The Holy Apostles Messenger
December 2020
- Rector's Notes
- Worship & Christian Formation (with Advent & Christmas Activities)
- Music Ministry
- Outreach
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Fundraising
- Stewardship
- Parish Announcements
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Rector's Notes
Peace & Joy
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Dear All,
The paper Christmas Letter will be coming soon with the Christmas message and any updates on services. Please remember to order your tickets to assist us with final preparations for Christmas Eve/Day services. The 2:30 pm Mass will be a simplified service of Lessons and Carols, Blessing of the Outdoor Crèche and Communion from the Reserved Sacrament. This service will be held outdoors allowing congregational singing with masks and social distancing. IF the weather is good the congregation will be on the lawn. If the weather is not cooperative you will remain in your cars and Communion will be brought to you there.
Keep an eye out for further updates in the Christmas Letter mailing or as we get closer to Christmas Eve.
Please note that AFTER Christmas Eve/Day, due to the serious rise in cases and anticipation of infection and hospitalizations, the weekday Masses for Christmas week, as well as the Christmas I (Dec 26/27) and Christmas II (January 2/3) services will not take place in-person. Video services will be posted for Christmas I and II. Service for the Feast of the Baptism of Christ (Jan 9/10) has yet to be determined as of writing but is doubtful.
I will still pray the Daily Office at the Church and the Christmas Memorial List names will be offered at that time.
In addition, home communions have been suspended at this time, except for emergencies and Last Rites. God willing they will resume by the end of January.
Yours in Christ,
Canon Art+
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Public worship
continues at Holy Apostles
through December 25, 2020
Remember to check our website, Facebook page or look for an email for updates as needed.
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MASS/HOLY EUCHARIST SCHEDULE
Saturdays at 5:00 pm
Sundays at 8:00 am and 9:30 am
Wednesdays at 11:00 am*
*The Wednesday service at 11 am is another option for those looking to participate in worship but nervous about larger services.
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SERVICE REMINDERS
Upcoming Youth sermon dates: December 13, January 10, 2021
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If current guidelines from the State of New Jersey and the Diocese remain in effect we will only be able to have 45 persons per indoor service. This means that we have to take reservations, especially for 4 PM, as well as schedule additional services, as needed.
You will need to plan which service you will be attending and commit by making reservations. Once your reservation is processed, paper tickets will be issued to you. You will need to bring these tickets to church on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning.
Indoor attendance will be limited to 45 persons so you should order tickets early!
The schedule (to-date) is below.
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Christmas Services
December 24
2:30pm Lessons & Carols - Outdoors
4:00pm Mass with Cantor and Bell Choir
6:00pm Festal Mass with Cantor
8:00pm Mass - Rite I no music for those
not comfortable with cantor singing
10:00pm Mass with Cantor
December 25
10:00am Mass of the Nativity - no music
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To make reservations and have tickets emailed to you, please register online starting
November 20 thru December 20 at
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CHRISTMAS RECEPTIONS
We are not having the traditional receptions but we have a plan!
We are asking our bakers to bake Christmas cookies, several batches!
Cookies should be brought to church during the weekend of December 19/20th.
On Monday a small group will prepare Cookies bags – about 125 bags. Cookie bags will be set out for you to take home after service.
A reception to go!
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CHRISTMAS VIDEO POSTINGS
We are expecting to record and post a video of the 4 PM Christmas Eve service. Due to timing you may not be able to view it until later Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day.
New equipment has been ordered which we hope will assist in getting the videos out. This equipment will help us plan for Christmas Eve. If all goes well we may also post the 2:30 pm outdoor service.
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RECORDED SERVICES
The vestry is having some improvements made to the parish Wi-Fi service in hopes of improving our ability to send out services before the Advent/Christmas Season. Our thanks for your patience.
Please note that we are trying to do our best in sending the services and anthems out to you. We are grateful for the responses and the number of views of these efforts.
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FOR THOSE ATTENDING WORSHIP during Covid-19 |
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Here are some important points for everyone:
- If you are not feeling well, please stay home
- If you are not comfortable either come to another, perhaps smaller, service or stay home
- 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
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HALTED FOR THE TIME BEING- 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.
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HALTED FOR THE TIME BEING- Shut-ins will be contacted; others should contact the office so that agreed upon arrangements can be made.
Ways you can be helpful:
- Additional cleaning supplies, masks, gloves and wipes are always welcome
- Please vacate the building so that cleaning for the next service can be completed, or stay and help wipe down for the next service
- Consider ushering at the 9:30 am service
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Please click below(in GOLD) to review/print/download:
These notes are also posted at the entrance and kitchen doors.
