 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| CHIMES Our Newsletter November 2009 |
| 667 Mount Road, Aston, PA 19014 610-459-2013 |
| Our Mission: To worship the Lord To serve the community To grow the church |
From the Rector:
THANKSGIVING
“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to make this freewill
offering? For all things come from you, and your own have we given you.”
1 Chronicles 29:14
All we have comes from God. Everything we have is a gift. Simply, all that we do,
with all that we have, all of the time, we give thanks to God. We are a blessed
people. Our families and friends, our homes, everything are gifts God has blessed
us with.
For what we’ve been given, we give God thanks. We give God thanks because all
things come from God. God calls us, then, to live a life of generosity. We give
because we’ve received. We give of our time and our money so that others may
know the goodness of God. We give intentionally. We choose to make these gifts in
grateful response to God, who has been so generous to us.
When we give, it’s done in celebration of what we’ve received – no matter how big
or small. We offer our resources with a mindset of abundance and not scarcity,
believing it’s an honor to give back to God. When we give to the Church, we’re not
only giving to Calvary, but we’re giving because we experience the congregation as
‘church’- a place where we gather to do God’s work. It’s our responsibility to ensure
that Calvary’s resources are treated as God’s and not ‘our money.’
What does God want out of Calvary? Is it to feed the hungry and aid the poor? Yes.
Is it to care for one another, to visit the sick and lonely, and provide a welcoming
and hospitable atmosphere to newcomers? You bet. Does God want us to maintain
our beautiful campus, pay the utilities and staff, and make good on our diocesan
assessments? Absolutely. Above all what God desires is for Calvary to be a people
who are grateful.
We’ll be celebrating Thanksgiving in a few weeks. For many of us, it’s a day off of
work to eat ourselves into a coma while parked in front of the television watching
football. For some there won’t be any turkey or family gathered around a table. For
others, it’s just another day.
This Thanksgiving, let’s be different and truly give God thanks for all of the many
blessings that are poured upon us every day. Let Thanksgiving begin today! Begin
by, simply, saying ‘Thank you, God.’
I am so grateful to God for being your pastor. God has opened the windows of
Heaven and graced me with a treasure that is worth more than silver or gold. I am
so thankful that God called me to Calvary and that you have taken my family into
your heart. Indeed, this is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous.
Your brother,
Chuck+
THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE
On Wednesday, November 25th Calvary will have a service of Holy Communion to
commemorate Thanksgiving. Beginning at 7PM we will gather as a community and
give thanks to God for the bountiful blessings we receive daily
ADVENT
The first Sunday in Advent is November 29. The Advent wreath will be in place to
light a candle each Sunday in Advent. If you would like to participate in lighting the
Advent candles there is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board.
ANGELS & SHEPHERDS NEEDED!
We'll be celebrating Thanksgiving in a few weeks and Christmas is just around the
corner. During the 5PM Christmas Eve service our children will create for us a living
Nativity scene, a Christmas tableau. We need angels and shepherds, not to mention
a Mary and a Joseph to help tell the story of the birth of Jesus. Children ages 3 to 18
are enthusiastically encouraged to paticipate. We also need parents or interested
teens and adults to 'shepherd' the shepherds and 'guardian angels' to watch over
the angels during two rehearsals and help with costumes. Look for a sign up list in
the days to come. We're looking forward to a wonderful and holy holiday season!
FINE-TUNING CALVARY YOUTH GROUP
In an attempt to make our youth group meeting convenient to as many members as
possible, we are changing the time from Sundays, directly after the 10:00AM
service. This change will begin this Sunday, November 1. Plan to meet in the trailer
when church is over and stay until 12:00.
On Friday, November 6, members of the youth group are invited to a sleep-over in
the rectory. Details will be distributed at the November 1 meeting. If you cannot
attend this meeting, please email Diane Messer at dmcmesser@gmail.com for the
information.
Diane Messer
DIOCESAN CONVENTION
The convention will be on Saturday, November 14 at the Convention Center in
Philadelphia. Our delegates from Calvary is Micah Brunner, Stella Thompson and
Ellen Stone. Lisa Brunner Bireley, alternate delegate.
