SOLEMN CELEBRATION OF THE BIMILLENIAL
YEAR OF SAINT PAUL
June 29, 2008 through June 29, 2009
'A variety of gifts; but the same Spirit"
Saint Paul Episcopal Church
Columbia, PA
"A Jubilee Ministry Center"
Letter to our Parish Family Members and Friends
Saint Paul Episcopal Church will join Christians of all churches around the world in celebrating the Bi-Millenial Year of Saint Paul the Apostle from June 29, 2008 to June 29, 2009. Tradition holds that Paul was born in Tarsus between the years 7 and 10 AD.
It is impossible to overstate the effect and impact of Saint Paul the Apostle on the early Christian Church. His bold proclamation of the Gospel, his challenge to established thought, and his unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ changed the early Church and enabled it to spread to every part of the known world.
Our world today needs more Christians to act like Saint Paul. Our world, so filled with hatred, prejudice, violence, injustice, needs the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If we don't become a Saint Paul for our world - who will?
Our Year of Saint Paul will celebrate Saint Paul the man - his power; his accomplishments; his writings; his mission; and his ministry. We will stand "boldy before the Throne of God" and take pride that our parish family is named in honor of this great Saint of an undivided church.
Also, during the Year of Saint Paul we will celebrate our parish family. This parish founded 6 missions in the first 30 years of existence. Much like Saint Paul, people (lay and clergy) went out from Columbia to Marietta, Manheim, Mountville, Safe Harbor, and even Delta to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people. They traveled and prayed, they taught; they celebrated; and they won hearts for Christ.
Our history is a rich history of evangelization in word and in deed. We nourish and feed people - at Eucharist; through the food bank and free community breakfasts; and through our social events and pot-luck suppers. We as a parish community feed - sustain - and nourish God's people. Let us celebrate this during the Year of Saint Paul.
I urge you to particpate in all the activities planned for this coming year. Take pride in - and celebrate with - your parish family. Invite your friends and neighbors to join you. Share the joy at being part of this community. Renew your faith - renew the faith of this parish family - let the Holy Spirit help you renew the face of the earth.
This is a Jubilee Year for us - a time to celebrate - forgive - renew - restore. As the psalmist says in Psalm 150: "Praise the Lord...praise him with tambourines and dancing...Let everything that has breathe praise the Lord!"
In Christ's Peace
Fr. Patrick+
The following information can be found in a special
Year of Saint Paul Booklet. If you would like
a copy, please call the parish office (717-684-8496).
In the booklet is a picture / prayer card with an image of Saint Paul
writing one of his letters on one side and the three prayers
for the Year of Saint Paul on the opposite side. If you would
like a copy, please call the parish office (717-684-8496)
On June 28, 2007, Benedict XVI, Roman Catholic Bishop of Rome, announced that the Roman Catholic Church would celebrate a Year of Saint Paul beginning June 29, 2008. He invited all Christians to celebrate this year to honor Saint Paul, one of the great saints of the undivided church. As he stated then:
",,,as in early times, today too Christ needs apostles ready to sacrifice themselves. He needs witnessess and martyrs like Saint Paul. Paul, a former violent persecutor of Christians, when he fell to the ground dazzled by the divine light on the road to Damascus, did not hesitate to change sides to the Crucified One and followed him without second thoughts. He lived and worked for Christ, for him he suffered and died. How timely is his example today!"
In response to the invitation of Benedict XVI, Saint Paul Episcopal Church will celebrate the Year of Saint Paul - our patron saint. There will be two major components of our celebration: prayer and worship; and education. Our prayer and worship will involve our whole parish in both personal and private prayer and through a number of communal and public celebrations. We will invite others to join us as we pray. Our educational events will be sponsored both by us as well as by others from whom we can learn.
We have chosen as our theme "There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:4). This theme clearly expresses Paul's approach to evangelization and ministry; and it is the approach that this parish takes as "together we build the Kingdom of God." It is the one Spirit that enables, empowers, and enflames our many gifts as we evangelize, renew, and remake the world.
This booklet outlines our times of prayer, celebration, and education. Please keep it handy so that we can join together to celebrate and honor Saint Paul - the man; and Saint Paul - our parish family.
In addition to this website, our quarterly newsletters and weekly bulletins will have the current schedule of events and any updates that occur during the year.
All are welcome to join us - in prayer, in worship, in learning - at any of these events - as we make this incredible journey.
PRAYER
The first thing that we can do to celebrate the Year of Saint Paul is to pray. The parish family of Saint Paul knows, first-hand, the power of prayer in their lives and in the life of this parish. During the Year of Saint Paul all members of this parish family and our parish family friends are asked to pray the following three prayers each day:
Saint Paul: O God, by the preaching of your apostle Paul you have cuased the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world: Grant, we pray, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show ourselves thankful to you by following his holy teaching; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer - page 238)
Mission of the Church: Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer - page 816)
For the Parish of Saint Paul: Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for the parish family of Saint Paul the Apostle. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer - page 817)
Please note that a prayer card, with a picture of Saint Paul and the above prayers is enclosed with the booklet that was given to all active members and mailed to all our parish family friends. If you would like additional copies of this prayer card, please call the parish office (717-684-8496).
PARISH VISITATIONS
During the Year of Saint Paul, Father Patrick will make a Pastoral Visitation to all active members of the parish. This will give him an opportunity to meet all members informally in their home and to gather their insights, suggestions, and ideas about our mission and ministry together. Since everyone's schedule is different Father will make every effort to find time convenient to each family. These Pastoral Visitations will begin in July and continue throughout the Year of Saint Paul. The parish office will contact each family to make arrangments.
