In This Issue

  
Our season of Easter is drawing to a close with just two remaining Sundays before the feast of Pentecost on Sunday, May 15.  Our Gospel readings are excerpts from what is called "Jesus' Farewell to his Disciples" spoken before his crucifixion. In that context, Jesus was addressing his imminent death on Good Friday.

In our reading for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Jesus promises that the Father will send the Holy Spirit to continue Jesus' teaching. Jesus' time on earth following his Resurrection is coming to an end. The Western Church celebrates the Feast of Jesus' Ascension into heaven later next week.  These words of Jesus are meant to comfort us and show his care for his followers. He also tells us, "Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." In what ways do these words of Jesus spiritually sustain you, especially in uncertain times? How do we demonstrate our trusting the Holy Spirit present with us?

Christ Church Spiritual Library Book highlight
 "Grounded: Finding God in the World" by Diana Butler Bass (2015)
The author writes that in our time, people believe; but they believe differently than they once did (p. 21) and that the world, not heaven is the sacred stage of our times (p.26).  She also quotes the contemporary poet Wendell Berry: The (traditional) idea of heaven doesn't take religion very far.  Love, as the very being of God, has to wear a face.  And that face is our neighborhood, our neighbors, the earth and its inhabitants." (p. 52)  

How might the congregation of Christ Church find God in the world?  What are some new and different ways of seeing and caring for the faces of God around us and outside of the church community? 

Note: the spiritual library book list has been updated with several new selections.  The complete list is found at the end of this email update.

Prayer for the Search Committee
Let us pray for the search committee of Christ Church: Kathy Compton, Ann Cooper, Leroy Foster, Chris Horton, Ron Kipp, Kathy Van Orden, Diana Winn and Arnie Zimmerman. This prayer is also available as prayer cards in the church and the parish hall.

Almighty God, giver of every good gift: 
look graciously on your Church, 
and so guide the minds of the search committee 
who shall choose the finalists for rector of this parish.  
May we receive a faithful pastor who will care for your people  
and equip us for our ministries 
as we work together to align our lives 
with God's love, justice and compassion. Amen. 
(Adapted from the Book of Common Prayer, p. 818)

Faithfully, Marilyn+  


VESTRY NEWS ON THE SEARCH FOR OUR NEW RECTOR
updated April 20, 2016


Update from the Search Committee:


  • Search Committee received 21 candidates from Joanna Satorius on Sunday, April 10th.  One more name was added bringing the total to 22 names. 
  • Search Committee will be reviewing each profile over the next 3 weeks and will regroup the first week of May.
  • Search Committee will be requesting a audio/video sermon from each candidate and hope to start receiving them in the next few weeks.
Forward in Faithfulness
Chris Horton, Jr Warden and Search Committee Chairperson.





Updated April 27, 2016
Christ Church Upcoming Events & Announcements
 


Please keep Deacon Bonnie in your prayers-she had knee replacement surgery five weeks ago.  Until she is able, this means that the Prayers of the People are available for reading on Sundays.  It also means that at least one Chalice Bearer is needed, especially for the 10 am service.

 

May 2-4 2016 - Clergy Conference in Riverside, CA.

 

Friday, May 6, 2016 - The memorial service for Mark Hereford will be held on Friday, May 6, 2016, at 1pm at Christ Church with a reception after the service. Donations can be made in Mark's honor to benefit Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Contributions can be made to:

 

       Peninsula Committee Children's Hospital

       PO Box 801

       Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274

       Ref: Mark Hereford

 

PENTECOST SUNDAY, May 15, 2016 - Don't forget to wear something red to help celebrate. At the 10am service there will be a baptism service for Carl Drye.

 

Sunday, May 22, 2016 - Please save the date:  After more than 20 years at Christ Church, David Bradfield is retiring at the end of May and moving to northern California. We will celebrate David's music ministry following the 10 am service on May 22nd. There will be a catered lunch provided by Ocho. David's last Sunday at Christ Church will be May 29, 2016.

 

FIFTH WEDNESDAY SHARED BREAD - June 29, 2016.  If you would like to help out, or would like more information about this event, please contact Barbara ramsey-Duke at (310) 251-6830 or brdslily1@gmail.com.



MOTHER MARILYN'S OFFICE HOURS -  Sundays at church for services and any scheduled events and meetings.  Monday-Wednesday at church typically from 9 am - 2 pm.*
*When there are evening meetings or services her 'day' usually starts in mid-afternoon.