CALVARY CHURH ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual Meeting will be on Sunday, December 8 after the 10:00am service. The
reports from committees and organizations at Calvary will be available, also the
2010 Pledge envelopes and Episcopal calendars. There will be an election for the
vestry and delegates to the Annual Diocesan convention also lunch will be
provided. Put this date on your calendar and plan to attend this important meeting
of your parish.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
A “thank you” to our Nursery and Sunday School staff plus all their helpers. Extra
hands are always needed as we are growing in numbers in this ministry. If you
would like to be a part of this ministry at Calvary see Kelly McNernery or Jill Graham.
STEWARDSHIP
The Stewardship Committee letters and pledge cards have been mailed. Prayerfully
consider your commitment and return your pledge cards by November 1st. Your
commitment helps us continue the ministry of God. As Father Chuck wrote in his
letter, "Let's dream big for the future of this 'small parish with a big heart.'"
Mike Reisinger, Stewardship Chair
FROM THE ORGANIST’S BENCH – November 2009
There is always room for new members in the choir. We rehearse on Thursday
Evenings from 7 to 8:30. Help us with our holiday music.
Bob J.
PARISH GROWTH
The Parish Growth Committee would like to thank everyone who helped with the
outreach table at Aston Community Day on October 3. It was the best outreach
table we have hosted! It was a wonderful day with great help and support from our
parishioners. Special thanks to everyone who baked goodies from our cookbook
which were given away. Because of the wonderful treats, many people had a
reason to stop by our table and we were able to tell them about Calvary Church.
We were also able to sell five cookbooks! (Many thanks to Ralph!)
The committee is hosting a Game Night on Friday, Nov. 20 at 7 PM. This is an
evening of group games for all ages 10 and above. Please join us for a great
evening of fun, games, and fellowship. Invite a friend to join you for a wonderful
evening. (If you can, bring a treat to share.)
F.I.S.H. – Free Instruction & Study Help has been meeting on Tuesdays between 3
and 6 PM. This program is for children of all ages. Please help spread the word
about the program. We also are always looking for volunteers to help with the
children. If you would like more information or would like to volunteer, please
contact me at 610-891-0386.
The Parish Growth Committee is a small but active group. We would love to have
your help. We hope to plan future events that will serve the community. Please join
us at our next meeting on November 1 after the 10 AM service and coffee hour to
plan activities that will help with the growth of our church! (The committee will not
be meeting in December.)
Will Evans
HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE
Many thanks to all who have helped supply the treats for our coffee hours. We
need the help of everyone to continue to provide these wonderful treats. There are
still “open” Sundays in November and December. Please signup to help with this
wonderful activity. You won’t have to do it yourself, we will make sure that you will
have help with the event. Your help and support will be greatly appreciated.
Ellie Evans
UNDIES SUNDAY
The Saint Elizabeth Guild and NGA send many thanks to all who contributed to the
underwear ingathering. Calvary collected 76 toiletries, 125 clothing articles, 12
linens, and 576 bladder control pads, for a total of 789 items. Nice going, Calvary! At
the ingathering, many of the agencies commented that they were not expecting a
big donation because of the economic times, but were surprised that people still
gave so much. Thanks again!
Sally Burkam
CHURCH DIRECTORY
We will be updating our Pictoral Church Directory. Pictures are being taken also
your information for the directory is being updated on the following Sundays :
October 11 and 18 and November 1 and 8. If you cannot make any of these dates
please contact: Ellie Evans – 610-891-0386.
| Small Parish - Big Heart - Inclusive The little church you've been looking for! All are welcome! |
MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 452 Glen Riddle, PA 19037 |
| Come and worship with us - all are welcome! |
| CHIMES Calvary Episcopal Church, Rockdale November 2009 2009 |
To contact us: Calvary Episcopal Church 667 Mount Road Aston, PA 19014 610-459-2013 OFFICE The Rev. Charles Messer, Rector Fr. Chuck: frmesser@calvaryepiscopalrockdale.org Website: mail@calvaryepiscopalrockdale.org Office: calvaryoffice1@verizon.net |
