Fr. Steve Teague, Rector

Sermon
The Rev. Dr. C. Steven Teague, Rector
Third Sunday after the Epiphany

I wonder how many different answers we’d get to the question, “What is the church’s purpose? Why are we here? Why are you here?”

Maybe parents dragged you to church as a child – whether you wanted to be there or not. The church’s purpose was to provide basic training for moral warfare – give you guilt for telling dirty jokes, cussin’, and making inappropriate hand gestures. Some people never grow beyond thinking the church exists to make you good and keep you out of trouble. Continue reading January 24, 2010: Bearers of Good News

Fr. Steve Teague, Rector

Sermon
The Rev. Dr. C. Steven Teague, Rector
Second Sunday after the Epiphany

This week I had started the sermon and was well down the road when I realized I needed to go back to the starting line. How can we be at a wedding party with Jesus, clinking glasses of miraculously made, finest of fine wine, when God’s children of Haiti already so bad off, are devastated by a massive earthquake. Somehow a bridal couple that failed to have enough wine delivered for their party doesn’t seem so pressing and important. Continue reading January 17, 2010: How Can You Party in Such a World As This?

Sermon
The Rev. Dr. C. Steven Teague, Rector
The Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ

What does your baptism mean to you? Some can’t remember theirs. You were too young. Mamma carried you to the font kicking and screaming, whether you wanted to be there or not. You had no choice, only a certificate and stories told you by those present about that day to let you know you are baptized. Later you may have confirmed that you accept the promises and commitments made on your behalf. Others remember their baptism well. You waded into a water tank, a river, or walked to a font. You confirmed your faith and trust in God, and made your own promises and commitments. Continue reading January 10: Baptized In Christ: With Us and In Us

On Wednesday, January 6, we celebrated Epiphany at St. Paul’s. Tim Benson, Cathy Simpson, Jen Pennington and Eric Padget planned the evening.

The children decorated a pre-cut star, wrote their name on the back, and before the Eucharist they gave the star to an adult they didn’t know.  The adult was asked to pray for that child through the year and return the star next year on Epiphany. Then, another child will add a decoration and put their name on it for another adult.

There was a potluck dinner at that included a Kings Cake.

Then, three children gathered the Magi figures and all processed, with the Voices for Life Choirs leading us, into the church singing We Three Kings and the Magi, along with a camel, arrived at the crèche. A shortened Eucharist was held.

For those who wished to do a house blessing, a baggie with the items needed and instructions were available.

Sermon
The Rev. Dr. C. Steven Teague, Rector
Second Sunday after Christmas

In the annual children’s Christmas Pageant, if I wasn’t picked for Joseph’s part, being a king was next best – a task for the older guys. The pageant director stuck cotton balls on the backside of the younger kids – and wearing dumb fluffy caps with ears, they became the sheep. Those who weren’t sheep were zipped into brown furry pajamas with a long tail attached – the donkeys. Continue reading January 3: External Light

On Wednesday, January 6, we will celebrate Epiphany at St. Paul’s. Cathy Simpson, Jen Pennington and Eric Padget are planning the evening. Participants are asked to arrive at the Great Hall by 5:30PM for an intergenerational activity. The children will have a pre-cut gold star to decorate, write their name on the back, and at a certain time, take the star to an adult they don’t know. We want the Adult to pray for that child through the year and return the star next year on Epiphany. Then, another child will add a decoration and put their name on it for another adult. We will have a potluck dinner at 6PM. Then, three children will gather the Magi figures and we will process, with the Voices for Life Choirs leading us, into the church, singing We Three Kings. The Magi will arrive at the crèche. A shortened Eucharist will be held and all will return to the Great Hall for Kings’ Cake.  For those who wish to do a house blessing, a baggie with the items needed and instructions will be available. The event will be finished by 7:30PM at the latest. Plan to be here and join in.

January 3, 9:00 a.m., the Adult Christian Education guest will be Tony Busalacchi, well-known Milwaukee artist and cultural historian, will give a presentation on The Nativity In Art.

Parishioner Ugo Okoro has proposed an outreach project for St. Paul’s to form a partner/sister church connection with Christ Church, Oforola, Nigeria.  In the past, our church helped Christ Church with a well water project. A natural follow-up is an ongoing relationship. On January 10, at the Adult Christian Education session, Ugo will give details of what this relationship could look like.

Sermon
The Rev. Dr. C. Steven Teague, Rector
Third Sunday of Advent

Why would you put up with someone who verbally berates and threatens you – and even follow after them? Most people either fight back, or run away as fast as they can. What kind of person would put up with such abuse – from anyone? Very few I know. Luke says it worked well for John the Baptist. He was like a magnet, attracting crowds into the wilderness with his warnings and threats. Continue reading December 13: A Magnet in the Wilderness

A long-standing traditional start of the Christmas season for hundreds of Milwaukeeans is the annual Festival of Lessons and Carols held at St. Paul’s Church.  This year’s Festival, the 36^th annual, will be held on Sunday, December 20, 2009, at 4:30PM and followed by a celebratory reception.

Under the direction of Timothy Benson, St. Paul’s Music Ministry Director, the candlelight Festival will feature the distinguished St. Paul’s Choir and its new youth choir Voices for Life. Charyl Granatella directs the thirty-voice youth choir. Bishop Steven Miller of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee will also participate in the service.

For further information click on St. Paul’s News then on the Apostle newsletter.

The annual Thrift Shop Christmas Boutique will be held on Sunday, December 6 from 9AM to 12:30PM and Tuesday, December 8, 10AM to 1PM. It will be held in St. Paul’s Great Hall; enter through the red door in the parking lot. Funds raised support the Outreach philanthropy of St. Paul’s Church.