 
SUNDAY SERVICES THIS WEEK  

8:00 AM Choral Holy Eucharist (said service)  

10:00 AM   Choral Holy Eucharist  (with music) 


Sunday School - Please note that Ms. Sylvia teaches Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for children ages 3 to 10.  The classroom doors open before the 10 AM service begins, and the children rejoin the congregation before Holy Communion begins.


ACOLYTES SERVING IN MAY
 
May 1: Ryder Want
May 8: NEEDED
May 15: NEEDED
May 22: Ryder Want
May 29: Christopher Dedo


PASTORAL EMERGENCIES OR ILLNESS?
In case of a pastoral emergency, please call Mother Marilyn at (323) 273-3888. If you are ill and not able to attend church or hospitalized and wishing to have a visit by Mother Marilyn, please give her a call and let her know. 
Requesting Prayers
Prayer line We are trying to keep our prayer list current. So, every four weeks we will start our list over again. If you wish to have someone added to our weekly Prayers of the People, please call Trudy Bush at 310 540-1722 or send her an email at christrb@aol.com. Thank you. 

We commend to God's love and care those for whom our prayers have been requested especially: 

For all those serving in our armed forces at home and abroad and especially those known to us: Blake, Joshua, Louis, Eric, Spencer, Christopher, Simon, John Joseph, Jimmy, Gage, Josh, John, Ken, Jeff, Blake H, Danelle, and Jarrod. 

We also pray for:
George; Sal; Joe; Pat and Gene; Sandie; Aiden; Alice and Blake; Blanca and Albert; Francesca; Carlene; Fran; Hunter; Allan; Sam; Gwendolyn and the Moore family; Martha; Rita; Byron; Karen; Ann; Todd; Sara; Sherry; Bradley; Maria; Nancy E; Ann; Father Bob and Madelyn; John R; Kevin; Rdythe and family; Al and Shirley Miller family; Chuck; Anne; Sandy P; Lenia; the Catlett family; David; Teresa; Megan; Ron and Jeanne; 
Lynette; Jacob; Leo and the Licciardone family; George and the Hoag family; Deacon Bonnie; Betty; Florence Haefner and family; Paula;  the whole Steib family as they help and support Betty, especially Laura and Sam .

  For all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, especially: 
 
We pray for our pets who we love, or are lost, sick or dying especially:

And we give thanksgiving for those celebrating Birthdays and Anniversaries this week, especially the Birthdays  of: Ben, Terry, and Allen.  A nd the Anniversaries  of None this week.   


Christ Church Links
ChristChurch
 
 Would you like to host coffee hour on a coming Sunday? Or would like to read a lesson or prayers of the people? Or would you like to learn to be an usher or chalice bearer?   Click this link to learn more about these opportunities.  

FLOWERS IN CHURCH:  Would you like to offer the floral arrangement in church in thanksgiving for a loved one or an important event in your life?   Click this link for more information.  

The flowers in the church this Sunday are donated to the Glory of God by:
 
LeRoy Foster in memory of Katherine Ewing.


Coffee Hour Calendar
Coffee Hour Cup
 
8 AM COFFEE HOUR - Please use the sign up sheets in the Parish Hall, or call or email Trudy to sign up.
 
 
10 AM COFFEE HOUR - The new procedure for coffee hour begins October 11th.  Please see the Guidelines  attached to the Coffee Hour Sign up sheet.
 
Any questions, please call or email Trudy in the church office at (310) 540-1722 or christrb@aol.com.
  
 
 
 
 

May 1, 2016 (Easter VI)  
8:00 AM: LeRoy Foster
10:00 AM: Needed

May 8, 2016 (Easter VII  + Mother's Day)
8:00 AM: Needed
10:00 AM: Needed

May 15, 2016 (The Day of Pentecost)  
8:00 AM: Needed
10:00 AM: Needed

May 22, 2016 (Trinity Sunday + Party for David Bradfield)  
8:00 AM: Needed
10:00 AM: Needed

May 29, 2016 (Pentecost II + Memorial Day Weekend + David Bradfield's last Sunday)  
8:00 AM: Needed
10:00 AM: Needed

