Happy
93rd Birthday to St. Andrew’s!
Today, August 6, the Feast of the Transfiguration, marks the 93rd anniversary of the Consecration of St. Andrew’s. We’re not having a big celebration this year, for obvious reasons, but it’s a day to pause and remember those who came before us and made St. Andrew’s-in-the-Valley a reality, and to give thanks for our parish. We will ring the bells 93 times Sunday afternoon, 47 times before the 5:00 outdoor Eucharist and 46 times at the end. And please contribute a note or card to the Tree of Gratitude (see below).
St. Andrew’s Show and Tell on August 16!
Or…
What have you been doing during the pandemic?
I’ve heard such a variety of ways people have been spending their time since we all began staying at home because of the pandemic. A friend of mine recently told me she’s been keeping track of how many books she’s read – currently 23. My brother just downloaded Photo Shop. He says he was looking for a way to fill his time besides playing golf, and he’ll be busy learning how to use this software and touching up his photos for years! My sister and her two girls have been taking golf lessons this summer, since they weren’t planning a big beach trip. When I went to visit her in June I took my first-ever golf lesson, and have continued taking lessons locally.
We all know that we have a lot of creative parishioners at St. Andrew’s, including everyone involved in our prayer shawl ministry, Sammie and her sculptures, Barbara and her weaving. Have you been making things at home – crafts, fiber arts, jams and jellies? Have you taken up something new – painting, photography, a sport, a musical instrument? Have you read more widely than usual, or hiked new trails? How is your garden?
These are not rhetorical questions! A week from Sunday, on August 16, we will have Show and Tell during coffee hour following our 10:00 service. If there’s a lot to share we can extend it to the following Sunday too. Please think about what you would like to share with us about how you’ve been spending your time during the pandemic. We’d all love to see! Or hear about it!
Caroline
via Zoom (see email for Zoom information)
or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/standrewsinthevalleytamworth/
If you’re planning to come to the outdoor Eucharist don’t forget to bring the following:
· Bread for Communion
· Lawn chair
· Face mask
· Hand sanitizer
· Water
· Bug spray, hat, sunglasses, umbrella, fan (according to personal preference/ need)
And if you plan to come but haven’t let me know please email me at rectorSAITV@gmail.com.
The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
August 9th, Proper 14, Year A
Collect of the Day We center ourselves for worship in prayer.
Grant
to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are
right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live
according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
LESSONS We hear the
Word of God proclaimed.
First
Lesson Genesis
37:1-4, 12-28
Psalm 105: 1-6,
16-22, 45b
The Second Lesson Romans 10:5-15
I
The Gospel Matthew 14:22-33
The
gospel is the story of Jesus’ walking on the water and his rescue of Peter
after his faith fails him. The narrative
has several levels of meaning. In
legendary terms Jesus is like the Creator God who strides over the watery chaos
monster. Matthew’s gospel stresses this
revelation of Jesus’ close relationship with God, as God’s Son, and the
importance of faith on the part of the disciples. A church beset by its own problems and lack
of faith would be glad to perceive in this story the saving presence of its
risen Lord.
Our outdoor Eucharist is on August 9 at 5:00 pm. If you would like to come, please read the guidelines and let me know that you plan to attend. One of the questions I’ve been asked since sharing this last week is whether we will have both bread and wine for Communion, and the answer is that we will only have bread. Sharing the cup is simply not considered safe, and the Bishop has asked us to use only bread.
We plan to have several 10’ X 10’ canopies set up to provide additional shade.
We chose August 9 as the date because this is the Sunday closest to the anniversary of the consecration of the church, August 6, 1927. We will commemorate our birthday by ringing the church bells 93 times at the Eucharist, one toll for each of our 93 years and writing notes expressing our gratitude for St. Andrew’s (
After reading the documents recommended by the Bishop, CDC guidelines and State of NH re-opening guidance we developed the
The Eucharist will be a continuation of the morning Liturgy of the Word, not a full service. Our morning Zoom service will be the same as usual. The afternoon Eucharist will have only minimal elements of the Liturgy of the Word (one reading from Scripture, no sermon, no Prayers of the People), followed by the Eucharistic Prayer and Communion. Those who plan to attend the Eucharist are encouraged to attend the Zoom service as well, both for the elements of the service that will only occur at the morning service and to stand in solidarity with those who do not feel comfortable gathering in person.
Stay tuned…. As we approach August 9 we will no doubt make some minor adjustments to the plan. Meanwhile, please let me know ASAP if you plan to attend.
Happy Birthday, St. Andrew’s-in-the-Valley!
Tree of Gratitude
As part of the outdoor Eucharist on August 9th, we will celebrate the beginnings of our ministry here at St. Andrew’s with ringing of the church bells and a Tree of Gratitude. We invite each of you to express a thought of what St. Andrew’s means to you—perhaps, something that you are especially grateful for that we can all rejoice in on this special day. Grab a note card, or anything you can write on—be creative! Bring your gift of gratitude to the 5 PM service to be hung on the tree; or mail it to the church office if you are not able to be present. We hope to hear from everyone…far and near. We will save your gifts to be displayed in the Parish Hall once we are all able to gather together again.
For those who are homebound: Joyce Gendron, Marge Hagerup, Elizabeth Pease, Susannah Keith, Alida, Dylan, Brian & Sara Kelley, Bob Wallace, Carl Mamigonian, Elizabeth Wiesner, Judy Grace, Audrey Berry.
For our First Nation people and those in this country who are living in impoverished areas of the Ninth Ward of New Orleans and the inner city areas populated by some of our poorest citizens.
For all those who are on the front lines serving communities during these difficult times.
TAKE A PHOTO WITH YOURSELF, PET, WHOEVER IS WITH YOU, LET ME KNOW THE DATE AND TIME OF THE PHOTO. Have FUN and enjoy the ride!
The 2020 Pack a PACK Drive is Going Virtual!
Although learning may look different this fall, it’s more important than ever for every student to have their own supplies. Help WMUR, Service Credit Union, The NH Food Bank and Boys and Girls Club of Central NH, to make that happen by making a donation today!
This is the program that David Manley coordinates for us every year. The only difference is that it’s all online this year. You can make a donation of any dollar amount, or you can make a $50 donation for a backpack and school supplies, a donation of $25 for a back pack, or a donation for $25 for school supplies.
To make an online donation go to https://servicecu.org/packapack/
Thanks to David for reminding me about this important way we can help school aged children, and directing me to the website!
Next Food Pantry: August 19th
Prayer is not about the magic of saying certain words so that some desired outcome happens. Rather prayer is about the mystery of love. We pray, not because we want something, but because we love someone.
