Week of January 10, 2021
Our all-parish annual meeting will take place virtually on Sunday, January 31 after the 10am service. We will meet on Zoom, vote to pass a budget and elect new members of the vestry. Watch this space for details and plan to join us for this important business meeting.
This Sunday
10AM Holy Eucharist
Limited to 10 in-person attendees – Social distancing and masks required – Sign Up
Watch the broadcast on our YouTube channel
Service Material can be found on our website
This week’s Scripture readings – 1st Sunday after the Epiphany
Genesis 1:1-5
Psalm 29
Acts 19:1-7
Mark 1:4-11
A Note from the Rector
I am not going to rush to capture all my thoughts regarding the attack on the Capitol building which happened on the Feast of the Epiphany. I was horrified and outraged. But by themselves, my emotions don’t mean much. Horror and outrage will only go so far. The real work lies on the other side. But, I’m not going to rush past all that toward the construction of a grand analysis, solution, or even a cogent essay of any kind. I have much to process as we all do. For now, I am going to offer one thought and plead one cause.
Holy Apostles is our local incarnation of Body of Christ. St. Paul tells us that we are all members of one body (Romans 12). A member of the body attacking another member of the body is analogous to one of the most dangerous aspects of the coronavirus for a lot people, especially those who are otherwise healthy. The virus tricks the body’s immune system into attacking the body itself. In the same way, the virus of hatred and division (a spiritual, cultural, and political malaise) is tricking the body of Christ into attacking itself. This cannot be. Now more than ever, we need to love each other and stick by each other. We do not need to completely agree with each other, except in one case—that we are members of the Body of Christ. Don’t believe our society that claims the only thing that matters is being right, that the “gotcha” moment is what counts. The only thing that matters is the love of Jesus that transforms the world. In the FINAL analysis, the moment that counts is when you were baptized into the Body of Christ, transformed and saved by the grace of God. We need to be careful what we say to each other, especially on social media. Social media gives us a false sense of removal from the real consequences of our words. It tricks us into thinking we can say whatever we want; to be more forceful, mean, and cruel than we would ever dream of being in a face-to-face conversation. I confess to you my siblings in Christ, I am guilty of this more times than I can count. The love of Jesus is calling us to be different. Grace and peace are not won by winning on the internet.
This doesn’t mean we should not have real conversations about the issues which threaten to destroy the country in which we live. Going forward, after the outrage and horror subsides, we’re going to have to figure out ways on the grassroots level to talk about this stuff in ways that honor God and honor our sacred obligation to love each other as Christ loves us.
Services
You can view our live-stream on our YouTube channel. A link to this video will be posted to Facebook.
Sunday January 10, 2021 – 1st Sunday after the Epiphany
Holy Eucharist, Rite II with Prayers of Spiritual Communion 10AM
Live-streamed, In-person attendance limited to 10
The Rev. James Stambaugh, celebrant & preacher
Sunday January 17, 2021 – 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany
Holy Eucharist, Rite II with Prayers of Spiritual Communion 10AM
Live-streamed, In-person attendance limited to 10
The Rev. James Stambaugh, celebrant & preacher
Zoom Compline is held every night at 7:30PM
A brief time of prayer and checking in with other members of CHA
“Zoom Compline has been really helped me through this difficult time. It’s such a great way to close the day.” – CHA Member
Follow this link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/233415613?pwd=dTBDeUhrUUdSak9MS3RUaXdDSDhpUT09
or call into the meeting toll-free 1-888-475-4499
Callers will be promoted to enter this meeting ID: 233 415 613
and password: love
Zoom Bible Studyis held every Thursday at 11AM
We will be starting a new book of the Bible in the next few weeks. Now is a great time to join us as we get ready to discover a new view on the never-changing promises of God.
Follow this link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/788355291?pwd=R2FQRWltZ01LWG92WGtPSm54cXJSUT09
or call 1-888-475-4499 US Toll-free
You will be prompted to enter this meeting ID: 788 355 291
*note: the password for all Zoom meetings is “love”
Announcements
+ Pledge Update: Hold Fast With 34 pledges received our current pledge number is $119,094. We are still expecting several more pledges and are on track to meet last year’s pledge amount and meet our budget needs for 2021. If you have been meaning to pledge, there’s still time! Send in your pledge card, or request a new one from James or JT. Thank you so much to everyone who gives of their time, talent, and treasure so that Holy Apostles can remain a faithful, hopeful, and generous community of faith that spreads the love of Jesus in our neighborhoods and world.
+ Christmas Poinsettias: The flowers have been placed in the Narthex. If you would like one, please feel free to stop by and pick one up.
+ Sunday School: Sunday School will be held online via Zoom on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month for preschool (5 years old) through 8th grade. You can join Sunday School using this link (all ages welcome): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89142013163?pwd=WFpJVDlZVFJhOUVVa1gxQ2k0djVndz09
We’re looking for more teachers! If you would like to be involved in this exciting ministry, contact Peter Patton: pmpatton307@gmail.com
+ Bible Study: Every Thursday at 11AM (currently on Zoom). We will be starting a new book of the Bible in the next few weeks. Now is a great time to join us as we get ready to discover a new view on the never-changing promises of God. . Join us anytime using this link: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1f491246993696e01f4487821&id=d52f77ccb0&e=fca055bb29
+ One Love: Our diocese has created an online platform where you can find inspirational videos, sermons by the bishop and other clergy, and online services. Visit DioPA One Love Online: https://episcopalpa.online.church
+Eucharistic Visits: During this time, the rector and trained Eucharistic ministers may visit others to bring them the Eucharist. Meeting in outdoor spaces of homes will be preferred. Contact the rector if you would like to schedule a visit.
+Giving: You can still mail pledge contributions to the church at this time. The mail is checked regularly. You can also securely give online. Go to holyapostlespa.org and click on the “Give” button on the top right hand corner of the webpage.
+ Online Worship: Online worship continues! We will be live-streaming each Sunday at 10AM. We will be calling on our virtual choir to provide music for us, and there will be occasional readings from members at home. It’s all happening on our YouTube Channel. Be sure to hit the SUBSCRIBE button!
+ Happy Birthday! The following folks have birthdays in the month of January.
2nd Paul March
4th Jamie Grant
5th Bradford Smith
7th Katie Gentile
20th Deborah Stambaugh
21st Maddie Johnson
Paige Johnson
25th Christine Costello
If your birthday, or the birthday of another parishioner in your family is missing, please notify the Parish Office at holyapostlespa@gmail.com
Church of the Holy Apostles 