Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Worship at St. Edward’s – December 24 & 25, 2022

Of the Incarnation

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

– The Book of Common Prayer (page 252)

Dear parishioners and friends of St. Edward’s,

Our Christmas Eve service for 2022 will begin with Prelude music at 7:30 PM.  The service begins at 8:00 PM

For Christmas Day, we will host a festive coffee hour from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM.

Our Christmas Day service begins at 10:00 AM.

Christmas Bulletin and live stream links:

Click here to connect to the service for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Both services will be live streamed

Click here to download our Christmas Eve service bulletin

Click here to download our Christmas Day service bulletin

Merry Christmas to all,

Michelle

Christmas 2022

Dear Members of the Episcopal Church in Central Pennsylvania,

Grace and Peace in the name of Jesus!

On Sundays as we pray the Great Thanksgiving and celebrate Holy Eucharist, there is a phrase (Prayer B, pg. 369 BCP) that always catches me: “…in the fullness of time.” The celebrant bids the Holy Spirit to come and sanctify the communion elements- and us- and then prays that “in the fullness of time” we will be made one with all of God’s creation for eternity in the consummation of God’s dream.

This Advent we have been preparing for the coming of Christ. In my Friday video messages we’ve explored the different ways that we get ready for the festival celebration: by imagining a vision of a deep and loving relationship with Jesus, issuing an invitation for Christ to enter our hearts, participating in acts of confession and reconciliation, and, finally, by finding the balance between action and contemplation as the excitement of the season takes hold.

Now, we are ready. Scripture is not a literary form that is completely linear. The ideas of salvation, redemption, reconciliation and “the fullness of time” fold in on each other and God’s time of restoration is both already and not yet. Advent looks to both the coming of Christ in the manger and to the end of all time in glory. St. Paul writes in Galatians: “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.” (Galatians 4: 4-5)

My prayer, this Christmas, is that in the fullness of this time, you will receive the gift that God wants to give you, in Jesus. This gift will strengthen you, teach you compassion, grant you the grace to be an agent of God’s healing love, and bring you peace. It is a gift that is meant to be shared as it extends from God’s heart to our heart, and for the blessing of the nations.

Merry Christmas to all of you. Share the gift of love that is ours, now, in this fullness of time.

The Rt. Rev. Audrey C. Scanlan

XI Bishop


*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!

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.

Worship at St. Edward’s -The Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 25 – October 24, 2021

Dear parishioners and friends of St. Edward’s,

Father Rick and all of us at St. Edward’s welcome you to our Sunday worship, tomorrow, the Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost:  Proper 25.  Whether you will be joining us in-person, or via our live stream on our St. Edward’s YouTube Channel, please know we are glad to be worshipping with you!  All of the important links you need to our YouTube channel and our Sunday service bulletins are listed below.

If you are joining us for in-person worship and fellowship, we prayerfully ask that you wear your mask as we gather together in community.

In preparation for All Saints Sunday, November 7th, we have a clipboard in the narthex for those who wish to have their loved ones, who have passed, remembered.  We will print the names in our Sunday service bulletins.  Please print clearly so that we do not capture the spelling of names incorrectly.  Thank you!

In looking for a brief blessing to close out the week I was drawn to “Themed Prayers and Liturgies for the Home” in the Celtic Daily Prayer – Book Two.  After all, St. Edward’s is our spiritual home and what better way to end the week than with a prayer for such an important space in our lives.

The prayer was introduced by speaking about a mezuzah. I have a lifelong Jewish friend and 32 years ago, I gifted his family home with a beautiful mezuzah in thanks for our friendship.  For those who do not know the tradition of a mezuzah, it is a small, enclosed scripture-scroll that is attached at the outside doorpost of one’s home, at eye-level.  When one enters the home, or building, the mezuzah is touched or looked at as a reminder for prayer. Such a rich tradition.  The prayer offered below, “could act as a mezuzah does by becoming a simple way of blessing every time spent at home.” 

Jesus the Door,
my heart is open.

I also wanted to mention one other insight I gained today:  In looking at the calendar in my office, I noticed a little notation and drawing that was from last week.  Simply stated, it read:  “Call someone who is lonely today.” 

Perhaps these two messages are an invitation to look beyond the busyness and distractions in our lives and focus on what is most important.  And that is love.

Rest well.  Keep the faith. Journey in peace.

Michelle

Click here to connect to the service for the Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 25, October 24th, which will be live streamed at 10:00 AM on Sunday. 

Click here to download our 10:00 AM Rite II service bulletin for the Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost:  Proper 25 service

Click here to download our 8:00 AM Rite I service bulletin for the Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 25 service

*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 are now in WEEK FOUR of the St. Edward’s Basket Raffle Fundraiser!  Ticket sales are tomorrow, at coffee hour, from 9 AM – 10 AM, in the parish hall. You can also buy tickets during the week:  Tuesday- Friday, from 11 AM – 4 PM, in the parish office. We have 33 curated baskets, lovingly created by our parishioners, in support of this major fundraising event where our fundraising goal is $5,000++.  At the end of WEEK THREE, we have raised $3,750 which is FANTASTIC!  Let’s keep it going to meet (CAN YOU HELP US EXCEED) our goal?!? Imagine if we challenged ourselves to “best” our fundraising goal?!?!  Tell your friends and family!  Our catalog is also available to download by clicking HERE.

Our lucky winners from our WEEK THREE drawing are:
Dick and Gail Irons
Curt and Mary Ann Franck
Mary Snyder
Joe and Christina McLaughlin

Your prizes are in your parish mailboxes!

There are some amazing prizes for the WEEK FOUR drawing!

