Over the past month or two, there has been a lot of work going on to plan and schedule events for the remainder of 2026. I’m excited about everything that is coming up – and you’ll get a glimpse at many the events in this newsletter! However, while looking ahead at the lectionary (which assigns the readings we use each Sunday), I was remembering my experience preaching in the fall of 2023 – when these same readings were last assigned.  

I was still new to Gloria Dei at that time, not yet even ordained as a priest. So, it was especially startling to me when so many of the gospel readings were focused on judgment. When you look at these readings, you find several deeply disturbing parables – and quite a few confrontations between Jesus and the religious authorities of his time. As a new preacher, it was challenging to find ways of presenting the good news of God’s love through these gospel readings.

This fall, when we read these challenging gospel texts again, my sermons will continue to focus on the Old Testament stories (as I’ve been doing since the beginning of June). However, that doesn’t mean that we should ignore the Gospel texts and the questions they raise. God is big enough and gracious enough to make room for our questions and doubts – and I am always delighted for the opportunity to talk with people about hard questions.

Ultimately, I believe that God’s judgment is good news for us because it means that God is not willing to let the broken things in our world remain broken forever. Thankfully, God’s judgment is not the same as condemnation (John 3 reminds us that God sent Jesus not to condemn the world, but to save it!). Rather, God’s judgment reveals injustice and other problems, calling us to turn away from paths that lead only to further pain and destruction. Our hope is not in the death of our enemies, but in the death of death itself (see 1 Corinthians 15 for a beautiful reflection on this hope). May we hold onto that hope, even as we dare to ask hard questions.

Please join us for our annual St. Francis Day Blessing of the Animals. All animals (leashed or caged) are welcome. Children may bring stuffed "pets" for a blessing as well. The blessing will be part of a brief service giving thanks for St. Francis and our animal companions, which will be held on the brick pathway in front of the Roak House. 

This year, we will be welcoming a representative from Morris Animal Refuge (https://morrisanimalrefuge.org/). You'll be able to learn more about their work, and there will be an opportunity to donate pet supplies and/or money to support the housing and care of local animals. 

Praying together points us to Jesus. In Matthew, Jesus reminds us of the power of community prayer: "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."

We are currently using The Morning Prayer from the Northumbria Community Celtic Daily Prayer, which is available at this link.

“Faith proves itself in deeds.” From lyrics penned by Pamela J. Petitt, inspired by MLK’s “I have a dream speech”.

This past Sunday, I took the opportunity to visit Paisley Abbey for services.  They celebrated Reverend John Witherspoon’s contribution to American thought by dedicating a plaque to him and to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Reverend Witherspoon had a short tenure at Paisley prior to emigrating to the United States. The homily wove the themes of Paisley’s long history and friendship with the US, Reverend Witherspoon’s contributions and the Gospel reading from Matthew 25: 14-29.

This gospel is the parable of the talents. A master gives to three servants different amounts of money. The point of this parable that we are to use whatever God gives us for His purposes. While the parable talks of money, Jesus expects us to invest our skills, abilities, time and social connections as well as our money. Like the master in the parable, God does not grant all with identical gifts. Nor does God expect equal results from all. He wants us to invest in this world and not waste His gifts by doing nothing.

The Mission Committee is active in a number of programs: supporting SACC’s food pantry with money, goods and time; providing Mercy Hospice with Bibles and workbooks; preparing lunches for Prevention Point and St. Gabe’s; and providing an Angel Tree to SACC at Christmas. We all can offer prayers for the success of these activities. Please check the church calendar for when each of these programs will need volunteers and support these with goods and money as requested.

Join us for a refreshed version of our popular service.  Keep an eye out for some interesting guest guitarists, a drum circle, poems, and discussions that we hope will inspire you throughout the rest of the week. The program is led by our sextons, Jim & Paula Minacci, who work to create a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere that everyone will enjoy. 

Please note: Musical Meditation will be on hiatus from December 15 to February 2.

Are you interested in brainstorming, discussing, planning and participating in Gloria Dei missions?  We meet on the first Wednesday of every month at 9:00 on Zoom. (Meeting ID: 831 8432 8558   Passcode: 683663, or use the button below).  

