.png)
.png)
Rector's Message: Saturday, April 02, 2022
Updated: Apr 9, 2022
Sunday, 03 April
The Fifth Sunday in Lent
A Scripture Verse for the Week:
A Message from the Rector
As we enter into these final days of the Lenten season, the Church encourages us to open our hearts that we may fully receive the incomparable joy that accompanies the Resurrection of Our Lord on Easter morning . . .
Lord of my greatest fear:
Let in your peace.
Lord of my greatest shame:
Let in your grace.
Lord of my truest self – my all:
Let in your fullness.
- Alison Pepper, Woman Prayers
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.
· Isaiah DiMauro
· Catherine Pickell
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.
HOLY WEEK & EASTER SERVICES - 2022
Palm Sunday – April 10th
8:00am - Blessing of the Palms, Passion Gospel, Eucharist
9:30am - Blessing of the Palms, Passion Gospel, Eucharist, Choir & Hymns
* No Church School or Coffee Hour on this day
Each of these services begins with the distribution of palms, remembering Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. But after a joyous procession into the church, the tone of the liturgy takes a sudden turn as the recounting of Jesus’ betrayal and passion plunges us into the darker experiences of the week ahead.
Maundy Thursday - April 14th
7:00pm - Holy Eucharist with Foot-Washing;
followed by Prayers before the Cross
This unique liturgy echoes the example of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples at the Last Supper, reminding them of their ministry to live as servants to the world and all God’s children; then leads into the celebration of the Eucharist, a foretaste of God’s heavenly Kingdom. As the evening draws ever closer to Good Friday, we conclude with prayers before the cross.
Good Friday - April 15th
12:00noon & 7:00pm - Good Friday Liturgy
The Good Friday liturgy includes a recounting of the Passion narrative, the traditional solemn collects and adoration of the cross, concluding with Communion from the sacrament reserved from the previous evening.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Easter Day - April 17st
8:00am Holy Eucharist, Rite I – a quieter, more meditative, traditional celebration opens the day;
9:30am Holy Eucharist, Rite II – celebratory liturgy featuring festive music from the Messiah choirs and musicians;
followed by the Church School’s annual EASTER EGG HUNT
and a festive reception in the Parish Hall
DECORATING THE CHURCH FOR EASTER
SATURDAY, APRIL 16th - 9:30AM
Please plan to join us for a while on Saturday morning as we gather to decorate the church for Easter services. Help is needed – no experience required! Many hands make light – and quick – work, so the more the merrier! Coffee, juice and pastries will be provided.
SEEKING DONATIONS FOR A NEW FREEZER
After many years of loyal and dedicated service, the large freezer in the Parish Hall kitchen has given out. Repair costs are prohibitive, estimated at nearly the cost for a new freezer. So . . . we are starting a collection to purchase a new commercial freezer. Cost: $3,000.00. Can you help? No donation is too small. Make checks payable to Church of the Messiah; note Freezer in the remarks section of your check. Thank you for your help!
Altar Flowers
If you would like to honor a loved one(s) by dedicating the altar flowers in their name, please contact the church office. There are lots of open Sundays for the spring and summer! The suggested donation is $60.
EASING OF COVID GUIDELINES
Accompanying the re-opening of the church for in-person worship services, the COVID guidelines have also been eased in accordance with CDC and diocesan guidelines. When you return to church – We hope you will do so soon! We have missed seeing you and being together! – the following guidelines will be in effect:
Masks are optional for those who are fully vaccinated
Masks are still highly recommended for those unvaccinated
Doors will remain open for increased ventilation
Both 8:00am and 9:30am services begin on Sunday, March 6th
Communion will still be distributed in the form of bread only
Coffee hour following the 9:30 service will resume
TWO LENTEN CLASS OFFERINGS
HOPE IN HARD TIMES
with The Rev. Dr. Flora Keshgegian
Wednesdays lunchtime series
6 sessions: March 9 – April 13 * 12:30-1:30
A Zoom presentation sponsored by the Diocese of Pennsylvania
More information and registration on the diocesan website: diopa.org
How do we sustain hope in the midst of all that is happening in our world today? Christian hope invites us to translate messianic ends - like justice, freedom, and peace – into present values. Moving deeper than our yearning for a better future, we will re-imagine hope as we learn how to retell the Christian story and that of our lives, and develop spiritual habits of hope. This communal and interactive Zoom series will explore the nature of Christian hope, progressing each week through key habits of hope including: honoring time, moving in place, imagining creatively, participating in interrelation, and living in wild wonder. Christian hope enables us to encounter God exactly where we are, not in spite of it.
THE LORD’S PRAYER: the meaning and power of the prayer Jesus taught
with the Rector, The Rev. Keith A. Marsh
Wednesday evening series
3 sessions: March 30, April 6 & 13 * 7:00-8:30pm
A Zoom presentation
Registration: rector@messiahgwynedd.org
Jesus’ disciples asked him to teach them to pray, and he gave them the form and words that are recorded in the Gospels, and have come to the be known as The Lord’s Prayer. All of us can recite the prayer from memory, probably having learned it in childhood, and it is woven into nearly every worship service of the Church. But while the well-known words slip easily off our tongue, do you really know what you are praying for? Have you taken the time to understand what it means when we say: “hallowed be thy name;” ask that “thy kingdom come;” ask for the means to “forgive … as we are forgiven;” or hope “not to be led into temptation”? Adam Hamilton has written: “this prayer is meant by Jesus to shape our lives and, through us, to shape and change the world.” Join us on three evenings as we explore the depth of this prayer our Savior taught us.
