April 2018 The Episcopal Church in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Inside this issue: From the Rector 1 Organ Project 2 Pancake Day 3 Habitat 3 Hospitality 4 Easter Thank-yous 4 Lobster Feast 5 Music Notes 5 Episco-Pals 6 Round of Prayer 8 Birthdays and Anniversaries 8 Calendar 9 The Memorial Church of the Prince of Peace THE EASTER ROAD Dear Friends in Christ, One of my favorite New Testament stories is the tale of the two disciples who encounter Jesus on the road leading away from Jerusalem toward Emmaus. Bereft and disillusioned at the death of their teacher and friend, they are heading home. Their dreams for the future of God s chosen people are shattered and we can imagine them dragging their feet and telling rueful stories of the time they spent among Jesus followers. Now all of that is gone for good. So preoccupied are they that, when joined on the road by the resurrected Jesus, they fail to recognize him - even as he explains the deeper meaning of everything they experienced in those last days. Practicing true hospitality, they insist that he From the Rector The Rev. Dr. Herbert Sprouse join them in their home for dinner and to stay the night. As he blesses and then breaks the bread, their eyes are opened and they recognize the Risen Lord, seated with them in their own home. The recognition of the ritual enacted at the Last Supper has awakened them to this holy presence. Miraculously, as soon as he is recognized, Jesus vanishes and the two disciples are left to ponder what they have experienced, and then to hurry back to Jerusalem to tell the others! This is such a human story. It shows us that our tendency toward preoccupation and emotional distance can interfere with the recognition of Christ in those we encounter along the byways of our lives. But, of course, the Risen Christ has come to all people, in all walks and conditions of life. As the incarnation of God s love, Jesus perpetual presence among us is always reflected in those (Continued on page 2)
Page 2 (Continued from page 1) From the Rector News and Notes The Episcopal Epistle Update on the Expansion of Our Pipe Organ we meet, and most especially in those who have need of our care and hospitality. During the Great Vigil of Easter this year we all reaffirmed our baptismal covenant. One of the most important affirmations is our renewed promise to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself. It is followed immediately with will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being? We affirm both, always, with I will, with God s help. This Eastertide, as the Holy Week services and the splendor of Easter Sunday begin to fade in our memories, our tendency will be to return to our distractions and preoccupying concerns. But the eternal messages of Easter, the promises of our baptism and the experience of those two disciples on the road from Jerusalem help us to remember our own best natures and our divine purpose in life. Seeking God s help, it s time to return to our work of love and service to the world with awakened hearts and opened eyes. Wishing you a grace filled Eastertide, Fr. Herb+ Those who attended Holy Week services at Prince of Peace were treated to the inspiring sounds of the completed first phase of our organ expansion project. The digital portion of our new instrument is now in place (both in the chancel and on the rear wall of the nave) and is playing for now with its factory voicing. This is what we heard on Easter Sunday to such grand effect. The internal electrical connections for the pipes are being completely rewired, as required by building code, and we expect them to be reinstalled late his month. Once the pipes are playing again, the truly artistic work will begin. This will include voicing and balancing every note (of both the pipes and digital voices) for a more refined sound in the specific acoustic environment of our church. Our hope is that the full hybrid instrument will be complete by mid-may. We also rejoice in the fact that we will have accomplished all of this work while never having a Sunday service without a working organ. Watch this space as we develop plans for dedicatory concerts and events celebrating our beautiful new instrument. Any questions? Ask Cathy Elkiss or Fr. Herb The Road to Emmaus by He Qi
