Apostles Lutheran Church- A Reconciling in Christ Community

09/07/2026

Adrift With Apostles This Week
News and Updates For Our Community of Faith

- PASTOR JAY will be in the office tomorrow,Tuesday, from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM and on Wednesday, from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Pastor Jay is also available by phone and email - 570-205-7506 and [email protected].

- ADULT BIBLE STUDY resumes this Wednesday at 6:00 PM - "Understanding the New Testament" - bring a sandwich to eat at 6:00 PM and the study will start at 6:30 PM. We would love to have you joi us!!

- APOSTLES WOMEN'S GROUP will be meeting this coming Saturday, September 12th, at 10:00 AM - ALL women are invited to attend.

- NEW MEMBERS - we will be taking in new members in the near future - if you are interested in becoming a member of Apostles, please contact Pastor Jay.

- PASTA WITH A PURPOSE - THE COMPETITION IS ON!! This is the last week!! Betsy reports that so far we have collected 108 pounds of food - WOW!! The current collection will be taken to the Bread for Life Food Pantry this week but now the table is empty 😥 and needs to be refilled!! The Virginia Synod World Hunger Team is challenging all congregations to a pasta meal collection contest. Each congregation is asked to collect food offerings related to pasta meals. Summers are often a time when food pantries receive fewer donations which makes this an opportune time to collect food. Apostles is hoping to get in the running for one of the grand prizes which is a $250 grant to be given to the food ministry of our choice. Here is a list of suggested items:

Dried or ready to eat pasta (gluten free options as well)

Cans or jars of spaghetti sauce (with and without meat)

Canned pasta meals such as ravioli or spaghetti with meatballs

Boxed macaroni and cheese

Parmesan cheese in a shaker

All food items will be weighed and brought to Bread for Life food pantry. The congregation collecting the most pounds per worshiping adult wins…..and so do the people of their communities! Let’s go, Apostles! We can do it!

Prayer requests for this week. . .
- Rich Bitting
- Don Garfield
- Michael Schlemmer
- Lena Woodlief
- Jim and Judy Wright
- Marier Upshrie
- Carl Greene
- Cyndi Lowe
- Carol Jo Osinski
- Ry Scholz
- Terri Larsen
- Natalie Abudayyeh
- Jamie Mullaney
- Scott Jeffery

09/06/2026

This Sunday's worship.
We gather together at 10am for worship and invite all to join us in person or via zoom/Youtube. You can find the service at the following link: https://www.apostles-elca.org/pages/worship-online

Lectionary 23, Year A

Gail Ramshaw

E-formation

When church people refer to “Matthew 18,” it is the gospel for this coming Sunday that they are thinking of, with its advice about how Christians are to deal with controversies within the believing community. The good news in the reading is especially the last line: that Christ is among us always. Come to receive Christ’s gift of himself in word, sacrament, and community.

The Readings in the Bible

Matthew 18:15-20
The fourth discourse in Matthew’s gospel is a collection of instructions for Christian assemblies. The NRSV indicates this focus in its translation of the Greek “your brother” as “another member of the church.” The ambiguity in the advice about church discipline is evident when we recall that Matthew has referred to Jesus as a friend of tax collectors. Whom the evangelist meant by the “you” in verse 18 is unclear. Verse 20 indicates the church’s faith in the resurrection. The passage anticipates the conclusion of Matthew, in 28:18-20.

Ezekiel 33:7-11
In his writings, the sixth-century exile Ezekiel both condemns the nations, including his own, and, beginning in chapter 33, promises Israel’s coming restoration. Ezekiel’s self-identification as a prophet, that is, a mouthpiece for God, is stated in this excerpt: he must speak both God’s judgment and God’s mercy. Yet God prefers to render mercy.

Romans 13:8-14
Paul’s understanding that the end was near undergirds his metaphors describing the Christian life: wake up; it is day; Christ’s light is our armor against sin; we wear Jesus Christ. By “flesh” Paul means the body misused by the power of sin, human life turned in upon itself. Paul’s Christianization of the commandments as “love” recalls Leviticus 19:18: “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

​However, if you are unable to attend Live,​you can also view the recorded service later by clicking here.(Please note: The recorded service may not be immediately available online. If not, check back later.)

