THE CLOAK
St. Martin's Weekly E-Newsletter
January 23, 2020
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To seek God, and be Christ’s body in the world
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Calling the Disciples
And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." - Matthew 4:19
REFLECT: "Just like the shepherds on the hillsides heard the news of his birth, God again brings in unlikely people into the extraordinary story of our salvation. This should cause us to take note. Maybe, God will even call us into the story – if we are open enough to hearing Jesus’ voice, 'Follow Me.'
Follow me – on a cold morning in January, when the warmth of a cozy bed is even more alluring on a Sunday morning, into a time of worship, prayer, and study with a community of faith.
Follow me – when you see that coworker, classmate, or neighbor who seems to not have anyone to talk to, who is longing for someone to hear his or her story and offer support.
Follow me – at a dinner party where jokes become increasingly crude, and you can’t quite bring yourself to laugh at yet another joke that brims with racism or sexism. Follow me – to speak out for what is right.
Follow me – when you see those who are hungry, or without shelter, or who lack decent clothing, or who are oppressed and without voice; recognize them as fellow children’ of God and respond in action – from loading produce at a mobile food pantry to tagging items for our clothing closet to working for real changes in the systems that have failed.
Follow me. God’s calls are all around us."
PRAY:
"Our paths may cross
in lonely desert spaces,
or crowded city places,
on mountain steep,
or urban street,
but our paths will cross,
and you will offer
to lighten our load,
walk our road,
ease the pain,
take the strain.
Our paths shall cross,
when you will call,
and shall we turn,
can we learn
to hear your voice,
make the choice?
Our paths will cross…
Our gain or loss."
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T
his Week's Schedule
Thursday, January 23
7:00pm Joint Vestry Meeting @ SMC
Friday, January 24
9:30am Makin' Music
Sunday, January 26
Rev. Dr. Karl Krueger, Celebrant
8:00am Holy Eucharist
9:00am Choir Rehearsal
9:30am Sunday School for all ages
10:00am Holy Eucharist
11:15am Annual Meeting
Tuesday, January 28
9:30am Makin' Music
Wednesday, January 29
9:30am Makin' Music
7:00pm AA Meeting
7:00pm Bible Study @ SMC
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Calling All Congregants!
Please plan on staying (or coming back) after the 10:00 AM service this Sunday, January 26th, for St. Martin's Annual Meeting. Learn what's new. Discuss what's happened. Question where things are going. Of all things, engage with each other and be surrounded by the love within this great church! Childcare with refreshments and activities will be available.
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A Busy Sunday
Sunday is action-packed, with the Annual Meeting on the schedule as well as preparing for Souper Bowl Sunday.
First, join us for Sunday School at 9:30 AM in the large Sunday School room. We continue to read the Old Testament. This week we will look at what the Torah says about helping others.
After our scripture lesson, we will fill soup jars and decorate tags. This outreach takes coordination and many smaller hands to make it work for everyone's benefit.
The Large Sunday School room downstairs will be open for children after the service, so parents can go to the Annual Meeting. We can finish decorating tags, and there will be other art activities as well. Treats will also be provided. We invite parents to plan on staying for the meeting.
Megan will babysit our younger members starting at 9:30 AM going through the Annual Meeting. If you have any questions or would like to join us, please contact
Ms. Deb.
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It's Get-Together Time!
Rick and Mollie Wheeler of CCI will be hosting a Pot Luck Supper for CCI and SMC members on Saturday, February 1st, at 6:00 PM. The address is 700 Sproul Road, Bryn Mawr. Click this
eVite link to RSVP and to sign up for what you can bring. If you have any issues with the link, please contact the CCI office at 610-688-1110.
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To all Chefs and Taste Testers!
The 22nd Annual Chili Cook-off will be after the 10 AM service at Bolingbroke on February 2, 2020. It's the perfect prelude to the Super Bowl Game!
Contestants and attendees can sign-up in the Gurley Room. In addition to a list of the entrants, the sign-up sheet has space for donations of beverages, salads, bread, desserts, etc.
First, second, and third place winners will be determined by vote of the Cook-Off attendees. Great prizes will be awarded!
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Be a Champion over Hunger!
You can be a "hunger-fighting" champion this Super/Souper Bowl Sunday, February 2nd. The youth will be selling soup mixes for a suggested donation of $10 to benefit the Great Valley and Ardmore Food Cupboards. Purchases can be made on that Sunday before or after the church services and during the Chili Cook-Off event in Bolingbroke. Thanks for your support!
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Time Adjustment: 7:00 PM
Please join the Bible discussion on Wednesday, January 29. We have adjusted the time and will meet from 7:00 to 8:00 PM at St. Martin's. We are wrapping up the comparison of the three synoptic Gospels, and welcome you to share your own experiences with living into scripture. No previous experience is needed, books are provided, and guests are always welcome. Please contact
Deb Parker if you have any questions.
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Advent Wreaths and Souper Bowl Jars
January is a time when many of us do a little mid-winter straightening. If you have any empty Souper Bowl quart-sized jars that you want to donate back to the church, or Advent Wreath metal forms that you are done with for the time being, please drop them off in the Small Sunday school room. We will either put them to good use or store them.
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Good News
The Episcopal Church's Good Book Club returns for a third year. Join Forward Movement and more than a dozen partner organizations from across the Episcopal Church in reading a section of the Gospel of John every day during Epiphany 2020. Encounter the risen Lord through the signs and wonders, the beauty and revelation of John’s Gospel. Additional details can be found at the following website:
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Training Opportunity
The. Rev. Ken McCaslin, Deacon at St. David's Church, will facilitate a Hospital Lay Chaplaincy Training Program for the diocese here at St. Martin's Church. Classes will be held in the Gurley Room at 7:00 PM on Tuesdays from April 21st through June 16th. To become certified, candidates must complete an application, meet with clergy, attend the in-person training, and visit patients with mentorship. More details can be found on
St. David's website.
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A Life to Celebrate
Preparations are being made for the 2020 diocesan-wide celebration of the life and ministry of
Blessed Absalom Jones. One choir rehearsal remains on Saturday, February 1st, from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM at the Philadelphia Cathedral (38th & Ludlow Sts-free parking). Contact Earl Jefferson by
email or phone (215-964-3350) if you have questions. The
Absalom Jones Celebration will be held a the cathedral on Saturday, February 8th at 9:30 AM with a reception to follow. If anyone is interested in representing St. Martin's Church, please call the main office at 610-688-4830.
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Isaiah 9:1-4
Psalm 27:1, 5-13
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Matthew 4:12-23
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