Category: Faith in Action

St. Edward’s Thursday Message – March 11th

administrator

Dear parishioners & friends of St. Edward’s,

What a gorgeous day it was today!  We hope that wherever you were, you were able to take the time to step outside, soak in the sun’s rays, breathe in the fresh air, and marvel at how the wildlife that has been silent for months, sang their songs and bustled about, preparing for a new season.  The wonder of God’s creation.

As we marvel at our natural world, and meditate and pray on this day, I reflect on words that were in one of my Lenten daily prayer disciplines from A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie:

“Do not let me rest content with an ideal of humanity that is less than what was shown to us in Jesus.  Give me the mind of Christ.  May I listen to Jesus’ question: What are you doing more than others? And so may the three Christian graces of faith, hope, and love be more and more formed within me, until all I do and say brings honor to Jesus and his gospel.”

Words to live by.

As we mentioned in Monday’s email message: peace is “the tranquility of order” and we asked for people to share their reflections.  I would like to pass along a lovely reflection Rayelenn shared with us from one verse from the hymn “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind”:

Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace.

More words to live by.

As our Thursday emails are dedicated to the spiritual offerings we offer between Friday noon – Sunday evening, outside of our Sunday 10 AM Rite II service, please know that we have listed details to several opportunities for prayer and reflection, below.

We do have three important items to share:


vaccinatelancaster.org website is up and running for anyone who is still searching for a vaccine.  The website allows you to answer important health information questions and provide your contact information so that you are in the system to be informed when you can schedule your vaccination appointment.   If you need help in this process, please contact the parish office and we will be happy to assist.


Believe it or not, this Sunday is Daylight Savings time.  So. . . please remember to turn your clocks forward one hour!

 

We will be offering an Easter Sunday sunrise service.  Stay tuned for more details regarding Easter Sunday!

Be well.  Stay safe.  Keep the faith.

Michelle
—
Worship News:
If you are in need of delivery of wafers, Scepters, etc. please contact the parish office.  

The Way of the Cross Lenten Weekly Devotion
We extend a warm invitation to our parishioners, and to those in the wider community, to participate in this weekly devotion on Fridays during the season of Lent. We thank Edward Webber for his wonderful artwork, capturing each of the fourteen Stations of the Cross. It is our sincere hope that this will serve as an invitation to prayer and contemplation as we continue to worship from our homes.

The Way of the Cross pdf and YouTube link information are noted below.
The Way of the Cross on the St. Edward’s YouTube Channel, click here.

The Way of the Cross order of service pdf, click here.
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Lenten Meditations 2021 booklets:  Episcopal Relief & Development offers a wonderful booklet of meditations to take you through your Lenten journey.  This year, ER&D is offering this booklet in an online version.  You can click here to download the pdf.  We will also do on-demand printing of the booklet pdf for those who would like a printed copy to take home.  Just let us know if you would like a printed copy!
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WORSHIP & SPIRITUAL FORMATION VIA ZOOM
New and Updated: Adult Spiritual Formation – Winter 2021 Flier – Click here to view/download
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Friday Evening Prayer – March 12th
We invite you to Evening Prayer this Friday evening at 7:00 PM.  This is a wonderful way to peacefully end our week and is led by Patrick Ishler.
Join us on Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86327105082
Join Code:  863 2710 5082

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Friday Lunch & Learn:  March 12th 12 Noon – 1 PM via Zoom
We continue our course of reflection and discussion with Chapter 11 – Walking in the Way of the Cross – Holy Week and Easter in our text, Walk in Love. Perhaps you would feel comfortable in delivering the closing prayer? There are so many wonderful Prayers and Collects to share with the group, from our BCP. Attendance at every session is not required.

With peace,
Father Rick, Bob Mosebach, and Wanda Stoltzfus

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84479709447?pwd=OWlobm83TDgwNlVoK3hFbjBlWnZSdz09

Meeting ID: 844 7970 9447

Passcode: 228332

One tap mobile

+13462487799,,84479709447#,,,,,,0#,,228332# US (Houston)

+16699006833,,84479709447#,,,,,,0#,,228332# US (San Jose)

Dial by your location

+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)

+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

Meeting ID: 844 7970 9447

Passcode: 228332

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbq2eaazXj

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Sunday Evening Prayer, March 14th at 7:00 PM:  We use the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and the readings for the Sunday Lectionary.  It is a quiet service and a good way to end the weekend and prepare for the week to come.  Anyone interested can send me an email to be put on an email distribution list:  [email protected]

Sunday Evening Prayer @ 7:00pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/95355083080
Meeting ID: 953 5508 3080

 

 

 

St. Edward’s Monday Message – March 8th

administrator

Dear parishioners & friends of St. Edward’s,

As we continue on our Lenten journey, and are at a midpoint, we may find that our travels have opened the eyes of our souls, allowing us to know ourselves in ways that can restore our flow and energy so that we can be guided to new directions.

