St. Paul’s is Growing!

~ EMP

On Sunday July 25th, Bishop Peter Manto (Diocese of the Central States, REC) received ten new people into membership at St. Paul’s, and one confirmation. When I think of this time of growth in our parish, I’m reminded of the early church, as St. Luke records in Acts 2:42-44, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common.” Truly in Christ we have all things in common, and it’s that simple message, together with the prayers and teachings of the apostles and the breaking of Eucharistic bread that draws us into one fellowship in the body of Christ. Now that our parish has begun to grow in significant ways we see clear signs that God has work for us to do, namely the work of drawing others into our fellowship of worship and praise. I’m excited to see what God is doing in our midst and hopeful that He is planning even better things for us in the future as more and more people are added to our number.

-Fr. Eric+
Feast of St. James the Apostle

Phase I of Re-opening May 17th

~ EMP

St. Paul’s will open with restrictions on May 17th in accordance with the new regulations released by the State of Virginia for Phase I of the re-opening process during the COVID-19 pandemic. View our newsletter (click here) or contact us for details on how you can participate in our upcoming services during this phase of re-opening.

Service Changes Due to COVID-19

~ Admin

There will be no physical services held at St. Paul’s for at least the next two weeks due to the restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the service of Morning Prayer with a Homily (or Holy Communion) will be live-streamed from our Facebook page at 11 a.m. on Sunday. Click here to view our Facebook page.

Let us pray together as best as we can during this time, and remember to reach out to one another by phone or on the web to check that we all have our basic needs met.

“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” Luke 12:32

A prayer for spiritual communion for times when we are prevented from assembling together:

In union, O Lord with the faithful at every altar of Thy Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer Thee praise and thanksgiving. I present to Thee my soul and body with the earnest wish that I may always be united to Thee. And since I can not now receive Thee sacramentally, I beseech Thee to come spiritually into my heart. I unite myself to Thee, and embrace Thee with all the affections of my soul. Let nothing ever separate Thee from me. May I live and die in Thy love. Amen. (The Armed Forces Prayer Book, 1951)

The Baptism of Brendan Michael Parker

~ EMP

The Baptism of Brendan Michael Parker took place on the 10th of November (the 21st Sunday after Trinity) 2019 at St. Paul’s Anglican Church.

“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

WE yield thee hearty thanks, most merciful Father, that it hath pleased thee to regenerate this Child with thy Holy Spirit, to receive him for thine own Child, and to incorporate him into thy holy Church. And humbly we beseech thee to grant, that he, being dead unto sin, may live unto righteousness, and being buried with Christ in his death, may also be partaker of his resurrection; so that finally, with the residue of thy holy Church, he may be an inheritor of thine everlasting kingdom; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Baptism of Lillian Gray Harden

~ Admin

The Baptism of Lillian Gray Harden took place on Sunday, August 18th at St. Paul’s. “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10:14).

WE yield thee hearty thanks, most merciful Father, that it hath pleased thee to regenerate this Child with thy Holy Spirit, to receive her for thine own Child, and to incorporate her into thy holy Church. And humbly we beseech thee to grant, that she, being dead unto sin, may live unto righteousness, and being buried with Christ in his death, may also be partaker of his resurrection; so that finally, with the residue of thy holy Church, she may be an inheritor of thine everlasting kingdom; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

David and Brenda Greever Joined in Holy Matrimony

~ Admin

A hearty congratulations to David and Brenda Greever, who were joined in Holy Matrimony on Saturday, July 27th at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Lexington, VA. May God speed you both!

O ETERNAL God, we humbly beseech thee, favourably to behold these thy servants now joined in wedlock according to thy holy ordinance; and grant that they, seeking first thy kingdom and thy righteousness, may obtain the manifold blessings of thy grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Installation of the Rev. Dr. Eric Parker

~ Admin

The Rt. Rev. Daniel Morse was in town on Sunday to officially install the Rev. Dr. Eric Parker as the Rector of St. Paul’s. We are very excited to see the Lord’s blessings in our midst, and we pray for His continued care and guidance of our parish as we look to the future.

O HOLY Jesus, who hast purchased to thyself an universal Church, and hast promised to be with the Ministers of Apostolic Succession to the end of the world; Be graciously pleased to bless the ministry and service of him who is now appointed to offer the sacrifices of prayer and praise to thee in this house, which is called by thy Name. May the words of his mouth, and the meditation of his heart, be alway acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer. Amen.