THE CLOAK
St. Martin's Weekly E-Newsletter
March 21, 2019
To seek God, and be Christ’s body in the world
Greetings!
Living in Lent!

Here are today's scripture passage and prayer from the Merion Deanery devotional -

While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?” Luke 22: 47-48

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of your grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Reverend Dr. Sandy McCurdy, Saint David’s, Radnor

Daily updates can be found at MerionDeanery.wordpress.com , or you can download a PDF copy by clicking here .
Calendar
UPCOMING SERVICE TIMES
SUNDAYS

3/24: 10:00 AM
Holy Eucharist with The Rev. Amanda Eiman and Deb Parker, guest preacher

3/31: 8:00 & 10:00 AM
Holy Eucharist with The Rev. David Laquintano

WEDNESDAYS
The mid-week 12:15 PM services have been suspended during Lent. They will resume after Easter on Wednesday, April 24th.
This Week's Schedule

Thursday, March 21
7:00pm Vestry Meeting

Friday, March 22
9:30am Makin' Music Make-up Day

Sunday, March 24
9:00am Choir Rehearsal
9:30am Sunday School and Nursery
10:00am Holy Eucharist Rite II

Tuesday, March 26
9:30am Makin' Music

Wednesday, March 27
9:30am Makin' Music
6:00pm Lenten Dinner Worship @ SMC
6:00pm Upper Room @ The Gryphon Cafe
7:00pm AA Meeting
Lent Outreach
Soup Cook

Thank you to Robin Cummings, Abby Thomas & Kathy Wynn who made soup for The Great Valley Food Cupboard this past Saturday as part of our Group Soup Cook. Thanks also to Lara, Josh, Brynn, Teagan & Kellen Penny and Sherrill Rowland for making soup individually. We delivered 27 quarts of a variety of soups and will continue to do so for the next several weeks. Please sign up in the Gurley Room to make soup at home so that this ministry will continue. Containers and instructions are provided! If you don't cook, you can still participate by making a financial donation to help offset the expense of soup ingredients. Please contact Pam Faber if you have any questions.
Sunday School
Learning about Lent

Last week the children decided to put the Lego stories in the same order as they appear in the Bible. It was wonderful to hear them share scripture stories with each other and with Abby Thomas, who was visiting that day. This coming Sunday we will continue to use Legos to fill in stories of the life of Jesus in the New Testament. Eventually the children will create a collage that they will share with everyone at St. Martin's. Sunday School and nursery will begin at 9:30 a.m. and any adults are welcome to join us as the scenes unfold.

Please contact Ms. Deb if you have any questions.
Highland Hamper
Make a Difference!

Lent is a busy time with added programs, but let's not forget our friends in Wayne on Highland Avenue. When we make our monthly delivery, not only is their gratitude verbally expressed, but the non-verbal sense of relief comes through clearly. We are making a difference. This week let's focus on bottles of juice and snack bars (granola, cereal bars, Belvita) in addition to the "usual" non-perishable food items (veggies, fruit, packaged meals, etc). Thank you for your ongoing support.
Lenten News
Be a Change Agent

The next Lenten Worship Service and Dinner will be on Wednesday, March 27th, at 6:00 PM in Bolingbroke. The topic is Food Scarcity; the food theme is Pot Luck; and the presenter is Daisy Rodriguez of Cabrini University. Join us for the following:
6:00 - 6:30 Fellowship and conversation. 
6:30 - 7:00 Worship
7:00 - 8:00 Supper and discussion program

We would like to support the Cabrini Food Cupboard. When you come to next Wednesday’s Lenten Program, please bring an item from the following lists:
FOOD -
Cup O'Noodles, Mac & Cheese Cups, Fruit Cups, Ramen Noodles, Spaghetti O's or Ravioli, Pop Tarts, Granola or Fruit Bars, Cheese or Peanut Butter Crackers, Crackers, Hormel Heat n' Serve Meals, Milk or Juice Boxes, and Hot Chocolate
TOILETRIES -
Sanitary Pads, Tampons, Deodorant, Bar Soap, Shampoo/Conditioner, Toothbrushes and Toothpaste

Thanks for your generosity!
Week 2 of the Lenten Dinners and Worship had a nice turnout. The Rev. Phil Geliebter had a captive audience when talking about working with the poor and homeless in Frankford. It's nice to see such support for important local issues!
Easter Flowers
Memorial Dedication

Dedicating altar flowers in the name of a loved one for Easter is a simple process. Please call the main office for details—610-688-4830. Names must be received by Monday, 4/15. Thank you in advance for helping to beautify our church for Easter!
Stations of the Cross
A Spiritual Pilgrimage

St. Martin's will again offer the Stations of the Cross this Lent. The first time will be on March 31 after both services, and the second time will be on Good Friday at 11 a.m. before the noon Good Friday worship. The stations will be set up in the church, and the Good Friday walk with Christ will be led prayerfully by Deb Parker. This Lenten observance is open to all ages.
Easter Egg Hunt
Celebrate Spring!

It is not too early to begin thinking about the Resurrection! Each Easter Sunday we have a festive Easter Egg hunt for children of all ages after the worship service during coffee hour. Parishioners, family, and friends are all invited. Each egg represents the empty tomb, and this is a celebration everyone enjoys. We are asking for donations of eggs and candy (no nut products please). If possible, bring eggs already stuffed. Our youth help with this ministry but having some ready to go is also appreciated. A bin will be in the downstairs hall for the donations of eggs and candy. We ask all donations be made by Palm Sunday so we have time to prepare.
SWIC News
Multimedia Presentation

The SWIC photo and video exhibit by Vincent Dixon remains open at St. David's in Wayne through Sunday, March 31st.
Clothing Drive
Donation Opportunity!

Spring is coming! Time to go through your closet and thin out your wardrobe. St. John’s Episcopal Church in Norristown is in need of clothing, especially blue jeans and men's pants. Perhaps there are some gently used pairs in your closet that might benefit someone in need. There is a clothes basket on the first floor of St. Martin's marked “Clothing for St John’s”. There is also demand for sleeping bags and sneakers. Any questions, please see Dennis Bingham. Thank you for your generosity!
The Lectionary
Sunday's Readings can be found on the Worship page at St. Martin's website.

Exodus 3:1-15
Psalm 63:1-8
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Luke 13:1-9