Weekly parish news and Sunday service information
The Risen Christ / Word Press
Fr. Ben Hankinson, Rector
Celebrant for all services.
Please wear a mask when attending in person.
April 18, Third Sunday of Easter
Holy Eucharist Rite I, 8 a.m.
In-person attendance for up to 35 worshippers
No sign up required in advance.
Audio recording available.
Holy Eucharist Rite II, 10 a.m.
In-person attendance for up to 35 worshippers
Sign up in advance to attend.
Facebook Live at 10 a.m.
Worship Notes
Outdoor Coffee Hour following the 10 a.m. service.
Bring your own coffee and chair!

Also - Coffee Hour via Zoom, following the 10 a.m. service.
Readings for Sunday, April 11
  • Old Testament - Acts 3:12-19
  • Psalm 4
  • The Epistle - 1 John 3:1-7
  • The Holy Gospel - Luke 24:36b-48
The Holy Gospel | Luke 24:36b-48

Jesus himself stood among the disciples and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.
Make Your Offering!
The Week of April 18
  • Compline, Monday, 7 p.m.+
  • Noonday Prayer, Tuesday, 12 p.m.+
  • Evening Prayer, Wednesday, 12 p.m.+ (Open to in-person attendance.)
  • Study of the Parables with Fr. Ben, Wednesday, 6 p.m. via Zoom
  • Noonday Prayer, Thursday, 12 p.m.+
  • Morning Prayer, Friday, 9 a.m.+
  • Week-End Update Newsletter, Saturday, delivered p.m.
  • Compline, Saturday, 7 p.m.+
+ Designates a Facebook Live service
Looking Ahead
  • Annual Meeting, May 2, rain date May 16. Sign up link.
  • UTO Ingathering, May 9 and 16
  • Ascension Day Holy Eucharist, Thursday, May 13, will be celebrated at St. Andrew's with the parish of St. Michael’s, O’Fallon. Fr. John Thorpe will be preaching.

The Resurrection is a reminder that things that have grown old are being made new, and in this case, I’m talking about the ways in which we are expanding our fellowship. Fellowship is an integral part of our life as Christians in general, and as the people of St. Andrew's in particular. Thanks to the technological age in which we live, there are many ways that we have been able to stay in touch while we’ve been apart.
 
And yet, there is no substitute for the ability to meet in person. We have seen that through the joyous return of many for our worship services in recent months, and in particular Holy Week on into the present Easter season. So, we’re going to keep expanding those opportunities.
 
Beginning this week, I'd like to invite us to coffee hour on the lawn of the church following the 10 a.m. service, weather permitting. Even if you are not joining us for in-person worship yet, come on over after the livestream and join us outside of the context of our computers and cell phones as we gather together and share in fellowship.
 
It’s BYOC (Bring Your Own Coffee/Chair). We will not be scheduling refreshments for the time being, as we have not developed protocols for kitchen use and cleaning. Likewise, we are not currently planning on bringing a large number of chairs outdoors in advance, so if you’d like one, please feel free to toss one in the trunk of your car before you head to church. We will continue to practice masking and social distancing while outside.
 
If you’re not quite there yet, we certainly understand and look forward to seeing you online, including our new study on the parables beginning Wednesday, April 21, at 6:00 p.m. Also, be on the lookout for a new time/day for the Zoom fellowship. It will be right after the service this week, but we are looking at alternative times that will afford those who gather in person the opportunity to join the online offering as well.
 
If you’re ready to be out and about though, I hope to see you in church and/or on the lawn this Sunday. 
Wanted: Vestry Candidates

Three vestry members retire at the end of this month and elections to fill these slots will occur at the upcoming annual meeting on May 2. If you are interested in serving on the vestry, please contact Kevin Babb, Senior Warden, as soon as possible.



April 15 Vestry Meeting Highlights
 
Fr. Ben Hankinson announced the following:
  • a private graveside service for Helen Holbert will occur on May 7.
  • Fr. David Boase will be the celebrant for a private service for the sister of Sue Buckley on June 12. (Fr. Ben will be away.)
  • Ascension Day, May 13, will be celebrated at St. Andrew’s with the parish of St. Michael’s, O’Fallon. Fr. John Thorpe will be preaching.
  • A new class with Fr. Ben will begin on Wednesday, April 21, at 6 p.m. on the study of the Parables.
  • The Diocese’s Summer Camp has been canceled for this year.

