Welcome to St. Paul's!
If you are looking for a church community, you may have just found it! St Paul’s has a long tradition of superb music, an inviting Sunday School, active youth group and effective outreach. This is a place where God is first and you can make a difference. "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out." Luke 19: 40 
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Holy Week Worship
April 15-21 Monday through Wednesday 8:30 am HE I, in the Chapel Maundy Thursday,7 pm Holy Eucharist in St. Paul's with foot washing (optional) and stripping of the altar. On this night we leave in silence. Those who sign up to keep vigil with the reserved sacrament will prayerfully attend in teams of two for one hour shifts, entering and exiting by the chapel door only. This is a powerfully intimate prayer time. Good Friday, April 19 11:45 Stations of the Cross (Greeneway) We begin in front of ONC and carry the cross together to St. Paul's, stopping at stations along the way. Children are encouraged to participate. Noon-3 Liturgy of the Seven Last Words There are graceful exits for those who are not able to stay for the whole service. The homilies are bathed and supported by meditative silence and contemplative music. We have six guest preachers. 7 pm Good Friday Liturgy, with sung Passion Holy Saturday, April 20, 7 pm The Great Vigil with Baptism On this holy night we begin in darkness. The flame is kindled outside in front of the chapel and brought forth. Individual candles are lit from the Paschal Candle as it is carried in. The church remains dark until that first glorious "alleluia" when we burst into the light of Joy and music and flowers and celebration. Easter Day 6 am Holy Eucharist, II in front of ONC The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Nestor, Celebrant 7 am Holy Eucharist, I in St. Paul's 9 am Holy Eucharist, II with Choir 11 am Holy Eucharist, II with Choir The Rt. Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely, Celebrant |
From Inside the Collar
Faith is not belief. It is not cognitive assent to a set of doctrines. Faith is not a transaction wherein you do the right things and God is obligated to do what you want when you want it.
Faith is a living relationship with the living God. More, it is responding to his invitation to live IN His Life. We do not and cannot understand his reasoning, his ways or his timing. This is God, whose generous goodness and love means he would rather die than judge us. He would rather die than live without us. And not even death can keep his love and his life from us. We cannot contain such knowledge, much less control it. We love what we do not know and cannot understand.
This is the week of all weeks to confront God and all your questions. He invites us to engage.
No stock answers will suffice. There is holiness in the struggle. Only those who pursue their doubts and questions can know intimacy with God. Blind faith has no depth and without ground, it has no transcendent height.
Loaves & Fishes RI
Dear Friends,
April is a-comin’ in, and with it some springtime weather and the blessings of Easter. Our shelter friends will be able to spend longer and more pleasant days outside, which they prefer. Many of the various food items you so generously donate will go with them in their backpacks, providing lunch and snacks throughout the daytime hours. Every time we visit the Emmanuel House shelter in Providence, the men thank us (meaning you) for all we bring. Happy spring, and God bless your loving hearts!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084CAFAF2BAB9-loaves28