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The vestry has approved a decision to suspend Home Communions until mid-January due to the pandemic’s newest surge. This does not apply to emergency visits or Last Rites. It is best to take extra care at this time. |
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Program year began on October
3rd & 4th
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Jesus is coming in the morning.
What’s for breakfast?
Advent IV
Post your photos NOW!!
Don't forget to post your pictures of you/your children for Advent IV on our Facebook page
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Regular weekly formation of youth will be offered as follows:
Program packets/bags were distributed on Dedication(Oct 3/4) weekend
See below for Advent & Epiphany details
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Parents are taking the lead in formation each week
Resources including: A schedule, parental guides, activity ideas, and printed materials and activity books are in the packets.
For full details
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Epiphany Packets will be available in January. We continue to monitor the situation but are expecting home learning to continue.
Our Advent Program:
Advent Materials are still available on the table in the narthex. For additional materials check out the
Jesus Comes in the Morning.
What’s for breakfast?
Nov 29: Advent I- A new day is dawning
Dec.6: Advent II- Prepare to Meet him- What’s on the Menu?
Dec 13: Advent III- Home Rejoicing- House Cleaning for Company
Dec.20: Advent IV- Becoming A “Holy family”- Breakfast with Jesus!
We hope that you are participating in this year’s family Advent program which was in the packets.
Portions of the materials have been printed in the Advent booklets and full sets are available at the formation tables for those who do not have youth or did not get the fall formation packets.
We would love to see photos of your Advent IV Breakfast to welcome Jesus. Please add your comments (with photos) on Holy Apostles’ Facebook page.
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Upcoming Youth Sermon dates:
December 13, January 10
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Youth Sermons 2020-2021
Youth Sermon #1 for October 11:
Youth Sermon #2 for November 8:
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We currently have 15 people who have participated in providing music for the 9:30am service. Plans are made to continue to provide canted hymns and a musical offertory through Christmas Eve. Prayerfully, it will be safe to carry out these plans. I have recently eliminated Canon Art from singing so that only the assigned cantor will sing the hymns. (They have been alternating verses to make it easier since our cantors are not professional musicians. I am thankful for their time.)
Following the Christmas services, there will be no music through January; no cantor, no bells, no piano/organ. I hope that the parish can appreciate and understand that I am trying to keep everyone safe. I know the music will be missed, but I will not knowingly put any of my volunteers at risk. I hope to be able to resume hymns by Ash Wednesday. Handbell rehearsals are tentatively planned to resume in February. Rehearsals for any solos can continue in January since we can easily maintain an appropriate distance.
Any ringers who have NOT been playing and wish to do so in February, as well as any who HAVE been ringing and prefer a longer break, need to contact me NO LATER than January 6th so that I know how to plan. Cantors need to get me the same information. We have 3 on rotation with a 4th ready to go when we return; any other volunteers, as well as those wishing a change, should contact me NO LATER than January 15th so I can plan.
As you may have heard, an I-pad has been purchased in the hopes that we may record the 9:30am service and post to the website and Facebook page. Once this begins, the musical offertory will no longer be posted separately.
On Sunday, December 6th, a virtual Advent Lessons and Carols service that has been put together by the Diocese will be shown "LIVE" on the diocesan YouTube page. It will also be available for viewing after the event. Our handbell program submitted 2 pieces that are to be included.
Lynn Powell
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Adopt-A-Family:
For Christmas this year we have “adopted” one family. The family consists of a grandma, mom, twin girls age 9; girl age 11, boy age 12, and girl age 14. The gift suggestions for each member of the family are posted in the narthex. There are still a number of gift suggestions still available for anyone wishing to participate in this ministry.
Please call or email the parish center if you would like to assist with this ministry but are not attending in-person worship.
Gifts cards to Kohl’s, Shop-Rite, Target and Walmart are always welcomed and can be ordered through our Gift Card Program.
Please have all donations at the parish center by December 16th.
Womanspace:
This year Womanspace is strongly suggesting gifts cards to Shop-Rite, Target and Walmart which can be ordered through our Gift Card Program. In Advent we will gather donations (only new items) for women and children. Please attach a blue Womanspace tag on your donation and place it under the Jesse Tree.
Thanksgiving Food Baskets:
Thank you to all who participated in this ministry. It took two cars to deliver the food that surrounded the font and the food purchased with donations to the discretionary fund to Trinity Cathedral.