The Episcopal Epistle News and Notes Page 3 It has now been confirmed that we officially made a net profit of $4,440.67 from this year s Pancake Day event, approximately $700 more than in 2017. We are extremely grateful to our volunteer parishioners, to our sponsor businesses, to the Dixie Mix Dixieland Band, and to the community at large for their support of this most wonderful ministry. Letters of thanks have gone out to our sponsors and the band. The proceeds checks will be individually presented to the three supported charities Gettysburg Community Soup Kitchen, Gettysburg C.A.R.E.S., and Ruth s Harvest. Again, thanks to the Prince of Peace Family for making this fun and important ministry a SUCCESS! As a reminder, if you have an occasion to thank our sponsors, please be sure to tell them how important they are to this community effort. Our sponsors include the following businesses and organizations: Principal Sponsor: Gettysburg American Legion Post 202; Partner Sponsors: Cathy s Corner, LLC (Cathy & David Kamsler) and the Rice Fruit Company (David Rice and Dora Townsend); and Table Sponsors: Blue and Gray Bar & Grill, Carl E. Frantz Plumbing & Heating, Dixie Mix Dixieland Band, Freedom Landscapes, Gettysburg Animal Hospital (John Dodson), Monahan Funeral Home and Renn Kirby Chevrolet (Jack Lord) - Pete Lindquist Habitat for Community Project Update Just a reminder that the Blitz Build for the latest Habitat house is scheduled for two weeks of Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays beginning on April 12 th. Once this Blitz Build phase is complete (~ Saturday April 21 st ) then the weekly Saturdays schedule will kick-in for all the Habitat volunteer groups. Currently, Prince of Peace is slated to provide three to four workers on Saturday, June 9 th, 8 AM to Noon. See or email Pete Lindquist, plindquist@comcast.net to volunteer. Below is a recent photo of Fr. Herb presenting a check on behalf of Prince of Peace for $1,000 to the Adams County Habitat for Humanity Board. These monies will be used to support Habitat s construction efforts.
Page 4 News and Notes The Episcopal Epistle Hospitality Thanks Many thanks to the Ministries groups who continually support Hospitality by bringing in various food to enhance our coffee hour following Sunday service. Everyone is anxious to see what is on the table each week and enjoy visiting with one another and getting to know folks better. Many people in the various Ministries groups are also busy with other church commitments in addition to supporting coffee hour on their designated Sunday, so we owe you our sincere gratitude and thanks. We also thank all who contributed to the Easter table last Sunday. March was a busy month with our Lenten services and preparing for Easter. We would like to have a meeting, date to be determined, to organize our committee, our cupboards and to welcome anyone who might be interested in working with us and getting to know what all is involved. Thanks to All A sincere word of appreciation to all who helped to create a truly spiritual and memorable worship experience through Lent, Holy Week and our Easter celebrations. There are many groups, made up of many individuals, who participated and ensured that the worship experiences at Prince of Peace were special. We thank all who offered their time at the various services: lectors, ushers, greeters, altar servers, eucharistic servers, choir, handbell choir, hospitality, altar guild, soloists, the brass and timpani, and our clergy, Fr. Herb and Fr. Richard R. We also thank Fr. Doug S. for preaching, and willing to be on deck when snow slowed down Fr. Herb s return from NYC in early March. We thank the Decorating Committee, who decorated our worship space with the lovely selection of spring plants, which brought so much color to our services on Easter. We thank our sexton, Chris Abplanalp, for being here to clean up after services, as well as watching the parking lot to be sure other churches were not using it. Finally, we thank our Organist and Choirmaster, Cathy Elkiss, for the marvelous music she organized for all of the services.
