Announcements
Announcements – 9/16/2018
Worship
† Morning Prayer now is held at 9:15 a.m. (not 9:00 a.m.), Tuesdays through Fridays. (On Wednesdays there will be Morning Prayer at 9:15 rather than Eucharist at 7:30 a.m.)
† Beginning Sunday, September 30th, Morning Prayer will be offered at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Morning Prayer according to the Book of Common Prayer is a beautiful and contemplative service, and a wonderful way to begin to Lord’s Day. This will not affect 9:00 a.m. choir practice or the 10:00 a.m. service of Holy Eucharist.
† On every second Sunday of the month, healing prayer will be offered immediately after communion during the 10:00 service.
† Sunday, October 7th, we will celebrate the Feast of St. Faith during our 10:00 a.m. service. This special service will include the rededication of the St. Faith Gospel Book for our use. That evening, we will celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with our annual Blessing of the Beasts beginning at 5:00 p.m. Bring your pet to church (restrained in a species appropriate fashion) to receive a blessing!
† Mark your calendars: Sunday October 21st at 5:30 PM, A Celebration of New Ministry (Installation of James as 5th Rector of CHA), and the celebration of the 50 Anniversary of CHA becoming a parish. Bishop Daniel Gutierrez will preside.
† Bishop Gutierrez will visit CHA on Sunday, December 9th for Confirmations, Receptions, and Reaffirmations. If you are interested in any of those rites, or would just like to know more, talk to James+.
Children and Youth
† Nursery Childcare is available during the 10:00 a.m. Sunday service for children ages 3 and younger in the Godly Play Room.
† Sunday School: Children Preschool – 2nd grade and 3rd – 8th grade attend Sunday classes at 10:00 a.m., the same time as the church service starts; children join their parents in the church in time for communion. Classes are held on the 1st, 3rd, & 4th Sundays of the month. On 2nd Sundays children attend church with their parents, either the 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist service or the 5:30 p.m. Family Worship Service. When there is a 5th Sunday, children attend church with their parents, with some of the children taking part in leading the service.
† Confirmation Class will continue to be held on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at 5 p.m.
† Holy Apostles is working toward establishing a flourishing children’s choir program. Please look for a children’s choir questionnaire on the “Connect” table across from the Rector’s office.
Outreach and Service
† Darby Mission: The next date on which we will host a meal is Tuesday, October 2nd at 5pm. If you are available and interested in participating at Darby that day, please contact Joe Zorc. Meet at the church at 5 p.m. to drive together, or meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Darby Community Center (1021 Ridge Avenue, Darby PA). There is an online sign-up sheet (link below) as well as a sign-up sheet posted in the Parish Hall. The meal we cook will include hamburger provided by the Hughes family (no need for anyone else to purchase that ingredient). We are still deciding which dish to prepare.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hNdSIlDUH7npLO3_R2x99XyZEFMxyEtm6TO0Bq18se0/edit
Parish Life
† Flower Memorials: Each week flowers are placed on the altar for the 10:00 Sunday service in memory of loved ones who have died or in thanksgiving for a special occasion such as an anniversary or birthday. The cost for the donation of the flowers is $30. Altar Flower Memorials are open for the following dates this beginning this year: Oct. 21st and Nov. 4th. Beginning in 2019. Feb. 17th and June 23rd are open. Please know that the flower memorials automatically renew annually unless you request otherwise, scheduled for the date on the Sunday closest to the original request. To take advantage of this opportunity to honor or remember loved ones with a flower memorial, please notify Patty Wertz of the Altar Guild.
† This Friday, September 21st at 6:00 p.m.: Last Happy Hour of the season!
† Online church calendar: Stay connected with what is happening in your church. Visit the online calendar at http://www.calendarwiz.com/holyapostlespa. All events happening at the church need to be added to this calendar to avoid conflicts with the use of our facilities. Email the church office to schedule events.
Education
† Fall Reading and Discussion: This fall, interested adults will read Ben Myers’s new book called The Apostles’ Creed: A Guide to the Ancient Catechism. Want to deepen your understanding of the essentials of Christian faith, and how they are relevant to your life? You need to read this excellent book! In order to include as many people as possible, James+ will facilitate several discussions about this book on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings. But even if you cannot make it to the discussions you can still read this short, engaging, and very readable book. Sign up in the parish hall if you want a copy and the church will make a bulk order.
