Dear friends and parishioners,
We hope that everyone will be safe over the next 24 hours as Tropical Storm Isaias makes its way up the coast giving us a bit of heavy rains and gusty winds.
If you missed the Sunday online service, You can view it here.
I attend the 8 AM Rite I service, but many Sundays I will watch the 10:15 service later in the day to hear Father Rick’s sermon for a second time. I will say, for myself, the message for this Sunday was especially resonating and meaningful with many “nuggets” for introspection. The wonderful opportunity we have with live stream archives is to be able to go back and hear the preaching from Sunday in our private space, which could give us a better understanding of our lessons and what it all means to us, in our daily lives.
It was another wonderful Sunday at St. Edward’s with “full houses” of our allowed gathering size, at both services, following our health and safety protocols, and giving thanks to God and for the generosity of our parish in all of the projects we are embarking on. From the most important Memorial Garden beautification, to our fundraising and fellowship initiatives being planned for the fall, and in giving back to our community via donations to the Food Pantry and our school supplies drive, we are so grateful to everyone. Beth Lynch was able to deliver a bounty of food today and a check for $675 to HAFP (which was in addition to the $600 we sent last week).
Be well. Stay safe. Keep the faith.
– Michelle
A FORWARD DAY BY DAY MEDITATION FOR MONDAY, August 3, 2020 Joanna, Mary, and Salome
Judges 6:39 Then Gideon said to God, “Do not let your anger burn against me, let me speak one more time; let me, please, make trial with the fleece just once more; let it be dry only on the fleece, and on the ground let there be dew.”
The first time I asked God for a sign I was a child. I received an answer and found comfort.
I don’t remember asking for more signs until years later, and then I asked for enough signs to make up for lost time. I asked for so many signs I perfected the art of asking. I was specific. I set deadlines. I asked for signs to confirm I had read signs correctly.
Though some of my best God stories are sign stories, I don’t believe signs are the only way God communicates. I haven’t asked for a sign in years. Holy direction comes through scripture, nature, humans—even billboards!—when I am quiet and still from the inside out, from the Christ-light within me.
I believe God speaks to us differently, hoping we will tell one another. Gideon’s story helps me feel less alone.
MOVING FORWARD:What signs have you received from God? How have you responded?
PRAY for the Dioceses of Matana (Burundi), Wad Medani (Sudan), and Hyderabad (Pakistan)
Ps 80 * 77, [79] | Judges 6:25-40 | Acts 2:37-47 | John 1:1-18
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MINISTRY HAPPENINGS AT ST. EDWARD’S
MEMORIAL GARDEN BEAUTIFICATION
Over the month of August, we will be implementing many aspects of Phase One, while also forging our contracts for the more complex tasks, such as monument design and building, and our landscaping plan to be installed when it is a bit cooler in September. We will continue to keep the parish apprised of our progress.
BASKET AUCTION EVENT: Now that we are in August, we are starting to plan, in earnest, for our basket auction. It will be a bit different this year, but please know it will be fun, funny, and interesting. We hope we will infuse enough surprises and lightheartedness for all to enjoy! All baskets are due by September 13th, giving us a week to prepare them. Stay tuned in early September for auction details! If you know the fundraising committee from events past, you know we always have something good up our sleeve for all!
SCHOOL SUPPLIES for the Landisville Primary Center: We will be collecting through August 9th. If it is easier to order online through Target and Amazon and have your supplies delivered to St. Edward’s we will accept them here for you. You can also donate funds and we will shop for you. Thank you! A box set up in the narthex. The list is as follows:
Pencils Colored pencils Crayons
Erasers Notebook paper Colored paper
Glue sticks Tissues Hand Sanitizer
Dry Erase Markers, fine pt., black Dry Erase Markers, fine pt., red
Folders without clasps
Let’s help our neighborhood children be ready to learn!
COOKBOOK MINISTRY
More and more recipes are making their way into the parish office! Don’t forget to submit any creative writing, drawing, music, photography, and creative musings you would like to share! the more we have, the better our book will be. We are looking to release it in early December.
GREETING CARD MINISTRY
We have launched a greeting card ministry. With great good fortune and some very heavy lifting, Thomas Ishler was able to secure quite a bounty of greeting cards from a pharmacy that was closing its doors in Lancaster County. Come in to St. Edward’s, safely “shop” for greeting cards, and donate a free-will offering for their selection. We have set them up in the Christian Ed wing in safe and healthy spaces for people to browse the cards and make their selections. Bring your own “green” shopping bag to fill up. In our season of Covidtide, card writing is a great way to reach out to those who you miss so dearly. We also encourage people to reach out to others they know and perhaps put together packets of cards to give away. Please come in any day, Monday – Friday between 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM. We have in place healthy practices for your comfort and safety.
MINISTRY, WORSHIP & FELLOWSHIP THIS WEEK
Social Outreach Zoom Meeting – Wednesday, August 5th at 6:30 PM. Hosted by Beth Lynch
Wednesday Noonday Service of Healing – August 5th
Please enter through the parish hall doors. Masks are required. We have put in place healthy practices for your comfort and safety. May we ask that you please let the parish office know if you are planning on attending (if you have not already done so).
Friday Evening Prayer
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