Holy Apostles Messenger
Summer Joy 2020
~ Not Certainty, but Joy!
~ From our Music Director
~ Parish News & Notes
~ TASK Back-to-School - Donate!
~ Outreach & Fundraising
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BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPLIES 2020
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Rector’s thoughts
Does the summer seem endless to you? This year is does to me. Perhaps because all the regular patterns are disrupted, perhaps it is the issues of viruses, racism, politics, or perhaps just being endlessly tired. This is the time of year when we would normally be on vacation, sailing, painting, relaxing and assured of the plan for the upcoming fall. Little of that is part of my pattern for this year. I am sure that your pattern is also turned upside down or at least a little askew. As I write you all plans for the next few months or even the next year are tentative. I do not know about you but I am not that fond of a world where all is tentative.
Yet, as Easter people, given the Spirit to “lead us into all truth”, this may be a chance to view another divine reality. Those gathered on Pentecost were sent out into a world where all was changing and tentative. The old patterns were askew. Those gathered were called to live in that reality. Not only to live it, but to go out into that world and proclaim that new reality even as they were just learning how to live in it.
In this endless summer perhaps we are being asked by God not just to trust in old comfortable patterns, but to pray for the grace to live into a new reality. To know, in the midst of all that confronts us, that Christ still reigns, the spirit still breathes and the creative power of God has not abandoned us.
I will end with a prayer by
Stanley Hauerwas
, entitled, “Not Certainty, but Joy”
God of all truths, how we desire certainty amid the confusion of our lives. We think we could make it if we had just one thing we could know without doubt, one way to be that was not ambiguous, one other we could unreservedly trust. Yet all such knowledge, being and trust too often reflect our desperation rather than your glory. We pray, therefore, not for certainty but for joy at the discernment that you have discovered us and given us a way to go on in the midst of confusion. For what more could we ask?
AMEN.
Yours in Christ,
Canon Art+
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PUBLIC WORSHIP - SUMMER 2020
Public worship has restarted at Holy Apostles
Remember to check our website, Facebook page or look for an email for updates as needed.
MASS/HOLY EUCHARIST SCHEDULE
Saturdays at 5:00 pm
Sundays at 8:00 am and 9:30 am
Wednesdays at 11:00 am*
*will not take the normal summer break
We decided to discontinue the Sundays at 11:15 am service as it does not seem to meet a need at this time. We will revisit its need in September.
Record services: We have had some issues with posting the recorded services for the last couple of weeks. Please keep checking
Facebook
and
our web site
as we get these issues resolved.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THOSE ATTENDING WORSHIP:
Please click below(
in
blue
) to review/print/download:
These notes are also posted at the entrance and kitchen doors.
Here are some important points for everyone:
1. If you are not feeling well, please stay home
2. If you are not comfortable either come to another, perhaps smaller, service or
stay home
3. One service each weekend will be recorded and the video will be published on
our website and Facebook as we did during the Stay-at-Home period
4. Communion at home will be made available, not only to shut-ins but also to
those who watch the video because they are uncomfortable attending.
Shut-ins will be contacted; others should contact the office
so that agreed upon
arrangements can be made.
Ways you can helpful
1. Additional cleaning supplies, masks, gloves and wipes are always welcome
2. Please vacate the building so that cleaning for the next service can be completed, or stay and help wipe down for the next service
3. Consider ushering at the 9:30 am service
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FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR
🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶
Each week at the 9:30am service, one volunteer cantor sings the hymns so that we might still have some music. She alternates verses with Canon Art during two of the hymns and sings the offertory solo. At this time, we have three who are participating in this ministry: Sharon Sheppard and Jane Hafer have already begun, and Lynn Perry will join the rotation shortly. The schedule through Labor Day has been sent to them. If anyone else wants to volunteer, please speak with me. There will be no choir or congregational singing for some time.
Beginning in September, we will have assorted musicians presenting musical offerings during the 9:30am service. So far, we have 2 bell solos, 1 bell choir piece, 1 flute solo, and commitments from 1-2 of my students. (I will fill in any Sundays without). Anyone of sufficient experience who is interested in participating in a musical ministry should contact me during the summer.