In an email communication with my 89-year old uncle last week, I “signed off” in a way that I close most of my emails and notes – “With peace.”  His reaction was that he was “pleased and amused” by my words and informed me that in his spiritual life and study, he found Saint Thomas Aquinas teaching, peace is “the tranquility of order,” very meaningful to him in ordering the priorities in his life.  I was moved by his words, as we so often pray for peace and wish people peace.

What I discovered was that “orderliness” does not necessarily have to be complete and perfected to find peace. It can be a rhythm you bring to your life – finding quiet places for prayer and meditation; taking a walk in nature; helping others; calling a friend; listening to music; or exploring an artistic talent or a favorite hobby that can help you to order your thoughts, aspirations, and in figuring out what is important (and what can be discarded), helping one to be “with peace” even while living in an imperfect world that can be chaotic and disordered.   And, we remember that peace begins in our relationship with God.

As Father Rick+ closed his sermon, yesterday, he reminded us: “We are all living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, and accepting hardships as the pathways to peace. We are each houses of the Holy, and together, we are the Church.”

We offer you these few passages of Scripture.  Maybe you have a favorite passage you can share with us, and with those you love, that offers a reflection of peace. 

If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. (Romans 12:18)

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. (John 14:27)

Be well.  Stay safe.  Keep the faith.

Michelle
—
Worship News:


In case you missed it, click to view the Sunday Service for the Third Sunday in Lent, March 7th 

We hope you will include, in your weekly Lenten discipline, our Stations of the Cross offering for Lent, via our St. Edward’s YouTube channel – a collaboration of St. Edward’s and St. Luke’s, Mount Joy.  Within the message, we will also offer a pdf of The Way of the Cross.   Click here to connect.

Lenten Meditations 2021 booklets:  Episcopal Relief & Development offers a wonderful booklet of meditations to take you through your Lenten journey.  This year, ER&D is offering this booklet in an online version.  You can click here to download the pdf.  We will also do on-demand printing of the booklet pdf for those who would like a printed copy to take home.  Just let us know if you would like a printed copy!

Looking for an additional Lenten Devotional Resource?  St. Luke’s Mount Joy offers us  “Living Well Through Lent” by clicking here.

Click here to access our Worship page on our sainteds.org web site.
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Parish Business News:
Please stop by the church this week to pick up grocery cards, Annual Reports, the March edition of the Scepter, consecrated wafers, your signature St. Edward’s mug, and your giving statement for 2020.  Many people take the opportunity while visiting to drop off their pledge and giving. We would love to see you!  Items are available Monday – Friday 11 AM – 3:30 PM.

If you prefer to look at items online, here are links to interesting documents and pages on our web site:

St. Edward’s Annual Report 2020

March Scepter

Learn about your Spiritual Gifts Inventory

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Ministry and Faith in Action Opportunities:


Soles for Souls:  St. Edward’s is participating in a shoe drive with Saint John’s of Lancaster during the Lenten season. Shoes will be collected through Palm Sunday, March 28th.  The shoes can be lightly used to falling apart.   Soles 4 Souls will send the shoes to impoverished countries to give the people an opportunity to provide relief, create jobs, and empower people to break the cycle of poverty.  Collection boxes will be placed in the sanctuary (near the Praise Band instruments). Please tie any laced shoes together and rubber and other types.  There is also a need for shipping boxes approximately the size of an office paper box. Should you have any questions, please contact:  Lynch’s, Milligan’s, Ishler’s, Peg Reiley, or Leslie Arnold.
—

In this season of almsgiving, let us continue our faithful support of the Hempfield Area Food Pantry for those less fortunate than ourselves, through monetary and food donations. Requested food items for the month of March are:

