What is the nature of forgiveness, especially when we ask God in the Lord's Prayer to forgive us as we forgive others? In this Sunday's Gospel Jesus is at a Pharisee's home for a meal. A woman of the city enters the house and washes Jesus' feet with her tears and dries them with her hair. According to Luke's version of this story, she is a known sinner and the Pharisee cannot resist publicly judging and condemning her in front of Jesus and the other guests. Jesus does not see a person to be judged. He sees someone who is in need of forgiveness; he extends God's forgiveness to her. This story reminds us of the wideness of God's mercy. Have you experienced this divine mercy in your life? Have you considered or even experienced offering this divine mercy to another?
Christ Church Spiritual Library Book highlight
"Grounded: Finding God in the World-A Spiritual Revolution" by Diana Butler Bass (2015)
The author devotes a chapter to "Commons". Perhaps you have visited The Boston Commons. Many New England towns have an open space designated as the commons where hospitality and interdependence were normative. According to the author, the commons is the geography of hospitality, belonging to none, welcoming all (p. 241). It fosters the development of community with three elements: 1)
communitas: the spirit of unity; 2) communion: the spirit of relationship; and 3) compassion: the spirit of action. The author ends this chapter with a section titled, "A Common Life, a Common Journey" and she describes walking about the world, finding the spirit of the commons, hearing the call toward the common good, and embracing the joy of our common humanity. (p. 266)
As I read this chapter, I wonder what places function as 'the commons' in our surrounding communities? How might we foster 'the spirit of the commons' around us?
Note: the spiritual library book list has been updated with several new selections.
The list of new books 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+
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VESTRY NEWS ON THE SEARCH FOR OUR NEW RECTOR
updated May 11, 2016
Update from the Search Committee:
The Search Committee had their first meeting on Wednesday, May 4th and have narrowed down the selection from 21 to 17.
They are working on setting up Skype interviews over the next month and will have more to share soon.
Forward in Faithfulness,
Chris Horton, Jr Warden and Search Committee Chairperson.
Updated June 8, 2016
Christ Church Upcoming Events & Announcements
REDONDO BEACH TRIATHLON-
This Sunday, June 12. The race starts at 7:30 am. This impacts parking around the church so allow extra time. Additional information, is found at the triathlon website.
WEDNESDAY PRAYER GROUP TIME CHANGE- starting in June the weekly group will gather in the church at 7 am for Morning Prayer followed by breakfast at a local restaurant. All are welcome for this quiet and prayerful start of the day. This midweek group began more than ten years ago and continues its offering of common prayer in the Anglican/Episcopal tradition.
CONGRATULATIONS
-to our EfM graduates Barbara McCoy, Sandra Godin and Shari Neale.
The diocesan EfM graduation is Saturday, June 11, 10 am at the Cathedral Center, 840 Echo Park Ave., LA.
BENEDICTINE RETREAT- Mother Marilyn will be on private retrea
t
from Wednesday, June 22 through Friday, June 24. She will be back at church on Sunday, June 26 with Fr. Norm preaching at both services. Jeanne Kipp is the contact for any pastoral emergencies.
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 [email protected].
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.
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SUNDAY SERVICES THIS WEEK
8:00 AM Choral Holy Eucharist (said service)
10:00 AM Choral Holy Eucharist (with music)
Sunday School -
Ms. Sylvia thanks the parents and children of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for another wonderful year of learning and prayer together. Parents, please note that the Catechesis' last session for this academic year was
June 5th
. We will post the opening date for Catechesis in the Fall
,
toward the end of summer.
ACOLYTES SERVING IN JUNE
June 5:
June 12:
June 19:
June 26: Christopher Dedo, Ryder Want
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.
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 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 [email protected]. 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; Martha; Rita; Byron; Ann; Todd; Sara; Sherry; Bradley; Maria; Nancy E; Ann; Father Bob and Madelyn; John R; Kevin G; Rdythe and family; Al and Shirley Miller family; Anne; Lenia; the Catlett family; David; Teresa; Megan;
Leo and the Licciardone family; George and the Hoag family; Florence Haefner and family; Paula;
the entire Steib family as they help and support Betty, especially Laura and Sam; Carole S
; Kevin;
Gwendolyn; Joannie; and Eric
.
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:
Damian, Christopher, Gemma, Sawyer, and Rev Marilyn.
The anniversaries of: RoseMary and Philip.
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The flowers in the church this Sunday are donated to the Glory of God by:
Vicki Bloomfield in memory of her parents.
Philip and RoseMary Harper in celebration of their 2nd anniversary.
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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 [email protected].
