Keeping Connected June 27, 2025 | | |
Connect Virtually
We will continue using our new live streaming equipment. You may access our Sunday morning worship service via our YouTube Channel and our Facebook page.
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Summer Sunday Worship Schedule Changes
Starting June 15, Christ Church will transition to our summer worship schedule. We warmly invite you to join us for our Saturday service of Holy Eucharist at 5pm or Sunday service of Holy Eucharist at 9am.
Following the Sunday 9am service, we will be gathering for a delightful tradition: Lemonade on the Lawn. This is more than just refreshments; it's an opportunity to mingle, connect, and bask in the sunshine together. We'd love to see you there!
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Dear Ones of Christ Church,
It is a blessing to be back with you after some vacation time away. We have entered the season after Pentecost, also known as Ordinary Time—ordinary in the sense that the weeks are numbered by ordinal numbers (The third week after Pentecost, the fourth week after Pentecost, etc), and ordinary in the sense of both our liturgical year and our earthly lives—we live in the “ordinary” time after Jesus’s resurrection and ascension. Gifted at Pentecost with the Holy Spirit as our guide, in these ordinary days, Christians are called to actively wait, pay attention, pray, and minister, remembering what Jesus teaches: that even as we long for Advent, even as we yearn for Jesus to return and for God’s kingdom to come, the kingdom of God is here, among us (Luke 17:20-21).
The liturgical color of ordinary time is green, which for us in the northern hemisphere matches with all of the green around us now in summer. How are you connecting (or not connecting) with this green season of ordinary time and of summer?
Taking time to connect with green, growing, nature, creation may sound frivolous, in a time of multiple wars, of growing authoritarianism, of fractious religious and political divisions. It is not frivolous, but rather essential. Jesus lived in such a time, too. And he regularly took time away, to go to the mountains, to gardens, to deserted places in nature, to pray and connect with God. I believe Jesus’s regular times of prayer in nature are examples to us, and are just as instructive to us as his other actions and teachings.
During the mornings of ordinary time I wake very early and sit in silence in the green of our small yard. There are plants, and birds, and flowers. I am reminded that I am a creature, like them. I am reminded of my interconnectedness with them and with God who creates all of us from love. It is this love that sustains me, sustains us, connects us with one another and with all living things, the same love that undergirds our lives and callings—whether we are called to healing, or teaching, or caregiving, or activism, or art, or hospitality, or study, or witnessing, or prayer, or service, or to resting and receiving care, we need regular reminders of God’s love for us and for all of creation. Jesus teaches us that we need a regular spiritual practice of prayer. As we approach Independence Day in our country’s secular calendar, may the Church’s season of ordinary time, Jesus’s ministry of prayer in nature, and the greening around us remind us of our shared dependence on God’s love and of our interdependence with one another and our neighbors: humans, animals, insects, and plants.
Yours in Christ,
Melissa+
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Finances
Last week we received in over $4965. When giving online, be sure to change the 'Fund' to 'Pledges' so your contribution goes toward your pledge.
Thank you for your loving support of Christ Church.
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Thank You!!
Many thanks to all the teachers, students, and families for an AWESOME 2024-2025 Church School year! Stay tuned for information about summer events and registration for the 25/26 school year!
| | | | It's here! This Sunday, 6/29 at Nelson Park, from 11a-5p! The Thrift Shoppe made a generous outreach donation to Plymouth Pride this year making Christ Church parish a Rainbow sponsor at the Plymouth Pride Festival! Come visit our booth from 11am - 5p with face painting and materials about our lovely home. Pride is a joyful way to greet and meet our neighbors, show support and solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, and share about Christ Church and who we are, our ministries and our worship services. | |
A burial service in thanksgiving and celebration for the life of Norman Zinger will be held at Christ Church on Tuesday, July 8th at 10am. You can read and pray with Norm’s obituary at this link.
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Evening Women’s Group
The Evening Women's Group will be meeting at Connie's cottage on Plymouth Long Beach on Thursday, July 10th. Please note the day change.
