January 16th
Here is the sermon topic for tomorrow:
Shining a light on Mary’s role in this story, what do you read between the lines about her words and actions in Cana?
The Gospel Reading
John 2:1-11
2 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” 5His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. 9When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom 10and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
Join us at 8am and 10am.
Masks are required
at all functions
inside church property.
Worship with us in person or online.
|
Never Underestimate
By Sue Carvalho
“Never underestimate the power of a smile, a prayer, a home cooked meal, a phone call, a hug, a card, a message, a visit, taking time to listen, just being there. These are the things that make the days of our journey bearable. Share them with someone in your life.”
These words were written by the parents of a child who had died after a long illness. My friend was going through some papers (she was a teacher) and came across this and posted it on Facebook. These words could apply to so many of us.
It feels as if the sadness is endless for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Sadly, I know too many people who during 2021 lost someone suddenly, unexpectedly and always too soon. What can you say, what can you do? These are the moments when the simple gestures mean so much. Sadly, we express our sympathy in a Facebook post instead of a card or a call. I am still old fashioned and prefer to send a card through the mail.
Recently Steve and I have become part of another community. A gated 55 and over community in Florida. We will be a part of this community for about six months at a time. It is amazing the power that a community can have. People want to feel they belong and that they are a part of something. To know you are a part of something warm and inviting is even more amazing. The simple gestures have such a ripple effect. I am in heaven in this community as I get to bake and bring goodies to neighbors recuperating from surgeries. Prayer shawls always have a home and hugs are welcome anywhere.
I write this and talk about community and the simple gestures because our community, Christ Church, needs our help in order to stay a community. If you read this and realize it’s been a while since you have been to Christ Church, ask yourself why? If it is because of COVID or perhaps life is busy and Sunday morning is the only day you get to sleep, I get it. It’s not always easy to get motivated. Sometimes we need to do those things that are not easy to do. Once we become disconnected it is so hard to reconnect. My Dad used to tell me our lives are like a 78 rpm record. The outside of the record are the younger years and as we get older, they are like the inside, moving quicker by the minute. Before we know it, our life has gone by. Before we know it the life of Christ Church will go by. What would that mean to you? For Steve and me we would miss this community. I would miss this connection to God and my fellow neighbor. What can you do to help in the life of Christ Church, your church, our church? I would love to see you in church, have you made a pledge? When you think of Christ Church how you do feel? I feel blessed that I was married in this church as well as received and have made some wonderful friends through the years. They certainly have become a part of my family. Now as we contemplate a collaboration with St. Luke’s I feel a sense of joy knowing that we will be able to diversify this wonderful community of ours. We learn the most from those who are not like us (or we think are not like us). Every day is a new day full of possibility to make a connection through a simple gesture. Each of us needs to make these simple gestures to stay connected and keep the community of Christ Church alive. Praise God from who all blessings flow………
|
Our Prayer List
Al B., Ali, Alice K., Amanda T., Ann J., Annette L. Ashley, B. Joyce D., Barbara M., Barbara P., Beverly S., Bill B., Bill T., Bob B., Bobby C., Brian B., Brian V., Bruce B., Carol A., Carol T., Charles O., Cherie B., Cheryl A., Christopher I., Claudine S., Dale D., Daniel P., David P, Debbie M., Deborah H., Desiree, Dick N., Donna T., Dorothy P., Dylan B., Ed G., Emmett, Gloria I., Hank F., Hannah L., Heather O., Helen H., Hunter., Jack D., James S., Jan G., Jan W., Janice B, Janice T., Jason S., Jeannette W., Jenny, Joan, Jo-Ann M., Jody F., John B., John C., John G., Judy B., Judy F., Julie C., Julie G., Julie S., June R., Kathleen L. Kimberly M, Kristin F., Larry W., Laurie T., Lawrence A., Lea V., Libby H., Lisa E., Manuel R., Mark A., Mark B., Mark W., Marsha G., Mary Alice M., Mary Lou, Michael F., Missie S., Nan S. Nancy B, Nancy H., Otto, Pat G., Pauline G., Rachel S., Raymond D., Raymonde F., Rebecca J., Rhonda F., Richard S., Rob L., Robert H., Robert S., Robin S., Sandra B., Simona X., Simone B., Steve B., Steve C., Sue S., Terry L., Tom K., Tony F.,Vicki W., Waylon D., Will H.
*Please contact the office to add people or update our prayer list. For privacy reasons, we do not use last names.
|
Parish Office Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday
and
Thursday
10am-3pm.
Christ Episcopal Church
57 Main Street
Swansea, MA 02777
Christ ChurchSwansea.org
Parish Office 508-678-0923
ChristChurchSwansea@yahoo.com
Al Deston, Minister of Music
Susan Correira, Office Administrator
The Reverend Alan R. Hesse
Fralan@verizon.net
508-505-5668 (during business hours)
|
|
Parish Calendar
January 30th-Budget Conversation Meeting 9am
February 8th Tuesday-Vestry Meeting 6:30
February 11th-Friday-Meal Ministry at Church of Our Savior 4-6pm
February 12th Saturday-Ham & Bean Supper
February 13th Annual Meeting
Annual meeting Reports should be turned into the office by February 1st.
Vestry Nomination forms are in the back of the church. You may nominate yourself or another parishioner in good standing.
|
|
Masks are required
at all functions
inside church property.
Worship with us in person or online.
|
|
Christ Church
57 Main Street, Swansea, Ma 02777
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
