May 22nd, 2026

Dear Friends in Christ,

This Sunday, May 24th, Christians around the world will celebrate the Day of Pentecost (Whitsunday), the climactic conclusion of the Great Fifty Days of Easter, and the day we commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit on the early followers of Jesus. The word “Pentecost” comes from the Greek pentekostos, meaning “fiftieth”.

Scripture describes the descent of the Holy Spirit in dramatic terms: a sound from heaven like a strong wind, and something like tongues of fire resting on the heads of Jesus’ followers. Then, as they were filled with the Holy Spirit they began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them the ability, and were heard by the multitudes each in their own language. Symbolically, this miracle reinforces the multilingual, multicultural, multiracial mission of the whole Church, and our own parish, that we are called to be a community in which all people are drawn together by God’s love in Christ. During the 10:00 am service, at the time of the Gospel reading, we will symbolically represent the famous account in the Book of Acts of the proclamation of the Gospel in many tongues, as several parishioners read the Gospel passage in a variety of languages.

Pentecost is a vivid illustration of the truth that the community of God’s people the Church is central to God’s work in the world. Pentecost gives us the perfect opportunity to re-think our own participation in the fellowship, worship, and mission of the Church, and to renew our commitment to live as an essential member of the body of Christ.

In Christ,

Fr. Keene

Theology on Tap

Wednesday, May 27th, 7:30 pm

Open Mic Night: HatGPT

Immanuel on the Green invites you to Theology on Tap! This meet-up is intended for all interested in conversations that plumb the intersection of faith, life, and the world we live in. Our hope is to offer fellowship, hope, support, and community to our fellow travelers while sharing a pint.

Please join us!

Particulars

• We are planning sessions that will be held on the 4th Wednesdays of the month, with a few exceptions due to conflicts (these will be noted)

• We will meet in January, March, May, September, and November (July is summer hiatus)

• The venue for Theology on Tap will be the Shaw Alley Venue at Zollie's 414 Delaware Street, New Castle, DE 19720

• Dinner will be on your own. At the Zollie's venue, there will be an open cash bar available.

• Sessions will begin promptly at 7:30 pm

Seersucker Sunday Potluck

Friends,

You are cordially invited to Immanuel’s Annual “Seersucker Sunday” Potluck event! Come and share your culinary creations and enjoy a memorable feast with friends and family.

The potluck will begin at 11:30 am on Sunday, June 7th, at the Academy. The Stewardship Ministry will provide fried chicken, potato salad, slaw, and cornbread; so please consider a complementary side to share. We welcome both homemade and store-bought treats.

Sign up here to let us know what you plan to bring.

No need to sign up if you are unable to bring a dish, but all are still welcome, so please do bring yourself and enjoy fun and fellowship as we celebrate the end of another choir season.

P.S. There will also be a parish photo taken in the church immediately following the 10:00 am service. If you are able, please wear your seersucker best. If not, you are still invited to join us for the photograph, a delicious meal, and fellowship!

This is a WHOLE PARISH event!

See you there!

The Stewardship Ministry

Parish Picnic at the Blue Rocks

The Stewardship Ministry invites you to join us for this diocesan event!

Registration is now open for the Diocesan Parish Picnic at the Blue Rocks, at Frawley Stadium, on June 27, 2026, at 6:05 pm!

Think of this as your parish picnic — without the planning, setup, or cleanup. We’ve got it covered; you just come and have fun.

This is more than a ballgame. It’s:

• An all-you-can-eat picnic
• A diocesan-wide celebration
• A chance to cheer on one of our own throwing the first pitch
• Youth jersey giveaway to first 1,000 fans under age 17
• And a diocesan choir leading the National Anthem (sign up for choir below)
• More information

Grab your seat now so you don't miss the faith, fun, fastballs, and fellowship for the whole family!

Sign Up to Sing with the diocesan choir at the Blue Rocks!

We’re assembling a diocesan-wide choir to sing the National Anthem at our Parish Picnic at the Blue Rocks on Saturday, June 27th, 2026. The game begins at 6:05 pm, and our choir will open the evening from the field — representing the full voice of the Episcopal Church in Delaware.

Everyone is welcome to join — whether you’re a seasoned chorister or simply love to sing, we’d be glad to have you join us for this joyful diocesan moment.

SIGN UP TO SING HERE

Exciting Announcement from the Stewardship Ministry!

• Immanuel’s Vacation Bible School •

June 15th-18th, 2026

9:00 am–11:45 am

The Academy

For the first time in many years, Immanuel will hold a Vacation Bible School for the children of our parish and the New Castle community. Children ages 4 through 6th grade are welcome to participate. Each day we will explore Jesus’ Parable of the Sower, and learn how to care for God’s creation through age-appropriate activities.

Registration forms may be completed here, or by using the paper forms provided in the church.

Questions? Email Jo Harney at jo.w.harney@gmail.com

Get Involved!

We are seeking a number of volunteers to help run this fun event. Please consider the list below and find the right slot for your contribution.