If you have any questions, please contact Jill Duink (jillddd@hotmail.com) or Rev. Chris Micklewright (rector@old-swedes.org).

What role did Philadelphia’s faith communities play in the American Revolution? This panel discussion will feature experts on the varied ways that faith leaders and communities thought about and responded to the revolution in light of their theological commitments and their ethnic and racial identities. Following a series of brief presentations, panelists will discuss what lessons can be learned as we reflect on the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Admission is $12 - advanced tickets are available at a discounted rate of $10 each until the day before the program.
The program will take place inside the church sanctuary,  followed by a reception in Riverside Hall. Your ticket price includes  a beverage of your choice. For a modest donation, there will also be delicious gourmet desserts paired with wine, coffee or tea. 

Join us for four weeks this fall as we look for hope by reading God Has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for Our Time, by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Addressing the timeless and universal concerns all people share, God Has a Dream envisions a world transformed through hope and compassion, humility and kindness, understanding and forgiveness. 

We will meet weekly, immediately following our Musical Meditation service, from October 13 through
November 3. A guide to readings for each week is found below: 

October 13: Introduction and Chapters 1-2
October 20: Chapters 3-4
October 27: Chapters 5-6
November 3: Chapters 7-8 and Postscript

If you need a copy of this remarkable book, please reach out to Rev. Chris, even if you aren't able to participate in the discussion (rector@old-swedes.org).

The Clare Project is a street outreach ministry of our diocese, providing compassionate pastoral care, medical care/referrals, harm reduction items, and creature comforts to our unhoused siblings in Kensington (read more here: https://diopa.org/clareproject). This fall, we have the opportunity to support their work (using funds from last year's First Fruits program). Join us on October 11, as we assemble "sock roll-ups". We will be stuffing socks with beef jerky, hand warmers, and other supplies that are in high demand for distribution to people in need. This work will be done in Riverside Hall, immediately following the Sunday service. 

Join Us for a five week multi-church book study of “In God We Trust: The Origins of Christian Nationalism” starting on Wednesday, October 14^th at 6:30 pm at Old Pine Presbyterian Church (412 Pine Street)

This is a five-week, multi-congregation book study that will explore the origins of Christian Nationalism (CN), the basic tenets of Christian Nationalism and the impact it has on the church and nation.  We will explore the implications of Christian Nationalism and the role of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Episcopal Church in speaking out to clarify and reclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We will be using Rev. Jimmy Hawkins' 300-page book, In God We Trust: The Origins of Christian Nationalism, but we will be reading 15-20 page excerpts for each class. Class members are welcome to read the rest of the book as they are interested. The class will be led by retired Presbyterian Pastor, Rev Dr Rob Erickson. The weekly sessions will start on Wednesday, October 14^th at 6:30 pm with a light supper and alternate locations between Old Pine Presbyterian, Gloria Dei “Old Swedes” and St Peter’s Episcopal Churches. Please contact the church office to sign up. Some copies of the book will be made available; if that would be helpful, please don't hesitate to ask Rev. Chris.

Please join us on a monthly basis to pack meals for people in need in Kensington. Lunches are packed in Riverside Hall immediately following Sunday services. The meals are then delivered to Prevention Point for distribution. To learn more about the work of Prevention Point, see their website at: https://ppponline.org

Future dates: November 29, December 27

Jazz & Joe is a "coffee-house" style venue. Active listening and quiet conversation is welcome throughout the evening. Refreshments are served, and attendees are welcome to BYOB. This event is free, but donations are appreciated to help defray costs. Music starts at 7:30pm, and wraps up by 9:30pm. 

Please note: Jazz & Joe is not held in July, August, November, December.

Join us for one more fall movie in the graveyard! This time, we will be screening Hocus Pocus, the 1993 Disney classic featuring kids fighting to stop a trio of soul-stealing witches. Bring your own chair or blanket.

Tickets are $10/person or $25/family,  and include free popcorn; drinks will be available for purchase.  Advance tickets will be available on our website by October 6; guests are also welcome to pay at the door with cash or Venmo.  

