Dear Friend,
This Sunday is the feast of Pentecost, the day that we remember the Holy Spirit descending as tongues of fire upon the apostles. Though we are still gathering online, we will celebrate this feast with as much joy as we can muster on Zoom. The service will be streamed from St. Andrew's. Bob and Alex will lead us in festal music. In remembrance of the many languages of Pentecost, we will embrace the cacophony of Zoom by reading the lesson from Acts and the Lord's prayer all together, unmuted! You will be invited to come to the St. Andrew's parking lot at noon to receive communion. Wear your brightest red and joy us for this festal day!
In Christ,
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Our Mother-tongue is Love;
A Sonnet for Pentecost
by Malcom Guite
Today we feel the wind beneath our wings
Today the hidden fountain flows and plays
Today the church draws breath at last and sings
As every flame becomes a Tongue of praise.
This is the feast of fire, air, and water
Poured out and breathed and kindled into earth.
The earth herself awakens to her maker
And is translated out of death to birth.
The right words come today in their right order
And every word spells freedom and release
Today the gospel crosses every border
All tongues are loosened by the Prince of Peace
Today the lost are found in His translation.
Whose mother-tongue is Love, in every nation.
from 'Sounding the Seasons'
https://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/tag/pentecost-poem/
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Pentecost Reading
The lesson from the book of Acts describes the events of the first Pentecost, including those present hearing the apostles speaking in each of their native tongues. This year we will read this lesson in unison, unmuted on Zoom, embracing the cacophony caused by Zoom's lag time.
You are invited to read this lesson in any language!
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Funeral Service for NormaLea McKown
NormaLea McKown's funeral service will take place at St. Mary's on May 29 at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's Episcopal Church.
Due to Covid restrictions, in-person attendance at this service will be limited. More information will about the ability to attend will be shared closer to the date of the service. The service will also be available to watch online.
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St. Andrew's Foundation Board
The St. Andrew's vestry is looking for one more Foundation board member. You do not need to have a background in finance. You just need a desire to help St. Andrew's be a good steward of our financial resources. Board meetings are held a few times a year.
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News from the Wider Church
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Concert for the Human Family
On May 22nd, join The Episcopal Church for the first in a series, Concert for the Human Family: In These Uncertain Times, streamed from Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral.
A team of musicians, artists, creatives, and church leaders gathered to work alongside the Episcopal Church's Beloved Community program, focusing on the work of racial reconciliation within and beyond the church, shaping a musical journey "intended to stir listeners, share sacred stories of human experience from many perspectives, and start powerful conversations around the reconciliation work that's so needed within the communities we call home."
Click here to learn more and reserve your free ticket.
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Upcoming Services
- May 23, 10:15 am - Holy Eucharist on Zoom with communion in the St. Andrew's parking lot
- We will pray the Prayer for Spiritual Communion with all those who are unable to join us in the parking lot.
- At the end of the Zoom service you will be invited to travel to the St. Andrew's parking lot at noon to receive communion. Please remain in your car when you arrive.
- If you would like to join us for only the parking lot portion of the service, plan to arrive at St. Andrew's at about noon.
- May 30, 10:15 am - Morning Prayer on Zoom
You can join all of our Zoom services by video on your computer, tablet, or smartphone by clicking the link below, or by any phone by calling the number below. When you join the Zoom call you will be placed in a waiting room. You will be admitted from the waiting room as you join us.
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Pentecost
May 23, 2021
First Lesson: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Psalm: Psalm 104:25-35, 37
Second Lesson: Acts 2:1-21
Gospel: John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
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Worship Serving Schedule
May 23: Holy Eucharist at St. Andrew's
Reader: Mark Lauzon
Intercessor: Chris Lissuzo
Acolytes: Lauzons
May 30: Morning Prayer from rectory
Reader: Jim Pals
Intercessor: Coleen Dice
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Durable Medical Equipment Lending Pantry Schedule
May 20: 2 people needed
May 24: Peters
May 27: Fosters
May 31: DME closed
To sign up to volunteer in the DME Lending Pantry, contact Mike Paulin at Paulin1985@live.com.
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The Episcopal Dioceses in Michigan are currently in phase 2 of the Plan for Re-Entry for Great Lakes Episcopalians.
As a reminder, the following is included under Phase 2:
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Masks are required at all times, for both indoor and outdoor gatherings, (regardless of vaccination status).
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Regular cleaning, according to the current CDC standards.
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In-person gatherings are permitted with capacity at 25% of your room capacity, or the maximum number of people for your space while maintaining 6 feet of distancing between households.
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Outdoor gatherings are permitted with capacity based on the current state restrictions. At this time, this number is capped at 300.
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In-person Holy Eucharist is permitted strictly according to the processes outlined on page 10.
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A contact log is required for all persons entering your building in case of contact tracing.
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Food or beverages are not allowed as part of any gathering.
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Food preparation is not allowed inside the building unless you have received explicit permission from the Standing Committee for your service ministry.
Both of St. Andrew's and St. Mary's have revised the individual church policies about gathering during this time. You can read the current policy for St. Andrew's here and the current policy for St. Mary's here. Both churches are waiting until the daily number of new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 drops below particular thresholds before returning to in-person gatherings.
This means that the move back to in person worship will happen in stages at both parishes. Mtr. Radha and the vestries will be closely watching the rates of Covid cases in both counties. Our is to keep every single member of our churches and our visitors as safe as possible. The church buildings have slowly begun reopening to visitors and Mtr. Radha has resumed regular in-person office hours.
As both churches move back into in-person worship, the online offerings will change a bit, but online services will continued to be offered in some format on Sunday mornings for all those who aren't able to attend in person.
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Contributions are welcome!
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