Sunday Services: NEW worship hours for the remainder of 2023! The vestry has decided to have only 1 Sunday service for the remainder of the year, which will be at 9:30 am and it will begin on Sunday, September 2nd. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this you can speak with the wardens. Includes Holy Eucharist 2x/month, otherwise, Morning Prayer, with music, in person, or join us live-streamed on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/messiahchester
As we are in transition in seeking a new rector, we pray: God of Love, You are with us in every transition and change. As we enter into this new era with excitement and even some anxiety, we recall your deep compassion, presence, and abounding love. We thank you for the gifts, talents and skills with which you have blessed us. We thank you for the experiences that have brought us to this moment. We thank you for the work of others that gives breadth and depth to our own work. Be with us as we move forward, rejoicing with you and supporting one another. We ask this in your Holy Name. - Joseph P. Shadle
O Faithful God, We ask you to guide us in our time of transition. We need your wisdom, that we might be receptive to change, conversion and growth. We need your grace to redirect our hearts so we may be willing to offer ourselves in joyful service. Do not allow fear, ignorance or pride to limit the work of your Spirit. Amen.
UPDATE REGARDING MASK MANDATE At this week’s vestry meeting the vestry discussed and voted to revise our mask mandate: Starting this Sunday, March 19th, masks will no longer be required, but instead will be optional. We will also discontinue doing the temperature checks. When we have clergy doing a Eucharist service, they will not be required to wear a mask for most of the service, but to reduce the potential for Covid transmission, we still want them to sanitize their hands before starting the Eucharist part of the service and to wear a mask when serving the Eucharist to the parishioners.
HolyEucharist (Holy Communion): Offered when clergy are present. You will be able to receive the consecrated wine by intinction only, in addition to the consecrated bread (wafer). Following the Bishop’s instructions Clergy will offer the consecrated wine in this manner. They will sanitize their hands and the consecrate the bread and wine. As each of you comes forward to receive communion, they will ask you if you wish to have the bread dipped into the wine (what is called intinction.) If you agree they will dip the wafer for you and place it in your palm. If you do not wish to have it dipped in the wine, you can receive the bread alone just as you have been doing during this covid time. At present only wine is to be consecrated; those of you who were used to receiving consecrated juice should decline and only receive the bread.