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From the Rector
Dear Friends,
Last month Ruth and I attended the Marie R. Gonzon Memorial Lecture at Nemours, the Alfred I duPont Hospital for Children, in Wilmington, Delaware. We were there at the invitation of Lee Lucas, our Junior Warden, who works at the hospital as the Clinical Manager of Patient and Family Services.
The theme of the lecture was Hospitality: Cultivating Time. There were three speakers: a rabbi, a bishop and a pastor. (I know, that sounds like the beginning of a joke). The day began, appropriately enough, with breakfast, served by the hospital kitchen. Unfortunately the chef had added bacon bits to the scrambled eggs. As we stood in line, Rabbi Michael Beals noticed the eggs and bacon mixed together and began to look for an alternative - certainly not the additional strips of bacon also on offer. He ended up with a bagel and coffee. He didn't make a fuss and in fact used this experience later during the question and answer section of the lecture to make a point: when you offer hospitality, consider the needs of your guest; don't assume they will like everything you do.
When the lecture began Rabbi Beals was first to speak: he began by mentioning an early example of hospitality in the Bible, in Genesis 18, when three mysterious men call on Abraham and Sarah in the desert. The passage begins "The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day." Rabbi Beals pointed out that Abraham provides a model for hospitality which remains instructive for us today. First, Abraham greets the three strangers warmly. Next, he offers them rest and refreshment and invites them to stay. Then he asks Sarah to make some bread while he gives a calf to the servant to prepare as a meal for the guests. Rabbi Beals said that Abraham is a good host because he says little and does much. He has turned his temporary desert home into a "House of Hospitality."
Showing hospitality is one of the best and least utilised ways we live out our faith. I am sure that the writer of the letter to the Hebrews had Genesis 18 in mind when he wrote: "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it." (13:2). To invite someone into your home and serve them food is a way of honoring them. For the person receiving hospitality, it means that you are valued by another. Hospitality is the art of giving and receiving; receiving with gratitude is as important as giving graciously.
The lectures were inspiring and the atmosphere in the lecture room positive. When it came for the Right Reverend Kevin Brown, Bishop of Delaware, to speak, he focused on hospitality to new people when they enter church. When it is done well, the person has the feeling that "when they arrived, someone was expecting them". Hospitality involves sacrifice, of our time and our selves, and in the act of hospitality and encounter with another, "you yourself just might be changed".
A week after the lecture my wife Ruth saw the rabbi and bishop again in very different circumstances. The day before a gunman had killed eleven worshippers at a synagogue in Pittsburgh. The immediate response was to hold a rally of prayer and support for the victims and their families at Memorial Hall in the University of Delaware. People from all denominations were there - Jew, Christian and Muslim - and shared in mourning for those who had died and prayed for their families.
In the event, this was no meeting of strangers, but of friends who had met the week before. When the rabbi saw Ruth at a distance among the crowds, he simply mouthed the words "Thank you". In a time of grief and crisis he was able to express his gratitude for the support of a friend. Hospitality had made that connection possible in the first place, and had softened the ground for this coming together, under one God, to give love and support at a time when it was most needed.
Peace, love and joy
Father David
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THE WEEK AHEAD
Sun., Nov. 4 8 am: Holy Eucharist
9 - 9:45 am - Adult Forum
10:15 am: Sung Eucharist
6:30 pm: Redeemer Youth Olympics
Tues., Nov 6 10 am - 2 pm:
Thrift Shop
5 - 5:25 pm: Evening Prayer in the Chapel
Election Day Bake Sale in the Parish Hall
Wed., Nov. 7 11 am:
Holy Eucharist Healing Service
in the Chapel
Thur., Nov. 8 10 am: Eucharist at Granite Farms
Fri., Nov. 9
Di
ocesan Convention -
Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral
Sat., Nov. 10 Diocesan Convention -
Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral
9 am - 2 pm: Thrift Shop
Sun., Nov. 11 8 am: Holy Eucharist
9 - 9:45 am - Adult Forum
10:15 am: Sung Eucharist
11:30 am: Church and Grounds Cleanup
Parish Events
Christmas Treasures & More
December 1st from 9 am-3 pm.
