St. Martin's Episcopal Church gardening for food bank

St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Radnor, in a partnership with the Chester County Food Bank, is participating in a gardening program to feed needy people in the community.  The first planting occurred on May 18, and last week, the group harvested its first load of produce to share with the Great Valley Food Cupboard.  Participation in the garden at St. Martin's, titled the "Humble Harvest Food Bank Garden," is open to any and all members of the community, who do not need to be a member of the church to join, nor does anyone need to be a master gardener.

There are experienced gardeners available to assist with all garden tasks, and it is a great way to learn the basics of growing and maintaining a vegetable garden, and feed hungry people at the same time. Seventy percent of all produce collected is donated to local food banks, while the remaining 30 percent is shared amongst the garden volunteers.  Community members can assist in a variety of ways, from donating tools, to working the garden, to delivering produce, and much more. If you are interested in participating, contact St. Martin' s church at 610-688-4830 or stmartins@comcast.net.

On July 21, and August 18, at 5 p.m., Saint Martin's Church will be offering an informal contemporary worship, featuring music from a wide variety of sources and traditions, and open discussion in place of a sermon.   For more information, contact us at 610-688-4830 or at admin@stmartinsradnor.org

Ardmore United Methodist Church invites public to Holy Week, Easter Worship services

Submitted by Ardmore United Methodist Church

The Ardmore United Methodist Church in Ardmore invites the public to the following Holy Week and Easter Worship services.

On Palm Sunday, March 24, palm branches will be distributed at the Sunday morning worship at 11 a.m.

On Holy Thursday, March 28, we will have a Service of Shadows or Tenebrae including Holy Communion.

This service will be held in the Sanctuary from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. On Good Friday, March 29, we will have a Good Friday service, noon-1 p.m.

This “Good Friday Service of Reflection” will feature special music, readings, meditation and prayer. On Easter Sunday, March 31, at 11 a.m., our Service of Resurrection will be held in our Sanctuary. Children, special music and joy will be shared!

We will end triumphantly with the Sr. Choir singing the Hallelujah Chorus, followed by “Christ the Lord is Risen, Today!” The Children’s Easter Egg Hunt will be held on the front lawn following the Easter Service. Join us.

The Ardmore UM Church is an inclusive community at 200 Argyle Road, Ardmore, Pa 19003. For more information, call the church office at (610)649-4382 or find us on the web at: www.ardmorechurch.com

Har Zion Temple to host its first Women’s Seder

Har Zion Temple will host over 200 women in collaboration with Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El,  Adath Israel, Hadassah and ORT America to enjoy a special pre-Passover evening entitled “Matzah Mia!” 

This evening includes a special Seder highlighting the enhanced participation of women in Jewish life, both in the home and the synagogue.  The celebration will include singing, dancing, and tasting as the group prepares for the holiday of Passover. 

If you go: 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 6. 

Location:  Har Zion Temple, 1500 Haygs Ford Road, Penn Valley, Pennsylvania  19072

Bryn Mawr Presbyterian now largest Presbyterian church headed by female pastor

Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church has had a busy month. The Rev. Dr. Agnes W. Norfleet kicked-off her ministry as new pastor and head of staff Feb. 3 and with Rev. Norfleet at the helm, the church is now the largest( 2,600 members)  in the Presbyterian Church (USA) to be headed by a female pastor.

“It is with joy that I begin my work among this Bryn Mawr congregation known throughout our denomination to be deeply committed to the nurture of disciples who reach out in service,” the Rev. Dr. Norfleet said in a press release by the church. “I look forward to making abiding connections with not only the congregants, but also the Bryn Mawr community, and am honored to lead this church.”

A Service of Installation is scheduled during worship April 7 at 10 a.m. Rev. Dr. Theodore J. Warlaw, president of Austin Presbtyerian Theological Seminary, is scheduled to offer the sermon and special guest Rev. Dr. Scott Black Johnston, pastor of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York, will participate in the service.

Rev. Dr. Norfleet comes to the church with 25 years ministry experience, teaching the gospel "with clarity, creativity and relevance," according to the press release. Norfleet is also described as "an accomplished teacher who engages with Biblical scholars and theologians."

If you go:
Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church is located at 625 Montgomery Avenue, Bryn Mawr.  Worship services are Sunday at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday school for age 2 through grade 12 are Sunday at 10 a.m.
For more information about Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, please call 610-525-2821 or visit www.bmpc.org.

St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ardmore hosting 'Bring a guest to church and Sunday School' service

It's a popular idea. In fact, in this Thursday's email message to the St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church congregation in Ardmore, The Evangelism Committee cites Lifeway research that shows “82% of the unchurched are likely to attend church if invited…," however, "only 2% of church members invite.”

This Sunday, Jan. 27, St. Paul's is inviting the congregation to invite friends and family to its Sunday services.

"We ask that you think of at least three people to invite to church with you on Sunday January 27th and then take it to God in prayer." The committee writes. "Think about family, friends, neighbors, or coworkers."

St. Paul's has even created a template to make it easier for members to invite friends and family:

The church I attend, St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ardmore is having a special emphasis on Jan 27 called “Bring a guest to church (and Sunday school) Sunday” and have asked attendees like me to invite at least 3 people to come to church with me. I would like to extend and invitation to you and your family to attend the worship service with me on the 27. We have two worship services on Sunday morning at 9 and 10:30 a.m. I plan on attending the _____ service on the 27. During the 9 a.m. service children age 3 through 5th grade are invited to attend Sunday school. St. Paul’s also provides childcare in the nursery for the younger children during both services. I love St. Paul’s ______________. I hope you will able to attend with me.

How do you invite "unchurched" to your services? Tell us in the comments section below. 

Welcome to the Main Line Faith blog.

By Andy Stettler
Executive Editor
astettler@mainlinemedianews.com
@AndyStettler

Welcome to Main Line Faith blog, a brand new source for what's happening, happening, coming up, and what is being talked about in faith communities on the Philadelphia Main Line.

Here we will post sermons, shared lessons, challenging conversation and upcoming events.

For now, we're just getting started so be sure to bare with us. However, if you have something that you think we should share with readers, email me, Executive Editor, Andy Stettler, at astettler@mainlinemedianews.com.

Chili Night returns to Ardmore United Methodist Church

Chili Night is back at Ardmore United Methodist Church, according to a calendar listing on the church's website.

Date: Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Location: Bailey Hall at Ardmore Church
All are welcome to join us on Sunday, January 27 at 5:30 pm for Chili night. Come in from the cold and enjoy good food, fun and fellowship! Chili, sides and drinks will be provided. Bring a dessert to share. Please let us know you are coming by emailing (aumeth@verizon.net) or calling the church office (610)649-4382.