In This Issue


This Sunday is the great church celebration known as Pentecost Sunday. This is the second great feast of the church after Easter.  The first reading from Acts 2:1-21 tells the story of the disciples gathered together in prayer.  They experience the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This isn't just a private event; they leave their room and go out and tell the story of Jesus to others in many different languages.  This marks the beginnings of the Christian community.

The Holy Spirit is represented as a bird in Christian symbolism.  This comes from the Gospel story of Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River where, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove (Luke 3:22). While this provides for interesting artwork, the Holy Spirit is much more.  Our Episcopal Catechism describes the Holy Spirit as "God at work in the world and in the Church even now." (BCP p. 852).  In what ways do you experience the Holy Spirit, that is, God at work in our world?  

Did you know that Pentecost is also called Whitsunday?  This is because in the early church candidates for baptism would wear white robes for the service.

Christ Church Spiritual Library Book highlight
 "Grounded: Finding God in the World-A Spiritual Revolution" by Diana Butler Bass (2015)
  I will continue my overview of Part 2 of this book in next week's Christ Church update.

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+  


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 May 11, 2016
Christ Church Upcoming Events & Announcements
 


Trudy Bush will be on vacation from Monday May 16 through Tuesday May 31. She will be back in the office on Wednesday June 1. During this time Mother Marilyn will handle phone messages and emails. She will be in the office Monday-Wednesday; the office will be closed Thursday and Friday. 


Please keep Deacon Bonnie in your prayers-she had knee replacement surgery seven 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.

  

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 - Fr. Norm will be preaching at both services.


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 [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.


 
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 [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; 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; Anne; 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; and Carole S .

  For all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, especially: Grace.
 
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: Hannah, and Ryder.  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:
 
Gail Connolly in loving memory of her brother Bruce Vasquez.  

Philip Harper in honour of Marion Harper's 96th birthday.  

Shirley Drye in celebration of Carl's baptism.


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 [email protected].
  
 
 
 
 

May 15, 2016 (The Day of Pentecost + baptism at 10am)  
8:00 AM: Nancy Taugner
10:00 AM: Barbara

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

May 29, 2016 (Pentecost II + Memorial Day Weekend + David Bradfield's last Sunday)  
8:00 AM: Needed
10:00 AM: Barbara ramsey-Duke, Robert and Chip

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


According to our Gospel today, what did Phillip ask Jesus to do?

1. Show us the Father.

2. Cure a leper.

3. Walk on water.

4. Show Phillip his pierced hands and feet.





COLLECT AND READINGS FOR THIS COMING SUNDAY
     
May 15, 2016                            Day of Pentecost: Whitsunday
The Collect
O  God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The First Lesson
Acts 2:1-21
W hen the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs-- in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power." All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine."
But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

`In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
and they shall prophesy.
And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day.
Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' "
The Response
Psalm 104:25-35, 37
Benedic, anima mea
25  O  Lord, how manifold are your works! *
in wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
26 Yonder is the great and wide sea
with its living things too many to number, *
creatures both small and great.
27 There move the ships,
and there is that Leviathan, *
which you have made for the sport of it.
28 All of them look to you *
to give them their food in due season.
29 You give it to them; they gather it; *
you open your hand, and they are filled with good things.
30 You hide your face, and they are terrified; *
you take away their breath,
and they die and return to their dust.
31 You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; *
and so you renew the face of the earth.
32 May the glory of the Lord endure for ever; *
may the Lord rejoice in all his works.
33 He looks at the earth and it trembles; *
he touches the mountains and they smoke.
34 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; *
I will praise my God while I have my being.
35 May these words of mine please him; *
I will rejoice in the Lord.
37 Bless the Lord, O my soul. *
Hallelujah!
The New Testament
Romans 8:14-17
A ll who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ-- if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
The Gospel
John 14:8-17
P hilip said to Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, `Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you."





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

6. Unearthing My Religion: Real Talk about Real Faith by Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves.
 

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