Rector's Message: Saturday, 23 January 2021

Sunday, 24 January

Third Sunday after

the Feast of the Epiphnay

Included in today's update: The Rector's Message, Birthdays in the Week Ahead, Shrove- Sunday-To-Go, Rector's Lenten Bible Study, End of Year Pledge Statements, Liturgical Calendars, YOGA Resumes, Creative Angels Recipe, and Ongoing Updates

FROM THE RECTOR

Dear Friends:

Saturday, 23 January 2021

Dear Friends:

A parishioner passed along the following as something to ponder at this start of another year. I found it to be quite thought-provoking and inspirational, reminding me that it isn't necessary to do great things to change the world, just do small things in a great way.

THOUGHTS ON LIFE

I asked a friend who has crossed 70 & is heading towards 80 what sort of changes he is feeling in himself? He sent me the following:

1. After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children, and my friends, I have now started loving myself.

2. I have realized that I am not “Atlas”. The world does not rest on my shoulders.

3. I have stopped bargaining with vegetable & fruit vendors. A few pennies more is not going to break me, but it might help the poor fellow save for his daughter’s school fees.

4. I leave my waitress a big tip. The extra money might bring a smile to her face. She is toiling much harder for a living than I am.

5. I stopped telling the elderly that they've already narrated that story many times. The story makes them walk down memory lane & relive their past.

6. I have learned not to correct people even when I know they are wrong. The onus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Peace is more precious than perfection.

7. I give compliments freely & generously. Compliments are a mood enhancer not only for the recipient but also for me. And a small tip for the recipient of a compliment, never, NEVER turn it down, just say "Thank You.”

8. I have learned not to bother about a crease or a spot on my shirt. Personality speaks louder than appearances.

9. I walk away from people who don't value me. They might not know my worth, but I do.

10. I remain cool when someone plays dirty to outrun me in the rat race. I am not a rat & neither am I in any race.

11. I am learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. It’s my emotions that make me human.

12. I have learned that it's better to drop the ego than to break a relationship. My ego will keep me aloof, whereas, with relationships, I will never be alone.

13. I have learned to live each day as if it's the last. It might be the last.

14. I am doing what makes me happy. I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it to myself. Happiness is a choice. You can be happy at any time, just choose to be!

I decided to share this with all my friends. Why do we have to wait to be 60 or 70 or 80, why can't we practice this at any stage and age?

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.

• James Snyder

• Brooke Hallman

• Isabelle Ault

• Tessa Quarles

• Annaliese Meier

• Jessica McHugh

• Teddy Harrison

• Wes Champlin

• Charlie Kriebel

• Tim Beaver

• Helen Wilhelmy

• Carolyn Sangston

• Jayne Wicklund

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 (coming soon in our update!), or you can email Dave Reichley at dareichley@gmail.com or 267-664-2276 if you have trouble signing up! You can pay in advance 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!

Our Menu will be A La Carte:

· Pancakes (3 large pancakes, plain or chocolate chip, with single serve syrup) - $4

· Side of Fresh Fruit (freshly cut in a separate container) - $2

· Side of Sausage (2 cooked sausage patties) - $2

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.

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 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.

YOGA CLASSES RESUME

Now that the holidays are over, you might be feeling a bit sluggish; or perhaps you made a resolution to get in better shape; or maybe you’re just curious. Whatever the reason, you are invited to join in the weekly yoga sessions being offered by Diana Mulroy. The sessions are being offered in a virtual format, so it makes it easy and safe to participate. Classes are $10.00/session, and all proceeds benefit the outreach projects supported by Belfry Bargains. Sessions are Monday and Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm; and Thursday mornings, 9:30am. Diana notes: “If there is a different tine that might work better for you, email me and I’ll try to add it.” Contact Diana (dimulroy@yahoo.com; 267-481-6091) to register or for more information.

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.

PARISH ROOF REPLACEMENT APPEAL

In periods of heavy rain, quite a bit of water now enters the Parish Hall, even making its way into the basement rooms, damaging floors, walls and ceilings along the way. Inspection of the roof shows that spot repair is no longer possible; the entire roof now needs replacement. As any homeowner can attest, repairs like these rarely come as a total surprise, but never at an opportune time. And yet, the project demands that a way be found to accomplish it.

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!

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!

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.

From the Rector: I made this the other evening and Deb and I both thoroughly enjoyed it. The combination of colors, textures and tastes make for a very interesting and tasty meal that appeals to all the senses, especially welcome on a cold, gray winter evening.

WINTER CHICKEN BAKE

• 1 sweet potato

• ½ sweet onion, chopped

• 1 medium apple, cored and chopped

• 3 carrots, peeled and chopped

• 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

• 2 Tbsp. barbecue sauce

• 1 cup cranberries (fresh or dried)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease 9x9 baking dish.

2. Pierce sweet potato several times with a fork; cut in half. Place in a microwave-safe dish; pour water to about ½-inch deep. Cook in microwave on high for 10 minutes.

3. Arrange onion, apples and carrots in the bottom of the baking dish. Brush the BBQ sauce on both sides of the chicken breasts; lay atop the vegetables. Peel the sweet potato and cut into large chunks; scatter in the baking dish. Sprinkle the cranberries over the dish.

4. Bake for 45-55 minutes, until chicken is tender and no longer pink in center.

5. Allow to cool 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!