Thank you, to all, for your generous spirit and support!


KRIST KINDLING SIGN UP STARTS TOMORROW!  Join us for the wonderful family fun event that takes place through Advent.  FORMS ARE IN THE NARTHEX.  To learn more and download the pdf CLICK HERE!

A message of thanks from our New Member Ministry


Faith In Action Initiatives:

Hempfield Area Food Pantry Update:
Requested items for October:  Cereal; Large jelly; Egg noodles; Penne pasta; Canned carrots; Canned yams; Canned green beans; Canned corn; Canned mixed vegetables; Canned kidney beans; Canned garbanzo beans; Canned black beans


Sunday Evening Prayer – October 24th 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

Opportunities to gather in community in spirituality and fellowship:

Here you will find news of gatherings outside of St. Edward’s that we offer in community with our sister parishes and other spiritual resources.

Spiritual Retreat Opportunity:
Anticipating Winter:  Silent Retreat at The Wittel Farm
https://parishresourcecenter.org/events/silent-retreat-at-the-wittel-farm/
November 6, 2021
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cost: $90
Location: 1753 Mill Road, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, 17022
Questions?  Please contact Joyce Kamm

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.


We are providing links, below, that may be helpful and informative to you:

Lancaster County, PA COVID-19 Hub

PA Department of Health

Vaccine Distribution Information PA DOH
 

Worship at St. Edward’s – The Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 24 – October 17, 2021

Dear parishioners and friends of St. Edward’s,

Father Rick and all of us at St. Edward’s welcome you to our Sunday worship, tomorrow, the Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost:  Proper 24.  Whether you will be joining us in-person, or via our live stream on our St. Edward’s YouTube Channel, please know we are glad to be worshipping with you!  All of the important links you need to our YouTube channel and our Sunday service bulletins are listed below.   Please note Sunday School classes are tomorrow during the 10 AM service.

If you are joining us for in-person worship and fellowship, we prayerfully ask that you wear your mask as we gather together in community.

Our New Member Ministry will be meeting tomorrow at 9:15 AM in the library area.  Please join us!

Scepter articles, announcements, and photos, are due Wednesday, October 20th for the November Scepter.  Please submit your items to Mac Miller at:  [email protected]

We were immersed in creation care this week, at St. Edward’s, with the completion of our parish landscaping.  It truly is a beautiful transformation of our front-of-church space and our first project completed with the generous donations to the Stephen C. Casey Memorial Fund.  Stay tuned in the weeks ahead as we anticipate the installation of our new monument sign, to complete our exterior projects.  We will also be beautifying our sanctuary space with the Slabbinck tapestries – arriving, next week, from Belgium; our new Baptismal font – arriving in early November; and our Allen Organ, which is in the final stages of being built.

As we wind down the week, we work to be “light” on announcements in Saturday’s emails.  All that being said, there is A LOT happening at St. Edward’s for the balance of October and throughout November.  We will be messaging important news and events starting Monday, October 18th, so please, keep “tuned in” to your 3x/week emails so you don’t miss out!!  I will “tease out” one event to mark on your calendars – October 31st:  Lots of special happenings during our 9 AM coffee hour with the kick-off of our “coffee house” live music.  Details to follow on Monday!    

So much to be thankful for in our community as we lovingly embrace our spiritual home.  For this and all things in life, we end this last day of the week with a Blessing from Earth Gospel – A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation.

In your sleeping, in your waking,
you are cherished by the God who made you.
May you arise tomorrow
ready to live the love you have received
and to cherish the life of creation.

Rest well.  Keep the faith. Journey in peace.

Michelle

Click here to connect to the service for the Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 24, October 17th, which will be live streamed at 10:00 AM on Sunday. 

Click here to download our 10:00 AM Rite II service bulletin for the Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost:  Proper 24 service

Click here to download our 8:00 AM Rite I service bulletin for the Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 24 service

*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 are now in WEEK THREE of the St. Edward’s Basket Raffle Fundraiser!  Ticket sales are tomorrow, at coffee hour, from 9 AM – 10 AM, in the parish hall. You can also buy tickets during the week:  Tuesday- Friday, from 11 AM – 4 PM, in the parish office. We have 33 curated baskets, lovingly created by our parishioners, in support of this major fundraising event where our fundraising goal is $5,000++.  At the end of WEEK TWO, we have raised $2,800 which is fantastic!  Let’s keep it going to meet our goal. Tell your friends and family!  Our catalog is also available to download by clicking HERE.

Our lucky winners from our WEEK TWO drawing are:
Jerry and Julie Hoff
Beth Lynch
Stephen and Catherine Donohue
David Rutledge

Your prizes are in your parish mailboxes!

There are some amazing prizes for the WEEK THREE drawing, which include a packet of 40 tickets!

Thank you, to all, for your generous spirit and support!

Faith In Action Initiatives:

Hempfield Area Food Pantry Update:
Requested items for October:  Cereal; Large jelly; Egg noodles; Penne pasta; Canned carrots; Canned yams; Canned green beans; Canned corn; Canned mixed vegetables; Canned kidney beans; Canned garbanzo beans; Canned black beans


Sunday Evening Prayer – October 17th 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


Opportunities to gather in community in spirituality and fellowship:

Here you will find news of gatherings outside of St. Edward’s that we offer in community with our sister parishes and other spiritual resources.

A fun family event at the Oregon Dairy Corn Maze.  Click here for details.  This event is TOMMOROW.