There are many ways you can help make our largest fund raiser of the year a success.
Before the event:
- Solicit donations for the Silent Auction. Letters are on the shelf in the rear of the church. After you have received the donation, record it on the list which is on the easel in the back of the church; then, give it to Dawn Altomonte, Janet Barber or Ginny Doyle.
- Bake for the cookie walk. All homemade items are happily accepted.
- Make soup. We plan to expand our soup sales, so people can purchase a quart of your delicious soup even before lunch is underway. See Linda Wren or Ginny Doyle for details.
- Donate to our raffle baskets. Please help! Teams are busy putting together baskets for our Raffle Baskets at Christmas Treasures, and we need your help. If you are a member of a mission team, please see your team leader to donate to a basket. If you are not part of a mission team or have not been contacted, please see Carol Kane or Ginny Doyle to donate. We welcome monetary donations - $5 or $10 - or consider donating a bottle of wine.
Last year's raffle was a huge success because of you. Thank you for help
ing again this year!
Christmas items may be left on the stage at any time.
Please mark Christmas Treasures on the bags or boxes.
There are many ways to participate before, during, and after the event. Please volunteer.
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Church Meeting
Last month we sent you a letter inviting you to a meeting to discuss the future needs of the church. As not everyone could attend a meeting in the evening, we are providing an additional opportunity immediately following the 10:15 am service, Sunday, November 11. This will be in the meeting room downstairs in the parish offices. For more information please see Father David or George Baughan, the Senior Warden.
Senior Warden's Report
November 2018
In the letter that you received explaining the meetings that we are having to discuss Redeemer there was also a brochure that we hope you will use to determine your pledge for the coming year. Stewardship Sunday, the day we will all submit our pledges, is coming up on December 2, 2018, the first Sunday in Advent. We need to know what kind of income we can expect from the congregation in order to develop a budget for 2019.
The brochure is meant to help you make a conscious choice about how much you will give to the life and work of our church. The inside of the brochure gives you information about Redeemer and how we allocate our funding. The left column describes the work we do. The middle column shows how much we took in, on average, during the first eight months of this year and how much we spent. We anticipated that we would be behind at this time because contributions fall off during the summer months, but we are further behind than we expected. We will be sending out individual statements in the near future showing how much you have contributed through September 30 so that you can see where you stand in comparison to your pledge or regular giving for the year. The third column gives you some scriptural foundation to think about as you consider your pledge.
The outside of the brochure provides two charts that will help you figure out the actual pledge amount. The scriptural goal for all Christians is the tithe or 10% of our income. If the tithe is not possible at this time for you, the chart in the left column shows you how you can work your way toward it. The middle column offers another angle on pledging a specific amount. That chart shows how much more we could do if various numbers of people increased their pledges by certain amounts.
The brochure is based on the idea that people make wise choices when they have the information, they need to make those choices. The brochure also asks you to think about your pledge as a commitment to Redeemer and the worship and work we do in Christ's name.
Please take the time to discuss, pray, and consider a commitment to Redeemer on Stewardship Sunday,
December 2nd.
George Baughan
Senior Warden
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A Guide to the Eucharist
The Nicene Creed, the Prayers of the People and the Creed
The Nicene Creed
On Sundays and on major feast days we stand to say the Creed, also known as the Profession of Faith. There are two main creeds, the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed. We usually say the Nicene Creed, which dates from AD 325. The purpose of the creed is to affirm what we believe as Christians, and to correct non-doctrinal beliefs about Christ, (e.g. that Christ was never a human being).
The words of the Nicene Creed revisit the threefold promise that Christians make in the Baptismal Covenant, prior to being baptized. "Do you believe in God the Father? in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? in God the Holy Spirit?" After each question the candidate (and people) reply, "I believe..." The weekly recitation of the Creed is a reminder of our own baptism and unites us in the baptismal faith of the Church throughout the world and over the centuries.
