.png)
.png)
Rector's Message: Saturday, 16 October 2021
Updated: Oct 23, 2021
Sunday, 17 October
The Twenty-first Sunday After Pentecost
A Scripture Verse for the Week:
A Message from the Rector
Dear Friends:
Elsewhere in this week’s message you will find information announcing a new initiative here at Church of the Messiah: TRUNK OR TREAT, to be held on Friday evening, October 29th.
Jointly with SMG CLUBHOUSE, the new daycare operating out of the lower level of the Parish House, Messiah is sponsoring this new event for the community. Through several local social media outlets, flyers distributed at North Wales Days, invitations to the SMG Clubhouse and Church School families, and other channels, the local community is being invited to participate in the fun event for all pre-school and school-age children. Over the past several years, many churches and other organizations have begun to sponsor these events as safe alternatives to door-to-door trick or treating. This evening out for families provides an excellent, non-threatening way for the local community to be welcomed onto the Messiah campus, to learn that we are here, and open to them and their needs. If the Church is to flourish and thrive into the years to come, younger families are vital to its survival. This event and others like it are avenues to open conversation with our neighbors, learn about the residents of the surrounding community, and show them that we are a warm, inviting and welcoming Christian faith community, ready to embrace them into our parish family.
I cannot encourage you enough to come and be a part of this fun event! And it couldn’t be easier! Simply purchase some candy or other treats, throw a pumpkin or some other decorations into your trunk. Then plan to join us on the evening of the 29th as we welcome little ghosts and goblins, princesses and superheroes and their families to the Messiah parking lot for a good time! In addition to distributing candy treats for the little ones, there will be cider, hot chocolate and treats for all!
For more information or questions, call the church office or SMG Clubhouse. Then visit the church website to register your participation so we can be prepared to have you join us!
Keith
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.
Barb Krisan
Kelly Schneider
Barbara Kelly
Eileen Wallace
Lee Champlin
Judy Snyder
Kate Murphy
Dave Kriebel
Alyssa Evangelisto
Hunter Behm
Pam Schunke
Eric Wertz
Cyndi Smith
George Brackin
VISIT THE WEBSITE: Here you can find a video of the Sunday service as well as the bulletin and the sermon. https://www.messiahgwynedd.org/
VIEW THE CALENDAR
OFFICE HOURS
Monday through Friday 9:30 to 2:30
IN CASE OF A PASTORAL EMERGENCY AFTER HOURS
Should you have an urgent need to contact the Rector outside of Church Office hours, please use his cell phone: 215-692-2667.
Belfry is Bustling!
Belfry Bargains has been off to an amazing start this season. Thanks to the leadership of Ginny Oldt and Diana Mulroy and to all of the incredible hard working volunteers who are helping on a daily basis, the shop has been able to make over $5,000 just in September! If you have not already stopped in to shop, make a point to put it on your to-do list! There are tons of treasures still waiting to be found! And remember that all of Belfry's proceeds directly support a variety of charities!
Help for a Family in Need
Dave Reichley’s brother’s family suffered a devastating house fire in September, completely destroying their North Wales home and losing all their possessions. Thankfully, everyone escaped without injury. Mike and Deb George-Reichley and their six children, ages 13 years to 4 months, are now searching for temporary housing while dealing with insurance companies, making arrangements for rebuilding their home, and starting to rebuild their life.
HOW CAN YOU HELP? Here at Church of the Messiah, we are collecting cash donations and VISA gift cards which will be given to the George-Reichley family to use for groceries, clothing and other needs in the months ahead. PLEASE HELP! Monetary donations and/or gift cards should be placed in the collection box located in the narthex or given directly to the Rector (please make checks payable to ‘Rector’s Discretionary Fund’). As your gifts are received, they will be delivered to family for their use in these difficult times. Please be generous with your assistance.
FORWARD DAY-BY-DAY
The new edition of this popular daily devotional has arrived. This copy covers the period of November through January. Both regular and large print books are available. Copies are free and may be found in the narthex, or call the church office to have one mailed to you.
PARISH DINE AND DONATE AT BERTUCCIS
Click Here to Print a Flyer
We are happy to announce that we made $194.12 during last month's Dine and Donate event at Bertucci's!
November 14: Thanksgiving Meal Bags
Help families put a full meal on their table this Thanksgiving! Last year, we filled and delivered 25 bags to the Keystone Opportunity Center in Souderton for distribution to their client families. Each bag was filled with food items and a $25 supermarket gift card to complete the meal according to their preference for a turkey or another meat. This year, we are hoping to fill 30 bags! Please help us achieve our goal to feed our neighbors in need!
Make your donation payable to the “Rector’s Discretionary Fund”. Then join us in the Parish Hall after the 9:30am service on Sunday, November 14th, to pack the bags and load them into cars for delivery to the Center by the youth of the parish that afternoon.
News from SMG Clubhouse
Reminder: Make Sure Your Pledge Payments are up to Date
We encourage you to bring your pledge payment to the Sunday services, mail a check to the office or use Tithe.ly, our online giving platform. We thank you for your support and dedication to Church of the Messiah. Your pledge directly supports the operations of the church, and we are grateful for your gifts!
