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Our Gospel reading for this Sunday, Luke 9:51-62, ends with the following statement from Jesus, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." My maternal grandfather plowed his small fields with an animal-drawn plow. In his case, it was two horses instead of two oxen It took much concentration to keep the team headed forward along a reasonably straight line. It required his skill to look ahead, anticipate an upcoming turn, and then lead the team to execute while still pulling the plowshare through the heavy soil and accomplishing his goal.
While most of us might not have direct experience with this illustration, I believe that its meaning is understood. When I read Jesus' statement, I hear the related question, "What does it mean to be 'fit for the kingdom of God'?" In other words, what characteristics are asked of us as followers of Jesus? In what ways do Jesus' words resonate with your life of faith?
Christ Church Spiritual Library Book highlight
"Grounded: Finding God in the World-A Spiritual Revolution"
by Diana Butler Bass (2015)
In the last chapter, "Revelation", the author describes a personal conversion, or turning point, regarding her understanding of church (p. 278)
My third conversion was not about rejecting church (as the living expression of Jesus in the world), Christianity, or faith. (It was) about leaving behind the vertical God and elevator church. (It is) a turning toward God-with-us and a hope for faith community that risks stepping off the elevator. This conversion loves the world, seeks God with the world in all its beauty and pain.
In her afterword, "A Note to the Church", she makes the following plea. "The spiritual revolution, finding God in the world, is an invitation to new birth, most especially for religion. There is no better place to start than in your synagogue, mosque, temple, or church." (p. 284)
What might "finding God in the world" look like for the faith community that is Christ Church?
Note: the spiritual library has been updated with several new selections.
The list is 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 June 15, 2016
Update from the Search Committee:
The Search Committee began the Skype interview process this week with the first 2 candidates. We have additional Skype interviews lined up in the upcoming month. We appreciate everyone's support and prayers blessing the committee's work.
Forward in Faithfulness
,
Chris Horton, Jr Warden and Search Committee Chairperson.
Updated June 22, 2016
Christ Church Upcoming Events & Announcements
BENEDICTINE RETREAT- Mother Marilyn will be on private retreat 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.
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.
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].
ART SHOW SAVE THE DATE - Friday, September 30th 7pm-10pm, Saturday, October 1st 10am-4pm, and Sunday, October 2nd 10am-12 noon. If you would like more information, or have questions about this event, please contact Susan Mulledy-Defrank at [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: Elizabeth, Carlene, and Tessa.
The anniversaries of: [None this week].
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The flowers in the church this Sunday are donated to the Glory of God by:
Karen Vermillion for sisters Cheryl and Lisa.
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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 - Please see the Guidelines below. Extra copies of the Guidelines are also
attached to the Coffee Hour Sign up sheet in the parish hall.
Any questions, please call or email Trudy in the church office at (310) 540-1722 or [email protected].
June 26, 2016 (Pentecost VI)
8:00 AM: Leroy Foster
10:00 AM: Shari Neale
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
When the Samaritan village does not receive Jesus and his disciples, how do James and John respond?
1. They wipe the dust of the town off of their feet.
2. They complain to Jesus about having to continue their journey without any break.
3. They keep any response to themselves and are silent.
4. They want to send fire from heaven to consume the village.
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COLLECT AND READINGS FOR THIS COMING SUNDAY
June 26, 2016 Proper 8C Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
The Collect
A
lmighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; 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
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14
W
hen the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel." But Elisha said, "As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel.
Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan." But he said, "As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you." Elisha said, "Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit." He responded, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not." As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, "Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, "Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?" When he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.
The Response
Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20
Voce mea ad Dominum
1
I
will cry aloud to God; *
I will cry aloud, and he will hear me.
2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; *
my hands were stretched out by night and did not tire;
I refused to be comforted.
11 I will remember the works of the Lord, *
and call to mind your wonders of old time.
12 I will meditate on all your acts *
and ponder your mighty deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is holy; *
who is so great a god as our God?
14 You are the God who works wonders *
and have declared your power among the peoples.
15 By your strength you have redeemed your people, *
the children of Jacob and Joseph.
16 The waters saw you, O God;
the waters saw you and trembled; *
the very depths were shaken.
17 The clouds poured out water;
the skies thundered; *
your arrows flashed to and fro;
18 The sound of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lit up the world; *
the earth trembled and shook.
19 Your way was in the sea,
and your paths in the great waters, *
yet your footsteps were not seen.
20 You led your people like a flock *
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
The Gospel
Luke 9:51-62
W
hen the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home." Jesus said to him, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."
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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