Page 5 News and Notes The Episcopal Epistle Choir for providing the beautiful and sensitive music for our Lenten and Holy Week services, and for the glorious and celebratory music at our 10:15 Easter Service this past April 1 st. A special thank you is extended to the members of the Prince of Peace Choir for the The ROTARY CLUB of GETTYSBURG is sponsoring a Lobster Dinner on Saturday, May 5, 2018, from 5:00-8:00 PM, at the Gettysburg Fire Hall. Proceeds from this event will be given to community service projects within Gettysburg and Adams County. Cost of the ticket is $40 and the meal includes lobster, corn, shrimp, cole slaw, and dessert. Quite a bargain. Please see Bob G. for more information about this event. Music Notes Stewardship Many thanks to all our Holy Week/Easter musicians! We again express our gratitude to all of the musicians who offered their many and varied musical gifts during our recent Lenten/Holy Week/Easter season: to the members of the brass quartet: William S. and Peter J. on trumpets, Julia B. on French horn, and Daryl B. on trombone; timpanist Heather S.; flautist Karen B.; violinist Dale E.; pianist and singer Savannah S.; soprano Trish J. B.; alto Carolyn F.; baritone Jim F.; tenor Michael R.; soprano and tenor Sue and Paul F.; and to baritone cantor Ben K.; as well as to the members of the Prince of Peace Handbell many extra rehearsals they willingly attended, and for their tireless and enthusiastic hard work in providing the music throughout this past Lenten and Easter season. We are most grateful to all our musicians for the joy they bring to our worship God bless you all! You are Needed You are Wanted! If you are not yet a member of Prince of Peace s singing and/or ringing choirs, please consider yourself warmly invited to become a part of this very important ministry in the life of our church. No previous musical skills or background is needed: only a desire to have a wonderful time enjoying the fun and fellowship of others as we sing and make melody in our hearts to the Lord with Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. All are welcome! (Continued on page 6)
Page 6 News and Notes The Episcopal Epistle (Continued from page 5) Prince of Peace (Choral) Choir: Thursday evenings at 7:00 PM Prince of Peace Handbell Choir: Tuesday afternoons at 4:00 PM Thank you to Fr. Herb, the members of the Prince of Peace Choir, and to all of those who were present for our second Choral Evensong for the season of Lent on Sunday on March 18 th. Plans are being made to have a final Choral Evensong of the season. Watch for the date to be announced soon. Choral Evensong is a 30 to 45-minute long peaceful church service in which the song of voices sounding together in harmony is heard at the even point between the active day and the restful night, allowing listeners time for peaceful and restful contemplation church members, agnostics and atheists alike. It is both free of charge and free of religious commitment. Episco-Pals will be starting up again this year with the following dates set for large groups, averaging about 24 people: Saturday, May 12th Hosts will be Olive and Joe D., Sunday, June 24th Sunday, October 14th Episco-Pals 2018 The evenings usually start at 5:30 PM with fellowship, with the meal and dessert beginning at 6:30. The host couple doesn t have to do it all that s why we have co-hosts at the discretion of the hosting couple If you are interested in hosting on one of these three dates, please contact either Olive D. or Cornelia S. Important Parish Dates and Times: Saturday, May 12th 5:30 PM Episco-Pals at the home of Olive and Joe D.
