holyapostlespa Announcements

Announcements – 3/17/19

Worship

† There are many opportunities to participate in a holy Lent this year, and it’s not too late!  Please pick up a Lenten booklet this morning.  There are also Lenten activities available for children and youth on the table in the office hallway.  

† Morning Prayer is offered at 8:30AM on Sunday mornings and at 9:15AM Tuesdays through Fridays.  Anyone can pray the service privately using the Book of Common Prayer or one of a number of smart phone apps!  See the last section of the digital edition of the “Acts of the Apostles” for details.

Outreach

† We will be hosting our next Darby Mission meal on Tuesday, March 19th.  We will be cooking chili and need food preparers (main dish, cornbread, mac & cheese, salad, dessert) and people to join in and serve the meal.  We will meet at the church at 5PM to driver together, or 5:30 at the Darby Community Center (1021 Ridge Ave., Darby PA).  A sign-up sheet is posted in the parish hall, find the online sign-up sheet in the digital edition of the “Acts of the Apostles.”

† We are collecting non-perishable food items for the food pantry of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia.  Look for the collection box in the hallway outside the parish hall.

Children and Youth

† Our Sunday School students are hosting a CRAFT FAIR on Sunday March 24 during coffee hour.  The crafts have been created by our children and all proceeds will go toward a donation for the children we sponsor through Child Fund International.  The students have decorated “A cross in my pocket”, prayer bracelets, and re-useable shopping bags.  Bring lots of money. 

† Nursery Childcare is available during the 10:00AM 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 10:00AM, 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 10:00PM Holy Eucharist service or the 5:30PM 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.

† The Holy Apostles Choir School begins its pilot program in late February.  If you have a potential student, apply today.  Applications are available on-line or on the “connect” table. The Choir School will accept only 20 students for the pilot semester. Placement preference will be given to members of the Church of the Holy Apostles. More information is available at holyapostlespa.org/choir-school/. Please forward this information to friends and neighbors who may be interested. Contact Deb Stambaugh if you have any questions.

Parish Life

† This morning, after the 10AM service (and coffee hour) we will hold an Anglican Prayer Bead Workshop.  We will make and learn how to use Anglican prayer beads.  This is an all ages event!  

† If you enter the church building when the Little Friends Day Care is in session (7:00AM – 6:00PM Mon-Fri), and are anywhere other than in the church itself, please obtain a “Church Member” name tag from the Parish Office and wear it while you are here. This will show the teachers and children at the day care that you are a person who belongs here. Any workers/maintenance people or visitors who come into the buildings are required to wear a “Visitor” name tag to identify themselves to our own staff as well as to the day care staff and children.

† The Cash for Causes Program at Giant Supermarket:

               -Purchase through JT Wertz

               -5% of card value is given to Holy Apostles operating fund.

               -Can be used in store or when ordering Giant groceries through     peapod online delivery service.

Education

† You are invited to join our Lenten “soup group” which meet Wednesday nights in lent.  Don’t worry if you can’t make every class.  Come for the soup and stay for a lively discussion about faith and life (or come for the discussion and stay for the soup!)  This year’s topic is:

                                      “Good News & God’s Mission”

† Bible Study is held on Thursdays at 11AM.

Community Events

† Mainline Reform Synagogue is hosting a Women’s Interfath vent on Sunday, April 7 from 3-5PM.  The event is entitled: “Refugees and Asylum Seekers Share Their Stories of Exodus: A Women’s Interfaith Gathering.”  Look for flyer in the parish hall or email the church office for more information.

jstambaugh A Note from the Rector

A Note from the Rector – 3/17/19

Welcome to the Second Sunday in Lent, which also happens to be St. Patrick’s Day.  Except for major feasts of Our Lord, whenever a saint’s feast day falls on a Sunday, it is transferred to the next day.  So, in the church’s mind, St. Patrick’s day is celebrated tomorrow (in case you want to wear your “Kiss Me I’m Irish” shirt tomorrow also).  This is because Sunday is always a major feast of the Resurrection.  Every Sunday is Easter Sunday, in other words.  As awesome as St. Pat is, he doesn’t hold a candle to the glorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior.  It also means that while it is a Sunday IN Lent, it is not really a Sunday OF Lent, because Sunday is always Easter.  In fact, the 6 Sundays that occur during the season of Lent are not counted in the 40 days of Lent.  Do with that information what you will.

