Third Sunday in Lent
March 23, 2025, 10:30 a.m.
A glimpse back at Holy Week 2024
at St. Paul's
at St. Paul's
Sharing the joy that is Easter
Crossroads United Methodist joins
St. Paul's in remembering our Lord's ultimate sacrifice
St. Paul's in remembering our Lord's ultimate sacrifice
Members of two downtown Canton churches, Crossroads and St. Paul's, joined together Friday night in a service that included a reading of the Passion of Our Lord according to John and quiet meditation and prayer before the cross.
Crossroads pastor, the Rev. Don Ackerman asked during his homily which cross we will chose to follow: the slick marketing tool employed in war and justifying human ambition or the cross of Jesus, calling on us to serve our neighbors as he served us.
Crossroads pastor, the Rev. Don Ackerman asked during his homily which cross we will chose to follow: the slick marketing tool employed in war and justifying human ambition or the cross of Jesus, calling on us to serve our neighbors as he served us.
Good Friday's closing prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we pray you to set your passion, cross, and death between your judgment and our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living; pardon and rest to the dead; to your holy Church peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life and glory; for with the Father and Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we pray you to set your passion, cross, and death between your judgment and our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living; pardon and rest to the dead; to your holy Church peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life and glory; for with the Father and Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Agape meal and service:
Unconditional love
Unconditional love
St. Paul's marked Maundy Thursday with an Agape meal and service that celebrated the unconditional love of Christ and his commandment to serve and love our neighbors. The evening included musical chants, foot and hand washing and Holy Communion and ended in the sanctuary with the meditative stripping of the altar, placing the consecrated host on the Lady Chapel altar, where it remains until the Good Friday service.
The joint service with Crossroads United Methodist Church will begin at 6:45 p.m. at Crossroads (on the corner of Cleveland Avenue NW and Tuscarawas Street W) and will process with the cross to St. Paul's.
The joint service with Crossroads United Methodist Church will begin at 6:45 p.m. at Crossroads (on the corner of Cleveland Avenue NW and Tuscarawas Street W) and will process with the cross to St. Paul's.
What is an Agape Meal?
An Agape meal is an ancient feast of a communal meal shared by Christians, ‘agape’ - uh-gah-pay - being a Greek word that reflects God’s unconditional love. On the night of his betrayal, Jesus shared a meal with his disciples. He shared this meal in the home tradition and setting of the Passover meal.
The washing of feet, the sharing of bread and wine, and the new commandment to love one another all happened in a home, in a room where Jesus drew his friends together as host, teacher, friend, and master who was there to serve them all.
This evening marks the beginning of the three-day celebration of Christian Passover. This service recognizes the profound connection between the celebration of the Eucharist and the meals we share in daily life. Therefore, though this rite is not the sacrament of the Eucharist, it reminds us of the holiness, the “sacramentality” of all meals, the holiness of all food, and the presence of the Risen Christ whenever we break bread.
The Music
Singing is one of the most important forms of prayer. A few words sung over and over again reinforce the meditative quality of the prayer. They express a basic reality of faith that can quickly be grasped by the intellect, and that gradually penetrates the heart and the whole being. These simple chants also provide a way of praying when one is alone, in the day or at night, or even in the silence of one's heart while one is working.
Adapted from Songs and Prayer from Taize
An Agape meal is an ancient feast of a communal meal shared by Christians, ‘agape’ - uh-gah-pay - being a Greek word that reflects God’s unconditional love. On the night of his betrayal, Jesus shared a meal with his disciples. He shared this meal in the home tradition and setting of the Passover meal.
The washing of feet, the sharing of bread and wine, and the new commandment to love one another all happened in a home, in a room where Jesus drew his friends together as host, teacher, friend, and master who was there to serve them all.
This evening marks the beginning of the three-day celebration of Christian Passover. This service recognizes the profound connection between the celebration of the Eucharist and the meals we share in daily life. Therefore, though this rite is not the sacrament of the Eucharist, it reminds us of the holiness, the “sacramentality” of all meals, the holiness of all food, and the presence of the Risen Christ whenever we break bread.
The Music
Singing is one of the most important forms of prayer. A few words sung over and over again reinforce the meditative quality of the prayer. They express a basic reality of faith that can quickly be grasped by the intellect, and that gradually penetrates the heart and the whole being. These simple chants also provide a way of praying when one is alone, in the day or at night, or even in the silence of one's heart while one is working.
Adapted from Songs and Prayer from Taize
Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 21, 2024 10:30 a.m.
April 21, 2024 10:30 a.m.
Third Sunday of Easter
April 14, 2024 10:30 a.m.
April 14, 2024 10:30 a.m.
