Rector's Message: Saturday, 24 July 2021

Sunday, 25 July

The Ninth Sunday After Pentecost

Included in today's update: A Message from the Rector, Scripture Verse for the week, Birthdays in the Week Ahead, Successful Summer Food Bag Packing Event, Volunteers Needed for Tea on the Terrace and Altar Flowers Guild, Thanksgiving for Twins, Openings still available for Rector's Pilgrimage to Oberammergau Passion Play, Update on the daycare/preschool/education center, Job opportunities at SMG Clubhouse, Creative Angels Recipe, and Ongoing Updates

FROM THE RECTOR

Saturday, 24 July 2021

Wildfires burning hundreds of thousands of acres throughout our nation's western states. Floods in Germany and other locations around the world that have taken the lives of hundreds, wreaking havoc and producing damage in the billions of dollars. Glaciers and icecaps melting and disappearing at alarming rates. Sea levels rising and warming ocean temperatures that result in more frequent and violent hurricanes.

Almighty God,

in giving us dominion over things on earth,

you made us fellow workers in your creation:

Give us wisdom and reverence

so to use the resources of nature,

that no one may suffer from our abuse of them,

and that generations yet to come

may continue to praise you for your bounty;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

May our fervent prayers spur us to creative solutions and urgent actions . . . if not for ourselves, then for our children and grandchildren and the generations to follow us.

Best wishes and blessings to you and your family as the summer proceeds!

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

Blessings! Peace! Grace! And Love!

- Keith

SCRIPTURE VERSE FOR THE WEEK

Each week, from the lessons and psalm assigned within the lectionary, I select a verse or two that I hope you will find inspirational and helpful in the days ahead. This week's selected verses come from Ephesians 3:14-17.

I bow my knees before the Father,

from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.

I pray that, according to the riches of his glory,

he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being

with power through his Spirit,

and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith,

as you are being rooted and grounded in love.

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.

• Marv Walters

• Marianne Standbridge

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO TOOK PART IN

KIDS SUMMER FOOD BAG PACKING EVENT

Thank you to everyone who participated in any way to make the Keystone Opportunity Center’s Kids Summer Food Bag Program such a success! Whether you contributed funds to purchase food, did some shopping for food items, or helped pack the bags: THANK YOU! Through your generosity and efforts, thirty six large shopping bags were filled with Cheerios, peanut butter and jelly, Spaghetti-O's, macaroni and cheese, applesauce and fruit cups, granola and breakfast bars, microwave popcorn, and juice boxes, along with a Frisbee, a jump rope and bubbles. These snacks and easily prepared meals will be distributed to children who normally receive food assistance throughout the school year.

THANKSGIVING FOR TWINS!

Thea (Kriebel) and Lenny Uskuraitis welcomed twins - Evelyn Grace and Finley Dean - on July 10th. Evelyn and Finley are the first grandchildren for Sue and Dave Kreibel; and the first great-grandchildren for Lynn and Dave Kreibel Sr. Congratulations and blessings to the entire family!

Almighty God, heavenly Father,

you have blessed us with the joy and care of children:

Give us calm strength and patient wisdom as we bring them up,

that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good,

following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED . . .

TEA ON THE TERRACE

Do you enjoy the time of fellowship and light refreshments following the Sunday service? Please help us continue this tradition! Volunteer to help with hosting a summer Sunday! Sign-up sheet located in the narthex.

ALTAR FLOWERS GUILD

Each Sunday, the altar is graced with flowers dedicated to the glory of God, as well as the memory of a loved one or given in thanksgiving by members of the congregation. For the past several years, these weekly arrangements have been lovingly done by Nancy Sisson and Deb Casey, with occasional help from Dale Murphy and Kristin Pickell. Sadly, Deb will soon be relocating to the Delaware beach area - a bit too far to commute for flower arranging! We are now looking for volunteers to assist in this important ministry by taking responsibility of providing floral arrangements for a few weeks each year. If you have experience in this area, or are interested in learning, please contact Nancy Sisson for more information (215-285-0331; nlasisson@gmail.com). Your help

OPENINGS STILL AVAILABLE!!!!

RECTOR’S PILGRIMAGE

TO OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY

& EUROPE’S IMPERIAL CITIES

a cultural & spiritual experience of a lifetime

September 10-21, 2022

more info: see flyer & narthex display

The original performance of the world-renowned Oberammergau Passion Play dates back almost four centuries to the year 1634. During the Thirty-Year War, the small Bavarian village of Oberammergau was spared the ravages of the Black Plague. In thanksgiving, the residents vowed that every ten years they would reenact the last days of Christ in a magnificent passion play. All of the performers of this once-each-decade event are required to be native to the village, from babes in arms to village elders. To be chosen for the various roles is a great honor, and to lend authenticity to the performance, the cast starts to grow their hair and beards more than a year in advance. In addition to visiting the charming Oberammergau village and attending the Passion Play (Category 1 tickets and seating), we will visit a trio of Europe’s most beautiful cities: Budapest, Vienna and Prague; as well as the fairy-tale town of Cesky Krumlov and other sites and experiences throughout the region. And our final night, in Munich, coincides with the opening of Oktoberfest! Reservations are now being accepted for the limited spots available.

