ACP This Week - 26 March 2025

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ACP This Week

Hello ACP Family,

Please view this video message from Pastor Paul reflecting on shalom, meaning peace, rest, and wholeness restoration. So when we say "the peace of Christ be with you," we are saying, "shalom," may God's shalom be with you, be within me, be within all of us. That's our desire during this Lenten season that we grow in that understanding of God's deep desire for each one of us, but also for creation and how we can be a part of expanding shalom between us and others, between ourselves and creation and the world.

Pastor Paul also reminds us of a few things happening at ACP in the coming week (details below):

Combined Worship Service this Sunday at 11h. One service only; no service at 14h.
Annual Congregational Meeting: Sunday following Combined Worship Service.
Uncovering Mary Magdalene: This evening (Wednesday) 20h30 in Pastor Paul’s office and on Zoom.
Conversation on Making Gratitude a Focal Point in Our Lives, presented by Rev. Dr. Grace Park: Tomorrow (Thursday) 19h30-21h in the Theater and via Zoom.
Atelier Nouveau, Festival Oboe with Orchestra Anima: 30 March 17h30.
Easter Bouquet Order: Order today at acparis.org/bouquets.
Change to Summer Time (set your clocks ahead 1 hour) on Saturday night / Sunday morning.

This evening (Wednesday)

Uncovering Mary Magdalene: Wednesdays 26 March, 2 and 9 April 19h-20h30 Pastor Paul’s office and on Zoom. In this three week study taught by Stacey Perkins Rock, we will be exploring Gospel stories associated with Mary Magdalene, examine ancient art and ancient narrative that depicted her. We will seek a new understanding of Mary Magdalene grounded in recent Biblical scholarship. Register at acparis.org/signups.

Tomorrow (Thursday)

Conversation on Making Gratitude a Focal Point in Our Lives, presented by Rev. Dr. Grace Park: Thursday 27 March 19h30-21h in the Theater and via Zoom. In-person attendees are invited to come at 19h for some light snacks and fellowship. Register at acparis.org/signups.

This Sunday

Combined Worship Service: 11h, one service only.

Change to Summer Time (set your clocks ahead 1 hour) on Saturday night / Sunday morning.

Scripture Readings
- Psalm 85:4-13
- Colossians 1:15-20

Annual Congregational Meeting: following our Combined Worship Service at 11h (no 14h worship, no Zoom option for the meeting). The Council of the American Church in Paris requests the presence of all voting members – and welcomes all congregants. We will:

receive the 2024 Ministry Reports from the Council, Pastors and Staff (available here: acparis.org/meeting-docs),
present the 2024 preliminary financial results and vote on allocation to reserves, and
vote to approve the 2025 budget.

Nursery care provided for infants 2 and under, childcare will be provided for children ages 3 to 10, and Youth Group available for youth ages 11-18. Parents should plan to pack a lunch for their child/children. Please plan to attend this meeting, but if you cannot be present, make sure your vote counts by completing the electronic proxy at acparis.org/proxy. We kindly request that you submit your electronic proxy by Saturday 29 March in order to save time at the Meeting.

Atelier Nouveau: 17h30. Festival Oboe with Orchestra Anima, directed by Gena Liévano. Free entry with donation opportunity.

Please Support the ACP

Easter Bouquet Order: We invite you to participate in our Easter celebrations by providing an Easter Bouquet to decorate the sanctuary chancel, and make a special dedication in honor or memory of a loved one in our Easter worship bulletins. The suggested donation is 27€ per bouquet. Order today at acparis.org/bouquets. Last day to order: 13 April.

First Sunday Food Drive: 6 April. Every first Sunday, as we experience the abundant feast of Christ’s last supper, you are invited to bring non-perishable food items for our blessing box in Reception. We will have collection boxes in the sanctuary and narthex. Items requested are: canned ready-to-eat foods with pop-tops, instant ramen packets, bags of nuts, protein bars, individually wrapped cakes or granola bars, instant coffee or tea bags (mint, green or breakfast varieties).

Eternal Youth Group: 1 & 15 April 11h-12h30 in the Associate Pastor’s office on level -1. Join this new ACP fellowship group for adults who are interested in 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. For more information and to register, see acparis.org/eyg.

Look up “Beloved” on your favorite streaming platform - a set of songs created by our own ACP musicians the ACP Creatives. For some beautiful, inspiring music for you this lent.

Call for CE 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.

Call for teachers and hobbyists to give one-off or continuing Zoom lessons to girls sheltered at one of ACP’s missions: Hope for Women and Girls Tanzania. This is one concrete way we can help out and keep in touch with the girls at the safe houses. Perhaps you can give an informal lesson or two in English as a Second Language, lead songs, teach knitting, or share the latest fashion trends for knitwear and jewelry? Contact Rose at hwgt@acparis.org by 31 March preferred.

Call for 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.

Previous Weeks' Sermons

In case you missed it, Sermon - 23 March 2025 - Storms and Foundations. 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

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.

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 Oshi Peiris at nursery@acparis.org.

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 at acparis.org/sandwich.

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

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. Join the team at acparis.org/welcome-ushering.

Join the Adult Choir! All voices are welcome as we lead music every Sunday at 11h with traditional anthems, spirituals, gospel, world music, and more! Regular rehearsals are on Wednesdays 19h30-20h45h in the Theater and Sundays 9h45-10h30. Contact Natalie McConnell at cmusic@acparis.org.

Join the Bell Choir! Rehearsals are on Thursdays 19h-20h30 in the Theater. Director: Mathilde Duriez; Contact Natalie McConnell at cmusic@acparis.org.

Audio Visual Ministry: 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: cmusic@acparis.org.