Here is a great way to support members of our parish family, Aaron and Angela Breneman, AND give your self a night off from cooking!  NEXT SATURDAY, October 23rd, from 12 Noon – 6 PM, in the St. Edward’s parking lot, there will be a Benefit BBQ for the Aaron & Angela Breneman Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Fund.  Pork or Chicken Dinners – $10/meal – Rain or Shine.  Stop by  St. Edward’s!

Spiritual Retreat Opportunity:
Anticipating Winter:  Silent Retreat at The Wittel Farm
https://parishresourcecenter.org/events/silent-retreat-at-the-wittel-farm/
November 6, 2021
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cost: $90
Location: 1753 Mill Road, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, 17022
Questions?  Please contact Joyce Kamm

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.


We are providing links, below, that may be helpful and informative to you:

Lancaster County, PA COVID-19 Hub

PA Department of Health

Vaccine Distribution Information PA DOH
 

Worship at St. Edward’s – Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 23 – October 10, 2021

Dear parishioners and friends of St. Edward’s,

Father Rick and all of us at St. Edward’s welcome you to our Sunday worship, tomorrow, the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost:  Proper 23.  Whether you will be joining us in-person, or via our live stream on our St. Edward’s YouTube Channel, please know we are glad to be worshipping with you!  All of the important links you need to our YouTube channel and our Sunday service bulletins are listed below.  For this Sunday we welcome our Bishop, The Right Reverend Dr. Audrey Cady Scanlan.  Bishop Scanlan will be the Celebrant, Officiant, and Preacher at our 8 AM Rite I, and our 10 AM Rite II.  The 10 AM service will include the Sacramental Rites of Confirmation and Reception.  A wonderful day to be with us at St. Edward’s! 

If you are joining us for in-person worship and fellowship, we prayerfully ask that you wear your mask as we gather together in community.

Let us enter our afternoon, on this last day of the week, with two prayers, for peace, community, and better understanding:

For the Parish
Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From Earth Gospel, A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation
Tonight and tomorrow
let me stand beside you, O God;
let me sit beneath your branches.
Let your life grow within me
so that my faith may bear fruit
for those who hunger
and my hope provide shade
for those who despair.
As leaves transform sunlight into food,
may Christ’s love transform
everything I say and do,
giving life to others.

Rest well.  Keep the faith. Journey in peace.

Michelle

Click here to connect to the service for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 23, October 10th, which will be live streamed at 10:00 AM on Sunday. 

Click here to download our 10:00 AM Rite II service bulletin for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost:  Proper 23 service

Click here to download our 8:00 AM Rite I service bulletin for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 23 service

*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 are now in WEEK TWO of the St. Edward’s Basket Raffle Fundraiser with ticket sales are tomorrow between services, and for 15 minutes after the 10 AM service, in the parish hall. It truly is a wonderful event this year with 33 curated baskets and fun surprises with special drawings each week.  Join us in supporting what has become our MAJOR fundraising event of the year to support the mission and ministry of St. Edward’s!  Tell your friends and family.  Our catalog is also available to download by clicking HERE.

Last evening we announced that in our first week we raised $1,440 and we also announced the winners of our first week’s drawing!


Faith In Action Initiatives:

Hempfield Area Food Pantry Update:
Requested items for October:  Cereal; Large jelly; Egg noodles; Penne pasta; Canned carrots; Canned yams; Canned green beans; Canned corn; Canned mixed vegetables; Canned kidney beans; Canned garbanzo beans; Canned black beans

Spiritual Formation and Evening Prayer Offerings:
We have so much going on during our fall season, don’t miss out on the many opportunities available, in-person, and via Zoom. Our link, below, to our Adult Spiritual Formation page has detailed information regarding our upcoming Lunch & Learn, commencing Friday, October 1st.  If you click here, you can download our Fall Adult Spiritual Formation pdf.

Adult Spiritual Formation at St. Edward’s – click here.


Sunday Evening Prayer – October 10th 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

Opportunities to gather in community in spirituality and fellowship:

Here you will find news of gatherings outside of St. Edward’s that we offer in community with our sister parishes and other spiritual resources.

A fun family event at the Oregon Dairy Corn Maze.  Click here for details.

Spiritual Retreat Opportunity:
Anticipating Winter:  Silent Retreat at The Wittel Farm
https://parishresourcecenter.org/events/silent-retreat-at-the-wittel-farm/
November 6, 2021
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cost: $90
Location: 1753 Mill Road, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, 17022
Questions?  Please contact Joyce Kamm

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.


We are providing links, below, that may be helpful and informative to you:

Lancaster County, PA COVID-19 Hub

PA Department of Health

Vaccine Distribution Information PA DOH

Worship at St. Edward’s – Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 22 – October 3, 2021

We officially kick off the St. Edward’s Basket Raffle Fundraiser with ticket sales starting tomorrow between services, in the parish hall, and after the 10 AM service, in the narthex. It truly is a wonderful event this year with 33 curated baskets and fun surprises with special drawings each week.  Join us in supporting what has become our MAJOR fundraising event of the year to support the mission and ministry of St. Edward’s!  Tell your friends and family.  Our catalog is also available to download by clicking HERE.

 

Dear parishioners and friends of St. Edward’s,

Father Rick and all of us at St. Edward’s welcome you to our Sunday worship, tomorrow, the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost:  Proper 22.  Please note our Rite II service is at 10 AM.  Whether you will be joining us in-person, or via our live stream on our St. Edward’s YouTube Channel, please know we are glad to be worshipping with you!  All of the important links you need to our YouTube channel and our Sunday service bulletins are listed below.  To all parents:  We will have our Sunday School class session for children right after the Collect for Purity at the 10 AM service.

