This Sunday
7th Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 10
10AM Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Masks are optional for those who have been vaccinated
Watch the broadcast on our YouTube channel
Service Material can be found on our website
Scripture readings
Amos 7:7-15
Psalm 85:8-13
Ephesians 1:3-14
Mark 6:14-29
A Note from the Rector
Note: James is on vacation, but he wrote this note in advance to share with you now.
Over the last few months, a series of ideas have developed. Cassie as our talented and energetic outreach coordinator, the Compline prayer group, the Thursday Bible Study, and the vestry all have contributed. The core idea is to offer hospitality and love to our neighborhood by installing a box or boxes on the corner of our property adjacent to the park at Remington Rd. What do boxes have to do with God’s love? There are three interconnected answers to this question. We may implement one, two, or all three:
- A Little Free Library – you’ve seen these around your neighborhood, a small outdoor structure, protected from the rain, that contains books which anyone can take, borrow, or add. There is a national registry of such little free libraries to which we would add our own. Our little free library will be curated. We make sure there are always some accessible books about Christianity like Rowan Williams Being Christian, and CS Lewis’ Mere Christianity. We’ll include literature concerning Holy Apostles and how to get involved. It would be wonderful to have books in non-English languages as a gesture of welcome in the midst of a growing language diversity of our neighborhood. Spanish, Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese are good starting places. These are a few of the more common languages, but Penn Wynne Elementary School reports students and families who speak these and other languages. Finally, the library would include a small section honoring the faith heritage that we hold in common with our Jewish neighbors. This would include books by authors such as Rabbi Abraham Herschel and Jon Levenson whose spiritual works are illuminating to all Abrahamic faiths.
- A Little Free Pantry – just as there are little free libraries all over the place, so there are also pantries that work on the same cooperative principle. You get the idea: non-perishables that are available for anyone to take, and the option for anyone to restock the shelf. At first, I was skeptical to the notion that anyone in our neighborhood would benefit from such a thing. Then I heard the experience of St Mary’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, how their pantry is constantly utilized by people. Fr. Joseph, their priest, estimates that their pantry is completely depleted and completely restocked by people in their neighborhood every few days. It is my understanding that Wayne is one of the most affluent of Philadelphia’s suburbs. Food insecurity is everywhere.
- A Doggie Comfort Station – until my family got a dog (Bella, the beloved rescue dog of indeterminate heritage) I did not pay attention to how many dogs were in the neighborhood and how many of them pass in front of our church every single day. People around here love their dogs a lot. Providing something that communicates we care about people’s dogs is going to be a visceral and direct way to communicate that we care about people themselves, and that we care about our neighborhood. The Doggie Comfort Station would perhaps consist of a way to provide water for passing dogs (this needs to be done in a way that doesn’t breed mosquitos), and a sealed container for dog treats. We are also considering providing dog poop bags and a little trash can. Don’t worry, I’ll empty it. Dealing with dog poop is a very small price to pay if it means loving our neighbors and inviting people to experience God’s love for themselves.
That’s what it’s all about. The primary and essential purpose of our property is to help us spread the love of God and magnify the name of Jesus. Let’s leverage every inch to achieve that goal!
Services
You can view our live-stream on our YouTube channel.
A link to this video will be posted to Facebook.
Sunday, July 11, 2021 – 7th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 10
Holy Eucharist, Rite II with Prayers of Spiritual Communion 10AM
The Rev. Doris Rajagopal, celebrant & preacher
Sunday, July 18, 2021 – 8th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 11
Holy Eucharist, Rite II with Prayers of Spiritual Communion 10AM
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 Study is 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”
Rector’s Vacation
James and his family are on vacation from June 21st until July 6th and then from July 10th until July 17th. The Stambaughs will be visiting family in Colorado and New Mexico whom they haven’t seen since 2019, and then spending a week in Maine.
For pastoral emergencies during this time, please contact our Senior Warden, Peter Patton – (215) 519-4377. Peter can put you in contact with a priest who can assist. James will answer his phone if he can, but there will be portions of his time away when he will be out of cell phone service.
Services will be as follows:
Sunday, July 11 – Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Celebrant and Preacher: Our Dear Friend, the Rev. Doris Rajagopal, Missioner to Darby
Compline via Zoom will continue nightly at 7:30pm
Bible Study via Zoom will continue on Thursdays at 11am
We are taking a break from the book of Daniel to look at First, Second, and Third John
Outreach – Up Next
CONNECT BY NIGHT…DURING THE DAY WITH PROJECT SHARE
Your donated books and bagged lunches will be delivered to the CBN facility
EACH TUESDAY IN JULY
Update:
Our first two lunch and book drop-offs (June 29 and July 6) were warmly received.
We are still looking for 2 families to volunteer to make sandwiches for July 20 and July 27. The Outreach Committee will supply sandwich supplies and brown paper bags, delivered to your home for assembly. Packed lunches will be picked up from your home and delivered to CBN.
Alternatively, if you would like to make brownies or cookies for either of these dates, that would also be a great help!
Email Cassie or phone/text: 610-608-5440
DARBY DINNERS
They’re back! And we’ll be hosing the first one, a BBQ,
THIS TUESDAY, JULY 13!
We are still looking for:
Hamburger buns
Macaroni salad or Mac ‘n’ Cheese
Desserts such as Brownies, Cupcakes and Popsicles
If you want to provide food but can’t deliver it, you can arrange to meet up at the church, or arrange to drop your donation off at Cassie’s house. You may also choose to make a monetary donation to Outreach and let Cassie know what you’d like it used for.
Announcements
+ MAY WE PRAY FOR YOU?
Intercession brings before God the needs of others (BCP p.857)
The Parish Prayer list is included in the monthly newsletter that is sent through the mail. Additional copies are also available on the table in the Narthex. To add your prayer needs to the list, you can contact Fr. James, Nancy Haas, or use the form on our website.
+ SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP
As some restrictions have been lifted, we are now allowed to gather for fellowship following the 10 AM Sunday service. A list has been been posted outside of the church office with summer dates. We will need volunteers to sign up to provide a cold beverage out on the lawn. At this time, no cookies or snacks are necessary, given the current restrictions in place. Plenty of dates still available for your contribution!
+ JOIN US FOR HAPPY HOUR!
Happy hour on the lawn has been rescheduled for Friday, July 23rd at 6pm, weather permitting. This is a BYOB/snacks event. While we are not able to share food, we can share fellowship and fun! If you have never joined us, give it a try! It is especially nice on a beautiful summer evening! Hope to see you there!
+ CHURCH SERVICE ATTENDANCE
We look forward to seeing you back at church if you feel comfortable there. Masks are optional for those who have been vaccinated Services will also continue to be livestreamed on our YouTube Channel. Be sure to hit the SUBSCRIBE button!
+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 Fr. James 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.
Diocesan News
+ LOVING PRESENCE
The Loving Presence Video captures the essence of America’s racist past through the testimonies of lay and clergy persons of the diocese. Reaffirming the recommendations of the Loving Presence Document, our video invites all people to reaffirm their commitment to ending racism in our nation and renew their baptismal covenant to Christ, creating a revolution of the heart. Watch it here.
+ FREE VACCINATION SITES
Our Diocese has partnered with several pharmacies to create free vaccination sites across the diocese. If you are looking for a vaccine, you are welcome to these places, no registration needed (but do bring ID & insurance card):
Vaccination Site & Times
• St John’s Norristown: Every Tuesday and Thursday – 2-5:45
1020 Remington Road, Wynnewood, PA 19096
Church of the Holy Apostles 