My soul shall live for him; my descendants shall serve him; *
they shall be known as the Lord's for ever.
Psalm 22:19
Moving from Pain to Praise: Walking with Holy Scripture
Our Lenten Walk this year asks us to embody our prayer and our faith. Adding intention to our daily movements and movement to our daily prayer can help us live healthier, more spiritually balanced lives.
In Adam Hamilton’s book The Walk, the second essential practice of the Christian Life is Study. Now study might seem to be the complete opposite of walking. When we were in school, study mostly meant sitting in your room or at your desks reading something. We might take notes or try to figure out what was going to be on the exam; but we didn’t often break into a sweat.
Today, I see study as fuel for my physical walking. Just as I need to eat well and get plenty of fluids; study fuels my soul and my mind for walking. When I am moving, I find my internal thoughts are freed up to consider things I cannot “solve” at my desk. You might be surprised how much of my preaching comes out on the Cross Island Trail. Sometimes it’s an encounter with a heron or a big snapping turtle; but often it is simply the rhythm of my steps and my breath which bring a gospel message into focus.
Jesus knew the scriptures. He read them in the synagogue. He quoted them among the crowds. He spoke of their fulfillment and he asked people to join him in proclaiming Good News. Study requires us to open the Bible, not so much as an instruction manual, but a love letter from God.
On Good Friday, we will hear Jesus’ cry of anguish from the cross, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” This is a terrible moment. It is frightening to imagine God abandoning this beloved child. Most of you probably know that these words are from the opening of Psalm 22. The text, which was probably 900 years old when Jesus recited it, includes images that foreshadow the horrors of crucifixion: “my bones are out of joint”; “my heart within my breast is melting wax”; “my mouth is dried out like a pot-sherd”. Finally, the Psalmist says, “you have laid me in the dust of the grave”.
On the 2nd Sunday in Lent, we read the second half of this Psalm. I am always astonished to see how the agony of the first 21 verses is transformed into a song of praise to God. “Praise the Lord, you that fear him”; “all the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord”. It becomes a song of praise and real joy as the poor are fed and even “those who go down to the dust fall before him (in worship)”.
Could it be that in his last moments, Jesus was telling us the real end of the story? Could it be that by studying the whole psalm we can grow in knowledge and trust that God will not abandon us? Studying the Bible with our bodies and minds can open deeper channels of love and appreciation for God’s care.
Peace,
Mark +
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Funeral Rescheduled
The service for Phil Horney will be held Saturday, Feb 20th at 11am
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This Sunday's Worship Service
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Please pray for: Our Country, Rosa Andolfatto (RIP)-Rosemary Murtha & Family, Avery, Margie Blood (RIP), Aubree Burton, Jerry Catron (RIP) -Mike Catron & Family, Chris, Lynn & Scott Clark, Joan Coleman, Bill Coppage (RIP), Deny, Ella-3-year old, Jim Ewing, Elizabeth Fehrenbacher, Susan Fralic, John Gilbert (RIP)-Wyna & Family, Steve Guy, Phil Horney (RIP)-Joyce & Family, Chalk Jewell, Larisa, Rose McMonegal, Heidi Mlynarski, The National Guard, Tess Nelson (RIP)-Tim Aland & Family, John Perkins, Bill O’Rourke, Michael Robertson, Lois & Bud Rys, Zuhair Sadiq, Jeffrey Thomas, Becky Unger, Geoff Young (RIP)
Prayer Requests can be sent to prayer@ccpki.org
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Christian Formation
There are Lent family activity baskets available at the church if you would like some ideas for your family during the season of Lent. Please pick up your family’s basket on Sunday between 8:30-9:30. Please join me on "Wednesday with Winnie" for more information about Lent. This week we focus on the 5 Finger prayer using our hand to guide us in praying for our family and friends, teachers and those that guide us, our church and government leaders, the sick and those most in need, and ourselves.
In “Lessons with Lisa” we learn why Jesus went into the desert and how to make space for the Kingdom of God that is inside us. Sweeping your heart clean by forgiving ourselves and others is a way to make space. Another way is to share what you are given with others especially those who have less than you. Winnie and I hope you will join us as we continue to make room for God in our hearts. For more information about Lent. formation@ccpki.org
Peace,
Miss Lisa and Winnie
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Save the Dates
Lenten ZOOM Book Study Feb 23, Mar 2, 9, 16 & 23
Membership Class Sundays Feb 21 through Mar 21 at 5:00 pm
Please contact Fr. Mark for more information on joining Christ Church. frmark@ccpki.org
Communion Pick-Up: Sat 9:30 to Noon and Sun 8:30 – 9:45am
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Lenten Book Study
Everyone is welcome to join us. Book not required.