If you are joining us for in-person worship and fellowship, we prayerfully ask that you wear your mask as we gather together in community.

We also invite you to stay a little late, if you attend the 8 AM Rite I, or come a bit early, if you attend the 10 AM Rite II, as we welcome Martin Faith of Scottish Group Companies – the designers of our sanctuary stained glass project.  Martin will be presenting the design concept of our Western view sanctuary windows (Harrisburg Pike side) during our coffee hour time, in the parish hall!  This is a wonderful opportunity to meet the artisan and see, first-hand, how our project is coming to life.

As we begin our quiet journey into a peaceful evening, filled with the crisp air of a fall night, let us pray for:

For the Conservation of Natural Resources 

Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth, you made us fellow workers in your creation: Give us wisdom and reverence so to use the resources of nature, that no one may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generations yet to come may continue to praise you for your bounty; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Rest well.  Keep the faith. Journey in peace.

Michelle

Click here to connect to the service for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 22, October 3rd, which will be live streamed at 10:00 AM on Sunday. 

Click here to download our 10:00 AM Rite II service bulletin for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost:  Proper 22 service

Click here to download our 8:00 AM Rite I service bulletin for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 22 service

Our October Scepter is in print and online!  Another fantastic issue with LOTS of upcoming events in October and great photos from so many events in September.  Click here to download a copy.

Please check with the office on Tuesday for your October grocery cards. 

*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!

Faith In Action Initiatives:

Hempfield Area Food Pantry Update:
Requested items for October:  Cereal; Large jelly; Egg noodles; Penne pasta; Canned carrots; Canned yams; Canned green beans; Canned corn; Canned mixed vegetables; Canned kidney beans; Canned garbanzo beans; Canned black beans

Spiritual Formation and Evening Prayer Offerings:
We have so much going on during our fall season, don’t miss out on the many opportunities available, in-person, and via Zoom. Our link, below, to our Adult Spiritual Formation page has detailed information regarding our upcoming Lunch & Learn, commencing Friday, October 1st.  If you click here, you can download our Fall Adult Spiritual Formation pdf.

Adult Spiritual Formation at St. Edward’s – click here.


Sunday Evening Prayer – October 3rd 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


Opportunities to gather in community in spirituality and fellowship:

Here you will find news of gatherings outside of St. Edward’s that we offer in community with our sister parishes and other spiritual resources.

Spiritual Retreat Opportunity:
Anticipating Winter:  Silent Retreat at The Wittel Farm
https://parishresourcecenter.org/events/silent-retreat-at-the-wittel-farm/
November 6, 2021
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cost: $90
Location: 1753 Mill Road, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, 17022
Questions?  Please contact Joyce Kamm

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.


We are providing links, below, that may be helpful and informative to you:

Lancaster County, PA COVID-19 Hub

PA Department of Health

Vaccine Distribution Information PA DOH
 

Worship at St. Edward’s – Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 21 – September 26, 2021

Dear parishioners and friends of St. Edward’s,

Father Rick and all of us at St. Edward’s welcome you to our Sunday worship, tomorrow, the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost:  Proper 21.  Please note our Rite II service is at 10 AM.  Whether you will be joining us in-person, or via our live stream on our St. Edward’s YouTube Channel, please know we are glad to be worshipping with you!  All of the important links you need to our YouTube channel and our Sunday service bulletins are listed below.

If you are joining us for in-person worship and fellowship, we prayerfully ask that you wear your mask as we gather together in community.

We welcome Father David Bateman as our celebrant this Sunday.  David+ served as interim rector of St. Edward’s during our transition from 2019 – 2020, when our time together was cut short due to COVID-19.  We never had the chance, as a parish, to thank David+ for his ministry at St. Edward’s.   We are filled with gratitude and joy to have Father David with us this Sunday! Please join us during our coffee hour as we gather together in fellowship and take time to thank David+ for his ministry to our parish family during our transition.

Our faith guides us to place our “Trust in God.”  As we conclude our week, enveloped in such a glorious day, let us give thanks for this day and for the blessing of such faithful and pastoral shepherds of our parish flock as we pray:

For Knowledge of God’s Creation

Almighty and everlasting God, you made the universe with all its marvelous order, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, and the infinite complexity of living creatures: Grant that, as we probe the mysteries of your creation, we may come to know you more truly, and more surely fulfill our role in your eternal purpose; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Rest well.  Keep the faith. Journey in peace.

Michelle

Click here to connect to the service for the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 21, September 26th, which will be live streamed at 10:00 AM on Sunday. 

Click here to download our 10:00 AM Rite II service bulletin for the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost:  Proper 21 service

Click here to download our 8:00 AM Rite I service bulletin for the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 21 service

*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!


Well. .  October is just around the corner and with the fall season comes what has become a St. Edward’s tradition. . .our St. Edward’s Annual Basket Raffle.  We have transformed the Children’s Chapel space in our Sunday School wing into a wonderful “Giving Sanctuary” with 33 beautiful basket offerings filled with Peace, Love, and Joy curated by members of our parish family.  There is something for everyone!!!  You will not want to miss out on a chance to participate in this year’s raffle!!! We launch next Sunday, October 3rd with pre-bundled ticket packages for sale and small catalogs with raffle instructions available in the narthex and in the parish hall near the coffee table.  Your viewing and selections can be done at your leisure. To make it convenient to all, we will be selling tickets Sundays, as well as Tuesdays – Fridays.  Please know that if you miss a Sunday, you can stop by on those weekdays between 11-3 to purchase tickets.  We will also post details online, on our Fundraising page, in the event that you would like to view virtually.  And, you can always reach out to the parish office for guidance and help in participating in whatever format you are comfortable with.   Special treats and prizes will be featured each week!  Join us for 5 weeks of FUNdraising all to support the ministry and mission of St. Edward’s and help us meet our fundraising goal of $5,000!