June 5, 2016 (Pentecost III)  
8:00 AM: Needed
10:00 AM: Needed

June 12, 2016 (Pentecost IV)  
8:00 AM: Needed
10:00 AM: Needed

June 19, 2016 (Pentecost V)  
8:00 AM: Needed
10:00 AM: Needed

June 26, 2016 (Pentecost VI)  
8:00 AM: Needed
10:00 AM: Needed




 
NEW COFFEE HOUR PLAN AND GUIDELINES
  
We are going to try something new for Coffee Hour after the 10:00 a.m. service.   The change will begin on October 11, 2015.  Sticking with the Theme of "Hospitality and Welcome", we will ask that three or more families or individuals sign up per Sunday.   This change will help spread the cost and time commitment out among the members of the group serving on that particular Sunday.   
 
The following guidance will help explain what is involved when your group is responsible for providing the refreshments, hospitality and clean up.
 
1.   On a typical Sunday, there will be between 25 and 40 people attending the Coffee Hour.
 
2.   Those providing the Hospitality/Refreshments will plan between themselves what they will bring and serve.
 
3.   Setting out the refreshments can take place just after you have come up for communion, providing sufficient time for everything to be ready for the group at the end of the Church Service.    If you need assistance in finding where trays are kept and serving utensils please ask Susan Mulledy-DeFrank and she will be happy to show you around the kitchen.
 
4.   Clean up:    Please clear all food and serving trays off of the tables.    If food is left over and you wish to take it that is great.    If you wish to leave it there are plastic zip lock bags in the pantry.    Please make sure if you are using the Refrigerator or Freezer that you make sure that they are closed securely.   Wash, dry and put away the utensils and trays.    If you are unsure of where they go, please dry them and just leave them on the kitchen counter.    Please make sure that all used coffee mugs are placed in the dirty cup plastic bin (it's kept by the Coffee Machine during the Coffee Hour).   If someone could put the bin in the kitchen sink and fill with soapy water fully covering the coffee mugs that would be appreciated as the dirty mugs draw bugs.    The soapy water keeps them at bay.  The mugs are washed and sterilized on Wednesday morning by Susan.
 
5.  Finally please wipe down the kitchen counters to keep any crumbs and food product from attracting bugs.
 
This offering of Hospitality is one of our most important ministries at Christ Church.  As you have read and heard in Sermons over the years " Jesus Christ" was always teaching his followers about the importance of this welcoming gift-the Gift of Hospitality.
 
Christ's Peace in Welcome & Hospitality,
 
Susan Mulledy-DeFrank


Aces of Hearts

  ACE OF HEARTS


In our Gospel reading, Jesus comforts his disciples by telling them:


1. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.

2. Do not let your hearts be troubled.

3. Do not let your hearts be afraid.

4. All of the above.



COLLECT AND READINGS FOR THIS COMING SUNDAY
     
May 1, 2016                                 Easter VI
The Collect
O  God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The First Lesson
Acts 16:9-15
D uring the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.
We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home." And she prevailed upon us.
The Response
Psalm 67
Deus misereatur
M ay God be merciful to us and bless us, *
show us the light of his countenance and come to us.
2 Let your ways be known upon earth, *
your saving health among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, *
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide all the nations upon earth.
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
6 The earth has brought forth her increase; *
may God, our own God, give us his blessing.
7 May God give us his blessing, *
and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of him.
The Epistle
Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5
I n the spirit the angel carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.
I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Its gates will never be shut by day-- and there will be no night there. People will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
The Gospel
John 14:23-29
J esus said to Judas (not Iscariot), "Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.
"I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, `I am going away, and I am coming to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe."






CHRIST CHURCH SPIRITUAL LIBRARY UPDATE: 
The following books have been added to the lending library.  There is an updated book list along with at least one copy of each new book in the parish hall.
They can also be purchased as E-books or hardcopy for your reading.
1. Grounded: Finding God in the World-A Spiritual Revolution by Diana Butler Bass.
2. Wisdom Distilled from the Daily: Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today  
by Sr. Joan Chittister
3. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
4.  Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion  by Fr. Gregory Boyle
(Note: purchases of this book benefit Homeboy Industries).
5. Holy Currencies: Six Blessings for Sustainable Ministries by The Rev. Eric F. Law
6. Unearthing My Religion: Real Talk about Real Faith by Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves.
 More information about these new books will be in the update starting in April.




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