The angel of the Lord encompasses those who fear him, *
and he will deliver them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good; *
happy are they who trust in him!
Psalm 34:7-8
Use Your Good Sense!
Listening at the surface of a Psalm, we can hear a lot: sounds of joy and despair, voices of anger and hope. Sunday’s Psalm 34 is exuberant on the surface: “I will bless the Lord at all times”. One can feel the nearness of God and the security of God’s hand.
Yet, it you look this Psalm up your Bible, you will discover a superscription, words not included in the Sunday readings that offer some background for the text. It reads: “Of David, when he feigned madness before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.” The text refers to an incident in 1 Samuel 21 where David, on a mission from King Saul, is surrounded by the Philistines. Hungry and unarmed he swipes consecrated bread and Goliath’s sword. Then, he escapes by pretending to be insane. For me, this deepens the experience of the words. Like escaping from addiction or fleeing a disaster, this is a psalm of deliverance.
Deliverance comes in verse 7 from an angel. The translator Robert Alter says, “The idea that God sends a divine emissary to accompany man, guide him, protect him, and, in some instances, scrutinize his actions, is common in Biblical literature”. Genesis 24 tells of Abraham sending his servant to find a wife for Isaac. A messenger angel watches over the scene. Maybe you, like me grew up singing “all night, all day, angels watching over me, my Lord”.
Our passage on Sunday ends with an instruction: “taste and see”. I like how this turns my attention from others to my own senses. You and I are asked to look for God in the depths. You and I are asked to use our senses. Robert Alter finds a link here with the superscription, because the Hebrew literally says that David “altered his good sense before Abimelech”. When we are commanded to “taste and see”, Alter says, “It is also probably a pun … tasting may also mean using good sense”.
Sure, we can eat a quick meal. We can glance a pretty sunset. The Psalmist asks us to go further, “use our good sense”, and be happy in God!
Peace,
Mark +
Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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This Sunday's Worship Service
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Family Worship Service
Halloween Sunday 10/31
- Praise Band
- Children’s Sermon
- Special Activities for Kids
- PIZZA after Church
Children are Encouraged to Wear Their Costumes to Church!
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Children Youth and Family Update from Fr. Mark
A team of parents and other parish volunteers has been working with me to re-envision our children’s ministry. We are listening to parent feedback and are exploring contemporary family-centered approaches to Christian Formation.
I invite every Christ Church family with children to share in this journey. As we begin, we will be encouraging multi-generational participation in worship services. There will be opportunities for parents, children and the whole congregation to learn and grow in faith. We will plan informal activities for parents and children to have fun and spend relaxed time with one another. We will start First Communion and Confirmation preparations after the first of the year and will soon form a search committee to begin the process of hiring a Christian Formation Coordinator to lead this ministry.
Here’s what you can expect for the next few months:
10:00 SUNDAY SERVICE
At the 10:00 service, each child will receive a name tag and an activity packet. Fr. Mark will welcome children with a special message before or during the service. They will be welcome to go to the activity tables in the front or back of the church. An adult volunteer or two will be available to support the children at the back table as needed. We will designate a nearby room as a “family retreat room” for parents to use as needed.
The 10:00 service is live-streamed, so families at home can continue to worship online if not able to attend in-person.
FAMILY SERVICE ON PRAISE BAND SUNDAYS
On praise band Sundays, usually the last Sunday of the month, a host family will welcome all families and children before the service. Children will be invited to line up behind Fr. Mark for a procession to the altar during the opening hymn and then join their families for the service. There will be opportunities for older children to be trained and serve as Acolytes, Lectors and Jr. Ushers.
HALLOWEEN SUNDAY OCTOBER 31
Host Family: Josh and Allison Dorsey, Vivian, Moses and Simon
Children are invited to wear their costumes to church.
Pizza will be served after the service. Weather permitting, tables will be set up outside the church.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28
Host Family: TBD
Lunch and Advent Wreath-Making for all ages.
Sign-ups (parent volunteers and children) for the Christmas Eve Pageant
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24
Host Family: TBD
Christmas Eve Service with Children’s Pageant
We hope you will join with other Christ Church families and children as often as possible, either in-person or online. We invite every parent or guardian to give us your suggestions and feedback as we work together to build a strong Family-Centered Christian Formation ministry at Christ Church Parish Kent Island.
Peace,
Mark+
We always give thanks to God for all of you
And mention you in our prayers,
Constantly remembering before our God and Father
Your work of faith and
Labor of love and
Steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ
-1 Thessalonians 1:3
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Please pray for: Robin Pender, Camilla Parrott, Anna Sisson, Verna Downey, Daniel Bedard, Sheila Savage, Theresa Steinhice, Chance Terrell, Jackson (Jack) Daniel Wright (RIP)-Juanita Dombkowski & Family, Mark Mangin, Kathy Blodgett, Annie Benson (RIP)-Benson Family, Sharon Billings, Rick Culp, Kevin Soibel, Evelyn Folliot, Chris Tracy, Michael Mahfood (RIP), Dolina Millar (RIP)-Laurie Hanley & Family, Carol Wilson, Susan Fralic, James Boffen, Jane Belew, Joy Torbit (RIP)-Torbit Family, Carole Tulip, Nancy Poole, Chris, Deny, Lynn Benton, Michelle P., Shirley Grail, Shirley Armstrong, Sharon McCain, Juan Mendoza, Pat Adams, Tommy Cook, Becky Myers, Mark Dubel (RIP)-Dubel Family, Susan F., Karen Minahan, JR Faulkner, Kevin Mahon
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Ways to Support Christ Church
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Electronic Giving: Click Here
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Text to Give by texting CCPKI to 73256
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Bank: Have your bank send a check or make an ACH transfer
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By Check: CCPKI 830 Romancoke Rd. Stevensville MD 21666
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Meals Needed for Homeless Shelter
We have been asked to provide a cooked casserole (4-6 servings), salad and rolls for the guests. Our dates to provide meals is Oct 28-30. The fully cooked meals should be in throw away casserole pan and delivered to KIUMC by 5:30pm.
If you are available to help out please contact Leslie Schneider at
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Volunteers Needed
Broad Creek Cemetery on Romancoke Road will be having it’s Fall Clean-up on Nov. 13, 2021. As always, anyone and everyone are welcome to join us.
There are chores for everyone, such as – raking or bring your own leaf blower, weeding, placing of cornerstones, trimming, etc. There are some tools in the shed or bring our own favorites.
We hope to get the cemetery ready for the Fall and Winter seasons.
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