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

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.

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!

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.

St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 6671 Germantown Ave., is holding a community-wide flea market, book drive and fun day to benefit the Emlen School on Saturday, July 12 from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. The rain date is Saturday, July 19.

In addition to the flea market, there will be a barbecue, activities for children, singing, praise dance, and knitting lessons.

St. Michael's is looking for people to rent tables ($10 donation), donate elementary age books (new or used and in good condition), and/or provide bookstore gift certificates or tax deductible cash donations for the school.

This is the second community event and fund raiser that St. Michael’s has organized to benefit Emlen. St. Michael's is concerned about inequities in the education system and decided to partner with its local public elementary school to support its success. St. Michael's hopes to provide mentors for students in the fall. St. Michael's sees the flea market as a way to raise community awareness and show give support to one of our local public schools.

For information about the flea market, to rent a table or make donations: Kathryn Mariani 215-380-0842 or kathrynmariani@aol.com. For information on how to partner with St. Michael’s to support the Emlen School, contact the church office at 215-848-0199.

Last Tuesday, I went to the Trolley Car Diner (7619 Germantown Ave) in Mt. Airy for a local beer tasting course taught (in conjunction with the Mt. Airy Learning Tree) by none other than Joe Sixpack himself, Don Russell (pictured above). I attended the event with my good friend Pat who, along with his wife, bought me a ticket to the event as a Christmas present. After reading Tony's account of the February class, I was quite excited for the event.

About 30 attendees sat in booths and shared each bottle/can beer between them. Our table only had 3 so we had slightly larger portions per person than the rest of the class! Each student received a packet for the night complete with a list of all the beers we'd be sampling that night (I had had 5 out of the 11); a list of some of Don's favorite bars and a list, with examples, of various styles of beers. The first thing I learned was that all beers fall into one of two categories: Ales or Lagers. I never knew that. According to the handout, an Ale is "Brewed quickly with top-fermenting yeast at warm temperature." A Lager is "Brewed slowly with bottom-fermenting yeast at cool temperature." Who knew Beamish and Yards Philly Pale Ale were in the same family!

The first "beer" sampled was the most popular beer sold in Philadelphia. The watered down beauty taking this crown is Miller Lite. I thought, for sure, that Yuengling Lager would take #1, but nope. Don served this one first for the class to have an understanding of the baseline of beers in the town was. Moving on to the first real beer... a can of Phoenixville, PA's Sly Fox Pikeland Pils (German Pilsner, 4.9% ABV). The label on the can had a set of hops right on it so I knew I'd most likely not be a fan (not into hoppy beers yet at my young age). It was hoppy, but not overpowering. Don took a sec to explain the aluminum can phenomenon in craft beers these days. Apparently, a Canadian company has found a way to produce small quantities of aluminum cans (relative to the output of the Coors/Busch guys I suppose) at an affordable price. More durable than glass bottles, they end up being easier to transport. He said to be on the lookout for more and more small breweries to produce aluminum can versions of their beers. He added that the cans had a special coating to protect the beer from getting a tinny taste to them, but the psychological tie to drinking straight from the can still remains; he advised us to pour it into a glass instead.

The Big Picture is the Veggie Tales and small children worship coming to St. Michael's Lutheran Church...for more information, please call the church office 215-848-0199 and leave a message for Pastor Ingram!