Prayers of the People
The Prayers of the People are one of the most ancient portions of our liturgy, dating back at least to the 2nd century. The prayers are traditionally offered for the Church, its ministers, for public authorities, for those burdened by any kind of difficulty, for the departed and for our own needs and the needs of those known to us.
The Peace
In exchanging the sign of peace, a custom dating from the early church, we are not sharing a personal peace, but the peace we receive from Christ, his first gift of the resurrection. As it comes before the offering of the Eucharist, the Peace prepares the people for this gift of unity by reconciling them with one another. Every member of the church is a minister of the peace of Christ.
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The Consecration of Samuel Seabury, November 14, 1784
 A crucial date for the Episcopal Church is the consecration of the first Bishop of the Anglican Communion in the United States. During the colonial era, there had been no Anglican bishops in the New World; and persons seeking to be ord
ained as clergy had had to travel to England for the purpose. After the achievement of American independence, it was important for the Church in the United States to have its own bishops, and an assembly of Connecticut cler
gy chose Samuel Seabury to go to England and there seek to be consecrated as a bishop.
However, the English bishops were forbidden by law to consecrate anyone who would not take an oath of allegiance to the British Crown. He accordingly turned to the Episcopal Church of Scotland, which had no connection with the government (having originated around 1690 with the non-Jurors: those Anglicans who, having sworn allegiance to James Stuart, would not during his lifetime swear allegiance to William of Orange, and who were accordingly all but outlawed under the new dynasty), and was accordingly free to consecrate him without political complications.
In Aberdeen, 14 November 1784, Samuel Seabury was consecrated to the Episcopate by the Bishop and the Bishop Coadjutor of Aberdeen and the Bishop of Ross and Caithness. He thus became part of the unbroken
chain of bishops that links the Church today with the Church of the Apostles.
In return, he promised them that he would do his best to persuade the American Church to use as its Prayer of Consecration (blessing of the bread and wine at the Lord's Supper) the Scottish prayer, taken largely unchanged from the 1549 Prayer Book, rather than the much shorter one in use in England. The aforesaid prayer, adopted by the American Church with a few modifications, has been widely regarded as one of the greatest treasures of the Church in this country.
PRAYER (traditional language)
We give thee thanks, O Lord our God, for thy goodness in bestowing Upon this Church the gift of the episcopate, which we celebrate in this remembrance of the consecration of Samuel Seabury; and we pray that, joined together in unity with our bishops, and nourished by thy holy Sacraments, we may proclaim the Gospel of redemption with apostolic zeal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
PRAYER (contemporary language)
We give you thanks, O Lord our God, for your goodness in bestowing Upon this Church the gift of the episcopate, which we celebrate in this remembrance of the consecration of Samuel Seabury; and we pray that, joined together in unity with our bishops, and nourished by your holy Sacraments, we may proclaim the Gospel of redemption with apostolic zeal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
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Evening Prayer
Evening Prayer is offered on Tuesday, in the chapel, at 5 pm.
All are welcome to come and pray.
Holy Eucharist is offered every Wednesday at 11:00 am in the chapel. All are welcome.
Please consult the
Weekly Announcements for any variations in the weekly schedule.
Christ the King
Youth Sunday, October 25: 8 am - Said Eucharist; 10:15 am - Sung Eucharist.
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November Birthdays
11/1
Bryan Dewan
11/2
Maria C. Boerstling
11/3
Kirk Witzel
11/4
Danielle
Adams
11/4
Marie Danenhower
11/6
Athena Dieter
(
Sarah and Gary Rew)
11/7
Cammie Godby
11/8
Maxwell Bozzuto
11/9
Terri Collins
11/11 Beth Burkhart
11/13
Dylan Godby
11/17
Carl Witzel
11/17
Lyla Winifred Gress
11/18
Matthew Hartnett
11/19
Linda Wren
11/20
Normand Bennett, Jr.