June 12, 2016 (Pentecost IV)
8:00 AM: Pat Carver
10:00 AM: Needed
June 19, 2016 (Pentecost V + Father's Day)
8:00 AM: Needed
10:00 AM: Needed
June 26, 2016 (Pentecost VI)
8:00 AM: Leroy Foster
10:00 AM: Needed
July 3, 2016 (Pentecost VII)
8:00 AM: Needed
10:00 AM: Needed
July 10, 2016 (Pentecost VIII)
8:00 AM: Needed
10:00 AM: Needed
July 17, 2016 (Pentecost IX)
8:00 AM: Needed
10:00 AM: Needed
July 24, 2016 (Pentecost X)
8:00 AM: Needed
10:00 AM: Needed
July 31, 2016 (Pentecost XI)
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
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ACE OF HEARTS
In the Gospel story of the woman anointing Jesus' feet, the Pharisee complains to Jesus that:
1. No women are allowed in his house.
2. The oil she uses is expensive and could be sold for the poor.
3. The woman is a sinner.
4. She should be serving the dinner guests.
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COLLECT AND READINGS FOR THIS COMING SUNDAY
June 12, 2016 Proper 6C Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
The Collect
K
eep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The First Lesson
1 Kings 21:1-10, 15-21a
T
he following events took place: Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of King Ahab of Samaria. And Ahab said to Naboth, "Give me your vineyard, so that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house; I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money." But Naboth said to Ahab, "The Lord forbid that I should give you my ancestral inheritance." Ahab went home resentful and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him; for he had said, "I will not give you my ancestral inheritance." He lay down on his bed, turned away his face, and would not eat.
His wife Jezebel came to him and said, "Why are you so depressed that you will not eat?" He said to her, "Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, `Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard for it'; but he answered, `I will not give you my vineyard.'" His wife Jezebel said to him, "Do you now govern Israel? Get up, eat some food, and be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite."
So she wrote letters in Ahab's name and sealed them with his seal; she sent the letters to the elders and the nobles who lived with Naboth in his city. She wrote in the letters, "Proclaim a fast, and seat Naboth at the head of the assembly; seat two scoundrels opposite him, and have them bring a charge against him, saying, `You have cursed God and the king.' Then take him out, and stone him to death."
As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, "Go, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money; for Naboth is not alive, but dead." As soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab set out to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.
Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying: Go down to meet King Ahab of Israel, who rules in Samaria; he is now in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession. You shall say to him, "Thus says the Lord: Have you killed, and also taken possession?" You shall say to him, "Thus says the Lord: In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, dogs will also lick up your blood."
Ahab said to Elijah, "Have you found me, O my enemy?" He answered, "I have found you. Because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the Lord, I will bring disaster on you."
The Response
Psalm 5:1-8
Verba mea auribus
1
G
ive ear to my words, O Lord; *
consider my meditation.
2 Hearken to my cry for help, my King and my God, *
for I make my prayer to you.
3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; *
early in the morning I make my appeal and watch for you.
4 For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, *
and evil cannot dwell with you.
5 Braggarts cannot stand in your sight; *
you hate all those who work wickedness.
6 You destroy those who speak lies; *
the bloodthirsty and deceitful, O Lord, you abhor.
7 But as for me, through the greatness of your mercy I will go into your house; *
I will bow down toward your holy temple in awe of you.
8 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness,
because of those who lie in wait for me; *
make your way straight before me.
The Gospel
Luke 7:36-8:3
O
ne of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him-- that she is a sinner." Jesus spoke up and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Teacher," he replied, "Speak." "A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon answered, "I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt." And Jesus said to him, "You have judged rightly." Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." Then he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.
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CHRIST CHURCH SPIRITUAL LIBRARY
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
The following books continue to be part of the lending library.
The Kingdom Within John Sanford
Unearthing My Religion: Real Talk about Real Faith Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves
Innocence: A Novel Dean Koontz
Naked Spirituality: A Life with God in 12 Simple Words Brian McClaren
Living on the Border of the Holy L. William Countryman
Violence Unveiled: Humanity at the Crossroads Gil Bailie
Knowing Jesus James Allison
Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha and Mohammed Cross the Road? Christian Identity in a Multi-Faith World Brian McClaren
Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife Eben Alexander
Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life Richard Rohr
Healing After Loss-Daily Meditations Martha Whitmore Hickman
Paradoxy: Creating Christian Community beyond Us and Them Ken Howard
The Re-Enchantment of Everyday Life Thomas Moore
The Common English Bible (CEB) Study Bible-The Book of Mark
The Power of the Powerless: A Brother's Legacy of Love Christopher de Vinck
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Christ Church Mission: Who We Are & What We Hope to Do and Become