Acts of the Apostles – 05/09/2021

This Sunday

6th Sunday of Easter
Rogation Sunday

10AM Holy Eucharist, Rite II
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 10:44-48
1 John 5:1-6
John 15:9-17
Psalm 98

A Note from the Rector

This week we observe Rogation Sunday, which is always the Sunday before the Feast of the Ascension (which is this Thursday, May 13^th this year). Rogation comes from Rogare which is the Latin verb “to ask.” Rogation is a time to ask for God’s blessing on agriculture and the resources of creation. It recognizes these resources as gifts from God upon which all humans rely for life. This aspect of Rogation days has often been marked, especially in Anglicanism, by a special form of procession called “beating the bounds of the parish” in which the parish congregation led by the priest would encircle the boundaries of the parish (usually a defined neighborhood or village), stopping at points to read Scripture and pray. Especially In rural areas, an important part of these processions was to visit and bless farmlands and agricultural operations. This formed a Spring bookend to traditions of Autumn harvest blessings and of offering a portion of the fruits of our labor to God in thanksgiving for God’s blessings. For the last several years (except last year), our version of the Rogation Day celebration has included a procession to Wynnewood Valley Park next door, where we’ve read Scripture and offered prayers and blessings over God’s good creation that is represented there. That’s what we will do this Sunday at the end of our service. 

Rogation-tide has also been a time to ask God for protection from calamities, including the ending of plagues and protection from natural disasters. Scholars trace the beginning of Rogation day to a bishop named Mamertus who lived in 5^th century France and held a invented the Rogation days and their processions around the town as a form of prayer to ask God’s protection during a looming disaster (he also probably wrote the earliest version of the Great Litany for the same purpose). The exact nature of the disaster, interestingly, is contested.  Some contemporary sources say it was a volcano threatening to erupt, others that it was a series of calamitous earthquakes. One source claims it was an on-going attack on the city of Vienne by a demonic pack of wolves. Whatever the case, the Rogation procession as a petition for God’s protection has long been a tool in the Church’s toolbox of prayer. I hope that you will join us this Sunday as we celebrate Rogation. Our procession will even include singing a song outside as a congregation (according to diocesan guidelines we will all need to wear masks and be spaced out appropriately in order to do so). Even if you aren’t comfortable gathering indoors during this pandemic, perhaps you will join us around 10:45 outside? There is also a way that you can participate in this Rogation Sunday at home. Below is a short Rogation Garden Devotion, which you can pray by yourself or with your family. 

Rogation Sunday Garden Devotions

Leader                         Blessed be the God of all Creation
Others (if present)      The Lord, our God, makes all things new

A reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

Thanks be to God.

Let us pray

Gracious God, along with all your creation we wait with eager longing.  Help us to be revealed as your children. Let us fulfill our small part in the great work of reconciling all things to you.  Let this garden be a sign of that day when creation is freed from its bondage to decay.  Bring order, growth, and tranquility to this place.  Send your blessing on this garden, on all the plants in my [our] care, and in all the creatures who visit and whose lives are sustained here as I am [we are] sustained here.  This we pray in the name of the Resurrected Lord, whom Mary Magdalene recognized as a gardener on Easter morning, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  

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, May 9, 2021 – 6th Sunday of Easter – Rogation Sunday
Congregational Singing (see Announcements)
Holy Eucharist, Rite II with Prayers of Spiritual Communion and Rogation Day Procession 10AM
Live-streamed, In-person attendance limited to 50
The Rev. James Stambaugh, celebrant & preacher

Thursday, May 13, 2021 – Ascension Day
Holy Eucharist, Rite II with Prayers of Spiritual Communion 6:30PM
Live-streamed, In-person attendance limited to 50
The Rev. James Stambaugh, celebrant & preacher

Sunday, May 16, 2021 – 7th 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 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 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

Your generous food pantry and Space Science project donations have been dropped off to the mission. Next month’s project details will be available in the next 2 weeks. The afterschool project will be all about Photosynthesis!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Looking for folks who are willing and able to help with transporting donated items from the church to the mission on an as-needed basis. Cassie would like a team of folks who she can call on to assist with deliveries. Please email or text Cassie if you can help!

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Connect by Night

Mark your calendar! – May 16, 23, & 30 will be collection days for your books for our Summer Beach Read drive to provide books to the CBN clients.

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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

+ Congregational Singing – Join us this Sunday, May 9, for our Rogation celebration which will feature congregational singing in the park! It will be a joyful time to hear all of our voices lifted in song for the the first time in over a year. We’ll be singing the well-known hymn “All creatures of our God and King” (#400 in the 1982 Hymnal). EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT READY to attend services in the church building, you can plan to head on over around 10:45 AM to meet the procession in the parking lot and join us for the short Rogation celebration before heading out to your Mother’s Day festivities.

+ NEXT WEEK IS GOAT WEEK – May 17-21

• Every Day – 6pm Community Goat Walk
• Monday May 17 – 5:45pm The Blessing of the Goats, in person & on our YouTube channel
• Tuesday May 18 – 5:45pm Goat Talk Live, in person & on our YouTube channel
• Wednesday May 19 – 5:45pm “God, Goats & Neighborhood Ecology,” in person & on our YouTube channel
• Thursday May 20 – TBA
• Friday May 21 – TBA

Everyone is welcome. Invite your friends and neighbors! Check out our website for updated information through the week. All events will be outside. Please maintain social distance and wear masks as appropriate in accordance with CDC guidelines.

+ May 23rd is the Feast of Pentecost.  We are looking for volunteers who speak more than one language to record themselves reading one verse of the Scripture reading in a non-English language. Contact James and he will assign you a part to record with instructions on how to do so from a phone or tablet.  

+ Red signifies the fire of Pentecost (see Acts 2), and everyone is invited to wear red to church on May 23rd to celebrate the feast (whether you are attending in-person or online). 

+ 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 about Mr. Poll on his website. Use this link to sign-up for the limited in-person attendance spots. 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. 

+ 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 May.
1^st      Eric Haas
          Jennifer Lees
2^nd     Nathaniel Russell
4^th      Gregory Smith
5^th      Bryce Henderson
10^th    Porter Forker
12^th    Dan Dugan
14^th    Toni Meiers
16^th    Marianne Neff
19^th    Elliott Brown IV
26^th    Joe Zorc
30^th    Allen Mustered
If your birthday, or the birthday of another parishioner in your family is missing, please notify the Parish Office at holyapostlespa@gmail.com