayer during the five Wednesdays in Lent. Each Wednesday we will take a portion or petition of this prayer and hear what Martin Luther said about it and how it may apply to our lives.
Remember Lent begins next week on Ash Wednesday with the imposition of Ashes. We will begin our conversation about the Lord's Prayer the next Wednesday.
I look forward to taking this Lenten journey to the cross with all of you.
Join me,
Pastor Andrea
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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.
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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Adult Sunday School meets Sundays from 10 am to 10:45 am in the Lower Auditorium. The class meets each week unless we send out a notice of cancellation. Please join us each Sunday morning for discussion based on topics of interest for the group. Past topics have included The Reformation, St. Paul's history, the work of Rev. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and a discussion of the book "Dear Church: A Love Letter From a Black Preacher to the Whitest Denomination in the U.S." written by Lenny Duncan, an ELCA Pastor.
This Sunday, January 26, we discuss the psalm of the week: Psalm 27:1, 4-9. If we have extra time we will look at a lesson or gospel reading (Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23). We are continuing our journey to identify a longer term theme, and your input is welcomed!
All are welcome !
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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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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.
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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FREE CHOIR CONCERT this Friday, February 21st @ 7pm
at St. Paul's Lutheran
The acclaimed concert choir of Indian Springs School (from near Birmingham, AL) will perform a one-hour concert at St. Paul's THIS FRIDAY, the 21st, during their tour of Washington and Baltimore.
Currently 100 students-roughly a third of the school-sing in the concert choir, which tours domestically each year. Forty-eight of those singers also take part in the chamber choir, which tours internationally and is preparing for a trip to Germany, Poland the Czech Republic this June.
Recent recognition includes the first-place award in the 2017-18 American Prize in Conducting (high school chorus division) to the school's Director of Choral Music, Andrew Dibble, and second place in choral performance (school and youth division) to the Indian Springs Concert Choir.
The concert will last one hour, from 7pm-8pm. Start your weekend with fine live music in our lovely sanctuary!
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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 33 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 (charlton46@aol.com) or Rod Larson (Larson.rod@gmail.com)
Intention Form - Click here
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Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner February 25th!
Please mark your calendars for Tuesday,February 25th for a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Dining Room and lower Fellowship Hall.
What is Shrove Tuesday, you ask? Generally speaking, it's a preparation day for Lent, but you'll have to come to the dinner to find out the whole story! We'll have pancakes, sausage, fresh fruit, and plenty of Lutheran coffee to wash it all down. There will also be some surprises and fun trivia for the kids!
Suggested donation is $7 per person. Please RSVP here
or let Lisa Wackler ( lwackler@stpaulslutherandc.com) know if you can attend.
We are also looking for 4-5 adults to help with preparing the food for the dinner. If you can help, please let Lisa know.
Hope to see you there!
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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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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 is Sunday, March 15th, 1-4 pm ---- Location TBA.
For more info, contact Lisa Wackler.
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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. _______________________________________________________________________