Acts of the Apostles – 08/08/2021

This Sunday

11th Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 14

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
1 Kings 19:4-8
Psalm 34:1-8
Ephesians 4:25-5:2
John 6:35, 41-51

A Note from the Rector

I am very happy to announce that we have a new Parish Administrator. Katie Gentile officially joined the church’s staff as our administrative extraordinaire this week. I use the qualifier “officially” because, over a year ago in the height of the pandemic lockdown, Katie stepped in to create our weekly service leaflets, and over the course of time has steadily volunteered to take on more and more responsibilities, including the weekly email and reviving the monthly print newsletter, and much more. She’s done all of this out of the kindness of her heart and love for the church, but also with great skill and attention to detail.

Meanwhile the vestry and I have been working on creating a job description and doing all the things necessary to hire a new administrative assistant to replace our previous staff person who left during the pandemic to move back home. As we completed that task, it became very clear to me that Katie was going to be the best candidate for the job that we could ever hope to find. Thankfully, she accepted the offer.

I am extremely grateful for all that’s she done for the church as a volunteer, and I am extremely grateful that she is now stepping into this role. You’ll find her office hours posted in the weekly email, and you can contact her using the church’s phone number 610-642-6617 or the office email: holyapostlespa@gmail.com. As a way of showing gratitude why not send her a favorite recipe, restaurant review, poem, short story, praise report, or other contribution for our monthly newsletter?

Services

You can view our live-stream on our YouTube channel.  
A link to this video will be posted to Facebook.

Sunday, August 8, 2021 – 11th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 14
Holy Eucharist, Rite II with Prayers of Spiritual Communion 10AM
The Rev. James Stambaugh, celebrant & preacher

Sunday, August 15, 2021 – 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 15
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”

Outreach – Up Next

Darby Mission – Back to School Supplies

Our friends at Darby Mission have provided us with specific supply needs for the K-6 children they serve who will be returning to school in September.

We have set up two collection dates – August 15 and August 29. This will give us an opportunity after the 15th to provide an accurate update on what items are still needed to fulfill these requests.

Here are our goals:
25 backpacks 
25 boxes crayons
25 boxes markers
300 pencils
50 lined tablets
50 glue sticks

Guidelines for backpacks:
We’d like a variety of sizes, as some of the children we are serving are as young as kindergarten age, and also a variety in designs so that the children (boys and girls) might find something that appeals to them.

Connect by Night Update

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many changes, not the least of which is an end to the Connect by Night program as we had known it. Unfortunately, they are no longer able to provide overnight sleeping accommodations for their homeless clients. 

In the absence of that program, we have been actively seeking other ways to reach out to these people in need in our community. In July, that happened through Project Share.

Here is how Project Share is described on the MentalHealthPartnerships.org website:

Project Share Recovery Learning Center offers self-help, mutual support, information and referral, peer support, vocational and social integration into the community. SHARE Recovery workers facilitate classes that teach practical skills such as budgeting and WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan), and other life skills to reintegrate back into the community and support the individual’s recovery process.

Each Tuesday in July, volunteers from CHA provided 15-18 brown bag lunches that were delivered to the center at 7200 Chestnut Street in Upper Darby, along with 75+ books that you have donated over the past few months. This was very well received by both clients and the program director.

At this time, the center is experiencing a lot of change in management. The last three meetings with them has involved three different managers. We are very interested in continuing to find a way to contribute to meeting the needs of the homeless. We hope to host another month of lunches in September but we are also open to whatever other needs may arise.

We ask for your prayers for the center and it’s directors as they define their new purpose, and especially for the homeless who have suffered yet another loss in the lack of a safe place to spend the night, that we might find practical ways to meet their needs.

Announcements

+ YOUTH CONFIRMATION CLASS
Confirmation classes will begin in mid-September. If you or a family member is interested in joining us, let us know by filling out this google form. This isn’t a commitment, just a way to find out who is interested. And, of course, if you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to reach out to Fr. James directly.

+ ALTAR FLOWER MEMORIALS
We have openings in the Altar Flower Memorial schedule. The cost for altar flowers is $45.00. If you would like to claim one of these dates, either for a single occurrence or on an ongoing basis, please email Patty Wertz or phone 610-909-2826.

+ 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.

+ AUGUST PARISH PRAYER LIST
Some of you may not have received the Parish Prayer List insert in your newsletter this month. if yours is missing, you can pick one up from the table in the narthex, or contact Katie Gentile or the church office (610-642-6617) to request that one be sent to you.

+ 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.

+CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
As of August 1, Katie Gentile has been hired as our new Parish Administrator and will be keeping weekly office hours.
Office hours for the week of August 8 are:
Tuesday – 8/10 – 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Wednesday – 8/11 – 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Friday – 8/13 – 9:00am – 12:00pm

Diocesan news

+ BLUE JEANS DRIVE

The deacons of the diocese are leading a blue jeans collection.  Blue jeans are durable and in need by those who are without shelter. They are asking  churches – and you – to collect what you can so they can be delivered to those with the most need.

Needed:

• Clean, gently worn jeans.
• Those jeans that are in the back of the closet that you will never wear again.
• Brand new jeans, in your size. (It’s good to be generous.)

Churches and individuals can drop off at St. John’s Diocesan Center (Norristown); bring to The Philadelphia Cathedral on 10/23 before the diocesan convention begins; or contact archdeacon@diopa.org to make other arrangements.

Happy Birthday

The following folks have birthdays in the month of August
9^th      Natalie Wherry
14^th    Mike Zorc
15^th    Wyatt Delevan
16^th    Valle Brokes
17^th    Elliott Brown III
          Patty Wertz
18^th    Daniel Neff
          Paul Hughes
24^th    Elisabeth McCracken
27^th    Matt Dupre
28^th    Lillian Neff
          Michelle Gallagher

If your birthday, or the birthday of another parishioner is missing, please notify the Parish Office at holyapostlespa@gmail.com