† Adult Formation Fall-Winter 2018
How to Sing a Psalm
Sunday, September 23
10-10:10 AM (before service begins)
Apostle’s Creed Book Discussion
Wednesday, 6:30 PM
October 10
October 17
November 7
Advent Soup Group
“Like a Rolling Stone & The Rock that Doesn’t Roll”: Stones in the Bible
Wednesday, 6:30 PM
December 5
December 12
December 19
Bible Study
Thursdays, 11 AM
Join us as we take a deep dive into the Acts of the Apostles.
A Note from the Rector – 9/16/2018
Last Thursday at 11AM was the inaugural meeting of our weekly Bible Study. It was fantastic. Five of us sat around the table in the Memorial Room. We each brought our different interests and life experience, and with a prayer we opened up our Bibles together and discussed what we read there. It was not a class. It was discussion, and a time of mutual learning and discovery. For me, it is a great honor and joy to be part of such a holy time. We began reading the Acts of Apostles. The 5th book of the New Testament, right after the 4 Gospels, Acts was written toward the end the 1st century (A.D. 80-90). It is the sequel to the Gospel of Luke and describes the actions that founded the early church, starting with Christ’s Ascension. It is a theological narrative: a story that tells us something about God, and about ourselves. It is an extraordinary book, and full of many little surprises. Whether you’re new to Bible study, or whether you’ve read and studied Acts many times, you are guaranteed to learn something new and life-giving.
I know many folks work during this time. For you there will be many other opportunities this Fall and Winter to gather and learn about our faith together. You are also welcome to read the book of Acts along with us. For those who can join us, even once in a while, please do. I am convinced you will find it a positive and faith-building experience. Here is our tentative reading schedule for the next several months. We may have to adjust as we go along because we’re taking our time, but this will give you an idea of where we’ll be if you’d like to jump in sometime!
Thursdays – 11AM
Sept. 13 – Introduction 1:1-11
Sept. 20 – 1:12-26
Sept. 27 – 2:1-12
Oct. 4 – 2:14-36
Oct. 11 – 2:37-47
Oct. 18 – 3:1-10
Oct. 25 – 3:11-26
Nov. 1 – 4:1-37
Nov. 8 – 5:1-16
Nov. 15 – 5:17-42
Nov. 22 – Thanksgiving; No Bible Study
James+
Announcements – 9/9/2018
Worship
† This morning healing prayer will be offered immediately after communion.
† The choir resumes singing the weekly Sunday services today.
† There will be no Family Worship service at 5:30 p.m. today, Sundae Sunday, September 9th. Everyone is invited to attend the 10:00 a.m. service and to come to the Ice Cream Sundae Party that follows. There will be Confirmation Class at 5:00 p.m. tonight.
† Mark your calendars: Sunday October 21st at 5:30 PM, A Celebration of New Ministry (Installation of James as 5th Rector of CHA), and the celebration of the 50 Anniversary of CHA becoming a parish. Bishop Daniel Gutierrez will preside.
† Sunday, October 7th, we will celebrate the Feast of St. Faith during our 10:00 a.m. service.
† Bishop Gutierrez will visit CHA on Sunday, December 9th for Confirmations, Receptions, and Reaffirmations. If you are interested in any of those rites, or would just like to know more, talk to James+.
† Beginning this week Morning Prayer will be held at 9:15 a.m. (not 9:00 a.m.), Tuesdays through Fridays. (On Wednesdays there will be Morning Prayer at 9:15 rather than Eucharist at 7:30 a.m.)
Children and Youth
† Nursery Childcare is available during the 10:00 a.m. Sunday service for children ages 3 and younger in the Godly Play Room.
† Welcome back to Sunday School! Today, September 9th, Sunday School classes begin again for preschool – 2nd grade and 3rd – 8th grade beginning at 10:00 a.m., the same time as the church service starts; children then join their parents in the church in time for communion. Classes then will be held routinely on the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Sundays of the month. On 2nd Sundays children attend church with their parents, either the 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist service or the 5:30 p.m. Family Worship Service. When there is a 5th Sunday, children attend church with their parents, with some of the children taking part in leading the service.
