Dear Members and Friends of St. Paul’s,
These have been a busy few months at St. Paul’s! Looking at my calendar from March and April, we’ve had all kinds of celebrations in worship and in the life of the church. These months have included the festival worship services of Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter. We also installed our Council members, including five new Council members! In April, we welcomed eight new members to our congregation! And this speaks only of the things we’ve done in worship.
We’ve also gathered for Lenten lunches, Lenten evening prayer, a new member’s luncheon, men’s prayer breakfast, bells and band rehearsal, choir practice, aerobics classes, Needle & Thread, Bible studies, branch cleanup, confirmation and youth group, and Easter basket assembly and distribution.
Additionally, we continue to open our doors so various community groups can gather in our building. AA and NA hold various weekly meetings all year round. The local Embroidery Guild holds their board meetings and monthly gatherings in our Parish Hall, and has been using our conference room several days a week for a big project. We also host Red Cross blood drives and several of our members participate as donors.
We regularly provide food for Extended Hand and Mt. Nebo, and we take up several other collections and donations to our community throughout the year. Sharon Layman and our Social Ministry Team have been working hard to expand our collections. I have a dream that we will continue to grow these collections so that we begin to see ourselves as “the collecting church” (although I am accepting suggestions for a better name!). By collecting coats, hats, school supplies, food, toiletries, diapers, socks and underwear, and so many other items, we are able to provide for people in need throughout our community. We may not have our own food pantry or shelter to run, but we serve an essential purpose by providing supplies for other ministries and families in Burlington County. I hope that you will participate in these ministries as you are able.
All of these ministries and more have been a part of our calendar over the last two months. Even through hardships, St. Paul’s is a living and vibrant community of faith. As our mission statement says, we are committed to Celebrating God’s Love Through Service!
During the month of May, the celebration continues. In worship, we continue the Easter season through the celebration of Pentecost on May 24. Three youth will be confirmed at the 9:30 a.m. service, and we will celebrate that the Holy Spirit has gifted them, and all of us, with skills and abilities to use in service to our community and world.
The youth are preparing for their trip to the ELCA Youth Gathering next year, and on May 9, they will host their annual yard sale fundraiser as well as flower sale pickup. They are so thankful for the donations received and for your support.
On May 30, Andrew Maccri, Nancy Prickett, Sandy Sambucci, and I will attend the NJ Synod Assembly, based on the theme, “Water and Witness” We will have the opportunity to visit and worship with our siblings in Christ throughout the Synod and experience how our partnership with other congregations makes an impact throughout our state and in the wider world. A Pre-Assembly Bible Study will be held on Zoom on Thursday, May 21, and Synod Assembly Workshops will be held on Zoom on the evening of Thursday, May 26. These events are open to everyone, not just assembly participants. More information and Zoom links will be available soon on the Synod’s Assembly page: https://www.njsynod.org/assembly. I would love to see additional participation from members of St. Paul’s.
St. Paul’s is a living, active community of faith, and I am thankful to be part of this community. Maybe you’ve been able to participate in some of our ministries already, or maybe you’re looking to engage in ministry in new ways. Either way, I look forward to seeing you at St. Paul’s in May!
Peace,
Rev. Jessica Hahn