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  2747 Fairmount Boulevard, Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44106  ·   (216) 932-5815  ·       Giving

St. Paul's Cleveland Heights
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What does it mean to serve?

It’s impossible to perfectly describe St. Paul’s in just four words. But our new identity statement comes very close: ‘Seeking. Serving. Loving. Together.’

This succinct statement captures the essence of the St. Paul’s community. And we can trust it will resonate with potential newcomers, inviting them to discover what we have found. The universal appeal of these four words is part of their beauty. It also means we’re not alone in claiming them. Royal Caribbean, Triple-A and McDonald’s – to name just a few – also highlight seeking, serving, and loving as core to their identity. Undoubtedly, our interpretation of these concepts will find little in common with a cruise line or a fast-food restaurant. But if an outsider asked us to articulate our interpretation, what would our answer be? If asked to paint a picture of what these concepts mean to us, what would that picture look like?
In our Sunday Forums, we’ve begun the important work of bringing these concepts into sharper relief. We’re looking carefully at each of them through the tried-and-true lenses of Scripture, Tradition and Reason. In the first few weeks of our Forums, we had rich and lively discussions about what ‘seeking’ means to us, and we’ve recently turned our sights to ‘serving.’
The ancient words of scripture help to clarify our unique understanding of ‘serving.’ In John’s Gospel, on the night before his death, Jesus offers a powerful image for the vocation of Christian service. In an act that confounds his disciples, Jesus - their Teacher and Lord - kneels before the disciples and, one by one, washes their feet. And Jesus follows this concrete act of humble service with concrete instructions: “I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” By relinquishing his power and authority to perform an act of menial service, Jesus reveals just one paradox of many that defines his kingdom: namely, that power is displayed in weakness and strength is revealed humility. Jesus’ posture, which so powerfully embodies this paradox, is the posture we seek to emulate as we serve.
Last week, I joined a group of about a dozen parishioners to take a meal to 2100 Lakeside, the men’s homeless shelter. Before we left the church, we prayed together in the parking lot. In our prayer, we recalled the parable Jesus tells in the 25th chapter of Matthew. The moral of this parable is that when we give food to one who is hungry, we are feeding Jesus himself. “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40). With these words, Jesus claims solidarity with the poor and marginalized. In our baptism, we promise to “serve Christ in all persons.” This promise commits us to service that will take us to the margins – places like the homeless shelter – where by feeding those who are hungry, we are feeding Christ himself.
Living into our identity as a community that serves is one of the joys of life at St. Paul’s. As we do, we should keep Jesus’ example at the forefront of our minds. In the months to come, hundreds of Afghan refugees who have fled war and persecution will arrive in the Cleveland area. How might we kneel before them and wash their feet? If we answer this question with humble acts of service, we might just paint a picture that speaks for itself.

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2747 Fairmount Blvd
Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44106
(216) 932-5815
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Service Times

Summer Worship Schedule

From June 12 to September 11

7:45 a.m. | Holy Eucharist, St. Martin's Chapel

9 a.m. | Holy Eucharist, Fairmount Lawn (ASL Interpreted)

10:30 a.m. | Holy Eucharist, Nave LIVESTREAM

Bluegrass Holy Eucharist

June 26, July 17, August 7, September 4, 9 a.m.

Wednesday Holy Eucharist

6 p.m. – St. Martin’s Chapel

An intimate weekday service often observing the Lesser Feasts of the day.

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St. Paul's Cleveland Heights
2747 Fairmount Boulevard
Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44106

Contact Us
(216) 932-5815

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Welcome Where to Start What to Expect Opportunities for Children COVID-19 Protocols

Hello and welcome, We’re so glad you are considering our community as your new church home. We are a dynamic, diverse, and open community of people who come together to seek and know God; care for and enjoy one another; and serve others, locally and around the world. Through worship, pastoral care, formation, outreach, and fellowship, we strive to live lives of faith with and for one another. Whether you are a life-long Episcopalian, coming from another faith background, or newly exploring your spirituality, you are most welcome here! Take a look at our website. And please be sure to fill out our Welcome Card and reach out with questions. We look forward to getting to know you!

The Rev. Jeanne Leinbach

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Upon entering the church on Sunday morning, you will be greeted by parishioners who can direct you to worship services, Sunday school classes, childcare, or other areas.


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The principal Sunday worship service is the Holy Eucharist.

The Book of Common Prayer guides our liturgical services. Our varied service schedule provides opportunities to worship in diverse ways, from traditional to more contemporary. There is worship bulletin that will assist you through the service.

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Childcare is offered on Sunday mornings for children ages infant through Pre-K from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Our paid staff is trained in health and safety, and silent pagers are made available to parents of infants and toddlers. Please ask a greeter or usher for directions to the childcare rooms.

Sunday morning Christian Formation classes for children and youth meet most Sundays from 10 to 11 a.m. from September through May.

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We rejoice that we can lift some of our restrictions and resume gathering in the ways we've longed to do. Read the full update using the button below.

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If you have any questions about giving to St. Paul's, please contact:

Pam O’Halloran, Director of Operations
Saint Paul’s is a 501(c)(3) not for profit religious organization.

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