“With the eyes of your heart enlightened,
you may know what is the hope to which he has called you”
Ephesians 1:18
Wide Perspective and Deep Insight
It’s good to have a wide field of vision. Whether I’m out on the water or on a mountain peak I am always excited to be able to look in all directions. The perspective which comes from a broad horizon, seen from an airplane or photographed from the space shuttle, reminds us how we all exist on a small blue dot with a protective atmosphere in space.
The Feast of Christ the King which is celebrated this Sunday is the wide angle view. The Creator of everything and the Giver of Life are joined in heaven by Jesus, God’s beloved child, who now reigns over everything. Noticing how the Bible begins with the words “In the beginning God, the great theologian J.A.T. Robinson titled one of his books, “In the End, God”. That’s the long view of history.
In our daily life, however, we must regularly turn our vision from outward to inward. Henri Nouwen often observed that the longest journey we can take is from our head to our heart. Within our own physical frame exists all that God expects us to be. We can see this turn in the Letter to the Ephesians which begins with an exuberant shout. “I have heard of your faith … and love … and I do not cease to give thanks!” but then the author turns inward asking that “the eyes of our heart be enlightened”.
As this church year ends, we will celebrate out loud. We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessings. You have done that. In the midst of a pandemic, more than 70 households have responded with a new pledge for 2021. Twenty-one “Turkey Tags” have gone out to provide food for our neighbors. More than a dozen Family Advent Baskets have been distributed. This Thanksgiving, gathered with whomever you can, through whatever actual or virtual ways you can, remember to give thanks out loud. God reigns and Jesus, who walked this earth as we do, is there at God’s side.
But once the dishes are done, let us turn towards the long path from our head to our heart. Let us seek the insight that true hope has to offer. On November 29, we will once again turn to take up the Advent journey in hope. God’s love for the world was best made flesh in a little child, born for us. Christ is our hope; and this insight can bring light and peace to our souls and the world.
We were made in love, for love, to give and receive love. That, my friends, is the hope to which God is calling us. In the end, God.
Peace,
Mark +
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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No In-Person Worship this Sunday, 11/22
Updates about future gatherings will be published soon
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Adopt-a-Bear tags are here and ready to be picked up. Many families are struggling this year and need our help. This may be the only Christmas this child gets. Thank you for participating. God Bless and Merry Christmas!
Here’s how it works:
Purchase gifts suggested by the information listed on the tag. Place UNWRAPPED gifts in a plastic bag and tape the tag to the outside of the bag with the details facing up. You can return the bag to Christ Church OR Chester’s RE/MAX BAAR Executive, OR a Bear tree location as found on the Adopt-A-Bear Queen Anne’s facebook page BEFORE Tuesday, December 8th.
Jesus, the Light of the World, as we celebrate your birth, may we begin to see the world in the light of understanding you give us. As you chose the lowly, the outcasts, and the poor to receive the greatest news the world had ever known, so may we worship you in meekness of heart. May we also remember our brothers and sisters less fortunate than ourselves in this season of giving. Amen.
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Christian Formation
This week on “Lessons with Lisa” we talk about the importance of taking care of other people because it shows that we love God. When we serve others we are also serving Jesus. God uses people to do his work. We serve others not
out of obligation, but out of love for God.
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Get a sneak peek into the Advent Activity Baskets on “Wednesdays with Winnie” and come on out on Sunday to get one of your own.
I will be at church on Sun, November 22nd to distribute them between 9:30 and 10:30. Please swing by the church circle and I will be happy to bring one out to your car.
Peace, Miss Lisa O
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Please pray for: Lorraine Aaron, Angela & Trent, Baby girl Claibaugh, Peggy Brengle, Lynda Brody, Camp Wright, Chris, Connie Clark, Scott & Lynn Clark, Jane Coppage, Wendy Costello, Corie Davis, Bryan Dalheim (RIP), Bob & Laura Dean, Deny, Paul Dorr, Jim Ewing, Susan Fralic, Jim Gallagher, Dave Grapes, David Grimes, Rick H (RIP) & Family, Anne Habberton, Rita Hadlock, Melanie Hallowell (RIP), Liza Hamill, Ronald Hartman, Carol Holland, Jim Hoverman, Clint Hoxter, Charles Jewell, Anne Jones, Josette, Rowan & Lyla, Albie Kimbel, Jeff Kolbeins, Mike Kratzer & Family, Olivia Marguerite, Sharon McCain, Toinette McDowell, Doug McMillan & Family, Bob Meile, Greg Middleton (RIP), Faith Miller, Renee O’Rourke, Camilla Parrott, Al Peppel, John Perkins, Gail Renborg, Rick & Christina, John Riley, Jeff Rouse, Adele & David Sadiq, Judy Schubrook, Kirsten Shelek (RIP), Donna & Rob Sherwood, Anna Sisson, Ian Vansant & Family, Kathy & Roger Whitehead, Larry Wilkens, Candace Williams, Bob Willis, Lee Wilson (RIP), Jack Wright
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This Sunday's Worship Service
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The Sounds of Christmas
For many people the music of Christmas is their favorite part of the season. At Christ Church, we celebrate the Feast of Christmas with some of the most festive music of the year. The choir begins preparing months in advance. Although things are a little different this year, because of the pandemic, we will still celebrate the birth of Jesus with wonderful music. More details will be coming out soon about how to access these opportunities, but please mark your calendars now for the following special musical events!