After today’s 10AM service we are holding an Anglican Prayer Bead workshop in the Memorial Room.  Let me tell you about prayer beads.  First, it is interesting to note that the English word “bead” descends from the medieval Old English word “bede,” which means “prayer.” This testifies to how important prayer beads have been to the spiritual lives of many.

They are an aid to help us focus in prayer.  Being human means that we are spiritual and physical beings.  Many of us find it helpful, then, to have physical components to our spiritual prayer.  Prayer beads give our hands something to do, which somehow frees up some mental and emotional space and helps to focus and concentrate our prayer.  Body, mind, and spirit are connected in mysterious ways.

This embodied, contemplative practice of using objects to count prayers is very old—probably first developed in the Hindu religion over 5,000 years ago.  Many major world religions have their own version of prayer beads.  In the earliest days of Eastern Christian monasticism, monks used pebbles to count their prayers.  This practiced developed over time (4thand 5thcenturies) into beaded or knotted ropes that monks would hold and use to count their prayers. Made out of wool, and tied with a special (and very complicated) knot, prayer ropes (commonly called after their Russian name “chotkis) are still very much in use in the Eastern Christian world.  The prayer used most often with these prayer ropes is called the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”  This prayer is based on several passages form the Gospels, mainly from Luke 18:38 when a blind man outside Jericho cries out to Jesus as he passes by: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.”

In the West, this practice showed up first in Ireland, in the 9thcentury monastic communities of St. Columba.  It spread throughout Europe and developed in the later middle ages into the Rosary—the “rose garden”, that is still in common use by Roman Catholics, as well as Anglicans and even a Lutheran or two.  The traditional use of the Rosary calls for three main prayers: the “Hail Mary” (derived mostly from several passage of the Gospel of Luke chapter 1), the Lord’s Prayer, and the “Glory Be” (Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit…).

Sometime in the 1980s an Episcopal priest along with the contemplative prayer group at her parish, developed a simplified version of the Rosary.  They called it the Anglican Rosary.  It uses 33 beads to signify the 33 years of Jesus’ life.  Diverse prayers have been used with the Anglican Rosary, but they have always been closely derived or inspired by Scripture (as, indeed, all the prayers mentioned so far have been).  Our workshop is going to be fun for all ages.  This is a great way to teach children about prayer.  See you there!

holyapostlespa Announcements

Announcements for 3/3/2019

Worship

† Today is World Mission Sunday in the Episcopal Church.

† March 6th is Ash Wednesday.  The following services are offered:

7:30AM—Imposition of Ashes; no Eucharist

9:15AM—Imposition of Ashes; no Eucharist

12:15PM—Holy Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes

6:30PM—Holy Eucharist with music and the Imposition of Ashes

† There are many opportunities to participate in a holy Lent this year.  Please pick up a Lenten booklet this morning, or look for the online version on our website soon.  Feel free to take a booklet for a friend or neighbor, it would be an easy way to invite them to church!

† Morning Prayer is offered at 8:30AM on Sunday mornings and at 9:15AM Tuesdays through Fridays.  Anyone can pray the service privately using the Book of Common Prayer or one of a number of smart phone apps!  See the last section of the digital edition of the “Acts of the Apostles” for details.

Outreach

† We will be hosting our next Darby Mission meal on Tuesday, March 19th.  We will be cooking chili and need food preparers (main dish, cornbread, mac & cheese, salad, dessert) and people to join in and serve the meal.  We will meet at the church at 5PM to driver together, or 5:30 at the Darby Community Center (1021 Ridge Ave., Darby PA).  A sign-up sheet is posted in the parish hall, find the online sign-up sheet here.

Children and Youth

† Nursery Childcare is available during the 10:00AM 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 10:00AM, 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 10:00PM Holy Eucharist service or the 5:30PM 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.

† The Holy Apostles Choir School begins its pilot program in late February.  If you have a potential student, apply today.  Applications are available on-line or on the “connect” table. The Choir School will accept only 20 students for the pilot semester. Placement preference will be given to members of the Church of the Holy Apostles. More information is available at holyapostlespa.org/choir-school/. Please forward this information to friends and neighbors who may be interested. Contact Deb Stambaugh if you have any questions.

