“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance…”    – Hebrews 11:13

After hearing rave reviews from friends, I just got to see Hadestown: The Musical (a filmed version of the stage show) – and it was an incredible experience. If you’re not familiar with the show, it blends the myth of Hades and Persephone with that of Orpheus and Euridice, tackling themes such as love, doubt, poverty, climate change, materialism, and enduring hope. The music is delightfully inspired by New Orleans blues and jazz, and I walked away with no doubt in my mind about why the musical has won a host of awards.

That said, if you know the Greek myths you may remember that these aren’t the happiest of stories. It is not surprising, then, that Hadestown tells us in its opening number that it is a sad song and a tragedy. What is surprising, however, is that the show is profoundly hopeful – calling us to see the world for what it could be, rather than what it currently is. Even though Orpheus and Euridice’s story ends in darkness, the show insists that we must sing the story again (and again!), always hoping that things might turn out better the next time.

As my friends pointed out to me, there is a strong parallel between Hadestown and the description of faith given near the end of Hebrews (check out chapters 11-12). The Bible, like human history, is full of people who lived by faith, dying without ever seeing their hopes fulfilled. Their stories are tragic, at least from one point of view. But the Christian hope is that God meets us in our current world – and will keep singing until this world is transformed into what ought to be. The same God who raised Jesus from the dead will one day raise up all those who die in faith, that their longings may be fulfilled. Hebrews and Hadestown remind us of this hope, which sings even in the darkness, and they call us to celebrate the moments of joy & love which point toward that better ending.

Join us in preparing a meal for the community at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in North Philadelphia, a ministry that we are providing every other month (a network of churches ensure meals are provided each week). More importantly, providing this meal empowers a long-running outreach ministry that St. Gabe's does for their surrounding community! RSVP to Christine Pickup if you are able to do so, but also feel free to just show up! 

Every Monday at 9:00am, Christine Pickup leads us together in prayer. 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.”

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. At our August meeting, we'll be planning for a fall collaboration with the Clare Project (a diocesan ministry to those one the streets of Kensignton). If you have any questions, or want to get more involved, please contact Jill Duink (jillddd@hotmail.com) or Rev. Chris (rector@old-swedes.org). 
(Meeting ID: 831 8432 8558   Passcode: 683663, or use the link below).  
Join Zoom Meeting: Click here to join the Zoom.

We will see you all back here September 24 at 7:30pm when Jazz & Joe returns.

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: September 27, October 18, November 29, December 27

Join us on September 15 at 6:00pm when Musical Meditation returns from summer break.

Our Little Free Library is in need of some children's books! If you have some to give, please see Paula or just leave them in the back of the church. We are grateful for any donations.

Kick off the fall with us as we welcome young organist and organ scholar David Preston, who is doing a touring recital of American organ music. Mr. Preston is a graduate of the Yale Institute of Sacred Music and currently serves as Associate Director of Music at the Episcopal Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City, NY. A suggested donation of $15 will be collected at the door. A copy of the concert poster is also available for download on our website in case you want to invite others! 

Can empathy, an ability to stand in the other person’s shoes, change how we perceive those who worship and vote differently than we do? Can religious differences be bridged to help us cross political divides? 

Hear the groundbreaking research of University of Pennsylvania political scientist Dr. Lia Howard and her students as they offer strategies for improving our political discourse and strengthening our democratic institutions. 

This program is part of the Religious Freedom: Then & Now initiative, sponsored by Interfaith Philadelphia. 

Justus Falckner 
On November 24, 1703 the first minister ordained in our country was held at Gloria Dei.

From the Book of Memory 1919....On the occasion of the 220^th anniversary of Gloria Dei Church, a policy was inaugurated by resolution of the Vestry, of setting apart at each anniversary, a sitting in one of the pews, to be named in memory of some pioneer of the Swedish period.
The name of Justus Falckner was chosen for the first commemoration, according to this new policy. His relation to the Church was incidental, but of great historic import. He was a member of the group of Theosophists and Pietists who settled on the Wissahickon and helped to give the name of “Germantown” to that section. He came to this country in 1700 and soon was on very friendly terms with the Swedish Pastor of Gloria Dei, Andre Rudman. In 1701 Falckner addressed a letter to the Lutherans of Germany in which he urged the sending of an organ to the Swedish Church at Wicaco, in which the Lutheran Liturgy was used, suggesting that it would be a means of holding the young people.
In 1703, on the urgent presentation by Pastor Rudman of the needs of Reformed congregations in New York, Justus Falckner offered to become their minister and presented himself for ordination. The
ceremony took place on November 24^th of that year in Old Swedes’ Church, at the hands of three pastors, Rev. Andreas Sandel, then Pastor of Gloria Dei, and Revs. Erick Biorck, of Christiana (Wilmington), and Andreas Rudman acting as Suffragan, or Vice-Bishop. No Bishop could be obtained as there was none in the Colonies at the time.
In view of this unique relation with the early period of Gloria Dei Church, the first sitting in the “Pioneers’ Pew” was named for Justus Falckner.
The pew honoring Justus Falckner is located on the third row from the front on the right side.

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.

August 2 - Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Collect: Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Genesis 32:22-31
Psalm 17:1-7,16
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:13-21

August 9 - Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
Collect: Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33

August 16 - Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
Collect: Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Genesis 45:1-15
Psalm 133
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28

August 23 - Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Collect: Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory 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 1:8-2:10
Psalm 124
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20

August 30 - Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Collect: Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

Exodus 3:1-15
Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28