|
March 23, 2023
Dear Friends in Christ:
As we approach this most mysterious and momentous season of the Church year, I hope you can make plans to join us as we journey to the cross, the tomb, and the Resurrection. You'll find the Holy Week schedule and details below, and in the letter you'll receive next week.
Since I don't want to send you an email on Maundy Thursday, this note will cover everything between now and mid-April. You may want to come back to this email in the coming weeks to keep track of things. All of which is to say, there's a lot of information below. So, gird your eyeballs, as a fearsome wall of text is about to greet them.
On to the updates . . .
| |
|
WORSHIP
St. Timothy's current policy is that face coverings are suggested, though not required inside our building. You can always find the most-current updates on all our services by checking the calendar page of the website.
Sunday 3/26, Lent V
8:00am Holy Eucharist, Rite I. In person only. Seminarian Melissa Allison will preach.
10:00 am Rite II Holy Eucharist. In person and streamed at our website, on youtube and on our Facebook page. This week's bulletin is HERE. Seminarian Melissa Allison will preach.
Wednesday 3/29, Rite II with Healing
12:10pm Our mid-week service of Holy Eucharist, includes anointing with oil for healing. In person only.
Sunday, 4/2, Palm Sunday
8:00am Holy Eucharist, Rite I. In person only.
10:00 am Rite II Holy Eucharist. In person and streamed at our website, on youtube and on our Facebook page. This week's bulletin is HERE.
Wednesday 4/5
12:10pm Our mid-week service of Holy Eucharist, includes anointing with oil for healing. In person only.
Thursday, 4/6, Maundy Thursday
7:00pm Our service this evening follows the outline on page 274 of the BCP. In person and streamed at our website, on youtube and on our Facebook page. The bulletin can be found HERE.
Following the Reservation of the Sacrament, we will share an Agape' Meal together in the parish hall, before returning to the sanctuary for the Stripping of the Altar.
Friday, 4/7, Good Friday
12pm Noon service with Solemn Collects and Communion from the Reserved Sacrament. In person only.
7:00pm Evening service with Choir, Adoration of the Cross, Solemn Collects, and Communion from the Reserved Sacrament. In person and streamed at our website, on youtube and on our Facebook page. The bulletin can be found HERE.
Saturday, 4/7 Holy Saturday
8:00pm. We gather in silence for The Great Vigil of Easter, which includes kindling of the new flame, candlelight procession, singing of the Exsultet, and the first announcement of the Resurrection. In person and streamed at our website, on youtube and on our Facebook page. The bulletin can be found HERE, and additional music HERE.
Sunday, 4/8, Festival of Easter
10:00am The Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord. Choral Mass with Holy Eucharist and incense. In person and streamed at our website, on youtube and on our Facebook page. The bulletin can be found HERE.
Wednesday, 4/5
NO midweek service.
Sunday, 4/16, Easter 2
8:00am Holy Eucharist, Rite I. In person only. The Rev. Allan Belton will preside.
10:00 am Rite II Holy Eucharist. In person and possibly streamed at our website, on youtube and on our Facebook page. This week's bulletin is HERE. The Rev. Allan Belton will preside.
Wednesday, 4/19
NO midweek service.
| |
|
SONNENBERG STATION RETURNS
A few years ago, we hosted a concert by the local men's chorus, Sonnenberg Station. And it was wonderful! At their request--and to our great benefit--they're coming back to sing for us this Sunday afternoon. The concert is open to the public, and free to all, though donations of support will be gratefully accepted.
Plan to join us on Sunday, March 26th, at 3pm for a memorable performance.
| |
|
EASTER LILIES
The time has come to begin dedicating lilies to decorate our Altars for Easter. If you would like to sponsor a plant or two, you can find a form in your bulletin on Sundays, or in the parish hall, or you can call the church office, or you can also make a dedication at our website using this LINK.