Junior Warden Walter Bohn reported on three items:
  • Handyman Bob Rose has completed work to strengthen the ramp at the rear of the addition.
  • Korte & Luitojohan, contractors for St. Boniface, have offered to convert the grassy island in the rear parking area to the equivalent of two parking spaces, topped by gravel, as part of their rent payment. The vestry voted to accept this offer. The spaces may be paved at a later date.
  • Two appointments for inspections will occur on May 18 – Hawkeye Irrigation and Kone Elevators/Escalators.

Donna Ireland, on behalf of Jane Weingartner, UTO Coordinator, said that the spring UTO ingathering will be May 9 and 16.

Brian Pezza, whom the vestry had delegated to speak with Henry Evans, parish organist and choirmaster, indicated that he and Henry recommended the following:
  • conversion of the current organ maintenance budget line to one which also supports tuning of the two church pianos three times a year. The vestry approved the renaming of the existing budget line and an increase of $400 for this year, followed by a $650 increase for 2022 and after.

Kevin Babb, Chair of the Ministry Review Committee, presented a very positive review of Father Ben’s ministry in 2020 on behalf of the committee, including members Nichole Pezza and Jane Weingartner. The review reflected areas identified by the committee and a subsequent meeting of Fr. Ben and Kevin Babb. The vestry accepted the report.

With the performance reviews of Fr. Ben and Henry Evans completed, the vestry discussed possible salary adjustments for them and subsequently approved increases reflecting a combination of cost of living and meritorious performance.

Reopening Process – Fr. Ben indicated that, weather permitting, coffee hour after the 10 a.m. service will be outdoors starting this Sunday, April 18. The Zoom coffee hour will also occur this Sunday but the Sunday “Zoomers” will be asked to discuss whether they will continue their chat on Sundays or at another day/time.

Book Sale – The next book sale will occur May 7-8 and Fr. Ben acknowledged that concern had been expressed about the number of books stored in the choir room, nursery, and classrooms at the lower level. He has spoken with Cindy and Mike Reinhardt, who have assured him that the choir room and nursery will be free of books when they are needed for regular use.

Online Services/Technology – As a follow-up to a discussion at the March meeting regarding the future of online services, the vestry reiterated its commitment to continuing online services even after the church is fully reopened to in-person attendance. To provide better quality streaming of online services, the vestry approved $600 for the purchase of a camera, camera stand, and other small items.

Annual Meeting – Discussion of plans for the parish Annual Meeting on May 2 (rain date of May 16) set the meeting time at 11:30, the location as outdoors, and the need for advance sign-ups. Attendees will be required to wear a mask. Election of three new vestry members will occur at this meeting. Nominations for the three vestry slots are being sought. Retiring members of the vestry are Donna Ireland, Andy Mills, and Marian Smithson.

Adjournment- The meeting, which began at 6:30 p.m. adjourned at 9:11 p.m.
Buy Plants at Bohn’s Farm!
 
Call Walter Bohn at 618-920-0189 to make an appointment to visit the greenhouse at 2836 Keebler road in Maryville and pick out vegetables and herbs for your garden and hanging baskets for the porch or entryway. Please bring cash or a check. All sales benefit St. Andrew’s. See pictures below.
Notes
  • The spring United Thank Offering Ingathering will occur on May 9 and 16. Envelopes will be available in the narthex. Contributions may be placed in the offering plate on these two Sundays, mailed to the church, or made online (above). Just be sure to identify your gift is for the UTO.
  • Correction to the Easter offerings listing: Marilyn Strangeman (not Margaret) made an offering in remembrance of her husband Harold.
  • Follow "A Year in the Life," a new web series from The Episcopal Church that documents how Episcopal churches, schools, and ministries have navigated a very contentious and difficult year. New episodes will be released every two weeks beginning on April 20. Link
St. Andrew's Communications
Communications Coordinator and Newsletter Editor-in-Chief, Marian Smithson
Newsletter Editor, Jane Weingartner | Newsletter Editor, Marianne Cavanaugh