Faith In Action Initiatives:

Hempfield Area Food Pantry Update:
Requested Items for October:  Cereal; Large jelly; Egg noodles; Penne pasta; Canned carrots; Canned yams; Canned green beans; Canned corn; Canned mixed vegetables; Canned kidney beans; Canned garbanzo beans; Canned black beans

Spiritual Formation and Evening Prayer Offerings:
We have so much going on during our fall season, don’t miss out on the many opportunities available, in-person, and via Zoom. Our link, below, to our Adult Spiritual Formation page has detailed information regarding our upcoming Lunch & Learn, commencing Friday, October 1st.  If you click here, you can download our Fall Adult Spiritual Formation pdf.

Adult Spiritual Formation at St. Edward’s – click here.


Sunday Evening Prayer – September 26th 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

Opportunities to gather in community in spirituality and fellowship:

Here you will find news of gatherings outside of St. Edward’s that we offer in community with our sister parishes and other spiritual resources.

Spiritual Retreat Opportunity:
Anticipating Winter:  Silent Retreat at The Wittel Farm
https://parishresourcecenter.org/events/silent-retreat-at-the-wittel-farm/
November 6, 2021
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cost: $90
Location: 1753 Mill Road, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, 17022
Questions?  Please contact Joyce Kamm.

Blessing of the Animals:  Friday, October 1st starting at 6 PM at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 321 West Chestnut Street, Lancaster.  In partnership with St. Edward’s and St. Thomas, St. John’s will be hosting the Blessing of the Animals service in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of the environment and animals. The service will be outside, in their courtyard.  For more information, please visit the St. John’s website. We are also seeking 2-3 volunteers to help at St. John’s that evening to help set up and direct people.  If you wish to volunteer, please call St. John’s and let them know!!  Their phone number is: 717.299.1188

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.


We are providing links, below, that may be helpful and informative to you:

Lancaster County, PA COVID-19 Hub

PA Department of Health

Vaccine Distribution Information PA DOH

Worship at St. Edward’s – Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 20 – September 19, 2021

 

Dear parishioners and friends of St. Edward’s,

Father Rick and all of us at St. Edward’s welcome you to our Sunday worship, tomorrow, the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost:  Proper 20.  Please note our NEW TIME for Rite II which is 10 AM.  Whether you will be joining us in-person, or via our live stream on our St. Edward’s YouTube Channel, please know we are glad to be worshipping with you!  All of the important links you need to our YouTube channel and our Sunday service bulletin are listed below.

After the 8 AM Rite I service, at 9:30 AM, during our coffee hour, we will be burying the time capsule, led by Father Rick, adjacent to our Memorial Garden.  If you would like to be a part of this moment in the life of St. Edward’s, please stay a bit late, or come a bit early to participate!  Also, if you have not added your “mark” to our Tree of Life, please take a moment on Sunday to do so.  You will find it set up in the parish hall.

At the 10 AM service, we will be celebrating the sacrament of Holy Baptism for Quinn Arthur Landin, son of John and Lindsay Landin and grandson of John and Susan Landin.  The image above gently reminds us of 5 very important words we carry in our hearts and in our minds throughout our spiritual journey, giving us strength and purpose for all we promise to be, as faithful servants.

As we look forward to Sunday, let us pray, on this last day of the week For the Care of Children  (BCP, page 829)

Almighty God, heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the joy and care of children: Give us calm strength and patient wisdom as we bring them up, that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Rest well.  Keep the faith. Journey in peace.

Michelle

Click here to connect to the service for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 20, September 19th, which will be live streamed at 10:00 AM on Sunday. 

Click here to download our 10:00 AM Rite II service bulletin for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost:  Proper 20 service

Click here to download our 8:00 AM Rite I service bulletin for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 20 service

*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! 

Our New Member Ministry group, along with Father Rick and our vestry, will be hosting our booth at the Amos Herr Community Festival tomorrow from 11 AM – 4 PM.  Tell your friends and family to stop by and see what St. Edward’s is all about!! Fun crafts and good conversation!!!   We are booth #C-18.

Articles, pictures, and announcements for the October Scepter are due TOMORROW, Monday September 20th. All pictures from Sunday’s anniversary party are welcome. Also, any story about a little act of kindness that you have experienced would be welcome for the “Ripples of Kindness” page. Please send items to [email protected]

For the entire month of October, we will be holding our major fundraising event. . .Our famous Annual Basket Raffle.  A friendly reminder for those who are building a basket to raffle off:  Please drop them by the parish by Tuesday, September 21st.  Stay tuned in the weeks leading up to October 3rd for information on where to buy tickets and how to view the baskets.  As this will be our main fundraising event this year, we prayerfully invite your support.

Faith In Action Initiatives:

Hempfield Area Food Pantry Update:
Requested items:  Canned fruit; Canned mixed vegetables; Canned garbanzo beans; 1 lb. packages of rice; 2 lb. packages of rice; Noodles; Boxed pasta; Pasta sauce; Cereal; Oatmeal (regular or quick NOT instant).

Spiritual Formation and Evening Prayer Offerings:
We have so much going on during our fall season, don’t miss out on the many opportunities available, in-person, and via Zoom. Our link, below, to our Adult Spiritual Formation page has detailed information regarding our upcoming Lunch & Learn, commencing Friday, October 1st.  If you click here, you can download our Fall Adult Spiritual Formation pdf.

