This Sunday
4th Sunday of Easter
10AM Morning Prayer
Limited to 50 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
Scripture readings
Acts 4:5-12
Psalm 23
1 John 3:16-24
John 10:11-18
A Note from the Rector
This week, I want to briefly highlight some of the exciting things that are happening and express how grateful I am for the vitality and faithfulness of this amazing parish community.
Gun Violence Discussion – Last Thursday we held a discussion about gun violence in our community and about what God might be calling us to do about it. It was a challenging, respectful, and engaging conversation. I want to thank everyone who participated. I am still processing the conversation and the many ideas that were shared. We fully intend to continue the conversation and, with God’s help, further develop the ideas and inspirations that we have.
The Woods & Goats – I keep thinking that we need a good name for the wooded area behind the church building. The church’s property extends up the hillside to the houses on top of the hill. A number of us have spent some time over the last year working on cleaning up this area, freeing the trees from English Ivy, and removing some of the invasive plants which choke up the area and present dangers to our property and to visitors. The goal is the same as the goal for every inch of the church: to use what we have to glorify God and love our neighbors. That’s where goats come in. Goats can eat 24% of their body weight in plant matter every day. An innovative non-profit called the Philly Goat Project rents goats to property owners to help them graze away invasive species and clear land. But, that’s not even their primary mission. Their primary goal is to use their goats to build community and connect people. As weird as it sounds, it works! Goats, it turns out, are fun. Their goats are very friendly and comfortable to be around people of all ages. So, the Philly Goat Project is coming to our back woods. For a few days, starting May 17, the goats will be securely caged in specific areas behind the church. The goats will help clear areas that are completely overgrown with English ivy, poison ivy (which goats love to eat), invasive honeysuckle, and Japanese knotweed (a really destructive invasive plant, which can cause significant damage to our property if we allow it to spread further). But the best part is that the goats provide us with an opportunity to have some fun and invite our community to see what Holy Apostles is all about. Facilitated by the goat experts at Philly Goat Project, we’ll be able to take our visiting goats for walks in the evening, and we are planning to host a couple of fun outdoor events with the goats while they are here. Stay tuned and get ready to invite your neighbors. This is going to be a blast.
Michael Poll Concert – Speaking of neighbors, one of our neighbors in Penn Wynne just happens to be a world-renowned classical guitarist named Michael Poll. Michael is passionate about giving everyone access to quality live music, and he’s founded a non-profit dedicated to doing just that, while also helping struggling musicians to make a living. Michael has graciously agreed to bring his music to Holy Apostles in a special Pentecost evening concert, that will feature Michael performing 2 Bach suites on the 7-string guitar. The concert will have very limited in-person seating due to Covid restrictions, but it will also be aired on our YouTube channel. You can find more information about it in the announcements below.
While the pandemic has been terrible and isn’t over yet, grace and vitality are all around us. God is good. Life is beautiful and worth living. Holy Apostles is a community that celebrates life, that worships God, spreads the love of Jesus, and provides a community of belonging that is open to everyone. Thank you for being a part of what God is doing here!
Services
You can view our live-stream on our YouTube channel.
A link to this video will be posted to Facebook.
To attend in person, please sign up to reserve your spot.
Sunday, April 25, 2021 – 4th Sunday of Easter
Holy Eucharist, Rite II with Prayers of Spiritual Communion 10AM
Live-streamed, In-person attendance limited to 50
The Rev. James Stambaugh, celebrant & preacher
Sunday, May 2, 2021 – 5th Sunday of Easter
Holy Eucharist, Rite II with Prayers of Spiritual Communion 10AM
Live-streamed, In-person attendance limited to 50
The Rev. James Stambaugh, celebrant & preacher
Weekday Meetings
Zoom Complineis heldevery 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 passcode: love
Zoom Bible Studyis held every Thursday at 11AM
We are doing a combined study of the Books of Daniel and Revelation. Please join us as we discover a new view on the never-changing promises of God. No previous experience required.
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
and passcode: love
*note: the passcode for all CHA Zoom meetings is “love”
Outreach – Up Next
Darby Mission
Through the month of April, we will continue to collect supplies for a Space Science project for the After School program. There are 88 children involved in this program. We’ll be collecting items during the month of April.
Items Needed: Balloons (various sizes), Crayons, Tape, Paper meter sticks, Scissors, Glue sticks
Drop off location: In the room to the left off the church narthex.
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Connect by Night
Our current project for CBN is to provide some requested workout equipment. Right now, we are looking for hula hoops and jump ropes.
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Remember if you dislike shopping or can’t get out and about you can still participate in these and any of our outreach opportunities! Make a monetary donation to the cause with a check to Church of the Holy Apostles in any amount and write OUTREACH in the memo. Or use the GIVE button on our website and choose Darby Mission in the drop down list.
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Cassie Woestman, Outreach Chairperson, contact info:
Email: grammysqrd@gmail.com
Phone/Text: 610-608-5440
Announcements
+ The Philly Goat Project is Coming to Holy Apostles! May 17th-21st is GOAT WEEK. This will be a unique opportunity to engage with our community and to clear our back lot and forested area of invasive plant species. This is a perfect, outdoor, safe activity to invite your neighbors to join! During Goat Week we look forward to walking, playing, gardening and maybe even praying with the goats. Be on the lookout for more information about the fun programming we have in store and how you can invite your neighbors!
In the meantime, we need your help to get ready. Some work must be done to prepare our property for goats and for extra foot traffic. Please sign up to work in the garden or to make sack lunches for the volunteers. Volunteers will be first in line to TAKE A GOAT FOR A WALK!
+ Morning Prayer and Gardening – this Tuesday, April 27th at 9:15AM. Gather for morning prayer and then grab your spade and do some fun gardening on the church grounds and in the woods behind the church. Bring your own tools and bug spray!
+ Michael Poll Concert. On Pentecost Sunday, May 23rd at 5:30PM, acclaimed classical guitarist Michael Poll will perform two Bach suites on the 7-string guitar. A Penn Wynne neighbor, Michael is an accomplished musician who has performed in concert halls on 3 continents. You can find out more here. Signups for the limited in-person attendance will be available in the coming week. The concert will also be aired on our YouTube channel. The event is free, but we are asking for donations either in-person or online. All donations will benefit the Darby Mission and Michael’s charity that is focused on bringing high quality live music to underserved neighborhoods in Philadelphia and beyond.
+ Church Service Attendance – Masks and appropriate distancing will continue to be observed. We look forward to seeing you back at church if you feel comfortable there. Please note that you must pre-register to attend service to allow us to continue keeping with our safe practices. If you are serving (organist, reader, cantor, tech, usher, etc.) please remember to sign up as well. Services will also continue to be livestreamed.
+ 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 are doing a combined study of the Books of Daniel and Revelation. Now is a great time to join us as we discover a new view on the never-changing promises of God. No previous experience required. Join us anytime using this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/788355291?pwd=R2FQRWltZ01LWG92WGtPSm54cXJSUT09
+ 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 April.
6th Robbie Zorc
9th Emma Gallagher
16th Lisa Ferreri
17th Drew Meiers
19th Pat Dyer
Charlotte McCracken
20th Vickie Forker
26th Judi Kraft
28th James Stambaugh
29th Jim Jervis
If your birthday, or the birthday of another parishioner in your family is missing, please notify the Parish Office at holyapostlespa@gmail.com
1020 Remington Road, Wynnewood, PA 19096
Church of the Holy Apostles 