HELP WANTED . . .
As we reopen for in-person worship and begin ramping up to pre-COVID levels of activity and participation, we are in need of volunteers in several areas. Please consider giving of your time and talents to help in these various important ministries.
MANNA ON MAIN STREET FOOD DELIVERY - Each week, parishioners are encouraged to drop off non-perishable food items in the back pew as part of our continuing effort to provide food to those who are hungry within our community. Manna’s food collection warehouse is located in the Lansdale Business Center, 650 North Cannon Avenue, in Lansdale. Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday. We are looking for a couple of volunteers who are willing to deliver Messiah’s food donations to Manna. Interested? Contact the Rector: rector@messiahgwynedd.org.
SUNDAY MORNING VIDEO TEAM - When church services were paused due to COVID, we began live-streaming worship services and posting the videos to the church website. This has developed into an important and much relied-upon ministry, providing those unable to join us in-person to continue to worship and participate as part of our faith community. Because of its importance, we will be continuing to broadcast and post our worship gatherings. Training is provided - so don’t be afraid, or let technology scare you! It's just a camera! If willing to be a part of this vital ministry, contact the Rector: rector@messiahgwynedd.org.
USHER CHAIR & USHERS – The Usher Chair recruits, trains and ensures that ushers are assigned for Sunday and special services. Ushers are responsible for greeting worshippers and distributing bulletins, counting and reporting attendance, collecting offerings, and assisting with traffic flow at Communion. We are hoping to assemble a corps of volunteers large enough to allow for a monthly rotation. And ladies, please remember: This job isn’t just for men!
LECTORS & CHALICE BEARERS – Volunteers are needed for both the 8:00am and 9:30 to read the lessons and Prayers of the People, as well as administering the chalice at the time of Communion. Willing to serve? Questions? Speak with Mercer Sisson: amercersisson@gmail.com.
You're Invited!! Featuring our organist, Hannah Albrecht!!
CAN YOU HELP?
One of our parishioners is in need of rides from her home in Hatfield to occasional doctor appointments in Doylestown/Warrington. She has said she will gladly compensate anyone who is willing to give her a ride. Please contact the church office if you would be willing to help: 215-699-9204.
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 – 8:00 and 9:30am
LIVE-STREAMED - the 9:30 service will be broadcast on YouTube – follow the link posted on the church website (messiahgwynedd.org)
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
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.
AID FOR UKRAINE
**You can also help by donating to Episcopal Relief and Development. You can take a flyer from the Narthex and mail your payment with the coupon or contribute online at episcopalrelief.org/Ukraine-crisis
**Another way to help: Ukraine Aid Donation Collection: A collection for aid to Ukraine has been set up through the Ukrainian Catholic Church of Lansdale. The collections will take place during the two upcoming weekends (March 11-13 and 18-20), and the goods will be shipped overseas through the Ukrainian Relief Committee (out of Philadelphia).
Presentation of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church
1564 Allentown Road, Lansdale, PA 19446
215-368-3993
Our first round of donations has already been picked up. Please continue to donate!!
Church School is back in person!! Please meet us upstairs in the Parish Hall at 9:30!
Please take note of our updates schedule of events for teens!
You will find a variety of events, focused on both fun and service, as well as within the parish and outside in the larger community!
Click Here to view the schedule!
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.
**Thank you to Tonia Uffner for last week's delicious recipe for Black Bean Soup!!
Something that I’ve learned to appreciate is the wonderful aroma of freshly baked treats throughout my house. I love to bake. These two recipes are favorites to have handy or to give to friends or neighbors who need a boost! They are not difficult to put together and are so delicious!
Enjoy,
Barbara
SKILLET MONKEY BREAD
1 16.3 ounce can refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1/2 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup sweetened flaked coconut
Cane syrup or maple syrup to serve
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 10” oven safe skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside. Cut biscuits into quarters. In a small bowl, add melted butter. In another small bowl, stir together sugar and cinnamon. Working in batches, dip biscuit pieces into butter, then roll in sugar mixture to coat. Place biscuit pieces in prepared pan. Sprinkle evenly with pecans and coconut. Bake until golden brown, approximately 25 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes. Drizzle with cane syrup or maple syrup, if desired.
Approximately 6 servings
PUFFED RICE BARS WITH PEANUT BUTTER AND CHOCOLATE
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the baking dish
4 cups miniature marshmallows
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
6 cups puffed rice cereal
Nonstick cooking spray for pressing
1 12 ounce package semi sweet chocolate chips, melted
1/4 cup chopped roasted salted peanuts
Butter an 8 inch square baking pan. In a large pot, combine marshmallows, peanut butter, butter, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until melted, about 4 minutes. Add cereal and stir to combine. With a wooden spoon greased with cooking spray, press half of cereal mixture into baking pan. Spread half the melted chocolate on top. Repeat with remaining cereal mixture and chocolate; sprinkle with peanuts . When set, cut into 16 equal squares. Store in an airtight container.
Makes 16 cookies