Adult Spiritual Formation at St. Edward’s – click here.

Sunday School for youth begins TOMORROW, September 19th!  Children will join classes on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month, just after the Collect for Purity Rite II service time changes to 10:00 AM starting on 09/19 so mark your calendars with this new service time!  Click here for the Christian Formation page.


Sunday Evening Prayer – September 19th 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

Opportunities to gather in community in spirituality and fellowship:

Here you will find news of gatherings outside of St. Edward’s that we offer in community with our sister parishes and other spiritual resources.

Spiritual Retreat Opportunity:
Anticipating Winter:  Silent Retreat at The Wittel Farm
https://parishresourcecenter.org/events/silent-retreat-at-the-wittel-farm/
November 6, 2021
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cost: $90
Location: 1753 Mill Road, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, 17022
Questions?  Please contact Joyce Kamm.

Blessing of the Animals:  Friday, October 1st starting at 6 PM at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 321 West Chestnut Street, Lancaster.  In partnership with St. Edward’s and St. Thomas, St. John’s will be hosting the Blessing of the Animals service in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of the environment and animals. The service will be outside, in their courtyard.  For more information, please visit the St. John’s website. We are also seeking 2-3 volunteers to help at St. John’s that evening to help set up and direct people.  If you wish to volunteer, please call St. John’s and let them know!!  Their phone number is: 717.299.1188

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.


We are providing links, below, that may be helpful and informative to you:

Lancaster County, PA COVID-19 Hub

PA Department of Health

Vaccine Distribution Information PA DOH

 

Worship at St. Edward’s – Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 16 – August 22, 2021

Today, in Christ
you are a new creation.
Today, in Christ,
the creation itself is made new.
With Christ’s own courage and compassion,
may you begin your new life
in this new creation
today.
– Earth Gospel – A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation

Dear parishioners and friends of St. Edward’s,

Father Rick and all of us at St. Edward’s welcome you to our Sunday worship, tomorrow, the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost:  Proper 16.  Whether you will be joining us in-person, or via our live stream on our St. Edward’s YouTube Channel, please know we are glad to be worshipping with you!  All of the important links you need to our YouTube channel and our Sunday service bulletins are listed below.

We prayerfully request all who will worship with us, in-person on Sunday, to wear your masks.  We have included links at the bottom of this email message, for those who may be looking for informative County resources.

As we begin a new week, tomorrow, and gather together in community worship and prayer, let us keep in our prayers those who are suffering in the midst of the humanitarian tragedies in Afghanistan and Haiti.  Please click here to read the pastoral letter from Bishop Audrey Scanlan.

Rest well.  Keep the faith. Journey in peace.

Michelle

Click here to connect to the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 16th service, August 22nd, which will be live streamed at 10:15 AM on Sunday. 

Click here to download our 8:00 AM Rite I service bulletin for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 16 service

Click here to download our 10:15 AM Rite II service bulletin for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost:  Proper 16 service

*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 via direct links noted below.  Stay tuned to our weekly emails and web site posts for updates on specific details. We invite you to celebrate with us, as a community of faith!

Faith In Action Initiatives:

Our ministry meeting is tomorrow, between services, in the library area.  See you there!!


Backpack Drive
What a wonderful act of generosity and compassion!  Father Rick will bless the backpacks tomorrow at the 10:15 AM service!   

Hempfield Area Food Pantry Update:
Requested items:  Canned fruit; Canned mixed vegetables; Canned garbanzo beans; 1 lb. packages of rice; 2 lb. packages of rice; Noodles; Boxed pasta; Pasta sauce; Cereal; Oatmeal (regular or quick NOT instant).

Parish News:
Confirmation/Reception Classes:  If you would like to be a candidate for Confirmation or Reception into the Episcopal Church, during our Bishop Visitation on Sunday, October 10th. Classes will be in-person, on Thursdays: September 2, 9, and 16 from 6-8 PM with a make-up session to be scheduled.  Please contact the parish office by Monday if you are planning on participating, but have not signed up through the office. If you have questions about this sacramental rite you would like answered, as you discern becoming a candidate, this fall, please contact Father Rick.  You may also click HERE to read about this sacramental right from The Episcopal Church website.

Stephen Ministry Training:  Father Rick and Dina Ishler will be commencing training of Stephen Ministers in September.  If you feel you may be called to explore this pastoral ministry, please contact Father Rick with your questions.  You may also contact the parish office to sign up.  Once we have participants, we will put forth a training schedule.

Reminder:  If you are not coming to church for in-person worship and would like to receive your directory (or any other materials!) please contact the parish office.


 We look forward to gathering in faith and fellowship on September 12th!!!

COFFEE HOUR IS TOMORROW BETWEEN 9-10 AM.  You will have the opportunity to pick up an FAQ sheet on coffee hour hosting.  If you are interested in signing up for any Sunday, except the first Sunday of each month, through the fall, click the link below for sign-up and information!

Click here to connect to Google docs sign-up sheet and coffee hour information.

Spiritual Formation and Evening Prayer Offerings:

Our next Widow’s Group meeting is Thursday, September 2nd at 10 AM in the lounge area in the Christian Ed wing.  Please contact Peggy Hanzelman or Ethel Lawrence should you have questions.

The Book of Joy – Summer Lunch & Learn

St. Edward’s is offering a full complement of Adult Spiritual Formation during the summer months!  Click here for more information about our summer offerings.

Please visit our Christian Formation page to explore the wonderful weekly lesson and activity postings for youth, from Leslie Arnold, Sunday School ministry leader. Click here for the Christian Formation page.