Large peanut butter
Large jelly
Canned corn
Canned carrots
Canned mixed vegetables
Mac and cheese
2 pound package of dried pinto beans
—
As we pray and ponder during this season of Lent, we invite you to consider participating in a free course (upcoming in the near future) that will be offered by The Stevenson School for Ministry.  Using the framework of the Episcopal Church’s “Becoming a Beloved Community” this course on antiracism will lead participants through four pillars rooted in the Baptismal Covenant: Telling the Truth about the Church and Race; Proclaiming the Dream of Beloved Community; Practicing the Way of Love; Repairing the Breach in our Churches; and Repairing the Breach in Society and Institutions. The Beloved Community is defined as one that seeks and promotes justice for the least among us.  We will keep you informed on when the course date will be.  You can also visit the diocesan website and connect with the Stevenson School of Ministry tab to learn more about their wide array of course offerings.
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MINISTRY, WORSHIP & FELLOWSHIP CALENDAR VIA ZOOM
New and Updated: Adult Spiritual Formation – Winter 2021 Flier – Click here to view/download
Click here to access our Adult Spiritual Formation page on our web site.

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Wednesday Evening Bible Study – Wednesday, March 10th – 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM: The focus for this session, led by Bob Mosebach and Leslie Arnold, will be on the Gospel of Mark from an Anglican/Episcopal perspective. Our Study Guide will be: Borg, Marcus (2019), Conversations with Scripture – The Gospel of Mark (Anglican Association of Biblical Scholars Study). For questions, please contact Bob Mosebach at [email protected] or Leslie Arnold at [email protected] with any questions.

ZOOM INVITE DETAILS:
Topic: St. Edward’s Episcopal Church Bible Study
Time: March 10, 2021 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86252772937?pwd=RWVWNGVuQWh3NU9keWRXMWxFczg5UT09
Meeting ID: 862 5277 2937
Passcode: 201150

One tap mobile
+19292056099,,86252772937#,,,,*201150# US (New York)
+13017158592,,86252772937#,,,,*201150# US (Washington D.C)

Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 862 5277 2937
Passcode: 201150
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdkn9E94ds
—

Friday Lunch & Learn:  March 12th 12 Noon – 1 PM via Zoom
We will jump to Chapter 11 in our text, Walk in Love, Walking in the Way of the Cross – Holy Week and Easter.  Join us!  

Perhaps you would feel comfortable in delivering the closing prayer? There are so many wonderful Prayers and Collects to share with the group, from our BCP. Attendance at every session is not required.

With peace,
Father Rick, Bob Mosebach, and Wanda Stoltzfus

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84479709447?pwd=OWlobm83TDgwNlVoK3hFbjBlWnZSdz09

Meeting ID: 844 7970 9447

Passcode: 228332

One tap mobile

+13462487799,,84479709447#,,,,,,0#,,228332# US (Houston)

+16699006833,,84479709447#,,,,,,0#,,228332# US (San Jose)

Dial by your location

+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)

+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

Meeting ID: 844 7970 9447

Passcode: 228332

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbq2eaazXj


Friday Evening Prayer – March 12th
We invite you to Evening Prayer this Friday evening at 7:00 PM.  This is a wonderful way to peacefully end our week and is led by Patrick Ishler.
Join us on Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86327105082
Join Code:  863 2710 5082

 

Sunday Online Worship at St. Edward’s: Third Sunday in Lent – March 7, 2021

administrator

Dear parishioners and friends of St. Edward’s,

We welcome you to our online worship and ministry offerings for this Sunday, the Third Sunday in Lent.  All essential links are noted below. 

I prayerfully request that we continue to refrain from gathering with other parishioners in public groups, particularly in restaurants, indoor spaces, or even outdoors without masks. COVID-19 is not a hoax.  We are all in this together, and honoring our parish community, by complying with the recommendations set forth during this time, conveys our love for God in Christ, the members of our parish family, and the wider community.

Here are two links that may be helpful:

Lancaster County, PA COVID-19 Hub

PA Department of Health

Father Rick+

—

As we continue our Lenten journey, let us remember that we are guided to love our enemies as ourselves.  There is so much more power in love, than hate.  Fruitful, good, and unifying power that brings us closer, in community, as we are called to be – One.

Tonight, as we prepare to gather in worship and in fellowship for our Annual Parish Meeting tomorrow (it will be good to “see” everyone!!!) let us pray:

For the Future of the Human Race
O God our heavenly Father, you have blessed us and given us dominion over all the earth: Increase our reverence before the mystery of life; and give us new insight into your purposes for the human race, and new wisdom and determination in making provision for its future in accordance with your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Be well.  Stay safe.  Keep the faith.

Michelle
—
Sunday Service Information:

Click here to connect to the Third Sunday in Lent, March 7th, which will be live streamed at 10:00 AM on Sunday. 