On-Site Volunteers:

• Teacher (lessons are provided)
• Snack chairperson
• First Aid provider
• Games chairperson
• Crafts chairperson
• Group leader (shepherding children from one location to another)

Pre-Event Volunteers:

• Provider of snacks (juice, cookies, pretzels, fruit)
• Distributor of door hangers to New Castle homes
• Facility preparation chairperson (set up and break down in the Academy)

Please email jo.w.harney@gmail.com to let us know how you will support this important ministry to young people.

Music for Sunday, May 24th, 2026 - The Day of Pentecost: Whitsunday

Organ Voluntaries: Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott, Diderik Buxtehude (1637-1707)

Introit: Spiritus Domini

Hymn in Procession: 225, "Hail thee, festival day!”, Salve festa dies

Gloria in excelsis: John Merbecke (1505-1585)

Gradual Psalm: 104:25-35, 37, Chant: Bruce Ford (1947-2025)

Offertory Anthem: Listen sweet Dove, Grayston Ives (b. 1948)

Offertory Hymn: 504, "Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire”, Veni, Creator Spiritus

Sanctus and Benedictus qui venit: John Merbecke

Agnus Dei: John Merbecke

Communion Hymn: 516, "Come down, O Love Divine”, Down Ampney

Hymn at the Dismissal: 511, "Holy Spirit, ever living", Abbot’s Leigh

Organ Voluntary: Abbot’s Leigh, David Cherwien (b. 1957)

Music: The Immanuel Choir

From the Gardeners' Guild

A good year for climbing roses “Polka” in the Secret Garden of the Academy! 

Upcoming Events



• Sundays, following 10:00 am service - Fellowship Hour and Rector's Forum
• Sunday, May 24th, The Day of Pentecost: Whitsunday
  8:00 am - Said Holy Eucharist
  10:00 am - Sung Holy Eucharist with multi-language gospel reading
• Wednesday, May 27th, 7:30 pm - Theology on Tap
• Sunday, May 31st, Trinity Sunday
  8:00 am - Said Holy Eucharist
  10:00 am - Sung Holy Eucharist
• Sunday, June 7th, Corpus Christi
  8:00 am - Said Holy Eucharist
  10:00 am - Sung Holy Eucharist followed by the annual parish photo and Seersucker Sunday potluck
• June 15th-18th - Vacation Bible School
• Saturday, June 27th, 6:00 pm - Diocesan Parish Picnic at the Blue Rocks

Office Closed

The office will be closed for Memorial Day on Monday, May 25th, and will also be closed on Monday and Tuesday June 1st and 2nd.

Do you have any upcoming activities or events that you want to share with your fellow Immanuelians? Let us know!

Do you have Fellowship pictures from any Immanuel events, past or present? Send them to the office!

The Flowers at the Altar are given to the Glory of God

by Felice Jo Lamden and Barry Hutton, in loving memory of Margaret Hutton.

The Sick

David Barczak, Lauren Barczak, Susan Bauersachs, Patty Buchanan, Tracy Burk, Legend Callahan, Alexia Cordrey, James Cwiakala, Hung Dan, John Dailyda, Debra Thaïs Evans, Patricia Harsy, James Kee, Stacy Lauren, Ruth Linton, William Logan, Michael McCormick, Patti Quinn, Carolyn Robelen, Al Saulsbury, Joanne Temple, Carol True-Palmer, Glen True-Palmer, Tom Truman, Andrew Vellrath, Barbara Vellrath, Flo Vendeville, Connie, Ed, John, Jon, Phillip, Tom, and Wayne.

May Birthdays

• Week 2 - Amanda O'Connor, Tommy Kinservik, Sally Hatton, Sarah Garrison
• Week 3 - Wolcott Davis
• Week 4 - Patsy Proud, Gavin Clarke
• Week 5 - Mary Marinari, Joe Davison, Glenn Pusey

May Anniversaries

• Week 2 - John and Kathy Brereton, Barbara and Andrew Vellrath, Glenn Rill and Suzanne Souder
• Week 3 - Lisa and Todd Whitaker, Daniel and Cynthia Wolcott, Bob and Doe Irwin
• Week 5 - Alexa and Donny Maloney, Linda and George Jupin, Steve Getty and Patty Parziale

Flower Memorial Dates are Available

Memorials can be scheduled for a Sunday closest to a particular date (such as a birthday, anniversary, or passing), or a specific Sunday in the month (such as the 1st Sunday in October), and can be arranged on a recurring or one-time basis. Please contact the Parish Office on (302)328-2413, or Mark Bacher on (302)367-3825 or at mbac56@aol.com, if you would like to discuss an offering.

Immanuel services listed below are available on the website and Facebook, with links to a downloadable bulletin. We encourage you to "like," "follow," and turn on notifications from Immanuel on Facebook so you won't miss any news or posts (we promise we won't inundate you).

Public Eucharist:

Sunday

• Said Mass - 8:00 am
• Sung Mass - 10:00 am

Thursday

• Said Mass with Healing - 6:00 pm

Evensong will be held in person at 4:00 p.m. on the second Sunday of the Month between October and May. More information on Evensong will be sent in mailers leading up to the service.

Services are posted:

• Virtual Holy Eucharist - Sunday, 1:00 pm

Please join us, and share with family and friends!