The law of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul; *
the testimony of the Lord is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent.
Psalm 19:7
Reading God’s Precepts at Broad Creek
It seems sad to me that we have no images of the Broad Creek Churches. The three buildings: 1652, 1712 and 1826 probably reflected the eras of their construction. Maryland in the 1650s was polarized by the struggles of the English Civil War as Roman Catholics (aligned with English Royalists) and William Claiborne (aligned with the Parliamentarians) fought in the courts and on the Chesapeake Bay. The first Broad Creek Church was probably a small brick rectangle (like the Old Wye Church to our east). By 1712, the population of Maryland had grown four-fold and a new building was constructed and then enlarged in 1748. Sadly, the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 brought on the decline of this building. The 1826 Church was constructed after the near collapse of its predecessor. Only 50 years later, most of the residents of Broad Creek had moved into the growing village of Stevensville, where “the Old Church” we now know was consecrated in 1880.
One item which most certainly would have been inside these early churches was “God’s Precepts”, also known as Commandment Boards. In 1561 Queen Elizabeth I ordered that every church have the Ten Commandments displayed on the East Wall of the church (where the altar was). By 1604, King James I decreed that the Apostles Creed and the Lord’s Prayer be added to the display. Examples of these Commandment Boards can be seen at the Old Wye Church, Old Trinity Church Creek and numerous other ancient and restored churches.
This placement of “God’s Precepts” in church interiors directly reflects the place of the commandments in the Book of Common Prayer. At Baptism, in older versions of the BCP, Godparents were instructed: “YE are to take care that this Child be brought to the Bishop to be confirmed by him, so soon as he can say the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer and the Ten Commandments in the vulgar Tongue, and be further instructed in the Church Catechism set forth for that purpose.”
This Sunday, we will hear the account of the giving of the 10 Commandments from Exodus 20. This moment represents the initiation of the newly freed Children of Israel as God’s own people. As the Psalmist writes: “the Law of the Lord revives the soul and gives wisdom to the innocent”.
Our ancestors on this island would have heard the Ten Commandments recited every Sunday. They would have seen them as they knelt at the altar rail for communion. They would have recited them to the bishop at their confirmation. We do well to honor God’s Precepts by writing them in our heart and then displaying them with our lives.
Peace,
Mark +
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Easter Flower Offering
If you would like to honor the memory of a loved one or give thanks for a special someone in your life with a flower offering for Easter Sunday, please CLICK HERE to contribute.
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Memorial Service
The service for Betty Adams will be held
Saturday, March 13th at 3pm via Zoom
Meeting ID: 970 3024 2100
Passcode: 461211
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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, Woody Garrison, Jr. (RIP)-Tom Christensen & Family, John Gilbert (RIP)-Wyna & Family, Steve Guy, Phil Horney (RIP)-Joyce & Family, Benjamin Janes (RIP), Chalk Jewell, Larisa, Rose McMonegal, Heidi Mlynarski, The National Guard, Tess Nelson (RIP)-Tim Aland & Family, John Perkins, Bill O’Rourke, Rob Ray (RIP), 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
Feel the peace of our church as we tour the Sanctuary on “Lessons with Lisa’. It is definitely a quiet, calm place to worship God. We are so fortunate to have such a tranquil place to celebrate with others and talk to God. Jesus (John 2:13-22) enters into a chaotic scene when he walks into the Temple. There are cows, chickens and money changers. How can one be still and listen to God in such a noisy mess. Jesus decided to clean it up and threw everyone out of the Temple. In the same way we need to clean up our ‘temple”, the temple inside each one of us. Think about ways to get still and listen to God. Remember to be kind to others and help out where you can. Lent is a good time to take an inner inventory and make changes. We can all try to be kinder and more helpful to others.
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 Pray, Fast and Give Chart. It is an easy and fun way to practice being kind, helpful, thoughtful, and generous. What a great way to prepare ourselves for Easter!
Winnie and I hope you have a blessed week.
Peace,
Miss Lisa and Winnie
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Save the Dates
Lenten ZOOM Book Study Mar 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 through 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.
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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 has 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 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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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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Haven Ministries would love your help at Our Daily Thread Thrift Store, our new Food Pantry Truck, and the Hope Warehouse.
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Our Daily Thread Thrift Store, located at 425 Thompson Creek Road, in Stevensville, (in a small strip mall near Cracker Barrel), needs volunteers to work 3 hour shifts one or more times a month. The store is open Monday through Saturday with one shift from 10 am to 1 pm and the other shift from 1 pm to 4 pm. Three volunteers usually work each shift, sorting and putting donations in the shop, selling, and arranging displays. Lifting is not required. To volunteer or get additional information, please contact Liz Bazzell at 410-353-0455. If you cannot volunteer, feel free to come in and shop! You may make donations by calling 410-353-0455 for an appointment.
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On Tuesdays and Fridays, the Haven Ministries Food Pantry Truck is on the parking lot of Faith Bible Church in Sudlersville serving those in need in that area. Two people work each of the following shifts: Tuesdays: 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, and 3:30 pm - 7 pm; and Fridays 8:30 am - 2:30 pm and 3:30 pm - 7 pm. Volunteers are requested to work one to two shifts per month. Volunteers assist clients with checking in, getting groceries into their car, and answering their questions, help restock and straighten shelves, and assist with monthly inventory count. Volunteers need to dress for the weather, do some lifting of food, and wear comfortable closed-toed shoes. The food bank is a very rewarding opportunity! If you would like to volunteer or want more information please contact Gail Lundberg at 410-443-7696.
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The Hope Warehouse, located at 6527 Friels Road, Queenstown (pink and white dome-shaped building off of Rte. 301 near the Queenstown Outlets) would also love some additional volunteers. Volunteer shifts are from 10 am to 1 pm, and 1 pm to 4 pm Wednesday through Saturday. Volunteers usually work in pairs greeting and helping customers and donors, ringing up sales, sorting and displaying donations, and answering the phone. Volunteers able to move furniture are especially desired, but all volunteers are welcome! To volunteer or get additional information, call Susan Phillips at 410-490-8498.
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Christ Church Parish Kent Island| 410-643-5921 | office@ccpki.org | ccpki.org |
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