Greetings!

You are invited to join us as we begin our week of National Prayer for the Healing of AIDS, sponsored by the Balm of Gilead organization.

We will begin our week on Sunday, March 7, 2010 with a Service of Word and Holy Communion. It will begin at 11:00 am.

We are located at St. Michael's Lutheran Church, 6671 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa 19119. (215)848-0199

Blessings!
Pastor Andrena Ingram

You may visit us on the web at St. Michael's Lutheran Church

you may also get more information at: *Living* With HIV

Christmas can be a painful time for some. It may be the first Christmas without a loved family member who has recently died; it may be a time that has always been difficult.

The constant refrain on the radio and television, in shopping malls and churches, about the happiness of the season, about getting together with family and friends, reminds many people of what they have lost or have never had. The anguish of broken relationships, the insecurity of unemployment, the weariness of ill health, the pain of isolation - all these can make us feel very alone in the midst of the celebrating and spending. We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern; we need to know that we are not alone.

Our spirits sink, as the days grow shorter. We feel the darkness growing deeper around us. We need encouragement to live the days ahead of us.

For these reasons, St Michael's Lutheran Church offers a special “Blue Christmas” service on December 18th at 7:00 pm. Come out, and join with us in sharing and hearing prayers, scripture, and music that acknowledge that God’s presence is for those who mourn, for those who struggle - and that God’s Word comes to shine light into our darkness. Everyone, regardless of church background (or lack of it) is welcome.

We are located at 6671 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa 19119, for more information, please call the church office: (215) 848-0199.

Join us as we come together as people of God, to worship and lift up those infected and/or affected by the HIV/AIDS virus.

The global theme for 2009 and 2010 World AIDS Day is "Universal Access and Human Rights".

Service of Word and Holy Communion on November 29, 2009 @ 11:00 a.m.

St. Michael's Lutheran Church
6671 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, Pa 19119
(215)848-0199

All are welcome.

Pastor Andrena Ingram
visit us on the web: http://stmichaelsgermantown.org

In honor of St. Francis Assisi,which is on October 4th, there will be a short service of The Blessing of the Animals at St. Michael's Lutheran Church...6671 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa 19119. Weather permitting the service will be outside. Please bring your furry companions, or scaly companions or feathery companions for a blessing for being such a blessing in our lives.

for more information: 215-848-0199

MiND TV offers one-day and advance workshops, as well as production equipment rentals and one-on-one editing tutorials. Sign up online at www.mindtv.org/training

St. Michael's Lutheran Church, 6671 Germantown Avenue, will join Philadelphia Fight (www.fight.org) to participate in National HIV Testing Day on Saturday, June 27, 2009 from noon to 4 pm. Speakers, literature and on-site HIV testing will be available. Other health-related information will be provided including resources for people who are living with HIV/AIDS, a healthy living table, and information about the SHARE food program, A community barbecue will be held during the event. The event is free and open to the public. Walk-ins welcome.

This program is a part of the15th Anniversary of National HIV Month during the month of June. The theme this year if Prevention, Treatment and Justice. Prevention because this is still the only way to stop the spread of HIV!. Treatment because HIV is not a death sentence! And Justice because HIV is caused by a virus, but the epidemic is caused by poverty, injustice and despair!

For more information, contact the church office at 215-848-0199.

Small local church looking for organized, efficient person. Must be very knowledgeable in all Microsoft applications and Church Windows. Previous church experience is preferred. Please send letter and resume to pastor_ingram@verizon.net. This is an 8-10 hour week position. No health benefits, ideal for someone looking for additional income, and serving the church. (215)848-0199

* Location: Mount Airy, Philadelphia
* Compensation: $13.00 an hour
* This is at a non-profit organization.

Do you believe in Ghosts? Do you hear banging, footsteps or voices in your home? Are you really seeing things or is that just your imagination?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, join us at Cliveden on June 13th from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm for Ghost Hunting 101. Teaming up with “Free Spirit Paranormal Investigators,” Cliveden will offer a workshop and live paranormal investigation for ghost enthusiasts of all ages.

Addressing a wide range of paranormal topics including the history of Ghost Hunting, EVP theory and psychic protection, the Free Spirit Paranormal Investigators will discuss the do’s-and-dont’s of paranormal investigation.

