THE CLOAK
St. Martin's Weekly E-Newsletter
November 20, 2020
To seek God, and be Christ’s body in the world
GREETINGS!
Preparing for Sunday
A Message from Pastor Veronika

If you grew up in a church derived from the Western (Roman) tradition, you probably have many images of Christ the King or Christ in Majesty to draw upon in your memory. They have existed since at least the fourth century and continue to be created into the current period. Here is a version from 1916 at Westminster Cathedral. It includes the Latin inscription which reads “Lord Jesus King and Redeemer. Save us by your blood.” Read more...
CALENDAR
This Week's Schedule

Friday, November 20
10:00am-2:00pm Sanctuary Time

Saturday, November 21
No events scheduled.

Sunday, November 22
Last day to drop off Thanksgiving Food Bags
  • 8:30am* SMC Rite II Indoor Service
  • 9:30am Zoom Sunday School-email Deb Parker for details
  • 10:30am* CCI Indoor Service-Live Stream**

Monday, November 23
10:00am-2:00pm Sanctuary Time

Tuesday, November 24
4:30pm Beginner/Chair Yoga-ZOOM
6:00pm All-Levels Yoga-ZOOM
NEW TIME - 6:30pm Evening Prayer-ZOOM

Wednesday, November 25
10:00am-2:00pm Sanctuary Time
12:00pm Noonday Prayer-ZOOM

Thursday, November 26
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Office is closed.
No Bible Discussion

Friday, November 27
Office is closed.
1:00pm Memorial for Mary Heckscher

*Register by noon on Fridays.
**After the 10:30am service hour, the Live Streamed video is available to view anytime.
STEWARDSHIP
Pledge Sunday

This Sunday, November 22nd, is Pledge Sunday marking the culmination of our Stewardship season. All pledges received will be presented and blessed during worship. Let us share together the abundance we receive from God.

If you did not receive the Stewardship letter and pledge card by mail, then you can access a digital copy to print by clicking here.
THANKSGIVING OUTREACH
Food Collection

Sunday is the final day to donate complete Thanksgiving Bags for our neighbors on Highland Avenue. We are currently 15 bags short of our 40 bag goal. Please fill one (or more) reusable bag(s) with the following items:
  • 1 box of instant mashed potatoes
  • 1 box of stuffing mix
  • 2 jars of turkey gravy
  • 1 can of cranberry sauce
  • 2 cans of low sodium green beans
  • 2 cans of fruit cocktail or 1 large jar of applesauce
  • 1 box of corn muffin or biscuit mix
  • 1 box of brownie mix
If you are unable to shop and want to participate, financial contributions will be gratefully accepted. The value of each bag is approximately $20.00.If you plan on donating money, please call either church office at 610-688-4830 to state the amount so that foodstuffs can be purchased on Monday, November 23rd. All bags should be dropped off at the Church by Sunday, November 22nd for delivery to Highland before Thanksgiving. Please contact Pam Faber if you have questions or need to arrange a pick up of your bag(s).
WEEKLY WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Being COVID Safe

With positive COVID case numbers on the rise and receiving guidance from our Bishop, both Vestries and Pastor Veronika decided on the following schedule to start on Sunday, November 29th and run through January 3rd.

  • 8:30 AM: St. Martin's will remain open with Morning Prayer and a congregation limit up to 25 people that includes Pastor Veronika, a reader, the music ministers (Emily and Derek), and an usher. Recording the service will be tested in case there is a need later to close the church to a congregation.
  • 10:30 AM: Christ Church will hold Morning Prayer online only with no congregation. This will be live-streamed to the Christ Church website and St. Martin's YouTube channel.

Your dedication and flexibility are greatly appreciated. For this Sunday, everything remains the same - with onsite worship at 8:30am (SMC) and 10:30 (CCI). Online viewing will be live-streamed from CCI on our YouTube channel.
CHRISTMAS WORSHIP
The Holiday Schedule and Special Plans

Christmas services will be as follows:
  • Christmas Eve: *4:00 PM service pre-recorded at SMC, pageant included
  • Christmas Eve: 8:00 PM Holy Eucharist live streamed service at CCI, no congregation present, but musicians and readers present.
  • Christmas Day: 10:00 AM Zoom Morning Prayer from Pastor Veronika's house. Those who log in will be able to "see" each other and wish each other Merry Christmas.

*The 4:00 PM Christmas Eve service at St. Martin's Church will be specially designed for families to safely participate from home. A sharing of pictures would be a nice way to connect our church families to each other during this service. We invite you to send photos of your Christmas celebrations, tree decorating, or other holiday gatherings that have meaning for your family. Please email your selections to Deb Parker at stmartinsradnor@gmail.com by Dec. 15th. The photos will be used to create a festive photo montage and posted to Youtube for congregational viewing only via a private link. This is for Christ Church Ithan families too.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
The Beatitudes

We will conclude the Beatitudes on Sunday, November 22nd. We've traveled up the mountain with Jesus and listened to him tell us about what the Kingdom of God can mean for all of us. We’ve shared about God’s heart—a heart of never-ending mercy and love. We’ve explored what God’s kingdom looks like—the way the world can work when we create communities of justice and peace. We’ve talked about God’s promises—promises of abundance. Now it is time to come down the mountain, and share what we've learned. Jesus said we are blessed when we feel what the world feels, act on behalf of those in need, and receive help when we are in need. Together, as part of this great big community, we can love and heal the world.

November 29th is the first Sunday of Advent, and in Zoom Sunday School we will begin our preparations for the birth of Jesus Christ! All ages are invited to join us any week for Zoom Sunday School. We welcome children, teens, and adults from other churches or who may not have a church home but would like to be part of our Sunday School community. Please let Ms Deb know if you have questions or if there is someone you would like to have us email or call.

The Zoom details are -
9:30 AM Sundays
or call: 1-646-558-8656
Meeting ID: 977 8051 9998
Password: jesus (lowercase)
ADVENT KITS
Prepare for the Season

You are invited to keep a holy Advent using a variety of prayers, calendars, and other items in the 2020 Advent Kit. These are the weeks where we are preparing and waiting for Christ's birth! Envelopes with all the items will be available at both churches on November 22, November 29th (Advent 1), or in the church office during regular office hours. Supplies are limited so please pick up your kit as soon as convenient.
BIBLE DISCUSSION
The Book of Psalms

Bible Discussion will be suspended one week on November 26th so everyone can enjoy Thanksgiving Day. The sessions will resume on Thursday, December 3rd. Have a nice holiday!
THE LECTIONARY
Sunday's Readings can be found on the Worship page at St. Martin's website.

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
Psalm 95:1-7a
Ephesians 1:15-23
Matthew 25:31-46