08/31/2026

Sailing With Apostles This Week
News and Updates For Our Community of Faith

- PASTOR JAY will be in the office today from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM and on Wednesday, from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Pastor Jay is also available by phone and email - 570-205-7506 and [email protected].

- NEW MEMBERS - we will be taking in new members in the near future - if you are interested in becoming a member of Apostles, please contact Pastor Jay.

- PASTA WITH A PURPOSE - THE COMPETITION IS ON!! Betsy reports that so far we have collected 108 pounds of food - WOW!! The current collection will be taken to the Bread for Life Food Pantry this week but now the table is empty 😥 and needs to be refilled!! The Virginia Synod World Hunger Team is challenging all congregations to a pasta meal collection contest. Each congregation is asked to collect food offerings related to pasta meals. Summers are often a time when food pantries receive fewer donations which makes this an opportune time to collect food. Apostles is hoping to get in the running for one of the grand prizes which is a $250 grant to be given to the food ministry of our choice. Here is a list of suggested items:

Dried or ready to eat pasta (gluten free options as well)

Cans or jars of spaghetti sauce (with and without meat)

Canned pasta meals such as ravioli or spaghetti with meatballs

Boxed macaroni and cheese

Parmesan cheese in a shaker

Food offerings can be brought in through next Sunday. All food items will be weighed and brought to Bread for Life food pantry. The congregation collecting the most pounds per worshiping adult wins…..and so do the people of their communities! Let’s go, Apostles! We can do it!

Prayer requests for this week. . .
- Rich Bitting
- Don Garfield
- Michael Schlemmer
- Lena Woodlief
- Jim and Judy Wright
- Marier Upshrie
- Carl Greene
- Cyndi Lowe
- Carol Jo Osinski
- Ry Scholz
- Terri Larsen
- Natalie Abudayyeh
- Jamie Mullaney
- Scott Jeffery

08/29/2026

This Sunday's worship.
We gather together at 10am for worship and invite all to join us in person or via zoom/Youtube. You can find the service at the following link: https://www.apostles-elca.org/pages/worship-online

Lectionary 22, Year A

Gail Ramshaw

E-formation

In last week’s gospel reading, Jesus praised his disciple Peter. This coming week, Jesus rebukes him, calling him Satan. Come to hear this continuation of Matthew’s story, and receive the life that only Jesus can give.

The Readings in the Bible

Matthew 16:21-28
Reading through Matthew we glimpse some of the struggles about leadership in the early Christian community, for although last week Matthew accorded Peter authority in the early Christian community, this second half of the episode tells of Jesus chastising Peter for forgetting that the Christian life leads to the cross. The Rock is now Satan. Matthew writes believing that the end of the world is imminent. The Son of Man, an eschatological figure who hovers between God and the human race, will come to judge the world. Thus believers need no longer live for this world.

Jeremiah 15:15-21
Jeremiah lived during a turbulent time of continuous warfare in the Middle East. Speaking and writing the words of God between 626 bce and 586 bce, Jeremiah announced that the evil people were suffering was punishment because of their unfaithfulness to God. The idea is that since only God has such power, God must be the just source of such sorrow. For this unpopular position, Jeremiah was continuously opposed. In the poem of 15:15-21, Jeremiah complains about how he is treated, but he trusts in God’s promises, and he “eats” God’s word with joy. Once again, the believer hears from God, “I am with you.”

Romans 12:9-21
Writing to the church in Rome, Paul makes clear that Christians should attend in love to each other and work to alleviate the sufferings of others, never adding to human misery by acts of reprisals. Christians continue the work of Christ by overcoming evil with good.

​However, if you are unable to attend Live,​you can also view the recorded service later by clicking here.(Please note: The recorded service may not be immediately available online. If not, check back later.)

08/24/2026

Sailing With Apostles This Week
News and Updates For Our Community of Faith

- PASTOR JAY will be in the office today from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM and on Wednesday, from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Pastor Jay is also available by phone and email - 570-205-7506 and [email protected].