From the Rector: “Having escorted a group to the Passion Play in the year 2000, Deb and I can assure you that it is an experience you will never forget, will inform your understanding of Our Lord’s Passion, and deepen your faith!”

UPDATE ON THE NEW DAYCARE/PRESCHOOL/EDUCATION CENTER:

SMG CLUBHOUSE

The deep cleaning has been accomplished! All the spaces have been painted! The new flooring has been laid! We are waiting for the baseboards to arrive for installation! And the tables, chairs, cribs, toys and other furnishings and supplies have started to arrive! The lease has been approved by the diocese and signed by both parties! The credentialing applications have all been filed and are waiting for approval!

SMG Clubhouse at Church of the Messiah

is well on its way to becoming a reality!

Be sure to be here on Sunday, September 12th, for the open house and tour of the newly renovated spaces, and an opportunity to meet the Day Care Director and staff.

If you, or someone you know, is in need of day care (3 months to 5 years) and wants to know more about SMG Clubhouse and enrollment opportunities, contact the Director, Syieda Logan, at 215-999-3811 or www.smgclubhouse.com for information.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES - SMG CLUBHOUSE

We are seeking adults that would be responsible for supervising, nurturing, and caring for children ages 3 months to 5 years old, school age children in our before- and after-school program and children utilizing our drop-in childcare option. Staff are responsible for welcoming children & families each day, providing meals, developing crafts and activities, changing diapers, assisting with toileting, and ensuring children behave well when in contact with others.

Primary responsibilities include, but aren't limited to...

• Nurture and care for children

• Supervise older children before and after school.

• Provide nutritious meals.

• Take temperatures and record 3 x's per day.

• Wipe hands and mouth before and after meals.

• Perform good hand-washing techniques for disease and infection control.

• Organize activities and implement curricula that stimulate children's physical, emotional, intellectual, and social growth.

• Prepare bottles/ cups and change diapers.

• Ensure children have adequate supplies from home, such as diaper cream and diapers.

• Provide for a child's basic needs.

• Comfort children when they are crying.

• Determine cause of distress.

• Post updates to parents each day through the use of a parent engagement app.

• Participate in a minimum two evening parent teacher conferences per year to discuss a child's progress & needs.

• Become familiar with a child's IEP and accommodations.

• Make suggestions for things parents can work on at home.

• Recruit parent volunteers to work with the children and participate in administrative decisions and program planning.

• Prepare daily and long-term schedules of activities.

• Supervise children while they are playing outside.

• Supervise children while on field trips.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Substitute Teachers, Cook

Pay: $12.00 - $13.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount

• Professional development assistance

Please contact Syieda Logan - 215-999-3811

Resumes can be emailed: smgclubhouse@gmail.com

PARISH OFFICE HOURS & CLOSINGS

The Parish Office will be closed on Thursdays for the remaining of the summer - August 5, 12, 19, 26; September 2 - in order for the Rector to take some vacation days. Hours on Monday through Wednesday are 9:00am-1:00pm.

Beginning after Labor Day, office hours will expand to Monday through Friday, 9:00am-2:00pm.

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.

Recently, I visited my dear friends and wanted to take them something to thank them for being such a special part of my life. I decided to make this light, delicious soup for them. This recipe is one of Jacques Pepin’s famous ones!

Barbara

Rustic Leek and Potato Soup

• 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

• 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1 large leek, minced (3 cups)

• 1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes

• 4 cups low sodium chicken broth

• 1 cup water

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

• 1 Tablespoon chopped parsley

• 1/2 cup grated Gruyere cheese

Heat oil and butter in a large saucepan. Add leeks and cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cut potatoes into sticks about 3/4 inch thick. Slice the sticks crosswise into I/8 inch cubes, about 3 cups. Keep potatoes in water after peeling, but do not wash them after cutting them into cubes. Add the stock, water, salt and pepper to the leeks, then mix in the potato cubes. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and boil gently for about 12 minutes. Serve soup with sprinkling of the parsley and the cheese.

Now, for a delicious dessert that Barbara Harvey shared. She enjoyed this dessert with a family member who gave her the recipe.

Enjoy!

Basic Clafoutis

• 1 cup whole milk

• 3 eggs

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 Tablespoons butter, melted

• 1/2 cup all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla and butter until sugar is dissolved. Add flour and whisk until smooth. Pour the batter into a cast iron skillet or heavy pie pan. Add your favorite fruit or flavoring. Bake until the clafoutis is puffed and golden, 35 - 40 minutes. Serve immediately.