Poor Box Ministry Project:
is in support of the Allentown Food Pantry. As the need for food remains critical it is important for us to help meet the food insecurity needs of people in our community. Donations as of November 24th total $238. For those who continue to worship from home you may support this ministry by sending a check to the church made payable to Deacon’s Discretionary Fund with “Poor Box.”
Wicker Basket:
we will continue to support the Allentown Food Pantry weekly with all donations being delivered on Wednesdays. Donations of non-perishable food items may be placed in the Wicker Basket located by the main altar. Perishable and frozen food for the pantry may be placed in marked bins in either the refrigerator or freezer in the church kitchen.
Gratefully,
Deacon Denise
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Thank you!
Donations of Thanksgiving Food for Trinity Cathedral were delivered on November 18th after the 11am Wednesday service. Heartfelt thanks to all who contributed items and support needed to ensure Thanksgiving meals for many who are struggling, especially this year.
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GLEANINGS COMMUNITY MEAL OUTREACH |
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Thanks to everyone who participated and/or supported SOLES for the Harvest
virtual race this year!
Funds raised support our Gleanings ministry and allow us to supplement the meals provided by the Trenton Area Soup (TASK).
THANKS for helping us share the harvest!
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Our meal service with the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen TASK still happens each week on Tuesdays. We distribute meals from the parking lot and continue to serve about 140 meals a week.
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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)
ORDER Gift Cards for:
~~ Grads, Anniversaries, Baby Showers, Baptisms, Birthdays, Holidays, etc.
~~ DONATE to HELPING HANDS FUND
~~ Holy Apostles CHRISTMAS OUTREACH for Adopt-A-Family and Womanspace
DEADLINE TO ORDER GIFT CARDS FOR CHRISTMAS
Sunday, December 13!
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Christmas Wreaths Sale
Thanks to everyone who ordered Christmas Wreaths!
PICK-UP:
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Saturday Dec 5 between 9 am and 12 noon
OR
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Sunday Dec 6 after 9:30 am service until 12 noon
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Pledges are coming in!
Our fields of sunflowers are smiling "thanks to the talents, times and finances" from all of you!
With the holidays approaching and list of things to do..
The Stewardship Committee sends blessed wishes and a joyous season too!
-The Stewardship Committee
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IT MAY BE COLD FOR SUNFLOWERS BUT OURS ARE STILL GROWING!
IF YOU HAVE NOT PLANTED YOURS YET, IT IS NOT TOO LATE!
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If you have not sent in your pledge/commitment for next year it is not too late.
Do you use the internet? Would like to assist Holy Apostles in continuing our ministry?
You may do so by contacting the Stewardship Committee (or send an email to the church office) if you need a pledge form for 2021. Then email, mail or drop off the completed form to the office. To make your online donation please click eGiving page to go to the web and set up a recurring monthly donation for all of 2021 or a one-time gift.
Prefer the traditional way of giving?
At Holy Apostles, every parishioner/family is issued a pledge box (your box of annual donation envelopes). Pledge boxes for the coming year are ready for you to pick up. All envelope numbers are the same as last year. If you never received a Holy Apostles pledge box, please ask Canon Art, the deacons, or send an email to the office and we will make sure that you get one.
Currently 2021 pledges are below last year and anticipated expenses are up including property insurance. The unexpected increase in property insurance is attributed to anticipated COVID-19 claims across the country.
Your assistance by planting your commitment sunflower in the Holy Apostles garden will allow the garden to grow and thrive. Thanks in advance for your generosity.
Number of pledges: 44 (Commitments - 30; Building Fund - 14)
Amount pledged: $94,651.40 (Commitments - $88,869.40; Building Fund - $5,782)
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A reminder that annual reports 2020 should be emailed to the church office shell1040@verizon.net no later than Sunday January 11th.
The date for the meeting is Sunday, January 31st and materials will be available for you to review by Saturday January 23rd.
Look for details about how we will meeting in the early January eNewsletter.
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SOME SERVICES ARE FILLING UP!!
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!!
Order here: http://holyapostles.eventbrite.com/
At this time there is no change to the 45 persons per service limit for Holy Apostles services.
The deadline for ordering tickets for Christmas services
is December 20.
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Please consider purchasing gifts cards for our
Adopt-A-Family and Womanspace programs.
See Outreach & Fundraising above for details.
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We are coming to the end of the year and would like to close the books on schedule. If you are able to get caught up on your commitment for the year it would be a real blessing. Our thanks to those who are now using eGiving or mailing their commitments. Your donations have allowed us to keep up with our responsibilities. Fulfilling your pledge will help us get closer to meeting our end of year obligations.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
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Thank you for the many ways you love and serve the Lord at Holy Apostles. |
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