EVANGELIZATION AND PROCLAMATION
During the Year of Saint Paul we will commit ourselves to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to our community and invite all to be part of our parish family. We will reach out to former members, family members, seekers and searchers, and those have become dissatisfied with their current church. We will open our hearts and our arms to the many who do not know Jesus Christ. We will use every interaction with someone else to let them know that God and we welcome them to Saint Paul's. This may require us to go outside of our own comfort zone, be open to doing things differently, and be aware that new people bring new ideas, and that all of us together using the "variety of gifts" but inspiried by the "same Spirit" can and will Together Build the Kingdom of God.
CELEBRATION EVENTS
The events listed are celebrations of Saint Paul the Apostle - the man - and the parish. All events are open to all and All are Welcome! Come join us as we pray, worship, learn, and grow as a community dedicated to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and named in honor of Saint Paul.
Saint Paul knew the meaning of conversion - he experienced a powerful and profound conversion experience in his own life. His life call us to conversion - a realization that without a personal relationship with the Risen Christ, our life is incomplete. Saint Paul is an epic figure in the history of the Christian Church. At a time when the secular world could have trampled the early Christian community, Saint Paul boldly preached the Word of God to all people. His witness and evangelistic efforts offer a roadmap for us in our own world. Proclaim boldly the Gospel of Jesus - and you can change the world! Join us as we change the world!
SOLEMN SUNG EVENSONG
Sunday, June 29 - 4:00 p.m. - Church
Father Patrick will lead us in Solemn Sung Evensong (Vespers / Evening Prayer) as we begin our celebration of the Year of Saint Paul. Father Athony Krisak, a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton, the Director of ENVISION Services of the Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association, and seminary classmate of Father Patrick will be our guest preacher. A reception will follow in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center.
ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE AND HOMECOMING CELEBRATION
Sunday, September 28 - 9:30 a.m. - Church
This annual celebration will showcase the history of Saint Paul's in an exciting and dramatic new exhibit that will remain in place during the rest of the Year of Saint Paul. In addition, we will induct the inaugral members of the Legacy Society of Saint Paul (those past and present who have remembered this parish family in their estate planning). A lunch will follow in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center.
LUTHERAN, ANGLICAN, ROMAN CATHOLIC (LARC) DAY OF DIALOGUE
Monday, October 20 - 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg - Cardinal Keeler Center - Harrisburg
This annual Day of Dialogue will be given over to an indepth presentation of Saint Paul. Rev. Dr. A Katherine Grieb, New Testament Professor at Virginia Theological Seminary will be the presenter. Registration can be made through the parish office at 717-684-8496)
SOLEMN SUNG EVENSONG - ALL SAINTS SUNDAY
Sunday, November 2 - 4:00 p.m. - Church
Our annual Solemn Sung Evensong on All Saints Sunday will remember all those of our family and friends who have finished the race and achieved the Crown of Glory.
SYMPOSIUM ON SAINT PAUL
Saturday, November 8 - 9:00 a.m. - Trinity High School - Camp Hill
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg will sponsor a full day symposium on Saint Paul. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Scott Hahn. Registration can be made through the parish office at 717-684-8496).
WEEK OF CHRISTIAN UNITY
Sunday, January 18 through Sunday, January 25, 2009
Tuesday, January 20 - 8:00 a.m. - Community Morning Prayer
Wednesday, January 21 - 9:30 a.m. - Ecumenical Eucharist
Wednesday, January 21 - 10:15 a.m. - Lectionary Bible Study
Thursday, January 22 - 6:30 p.m. - Community Evening Prayer
SOLEMN EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION OF THE CONVERSION OF SAINT PAUL
Monday, January 26, 2009 - Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center / Church
We will begin with dinner at 5:00 p.m. followed by a joint Episcopal / Lutheran Eucharist at 7:00 P.M. which we will celebrate our Patronal Feast. At the Eucharist we will induct new members into the Saint Paul Sages Society (members age 80 and over).
Father Patrick - Main Celebrant
Rev. Richard Geib and Rev. Mark Kopp - Concelebrants
Dr. Greg Carey - Preacher
ADULT CHRISTIAN FORMATION - FEBRUARY
Mondays, February 2, 9, & 16, 2009
7:00 p.m. - Saint John Lutheran Church (6th & Locust Streets - Columbia)
As part of our joint Christian Formation Program with Saint John Lutheran and Saint James Lutheran we will devote four Monday evenings to the study of Saint Paul the man, his travels, and the theology of his letters. Dr. Greg Carey, Professor at Lancaster Theological Seminary will be our presenter for these three nights
ADULT CHRISTIAN FORMATION - MARCH
March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2009
9:05 a.m. - Groome Room - Church
Bible Study on the Letters of Paul
SACRED MUSIC CHOIR FESTIVAL
Sunday, April 26, 2009 - 2:00 p.m. - Church
Church choirs will be invited to particpate and share sacred music with the community.
ANNUAL VISITATION OF THE BISHOP
Sunday, June 7, 2009 (tentative - to be confirmed)
9:30 a.m. - Church
The bishop will confirm and receive those who are joining the church and the parish. A lunch will follow the service.
SOLEMN SUNG EVENSONG
Sunday, June 28, 2009 - 4:00 p.m. - Church
This will be our closing service for the Year of Saint Paul celebrations.
More information about these events and other events will be added as plans and details are made final. Please be patient with us and check back often.
