ACP This Week - 15 October 2025

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ACP This Week

Hello ACP Family,

Please view this video message from Pastor Paul reflecting on our recent commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s visit to ACP and introducing our next sermon series: The Journey of Faith. He shares a bit of his own faith journey and invites us to share ours. Click acparis.org/faith-story to share a story of how a life event or a challenging season caused you to deepen, or grow in your faith, and how God and others were a part of that journey.

He also reminds us that the BYOB: Bring Your Own Bible (Study) starts this evening, and that there will be a Fall LayCare Training on Hospital and Home Visitation and an Artist’s Collective meeting this Sunday. Details below.

This Evening (Wednesday)

BYOB: Bring Your Own Bible (Study): Wednesdays, 15 October - 5 November 19h-20h30 in the Senior Pastor’s Office and on Zoom. Gather in-person at 19h for casual conversation; the study begins at 19h30. Pastor Paul will lead this class on Christian basics and Biblical literacy, by reading through the Gospel of John. This class is open to all, but particularly for those new to the Christian faith and those who’ve always wanted to read and study the Bible - but haven't. Register to attend any or all sessions at acparis.org/byob.

This Sunday

Scripture Reading
- Romans 12:1-3a (The Message)
- Hebrews 5:11-14
Docent Tour: 12h15 in the Sanctuary, meet near the pulpit for a guided tour of the history and architecture of the Sanctuary.
Fall LayCare Training: 12h15 in the Senior Pastor’s office. We continue with part two of our training on Hospital and Home Visitation by Pastor Rebecca Burrow. Open to all.
Artist’s Collective: First Sunday Conversation: 19 October 12h15-13h45 in the 2nd floor Library; First Creative Date: 8 November 11h-12h30 in the Senior Pastor’s Office. As a child of the great Creator, you are invited to explore your own creativity, whether that is in writing, sewing, painting, photography or some other medium. All creative types, novice to professional, are invited to join us one Sunday/month 12h15-13h45 in the 2nd floor Library for conversation (this Fall inspired by the book "The Artist's Way”); and one Saturday/month 11h-12h30 in the Senior Pastor’s Office, for a Creative Date (bring your art supplies) to work on your own art…in community! Sign up at acparis.org/groups.

Please Support the ACP

Save the Dates

Full list of weekly announcements here.

Family Halloween Party: 26 October 12h30 in the Thurber Room. A family friendly American-style Halloween party for all ages. Together, we’ll enjoy dressing up, eating snacks, making crafts, playing party games, and trick or treating in the church house. If you are available to pass out candy for trick or treating, or to help set up and decorate for the party, please contact Allison at childrensworship@acparis.org.

Eternal Youth Group: First gathering is Tuesday, 4 November 11h-12h30 in the Associate Pastor’s office on level -1. For those desiring meaningful conversation and community at the crossroads of life. Whether your crossroads is moving into retirement, a career or relationship transition, or simply a desire to be in deeper community, you are welcome. We meet every other Tuesday at 11h-12h30 in the Associate Pastor’s office on level -1. The first gathering is Tuesday, 4 November. Sign up at acparis.org/groups.

Young Professionals: Next meeting 6 November 19h30-21h, 2nd floor ACP Library. YoPros is a warm and welcoming fellowship for young professionals. Together, we navigate the intersection of faith, career, and life. We will discuss “Inspired” by Rachel Held Evans. Sign up at acparis.org/groups.

Christian Education Conversation - Woven Together through Inclusion featuring the ACP African Fellowship: 6 November 19h-20h45 at ACP and on Zoom. Nathaniel Akujuobi, GP Usino, and Professor. Emmanuel Igah will lead us in a conversation on “Africa: A Continent of Unity and Rich Diversity.” All are welcome to join! Sign up link coming soon.

Women’s Fellowship: 9 November 12h15-14h in the Thurber Room. All women are invited to join us for our participative discussions on a monthly-changing theme relating to everyday life and spirituality. Please bring snacks to share. For information and to sign up for the fall meetings, visit acparis.org/groups.

Your ACP Council is here for you! For any questions or concerns about ACP, please feel free to reach out to councilmoderator@acparis.org, the Council would love to hear from you.

ACP is searching for a new, permanent Director of Music Ministries! Our spring survey gave us your input on ACP’s music ministry, and we’ve received applications from across the globe. The search task force, led by Council members, is currently narrowing down the group of applicants. They hope to make a hire later this fall. Thanks for your prayers! Info at: acparis.org/dmm.

Previous Weeks' Sermons

In case you missed it, Sermon - 12 October 2025 - Striving for The Beloved Community, Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Holmes, Jr. Sermons are available at acparis.org/sermons. Other previous worship livestreams are available on YouTube.

ACP's services are available with subtitles in English and other languages, beginning on Tuesdays, on ACP’s YouTube channel youtube.com/c/TheAmericanChurchinParis. Click the CC button on the video to enable closed-captioning and translations.

Announcements & Opportunities to Serve

Full list of weekly announcements here.

In need of prayer? If you are in need of prayer, a lay caregiver is available in the chapel on Sundays to pray with you. If you would like members of the lay care ministry team, members of the prayer chain, and the pastoral team to uphold you in prayer, you may contact us at acparis.org/prayers.

Sandwich Ministry: Thursdays promptly at 17h. Our ACP sandwich ministry meets weekly to make sandwiches to help feed over 100 unhoused persons a week. All materials are provided. Join our listserv at acparis.org/sandwich.

Food Box: To serve our neighbors who seek help from our church, you are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for the box (located in reception). The food box is open to anyone in need of food and additional supplies go to Serve the City-Paris.

Christian Education volunteers: Do you enjoy coming to the various learning opportunities such as Bible studies and Thurber Conversations? Interested in helping with set-up, attendance, technical assistance, etc.? Please contact christianeducation@acparis.org.

Nursery volunteers: We need many new volunteers to welcome children (ages 0-2) in our nursery at both the 11h and 14h services! Without volunteers, we don’t have a nursery. If you would like to serve, contact Grace Archer at nursery@acparis.org.

Ushers and Greeters needed: It takes a team of volunteers to welcome our Sunday attendees with love, and help them feel connected and ready to worship together. Contact: welcoming@acparis.org.

Docent Team volunteers: Would you like to learn about the rich heritage of ACP and share it with our members, neighbors, and the wider Paris community? Docents give tours after the 11h service on the second Sunday of every month and make open-door visits of the sanctuary possible on most Thursday mornings. If you are interested, please contact docents@acparis.org.

Audio Visual Ministry volunteers: If you’d like to be a part of our worship tech and A/V team for both Sunday services, we welcome your help. Contact: avm@acparis.org.