From the Vicar... What is Jesus thinking in the Sermon on the Mount?
The gospel for this coming Sunday is once again from the Sermon on the Mount. I have to admit, there are times when, in doing my Bible study in preparation for Sunday, I find myself wondering, "What is Jesus thinking?" Are we really called to love those who harm us, those who oppress us, and even enemies intent on destroying us? Are we literally to offer those harming us the other cheek? Are we really to give those trying to steal our coat, our cloak as well? Then he tells us we are to offer to walk the extra mile, to give liberally to everyone who asks, to do good to those who persecute us. And somehow, it seems he even expects us to smile through it all. But it's the last line that really gets me: "Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." That kind of hyperbole, if that is what it is, is a sad reality that has driven many to despair, compulsion, perhaps even suicide. It isn't enough that many people drive themselves to perfection in their work and in their academic endeavors. The lives of saints are filled with tales of self-abuse. The path to human perfection has even led to schemes to rid the world of whole races of people. So what is Jesus really saying here? What did he mean by telling us to be perfect the way God is perfect? How can we be perfect, flawless, completely pure and whole? Surely Jesus must have had something else in mind, something that issues from his unique understanding of God. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is teaching the disciples about the coming of God's realm. It is a teaching deeply rooted in his understanding of the call of the Christian to be in close relationship with God. So when Jesus asks us to learn to love even our enemies, what does that mean for our relationship with God? What does it mean to no longer return evil for evil? In the end, it strikes me as meaning something will take that enmity's place: something will move us out of the place of hatred to a place of blessing and love. When love becomes a part of my very being, something of my relationship with God changes as profoundly as what changes in my relationships with others. Walking the extra mile, turning the other cheek, giving until it hurts is not about trying as hard as we can to love God and to love our neighbor. It is not about being perfectionists. It is about living in such a way that our inner hearts change. It is about allowing God's grace to work in our lives. After all that is how God lives with us. That is the possibility for which we were made. So it is about understanding how much God loves us and then allowing God's love to transform our lives so that we have all the love we need to pour out for others to become everything that God is calling us to be. Wouldn't that bring about God's realm here on earth? In Christ, Fr. Chip
Ash Wednesday, March 5
On Ash Wednesday, March 5th, Holy Eucharist, with the Imposition of Ashes, will be offered at 12:15 p.m. at Christ Church and at 6:00 p.m. at Trinity Church. The latter will be followed by the first session in Trinity's Lenten series, Via Media (see details below). Our Ash Wednesday services invite us to reflect on our lives and relationship with God, to bring renewal in our lives. The Imposition of Ashes reminds us of our mortality. The Eucharist reminds us of Christ's sacrifice for us and our new life in Christ. All baptized Christians (including children) are expected to attend one of these services. This is why we offer it in both churches, and invite "cross-attendance" based not on location but on convenience to the worshiper's schedule.
Our Shared Ministry Cycle of Prayer this week and next
Each week, in both of our churches, we pray for one ministry we share and one or two households in each church. About once every six weeks, we will instead using the Shared Ministry Collect we prayed throughout the opening months of our Shared Ministry. In our prayers the next two weeks, we give God thanks for... |
Feb. 23
| Hampton Nursing Home Service; Craig Davis & Kris Ebbeson of Christ Church; Carol Dostie, Jane Eiras and family of Trinity Church | | Mar. 2 | The Bishop's Committees of both congregations; Ken, Lisa and Kayla Armstrong of Christ Church; Ayyad Erian and Dorothy Flynn of Trinity Church |
Looking beyond "Come and See" Join us for our "Via Media" Lenten program Via Media is a 6-week education series  open to anyone who is curious or interested in the Episcopal/Anglican tradition. Each of the Via Media sessions begins with a meal and then a short video about some aspect of our faith. A portion of our time together is dedicated to open discussion and conversation as well. All people are encouraged to ask questions and to learn how to answer their own questions of faith . At Trinity Church, Hampton... Sessions will be held Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. beginning Ash Wednesday, March 5. That evening, the program will begin with the Ash Wednesday liturgy in the church, followed by video and discussion in the adjoining Narthex. Subsequent sessions will be in the parish hall, Hobbs Hall, beginning with a simple soup and bread supper at 6:00 followed by the video and discussion. At Christ Church, Portsmouth... Sessions will be held Sundays at 12:00 noon beginning Sunday, March 9. Each session will begin with a soup and bread lunch in the Marshall Room (the room where coffee hour is held), and will continue with video and discussion in the classroom next door. Schedule of Sessions... Session 1: Anglican Way of Being Christian Mar. 5 in Hampton Mar. 9 in Portsmouth Session 2: God & Creation: The Abundance of God's Goodness Mar. 12 in Hampton Mar. 16 in Portsmouth Session 3: God in Jesus: An Incarnational Faith Mar. 19 in Hampton Mar. 23 in Portsmouth Session 4: God the Holy Spirit: The Breath of New Life Mar. 26 in Hampton Mar. 30 in Portsmouth Session 5: The Word of God for the People of God (The Bible) Apr. 2 in Hampton Apr. 6 in Portsmouth Session 6: So What? What does it mean to be a Christian today? Apr. 9 in Hampton Apr. 28* in Portsmouth
* skips Palm Sunday/Easter at Christ Church We are looking for Via Media discussion leaders for each church (two or three per church should meet our needs). If you can help, please speak with Fr. Chip. Training will be provided. Upcoming Weeks' Calendar
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February 22 Our second "Come and See" weekend
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5:00 p.m.