Parish Life

† March 5 we will celebrate Shrove Tuesday with a pancake dinner at 6:30PM in the parish hall.  Children in the parish are encouraged to come help James lock up the “Alleluias” until Easter morning.  Todd Delevan is providing some of his legendary homebrewed beer for the adults.

† If you enter the church building when the Little Friends Day Care is in session (7:00AM – 6:00PM Mon-Fri), and are anywhere other than in the church itself, please obtain a “Church Member” name tag from the Parish Office and wear it while you are here. This will show the teachers and children at the day care that you are a person who belongs here. Any workers/maintenance people or visitors who come into the buildings are required to wear a “Visitor” name tag to identify themselves to our own staff as well as to the day care staff and children.

† The Cash for Causes Program at Giant Supermarket:

-Purchase through JT Wertz

-5% of card value is given to Holy Apostles operating fund.

-Can be used in store or when ordering Giant groceries through     peapod online delivery service.

Education

† You are invited to join our Lenten “soup group” which meet Wednesday nights in lent, beginning on March 13.  Come for the soup and stay for a lively discussion about faith and life (or come for the discussion and stay for the soup!)  This year’s topic is:

“Good News & God’s Mission”

† Bible Study is held on Thursdays at 11AM.

Diocesan Events

† Next Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 2:00 PM: Bowling with the Bishop at Wynnewood Lanes. Youth across the Diocese are invited for a day of pizza and bowling.

 

 

holyapostlespa Announcements

Announcements – 7/1/18

CHA Logo 8

Sunday July 1st, 2018
The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Worship

† The Rev. Doris Rajagopal, the Missioner of the Darby Mission, is our preacher this morning.

† Next week July 8th, Healing Prayer will be offered immediately following communion.

Children and Youth

† 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.

† Confirmation Class will continue during the summer months on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at 5PM, with the exception of August 12.  Class on that day is cancelled.

† Sunday School classes are not held over the summer months and will resume in September.

† Nursery Childcare is available during the 10:00 a.m. Sunday service for children ages 3 and younger in the Godly Play Room.

† The Sunday School is organizing a collection as a welcome for the Connect by Night shelter.  Please bring toiletries or socks and leave them in the box in the hallway outside the parish office.

Outreach and Service

Connect by Night

† Connect by Night begins this evening and continues through the month of July!  We are happy to welcome our guests to our church home during this time.

† Help with making lunches and welcoming guests is still needed several evenings toward the end of the month, please contact Joe Zorc to volunteer.

† After this service, please help us move some books and other furniture to make room for our guests.

Darby Mission

† We are hosting a meal on Tuesday, Oct. 2nd at 5:00 p.m. 

† We are hosting a cook-out on Tuesday, July 31st for the students and families of summer camp. If you are available and interested in participating at Darby that day, please contact Joe Zorc

 Parish Life

†  A huge THANK YOU to everyone who helped with the Upper Darby Flea Market last Sunday. We raised over $500. Thanks for your donations and time!

† 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 Fr. James.

† 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.

Diocesan Events

† Anti-Racism Training Workshop: For anyone interested, this will take place Saturday, July 28th, 8 a.m.—2 p.m. at St. Asaph’s, Bala Cynwyd. Fr. James is on the Planning Committee for this.

† Ladies Tea Party: Join women from all over the diocese for a fun event at St. David’s Episcopal Church, Wayne on Saturday, September 15th 1 p.m.—3 p.m. Tickets are $10 and proceeds go to Thistle farms, a ministry that helps women who are human trafficking, prostitution and addiction survivors.

jstambaugh Music Notes

Music Notes – Ecce Lignum Crucis

by Paul Emmons, Organist

As organist, harpsichordist, conductor, composer, and teacher, Anton Heiller was a highly versatile and honored musician in mid-20th-century Vienna.  His performances and recordings of the organ works of Bach were among the most magisterial ever heard. Heiller was often asked to end his American organ recitals with an improvisation on a submitted theme.  He graciously complied, producing stunning creations on a moment’s notice, but regarded the feat as a mere stunt and placated his conscience by charging a lower fee for the event– a scruple which probably only encouraged further such requests!