† Confirmation Class will continue to be held on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at 5 p.m.
† Holy Apostles is working toward establishing a flourishing children’s choir program. Please look for a children’s choir questionnaire on the “Connect” table across from the Rector’s office.
Outreach and Service
† Darby Mission The schedule for hosting Darby meals has been very well subscribed. Our next turn will be on Tuesday, October 2nd at 5:00 p.m. If you are available and interested in participating at Darby that day, please contact Joe Zorc.
† If you visit the church during the week (and we hope you do!), please use the red double doors nearest the church offices. Please take special care to lock doors behind you, and ensure that they latch properly. Doors that are not locked or completely shut are a very serious safety concern for Little Friends Daycare. Thank you.
† Online church calendar: Stay connected with what is happening in your church. Visit the online calendar at http://www.calendarwiz.com/holyapostlespa. All events happening at the church need to be added to this calendar to avoid conflicts with the use of our facilities. Email the church office to schedule events.
† Fall Reading and Discussion: This fall, interested adults will read Ben Myers’s new book called The Apostles’ Creed: A Guide to the Ancient Catechism. Want to deepen your understanding of the essentials of Christian faith, and how they are relevant to your life? You need to read this excellent book! In order to include as many people as possible, James+ will facilitate several discussions about this book on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings. But even if you cannot make it to the discussions you can still read this short, engaging, and very readable book. Sign up in the parish hall if you want a copy and the church will make a bulk order.
† Adult Formation Fall-Winter 2018
How to Sing a Psalm
Sunday, September 23rd
10:00 to 10:10 a.m. (before service begins)
Apostles’ Creed Book Discussion
Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
September 26th
October 17th
November 7th
Advent Soup Group
“Like a Rolling Stone & The Rock That Doesn’t Roll”: Stones in the Bible
Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
December 5th
December 12th
December 19th
Bible Study
Thursdays, 11:00 a.m., beginning September 13th
Join us as we take a deep dive into the Acts of the Apostles.
Diocesan Events
† Holy Apostles & the Mediator: The Philadelphia parish that founded our parish in 1950 is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. We’ve been invited to participate in several special events!
- Sunday, September 16th at 2:00 p.m. Historian Michael Kruzulski give a talk and lead a historical tour of the grounds and treasures of Holy Apostles and the Mediator
- Saturday, October 27th at 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. A celebratory luncheon at the Hilton on City Avenue
- Sunday, October 28th, 10:00 a.m. 150th Anniversary Celebration Service at Holy Apostles and the Mediator
† Saturday, October 6th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., join James+ at the diocesan anti-racism training at St. Asaph’s Episcopal Church, Bala Cynwyd. James+ has helped to plan this event.
A Note from the Rector – 9/9/2018
I am very pleased to welcome back the Sunday School and the Choir this morning!
I read an article recently that explored the philosophical and scientific mystery of why listening to music gives humans pleasure. The long and the short of it is: it’s a mystery. Music can be open-ended, unexpected, and difficult to interpret. It is capable of speaking to us in multiple ways, including directly to our emotions through non-verbal means. It may be this quality of mystery itself that gives us pleasure. I think the mystery of music is tied up with the mystery of God. Human observation (science) cannot prove the existence of God, and if it could, the God it showed us wouldn’t be worth worshipping. However, within the world of the natural senses there are many pointers to God, things that make us wonder, in both senses of that phrase. Music is one of these pointers. It can be so transcendent, and move us to such a deep level that we cannot help but wonder if music itself speaks of the mystery of the divine life. For many people, music is one of the ways they sense God’s presence. That is why music is so important for the worship of the Church, and that is why I am excited for a new year of exciting and beautiful music led by our intrepid choir under the skilled and learned direction of our organist and choir director, Paul Emmons. St. Augustine was right when he said, “When you sing, you pray twice.”
The Sunday School is one of the ways we welcome children in our midst and ensure they and their parents know that children truly belong at Holy Apostles. More than that, I am pretty sure God likes kids best. Jesus said, “Unless you change and become like a little child, you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). God delights in the rambunctious joy of children in our midst. Children are a treasure for God’s Church, not only as its future, but also as its present. Children enhance our life together, and show us what it means to approach God and life with innocence, vitality, and wonder. Or is it innocence, vitality, and wiggles? Probably both, and we are better people for providing a safe and fun environment for our children. Today after service, we celebrate these manifold blessings—Choir and Sunday School, children and music—with ice cream!
