.png)
.png)
Rector's Message: Saturday, 06 February 2021
Sunday, 07 February
Fifth Sunday after
the Feast of the Epiphany
Included in today's update: The Rector's Message, Birthdays in the Week Ahead, Work beginning on the Parish Roof, Ash Wednesday, Shrove- Sunday-To-Go, Rector's Lenten Bible Study, Creative Angels Recipe, and Ongoing Updates
FROM THE RECTOR
Saturday,6 February 2021
Dear Friends:
I know we're all becoming COVID-weary,
but don't forget the 3 W's:
Wear a mask.
Watch your distance.
Wash you hands.
May your week ahead be filled with health, happiness and hope!
Blessings! Peace! Grace! And Love!
- Keith
BIRTHDAYS IN THE WEEK AHEAD
O God, our times are in your hands: Look with favor, we pray, on these your servants as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Byard Brogan
Sue Costella
Doug Shank
Marie Kramer
ASH WEDNESDAY: February 17th
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the Church's 40-day liturgical season that precedes Easter Day. Due to the continuing pandemic, this year's service must be virtual and "ash-less". Ashes are not mandatory for the commemoration of the day, always optional, and in their place you will be invited to mark the sign of the cross on your forehead, retracing the action first made by the priest at your baptism, sealing you with the Holy Spirit and marking you as "one of Christ's own forever." The service bulletin, along with the service video, will be posted on the parish website: www.messiahgwynedd.org.
YOUTH SPONSOR SHROVE-SUNDAY-TO-GO
As with most things lately, Shrove Sunday will be a little different at Messiah this year. We always look forward to having our parish come together for a meal on the last Sunday before the Lenten Season. This year we will be having a Shrove-Sunday-To-Go event on Sunday, February 14th!
Order ahead via our Sign-Up Genius link (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F044DAFAB2BA31-shrove3);
or you can phone or email Dave Reichley directly (dareichley@gmail.com; 267-664-2276) if you have trouble signing up! You can even pay in advance (https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/2366786)
or when you pick up your order. Our pick-up day will be on Sunday, February 14th from 10:30am until 12:30pm. Just pull up to the first Parish Hall doors, give us your name, and we will bring your order to your car! PLEASE PLACE YOUR ORDER NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12th, so adequate supplies can be purchased and preparations made.
Our Menu will have two options:
A LA CARTE
· Pancakes (3 large pancakes, plain or chocolate chip, with single serve syrup) - $3
· Side of Fresh Fruit (freshly cut in a separate container) - $2
· Side of Sausage (2 cooked sausage patties) - $1
FAMILY MEAL
10 pancakes plus syrup, large order of fruit, and 6 sausages - $15
Proceeds from the event will benefit Tree for Hope Girls School, located just outside Antigua, Guatemala. Youth and adults from Messiah have been involved in mission work in Guatemala on a number of occasions. Last January, we were introduced to this education mission, while visiting and worshipping with our companion parish, St. Alban’s Mission in Antigua. Tree for Hope, a new ministry sponsored through the Lutheran Church, provides quality education for girls and young women, many of whom would not receive an education were it not for scholarships.
We hope that you will join in with us in celebrating Shrove Sunday this year! Although we will miss sitting down for a meal with good company, we hope to join together in spirit as we enjoy a Messiah tradition at home.
RECTOR'S LENTEN BIBLE STUDY
The Gospel of Mark
Mark’s Gospel is the shortest of the four Gospels and known for its quick pace. Most scholars consider it to be the earliest written. In this liturgical year we have just entered, most of our Sunday Gospel readings will be drawn from Mark. Join the Rector as we take an in-depth look at this perspective on Jesus’ life, teaching, healing, suffering, death, and resurrection.
Many people find that engaging in Bible study provides a good Lenten discipline and prepares them to receive the joy of Easter more fully. The six-week course will meet on six consecutive Wednesday evenings via ZOOM, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. (Dates: Feb 24th, March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st.) Our textbook will be the Gospel of Mark; a copy will be provided to ensure that we are all reading the same translation, so no cost is involved. Each week, prior to our meeting, you will receive a short series of reflection questions, along with your ZOOM invitation.
Joining the class is easy!
Contact the Rector at rector@messiahgwynedd.org, or 215-699-9204.
SAVE THE DATE:
Sunday, February 28th
Join us at 10;30 on that Sunday morning as we honor Sue Phillips on her retirement and offer thank her for her 19 years of dedicated service and ministry as Messiah's Parish Administrator. In order to maintain COVID protocols, the vestry is planning a "drive-through" celebration, so start planning how you want to decorate your car, make signs, etc. Watch this space for more details and reminders . . .
WORK HAS BEGUN!