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Holy Eucharist, Rite One, at Trinity Church
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February 23
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8:45 a.m.
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Holy Eucharist, Rite Two, at Trinity Church
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10:30 a.m.
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Holy Eucharist, Rite Two, at Christ Church
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February 25
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7:00 p.m.
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Bishop's Committee (postponed from last week)
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March 1 Our third "Come and See" weekend
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5:00 p.m.
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Holy Eucharist, Rite One, at Trinity Church
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March 2
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8:45 a.m.
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Holy Eucharist, Rite Two, at Trinity Church
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10:30 a.m.
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Holy Eucharist, Rite Two, at Christ Church
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March 4 Shrove Tuesday
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6:00-8:00
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Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
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March 5 Ash Wednesday
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12:15 p.m.
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Ash Wednesday Liturgy at Christ Church
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6:00 p.m.
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Ash Wednesday Liturgy at Trinity Church
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7:00 p.m.
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"Via Media" - Session One at Trinity Church
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Let's say "Welcome!" by wearing our name tags When our "Come and See" team met in preparation  for our three "Come and See" Sundays, we talked about ways we can improve our culture of welcome for those who are new among us. One action we agreed to re-emphasize was the wearing of name tags. Now, to be sure, some of us are good about wearing our name tags - many, however, are not. And, to some extent, the problem lies as much in how we've displayed our name tags (particularly at Trinity) as in our discomfort at wearing them. Their previous location (practically hidden behind the coffee urns) was less than ideal - people walked right past them on arriving. To the end of helping us get back in the habit, we are making an effort to revitalize our name tag ministry. The first step in this is a new, more attractive display at Trinity that encourages their use much better than our former set-up. Secondly, we're going to get a bit more aggressive about asking you to wear them as you arrive. So, don't be put off if your greeter (or the Vicar or the Senior Warden!) insists. It really is that important. Please check the display to the left of the church entrance as you arrive this Sunday - and put your name tag on. If you don't find a tag with your name on it, there are blank extras on the table with the guest book. Make one up and slap it on! When we all are tagged we can better welcome our guests and show them we are doing our best to create a hospitable atmosphere.
Christ Church Announcements
Crossroads House, the homeless shelter just about across the street from us, can use your donations of non-perishable food, - personal toilet items, and clothing items such as sox, gloves, hats, sweaters and coats, or most anything else. Bring items and leave in the basket marked "Crossroads near the front door Intercessory Prayer Book: Do you have a prayer concern that you would like the people of Christ Church to pray for? If so you may add it to our Intercessory Prayer Book which is located in the chapel below the sculpture of the Good Samaritan. If you have an urgent concern, please contact the Vicar at the church office phone number or email. Adelynrood: If you are looking for a place to have a private retreat or attend a spiritually enriching program, Adelynrood Retreat and Conference Center in nearby Newbury, MA offers an inviting space and a group of wonderful programs. To see additional information, click here or talk to Betty Lane at Christ Church. Seeking women who like to sing: Women Singing Out, a chorus which practices and preforms here at Christ Church, welcomes any woman who likes to sing and would like to join us. Our rehearsals this semester begin Wed. Feb. 19, 2014 from 7-9 PM. For more information, see Betty Lane at Christ Church, or checkout our website at www.womensingingout.org | 
