Dear friends of St. Edward’s,
We welcome you to our online worship and ministry offerings for this Sunday, the first Sunday of this New Year, and the Second Sunday after Christmas. All essential links are noted below.
Due to the alarming rise in cases within Lancaster County and here in our own township, as your rector, 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
Father Rick +
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Click here to download our service bulletin for the Second Sunday after Christmas.
We are so fortunate to have the music, for this Sunday’s service, provided by the St. Edward’s Band – The Rev. Dr. Rick Bauer, Dr. Randy Westgate, Mike Freshwater, and Jamie Alton.
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.
As we enter 2021 with strong faith, peace, hope, and love, and look forward towards all of the good things to come, we continue to honor the guidance delivered by our Bishop, as well as our love of God in Christ, to care for one another, remain socially distanced, and refrain from in-person worship and gathering. But, there are many opportunities for us to worship together, 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!
As we think about the sense of renewal a new year brings, let us read from page 99 of the BCP:
A Collect for the Renewal of Life
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Virtual Coffee Hour this Sunday, January 3rd, from 11:00 AM – 11:40 AM, on Zoom. Hosted by Christina McLaughlin. Let us share our fellowship with one another during this stay-at home holiday season! Your join code and passcode are in your Saturday email communication.
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Grocery Cards: Will be available to pick up on January 4th.
Giving Envelopes: YES! Our 2021 giving envelopes are in and if you are a household who gets giving envelopes they can be picked up starting January 4th from 11 AM-3 PM.
Please consider donating to the Altar Flowers fund during 2021. These flowers beautify our services each Sunday and can be given in memory of, or in thanksgiving for, your loved ones or in celebration of an event in your life. It is a wonderful way to support St. Edward’s, and supports our local business, El Jardin florist, and shows those who view our services online what an outstanding sanctuary we have!
The Scepter is published, online and in print. To view the January 2021 edition, click here.
We have exciting Spiritual Formation opportunities to engage in starting in January, 2021. Click here to get an overview, but please pay attention to weekly emails which will provide the Zoom invitation details.
Welcome to Congregational Care! Each Saturday, we will include in our messages any submissions we receive from our parish community, as we invite you to share prayer requests or news about yourselves or your family. We believe this outreach to be incredibly important to keep our spiritual community connected to each other and to Jesus Christ, our Lord, as we walk in love with one another in our daily journeys. Please submit your “news” to the parish office by Friday of each week and we will feature it in the Saturday email, bringing it to our hearts and minds in our Sunday prayers.
While we may have flipped the calendar just a couple days ago, into a new year, we continue to pray for so many, during this Covidtide. We also pray for the safe and expedient distribution of the vaccine and all of those who have been tasked with this very important scientific and medical endeavor.
The message this Saturday is quite simple and was shared by a beloved parishioner, Jill Bell, to our vestry junior warden, Julie Hoff, who shared it with me. Please click the link below and enjoy. It is a wonderful sentiment in every way!
A beautiful rendition of Auld Lang Syne – A poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song, with this version set to the beauty of Norway.
Click here: Auld Lang Syne by Sissel
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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!
To learn more about St. Edward’s, please click our website, YouTube, or Facebook icons at the bottom of this email.
Be well. Stay safe. Keep the faith.
– Michelle