- YOUR HELP IS NEEDED! Heidi Henderson is moving back into her home this coming Saturday, August 22nd - she has been living elsewhere while her house was being repaired from damages from a fire. She is asking for your help to move. If you can help, please be at her house at 6658 Gloucester Street at 10:00 AM.

- RAY SCHOLZ is back from his back surgery at the University of Virginia Medical Center. He is at Walter Reed Convalescent Center, 7602 Meredith Drive.

- NEW MEMBERS - we will be taking in new members in the near future - if you are interested in becoming a member of Apostles, please contact Pastor Jay.

- BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS - we will have a "blessing of the backpacks" during the worship service on Sunday - all children and youth are invited to bring their backpacks for a special blessing as they return to school.

- PASTA WITH A PURPOSE - THE COMPETITION IS ON!! Betsy reports that so far we have collected 108 pounds of food - WOW!! The current collection will be taken to the Bread for Life Food Pantry this week but now the table is empty 😥 and needs to be refilled!! The Virginia Synod World Hunger Team is challenging all congregations to a pasta meal collection contest. Each congregation is asked to collect food offerings related to pasta meals. Summers are often a time when food pantries receive fewer donations which makes this an opportune time to collect food. Apostles is hoping to get in the running for one of the grand prizes which is a $250 grant to be given to the food ministry of our choice. Here is a list of suggested items:

Dried or ready to eat pasta (gluten free options as well)

Cans or jars of spaghetti sauce (with and without meat)

Canned pasta meals such as ravioli or spaghetti with meatballs

Boxed macaroni and cheese

Parmesan cheese in a shaker

Food offerings can be brought in through September 13th. All food items will be weighed and brought to Bread for Life food pantry. The congregation collecting the most pounds per worshiping adult wins…..and so do the people of their communities! Let’s go, Apostles! We can do it!

Prayer requests for this week. . .
- Rich Bitting
- Don Garfield
- Michael Schlemmer
- Lena Woodlief
- Jim and Judy Wright
- Marier Upshrie
- Carl Greene
- Cyndi Lowe
- Carol Jo Osinski
- Ry Scholz
- Terri Larsen
- Natalie Abudayyeh
- Jamie Mullaney
- Scott Jeffery

08/22/2026

This Sunday's worship.
We gather together at 10am for worship and invite all to join us in person or via zoom/Youtube. You can find the service at the following link: https://www.apostles-elca.org/pages/worship-online

Lectionary 21, Year A

Gail Ramshaw

E-formation

In this gospel reading this coming Sunday, we hear that Peter received the “keys of the kingdom.” In our baptism it is as if we too have received keys that open God to us and open ourselves to others. Come to worship; be opened to the word and at the table.

The Readings in the Bible

Matthew 16:13-20
Matthew 13:54—17:27 are stories that relate to the formation of the Christian church, in the center of which is Peter’s affirmation of Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. Messiah is a Jewish title referring to God’s anointed king, who in Israelite tradition is also called Son of God, which becomes the more significant Christian title for Jesus. The evangelist credits Jesus himself both with establishing the church, an assembly of believers on earth, and with authorizing Peter as its leader, thus claiming divine sanction for the specific community that had been led by Peter, who by the time of the evangelist’s writing had been martyred.

Isaiah 51:1-6
From Second Isaiah comes a poem that assures the sorrowing people of Israel of divine blessings. The Israelite tradition—identified with Abraham and Sarah—is likened to a rock quarry, and the future of the post-exilic community to a garden. Thus God will make the future to flower, growing forth from the foundation provided by the past.

Romans 12:1-8
Paul encouraged the church in Rome to live on earth as a people transformed by their communal life as the body of Christ. Animal sacrifices have been replaced with lives dedicated to God. Individuals are now one body. Paul’s description of the primitive community is nonhierarchical: “the leader” is not first, but one of many members, each contributing a necessary ministry.

​However, if you are unable to attend Live,​you can also view the recorded service later by clicking here.(Please note: The recorded service may not be immediately available online. If not, check back later.)