I am excited to report that a set of Cymbells has been purchased (see photo above). This is essentially 1-octave (13bells) on a permanent stand, allowing one person to cover multiple parts, much like a horizontal bell tree. Because there are only 8 who are comfortable ringing at this time, this instrument will solve that problem nicely. The purchase has been made with the memorial monies donated for my parents along with a separate gift that was specified for the handbell program. It will be dedicated and played for the first time on September 13th.
Looking forward to making music together soon.
Lyn
🎹🎶 🔔
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Parish News & Notes
SCHEDULES
A
Subdeacons and Lectors Schedule
for Summer 2020 is available on the counter in the narthex. There is a copy for each person who is scheduled this summer.
Schedules not picked up by Wednesday have been mailed by Deacon Denise. A schedule is also posted on the bulletin board in the narthex and one on the Altar Guild bulletin board. Finally, if you still don't have a schedule,
VESTRY
The Vestry will have an onsite meeting on July 14
th
and will also meet in person (or by zoom) in August due to the uncertainty of the present time.
The agenda for the meeting will include:
- Fundraising plans for August and early fall
(we hope to present these plans to you following the meeting)
2. Financial updates
3.Communications changes- such as future newsletters
4.Stewardship plans for 2021
In August we hope to be able to develop plans for Christian Formation, fellowship and other areas of parish life for the fall.
ACOLYTES:
Acolytes are not scheduled for the summer. Acolytes are welcome to serve. Responsibilities are limited to carrying the cross and ringing the bell or gong. Volunteers are welcome.
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OUTREACH & FUNDRAISING
FOOD PANTRY:
We continue to gather food for distribution through the Allentown Food Pantry. For those who do not have keys there is a large container with lid by the double doors. Each morning Canon Art checks the box and brings in food for pick up on Wednesday.
Thanks to Kim Midgett for delivering the items to the food pantry every week!
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GLEANINGS AND TASK
BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPLIES COLLECTION
Supplies Needed for
Back‐to‐School Drive
We are partnering with TASK to collect back‐to‐school supplies for local children Grades K‐12
Back packs, Lunch Boxes
Notebooks, Pens/Pencils
Folders, Markers/Crayons
Rulers, Pocket Dictionaries
Children’s Scissors, Protractors
Composition Books, Calculators
Colored Pencils, Markers
Glue Sticks, Pocket Folders
Highlighters
***
PLUS
NEW ITEMS THIS YEAR
Face Masks, Hand Wipes, Tissues
Hand Sanitizers
Please drop off school supplies at the church on Monday thru Thursday mornings from now until August 19th or bring with you if you come for worship.
Questions? Contact Lynda
at (609) 888‐1143 or
Thanks for your donations!!
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Our meal service with the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen still happens each week on Tuesdays. We distribute meals from the parking lot and continue to serve about 140 meals a week.
Please continue to donate individually packaged store-bought desserts for us to include with the meals. Thanks for your support!
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GIFT CARDS FUNDRAISER
(and current retailers list)
O
RDER
Gift Cards for:
~~
Grads, Anniversaries, Baby Showers, Birthdays, etc.
~~
DONATE
to HELPING HANDS FUND
***Order Dates:
July 26, August 30, September 27
Contact:
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Many Thanks
We would like to thank all those who assisted with the food appeal for the Allentown Food Pantry since the last newsletter.
If you can, please keep the assistance coming for the food pantry
as well as pre-packaged store-bought desserts for Gleanings.
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Altar Guild and Staff
We would like to thank Deacon Denise, Deacon Trisha, Lyn Powell, Joyce Bostic, Lynn Perry and the Altar Guild for all their work and support in these days of transition and unceasing change.
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Thanks for the cleaning supplies, masks, gloves and wipes. We've only just begun!!
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HELPING HANDS:
We would like to thank those who purchased gift cards for the Helping Hands Program. Your donations enable us to make additional assistance available. Parishioners are encouraged to request gift cards should they need them. They may also recommend family and neighbors, etc. that they know for assistance. We continue to limit assistance to those with no connection to the parish at this time.
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Remembering all those you are sick in mind, body and soul
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Wishing
you a
Joy-filled summer of cherished memories
as you venture into new experiences.
Stay Safe and Stay Well
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