Sunday Evening Prayer – August 22nd 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

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.


We are providing links, below, that may be helpful and informative to you:

Lancaster County, PA COVID-19 Hub

PA Department of Health

Vaccine Distribution Information PA DOH

Worship at St. Edward’s: Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 15 – August 15, 2021

The Meaning of Faith

Hebrews 11:1-3
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval.  By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

Dear parishioners and friends of St. Edward’s,

Father Rick and all of us at St. Edward’s welcome you to our Sunday worship, tomorrow, the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost:  Proper 15.  Whether you will be joining us in-person, or via our live stream on our St. Edward’s YouTube Channel, please know we are glad to be worshipping with you!  All of the important links you need to our YouTube channel and our Sunday service bulletins are listed below.

Rest well.  Keep the faith. Journey in peace.

Michelle

Click here to connect to the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 15 service, August 15th, which will be live streamed at 10:15 AM on Sunday. 

Click here to download our 8:00 AM Rite I service bulletin for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 15 service

Click here to download our 10:15 AM Rite II service bulletin for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost:  Proper 15 service

We prayerfully request all who will worship with us,  in-person on Sunday, to wear your masks.  We have included links at the bottom of this email message, for those who may be looking for informative County resources.

*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 via direct links noted below.  Stay tuned to our weekly emails and web site posts for updates on specific details. We invite you to celebrate with us, as a community of faith!

Faith In Action Initiatives:

Backpack Drive
It’s Back-to-School time again!  As in the past, we will be helping Hempfield students be prepared for school; but, this year will be a little different.  Instead of collecting crayons, pencils, etc., we will be collecting backpacks!  Specifically, we are looking for backpacks for older students.  Think plain colors and large sized.  If you’re not sure of what to buy, you may donate by writing a check to St. Ed’s with ‘backpack drive’ on the memo line and Faith in Action will buy the backpack.  All backpacks will be donated to Hempfield Student Services.  School social workers will gift the backpacks to the students that they work with and help in other ways.  Any additional funds will go toward replacement ipad charging cords.  We have experienced such generosity, gathering 40 backpacks and over $550 in monetary donations! We will be accepting donations through August 22nd and will be blessing the back packs next Sunday.  If you are still considering donating to this important Faith in Action initiative, please prayerfully consider making a monetary donation, as there is a need for replacement cords and calculators that we could fulfill by supplementing our backpack donations with a monetary gift.

Hempfield Area Food Pantry Update:
Requested items:  Canned fruit; Canned mixed vegetables; Canned garbanzo beans; 1 lb. packages of rice; 2 lb. packages of rice; Noodles; Boxed pasta; Pasta sauce; Cereal; Oatmeal (regular or quick NOT instant).

Parish News:
Confirmation/Reception Classes:  If you would like to be a candidate for Confirmation or Reception into the Episcopal Church, during our Bishop Visitation on Sunday, October 10th, please contact the parish office by Friday, August 20th.  Once we have a list gathered, we will send out an email to choose dates/times for 3 weeks of classes + make-up session, aligned with the schedule Father Rick mentioned on Sunday. If you have questions about this sacramental rite you would like answered, as you discern becoming a candidate, this fall, please contact Father Rick.  You may also click HERE to read about this sacramental right from The Episcopal Church website.


Stephen Ministry Training: 
Father Rick and Dina Ishler will be commencing training of Stephen Ministers in September.  If you feel you may be called to explore this pastoral ministry, please contact Father Rick with your questions.  You may also contact the parish office to sign up.  Once we have participants, we will put forth a training schedule.

We want to express our deep gratitude for the generosity of our parish family in participating in The Reverend Canon Stephen C. Casey Memorial Fund.  Through your donations, we will embark on the beautification projects outlined in the booklet presented earlier this summer, with anticipated completion dates throughout the fall.  Please stay posted to our weekly emails for progress updates.

St. Edward’s Annual Basket Auction:  With an incredible amount of enthusiasm and generosity from our parish, we have met our commitment to feature 25 baskets for our fall fundraiser!  We look forward to the wonderful creations that will be available for our raffle.  Stay tuned starting September 13th for information on how our raffle will proceed this year and how you can purchase tickets to our October Trivia Night event.

SCEPTER REMINDER:  There will be no Scepter in August, but looking forward to September, Michelle will be on vacation August 30-September 10, consequently  the September Issue will need to be completed by August 29th.  Therefore articles, pictures and announcements for the September Scepter will have to be submitted no later than Friday, August 20th.  Pictures from your summer travels, family get togethers, celebrations, warm weather activities, etc. would all be welcome. Please send items to: [email protected]

Reminder:  If you are not coming to church for in-person worship and would like to receive your directory (or any other materials!) please contact the parish office.


We are very excited at the robust response we have received for this very special event!  We look forward to gathering in faith and fellowship on September 12th!!!

COFFEE HOUR IS TOMORROW BETWEEN 9-10 AM.  You will have the opportunity to pick up an FAQ sheet on coffee hour hosting.  If you are interested in signing up for any Sunday, except the first Sunday of each month, through the fall, click the link below for sign-up and information!

Click here to connect to Google docs sign-up sheet and coffee hour information.

Spiritual Formation and Evening Prayer Offerings:
The Book of Joy – Summer Lunch & Learn

St. Edward’s is offering a full complement of Adult Spiritual Formation during the summer months!  Click here for more information about our summer offerings.

Please visit our Christian Formation page to explore the wonderful weekly lesson and activity postings for youth, from Leslie Arnold, Sunday School ministry leader. Click here for the Christian Formation page.

Sunday Evening Prayer – August 15th 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

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.