08/17/2026

Adrift With Apostles This Week
News and Updates For Our Community of Faith

- PASTOR JAY will be in the office today from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM and on Wednesday, from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Pastor Jay is also available by phone and email - 570-205-7506 and [email protected].

- THE WORSHIP MINISTRY TEAM will be meeting today at 2:30 PM - anyone is welcome to attend.

- NEW MEMBERS - we will be taking in new members in the near future - if you are interested in becoming a member of Apostles, please contact Pastor Jay.

- RECONCILINGWORKS is holding a monthly Bible study online via Zoom on the third Thursday of every month through December—the next study will be this Thursday, August 20th. At 4:00 PM. Registration is required and information to register can be found at ReconcilingWorks. The Zoom link will be emailed two days in advance to those who register.

- PASTA WITH A PURPOSE - THE COMPETITION IS ON!! Betsy reports that so far we have collected 108 pounds of food - WOW!! The current collection will be taken to the Bread for Life Food Pantry this week but now the table is empty 😥 and needs to be refilled!! The Virginia Synod World Hunger Team is challenging all congregations to a pasta meal collection contest. Each congregation is asked to collect food offerings related to pasta meals. Summers are often a time when food pantries receive fewer donations which makes this an opportune time to collect food. Apostles is hoping to get in the running for one of the grand prizes which is a $250 grant to be given to the food ministry of our choice. Here is a list of suggested items:
Dried or ready to eat pasta (gluten free options as well)

Cans or jars of spaghetti sauce (with and without meat)

Canned pasta meals such as ravioli or spaghetti with meatballs

Boxed macaroni and cheese

Parmesan cheese in a shaker

Food offerings can be brought in through September 6thw. All food items will be weighed and brought to Bread for Life food pantry. The congregation collecting the most pounds per worshiping adult wins…..and so do the people of their communities! Let’s go, Apostles! We can do it!

Prayer requests for this week. . .
- Heidi Henderson's grandson-in-law, Paul
- Rich Bitting
- Don Garfield
- Michael Schlemmer
- Lena Woodlief
- Jim and Judy Wright
- Marier Upshrie
- Carl Greene
- Cyndi Lowe
- Carol Jo Osinski
- Ry Scholz
- Terri Larsen
- Natalie Abudayyeh
- Jamie Mullaney
- Scott Jeffery

08/15/2026

This Sunday's worship.
We gather together at 10am for worship and invite all to join us in person or via zoom/Youtube. You can find the service at the following link: https://www.apostles-elca.org/pages/worship-online

Lectionary 20, Year A

Gail Ramshaw

E-formation

Throughout history, countless stories have portrayed the foreign woman as the primary source of trouble. In the gospel reading for this coming Sunday, a foreign woman argues her case before Jesus, but in the end she is blessed. Come to hear this interesting story, and join us for mercy at the Master’s table.

The Readings in the Bible

Matthew 15:[10-20] 21-28
Although Matthew’s gospel repeatedly connects the Christian community with Jewish tradition, chapter 15, near to the center of the gospel, includes several of the passages that broaden the picture. According to the evangelist, Jesus altered the traditional emphasis about ritual purity to one about interior obedience to God, and in the narrative of the healing the Canaanite woman, Jesus praised the faith of a Gentile. It is likely that Matthew, writing in the 80s and not quoting Jesus verbatim, is correcting some in his community who understood the Messiah as saving only the Israelites: Matthew’s church now includes both Jews and Gentiles.

Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
Into the new situation of post-exilic Israel, Third Isaiah spoke a surprising poem that welcomes non-Jews into the worship life of the temple. The prophet hopes to alter Israelite enmity with a focus on divine mercy. This openness to the outsider represents a totally opposite view of the return from exile from the one indicated in Ezra and Nehemiah.

Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Paul’s letter to the Romans continues his argument about the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in the Christian community. Apparently, Christian openness to Gentiles had led some to assume that now the Jews had been rejected from divine mercy. In this passage, Paul stressed that while being open to Gentiles, God will also continue to bless the Jews.

​However, if you are unable to attend Live,​you can also view the recorded service later by clicking here.(Please note: The recorded service may not be immediately available online. If not, check back later.)

