Keeping Connected August 8, 2025

Bulletins

Saturday

August 9, 2025



5:00 PM - The Ninth Saturday after Pentecost

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Sunday

August 10, 2025

9:00 AM - The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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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.

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.

The Church Office will be closed August 11 - 15 while David is on vacation.

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!

Rector's Reflection

Dear Ones of Christ Church,

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom,” says Jesus at the beginning of our Gospel reading for this Sunday (Luke 12:32-40). In a season when we are receiving many good gifts from the soil of our gardens and farms (zucchini! tomatoes!), our gospel and other lectionary readings this Sunday invite us to wonder about gift-giving and gift-receiving. What does it mean that God not only wants, but is pleased, to give us the kingdom? What kind of kingdom is this? How do we make space to receive this gift? If we continue reading the passage, Jesus describes preparations like selling our possessions and giving the proceeds to those in need, paying attention, keeping alert, lighting our lamps. Jesus describes a kingdom where the head of the household arrives home, and instead of being served by the household staff, serves them at the table instead.

I’ve been considering the beautiful, difficult, and relational jumble of gift-giving and gift-receiving of our gospel reading in conversation with the poem below, by the late New Bedford poet Everett Hoagland.

What are the gifts, earthly and divine (or both!), that you are giving and receiving this season? How would you answer the questions in Everett Hoagland’s poem?

Yours in Christ,

Melissa+

GIFT GIVING by Everett Hoagland

What do we get by giving? What do you give

by accepting a gift? What is inherent within

a gift beyond whatever it is? What is meant

by “in the spirit of giving”? Is not that spirit

implicit in any gift? What spirit imbues gifts?

Indeed, no matter what object, activity, or

other thing the gift may be—your kid’s

or grandkid’s unsolicited kisses, hugs,

crayoned sketches; or stones, seas shells,

pine cone, dandelion, penny, he, she stoops

to pick up and give to you; friends’ thoughtful

kindnesses, lovers’ love, strangers’ smiles—

the giving, receiving is connection. Is not any

expression of that spirit some kind of love

in action, and, like forgiving, is not giving divine?

Source: Everett Hoagland, The Ways: Poems of Affirmation, Remembrance, Reflection and Wonder. North Star Nova Press, 2022. 

Finances



Last week we received in over $5432. 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.

Thank You from Plymouth Pride

An Invitation from the St. Paul Center for Theology and Prayer:

"Where is God?"

All are invited to join the Southern Region Learning Community of our cathedral's St. Paul Center for Theology and Prayer to consider this Big Question: Where is God? 

This gathering will take place in person, at St. Stephen's in Cohasset, on Saturday, August 23rd.

Learn more and sign up to attend here. 

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

Bedtime Chapel Podcast

Nightly Family Prayer & Weekly Bible Study

Deuteronomy 11:18,19

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

www.bedtimechapel.com

Facebook & Instagram

bedtimechapel@gmail.com

Christ Church Thrift Shoppe

These are the final days of our summer sale, with all men’s and women’s clothing priced at $1, and boutique items at $3. Everything must go!

Whatever remains on our racks will still be put to good use by our Thrift Shoppe friend and neighbor, Nadia. She will arrange for these things to be shipped and shared with those in need in Haiti. Still other clothing items will be placed on the side porch of the Thrift Shoppe, free for the taking.



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 vegetable oil, small bottles of dish soap, smaller boxes of sugar and flour.

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

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.

Community Events

The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts Click Here for the August FYI

The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts Diocesan News

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.