James+
This Week at Holy Apostles – 9/2/2018
Sunday, September 2..……………………………………………..….10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Thirteenth Sunday Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. James Stambaugh after Pentecost
Monday, September 3…….………………………………………………………………Parish Offices Closed
Tuesday, September 4.…………………………………………….……9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Parish Office Open
Wednesday, September 5…………………………………………….….7:30 – 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Parish Office Closed
Thursday, September 6……………………………………………….9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
Parish Office Closed
Friday, September 7…………………………………………….…….9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Parish Office Open
Sunday, September 9 ………………………………………….……10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Sixteenth Sunday Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. James Stambaugh after Pentecost Sundae Sunday! Ice Cream Sundae Party following the 10:00 service 5:00 p.m. Confirmation Class
Announcements – 9/2/2018
Worship
† The choir resumes singing the weekly Sunday services on September 9th.
† There will be no Family Worship service at 5:30 p.m. on Sundae Sunday, September 9th. Everyone is invited to attend the 10:00 a.m. service that day and to come to the Ice Cream Sundae Party that follows. There will be Conformation Class at 5:00 p.m. on this day.
† Mark your calendars: Sunday October 21st at 5:30 PM, A Celebration of New Ministry (Installation of James as 5th Rector of CHA), and the celebration of the 50 Anniversary of CHA becoming a parish. Bishop Daniel Gutierrez will preside.
† Sunday, October 7th, we will celebrate the Feast of St. Faith during our 10AM service.
† Bishop Gutierrez will visit CHA on Sunday, December 9th for Confirmations, Receptions, and Reaffirmations. If you are interested in any of those rites, or would just like to know more, talk to James+.
Children and Youth
† Nursery Childcare is available during the 10:00 a.m. Sunday service for children ages 3 and younger in the Godly Play Room.
† Confirmation Class will continue during the summer months on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at 5 p.m..
† On September 9th, Sunday School classes (preschool – 2nd grade and 3rd – 8th grade) begin again and are held routinely on the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Sundays of the month, beginning at 10:00 a.m., the same time as the church service starts; children then join their parents in the church in time for communion. On 2nd Sundays children attend church with their parents, either the 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist service or the 5:30 p.m. Family Worship Service. When there is a 5th Sunday, children attend church with their parents, with some of the children taking part in leading the service.
† Holy Apostles is working toward establishing a flourishing children’s choir program. Please look for a children’s choir questionnaire on the “Connect” table across from the Rector’s office.
Outreach and Service
† Darby Mission The schedule for hosting Darby meals has been very well subscribed, and our next turn will be on Tuesday, October 2nd at 5:00 p.m. Please put that date on your calendar. If you are available and interested in participating at Darby that day, please contact Joe Zorc.
Parish Life
SUNDAE SUNDAY! Next week, September 9th: Welcome back to Sunday School with an Ice Cream Sundae Party (outdoors, weather permitting) following the 10:00 a.m. service for all parishioners and guests.
† If you visit the church during the week (and we hope you do!), please use the red double doors nearest the church offices. Please take special care to lock doors behind you, and ensure that they latch properly. Doors that are not locked or completely shut are a very serious safety concern for Little Friends Daycare. Thank you.
† Online church calendar: Stay connected with what is happening in your church. Visit the online calendar at http://www.calendarwiz.com/holyapostlespa. All events happening at the church need to be added to this calendar to avoid conflicts with the use of our facilities. Email the church office to schedule events.
Education
† Fall Reading and Discussion: This fall, interested adults will read Ben Myers’s new book called The Apostles’ Creed: A Guide to the Ancient Catechism. Want to deepen your understanding of the essentials of Christian faith, and how they are relevant to your life? You need to read this excellent book! In order to include as many people as possible, James+ will facilitate several discussions about this book on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings. But even if you cannot make it to the discussions you can still read this short, engaging, and very readable book. Sign up in the parish hall if you want a copy and the church will make a bulk order.