After the workshop, attendees will gain hands-on experience with paranormal equipment provided by Free Spirit. The group will investigate the Chew Mansion and Upsala, two of the buildings on Cliveden’s property that are said to contain spirits from the Battle of Germantown.

This program is open to all ages. Admission is $20.00 per person. RSVP is necessary as space is very limited.

For further details about this event and to RSVP, please contact Frank, Investigator for Free Spirit, at 267-496-5267 or by emailing frank.freespirit@gmail.com.

For further information about Free Spirit Paranormal Investigators, visit www.freespiritpi.com

For further information about programs and tours at Cliveden, please visit www.cliveden.org

Cliveden, located in Historic Germantown (Freedom’s Backyard), was the site of the 1777 Battle of Germantown. Numerous American and British soldiers died valiantly at Cliveden during the war for American independence. Some say spirits from the Battle of Germantown still roam Cliveden. Others who have stayed at Cliveden insist there are no ghosts on the property. Join Cliveden and the Free Spirit Paranormal Investigators on June 13th to decide for yourself!

HARTs Alive! is a newly formed support group for people infected by and affected by AIDS/HIV. It is a safe and confidential group, led by a religious leader who is living with the HIV virus for 20+ years. This is not a "religious" group per se, but a meeting of people of any denomination/faith or culture, who seek to talk with one another about the various issues living with this condition brings with it.

We will meet from 10 am - 12 pm, beginning April 15th and every week thereafter.

We hope you will join us! For more information, please call the church office (215)848-0199 and leave a message in the confidential mailbox of Pastor Ingram.

Blessings on your journey!

Palm Sunday was celebrated by proclaiming Christ's entry into Jerusalem, and by our procession around the block. We walked around the block waving our palms and singing hymns. Our service included the "Reading of the Passion", and Holy Communion.

Our worship services in the next days are shaped by the remembrance of Christ's death and resurrection. All are welcome to these services. The services are as follows:

Maundy Thursday Service, April 9, 7:30 p.m. will include Holy Communion, traditional foot washing following Jesus' example of servanthood,the stripping of the altar, and the extinction of all candle light as worshipers leave in darkness.

Good Friday, April 10, worship at 7:30 p.m. This service will recall the crucifixion and the seven last words of Jesus. Liturgical dancers will offer an interpretation of "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded."

Easter Day Worship, April 12, 11:00 a.m. will be a joyous celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord. Liturgical dancing and special music with trumpet, soloists, and the entire congregation singing the "Hallelujah Chorus" will enrich our worship.

Come and join us! Children are welcome at all services. A continental breakfast from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. will precede the service. All are invited. Children are also invited to an Easter egg hunt to be held on the church lawn following worship.

St Michael's Lutheran is located at 6671 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa 19119..
office #215-848-0199

Friday, April 17 to Sunday, April 19,2009, all weekend.
Mt. Airy Kids' Literary Festival! Big Blue Marble Bookstore's third annual kids' literary festival--a weekend of kids' literature, music, crafts, and activities. Featuring popular Baby Loves Jazz author Andy Blackman Hurwitz and special musical guests, a hands-on kids' cooking experience with Atsuko Quirk, young adult author Tonya Cherie Hegamin, storytellers Milt Cohen and Debra Johnson, and more guests to be announced.

Check out our regularly scheduled kids' events and reading/book signings, workshops, writing classes, and more on our website: www.bigbluemarblebooks.com!

Wondering how you can affordably and easily incorporate “green” practices into your everday life? Join us at Cliveden, a National Trust Historic Site, on Friday April 3rd and Satruday April 4th for Going Green: Environmental Stewardship for Preservation and Profit.

Located in our historic Carriage House, visitors will hear a variety of perspectives on local “green” issues from renowned scholars and environmental leaders. Topics will include an assortment of subjects including: “green” lawn care, protection of local wildlife, historical environmental issues and the true characteristics of eco-living.

The Going Green forum will begin on Friday evening, April 3rd, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm with a wine and cheese conversation about Cliveden’s climate control project. Learn about the special challenges historic sites face when balancing sustainability and historic accuracy. A presentation and panel discussion with local museum leaders will be followed by a behind-the-scenes architectural tour of the historic Chew House.