Those we remembered on All Saints Sunday
Ronald Mapp
Beverly Campian
Stephan Campian
JoAnn Moody
John McCall
Don Figerello
Denise Decker
Jerry Sankovich
Ron Smith
Amy Rowland
Margaret Lebo
Becky Valentine
Dee Hart
Buzz Hoover
Mary Lou Urban
Pam Indorf
Jim Blake
Carole Sankbeil
Ed Moody
Emmett McGeorge
Mychal Walker
George Freeman
Veronica Owens
Barbara Nowlin
Tom Green
Karen Lott
Ernie Wright
Bob Arnold
All Saints Sunday
Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023
Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023
St. Paul's expands services for the holidays
Advent: 8 a.m.Rite I Services will be added for December 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th
Sunday, December 24th, Festive Christmas Eve Service, 7 p.m.
Monday, December 25th, Christmas Day Morning Prayer Service, 8 a.m.
Advent: 8 a.m.Rite I Services will be added for December 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th
Sunday, December 24th, Festive Christmas Eve Service, 7 p.m.
Monday, December 25th, Christmas Day Morning Prayer Service, 8 a.m.
Whatever we face, we do not face it alone
Dear Friends,
Life can oftentimes present us with challenges beyond our control or even our understanding. But as believers in Christ, we believe that whatever we face, we do not face alone because God is with us (Emmanuel). It’s in this place of consolation in which we can rest and reach out to God in prayer.
Over the last few days, we have been witnesses to the horrific beginnings of a war in Israel and the unfortunate loss of life.
Bishop Anne Jolly has provided prayerful resources for us to embrace as we seek to process all that is happening around the world. I am asking that you join in this prayerful effort.
“The Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson, who was ordained in the Diocese of Ohio and is now the 11th Bishop of Missouri, wrote this prayer that articulates the deep angst of our hearts and souls. Together, we pray, we wail, and we hold to each other in the unity of God as we long for an end to violence that can only come through God’s peace and love.”
Healer of the Nations,
from the noise of war
and the drumbeat of vengeance,
give us undiminished determination
to wage peace.
Out of brokenness, violence, and destruction
let us plant seeds of hope.
Out of chaos, confusion, and hatred,
build bridges of love.
Out of distrust, disunity, and distance,
walk together in harmony.
Heal our divisions and make us whole. Amen.
We must continue to show up for each other, especially in the midst of heartache and pain. Let us be extra gentle during these times and hold each other in love and prayer.
In His Service,
Rev. Dr. Robin Woodberry
Life can oftentimes present us with challenges beyond our control or even our understanding. But as believers in Christ, we believe that whatever we face, we do not face alone because God is with us (Emmanuel). It’s in this place of consolation in which we can rest and reach out to God in prayer.
Over the last few days, we have been witnesses to the horrific beginnings of a war in Israel and the unfortunate loss of life.
Bishop Anne Jolly has provided prayerful resources for us to embrace as we seek to process all that is happening around the world. I am asking that you join in this prayerful effort.
“The Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson, who was ordained in the Diocese of Ohio and is now the 11th Bishop of Missouri, wrote this prayer that articulates the deep angst of our hearts and souls. Together, we pray, we wail, and we hold to each other in the unity of God as we long for an end to violence that can only come through God’s peace and love.”
Healer of the Nations,
from the noise of war
and the drumbeat of vengeance,
give us undiminished determination
to wage peace.
Out of brokenness, violence, and destruction
let us plant seeds of hope.
Out of chaos, confusion, and hatred,
build bridges of love.
Out of distrust, disunity, and distance,
walk together in harmony.
Heal our divisions and make us whole. Amen.
We must continue to show up for each other, especially in the midst of heartache and pain. Let us be extra gentle during these times and hold each other in love and prayer.
In His Service,
Rev. Dr. Robin Woodberry
To join our services online, go to St. Paul's Facebook page or to our YouTube channel (click this link and go to "Live")
Please note that St. Paul's shares the vitality of its worship and parish life via livestream and video and still images.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION PRAYER
(to be said with those who are joining us online)
(to be said with those who are joining us online)
Dearest Lord Jesus, we believe that you are truly present in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. We love you above all things and long for you in our souls. Since we are not altogether in our church today to receive the bread and wine made holy, we ask you to come spiritually into our hearts. Fill us with your light and nourish us all with your word and Spirit. Amen.
By entering St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Canton, Ohio, and by your presence in the church, there is potential to be photographed, filmed, livestreamed, and/or otherwise recorded.
If you prefer not to appear on livestream, know that during any service, the camera only shows those who are seated close to the center aisle or those who come forward for Communion. Therefore, to avoid being on camera, please ask our greeter to seat you below the balcony or to the side. The greeter will ask the priest to bring communion to you.
Please note, if you are captured on camera, understand that St. Paul’s and The Diocese of Ohio retains the right to publish any recordings/images.
If you prefer not to appear on livestream, know that during any service, the camera only shows those who are seated close to the center aisle or those who come forward for Communion. Therefore, to avoid being on camera, please ask our greeter to seat you below the balcony or to the side. The greeter will ask the priest to bring communion to you.
Please note, if you are captured on camera, understand that St. Paul’s and The Diocese of Ohio retains the right to publish any recordings/images.