† Adult Formation Fall-Winter 2018
How to Sing a Psalm
Sunday, September 23rd
10:00 to 10:10 a.m. (before service begins)
Apostles’ Creed Book Discussion
Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
– September 26th
– October 17th
– November 7th
Advent Soup Group
“Like a Rolling Stone & The Rock That Doesn’t Roll”: Stones in the Bible
Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
– December 5th
– December 12th
– December 19th
Bible Study
Thursdays, 11:00 a.m., beginning September 13th
Join us as we take a deep dive into the Acts of the Apostles.
Diocesan Events
† Holy Apostles & the Mediator: The Philadelphia parish that founded our parish in 1950 is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. We’ve been invited to participate in several special events!
- Sunday, September 16th at 2:00 p.m. Historian Michael Kruzulski will give a talk and lead a historical tour of the grounds and treasures of Holy Apostles and the Mediator
- Saturday, October 27th at 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. A celebratory luncheon at the Hilton on City Avenue
- Sunday, October 28th, 10:00 a.m. 150th Anniversary Celebration Service at Holy Apostles and the Mediator
† Saturday, October 6th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., join James+ at the diocesan anti-racism training at St. Asaph’s Episcopal Church, Bala Cynwyd. James+ has helped to plan this event.
A Note from the Rector – 9/2/2018
This past week felt like “the calm before the storm.” It was the last of the summer holidays, a time for what is supposed to be a quieter, slower rhythm of life. I am not sure that it is quieter or slower for many of us, although quiet and a slower pace of life are fine things, things that we should seek out and aspire to for our own spiritual and emotional well-being.
Nonetheless, the summer has sped by, or so it seems. Many families are busy preparing for the start of the upcoming school year, and we are poised to begin what the church often calls our program year, next Sunday, September 9th. This simply means that after a summer hiatus, we will begin offering weekly Sunday School classes for children again at 10am. It also means that the choir will return to their important role of leading us in the worship of God through music. I am very much looking forward to all of this. It is a day worth celebrating, and we will celebrate with ice cream sundaes.
This Fall promises to be a busy season at Church of the Holy Apostles. There will be opportunities for special worship, including special opportunities to re-unite and honor the parish that founded and funded this church 68 years ago. We will continue to prepare for our bishop’s official visit in December, at which point he will confirm a whole gaggle of our young people in their faith in Jesus Christ. There will be numerous and varied opportunities to engage in our faith in deeper ways through study and prayer. There will be many joyous moments this Fall, including especially a baptism and two weddings. In October we will have a Celebration of New Ministry which includes my official installation as the Rector of your church, and a commemoration of 50 years of Holy Apostles functioning as a self-supporting parish.
In all of this it will be important to remind ourselves again and again why we are doing what we are doing. Our services and rituals are not empty, and our celebrations of life’s special moments are not in vain. They all point toward and participate in Something bigger and more important than us. We do what we do in order to glorify God. We do what we do in order to immerse ourselves more deeply and fully into the rhythms of divine life into which God invites us. And, we do what we do in order to invite others to join us on this journey of faith and blessing. I am going to need reminders of all that in the coming months; to be reminded that being busy for its own sake is not a virtue; to be reminded that being grounded in the present moment and aware of God’s blessing in the daily rhythms of life is far more rewarding and life-giving than being caught up in the hustle and bustle of our society, or in trying to live up to some standard of efficiency and worldly success. So, on this Labor Day weekend, take a deep breath and join me in remembering Who made you and why. Remember and recount the blessings of this short and transitory life: your family and your friends, most of all. Then—with hearts full of love and despite the cares and occupations of the week ahead—be sure to come to church next week for ice cream.
James+
This Week at Holy Apostles 8/26/2018
Sunday, August 26..…..……………………10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Thirteenth Sunday Celebrant: The Rev. James Stambaugh after Pentecost Preacher: Jeremiah Mustered 5:00 p.m. Confirmation Class
Monday, August 27………………………….…………………Parish Offices Closed
Tuesday, August 28………………….…..……9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Morning Prayer 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Parish Office Open
Wednesday, August 29………………..….….7:30 – 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Parish Office Closed
Thursday, August 30…….…………………….9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Morning Prayer Parish Office Closed
Friday, August 31……………………..……….9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Morning Prayer 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Parish Office Open 6:00 p.m. Happy Hour (on lawn, weather permitting)
Sunday, September 2.………………………..10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Fifteenth Sunday Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. James Stambaugh after Pentecost
