|
Now the word of the Lord came to me saying,
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:4-5
Over-Coming our Short-Comings
For the next nine weeks, our readings from the Hebrew Scriptures will come from the Prophet Jeremiah, who lived in Jerusalem about 700 years before Jesus. His were tumultuous times marked by the infidelity of God’s people to their covenant and eventually the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. He is remembered in history as the “Weeping Prophet”, but he was also a fiery preacher and an advocate for justice.
This Sunday Jeremiah narrates his calling. Being a prophet was not his choice, but God’s. Even before conception, God says “I knew you … I consecrated you … I appointed you”. That’s a pretty heavy load to drop on a young boy.
The New Jerusalem Bible translation transmits his stuttering reply very directly from the Hebrew: “Ah, ah, ah, Lord Yahweh, you see I do not know how to speak: I am only a child”. But God is having nothing of it, replying “you must go to whom I send you, say what I command, and do not be afraid”. Much like Moses (who complained of a stutter) and Isaiah (who lamented that he had unclean lips) Jeremiah tries to step aside. God has other plans.
God sees what we cannot see. God knows that our short-comings and our deficiencies will be met with divine solutions. Moses’ stutter was aided by Aaron’s speaking. Isaiah’s fears of uncleanness are burned away with a coal from the incense burner in the Temple. Sunday, we will hear how God’s touch puts words in Jeremiah’s mouth, words that would shape his speaking for a lifetime.
God knows each of us, too. In baptism, we claim the consecration of our ministry to be who God wants us to be. Day by day, in listening and community, we find and refine our lives in the roles God has appointed for us.
Jeremiah’s life was rarely a happy one. He was persecuted, abused, shunned and nearly murdered. But he was always accompanied by God. Perhaps, God’s over-coming is the greatest message Jeremiah has for our day.
Peace,
Mark +
Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
| |
|
Please plan to join me for Evening Prayer,
Mon-Thurs at 5:00 PM beginning August 22nd
| |
|
This Sunday's Worship Service
| |
Please pray for: Robin Pender, Camilla Parrott, Susan Day Vansant, Frank Austin, Jena Darling, Heather Davis & Family, Darlene Martin, Lisa Stewart (RIP), Scott & Lynn Clark, Kevin & Sandy Harrel, Morgan Travis, Heather Sherbert, Donna Roland, Norma, Sharon McCain, Phillip T., Bob Dickey (RIP)-Carolyn Dickey & Family, Neil Brayton (RIP)-Brayton Family, Louise Price (RIP), Charlie & Kim Willard & Family, Caden Link, Rusty Baban, Bob Schuknecht, Gayle Wilcox, Pam Hartlove, Angela Pero & Tim, Ray Siegler, Josh Valentine, Carly Clancy, Aunt Nancy (RIP), Ray Bond, Max Fleishel & Danielle, The Pensyl Family, Bob Wheatley, Juby & Justin, Jim Slater, Crystal Dorband, Susan., Mike Jacobs (RIP)-Jacobs/Barney Family, Paul Ray (RIP)-Liz, Ray & Family, Suzanne Roszell, Anne Stewart, Anneliesse Jones, Joan Cammarata, Elaine Weschler (RIP)-MaryLu (sister-in-law)
Prayer Requests can be sent to prayer@ccpki.org
| |
|
Acolytes: Yes, Youth Can!
Nothing tops an extra set of hands. This is especially true in Church.
Acolytes help with the many tasks of serving a congregation in worship. They light candles, help with the reading of the Gospel and the Offering, and ring the Bells. It’s interesting work up close to the action.
Anyone 4th Grade and older is encouraged to try serving as an acolyte. It’s a fun way to worship; and it helps other people. We know we will have some Junior Acolytes who will learn the jobs at their own pace.
We’re putting the new schedule together beginning with Sunday services on September 18. Please contact:
Patti Snyder pattilee_snyder@hotmail.com 410-739-8094 or
Jone Taylor jonast21@gmail.com 706-248-2400 if you want to know more.
And look for an Acolyte Training and Pizza Party coming soon.
| |
|
20 x 23 Choir Campaign is Here, and
We Need Your Voice!
This past Spring you read about our goal to have 20 members in our Parish Choir by the end of 2023. Now is that time for us to achieve our goal! If you have sung in the choir in the past, have considered singing in the choir, or just like to sing, now is the time to join the choir. No formal training is necessary, and auditions are not required.
One of the great features of our choir is that we do not routinely have weeknight rehearsals! Rehearsals are held after the 10 a.m. service on Sundays, so the general time commitment (including the worship service) is from about 9:15-12:30 on Sunday mornings.
The choir is a powerful small group of singers who care deeply about each other while we walk together on our spiritual journey. By leading our singing, the choir provides a crucial component of worship each week and at the same time offers great rewards to those who participate. By singing with the choir, you will learn more about music, singing, and how to work as a cohesive group.
If you are interested in joining the choir for the 22-23 season, please talk to Gary Van Essen (music@ccpki.org) or any choir member. And plan to join us at our kickoff breakfast and rehearsal on Saturday, September 10th from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
| |
Ways to Support Christ Church
-
Electronic Giving: Click Here
-
Text to Give by texting CCPKI to 73256
-
Bank: Have your bank send a check or make an ACH transfer
-
By Check: CCPKI 830 Romancoke Rd. Stevensville MD 21666
| |
|
SHOPPING ON AMAZON
Why not support the ministries of Christ Church at the same time? Simply add Christ Church as your preferred charity and the Amazon will donate 0.5% of the sale directly to CCPKI.
Click HERE for more information.
| |
|
Shand Hall Update
The ceiling painters’ work started on Wednesday, August 3rd, and wrapped up on Friday, August 5th. The wall and trim painting will began on Monday, August 15th and will be completed by August 27th. The new carpeting will be installed during the last week of August.
There will be a bit of rearranging of some activities during the process, and our goal is to minimize disruptions to the Lutheran worship schedule and other groups’ use of Shand Hall during the project. It’s very exciting to look forward to!
If you have questions or concerns, please contact Brenda Faulkner at 410.643.5921 or christchurchki@gmail.com.
| |
|
From the Office of the Bishop
80th General Convention of the Episcopal Church Deputation Reporting
Thursday, August 25th
7:00pm via Zoom
| |
Dear Diocesan Family,
The Deputation to General Convention from the Diocese of Easton will be making a report to the diocese on Thursday August 25th beginning at 7pm, via Zoom. You are invited to come and learn about General Convention; how it was shortened due to COVID concerns and about the resolutions that were passed. This is an opportunity to see how the wider Episcopal Church works beyond the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
The Zoom meeting will open at 6:50 and the meeting is expected to last for about an hour and a half with plenty of time for questions and answers.
We hope that you will come and learn about this interesting part of our common life of faith.
Patrick Collins is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84178956425?pwd=SlE2UFhLSHdzZlgvS3ZNUno5QVRQdz09
Meeting ID: 841 7895 6425
Passcode: 413784
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,84178956425# US (Washington DC)
Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 841 7895 642
| | | | | |