We ask for a $10 contribution for each lily. The deadline for inclusion in our annual bulletin listing is Monday, April 3rd.
| |
|
OTHER THINGS IN HOLY WEEK
Agape' Meal. Maundy Thursday, following our service of Holy Communion and the Reservation of the Sacrament, we will retire to the parish hall to share a traditional Agape' Meal before returning for the Stripping of the Altar. There is a sign-up sheet in the parish hall if you'd like to volunteer to bring an item or two for this meal. (Think Mediterranean foods.)
Easter "Potluck" Breakfast. Prior to our 10am service on Easter morning, we will gather for breakfast, consisting of any frittata-like foods you're inclined to make. (Think quiches and so forth.) We'll provide bacon and sausage, coffee, and juices, and I'm sure there will be plenty of food leftover for coffee hour.
Easter Egg Hunt. Following the 10am service, the children and young at heart will be unleashed upon the eggs that will be hidden throughout the church grounds (weather permitting). If it's stormy, the children will instead be unleashed indoors for these festivities.
| |
|
UPCOMING DATES OF NOTE
Mar. 26 Seminarian Melissa Allison preaches
- Sonnenberg Station Concert, 3pm
Apr. 2-9 Holy Week (see above)
Apr. 11-20 Fr. George to Ukraine/Romania
Apr. 29 Bishop Jolly Ordination, 11am Cleveland
May 6 Coronation Watch Party, 7am (estimated)
May 7 Blessing of the Bikes, 1pm
May 9-10 Church Directory photos
May 13 Wine Tasting Social
June 3 Impact Massillon
| |
|
MACCA LENTEN SERVICES
A huge thank you to everyone who helped set up, cook, and clean up as we hosted our neighbors for a community meal. Thanks also to everyone who helped make the worship service such a delight on every level.
The remaining service is . . .
March 29th First Baptist Church
Rev. Jules Joy of Central Presbyterian preaching
20 Sixth St. SE, Massillon, OH 44646
| |
Time for a visual break for your girded up eyeballs . . . | |
|
PHOTO DIRECTORY SIGN UP SHEETS
We have a table set up in the parish hall to schedule appointments to have photos taken, May 9 and 10, from 2pm to 8:30pm.
You can sign up in person any time you are in church, or you can call the church office at 330.833-3183 and we can sign you up for an open slot.
Please also be sure to check your contact information on the printout on the table, and make any corrections as necessary.
| |
|
BISHOP ORDINATION AND CONSECRATION
Our Bishop-elect, the Rev. Anne B. Jolly will be ordained and consecrated on Saturday, April 29th at 11am in Cleveland. St. Timothy's will be well represented at the event, with Choirmaster Andrew Bolden serving as Litanist, Danielle Shaffer serving as Verger, Melissa Allison serving as acolyte, Fr. George serving as Chalice Bearer, and our own Bishop's Chair serving as . . . well, chair.
It promises to be an historic and lovely event, and I hope you can make plans to join us. More information can be found HERE.
| |
|
THE ORDINATION EXPRESS
Thanks to a member of Trinity Church, New Philadelphia, a chartered bus will leave from St. Timothy's parking lot the morning of April 29th to take folks up to the Bishop Ordination and back.
This is a Mission-Area endeavor, and there will be other passengers from our sister churches across the Mission Area.
There is a sign-up sheet in the parish hall. Please sign up as soon as possible, since the size of the bus will depend upon how many are interested.
| |
|
CORONATION WATCH PARTY
We are planning a watch party for the Coronation of King Charles III, on May 6th. We're still waiting for the actual start time to be posted, but it seems certain to be happening in the morning over there, which means in the early morning over here.
We will have a livestream of the goings on, and hope to offer a right proper Full English Breakfast. We'll have activities for the kids, informational displays, tours of the church building, and more. Tell your friends and put it on your calendar. (And set your alarm!)
| |
|
IMPACT MASSILLON
Somehow, I fell into the role of communications guy for Impact Massillon this year. And, as part of that role, I have created a new Facebook page for the event, which I encourage you to like and follow HERE.