On Saturday April 4th, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, a full-day of scholarly speakers will address a variety of local environmental issues. Mike McGrath, host of WHYY’s You Bet Your Garden show, will bring his nationally syndicated radio antics to Cliveden. His keynote speech, Get Your Lawn and Landscape off Drugs, will reveal money-and-time saving tips that will help to achieve a lush, green lawn free of chemicals.

Dr. Andrew Isenberg, Chair of Temple University’s History Department, will begin Saturday’s program with a discussion of historical environmental issues. His talk Environment and History: The Historical Context of Environmental Challenges, will focus on how past cultures have attempted to confront environmental problems.
Defenders of Wildlife Outreach representative Richard Whiteford will follow with a discussion about Climate Change: Things Each of Us Can Do About It. An environmental activist, lobbyist and winner of the Sierra Club’s 2006 Environmental Hero Award, Whiteford will provide tips on how to protect natural habitats in the Greater Philadelphia region.

Exploring myths about “going green” will be Barton Partners Architects Planners’ Director of Planning and Urban Design, Seth Shapiro. Mr. Shapiro will question the myths about green design and focus on the chracteristics of what makes homes and neighborhoods truly “green.”

During the lunch break on Saturday April 4th, visitors will be treated to a natural history tour of Cliveden. Phillyist.com Green Scene Columnist Lori Litchman will explain what Cliveden’s 6 acre property would have looked like in 1777 as well as the variety of plant and wildlife at the site.

Farmers from Weavers Way, a food cooperative in Northwest Philadelphia, will provide eco-friendly appetizers for lunchtime and discuss the economic and health benefits of eating locally and organically.

Concluding the Going Green forum will be a brief local field trip to Weavers Way farms at Awbury Arboretum and Martin Luther King High School. Hop on the yellow bus to see a food co-op’s urban gardens and nutrition programs in action.

Admission to both days of the program, April 3rd and April 4th, is $30. Price of admission includes speakers, demonstrations, eco-friendly appetizers, local bus trip as well as a reusable Cliveden coffee mug and shopping bag. A reduced rate is available for one-day admissions and members of Cliveden.

For further information about this program and to RSVP, please contact by email at: rfink@cliveden.org or by calling 215-848-1777. A detailed program for this event can be found at www.cliveden.org.

St. Michael’s Lutheran Church will be celebrating Reconciling in Christ Sunday, on January 25, 2009 at 6671 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia Pa 19119 at 11:00 a.m, with Holy Communion, song and scripture.

Reconciling in Christ is a program for Lutheran communities of faith to answer the inclusive call of the Gospel by welcoming people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

For more information about this event, please call the church office at (215)848-0199.

St. Michael’s Lutheran Church will be celebrating Reconciling in Christ Sunday, on January 25, 2009 at 6671 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia Pa 19119 at 11:00 a.m, with Holy Communion, song and scripture.

Reconciling in Christ is a program for Lutheran communities of faith to answer the inclusive call of the Gospel by welcoming people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

For more information about this event, please call the church office at (215)848-0199.

Christmas can be a painful time for some. It may be the first Christmas without a loved family member who has recently died; it may be a time that has always been difficult.

The constant refrain on the radio and television, in shopping malls and churches, about the happiness of the season, about getting together with family and friends, reminds many people of what they have lost or have never had. The anguish of broken relationships, the insecurity of unemployment, the weariness of ill health, the pain of isolation - all these can make us feel very alone in the midst of the celebrating and spending. We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern; we need to know that we are not alone.

Our spirits sink, as the days grow shorter. We feel the darkness growing deeper around us. We need encouragement to live the days ahead of us.

For these reasons, St Michael's Lutheran Church offers a special “Blue Christmas” service on December 19th at 7:00 pm. Come out, and join with us in sharing and hearing prayers, scripture, and music that acknowledge that God’s presence is for those who mourn, for those who struggle - and that God’s Word comes to shine light into our darkness. Everyone, regardless of church background (or lack of it) is welcome.

We are located at 6671 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa 19119, for more information, please call the church office: (215) 848-0199.