Click here to download our service bulletin for the Third Sunday in Lent.

Annual Parish Meeting Zoom details and Annual Report PDF to download:

Topic: St. Edward’s Annual Meeting
Time: Mar 7, 2021 11:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86190539342?pwd=UzRPOFBnRWhHWjYwV2RUSWVzTUdBQT09

Meeting ID: 861 9053 9342
Passcode: 769256

One tap mobile
+13126266799,,86190539342#,,,,*769256# US (Chicago)
+19292056099,,86190539342#,,,,*769256# US (New York)

Meeting ID: 861 9053 9342
Passcode: 769256
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcmHz1Ntt8

Annual Report – Click here

*If you enjoy the St. Edward’s Episcopal Church, Lancaster, PA YouTube channel, and you have a Gmail or YouTube account, the next time you tune in, please click the red SUBSCRIBE button on the home page to be included as a subscriber to St. Edward’s!  We would welcome the support and we will not generate any unwanted notifications to you.  Become a part of our St. Edward’s community!   Thank you to those who have subscribed! 

We also wanted to take this opportunity to share with you important announcements regarding upcoming events, as well as prayer and adult spiritual formation opportunities.

We continue to honor the guidance delivered by our bishop, as well as our love of God in Christ, to care for one another, by remaining socially distanced, and refrain from in-person worship and gathering.  There are many opportunities for us to worship, and perform ministry, in community, in other ways, during this continued Covidtide. Please see a listing below and stay tuned to our weekly emails, web site posts, and Sunday bulletins for updates on specific details, as we are updated, with times and links. We invite you to celebrate with us, as a community of faith!

Click here to download the March Scepter.

Grocery cards will be at church on Tuesday, March 9th after 12 Noon.
—
Please continue your support of the Hempfield Area Food Pantry. Let us continue our tradition of generosity for those less fortunate than ourselves.  Requested food items for the month of March are:

Large peanut butter
Large jelly
Canned corn
Canned carrots
Canned mixed vegetables
Mac and cheese
2 pound package of dried pinto beans

Soles 4 Souls: St. Edward’s, with Saint John’s of Lancaster will collect shoes through Palm Sunday, March 28th and we invite parishioners to donate used shoes. The shoes can be lightly used to falling apart. Collection boxes will be placed in the sanctuary. Please tie any laced shoes together and rubber and other types. There is also a need for shipping boxes approximately the size of an office paper box. Any questions can be directed to our outreach ministry members: Lynch’s, Milligan’s, Ishler’s, Peg Reiley, or Leslie Arnold.

St. Edward’s is offering a full complement of Adult Spiritual Formation which continues through Lent! Please check your weekly emails which will have all the study details & Zoom invitation details.

Bible Study: Wednesday Evenings from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM: For questions, please contact Bob Mosebach at [email protected] or Leslie Arnold at [email protected].

Lunch & Learn: Episcopal Beliefs and Practices: Fridays from 12 Noon – 1 PM led by Bob Mosebach

The Way of the Cross: Go to our St. Edward’s YouTube Channel to view our Stations of the Cross, each week, as a Lenten discipline. You will find the pre-recorded offering and a Way of the Cross pdf to download.
The Way of the Cross on the St. Edward’s YouTube Channel, click here.

The Way of the Cross order of service pdf, click here.

Friday Evening Prayer: Each Friday at 7:00 PM hosted by Patrick and Dina Ishler
Join us on Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86327105082
Join Code:  863 2710 5082

Sunday Evening Prayer: Each Sunday at 7:00 PM. Anyone interested can send Br. David Rutledge an email to be put on an email distribution list: [email protected] Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/95355083080 Meeting ID: 953 5508 3080

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Besides prayers, calls, cards and emails, there is one more thing you can do to support St. Edward’s. Please keep up-to-date with your pledge or regular contribution.  Pledges/giving can be mailed to the church, and we also have an easy-to-use “Give to St. Edward’s” button on our website that links to our secure Paypal page, as well as a “Donate” button on our YouTube Channel home page.

To assist parishes, the diocese has set up online giving for each parish.  If you feel comfortable making your weekly giving or pledge donation in this manner (it is a secure giving tool), simply go to the diocesan web site, click on the tab up top and it will take you to a page where you can scroll down, find St. Edward’s, and continue with making your contribution!  Thank you for maintaining your faithfulness through your financial stewardship!

Click here if you would like to donate online through the diocesan portal. You will scroll down to find St. Edward’s under Lancaster. The portal is a secure giving site.