The work to replace the roof on the Parish Hall with a standing seam metal roof begin this past week. Cost for the project totals $125,000.00. Following advice from the investment committee, the vestry has unanimously endorsed a financial plan consisting of:
withdrawing $40,000.00 from the endowment;
a $50,000.00 loan from the diocese at only 2% interest for 5 years;
and an appeal to fund the remaining $35,00.00 from members of the congregation. Presently, we have raised $63,765.20 toward this goal! THANK YOU!! Funds raised above the stated $35K goal will ease the needs imposed by the endowment withdrawal and diocesan loan.
We are asking you and your household to prayerfully consider a financial donation to meet this important need. Work will begin soon, before any further damage is done to the interior spaces of the building.
If making a donation by check: Please make check payable to: Church of the Messiah; include Roof Replacement on memo line of your check.
You can also make your donation electronically using TitheLy: Go to the church website: messiahgwynedd.org; click the DONATE button; in the “TO” field, scroll down and choose: Roof Replacement.
If you are unable to make a donation at the current time, but wish to make a pledge for future giving, please complete and return the form enclosed in the parish mailing or notify the Church Office (rector@messiahgwynedd.org).
Thank you for whatever assistance you can give toward this important parish project!
END OF YEAR PLEDGE STATEMENTS
Due to the delays with the US Postal Service, we are still receiving mail posted before the end of the year. Therefore, in order to ensure that all 2020 pledges and donations are properly accounted for, the Rector has instructed the bookkeeper to delay the distribution of the final financial statements until February 15th. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
2021 OFFERING ENVELOPES AVAILABLE FOR PICKUP
If you currently use weekly offering envelopes for your pledge, you will again receive envelopes for the coming year. Envelopes are now available for pickup, located on a table in the hallway outside the Rector’s office. Questions: please contact the bookkeeper Sarah Patram sarah@messiahgwynedd.org; or the church office. Thanks!
2021 LITURGICAL CALENDARS ARE HERE
As they have done for the past several years, William R. May Funeral Home, located on Main Street in North Wales, has provided the parish with liturgical calendars. These calendars feature the liturgical colors of the various church seasons, note Holy Days and Saints’ Days, and the readings assigned for each Sunday. The calendars are free and are available in the church office.
"THANK YOU" FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS
FROM LAUREL HOUSE
As part of Messiah's annual Christmas Outreach project, many parishioners provided gifts and gift cards for families served by Laurel House, located in Norristown. The following letter was received in response:
Dear Friends:
Due to the ongoing public health crisis, we at Laurel House know this past year has been very different and, at times, challenging for all of us, especially those who are affected by domestic violence. Due to COVID-19, the number of families we served in the Adopt-a-Family Program, this past holiday season, increased by 33% compared to last year's number. This dramatic increase required more resources and more donors to support these families during an extremely difficult time.
We asked you to support the families in need in our community, and you did! Thank you so much for adopting Family #204 and #206. Please know that your donation of various gift cards and toys were greatly appreciated by these families.
At Laurel House, we believe that our community has the power to give and make a difference for survivors of domestic violence. The support of generous donors like you make it possible for the staff and volunteers of Laurel House to continue to help our clients meet the many challenges they face every day, especially during these challenging times.
Thank you!
Andrea Devenney
Executive Assistant, Laurel House
ON THE WEBSITE
Check the website each weekend for the video of the Sunday service. And make it interactive by checking out the service bulletin with all the responses, lessons, and weekly updates and information. A copy of the Sunday sermon is also available.
CREATIVE ANGELS
NOTE: Barbara Stevenson continues to need recipes and craft ideas to pass along to the parish through the weekly email messages. You can send your submissions to Barbara at bebstevenson@yahoo.com.
Lots of snow and brisk temperatures! We certainly have experienced the chill of winter this week! What’s better than a nice warm cup of coffee or tea with a delicious piece of cake to have while sitting back and enjoying the gorgeous winter scenery? This cake will fill the bill!!!!
P.S. How about making a Love Cake to share with someone special on Valentine’s Day?
Sicilian Love Cake
1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients needed to prepare)
Canola oil for preparing the pan
28 oz ricotta cheese (3 1/2 cups)
4 oz mascarpone ( 1/2 cup)
3 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon Kosher salt
Frosting
10 oz mascarpone (1 1/4 cup)
1 cup whole milk
1 3.9 oz box instant chocolate pudding mix
1 Tablespoon sugar
Preheat oven according to cake mix directions. Coat a 9 x 13 inch pan with canola oil. Prepare cake mix. Pour into prepared pan. Set aside. Combine ricotta, mascarpone, eggs, sugar and salt in the bowl of a stand mixture and whisk until smooth. Gently pour the filling onto the cake batter, covering it totally. Bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 40 minutes. The chocolate will rise to the top. Remove from oven and let cool completely. Just before serving, blend together mascarpone, milk, chocolate pudding and sugar in the mixer until smooth. Spread frosting over cake and serve. Enjoy!
