Keeping Connected July 18, 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 Office Hours
In July and August, our church office will be closed on Fridays. We will resume our normal Monday through Friday office schedule in September.
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,
This weekend’s gospel reading, Luke 10:38-42, is brief, so I will share it in full here:
As Jesus and his disciples went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."
This week I have been praying with what it might mean for us, today, to choose what Jesus names as “the better part.” In our culture (including our church culture) that tells us to be more productive, efficient, busier, hustling, doing more…. can we trust Jesus when he tells us that “the better part” is to sit at his feet and listen to what he is saying? And then, how do we stop and make space to sit at his feet and listen?
There are two other pieces of writing that I invite us to consider in conversation with this gospel reading:
- In his recent article titled “Against Self-Optimization,” from Plough magazine, David Zahl writes that “efficiency is foreign to Jesus. His time management was abysmal; he did not make strategic use of the resources at his disposal. I cannot imagine an individual with a less machine-like modus operandi. Jesus took breaks, sometimes at inopportune times. When a storm raged on the Sea of Galilee and his disciples started to panic, Jesus napped in the front of the boat.”
- Mary Oliver ended her beloved poem “The Summer Day,” with the oft-quoted line “what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” This line is often taken out of context and used by people as a rallying cry to get up and get busy and do something! Don’t waste time! But Mary Oliver’s poem is not about being productive. It is about “how to be idle and blessed.” You can listen to her read “The Summer Day” at this link.
May God bless us in our summer days, and in our sitting and listening at the feet of Jesus.
Yours in Christ,
Melissa+
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Finances
Last week we received in over $2835. 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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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 Church 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 | |
This weekend marks “Senior Week,” and for those of you who are ages 60 and up, everything in the shop (unless marked “not in sale”) is half-off, including clothing.
And for next week, be sure to mark your calendars for our Jewelry Extravaganza. We put out the call for donations of jewelry and so many answered the call (hearty thanks to all!). Many incredible pieces, both costume jewelry and sterling silver, never before displayed, will be part of this special sale starting Thursday, July 24th at 10am, and continuing through till Saturday, July 26th at 1pm. So be it a bracelet, necklace, earrings, or other piece, come see what we have in store.
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 12:00-1:15
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.
| | 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. | | | | |
