Jesus used parables, stories, to do much of his teaching. We have been studying his parables every week in our small group discussions (see below). This week one of the parables we talked about was the Pharisee and Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14). The Pharisee is full of himself and prays to God with pride, looking down on the humble tax collector. The tax collector humbly recognizes his own sinfulness, praying to God for mercy. The message is to recognize our own sinfulness and to avoid self-righteousness and pride. It helps to remind ourselves who God is, and who are. We are in the presence of a holy and perfectly righteous God. We have nothing but what we receive from God, 1 Cor 4:7; we are nothing apart from him and his mercy. Yet we all think so much better of ourselves than we are, don’t we? Our righteousness is a gift we do not deserve from the one who does deserve it, so where is there any place for boasting (Rom 3:27)? As Saint Paul said, it is excluded. But a humble and contrite heart God will not refuse (Is 66:2). We looked at Psalm 51, a model of sincere confession to God: no evasion, no excuses, honest with ourselves and our God. When we sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and he is the propitiation for our sins - they’re wiped away because of him (1 Jn 2:1, 2; BCP 75-76). That’s good news indeed.
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PRAYERS FOR THE PANDEMIC
O MOST mighty and merciful God, in this time of grievous sickness, we flee unto thee for succour. Deliver us, we beseech thee, from our peril; give strength and skill to all those who minister to the sick; prosper the means made use of for their cure; and grant that, perceiving how frail and uncertain our life is, we may apply our hearts unto that heavenly wisdom which leadeth to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE 1928 BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER
Continue in daily prayer; prayer is essential!
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PRAYERS FOR THE PANDEMIC
O MOST mighty and merciful God, in this time of grievous sickness, we flee unto thee for succour. Deliver us, we beseech thee, from our peril; give strength and skill to all those who minister to the sick; prosper the means made use of for their cure; and grant that, perceiving how frail and uncertain our life is, we may apply our hearts unto that heavenly wisdom which leadeth to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE 1928 BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER
Continue in daily prayer; prayer is essential!
2021 Easter Service At Saint Paul’s
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Passcode: nWnKi4V^
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Passcode: nWnKi4V^
WELCOME HOME! WELCOME TO ST. PAUL'S!
As Portland's oldest church, we are the authentic Anglican Christian community in Portland and the surrounding area! Authenticity is at the core of everything we do as we build a vibrant, Christ-centered community sharing and celebrating the goodness and love of God!
We invite YOU to join our community on this adventure of faith!
Our campus is located in Portland, and our parish family members come from communities throughout all of Southern and Mid-Maine.
Our regular Sunday schedule is 9 AM Spoken Eucharist first and third Sundays, and 10:30 AM Sung Eucharist every Sunday. We are worshiping safely in the church in compliance with all state regulations and recommendations.
We invite YOU to join our community on this adventure of faith!
Our campus is located in Portland, and our parish family members come from communities throughout all of Southern and Mid-Maine.
Our regular Sunday schedule is 9 AM Spoken Eucharist first and third Sundays, and 10:30 AM Sung Eucharist every Sunday. We are worshiping safely in the church in compliance with all state regulations and recommendations.
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OUTREACH AT ST. PAUL'SAA Meetings
Monday - Friday, 8am in the Parish Hall Monday - Wednesday, Noon in the Parish Hall (Women's group) Monday, 6pm in the Parish Hall Stroudwater Food Pantry Donations of breakfast cereal, peanut butter and jelly, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, tuna, ramen noodles, canned goods and empty egg cartons can be left in the marked box in the Parish Hall. Volunteers also needed! More info: https://stroudwaterfoodpantry.com/ Theology on Tap
Come and discuss theological topics at pubs in the mid-coast area. See St. Paul’s Facebook page for updated meeting times and locations, and for readings that correspond
with our topic. 
Anglican Church in America Classical Christianity Engaging the World Diocese of the Eastern United States The Most Reverend Brian Marsh, Archbishop The Right Reverend John Vaughan, Bishop Ordinary The Right Reverend Alexander Webb, Bishop Ordinary |