Heiller’s Ecce Lignum Crucis (Behold the Wood of the Cross) is based upon the Gregorian chant melody for these words in the Good Friday rite.  It appears three times, each time in a higher key, just as it is sung liturgically.  I believe that the dramatic middle variation evokes the hammer blows as the nails are driven into Our Lord’s flesh.  By contrast, the exquisitely tender third variation may remind a listener of Michelango’s sculpture “The Pieta.”   It juxtaposes the Ecce lignum Crucis melody with the German folk song “Es sungen drei Engel” (Three angels are singing), which Heiller’s friend Paul Hindemith had made familiar to us in his symphony Mathis der Maler.

holyapostlespa Announcements

Announcements – 11/26/2017

Announcements for Sunday, November 26th, 2017

The Last Sunday after Pentecost/Christ the King

Worship

Welcome to Church of the Holy Apostles! This morning’s service is Holy Eucharist, Rite II, at 10:00 a.m..  Our Guest Celebrant is the Rev. Canon Shawn Wamsley. The Rev. James Stambaugh will serve as Deacon and Preacher.

Morning Prayer: This week, Tuesday through Friday in the church at 9:00 a.m.

Sunday, December 24th is both Advent IV (in the morning) and Christmas Eve (in the late afternoon and evening). There will be Holy Eucharist, Rite II, as usual at 10:00 a.m. (but without choir) on the 24th, observing Advent IV. Christmas Eve services are Holy Eucharist, Rite II, at both 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. There will be Holy Eucharist at 9:00 a.m. on Christmas Day, Monday, December 25th (without choir).

Children & Youth

Childcare is available during the 10:00 service for children ages 3 and younger in the Godly Play Room.

Sunday School classes (preschool – 2nd grade and 3rd – 8th grade) are held 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 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.

Education

Join us for our next Christian Education Mini-Series: Theological Liner Notes, Wednesdays at 6:30pm on December 6th, 13th, 20th.  Together we will listen to some great music and then discuss how the music relates to the person and work of God as well as questions of meaning and purpose for humans. Some of the artists we will listen to include Bob Dylan, Beyonce, Dave Matthews, Regina Spektor, and Oliver Mtukudzi.  James is open for other suggestions.

Outreach & Service

On Monday December 11th at 6pm the Holy Apostles will hold its annual holiday meal with the East Parkside Resident’s Association. The group will be celebrating members of their community who are cancer survivors.  We will be bringing side dishes and uncooked (frozen or defrosted) turkeys to distribute as gifts.  A sign-up sheet will be posted in the parish hall, and we can travel together from church leaving at 5:30 pm to the Christ Community Baptist Church, 1224 N 41st St , Philadelphia, PA 19104.  If anyone is interested in being part of their entertainment program, or if there are other questions, please contact Joe Zorc at zorc@email.chop.edu .

Parish Life

Seeking volunteers to help with our Pancakes with Santa extrava- ganza on December 2nd from 7:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. There is a sign-up sheet posted in the parish hall. Call or email Drew Meiers (610) 446-8340 or dkmeiers@verizon.net for more information.

Ordination to the Priesthood On December 9 at 4:00 p.m., our deacon-in-charge, James Stambaugh will be ordained to the priesthood by the Rt. Rev. Daniel Gutiérrez.  The special service will take place here at Holy Apostles.  A reception will follow.  An important part of the service is for people to formally present James to the bishop.  James would like to invite any and all willing members of CHA to be his presenters for the service. See BCP, pp. 526-7 to see what this entails.  Look for a sign-up sheet on the table across from the parish office.

The parish office will be open this week on Tuesday, November 28th, and Thursday, November 30th.

holyapostlespa Announcements

Announcements – 11/19/17

Announcements for November 19th, 2017

The 24th Sunday after Pentecost/Proper 28

Worship

Welcome to Church of the Holy Apostles! This Sunday’s service is Holy Eucharist, Rite II at 10:00 a.m.  Our Guest Celebrant is the Rev. Canon Kurt Berlenbach. The Rev. James Stambaugh will serve as Deacon and Preacher.

Morning Prayer: This week, Tuesday and Wednesday in the church at 9:00 a.m.