The Memorial Church of the Prince of Peace Page 7 FLOWER DEDICATIONS If you would like to make an altar flower dedication in loving memory or thanksgiving for loved ones or special events, please fill out the form on the parlor credenza, or call the church office at 717-334-6463. The cost is $30.00 (or $15.00 if the date is shared with another dedication). We cannot reserve dates for single dedications, so you may have to share a date with another party. Please make your check payable to Prince of Peace and mark it Altar Flowers on the Memo Line. April 8 Available April 15 In loving memory of Donald S. S., Sr., by Beth and Doug S. In thanksgiving for my loving husband, Joe D., whose birthday is today, by Olive D. April 22 Jane H., by Larry D. April 29 Available Help us keep our records up to date. Let us know if you have changed your email, phone number or mailing address. Also, let us know if we have missed your birthday or anniversary; we may not have the information in our database. Prince of Peace Office 717-334-6463 secretary@gettysburgepiscopal.org The Memorial Church of the Prince of Peace P. O. Box 3005, 20 W. High St. Gettysburg, PA 17325-3005 Telephone: 717-334-6463 The Rev. Dr. Herbert Sprouse, Rector rector@gettysburgepiscopal.org The Rev. Richard Randall Priest Associate Cathy Elkiss Organist and Choirmaster Carolyn Fouts Parish Administrator secretary@gettysburgepiscopal.org We are a welcoming family in God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, celebrating the life-giving presence and love of Jesus Christ and sharing his love with our neighbors. Chris Abplanalp, Sexton Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Website: www.gettysburgepiscopal.org
Page 8 April 1 April 8 April 15 April 22 April 29 The Memorial Church of the Prince of Peace PARISH ROUND OF PRAYER FOR APRIL 2018 Kim, Mike and Andrew R.; Nicole and Michael R.; Cornelia and Charles S.; Bettie S. Danielle and Savannah S.; Melanie, Jim and Martha S.; Peter S.; Jean and Dan S.; Dorie and John S. Beth and Fr. Doug S.; Fr. Herb S. and Jerry W.; Susan and Howard S.; Barbara S. Helen and Clarence S.; Laurie and Jeffrey S.; Heather, Dave, Sarah and Rebecca S. Ellen, Jim, JT, Sarah, Zachary and Catherine T.; Phyllis T.; Susan and Kerr T.; Dora T. and David R. APRIL BIRTHDAYS 3rd Deb E. 6th Charles S. 7th Paige S. 8th Julie W. 10th Jeffrey S. 11th Neil B. 14th Andrew R. April 8 2 Easter Acts 4:32-35 Psalm 133 1 John 1:1-2:2 John 20:19-31 April 15 3 Easter Acts 3:12-19 Psalm 4 1 John 3:1-7 Luke 24:36b-48 15th Joe D. 19th Ellen T. 22nd Shirley P. 29th Valerie P. The Sunday Lectionary GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY CONGRATULATIONS TO JILL AND DON LOWE! April 22 4 Easter Acts 4:5-12 Psalm 23 1 John 3:16-24 John 10:11-18 April 29 5 Easter Acts 8:26-40 Psalm 22:24-30 1 John 4:7-21 John 15:1-8 APRIL ANNIVERSARIES 3rd Nancy and Mike L. 14th Kathleen Z. and Jim V. D. 15th Jill and Don L. MAY NEWSLETTER DEADLINE Monday, April 23, 2018 Email Articles to: secretary@gettysburgepiscopal.org or leave on the desk in the office SERVICE SCHEDULE SUNDAY HOLY EUCHARIST 8:00 a.m. Rite I Holy Eucharist 10:15 a.m. Rite II Holy Eucharist WEDNESDAY HOLY EUCHARIST 12:00 Noon Holy Eucharist
Page 9 April 2018 Prince of Peace Episcopal Church Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 8am & 10:15am, HE 11:30 am PoP cooks for Soup Kitchen (PH) 2 11:30 am PoP cooks for Soup Kitchen (PH) 3 7 pm NOVIS (UC) 4 12 pm Holy Eucharist 5 6 12 pm Steppin Out (Al-Anon) 7 9 am NOVIS (UC) Easter Day Easter Monday Office Closed Easter Tuesday Office Closed 8 8am & 10:15am, HE 9am Sunday School 9 10 4 pm Handbell Choir 7 pm NOVIS (UC) 1112 pm Holy Eucharist 6 pm EfM (Conference Room) 12 7 pm Choir Rehearsal 13 12 pm Steppin Out (Al-Anon) 14 9 am NOVIS (UC) 2nd Sunday of Easter 15 8am & 10:15am, HE 9am Sunday School 12 pm Vestry 16 17 4 pm Handbell Choir 7 pm NOVIS (UC) 18 10 am Ministries Council 12 pm Holy Eucharist 19 7 pm Choir Rehearsal 20 12 pm Steppin Out (Al-Anon) 21 3rd Sunday of Easter 6 pm EfM (Conference Room) 22 8am & 10:15am, HE 9 am Sunday School 23 4:30 pm Community Concerts Board (Stahle Parlor) 24 4 pm Handbell Choir 7 pm NOVIS (UC) 25 12 pm Holy Eucharist 6 pm EfM (Conference Room) 26 7 pm Choir Rehearsal 27 12 pm Steppin Out (Al-Anon) 28 4th Sunday of Easter 29 8am & 10:15am, HE 9am Sunday School 30 5th Sunday of Easter