08/10/2026

Overboard With Apostles This Week
News and Updates For Our Community of Faith

- PASTOR JAY will be in the office today from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM and on Wednesday, from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Pastor Jay is also available by phone and email - 570-205-7506 and [email protected].

- APOSTLES CONGREGATION COUNCIL will be meeting tonight at 7:00 PM - anyone is welcome to attend.

- JUBILEE CHURCHES will be meeting on Wednesday, August 12th, at 9:30 AM at Gloucester Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) on Main Street.

- PREACHING GUILD will be meeting on Thursday, August 13th, at 3:30 PM.

- ELCA WORLD HUNGER SUNDAY will be this coming Sunday, August 16th - please remember your offering - UNTIL ALL ARE FED!!

- NEW MEMBERS - we will be taking in new members in the near future - if you are interested in becoming a member of Apostles, please contact Pastor Jay.

- PASTA WITH A PURPOSE - THE COMPETITION IS ON!! The Virginia Synod World Hunger Team is challenging all congregations to a pasta meal collection contest. Each congregation is asked to collect food offerings related to pasta meals. Summers are often a time when food pantries receive fewer donations which makes this an opportune time to collect food. Apostles is hoping to get in the running for one of the grand prizes which is a $250 grant to be given to the food ministry of our choice. Here is a list of suggested items:
Dried or ready to eat pasta (gluten free options as well)

Cans or jars of spaghetti sauce (with and without meat)

Canned pasta meals such as ravioli or spaghetti with meatballs

Boxed macaroni and cheese

Parmesan cheese in a shaker

Food offerings can be brought in throughout August. All food items will be weighed and brought to Bread for Life food pantry. The congregation collecting the most pounds per worshiping adult wins…..and so do the people of their communities! Let’s go, Apostles! We can do it!

Prayer requests for this week. . .
- Heidi Henderson's grandson-in-law, Paul
- Rich Bitting
- Don Garfield
- Michael Schlemmer
- Lena Woodlief
- Jim and Judy Wright
- Marier Upshrie
- Carl Greene
- Cyndi Lowe
- Carol Jo Osinski
- Ry Scholz (Ray will be having surgery at UVA on Wednesday)
- Terri Larsen
- Natalie Abudayyeh
- Jamie Mullaney
- Scott Jeffery

08/08/2026

This Sunday's worship.
We gather together at 10am for worship and invite all to join us in person or via zoom/Youtube. You can find the service at the following link: https://www.apostles-elca.org/pages/worship-online

Lectionary 19, Year A

Gail Ramshaw

E-formation

Do you know the old song that goes “When the storms of life are raging, stand by me”? That song is about the gospel for this coming Sunday. Come to worship, to encounter Christ standing by you, no matter the storms, and to stand with others, to be the presence of Christ for them.

The Readings in the Bible

Matthew 14:22-33
Matthew’s story of Jesus walking on the water recalls Old Testament descriptions of God as the one who controls the chaotic seas. The Greek of Jesus’ response to the frightened disciples echoes the Hebrew name of God, “I am.” Matthew has added to Mark’s telling of this narrative an episode with Peter, a leader in the early church who is shown to be also a doubter. Once again, Matthew’s interest in church leadership is evident.

1 Kings 19:9-18
The historian of 1 Kings (see Lectionary 17) described the prophet Elijah as having faithfully preached the word of God to the evil king Ahab, his Phoenician wife Jezebel, and the many Baal-worshiping Israelites. Afraid of arrest by the queen, Elijah hid at Mount Horeb, another name for Mount Sinai. But this time no fire and smoke show God’s power. Rather, Elijah’s encounter with “sheer silence” calls him back to his prophetic tasks among a people unfaithful to the Lord God.

Romans 10:5-15
Paul’s letter to the Romans continues by clarifying what he means by the gospel of righteousness through faith. Paul discourages a kind of literalist interest in where the risen Christ currently resides. Instead, he proclaims the existential power of the good news about faith in Christ preached here and now to Jew and Gentile alike.

​However, if you are unable to attend Live,​you can also view the recorded service later by clicking here.(Please note: The recorded service may not be immediately available online. If not, check back later.)