Welcome to
Christ Episcopal Church!
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Christ Episcopal Church is an open, inviting, and affirming place of worship, mission and Christian formation. We believe in blending the great traditions of our church with a fresh, modern, contemporary approach to the Gospel.
All are welcome.
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THIS SUNDAY: BRING YOUR LOOSE CHANGE FOR CHANGE SUNDAY!
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THIS SUNDAY, April 2nd, we will be collecting loose change for our outreach ministries.
Loose Change Sunday is a simple and impactful way for our church community to help the efforts in raising money to help our outreach mission projects.
Bring your loose change to give during worship and lets support the Kingdom of God.
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LIVING WELL THROUGH LENT -
Listening With All Your Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind
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| Monday, April 3rd | 10 am - 11 am |
You are invited to join us on Monday mornings through Lent for a Living Compass small group.
During the six week session, we will focus on listening with all our heart, soul, strength and mind. Be sure to pick up your Living Compass Lenten booklet in the Narthex after church!
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Tuesday, April 4th | 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm | Outreach Center
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 Come meet us on the first Tuesday of the month for Compline, fellowship and discussion!
If you are a veteran, or someone you love is a veteran... you are invited to join us!
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THE FOOD AND FEASTS OF JESUS
A Lenten Series
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| Wednesday, April 5th | 6:30 pm | Library |
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The Food and
Feasts of Jesus
by Douglas E. Neel
and Joel A Pugh
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It's not too late to join us for the last lesson on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, as we gather together as a community to gain new insights on the life and times of Jesus and his contemporaries! We will eat a meal together of recipes that would have been eaten at the time Jesus lived on earth. We will gather together for worship at 6:30 pm and then make dinner, set the table and eat and enjoy conversation about the book and recipes!
This week we will cover Chapter 11 in the book "The Food and Feasts of Jesus" : Picnic at the Beach. Our delicious meal will include Grilled Mediterranean Bread, Goat Cheese Marinated in Olive Oil and Herbs and Grilled Fish with Pomegranate Marinade.
Thank you Tony and Barbara Alvarez for your willingness to create these new dishes this week!
Sign-up sheets will be in the Narthex on Sunday morning for you to let us know to expect you!
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PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGES FOR:
KNIT & CROCHET CLASS
with
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
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NO CLASS Wednesday April 5th
NO CLASS Sunday, April 16th
CLASS on Sunday, April 23rd | 4 pm - 6 pm | Library |
 Due to Lent and Easter Sunday, we have rearranged our schedule for this month! Please join us for our Knitting & Crochet class on Sunday, April 23rd at 4pm in the Library!
If you have tried to learn to knit or crochet but have never gotten the hang of it, then come and let one of the wonderful ladies from the Prayer Shawl Ministry help you out!
Also, if you have any yard that you don't plan to use, the Prayer Shawl Ministry group can use it! Please bring it to the Narthex and let Cindy Wells know it is there. Thank you!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Good Friday Offering
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Presiding Bishop Michael Curry with Archbishop Suheil Dawani, the Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem.
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BRIEF HISTORY OF THE
GOOD FRIDAY OFFERING
The history of the Good Friday Offering (GFO) reaches back to 1922 when, in the aftermath of World War I, The Episcopal Church's Department of Missions sent the Rev. William C. Emhardt to travel the region seeking to establish new relationships with and among the Christians of the Middle East. From these initial efforts, which focused on a combination of relief work and the improvement of ecumenical and Anglican relations, the Good Friday Offering was created.
HOW MUCH MONEY
IS RAISED?
Over the past 10 years (2006-2015), a total of $3,207,591 has been allocated to the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. The three most recent years have seen a total of $994,228 allocated: $266,179 in 2013, $377,663 in 2014, and $350,446 in 2015 (2016 is awaiting final audit to be completed by mid-2017, though "early returns" are in line with the previous two years). All funds are disbursed; there is no carry-over from year to year.
WHAT DOES THE GFO COST AND WHO PAYS FOR IT? Thus far, the Good Friday Offering enjoys the support of The Episcopal Church budget, which covers the cost of staff from the Communications Office, the Finance Department, and the Global Partnerships Team, of which the Middle East Partnership Officer is a member. The costs of the program comprise the design, production, and mailing of program materials, including a letter from the presiding bishop inviting all parishes and bishops of The Episcopal Church to participate. The only other cost is the production and mailing of thank you letters. The most re- cent cost, after audit, for 2015 showed expenses of $12,408 with a total of $350,446 distributed to the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East.
WHO DECIDES HOW THE FUNDS ARE USED?
The Synod of the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East provides a recommendation to The Episcopal Church on how to distribute the funds, which The Episcopal Church has consistently supported.
WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
These funds are used for a variety of humanitarian purposes, including an eye clinic, hospitals, scholarship aid for young people, empowerment programs for women, rehabilitation programs, and similar efforts.
WHO PARTICIPATES IN THE GFO?
As an initiative of the Presiding Bishop's Office, the presiding bishop encourages the bishops and clergy of the Church to have their parishes participate each year. As of September 2016, the past four years have seen a total of 2,095 parishes generously support the Good Friday Offering. For 2016, a total of 1,205 parishes are on record (as of September), and of that total, 75% have participated in two or more years since 2013.
IS THERE A WEBSITE? Yes!
episcopalchurch.org/goodfridayoffering
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LENT & HOLY WEEK SERVICES & EVENTS
at Christ Episcopal Church
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A lot of preparation goes on behind the scenes to get ready for Sunday morning worship services... and the one person office staff member would love some help! :)
Bulletin Stuffing Team: We need help with assembling the pieces that create our primary communication tool... our bulletin! This would be a great opportunity to serve with your family or small group. This is an end-of-the-week, 2-hour position.
Phone Ambassadors: Serve at the church answering the phone! This is a morning position on Mondays and Thursdays.
Please email Sharon Bowman at
cectxcommunications@gmail.com and let her know what position you would be interested helping in!
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by Gene Ashlock, 1st Year Vestry Member
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As a first-year member of our vestry, I've managed to find all sorts of ways to keep busy. I've attended meetings, helped out with maintenance projects, and shared my most fervent opinions on what exactly this church needs. That's in addition to keeping up with my private therapy practice and squeezing in some time for my wife, two grown children, and four grandchildren. How can I do all this? I have a cell phone that allows me to transcend geography and time zones, and I'm not afraid to use it!
As you no doubt have figured out, I like staying busy. There's a lot of chatter going on in my brain, and I'm usually looking for ways to keep it going.
So imagine my trepidation at joining the Living Well Lenten study, which encourages me to listen, really listen, to the people in my life. The study takes about ten minutes a day, and I can honestly say that it has helped me feel closer to God. Who knew it could be so easy?
As we transition from Lent to the Easter season, I encourage you to listen with all your Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind to the love that God shares with us through every breath and beating heart.
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EASTER CANDY DONATIONS NEEDED!
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This year, the ROOTS teens will be organizing the Easter Egg Hunt, which will be held on Easter Sunday! We are asking for donations of plastic eggs and wrapped candy... or, even better... plastic eggs that are already stuffed with wrapped candy!
Please drop off your donations in the basket located in the Narthex. Thank you!!
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IS YOUR GIFT HOSPITALITY?
IF SO, WE NEED YOU!
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Characteristics of Those with a Hospitality Gift:
::: Are friendly and able
to interact with people comfortably?
:::Do you like to meet and greet new people and have "never met a stranger"?
::: Enjoy putting together social parties and get-togethers?
::: Have a strong desire and ability to make strangers and visitors feel welcome?
If the above sounds like you, then hospitality is your gift and we need you! The Hospitality committee needs a chairperson. We have many volunteers who need a leader. Please visit with or email
Joan Steele or
Elaine Posey or
Delinda Woltring for details!
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ORDER YOUR LILIES
TO ADORN OUR EASTER ALTAR
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 The beautiful Easter lilies that adorn our altar are a special part of the celebration of Easter at Christ Episcopal Church.
We invite all parishioners to share in the experience through a memorial or thanksgiving dedication.
A special dedication of the lilies will be printed for Easter Sunday. This is a wonderful way to remember loved ones, honor friends, and offer thanksgiving to God for prayers answered and blessings received.
Easter Lilies may be purchased for $10 each. Order forms will be available in the Narthex. Lilies may be picked up after the Easter service!
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KIDS KINGDOM & CROSSROADS
NEEDS VOLUNTEERS!
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Kids Kingdom and Crossroads is at a critical need for volunteers!
Per Safeguarding God's Children, we need at least 2 adults in the room at all times with the children; if we do not have at least 2 adults in the room, we cannot proceed with the day's lesson, and the kids will have to return to church.
Please know that all the lessons are prepared beforehand, all the materials gathered, and the lessons sent to volunteers in plenty of time to review the process. They are easy to follow, and fun! We'd love for you to come check out what's going on with the youth in our church, even if you don't have a child of your own in the program!
Use this
signupgenius.com link, choose a Sunday, and come spend the morning with us!
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Hill Country Community Ministries provides food for people in our area who have difficulty providing enough food for their family. During holidays, special meals are provided. Hams are given to families for Easter. During the month of April we will be collecting money to support HCCM in their ministry to us and our neighbors. Please consider making a monetary donation and designating it for HCCM.