Annual Thanksgiving Eve service, Wednesday, November 22nd: Evensong at 7:00 p.m. followed by fireside fellowship. This year we will celebrate the beautifully renovated Memorial Room.  Bring a dish to share and a delicious drink of your choosing.

Children & Youth

Childcare is available during the 10:00 service for children ages 3 and younger in the Godly Play Room.

Sunday School classes (preschool – 2nd grade and 3rd – 8th grade) are held 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 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.

Education

Join us for our next Christian Education Mini-Series: Theological Liner Notes, Wednesdays at 6:30pm on December 6th, 13th, 20th.  Together we will listen to some great music and then discuss how the music relates to the person and work of God as well as questions of meaning and purpose for humans. Some of the artists we will listen to include Bob Dylan, Beyonce, Dave Matthews, Regina Spektor, and Oliver Mtukudzi.  James is open for other suggestions.

Outreach & Service

Darby Mission Meal: Wyatt Delavan’s Boy Scout troop 300 is planning to serve an Italian-themed dinner for the Darby Mission on Tuesday, Nov. 21. Additional support in providing and making food would be greatly appreciated. Food dropped off in the church kitchen will be picked up by the Delevans this Sunday, Nov. 19. If you can help, many thanks!  Please use the SignUpGenius link at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0b45aca82da57-darby

Annual Dinner with East Parkside Association: December 11.  Stay tuned for more information on that.

Parish Life

This Sunday marks the culmination of our annual Stewardship Season, Celebrating God’s Good Gifts.  As we complete this important time in the life of our parish and gather our pledge cards this morning, the vestry and the deacon-in-charge want to thank those who spoke of their stewardship journeys, David and Suzanne Lees for coordinating this year’s Stewardship season and brunch, and especially to all who are able to contribute time, talent, and treasure, in thanksgiving to God, for the work of the Church of the Holy Apostles.  Our Celebration Brunch will immediately follow this service.

Seeking volunteers to help with our Pancakes with Santa extrava- ganza on December 2nd from 7:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. There is a sign-up sheet posted in the parish hall. Call or email Drew Meiers (610) 446-8340 or dkmeiers@verizon.net for more information.

Turkey Trot: 5K Run or 1 Mile Walk 9:00 a.m. Thanksgiving, Nov. 23rd. (Meet in front of St. Faith Church, Havertown.)

Come join the Smyth Family and express your thankfulness for good health and to raise money for the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania.  The fee is $20 or $10 for participants under 12. This event is held each year in memory of Matt Smyth who passed away from testicular cancer at 23 and to remind men to check themselves. Make your donations payable to Abramson Cancer Center and in the memo put “The Matt Smyth Fund”.

Ordination to the Priesthood On December 9 at 4:00 p.m., our deacon-in-charge, James Stambaugh will be ordained to the priesthood by the Rt. Rev. Daniel Gutiérrez. The special service will take place here at Holy Apostles.  A reception will follow.  An important part of the service is for people to formally present James to the bishop. James would like to invite any and all willing members of CHA to be his presenters for the service. See BCP, pp. 526-7 to see what this entails.  Look for a sign-up sheet on the table across from the parish office.

The Parish Office will be open this week on Monday, Nov. 20th,  and Tuesday, Nov. 21st. The parish office will not be open on Friday, Nov. 24th.

jstambaugh Music Notes

Music Notes for Sunday October 29th

Martin LutherWhen I moved to this area from Washington State in September 1985, I left the position of Organist-Choirmaster of St. Timothy’s Church, Yakima.  My successor was a young Lutheran lady who immediately began making plans for Reformation Sunday.  She was surprised when the rector informed her, “We don’t observe Reformation Sunday, because we’re only half reformed.” So it is in every Episcopal church I know (and far be it from me to object). But on October 29, our Protestant friends will celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.  It is an ideal time for us to sing Martin Luther’s most famous hymn, “A mighty fortress,” which has long appeared in Anglican hymnals, and even Roman Catholics have been glad to sing since Vatican II.

Luther not only wrote the words but composed the music, and we shall use his original form, which I hope you will agree is actually rather jazzy and, once you get used to it, more exciting and fun than the regular rhythm popularized by Bach.

Paul Emmons, Organist