Impact Massillon is an amazing event, held the first Saturday in June, where churches, civic organizations, local businesses, and the city administration team up to repair and beautify a string of houses on a particular street in town.
St. Timothy's will once again be participating, and there will be more information in the months ahead. But for now, mark June 3rd on your calendar, and speak to Danielle Shaffer if you are interested in helping out.
| |
|
PRAYERS REQUESTED
When you ask for someone to be added to the prayers, they will stay on our list for four weeks unless we hear from you. We maintain a continuing prayer list for those with ongoing needs. The email list below merges both lists.
Please be sure to let us know if someone should be taken off this list so we can focus on those in need.
Please pray for the people of Ukraine & Russia, that they would be kept safe and live in peace and safety.
And please also keep these friends and parishioners in your prayers:
✥Priya Kurian ✥Chuck Tilley ✥Liz Frank ✥Mike Requa ✥Toni Contini ✥Brian Dorosch
✥Bob Daane ✥Noble Carpenter ✥Gail Moss ✥Greg Rush ✥Tony Donahue ✥Ruth Lash
✥Gayle McHenry ✥Dylan Miller ✥Hadley Hirschman ✥Eamonn Hunter ✥Sarah Kouri
✥Marilyn ✥Thomas Haidet ✥Ed Nihser ✥Lester Kidney ✥Bill Mayer ✥Andrew DeBroeck ✥Leah ✥Trisha Rusford ✥Curt Allison ✥Linda Devore ✥Gabriella Santos ✥Steve Deuble ✥Dan Kloock ✥Randa Farah ✥Jennifer Baer ✥Ian Long ✥Ann Renkert ✥Allison Armentrout ✥Joel Vogt ✥James Hutzell ✥Carson Hutzell ✥Jimmy Carter ✥Carolyn Flamm ✥Jennifer Moyer ✥Bob Schroeder ✥Linda Schmidt ✥Sheila ✥Malinda Goss
We received word yesterday of the passing of Dave Cottrill. Please keep Sherilyn and the family in your prayers.
| |
|
BIRTHDAYS and ANNIVERSARIES
Lots of folks celebrating birthdays over the next few weeks, including Kelly Gayheart (3/28), Joseph Casline (3/28), Elaine Fox (3/30), Mary Ann Fulton (4/4), Ginger Sorg (4/8), Michael Lindsey (4/16), Pam Smith (4/17), Tyler Fichter (4/18), Carole Carroll (4/20), Connie Lawson (4/20), and Connie Keplinger (4/22).
Celebrating anniversaries soon are Dick & Marilyn Croasdaile on March 29th, Lawrence & Wanda Hann on April 3rd, Tim & Carla Moore on April 11th, Joe & Barb Casline on April 12, and Jim Mismas & Bruce Strebner on April 15th.
Be sure to send good wishes and thoughts to all who celebrate in the coming weeks!
| |
|
PERIODIC PUZZLE
This is the time of year when you're going to start getting flower puzzles, and currently, daffodils! We have several varieties opening their little yellow heads around the church grounds, and I'm particularly fond of whatever these guys HERE are called.
As always, you can choose your background color, number of puzzle pieces, and even set it to display just the edge pieces. Plus, you get a very affirming crowd reaction once you have completed it!
Also, if you want to take a trip down puzzle memory lane, you can go back and find the whole collection on our website at this LINK.
| |
|
Well, I hope you made it all the way to end of this little novella. There's a lot coming up in the next few weeks, and it's a lot to keep track of. And speaking of keeping track, I'll be leaving for Romania on April 11th, and should return on April 20th. Even though you won't be keeping track of me, I have arranged for a clergy colleague to keep track of you, should any pastoral emergencies arise while I'm away.
If you'd like to contribute toward this trip, or our ongoing mission to help Ukrainian refugees, you can speak to me directly, or you can contribute HERE.
Faithfully,
Fr. George
| | | | |