We are providing links, below, that may be helpful and informative to you:

Lancaster County, PA COVID-19 Hub

PA Department of Health

Vaccine Distribution Information PA DOH

Worship at St. Edward’s: Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 14 – August 8, 2021

Dear parishioners and friends of St. Edward’s,

Father Rick and all of us at St. Edward’s welcome you to our Sunday worship, tomorrow, the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost:  Proper 14.  Whether you will be joining us in-person, or via our live stream on our St. Edward’s YouTube Channel, please know we are glad to be worshipping with you!  All of the important links you need to our YouTube channel and our Sunday service bulletins are listed below.

Most people experience the beauty of our spiritual home on Sundays.  But, suppose, on a day when you are out for a drive, running an errand, coming to the Wednesday service, or need a moment for prayer, reflection, or just some quiet time, you could go to a beautiful garden and find a sliver of a peaceful moment? You can!  We invite you to stop by, anytime, and visit our Memorial Garden space.  Sit on the benches, listen to the water in the fountain, take in some deep breathes and enjoy the beauty and solitude.  This space is not only in reverence for our loved ones who have gone before us, but a meditative space for all to find that peace in a busy day.


I leave you with a prayer, as we journey through this last day of the week, with the possibility in our minds and in our hearts, that everyday is the right day to begin, again.

“The Millennium Resolution” from Churches Together in England

Let there be
respect for the earth
peace for its people
love in our lives
delight in the good
forgiveness for past wrongs
and from now on a new start.

Rest well.  Keep the faith. Journey in peace.

Michelle

Click here to connect to the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 14 service, August 8th, which will be live streamed at 10:15 AM on Sunday. 

Click here to download our 8:00 AM Rite I service bulletin for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 14 service

Click here to download our 10:15 AM Rite II service bulletin for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost:  Proper 14 service

As Father Rick mentioned in our Thursday message, we prayerfully request all who will worship with us, tomorrow, to wear your masks.  We have included links at the bottom of this email message, for those who may be looking for helpful and informative County resources.

*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 via direct links noted below.  Stay tuned to our weekly emails and web site posts for updates on specific details. We invite you to celebrate with us, as a community of faith!


Faith In Action Initiatives:


Backpack Drive
It’s Back-to-School time again!  As in the past, we will be helping Hempfield students be prepared for school; but, this year will be a little different.  Instead of collecting crayons, pencils, etc., we will be collecting backpacks!  Specifically, we are looking for backpacks for older students.  Think plain colors and large sized.  If you’re not sure of what to buy, you may donate by writing a check to St. Ed’s with ‘backpack drive’ on the memo line and Faith in Action will buy the backpack.  All backpacks will be donated to Hempfield Student Services.  School social workers will gift the backpacks to the students that they work with and help in other ways.  Any additional funds will go toward replacement ipad charging cords.  We are off to a fantastic start – more than 10 backpacks have been donated to date.  Keep them coming and thank you!!

Hempfield Area Food Pantry Update:
Requested items:  Canned fruit; Canned mixed vegetables; Canned garbanzo beans; 1 lb. packages of rice; 2 lb. packages of rice; Noodles; Boxed pasta; Pasta sauce; Cereal; Oatmeal (regular or quick NOT instant).

Parish News:
Grocery cards are in your parish mailboxes
.

Please keep Carl and Carol Cotnoir in your thoughts and prayers as Carl continues to heal from his ankle injury.  A friendly phone call and a card are wonderful ways to stay connected and will keep their spirts bright!!! !  We are a family!

SCEPTER REMINDER:  There will be no Scepter in August, but looking forward to September, Michelle will be on vacation August 30-September 10, consequently  the September Issue will need to be completed by August 29th.  Therefore articles, pictures and announcements for the September Scepter will have to be submitted no later than Friday, August 20th.  Pictures from your summer travels, family get togethers, celebrations, warm weather activities, etc. would all be welcome. Please send items to: [email protected]

Reminder:  If you are not coming to church for in-person worship and would like to receive your directory (or any other materials!) please contact the parish office.

Please remember that we need your RSVP by THIS FRIDAY, August 13th for this wonderful event!  Please join your parish family for an important moment in the history of St. Edward’s!

40th Anniversary – September 12th INVITATION
**If you have special dietary needs, please let the parish office know.

St. Edward’s Annual Basket Raffle – Seeking volunteers to create baskets – We only need 4 more baskets!!!

Stephen C. Casey Memorial Fund booklet Our parish family and friends are invited to prayerfully consider participating in this set of beautification projects.  We will be finalizing all contract details by next Sunday, August 15th, with the completion target date for projects of December 2021. The beautification projects welcome donations of any size.

The Book of Joy – Summer Lunch & Learn

COFFEE HOUR IS TOMORROW BETWEEN 9-10 AM.  You will have the opportunity to pick up an FAQ sheet on coffee hour hosting and there will also be a sign-up sheet for August/September coffee hours.  You can also click the link below for sign-up and information!

Click here to connect to Google docs sign-up sheet and coffee hour information.

Spiritual Formation and Evening Prayer Offerings:
St. Edward’s is offering a full complement of Adult Spiritual Formation during the summer months!  Click here for more information about our summer offerings.

Please visit our Christian Formation page to explore the wonderful weekly lesson and activity postings for youth, from Leslie Arnold, Sunday School ministry leader. Click here for the Christian Formation page.


Sunday Evening Prayer – August 8th 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

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.


We are providing links, below, that may be helpful and informative to you:

Lancaster County, PA COVID-19 Hub

PA Department of Health

Vaccine Distribution Information PA DOH