THE CLOAK
St. Martin's Weekly E-Newsletter
June 25, 2020
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To seek God, and be Christ’s body in the world
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Preparing for Sunday
“Whoever gives just a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple—I assure you: He will never lose his reward!” - Matthew 10:42
REFLECT: In Matthew 10:40-42, Jesus makes three promises to those who follow him.
1: We Will Connect People With God - First, people welcome you. Second, by welcoming you, they welcome Christ. Third, by welcoming Christ, they welcome the Father.
2: We Will Become a Source of Blessing to Others - We can’t all be prophets, preachers, missionaries, pastors, or leaders. Not every pastor leads a megachurch. Not every author becomes world famous. Not every evangelist speaks to crowded stadiums. Jesus promises to “level the playing field” …We see the prophets. We rarely see those who support them. We see the great leaders. We rarely see those who stand in the shadows. Nothing great is ever done alone. Those who wait, those who serve …they too are part of the team. There is nothing wrong with having heroes. But those who serve alongside them win the same reward.
3:
We Will Be Remembered for the Tiniest Acts of Kindness - “Whoever gives just a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple—I assure you: He will never lose his reward!” (v. 42).
- First, look at the person: “Whoever.” There are no limits to this promise.
- Second, look at the recipient: “One of these little ones.” In context, Jesus is talking about the least among his followers. There are “little ones” everywhere.
- Third, look at the action: “Give a cup of cold water.” Simple. Inexpensive. Often unseen.
- Four, look at the certainty of the reward: “I assure you!”
For most of us, a cup of cold water is no big deal. But in many parts of the world, clean water is a rare treat. You may think nothing of it. But Jesus remembers it forever. When we help his people, we are helping him. When we dry a tear or offer a word of hope, we are serving him. When we go the extra mile even though we are already dead tired and a bit frustrated because we don’t have the time or energy and we’re already behind schedule, but we do it anyway, he sees and knows what we have done, and he marks it down as if we had done it to him personally. What matters to Jesus are the things we can’t even remember. Jesus remembers what we forget. One day, long after we’ve forgotten the frustrations of this life, he will remember it. And we will be rewarded. It all comes down to this. Jesus forgets what we remember. And he remembers what we forget.
PRAY: Dear God, open our eyes to those around us who need a cold cup of water and kindle our hearts to respond to them in love and action. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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This Week's Schedule
Thursday, June 25
2:00pm Bible Discussion-
Zoom
Sunday, June 28
9:30am* Holy Eucharist-ONSITE &
YouTube
Rev. David Laquintano, Celebrant @ SMC
Tuesday, June 30
Wednesday, July 1
12:00pm Noonday Prayer-
ZOOM
Thursday, July 2
Friday, July 3
Sunday, July 5
9:30am* Holy Eucharist-ONSITE &
YouTube
Rev. David Laquintano, Celebrant @ SMC
*After 9:30am, the YouTube service is available for "anytime" viewing.
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Out of the Office
The Main Office has been closed this week due to a scheduled vacation.
The office will reopen Friday (tomorrow), June 26th, at 10:00 AM. Any issues of urgent nature between now and Friday may be directed to Sandy Reinhardt, our Rector's Warden, at
sandyreinhardt@msn.com or
610-644-4190.
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Pray In-Person
This upcoming Sunday, June 28th, has been approved for returning to onsite worship. Guidelines for what to do and expect with the church reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic can be found by
clicking here.
Details include service time, number of attendees, restriction of all children, attendance tracking, personal protection, social distancing, sanitizing stations, pew setups, worship protocols - offertory, communion, music, and fellowship limitations.
If you do not feel safe returning to church yet for any reason, you are encouraged to stay at home. The weekly recorded service will continue to be available for your viewing convenience premiering at 9:30 AM on Sundays.
Questions or concerns may be directed to Sandy Reinhardt, our Rector’s Warden, by phone (610-247-5954) or email (
sandyreinhardt@msn.com).
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Summer Sundays-Bridge Building
On Sunday, June 21 we gathered on Father's Day for Summer Sunday VBS. There was a focus on our heavenly Father! We will continue to use ZOOM for the rest of June, July, and August. Each Sunday morning at 10 AM we use the Zoom link below to join others and continue to explore what it means to be a bridge, build a bridge, and be bridge builders between ourselves and others. Thanks last week to Megan and Elizabeth for leading the experiment.