Plan on meeting at the end of the public parking lot at 4:45 PM for the carpool ride out. Let Connie know if you have a 4wd or awd vehicle.
All women of the parish are invited to attend. We have no membership requirements other than to contribute up to $10 for outreach projects.
Please RSVP to Connie conmel@aol.com
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An Invitation to the Ministry of the Altar Guild
During the month of July, each Saturday morning at 10am and each Sunday morning following the 9am service, I am available to meet with anyone interested in being part of the Altar Guild Ministry at Christ Christ Parish ~ to answer any questions, whether experienced or new to this “behind the scenes”, contemplative ministry of our parish.
The meeting place will be the sacristy which is the sacred room for our priests, deacons and altar guild ministers.
The summer weeks of July are a good opportunity for this ministry renewal since we have one less service. Also our brass collection plates and many candles have been put aside for now. It is a simpler and lighter time.
Always with grateful appreciation for our current ministers of the Altar Guild ~Robin
If there are any questions I can be reached by email or phone ~
~Robin Nielsen, Altar Guild Ministry leader ~
774-454-2776 robinmarianielsen@gmail.com
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Prayer Chain
Our prayer chain consists of devoted parishioners who, in confidence, pray daily for the needs of our parish family. Our mission is to life up to God the prayers of people in need, in joy, or in thanksgiving.
All prayer requests are said for a period of 2 weeks, and all requests are kept in strict confidence. If you would like a prayer said for yourself, a member of your family or friends, please reach out to Robyn Lench Whittles 781-291-9459 or email to betty02364@gmail.com
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Bedtime Chapel Podcast
Nightly Family Prayer & Weekly Bible Study
Deuteronomy 11:18,19
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Bedtime Chapel helps families draw nearer to Jesus by gathering for nightly prayer and deepening their understanding of the Gospel. The podcast includes:
- A 5-Min nightly prayer service
- Weekly companion episodes that explore the themes of the gospel readings of the upcoming week for family members with longer attention spans
Pray with Us Apple, Spotify, Amazon and most other Podcast Servers
| | Christ Church Thrift Shoppe | |
The temperature outside has been sizzling, and the bargains inside the Thrift Shoppe are too. Clothing is priced at $3 each, and 2 items for $5. All boutique items are half-off this week! On the porch, you’ll find the tables restocked with great shopping opportunities.
Shoppe Hours:
Thursday and Friday 10-4
Saturday 10-1
| | Christ Church Food Pantry | | The Food Pantry is in need of donations of small bottles of canned chicken, boxed mac and cheese, one-two pound bags of white rice. | | |
All are welcome to the Christ Church Food Pantry!
We are open by appointment:
Tuesday 4:00-5:15
Thursday 12:00-1:15 and 4:00-5:15
Saturday 10:00-11:15
Call the pantry message line: 508-746-4959, ext 6, BY 1 PM THE DAY BEFORE YOU WISH TO PICK UP YOUR ORDER. Our volunteers check messages and return your call from their homes to ask you what you need.
Leave a message if you wish to donate non-perishable food and household items, or you may leave your donations under the mailboxes outside the office or in the front entrance to the sanctuary. Squirrels like to get into any bags left on the porch of the food pantry!
If you wish to volunteer, contact Eileen Paris at eileenpca@aol.com
For more information, please contact Barbara Wojtklewicz at 617-291-4634, or by email at barbara.wojtklewicz@gmail.com
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Pastoral Care
For any pastoral care needs of Christ Church, please call Robin Nielsen (774-454-2776) or email robinmarianielsen@gmail.com ~ A home visit, a home visit with holy communion or a phone call can be arranged. Although a small group, our Pastoral Care Ministry team meets monthly in confidence.
For any pastoral emergencies, please call Rev. Melissa Howell 508-746-4959 ext 4, and follow the instructions in her voice message.
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We want to keep you in the loop regarding the happenings at Christ Church. Please send your announcements for the weekly bulletin and Keeping Connected, to the office by 12 Noon on Wednesday. They should include date, time, place, description of event, contact information and should be written exactly the way you want them to appear.
The Church Office will be closed July 3rd + 4th.
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