11/24
Kathryn Carl
11/26
William Hall
11/28
Frank Dewan
11/30
Ruth Ward
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November Anniversaries
11/6/07
Melissa & John Bozzuto
11/7/87
Keith & Patricia Flores-Brown
11/7/81
Gary & Bridget Rothera
11/10/73
Steve & Connie Henry
11/11/11
Brad & Laura Gress
11/17/12
Sonya Fazio & Jim Rowland
11/27/82 Lindsay & David Crosby
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November Calendar of Events
Thur., Nov. 2
11 am - Eucharist at Riddle Village
Sat., Nov. 3
9 am - 2 pm:
Thrift Shop
5 - 7 pm:
Spaghetti Dinner in the Parish Hall
Sun., Nov. 4 8 am:
Holy Eucharist
9 am:
Adult Forum
10:15
am:
Sung Eucharist
- All Saints Sunday
6:30 pm: Redeemer Youth Olympics
Mon., Nov 5
8 pm: AA Meeting in Parish Hall
Tues., Nov 6 10 am - 2 pm:
Thrift Shop
Election Day Bake Sale
in the Parish Hall
5 - 5:25 pm:
Evening Prayer in the Chapel
7:30 pm: Masterworks Chorale Rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Wed., Nov. 7 11 am:
Holy Eucharist
Service of Healing
in the Chapel
Thur., Nov. 8
10 am:
Eucharist at Granite Farms
Fri., Nov. 9
Diocesan Convention
-
Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral
Sat., Nov. 10
Diocesan Convention -
Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral
9 am - 2 pm:
Thrift Shop
Sun., Nov. 11 8 am:
Holy Eucharist
9 - 9:45 am -
Adult Forum
10:15 am:
Sung Eucharist
11:30 am:
Church and Grounds Cleanup
11:30 am:
Extra Group Meeting in the Conference Room
Mon., Nov. 12
8:30 am - 5:30 pm:
Life Line Screening in the Parish Hall
8 pm: AA Meeting in the Parish Hall
Tues., Nov. 13
10 am - 2 pm:
Thrift Shop
5 - 5:25 pm:
Evening Prayer in the Chapel
Thurs., Nov. 15
7 pm:
Finance Committee Meeting
7 pm: To Live Again
in the Parish Hall
Sat., Nov. 16 9 am - 2 pm:
Thrift Shop
Sun., Nov. 18 8 am:
Holy Eucharist
9 - 9:45 am -
Adult Forum
10:15
am
:
Sung Eucharist
11:30 am:
Free Flu Shots from Rite Aid in the Parish Hall
Mon., Nov. 19
8 pm: AA Meeting in the Parish hall
Tues
.,
Nov. 20
10 am - 2 pm:
Thrift Shop
12:45
pm:
Deanery Meeting
5 - 5:25 pm:
Evening Prayer in the Chapel
Wed., Nov. 21 11 am:
Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
7:30 pm:
Community Thanksgiving Service
at Tree of Life Church, Springfield
Sat., Nov. 24 9 am - 2 pm:
Thrift Shop
Sun., Nov. 25
8 am:
Holy Eucharist
9 - 9:45 am -
Adult Forum
10:15
am
:
Sung Eucharist - Youth Sunday
Mon., Nov.
26
8 pm: AA Meeting in the Parish hall
Tues., Nov. 27
10 am - 2 pm:
Thrift Shop
5 - 5:25 pm:
Evening Prayer in the Chapel
Wed., Nov. 2
8
11 am:
Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
A Peek at December
Sat., Dec., 1
9 am - 2 pm:
Thrift Shop
9 am - 3 pm:
Christmas Treasures in the Parish Hall
Sun., Dec. 2
8 am:
Holy Eucharist
9 - 9:45 am -
Adult Forum
10:15
am
:
Sung Eucharist
Mon.,
Dec. 3
8 pm: AA Meeting in the Parish hall
Tues., Dec. 4
10 am - 2 pm:
Thrift Shop
5 - 5:25 pm:
Evening Prayer in the Chapel
7 pm:
Mass
7:30 pm
Vestry Meeting
Wed.,
Dec.4
11 am:
Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
Thurs., Dec. 6
11 am: Eucharist at Riddle Village
Sat., Dec. 8
9am - 2 pm:
Thrift Shop
Sun., Dec 9
8 am:
Holy Eucharist
10:15
am
:
Sung Eucharist
4 pm:
Service of Lessons and Carols
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Tree of Life Church PCUSA (formerly Princeton Presbyterian)
933 Baltimore Pike, Springfield
Wednesday, November 21 7:30 p.m. - Reception to follow
Participants from seven different congregations, including ours!