For this coming Sunday we are going to be talking about and creating rainbows. God made a promise and the rainbow represents a bridge between God and His people on earth. The only supplies the children will need are blank pieces of paper and lots of colorful markers or crayons. Rainbow bridges are a beautiful reminder of God in the midst of His creation!
Adults and children are all invited. Let the Summer Sunday Zooming begin!!
Here are the Zoom details:
or Call: 646-558-8656
Meeting ID: 919 360 689
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Joint Leadership
The Joint Vestry met on Thursday evening June 18th via Zoom to discuss the Search Committee status with Rev. Bob Tate. Details will be forthcoming.
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Committee Report
The Search Committee is pleased to announce that candidate visits have been scheduled.
Click here for details and the most recent report. The final choice is expected to be submitted to the Vestries in time for the July 16th joint meeting. Please continue to keep the Committee in your prayers.
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Midweek Spiritual Connection
July 1 is the first Wednesday of the month and Fr. David will lead us in noonday prayer using Zoom at 12 pm. Join us for the Zoom call then. If you have any questions or would like to test using your phone, tablet, or computer to call into a Zoom meeting, please contact
Deb Parker.
Here are the Zoom details for 12:00 PM on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays
or Call: 1-646-558-8656
Meeting ID: 928 7196 7908
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Thursday's Bible Discussion
We are moved by the Spirit, and each Thursday invite adults to join members of St. Martin's and Christ Church as we talk about Bible passages, what they mean to us, and their connection to the world. This week we have a poem and a related work of religious art as a conversation starter. Once again we will be on Zoom and if anyone would like to test the Zoom connection or talk more about this discussion group, please contact
Deb Parker.
Here are the Zoom details:
or Call: 646-558-8656
Meeting ID: 938 4282 6315
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Cleaning and Hygiene Supplies
Thank you for the additional donations of bags of food. Six more food bags were delivered to Highland on Monday. While food donations are always welcomed, we are continuing to collect specialty bags of personal hygiene and cleaning items. Bags should include: body soap (3 bars), shampoo (1 bottle), toothpaste (1 tube), sponges (2), paper towels (1 roll), all purpose cleaner (1 bottle), dish soap (1 bottle) and windex/glass cleaner (1 bottle). Other "extras" could include laundry detergent, toothbrushes, handiwipes/cleaning cloths, hand sanitizer and wipes. Bags can be delivered to church on Monday, Wednesday or Friday mornings or arrangements can be made for pickup by contacting
Pam Faber. All items will be delivered to the residents at Highland Homes. Thank you in advance for your support and generosity.
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Baccalaureate Service
The Diocese of Pennsylvania (DioPA) is celebrating the milestones of Middle and High School Graduations in 2020 with a Baccalaureate Service tonight, Thursday, June 25th, at 7:00 PM. More details can be found on the DioPA website by
clicking here.
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The New Norm
From social distancing, sanitizing, hand-washing, and staying-at-home, new "norms" are in full effect. Here is a St. Martin's summary:
Helping Others-
- Making masks: to sew, purchase materials, or financially support this effort, please contact Janice Martin (of CCI) at jm@janicemartin.net or 610-645-4540.
Weekly Giving-
- Mail: 400 King of Prussia Rd, Radnor, PA 19087
- Online: Donate button on St. Martin's Home page
- Drop-off: during office hours
Office Hours:
- Mondays and Fridays: 9am-3:30pm
- Wednesdays: 9am-12:30pm
Sundays' Activities:
- Summer Sunday School: 10am-Zoom
- 9:30 AM Worship Service via YouTube
- 9:30 AM Onsite Worship (25 person limit)
Weekday Activities:
- Yoga via Zoom: 6:30pm Tuesdays
- Midweek Prayer Service via Zoom: 12pm, 1st & 3rd Wednesdays
- Bible Discussion: 2:00pm-Zoom
- Bible Study via Zoom: 8:30am Fridays (email Deb for details)
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Genesis 22:1-14
Psalm 13
Romans 6:12-23
Matthew 10:40-42
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