If you have any questions, please contract Sarah Patram (sarah@messiahgwynedd.org) or Sam Frenkel (sfrenkel516@gmail.com).
SAVE THE DATE!!
Sign up Here!
Many Hands Make Light Work:
Following his retirement as our sexton, Mike Linn and his family are relocating to Lock Haven. On SUNDAY AFTERNOON, 10/24, from 1:00-4:00pm, Mike will be getting ready to move, and we are appealing for your help in loading the U-Haul truck. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks to the wonders of modern technology and the hard work of several parishioners, we are able to offer a variety of ways to participate in Sunday services:
IN-PERSON – COVID precautions strictly observed
LIVE-STREAMED - the service will be broadcast on YouTube – follow the link posted on the church website (messiahgwynedd.org)
BY PHONE – for those without computer access, dial 609-663-5164 to listen to an audio-only option on your phone
WEBSITE – at the close of the service, a video will be posted to the parish website (messiahgwynedd.org) for viewing at a time convenient for you
Acolytes - not just for teens anymore!
Volunteers – of any age! – are needed to serve on the altar as acolytes. In addition to leading the choir and clergy in processions, acolytes assist the priest in preparing and clearing the altar for Communion. If you are interested in serving in this important ministry, contact Rich Dunlap: dunlap1824@verizon.net. Thank you!
Sunday Morning Nursery
Nursery volunteers are needed to care for with our youngest parishioners during the 9:30am service. Please contact Tiffany Reichley if you are willing to serve: 215-779-0391; tmreichley@gmail.com
Click Here to Sign Up
BLUE JEANS COLLECTION FOR THE HOMELESS
The deacons of the diocese are leading a blue jeans collection throughout the churches of the diocese. Blue jeans are durable and in need by those who are without shelter. The deacons are asking all churches - and you - to collect what you can so that they can be delivered to those across our community most in need. Collection bins are located in the narthex of the church. Please help us fill them!
Needed:
clean, gently worn jeans
those jeans in the back of you closet that you know you will never wear again
brand new jeans (please buy your own size to ensure a wide variety of sizes are collected)
SUPPORT FOR MANNA ON MAIN STREET
We Continue to Collect & Deliver Non-Perishable Items
As you do your weekly shopping, please pick up some non-perishable food items, toiletries and cleaning supplies. These donations can be left on the back pew of the church or left outside the Rector’s office door. These will then be delivered to Manna to stock their shelves for distribution to meet clients’ needs.
MEALS On Wheels Appeal
for Volunteers
Delivery Drivers and Kitchen Helpers
are desperately needed!
Delivery drivers are needed in both the North Penn and Indian Valley areas; kitchen prep and packers are needed in the Souderton facility. Deliveries are made Monday-Friday between 10:45-12:30. Volunteers are scheduled to deliver weekly or bi-weekly to fit your schedule. Substitute drivers are also needed. For more information, please contact Kim or Pat: 215-723-8555.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN!
The Rector’s Zoom Book Study & Discussion
GENESIS - The Opening Chapters: Origins & Foundations
Wednesday evenings – 7:00pm
First Session: October 6 – November 10, 2021
Second Session: January 12 – February 16, 2022
The first book of the Bible is a book of beginnings. The first eleven chapters of the Book of Genesis bring us back to our origins and the foundation of life itself: the creation stories; the Fall; the first murder; the ark and Great Flood; the first covenant; Tower of Babel; and dispersion of the nations. We learn how we were created and about the origins of sin and its fallout through meeting Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and his family. We find ourselves drawn into tales of deceit, jealousy and outright failure. And woven throughout these earliest stories are the golden threads of God’s promises and revelation.
Church School will continue to meet in person and virtually on Sunday mornings at 9:30 in the Parish Hall.
Following the CDC and diocesan guidelines, and for the safety of all:
all children, teachers and nursery volunteers will be strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering, regardless of vaccination status
seats will be spread out, when both sitting at a table or on the carpet
snacks and drinks will not be served
hand sanitizer will be available, as well as the restroom sink for hand washing
each child will be supplied with a bag of their own supplies to eliminate the need for sharing supplies
This Sunday the YOMS will meet in the Parish Hall at 5:30.
Last week the YOMS were able to cook and pack 30 meals for Caring for Friends.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THIS YEAR'S CALENDAR OF MEETINGS AND EVENTS
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.
This beautiful fall weather is glorious! I always feel energized by the slight chill in the air. I also begin searching through my cool weather recipes at this time. One of my favorites is this easy and very tasty Beef Stroganoff. I serve it with a crunchy side salad. It brings many compliments!
Enjoy!
Barbara
Beef Stroganoff
1 1/2 lbs round steak, diced
1/4 cup all purpose flour
Pepper to taste
1/2 cup butter
4 oz can sliced mushrooms, drained
1/2 cup onion, chopped
Small amount of diced garlic
10 1/2 oz can beef broth
10 3/4 oz can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
6 oz medium egg noodles
Dredge steak in flour. Sprinkle with pepper. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add steak and brown on both sides. Add mushrooms, onions and garlic; sauté until tender. Stir in broth and reduce heat; cover and simmer one hour. Blend in soup and sour cream; simmer five more minutes. Do not boil. Spoon over warm noodles to serve.
4 servings.
