St. Paul's Episcopal Church

10/28/2026

This Sunday is All Saints' Day! Please see below for more news from the week, and remember that clocks change this Saturday, October 31. Time FALLS back 1 hour.

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ALL SAINTS' DAY
Sunday, November 1
Family Sunday, No Classes

ALTAR OF REMEMBRANCE
This Sunday is our commemoration of the Feast of All Saints and All Souls!

To help remind ourselves of the “Great Cloud of Witnesses” who have come before us in the life of faith, we invite everyone to bring a picture of a loved one who has died, or some other object that reminds you of that person, to place on a special “altar of remembrance” that we will build in the Chapel at the rear of the Sanctuary.

Pictures in frames work best, but any picture or small object is welcome. When you arrive at church this Sunday, simply place your objects on the altar in the chapel. Thank you for helping us remember our ancestors in the faith!

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HAVE YOU MADE YOUR 2027 PLEDGE?
Ingathering Sunday is November 1, when we bring our financial pledges for next year to the altar as part of our shared commitment to St. Paul's. Our pledges support all the missions, ministries, and programming of the church, and timely submission helps the budget committee and the vestry plan for next year. If you haven't yet submitted your pledge, please do so as soon as possible, either using the blue pledge card you received, or online at https://www.stpaulsbedford.org/pledge-card-2027/.

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OUR VA CLOTHING COLLECTION ENDS SUNDAY!
Please bring in new sweatshirts, sweatpants, ski gloves, and warm socks for all genders. We will also continue to write cards of gratitude to be delivered to veterans at the VA.

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WOMEN'S GROUP BREAKFAST
Saturday, November 7

The Women’s Group will begin the program year with breakfast on November 7. All women in the parish are invited! We will enjoy fellowship, good food, and a chance to discuss suggestions and plans for the program year ahead.

The breakfast will be held at 8:30 am at St. Paul’s. Quiche will be provided. A few donations of juice, fruit, and baked goods would be appreciated. Please RSVP using the link in the weekly email, and see Betsey Anderson with any questions.

Send a message to learn more

10/23/2026

Friends off the field! A few of our high school youth played on opposite teams at this year's annual Kicks for Cancer soccer fundraiser. Go St. Paul's!

10/21/2026

Dear Friends,

Rev. Sarah is away this week at the Credo Conference. In her absence, Rev. Dr. Regina L. Walton will serve as celebrant this Sunday. In honor of stewardship season, the sermon will be delivered by fellow parishioner, Candy Walker. All are welcome!

All Saints' Day is the following Sunday, November 1. Please share the name(s) of your faithful departed with the office using the linked submission form in this email, or by reaching out to the parish office directly.

Stay tuned to this weekly email in the weeks ahead for all news Advent Fair, as well as other opportunities for fellowship!

In Peace,
Stacy

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PENTECOST 22
October 25

We welcome the Rev. Dr. Regina L. Walton as our celebrant this Sunday. She is Editor and Content Developer at Forward Movement and Denominational Counselor and Lecturer at Harvard Divinity School. In honor of stewardship season, the sermon will be delivered by fellow parishioner, Candy Walker.

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HAVE YOU MADE YOUR 2027 PLEDGE?
Ingathering Sunday is November 1, when we bring our financial pledges for next year to the altar as part of our shared commitment to St. Paul's. Our pledges support all the missions, ministries, and programming of the church, and timely submission helps the budget committee and the vestry plan for next year. If you haven't yet submitted your pledge, please do so as soon as possible, either using the blue pledge card you received, or online at https://www.stpaulsbedford.org/pledge-card-2027/.

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ALL SAINTS SUNDAY
November 1

This year we will read the necrology during the service on All Saints Sunday, November 1. If you wish to have a loved one remembered by name on that day, please fill out THIS FORM and return it to the offering plate or an usher by October 25. You may also contact the parish office and leave names with our parish administrator, Stacy Chandler.

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COMING SOON!
Change your Clocks on Saturday, October 31
Clocks will FALL back 1 hour.

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NEEDED!
Crucifers, Gospelbearers, and Torchbearers

If you are interested in being trained, or are a past server who wants a refresher, please join us!

FALL TRAINING/REVIEW DATES
Sunday, Nov. 8 after church: Torchbearers and Gospelbearers
Sunday, Nov. 22 after church: Gospelbearers and Crucifers
Who can serve? Children grade 2 and older are eligible to be Torchbearers. Youth may be invited to serve as Gospelbearers beginning in grade 6. After serving as a Gospelbearer for a year, they may be invited to train to be a Crucifer. Adults are always welcome and we have need for trained adults to serve at evening services as well as occasional Sundays.

How often do they serve? Altar servers are scheduled in a rotation, generally serving once every 4 to 6 weeks. The schedule is published in the Epistle and servers can arrange to switch with another server if they cannot serve on the date scheduled. Please contact Caroline Larson to confirm your interest in training or if you have any questions.

