August 27, 2020

  
 
credit: Life Magazine, December 1994, p. 60

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost 
August 30, 2020 at 9 a.m.



Join us on Facebook at 9 a.m. to watch our live service. You can watch on our website as well.



Missed last Sunday's sermon, want to read it, or re-watch the service? 
You can by clicking here.
       

COLLECT FOR THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen Please click here for this week's readings.

Table
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Please click the link below to jump to the desired section.

Organ Notes Franz Liszt--Say hey, good lookin', Whatcha got cookin'?
Health Links - Racial Justice, Gun Safety, Domestic Violence, Food Security

       
OrganNotes
ORGAN NOTES: Franz Liszet - Say hey, good lookin', Whatcha got cookin'?
By Linnea Wren

What do a Hollywood leading man and a Hungarian organ composer have in common? When it comes to Brad Pitt (b. 1963) and Franz Liszt (1811-1886) - a lot. A short list would include soulful good looks; splashy relationships with stunning women; relentless media coverage; legions of adoring fans; and off-the-charts career success. Brad Pitt's romantic life is well-known to most. Liszt's included a French (married) countess and a Polish (also married) princess.
 
Born in a small village in Hungary, Liszt was a childhood prodigy. His talents attracted support from wealthy aristocratic patrons who paid for his music studies. In Vienna, the eleven year old Liszt met Beethoven and Schubert; in Paris, the twenty-one year old Liszt attended a charity concert for victims of the cholera epidemic, organized by Niccolo Paganini. Liszt's ambition was formed-to become as great a virtuoso on the piano as Paganini was on the violin. Advances in piano technology enabled Liszt to develop bravura techniques with spectacular effects.
 
A brilliant concert pianist, Liszt was also a prolific composer. Most of his work is for the piano and requires a prodigious technique. But Liszt was also interested in the organ. He occasionally played the organ, utilizing his astounding keyboard skills but relying on an assistant to play the pedal keyboard. And he wrote approximately 40 works for the organ.
 
The Prelude and Fugue on B-A-C-H is one of Liszt's most extensive and original organ works. Composed in 1856, it is based on a theme using the notes B-A-C-H (in German nomenclature). This combination of four notes has been used by several composers, starting with J. S. Bach himself in the unfinished final fugue of The Art of Fugue. Rich harmonic possibilities and a whole range of figurative and rhythmic variations are unfolded by Liszt from this single theme.
 
Six years later, Liszt's 26 year old daughter Blandine died shortly after childbirth. As a vehicle for his grief, Liszt composed a cycle of variations on Bach's cantata Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen, BWV 12 (Weeping, Wailing, Mourning, Trembling). During his childhood in Doborjan, Liszt could scarcely have even heard the organ. Spurred on by Mendelssohn, he had, in his thirties, started to study Bach's music. He found in the harrowing, doleful opening chorus a vehicle for his own grief. Liszt's fifty-odd variations unfold the four-bar bass progressions that exploit the full capacities of the organ.
 
We will hear the full capacities of the symphonic organ that Liszt himself heard in the Cavaille-Coll organ we are acquiring at Christ Church. And then we will hear a musical answer to Hank Williams' (future) question, "How's about cookin' something up with me?"

 
REGATHERING
REGATHERING TEAM UPDATE

In-Person Worship
In late June, the Regathering Team decided Christ Church should continue worship on-line only, and that the Team would Zoom again in mid-October to reevaluate that decision after schools have been open for six or so weeks, based on the most current health data. Last week, the Team checked in with one another and reaffirmed that initial course of action. Although we long for the fellowship of in-person worship, our virtual worship is what love looks like for now. Please contact any member of the team or Nick with questions or concerns.
Regathering Team: Joe Barr, Abbey Carr, Brian Mukherjee, Annie Russell, Nancy Stern, and Nick Morris-Kliment, Rector

Renters Update
We are sad to announce First Bridge has closed. After 23 years operating the wonderful preschool, Amy and Jill are retiring. We wish them well on their next chapter! Total Eclipse Dance Studio is offering a reduced in-person class schedule and virtual classes as well. Nick and the Property Committee continue to work closely with the other renters, as well as community groups (12-step, Scouts, etc) to determine how and when they will return to the space.
The Office is Open
The church office is open and operating on its usual summer schedule (M-Th, 9am-1pm). If you have church business, please ring the new doorbell at the Rosemary Street entrance and we will let you in. Please give us a moment to get to the door. All visitors are required to wear masks and sign in.

 
news
NEWS FROM DIOMASS

Presiding Bishop Curry Joins Denominational Leaders in Amicus Brief before Supreme Court in support of rights of same-sex couples and the appropriate place of religious liberty.

Celebrate the Season of Creation September 1 - October 4. Online resources found here.


 
prayershawl
POCKET PRAYER SHAWL 


The Knitting Ministry is knitting and mailing pocket prayer shawls. If you or someone you know needs one, please email the office.



 
helpworshippppp
HELP WITH SERVICE 

Interested in helping to lead Sunday Morning Prayer from the Chapel safely with masks and physical distancing in place? Email Nick to see if reading lessons and leading the intercessions feels right for you. The schedule is hereSometime in the fall we plan to have in place the systems which will allow participation from church and home during live broadcasts.

 
sanct
SANCTUARY GARDEN CARE

We are looking for volunteers to help care for our lovely Sanctuary Garden. 
The tasks include light weeding, dead-heading, and keeping walkways and benches clean. No watering or lawn care is required.  

You are welcome to come when works for you, but please keep physical distancing of at least 6 feet and wear a mask. You can also sign up here. Email the office with questions. Your help is much appreciated!


refreshingprayers

Please email the office with your prayers for inclusion in Sunday worship.




supportingcommnei
SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS AND COMMUNITY

Christ Church has deep ties to these organizations that continue to offer services and support to those in need during the pandemic. Donations in any amount are truly appreciated. It is one way to keep loving our neighbor as Jesus teaches.

MANNA has expanded their mission to be a place of solace, peace, and nourishment for those who have nowhere else to go just now, and the new costs are significant. Donate online here. Scroll down on the options drop-down menu to Monday Lunch.

The Needham Community Council is keeping the Food Pantry open and will continue to provide food supplies to Needham residents. Click here to learn how you can donate.

Circle of Hope is offering contactless emergency deliveries to partner shelters. Click here to link directly Emergency Response Wish List.

B-Safe continues to offer virtual and financial support to the young people it serves and their communities.  Donate to the SSYP Pandemic Relief fund here.


HealthLinks
Health Links: Racial Justice, Gun Safety, Domestic Violence and Food Security

RACIAL JUSTICE 

GUN SAFETY   
 
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE     
REACH   

FOOD SECURITY
Sign up to shop at the Food Pantry here



WeekAhead
THE WEEK AHEAD

Monday, August 31
11:00 a.m.     Staff meeting

Tuesday, September 1
8:00 a.m.      Men's Prayer (via Zoom, email Stan for the invitation) 
7:00 p.m.      Property Committee

Wednesday, September 2
7:00 p.m.      Lectio Divina (via Zoom, email Heidi for the invitation)

Sunday, September 6
9:00 a.m.     Morning prayer via FaceBook
10:00 a.m.   Coffee hour (via Zoom, link in Friday's email)

QuickLinks
QUICK LINKS
Just click on the links below for...

Summer Office Hours

Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

If you or someone in your family is in the hospital or in need of pastoral care, please call the church office so that our clergy or the Pastoral Response Ministry team may be notified and tend to the need. The office number is 781-444-1469, and you can reach Nick at ext. 113.