In 1863, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the fourth Thursday in November to be officially observed as a day of national thanksgiving. He wrote, "The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God." We still observe this day as a day of Thanksgiving, and as we do so, we gather with the larger community of faith to give thanks.
On Wednesday, November 21 at 7:30 p.m. Tree of Life Church PCUSA (formerly Princeton Presbyterian), located at 933 Baltimore Pike in Springfield, will host the Community Thanksgiving Service. There will be clergy participants from six churches and a combined choir. The choir will gather to rehearse in the chapel at 6:30 p.m. The offering will go to support the work of the Springfield Ministerium as they care for those in need in our community. A reception will follow. This is a time to remember that there are things we have in common that cross all boundaries of politics and denominations, and one of those things is gratitude to a generous God.
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Just for Fun
Circus Act
A man decides to join the circus. He shows up to demonstrate his skills to the impresario.
"I have the most unusual act," he announces. "I'm sure it will amaze you."
He climbs up to the high wire and jumps off! He flaps his arms wildly, and finally his fall slows. He soars upward, turns, and swoops back again. Finally, he stops in midair and gently lowers himself to the ground.
The impresario says, "Is that all you've got? Bird impressions?"
Things Aren't Always What They Seem
A man was flying from Seattle to San Francisco. Unexpectedly, the plane stopped in Sacramento along the way. The flight attendant explained that there would be a delay, and if the passengers wanted to get off the aircraft, the plane would re-board in 50 minutes.
Everybody got off the plane except one gentleman who was blind. The man had noticed him as he walked by and could tell the gentleman was blind because his seeing-eye dog lay quietly underneath the seats in front of him throughout the entire flight.
He could also tell he had flown this very flight before because the pilot approached him, and calling him by name, said, "Bill, we're in Sacramento for almost an hour. Would you like to get off and stretch your legs?"
The blind man replied, "No thanks, but maybe my dog would like to stretch his legs."
Picture this: All the people in the gate area came to a complete standstill when they looked up and saw the pilot walk off the plane with a seeing-eye dog. The pilot was even wearing sunglasses. People scattered. They not only tried to change planes, but they were trying to change airlines!
Remember...things aren't always as they appear.
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Redeemer Thrift Shop
 Fall is upon us and we are ready with many new items for the coming cool weather and autumn holidays.
Our success depends on your generous donations.
We are accepting winter clothing; shoes; jewelry; and items for the kitchen, bathroom, dining, and living room that are in good condition.
Remember - the best bargains are right here in your Redeemer Thrift Shop.
Our hours are Tuesdays 10 am - 2 pm and Saturdays 9 am - 2 pm.
You'll be interested to hear that our earnings for Aug. 18 - Sept. 15 were $2308.
For more information, please contact Cyn Mattson (610) 356-8125 or Luisa Andrews (610) 35
6
-9299.
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Send corrections, remarks, or updates to the Redeemer Reporter to Israel Ramirez: [email protected].
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Church of the Redeemer, Springfield
145 West Springfield Road
Springfield, Pennsylvania 19064
610.544.8113
The Reverend David Beresford, Rector
Minister of Music
Susanna Faust
Parish Administrator
Maria Macfarlan
Eucharistic Visitors
Linda Bennett,
Mary Huber,
Carol Kane,
Claire Witzel
Vestry Members
George Baughan '19
- Senior W
ard
en
Lee Lucas '20 - Junior Warden
Keith Brown '19
- Accounting Warden
Sharon Bilak '21
Ginny Doyle '19
Jim Lambert '21
Joan Strayer '18
Helen Lightcap '20
Gary Rew '21
Our Mission
"As people of God, we come together in joyful worship, to care for each other, to engage in Christian formation, and to reach out to others thoughtfully and compassionately."
"Becoming one with Christ, with one another, and with all God's people"
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