Tuesday Nights February 16 to March 23 @ 7:00 pm
How do we walk with Christ—daily follow him, grow in him, and faithfully serve him? In the Gospels, Jesus modeled for us the Christian spiritual life. The apostles taught it in their writings. And the Church has, through the last 2,000 years, sought to pursue this Christian spiritual life.
In The Walk, Adam Hamilton focuses on five essential spiritual practices that are rooted in Jesus’ own walk with God and taught throughout the New Testament. Each of these practices is intended as part of our daily walk with Christ while also being an essential part of growing together in the church.
The Book is available in Hardback or Kindle versions. Call the church for ordering help.
Meeting ID: 820 0238 8963
Passcode: 814614
< or> Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
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TRY OUT EfM??
Want to find out what EfM (Education for Ministry) is all about? Attend (via ZOOM) two EfM sessions during Lent (on Tuesday, 3/30, & Tuesday, 4/6, 6-8 PM) with absolutely no commitment to join or go any further with the Program.
Here’s how it works: Every year our EfM group has two periods we call “Interim Reading”. We stop what we’re studying individually (Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, Modern Theology), and we all read a selected short book which we then spend two sessions discussing. We invite guests to join us.
This year’s “Interim Reading” book is HOSPITABLE PLANET, by Stephen Jurvoicks. If you want to join us on 3/30 and 4/6, you’ll need to obtain a copy of the book (borrow from a current EfM member or buy used on Amazon.com) and read it before 3/30.
Let one of the EfM Mentors listed below know if you’re interested. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience EfM and see what you think. It may open doors to new growth for you! efm@ccpki.org
EfM Mentors:
Connie Clark, Bluette Blinoff, Adele Sadiq, Ann Sieracki
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BROAD CREEK CEMETERY NEWS
The Broad Creek Cemetery Committee had made its' calendar for the next few months. The committee always needs new members (we have a good time at our meetings) and need help at our clean-ups. Join us when you can!
March 1,2021-meeting
March 20, 2021 - clean-up
March 27, 2021 - rain date for clean-up
April 5, 2021 -meeting
May 3, 2021-meeting
June 7, 2021 - meeting
June 19, 2021 - Service of Remembrance - held at the cemetery
Clean-up jobs can include: painting the fence, picking up sticks and branches, mulching, weeding, oiling the benches, raking, setting cornerstones ...
There are some tools there or you can bring your own comfortable ones. Tools needed: rakes, shovels, chain saws, loppers, snips, hand tools
Betsy Sipes, Secretary 410-643-4083
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Meals Needed for Shelter
We are asking your help by providing an evening meal for our SIX guests at Haven Ministries any night between Feb 27 -March 1. We need a main dish-meat and veggie casserole or pasta type casserole with a side of bread/roll. A green salad would be nice also. We cannot use the kitchen at KIUMC for any type of cooking so the casseroles should be fully cooked and ready to serve when dropped off.
If you would like to volunteer for any of the nights please contact Leslie Schneider at 410-310-4085 or lschneider3@msn.com.
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Ways to Support Christ Church
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Electronic Giving: Click Here
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Text to Give by texting CCPKI to 73256
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Bank: Have your bank send a check or make an ACH transfer
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By Check: CCPKI 830 Romancoke Rd. Stevensville MD 21666
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Please join us on February 21st, 2021 from 4-6 pm on Zoom where Clayton Washington of the KAACHC will share the stories of seven local African American community members whose lives have impacted Queen Anne's County. Following Mr. Washington's presentation will be a brief question and answer session, then a facilitated discussion in smaller breakout groups.
Please, RSVP using this Eventbrite link, or the link below by Friday, February 19th, 2021.
You are most welcome to share this event with other Queen Anne's County neighbors, friends, and family. We look forward to seeing you!
-The Sunday Supper Committee
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Christ Church Parish Kent Island| 410-643-5921 | office@ccpki.org | ccpki.org |
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