Send a message to learn more

10/14/2026

Beloved,
This Thursday we commemorate Teresa of Avila on our Church calendar. Teresa was a sixteenth-century Spanish mystic, monastic, reformer, and writer. You may well recognize this poem attributed to her:

Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

Where are you the hands, feet, eyes, and body of Christ in the world this week? Where do you see Christ in others? May this poem be a reminder to look for and embody Christ as we go about our work and routines.

See you Sunday!
Rev. Sarah+

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WELCOME NEWCOMERS!

The 2026 Annual Newcomers Brunch will take place after church on Sunday, October 18 from 12 noon to 2 pm! If you are new to St. Paul's or would generally like to meet more people, please consider attending! The brunch is an informal social gathering at the Pillai family home (which is pet-free, smoke-free, and nut-free) and always a fun and relaxed event. Children of all ages are welcome. We hope to see you there! Please RSVP by October 14.

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ALL SAINTS SUNDAY
November 1

This year we will read the necrology during the service on All Saints Sunday, November 1. If you wish to have a loved one remembered by name on that day, please fill out THIS FORM and return it to the offering plate or an usher by October 25. You may also contact the parish office and leave names with our parish administrator, Stacy Chandler.

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VA CLOTHING DRIVE

Beginning October 11, we will be collecting new clothing items for Bedford VA residents. St. Paul's has been donating clothing for several years and our veteran neighbors appreciate the donations. Each Sunday you are invited to write a note to veterans thanking them for their service. Note cards will be available at coffee hour.

Bins will be set up in the Narthex until November 1 for the clothing collection. Requested items are:

Men's and women's sweatpants, sweatshirts and hoodies size medium to 3X
Men's and women's unisex tee shirts size small to 3X
Winter gloves- no knitted gloves. Ski type or leather
DEADLINE IS SUNDAY, NOV. 1. For more information contact Roberta Valday.

10/07/2026

Beloved,

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow. . ." We sing these words each Sunday after our gifts are collected and as this offering is brought forward. For me, this doxology is a reminder that all of our gifts originate in God. The generosity of God is demonstrated over and over in Scripture and we are invited into that generosity. We are invited to share the resources with which we are blessed.

And, wow, is St. Paul's blessed! Every day I'm discovering new ways you are sharing your gifts in our parish and in the world! I'm seeing the many ways you are giving your time, talents, and financial resources to support worship services, maintain our building, care for each other, care for people in the world who are in need, and so much more. I'm grateful for your generosity and I can't imagine what I'll discover tomorrow. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

See you Sunday!
Rev. Sarah+

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WORSHIP SPOTLIGHT
ALL SAINTS SUNDAY
November 1

This year we will read the necrology during the service on All Saints Sunday, November 1. If you wish to have a loved one remembered by name on that day, please fill out the form in the weekly email and return it to the offering plate or an usher by October 25. You may also contact the parish office and leave names with our parish administrator, Stacy Chandler, at 781-275-8262 or info @ stpaulsbedford.org.

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WELCOME NEWCOMERS!
The 2026 Annual Newcomers Brunch will take place after church on Sunday, October 18 from 12 noon to 2 pm! If you are new to St. Paul's or would generally like to meet more people, please consider attending! The brunch is an informal social gathering at the Pillai family home (which is pet-free, smoke-free, and nut-free) and always a fun and relaxed event. Children of all ages are welcome. We hope to see you there! Please RSVP by October 14.

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VA CLOTHING DRIVE
Beginning October 11, we will be collecting new clothing items for Bedford VA residents. St. Paul's has been donating clothing for several years and our veteran neighbors appreciate the donations. Each Sunday you are invited to write a note to veterans thanking them for their service. Note cards will be available at coffee hour.

Bins will be set up in the Narthex October 11 - Nov. 1 for the clothing collection. Requested items are:

Men's and women's sweatpants, sweatshirts and hoodies size medium to 3X
Men's and women's unisex tee shirts size small to 3X
Winter gloves- no knitted gloves. Ski type or leather

DEADLINE IS SUNDAY, NOV. 1. For more information contact Roberta Valday.

10/06/2026

Our middle school youth group had a fabulous trip to Kimball Farm last weekend!

10/04/2026

Today was another busy and joyful Sunday on the Feast of Francis of Assisi!
The children offered Rev. Sarah a special welcome and youth choir sang the Prayer for St. Francis. We also learned why Sarah is nicknamed Auntie Seagull and about her father's love of maple syrup 🥞🍁 (watch her sermon on our YouTube channel if you want to know more!)
After church many parishioners received flu and covid shots (thanks to Stop & Shop pharmacy) AND the Blessing of the Animals took place in the Memorial garden. A wonderful start to October.

