Rector's Message: Saturday, 19 June 2021

Sunday, 20 June

The Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

Included in today's update: A Message from the Rector, Internment of Ashes for Helen Vanderslice, Birthdays in the Week Ahead, YOM Mission Trip, Virtual VBS, Creative Angels Recipe, and Ongoing Updates

FROM THE RECTOR

Saturday,19 June 2021

Dear Friends:

Each week, Hannah scours the hymnal to find hymns that enhance the lessons for the day or reflect the themes of the liturgical season. This week, she has found a hymn that is unfamiliar to me and one which I don't ever recall singing before. It is particularly suited to the day, seeing as we are celebrating Father's Day tomorrow. Reading through the lyrics, I was touched by the sentiments expressed and thought you might want to reflect on the words written by F. Bland Tucker.

Our Father,

by whose Name all fatherhood is known,

who dost in love proclaim each family thine own,

bless thou all parents, guarding well,

with constant love as sentinel,

the homes in which thy people dwell.

O Christ,

thyself a child within an earthly home,

with heart still undefiled, thou didst to manhood come;

our children bless, in every place,

that they may all behold thy face,

and knowing thee may grow in grace.

O Spirit,

who dost bind our hearts in unity,

who teachest us to find the love from self set free,

in all our hearts such love increase,

that every home, by this release,

may be the dwelling place of peace.

Happy Father's Day!

May your summer days be filled with joy, health, and hope!

Blessings! Peace! Grace! And Love!

- Keith

INTERMENT OF ASHES

The family of HELEN VANDERSLICE invites you to join them in the Messiah Cemetery on Saturday, June 26th, for the interment of Helen's ashes. Visitation in the narthex begins at 11:30am; interment will take place at 12:15pm. May she rest in peace, and rise in glory!

Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord;

and let light perpetual shine upon her.

May Helen’s soul and the souls of all the departed,

through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

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.

• Sarah Patram

• Wil Gruszecki

• Frank Vaccaro

• Hank Bowen

• Annette Bruno

• Bennett Eudy

• Rich Dunlap

• Ryan Kramer

• Akie Krail

THIS WEEK!!!

2021 YOM MISSION TRIP: Local Ministry Week

We are excited to announce our Summer 2021 Mission Trip! This year our week of service will look a bit different. Our group will be working together for several consecutive weekdays during the week of June 21-25. We are coordinating with several different organizations and outreach programs in Philadelphia and Montgomery County, and our group will be volunteering at different locations each day. During a typical year we would be traveling out of state or out of the country, and we would usually be sharing some tight living arrangements with groups from other states. Although we are not travelling far this year, we recognize that there are many needs within our own community and those surrounding us nearby. This past year has brought a lot of challenges, not just financially but also emotionally and spiritually. We hope that throughout this week of service our ministry group can bring healing, love and hope to the people in our communities.

• Dates: Monday, June 21st - Friday, June 25th

• Where are we working: Mitzvah Circle, Belfry Bargains, Aim High Yoga, Judith Creed Horizons for Achieving Independence, Keystone Opportunity Center - and our special surprise fun day on Friday!!!

• Who Can Go: Any Youth entering 7th - 12th grade who are currently in our YOM program or will be entering into the YOM program in the coming year. If any youth have friends who are interested in this great experience, we are always open to allowing our ministry to grow!

• How Much Will The Trip Cost: The total amount for our week of service will be $100. This will help cover our costs for transportation, materials for some of our volunteer sites, evening meals, and our Friday activities. Some of the expenses are already being covered by our youth fund.

• How To Sign Up: Please fill out a Mission Trip Sign Up form and turn it in along with $100 to reserve your space! If you have any friends who may be interested, please have them contact us so that we may provide information on the trip and answer any questions.

We hope you decide to join us for this unique ministry opportunity!

If you have any questions about signing up or our trip in general,

please contact Dave Reichley at:

dareichley@gmail.com or 267-664-2276

VIRTUAL VBS 2021

JUNE 28 - JULY 1

Repeating the success of last year's VBS-in-a-Box, this year’s VBS program will again be fully virtual. We felt it was the best way to meet every family’s schedule and safety concerns. Our program this year is titled:

TREASURED - discovering you're priceless to God

• All digital material will be available beginning June 28 via the church website

• https://www.messiahgwynedd.org/

• All other materials will be available for pick up/delivery beginning June 24

Please email tmreichley@gmail.com if you are not able to pick up a box, and we will make sure you get one!

AND YOU CAN SPONSOR A TREASURE HUNTER!!

This year’s Vacation Bible School program is TREASURED: DISCOVERING YOU’RE PRICELESS TO GOD, and we are looking for people to sponsor a young treasure hunter for the week. For only $30 you can cover the cost for a VBS camper to receive all of the supplies for a week of VBS! Checks should be made payable to ‘Church of the Messiah’; clearly note ‘VBS’ in the memo line. VBS will begin the week of June 28. Thank you in advance for your support!

MULTIPLE WAYS TO JOIN US FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP

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

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.

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.

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.

On these rainy days, I’m always trying to figure out what would be good for dinner. My family has always loved comfort food on those days. This recipe not only fits the bill but also makes the kitchen smell so good! Enjoy!

Barbara

Real Sloppy Joes

• Canola oil, 1 Tablespoon

• Yellow onion, 1 diced

• Celery, 1 stalk diced

• Green bell pepper, 1/4 cup finely diced

• Ground beef, 1 1/2 pounds

• Tomato sauce, 1 cup

• Chili sauce, 1/2 cup

• Worcestershire sauce, 1 Tablespoon

• Dijon mustard, 1 Tablespoon

• Cider vinegar, 1 Tablespoon

• Light brown sugar, 1 Tablespoon firmly packed

• Kosher salt, 1 teaspoon

• Freshly ground black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon

• Sandwich buns, 6 split

In a large flying pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, celery and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens, about 5 minutes. Add the beef and increase the heat to medium high. Cook, stirring and breaking up the beef with a wooden spoon, until it’s no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup of water, the tomato sauce, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring frequently, for about 20 minutes to blend the flavors. Toast the buns place the bottom half of the buns, cut side up, on warmed individual plates and top with the beef mixture, dividing it equally. Cover with bun tops and serve.