|
This Sunday we hear the familiar parable known as "The Good Samaritan." This image summarizes the story: a man is attacked by robbers; both a priest and Levite pass by without helping him. A "Good Samaritan", on the other hand, stops and takes care of him.
Jesus is telling this parable to a religious lawyer, a Pharisee. Both Jesus and the man know that there are several hundreds of years of enmity between Samaritans and Jews. [The closest modern examples would be the hostility between Sunni and Shi'ite tribes in Iraq.] In this parable, why might Jesus have a Samaritan risk his own safety and stop and help a Jew? What might this show us about the unexpected ways that God is present in our human circumstances?
Christ Church Spiritual Library Book highlight
I am continuing my writing about "Wisdom Distilled From the Daily: Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today" by Sr. Joan Chittister. She highlights the major themes of Benedictine spirituality and applies them to contemporary living outside of the monastery.
The Benedictine way emphasizes radical hospitality.
The Rule says to "welcome guests as Christ" and to take special care of "the poor and pilgrims." The first monasteries in 6th century Italy were the hostels of their time. They offered refuge and safety in treacherous circumstances.
What is a contemporary understanding of this Benedictine value? Sr. Joan describes radical hospitality as having an unboundaried heart. She writes, "We know that the poor are poor and the elderly are lonely and that the children are hungry. ...real hospitality for our time requires that instead of flipping the channel or turning the page, we try to determine what it is about our own lives that is affecting these others." (p. 129) We won't address or solve all of the world's problems. We are invited to open our hearts and commit to changes we can make. As Sr. Joan notes, "When I let strange people and strange ideas into my heart, I am beginning to shape a new world." (p. 128)
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+
|
|
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 July 6, 2016
Christ Church Upcoming Events & Announcements
10 am music change for the months of July and August: We will sing one communion hymn followed by instrumental music during Communion.
SUNDAY, July 24, 2016
- Fr. Norm will be preaching and celebrating at both services.
July 24-30, 2016 - Mother Marilyn will be on vacation.
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 coeescrow@hotmail.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 -
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 JULY
July 3:
July 10: Ryder Want
July 17: Christopher Dedo
July 24:
July 31: 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.
|
 |
 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; 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; Eric; Bob Nelson and the Nelson family; Carol B; and Roger
.
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: David, Adaeze, Noah, and Luke.
The anniversaries of:
|
 |
The flowers in the church this Sunday are donated to the Glory of God by:
|
 |
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 christrb@aol.com.
July 10, 2016 (Pentecost VIII)
8:00 AM: Needed
10:00 AM: Needed
July 17, 2016 (Pentecost IX)
8:00 AM: Nancy Taugner
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
August 7, 2016 (Pentecost XII)
8:00 AM: Needed
10:00 AM: Needed
August 14, 2016 (Pentecost XIII)
8:00 AM: Needed
10:00 AM: Needed
August 21, 2016 (Pentecost XIV)
8:00 AM: Needed
10:00 AM: Needed
August 28, 2016 (Pentecost XV)
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
|
|
ACE OF HEARTS
In today's Gospel, what does the lawyer initially ask Jesus to test him?
1. "What is the greatest commandment?"
2. "Who is greater in the kingdom of God, Pharisees, or scribes or Sadducees?"
3. "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"
4. "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"
|
|
COLLECT AND READINGS FOR THIS COMING SUNDAY
July 10, 2016 Proper 10C Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
The Collect
O
Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The First Lesson
Amos 7:7-17
T
his is what the Lord God showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. And the Lord said to me, "Amos, what do you see?" And I said, "A plumb line." Then the Lord said,
"See, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass them by;
the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate,
and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste,
and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword."
Then Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent to King Jeroboam of Israel, saying, "Amos has conspired against you in the very center of the house of Israel; the land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos has said,
`Jeroboam shall die by the sword,
and Israel must go into exile
away from his land.'"
And Amaziah said to Amos, "O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, earn your bread there, and prophesy there; but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom."
Then Amos answered Amaziah, "I am no prophet, nor a prophet's son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, `Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'
"Now therefore hear the word of the Lord.
You say, `Do not prophesy against Israel,
and do not preach against the house of Isaac.'
Therefore thus says the Lord:
`Your wife shall become a prostitute in the city,
and your sons and your daughters shall fall by the sword,
and your land shall be parceled out by line;
you yourself shall die in an unclean land,
and Israel shall surely go into exile away from its land.'"
The Response
Psalm 82
Deus stetit
1
G
od takes his stand in the council of heaven; *
he gives judgment in the midst of the gods:
2 "How long will you judge unjustly, *
and show favor to the wicked?
3 Save the weak and the orphan; *
defend the humble and needy;
4 Rescue the weak and the poor; *
deliver them from the power of the wicked.
5 They do not know, neither do they understand;
they go about in darkness; *
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6 Now I say to you, 'You are gods, *
and all of you children of the Most High;
7 Nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, *
and fall like any prince.'"
8 Arise, O God, and rule the earth, *
for you shall take all nations for your own.
The Gospel
Luke 10:25-37
J
ust then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live."
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, `Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
|
|
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
|
 |
|
Christ Church Mission: Who We Are & What We Hope to Do and Become