09/23/2026

Beloved,

In the beginning, God hovered over the waters and created the world. Then, God created us in God's image, making us co-creators and partners in caring for all of creation. This Sunday, we'll be celebrating Creation Sunday and this year's theme is Immersion in Living Waters. Here in Bedford, we have easy access to plenty of bodies of water--the Concord River, lakes, ponds, and not too far off, the Atlantic Ocean. They provide necessary hydration for creatures and vegetation of all sizes, as well as plenty of fun in all seasons. We also have the privilege of running water in our homes. I invite you to reflect this week on your own relationship to 'living water.' Where in nature do you go to appreciate the beauty of God's creation? How do you partner with God in caring for the gift of water? Perhaps this is a good time to reflect on your use of water and commit to caring for this resource in a new way. Together we can give thanks to God for the gift and care of water as we pray:

God, whose Spirit moved over the deep: We thank you for the gift of water—the waters on the earth, and under the earth, the water above us, and within us. Make us mindful of the care of all the planet’s water, that it may richly sustain life for us and for those who come after us; through Jesus Christ, source of living water. Amen.

See you Sunday!
Rev. Sarah+

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SEASON OF CREATION
Celebrated this Sunday, September 27!

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NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
Family Sunday
Blessing of the Animals
Flu/COVID Shot Clinic (signup link in the weekly email!)
Stewardship kickoff

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OCTOBER EPISTLE entries are due September 29!

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ADVENT FAIR NEWS
Crafts workshops begin TODAY (Wednesday, 9/23) at 7pm at Betsey Anderson's house!
Basket workshops continue Sundays after church and Thursdays at 9:30am.
If you host a lawn sign, check its condition and see if you already have a December 5 insert -- and let Emily Mitchell know if you need replacements!

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INREACH COMMITTEE
Volunteers Welcome!

MEALS: Would you like to help provide meals or meal cards when requested by a Parish member (due to illness, welcoming a new baby, etc)? Contact Dawn Andreatta to be added to the meal delivery list.

FUNERAL RECEPTIONS: Would you be willing to be on a list to be called for set up and/or serving when needed for a funeral reception? You would not be called for every funeral reception and would not be expected to provide the food; just serve. Please email Eleanor Hartley or contact the office.

OTHER IDEAS? Reach out to Rev. Sarah.

09/19/2026

There is still time to stop by our Bedford Day booth and make a spin art! We will be here until 2pm!

09/16/2026

Beloved,

Giggle
God has given you breath for as much as one more day to know God and to love God and to serve God in the corner of the world where you live. Whether you delight or dread the day ahead, giggle that God thinks you're up to it. Take Jesus at his word that he is with you - God Emmanuel, God with you - to the very end. ~Br. Curtis Almquist, SSJE

When this 'word of the day' arrived in my inbox one morning, I saved it as a reminder that following Jesus is also fun! I find it easy to fall into the mindset that it's hard work and a serious endeavor to undertake. As big as the world's problems often seem, we are all called to "serve God where we live" and "giggle that God thinks [we're] up to it."

How will you serve our corner of the world this week? The church program year is officially kicked off, and it’s a busy time! If you need ideas, there are plenty of opportunities here at St. Paul’s--offer care to our friends in need, sing with the choir, train to be an acolyte or crucifer, get involved in outreach, offer hospitality at coffee hour, mentor our youth . . . I could continue the list, but you get the idea. Maybe you just aren't sure how to offer your gifts, yet. I am always grateful to be a part of this community and to connect, get to know you a little better, and giggle with you because God thinks we're all up to it!

See you Sunday!
Rev. Sarah+

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BEDFORD DAY
THIS Saturday, September 19

Our St. Paul’s booth at Bedford Day is one of the most important community-facing events we do each year. We feature delicious baked goods for sale, spinner art for children, and warm, welcoming faces --- yours! Many volunteers are needed! We are an inter-generational parish and all ages are welcome to help!

Volunteer to come for an hour or two and help staff the booth, greeting guests and assisting with spinner art and selling baked goods. Middle and High School students are welcome to help, too! We also need assistance with loading/setup first thing in the morning, or take town of the booth at 2:00 p.m.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C48AEAC2AA6F49-65886535-2026

Questions? Contact Heath Luedde.

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FORE!

The 4th Annual St. Paul’s Golf Tournament Fundraiser is just around the corner! The tournament will be held THIS Friday, September 18. Tee off is at 3 PM. The rain date is Friday, September 25. The format is best ball. Open to all men & women of the parish.

The entry fee is $100 per person. Please get your checks into Rich Goldhammer or Paul Caccia. We take cash also. The deadline for payment is September 10 to avoid “no show” costs. Participant slots are limited to 44. Available slots fill quickly.

As in past years, the entry fee includes a barbecue; participant goodies bag; prize for best score by a foursome; men and women’s longest drive and closest to the hole. There is a raffle for Celtics tickets, golf balls, golf umbrellas, golf lessons, and other items. You can even buy Mulligans!

Each year, the fundraiser enables St. Paul’s to donate the proceeds to an organization whose focus is environmental justice. This year, as in past years, it’s to benefit Green Roots Chelsea, an environmental justice community non-profit organization in Chelsea.

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NOTE: Stacy is on vacation next week! Submissions for the weekly email should be sent to her by Friday, September 18.

Our St. Paul’s booth at Bedford Day is one of the most important community-facing events we do each year. We feature delicious baked goods for sale, spinner art for children, and warm, welcoming faces --- yours! Many volunteers are needed! We are an inter-generational parish and all ages are welco...