THANK YOU for your generous donations to help our fellow neighbors in our community that are in need!
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PRAYER REQUEST SUBMISSIONS
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Tell me more about the prayer ministry at CEC:
We are a group of people who are dedicated to praying daily for your intentions, your needs and those of your family and friends.
How can I submit a name for prayer?
We will need the full name of the person for our office records. Names will remain on the prayer list for one month. It will be necessary to add names each month if necessary.
Many in the congregation have asked if we can start to print the list of those for whom we are praying on a day to day basis. The answer is yes. The list will be printed each Sunday and first names only will be said at the prayers of the people.
On Sundays, or after any service, you can complete one of the prayer cards which are placed in every pew. Should there not be a prayer card in your pew, please let one of the ushers know and he/she will assist you. There is a wood Prayer Box, so marked, at the rear of the church on the right hand side as you exit. In completing the prayer request card or when e-mailing, please let us know if you require a call from either Fr. Trawin or Deacon Jan.
All requests are kept in strictest confidence and are only discussed within the ministry if clarification is needed.
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Since many people conduct all or a large portion of their financial transactions online, we have implemented online giving to make it easier for you to give, whether it is a one-time or a recurring gift. This is a completely voluntary way to make contributions. We accept online offerings and donations using PayPal. It is the most widely used give-on-line service and we have confidence in its reliability, security, and safety. You do NOT need to have a PayPal account to make a financial offering.
Simply go to our website at
http://cectx.org/give/
and click on the corresponding "DONATE" button that reflects whether you wish to make a one-time donation or an automatic monthly donation.
If you are accustomed to placing your gifts in the offering plate during worship, you may wonder if an online gift will have the same spiritual significance. We believe it is the heart of the giver, not the method of giving, that makes our financial offerings a true act of worship. The Bible says that, "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7).
Thank you for giving to Christ Episcopal Church. Your generosity means so much to us and is integral to the work that we do at Christ Church and in the surrounding communities. On behalf of the entire church family and staff, thank you again for your thoughtful giving.
Christ Episcopal Church is a 501(C)(3) religious organization. Your offering is tax-deductible.
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- Lu
- Sarah
- Rosemary
- Annette
- Jay Raven
- PRAISE! Kathy
- Stephanus
- Josephine
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Sunday Mornings
9:15 am | CEC Library |
Come and participate in the last class of our video-based series called, "Upside Down Faith" this Sunday, April 2nd!
::: How do things get turned
so upside down?
::: What's God doing these
days?
:::Can anybody make sense
of how crazy things
seem to be?
With questions like these, Darkwood Brew heads into the Bible and the book of Colossians to see how we might get some insight. Based on a book by Rev. Bruce Van Blair, pastor of New Church, Port Townsend, WA this series guides our faith in some very unexpected ways.
Grab a cup of coffee
and a donut and join us
in the Library at 9:15 am.
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SUNDAY MORNING YOUTH GROUP will meet on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month from 9:30 am to 10:15 am. Our meet-ups for April will be on
Sunday, April 2nd & Sunday, April 16th.
DEEPER ROOTS
(10th-12th graders) will meet on the 1st Sunday of each month from 9:30 am-10:15 am with Father Trawin to discuss topics of special concern to older teens. Our meetup for April will be on
April 2nd.
ROOTS YOUTH typically meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from 6:30 pm-8 pm in the Family Life Center. Our Wednesday night meet-ups in April will be on
April 12th and April 26th.
Check out the new ROOTS website! Click Here!
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SUBSCRIBE TO EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF TEXAS E-NEWS
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To receive notification of upcoming diocesan events and conferences, along with links to local parish news and employment opportunities, subscribe to the digital Dialog, the e-news of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. Simply go to
epicenter.org and click the link at the lower right to subscribe or go to:
http://tinyurl.com/3rjmcoq
to subscribe.
From epicenter.org you may also make changes to your address and subscribe to the quarterly magazine, find links to Bishop Andy Doyle's sermons and numerous other resources.
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SUBSCRIBE TO
"WEEKLY WORDS
OF WELLNESS"
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Don't wait another day to receive the weekly e-mail version of
"The Weekly Words of Wellness" written by The Rev. Dr. Scott Stoner, founder of Living Compass. Each week covers a new topic providing insight and wisdom for our everyday lives.
Simply [click here] to subscribe.
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CALENDAR & E-LETTER
ANNOUNCEMENT
DEADLINES!
____________________________________________
Mondays | Before Noon
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All announcements and newsletter requests must be made before Monday at noon in order to be included in that weeks communications. Also, any events that need to be added to the calendar must be added at least 3 weeks in advance. Please note, that events already on the calendar will take precedence. Thank you for your understanding!
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