This Sunday, we welcome again the families and friends of the crew of the SS Poet, lost to us on October 24, 1980.  We stand with them in prayer and remembrance in the sure knowledge that their loved ones are at peace in the Lord. There will be fellowship in the hall following the service.

“He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.  Then they are glad because they are quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven”……Psalm 107

There is nothing more mysterious and heart-rending than the words “lost at sea.” 18th and 19th century sailor life encompassed back breaking work, adventure, harsh onboard discipline, and life threatening danger. As recently as 1980, 34 mariners perished on the SS Poet. Sea songs and music tell stories, lighten work, and illustrate the power and danger of the sea itself. Join The Publick Pleasure as we honor those lost at sea with seafaring songs, instrumental music, shanties and ballads.

This program will take place inside the church sanctuary, followed by a reception in Riverside Hall. For a modest donation, you can taste delicious gourmet desserts paired with wine, coffee or tea. 

Admission is $35 for Adult and $15 for Student w/ID, which includes a treat ticket for a dessert or beverage of your choice (alcoholic or non-alcoholic). Advanced adult tickets are available at a discounted rate of $30 each until the day before the program.

This program is hosted by Preserve Old Swedes, the non-profit organization that preserves and interprets Philadelphia's historic Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church and its graveyard. A portion of the proceeds from this event will go toward the preservation of this national historic site.

Save the date and plan to come celebrate a beautiful Swedish tradition in it's 89th year! 

Lucia Fest is a colorful, musical pageant, representative of St. Lucia, the bearer of light during the dark Swedish winters. It is a unique opportunity to witness this authentic holiday tradition, performed in a 300-year-old church built by Swedish settlers. A Scandinavian Christmas bazaar - St. Eric's Fair - will be open throughout the weekend, with imported goods, food & drink available for purchase.

Rehearsals begin on Sunday, November 1, at 12:30pm, and new participants are always welcome! Contact Rev. Chris or the church office for more details. 

Tickets are on sale now. Shows at 2:00, 3:30 and 5:00pm.

Carl Magnus Wrangel 1759-1768

Carl Magnus Wrangel, who served Gloria Dei from 1759 to 1768 was perhaps even more influential and made an even greater contribution to the religious and cultural life of the community.  He was so popular he had to often preach in the open air. He was elected a member of the American Philosophical Society, in 1769, the only foreign pastor so honored at that time. He was a powerful and popular speaker attracting large crowds causing him to use the Zion Lutheran Church, a much larger space, for evening worship. During his years here he baptized 20 Africans as members of Gloria Dei making us one of the first multiracial congregations in the country. It was during Rev. Wrangel's time that permission was granted to preach in English occasionally. There was also a great deal of conflict with one of the vestrymen. Wrangel also organized two other Swedish Congregations, one in Kingsessing, St. James (1762) and one in Upper Merion township, Christ (1763). All three sites were united as one large parish. The two new “annexes” used only English for worship.

October 4 - Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
Psalm 19
Philippians 3:4b-14
Matthew 21:33-46

October 11 - Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
Collect: O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
Psalm 78:1-7
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matthew 25:1-13

October 18 - Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost
Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Exodus 33:12-23
Psalm 99
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew 22:15-22

October 25 - Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost
Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Matthew 22:34-46

The first Sunday in November marks our annual observance of All Saints' Day. On this day, we remember the believers who have died throughout history, giving thanks for their examples of faithfulness and remembering our hope in the resurrection. As part of the service on All Saints' day, we pray together the names of friends and loved ones who have died over the course of the past year. If you have a name that you would like to see included in this year's bulletin, please contact the church office (info@old-swedes.org, or 215-389-1513) by Tuesday, October 27. 

Sunday Services are held in-person at Gloria Dei Church every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Afterwards, join us for coffee and conversation at our Fellowship hour inside Riverside Hall. If you cannot attend in-person, you are welcome to join us on Facebook for the live-stream (https://www.facebook.com/gloriadeioldswedes).
Our service is comprised of uplifting music, Episcopal worship and spiritual/biblical teachings. While we are always a work in progress, Gloria Dei strives to be a place where all will feel welcome in faith and spirit. All are welcome to join us for fellowship (coffee & pastry) in the hall immediately following the service.