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"

Benedict XVI, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Rome has invited all Christians to celebrate the Year of Saint Paul beginning on Sunday, June 29, 2008 (the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul) and continuing through June 28, 2009.  Traditionally, it is believed that Saint Paul was born in the year 8 and thus this celebration year will be the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Saint Paul.  Saint Paul was a major figure in the early undivided church and is a common saint to all Christian churches and traditions.  Because this parish is named in honor of this powerful figure in the church, we will join our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters around the world to celebrate this year.  There will be a number of prayer, educational, social, and commemorative events this year that will honor both Saint Paul - the man, and Saint Paul - this parish.

For more information on the world-wide celebrations of the Year of Saint Paul, go to www.annopaolino.org then go to the top right hand corner of the page and click on the British flag and the website will convert to English.  There is much information about Saint Paul, his conversion, his missionary journeys, and his death in Rome.

There are four components to our celebration of the Year of Saint Paul.  The first is prayer - both private and corporate.  The second is the building up of our parish family through Pastoral Visitations by Father Patrick.  The third element of our celebration are a number of events by which the parish and the whole community can honor Saint Paul.

PRAYER

The first thing that we can do to celebrate the Year of Saint Paul is to pray.  Everyone is asked to pray the following three prayers every day between Sunday, June 29, 2008 and June 28, 2009.  We will use one of these three prayers at every prayer and worship service throughout the Year of Saint Paul.

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)

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 June 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

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.  We are working on additional invitations to make this a truly ecumenical prayer service in honor of Saint Paul.  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.

(More details about the speaker and registration will be posted as soon as it is received)

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.

CELEBRATION OF THE CONVERSION OF SAINT PAUL

Monday, January 26, 2009

We will begin with dinner at 5:00 p.m. followed by a joint Episcopal / Lutheran Eucharist at 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).

ADULT CHRISTIAN FORMATION - FEBRUARY

Mondays, February 2, 9, 26 & 23, 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.

ADULT CHRISTIAN FORMATION - MARCH

March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2009

9:05 a.m. - Groome Room - Church

Bible Study on the Letters of Paul

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.