St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Grinnell, IA, this week

But thou art near, O Lord, and all thy commandments are true. Long have I known from thy testimonies that thou hast founded them for ever. — Psalm 119:151-152

"Thank you for being such a welcoming community. We were so impressed by the campus and the town."

These are comments we recently received from parents who ordered birthday cakes for their children. For the past 60 years, Saint Paul's has provided homemade cakes, cookies, brownies, and survival kits for students far from home.

Would you like to be part of this ministry? We have lots of orders and are looking for more volunteer bakers. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the Common Room for September orders. Supplies are kept in the cabinet next to the Sacristy and bakers are reimbursed $5 for each order. (Reimbursement happens at the end of each semester). Box mixes are perfectly fine (unless the order specifies made from scratch). Cakes are delivered to the JRC (Rosenfield Center) main desk for pick up.

If you would like more information, contact Catherine Rod, Chris French, or Mike Guenther.

Early Service and Sunday School Resume - We will have an 8 a.m. service this Sunday, Sept. 5, as well as 10:30 a.m.

Worship Committee Meeting - The Worship Committee will meet on Sunday, Sep. 12, at 8:45 a.m.

Youth Choir - Our young people can sing, share some scripture, snacks and fellowship on Sunday mornings beginning at 9:30 a.m. Those who are interested should contact Gailanne.

Kids Against Hunger - The next Kids Against Hunger event is coming up on Sunday, Oct. 3. We have raised $135 for Kids Against Hunger. More than anything, we need workers for Oct. 3. If you would like to work on the team, please let Fr. Charles Pope know.

Crop Walk - The Poweshiek County CROP Hunger Walk will be held on Sunday, Oct. 3, at 1 p.m. at Ahrens Park (north pavilion) or GARC if it is raining.

The program helps feed the hungry and assist the homeless in our world and locally. Some 25 percent of the money raised will go to Second Mile, for distribution to food banks in Grinnell, Brooklyn, and Montezuma, and to help local people in need in Poweshiek County. Last year, $11,674 was raised locally. St. Paul's youth have done a great job with this event. Please let Gailanne know if you wish to participate.

A Big Thank You - Our thanks go out to everyone who helped out with the potluck on Sunday and participated!

Central Iowa Episcopal Clergy will meet at St. Paul's on Tuesday, Sept. 7, at 10:30 a.m.

Church Women United will have a forum on Friday, Sept. 3, at noon at St. Paul's. All Church Women United Board Members and friends interested in CWU are invited. Participants should bring a sack lunch. Beverages will be provided.

Meals on Wheels - From Oct. 4-15, it will be St. Paul's turn once again to deliver Meals on Wheels. This is a wonderful service to shut-in individuals of Grinnell and is a great way to be God's "hands and feet" in the service of others. The recipients are always grateful and are often so very nice. If you would like a turn delivering meals, please sign up in the Common Room or let Gailanne know at the office (641) 236-6254.

Go Samantha! - St. Paul's Samantha Bates will be playing soccer this year. She is our student representative on the Vestry! Good luck Samantha!

Women's Soccer Schedule
Home Games:
September 11th - 3pm
September 19th - 2pm
October 2nd - 11am
October 3rd - 11am
October 6th - 4:30pm
October 10th - 2pm
October 23rd - 11am
October 30th - 11am

Changes in Liturgy - On Sunday we will change to Eucharistic Prayer A and Prayers of the People Form 1. The service will begin with the ringing of the bells!

Opportunities for Giving - Consider giving through Episcopal Relief and Development or through Priest's Discretionary Fund. September emphasis - The Second Mile; Current balance - $45.

Opportunities for Service: Vestry and Lay Positions - Would you like to be on the Vestry next year? It involves a three-year commitment beginning in January. See Sarah Smith or Fr. Pope. Would you like to participate as a lector or intercessor? See Fr. Pope

Forward Through the Ages - The first Episcopal service held in Grinnell was held on Sunday, September 11, 1872, in the "Hall of the Y.M.C.A." That first service was a service of Morning Prayer. It was followed later in the day by an Evening Prayer. The Rev. Thomas B. Kemp, Rector of St. James Church in Oskaloosa, was the officiant.

Adult Ed - On Sunday, Sept. 5, at 9:30 a.m. Fr. Charles Pope will host, "Forward Through the Ages: The Early Years for St. Paul's."

Sunday School (Godly Play) - Godly Play, which is Sunday School for St. Paul's and First Presbyterian Church, begins on Sunday, Sept. 12, at First Presbyterian Church.

Young Adult Ed - Sunday, Sept. 5, Sarah Purcell will once again host the class for college students. A light breakfast will be served.

Lectionary Readings for Sunday, September 5 - Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 1; Philemon 1-21; Luke 14:25-33

Liturgist – Tim Dill
Altar – Debby Pohlson
Crucifer – Zoe Dill
First Server – Gailanne Dill
Lector – Catherine Rod
Intercessor – Paul Pohlson
Chalice Bearers – Gailanne Dill, Tim Dill
Ushers – Hugh Sheridan, Sarah Purcell
Coffee Hour Hosts - Dustin and Sarah Smith