Move Clocks Ahead One Hour On Saturday Night!!!!
The Christ Church Community Update
For Sunday, March 14, 2010
Whoever you are, and wherever you find yourself on the journey of faith, you are welcome at Christ Church, as you are, to receive the blessings of God so freely given.
Greetings!

I visited with a priest friend last Sunday in Boston, who offered me a chocolate cupcake at dessert, which was delicious, but then I noticed he had eaten none.  "I gave up chocolate for Lent," he said.  "What did you give up?"

"Nothing," I had to admit.  "There was nothing that I was willing to give up forever."  An argument ensued.  He insisted that Lenten sacrifice was just for the 40 days before Easter.  "After all," he said, "Jesus gave up food in the wilderness for 40 days, and then went back to eating after."  It was an odd conversation while watching the Academy Awards.

But I was basing my case on the Prodigal Son, whose story we tell as the gospel tomorrow morning (read it here).  He had left a loving home, lost everything he had, and was about to dissolve himself into a pig sty when he, as Jesus said in the telling, "came to himself."  That was the son's Lenten moment.  He gave up that which was destroying him, and he turned back toward home, only to find his father waiting for him with the open arms of embrace, not the harsh judgment of exclusion.  What the Prodigal Son gave up to get his life back, he was never going back to.

"If giving up something for Lent, making a sacrifice, draws you closer to the loving embrace of God, and keeps you out of the pig stys of life," I asked my friend the priest, "why wouldn't you give it up forever?"

What might you change in your life forever to be drawn into the loving embrace of God?  I think that might be the question to bring in our hearts this fourth Sunday of Lent.

But don't be late.  Move your clocks ahead one hour tonight.

All of fasting of Lent is preparation for the feast of Easter, this year on Sunday April 4. The schedule for Holy Week and Easter is found here.
This Sunday at Christ Church--March 14

9 AM--The Holy Eucharist and Penitential Order, hymns and sermon
10:10--The Rector's Forum--Exclusion or Embrace?  The Meaning of the Prodigal Son
11 AM--The Holy Eucharist and Penitential Order, with the choir, hymns and sermon

A SEASON OF MINISTRY

 

HIGHLIGHTED MINISTRIES FOR TODAY

 

 

Volunteering at Christ Church is much more than giving your time to help the Church, a ministry, or an outreach program.  By giving your time and talents, you will build relationships with others and strengthen your spiritual life.

 

Christ Church is currently seeking volunteers for...

 

Ushering: Ushers welcome and assist parishioners and guests at worship Services on Sundays and are also called upon to serve on special occasions, including Christmas and Easter. For the 9:00 Services, contact Kevin Kerchner at khkerchner@comcast.net.  For the 11:00 Services, contact Alison Fritz at afritz02@hotmail.com.

 

Gardeners: The garden committee is primarily responsible for the North Garden and the horticultural elements surrounding the main church building. Volunteer Gardeners meet the second Saturday of each month April through November.  Contact George Niedermayer at niedy711@aol.com.

 

Sages: A social group for the seasoned members of our congregation that periodically gather for a meal and various activities. Contact Kate Hall at cyprus8018@verizon.net or Jean Bodine at jeanbodine@verizon.net.

 

Youth Group. A spiritual and educational program for youth ages 11 to 17 years old, Journey to Adulthood takes teens on a journey both thoughtful and playful through deeper exploration.  The program also includes a confirmation class for youth around age 13.  Contact Chris Alvarez at alvac75@gmail.com
The Bridge Gathering

Those in their 20s, 30s, and 40s come together for shared journeys, justice work, and discussion in the group called the Bridge.  Sunday March 14 at 12:30 is our next gathering. Come have some lunch provided by the church, check in with each other, and get to know those newer to the community.  Copies of our discussion book, Money and Faith: The Search for Enough will be on hand.  Have questions or to rsvp, check with the Rev. Susan Richardson.

Sandwiches For The Homeless


Come join the crew of sandwich makers who monthly make 350 bologna sandwiches for the shelter at St. Mary's.  We gather next on Saturday, March 20, 8:30-9:30am. Kids love to help, too!  Questions?  Please contact Wayne Christman at waynechristman@comcast.net.


 

Parish Work Day


Please join us for our next parish work day, Saturday, March 20, 8:00A.M. to 2:00P.M. Come for an hour or two to help clean and polish the Church and Neighborhood House.  Many hands make light work, so join your fellow parishioners for some volunteer light labor, bring a friend and we'll all have fun doing it!  Let Jeanne Stuardi know you can help by contacting her at 215.922.1695, ext 36 or jstuardi@christchurchphila.org.


Dinner for the Homeless


Christ Church parishioners of all ages gather once a month at the homeless shelter at Old First Reformed, corner of 4th and Race Streets, 6 to 8 p.m., to create unique, excellent meals, and eat and enjoy fellowship with the men.  Plus, we need help the day before to head to the Italian market to buy fresh ingredients - go local, go green!  It's great to help those in need and to enjoy each other.  The next shelter dinner date is March 22.  Can you help, even for a few minutes?  For more info on shopping, cooking or serving the food, contact Nick DiPatri at ndipatri@gmail.com. 


Tea Sandwich makers needed


Christ Church needs about 1000 tea sandwiches for our festive Easter Sunday reception after the 11:00am Service on April 4.  One loaf of thinly sliced bread makes about 50 tea sandwiches, so we will need 20 or more parishioners to assist with this reception.  If you are able to contribute and/or need a good tea sandwich recipe, please contact Cecilia Wagner at 215-922-1695, ext. 21 or cwagner@christchurchphila.org.

 

Easter Memorials


At this time of year you have the opportunity to remember loved ones and to offer special thanks by making a donation to the Easter Flower Fund or to the Special Music Program. Donations to the Flower Fund will cover church decorating expenses for our Easter celebration.  Donations to the Special Music Program will be added to the Special Music Fund which augments our special services, such as Easter morning, with additional instruments.  Thank you for this generous gift. Please use the designated envelope found in your pews, or use new secure site.  You may also be in touch with Cecilia Wagner.


Keep up your contributions and pledges online

All of the snow has dampened both attendance and offerings at Christ Church, and cash flow for the operating budget is low.  If you have fallen behind on contributions, please consider catching up online.  Our new secure site for Christ Church allows you to make a one-time gift, or to set up regular recurring gifts for your pledge. 

Registration is required, but works like all similar sites.  For further instruction, or to make a financial commitment for 2010, please visit our Stewardship webpage.
What is the "Rector's Discretionary Fund?"

The Discretionary Fund, administered by the clergy, goes to help people in our midst who need direct and immediate help.  Currently, the fund is being asked to help with a security deposit for a displaced family, food, medicine and the like.  Loans are made from the fund, as are direct gifts.  The Fund is also used to help agencies known to the clergy as being effective with the poor and disadvantaged.  Designated gifts to the fund may be made on Sunday or through the mail, or through secure online giving (registration required).
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Telephone: 215.922.1695