Sunday, December 6th at 3 p.m.: Virtual Christmas Carol Sing. Request your favorite carols in real-time! Gary & Emily Van Essen will lead the singing. We'll be separate, but we will join our voices together.
Saturday, December 12th at 7 p.m.: Westminster Ringers Virtual Concert. Our annual tradition will go on! The Ringers will present a virtual concert this year to get the church and community in the Christmas spirit.
Thursday, December 24th: We will have three different Christmas Eve worship opportunities. Each with different music. Our online service will feature the choir, traditional carols, and special organ music by Dave Hasek. Our 4 p.m. outdoor service will include familiar carols in a family-friendly environment. Our 8 p.m. service will feature a soloist, familiar carols, and festive organ music for the season.
I am looking forward to sharing new ways to worship and sing with you this Christmas season!
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Join Us for Living Well Through Advent 2020
Advent begins November 29! The Parish Devotional Book for Advent is from Living Compass. This year they are focusing on “Practicing Hope”. The Books are available at church or online. Go to Living Compass https://www.livingcompass.org and click on the link for a .pdf to download.
Pause Ponder and Pray will also use the booklet for our Tuesday Night Zoom Meetings (Zoom Meeting ID: 822 6393 0246) at 7:00 pm. Send us an email if you would like a weekly reminder.
- November 24 Preparing for Living Well
- December 1 Hope is a Decision
- December 8 Being a Messenger of Hope
- December 15 The Power of Hope
- December 22 Grounding our Hope in God
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Save the Dates:
December 6th at 3:00 pm--Online Christmas Caroling
December 12th at 7:00 pm--Westminster Ringers Virtual Concert
December 20th at 7:30 pm--Online Service for the Longest Night
December 24th at 4:00 pm--Outdoor Family Christmas Eve Service
December 24th at 8:00 pm--Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist & Hymns
December 25th at 10:00 am--Christmas Day Holy Eucharist
Sunday Nights in Advent
Family Zoom Advent Wreath Lighting Service at 5:00 pm
11/29 – 12/6 – 12/13 – 12/20
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Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 892 8303 0357
Passcode: 587103
Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
Meeting ID: 892 8303 0357
Passcode: 587103
Download a service bulletin HERE
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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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Haven Ministries Expands
Housing Assistance Program
Finding affordable housing in Queen Anne’s County can be challenging. The median rent in the county is approximately $1600 a month, $131 above the national average for rent, and the median home price is approximately $329,000, considerably higher than the national median home price of $231,200. Research from the National Low-Income Housing Coalition also reports that 71% of extremely low-income households spend more than 50% of their income on rent. Haven Ministries has announced that it will be providing improvements to properties in Stevensville this fall to operate a housing assistance program that will support local residents when affordable housing is unattainable.
While participating in the Housing Assistance Program, participants will work closely with a Haven Ministries case manager to ensure that they are positioned for success to secure safe and stable long-term housing once their respective program period is over, usually within two years. Individuals and families who live in Queen Anne’s County can apply for the program, must pass the background checks, pay a program fee, and voluntarily agree to work with a case manager. Haven Ministries will connect participants to area resources such as education, jobs, and job training allowing individuals and families to stabilize, build up their resources, and successfully move on toward safe and affordable housing.
"We are thrilled to have found properties on which to build two beautiful, single family homes, one on each lot, within which to operate the Housing Assistance Program. The homes will be called Homes of Hope because that is what they are providing – HOPE. The project will provide significant improvements to the properties while also beautifying the neighborhood. In addition, we will be able to connect people who are having difficulty finding affordable housing to the appropriate services and eventually to permanent housing solutions,” said Krista Pettit, Executive Director of Haven Ministries.
Haven Ministries will continue to operate its seasonal shelter at Kent Island Methodist Church in Stevensville to offer emergency overnight safe and warm accommodations for individuals and families that do not have a dedicated location in which to sleep. Although both of these programs are important programs, they each serve a different population of community members with different needs.
According to Pettit, housing instability can include trouble paying rent or a mortgage, moving frequently due to the lack of affordable housing, or spending a majority of household income on housing. Because Queen Anne’s county is lacking affordable housing, Haven Ministries is stepping up to meet the urgent needs facing many county residents.
Haven Ministries Housing Assistance Program is being funded by private donations and grants, including those from foundations made directly to Haven Ministries, and through major fundraising activities. A program fee will also be collected from the Housing Assistance Program clients approved for the program. There are many local businesses, which the organization plans to recognize soon, who have contributed supplies and/or labor, such as Lundberg Builders, Torchio Architects, Lane Engineering, and Increte. Haven Ministries also invites other companies to partner with them.
Pettit added, “We appreciate the community stepping up and recognizing the need for affordable housing in this county, as well as supporting our Housing Assistance Program. We hope others will join those who have already made donations in support of this important program.”
For further information about donating or becoming a Business Partner of Haven Ministries, visit haven-ministries.org or call Krista Pettit at 410-739-4363.
Love shapes the ministry, love transforms people, and hope prevails at Haven Ministries. Haven Ministries operates a seasonal Homeless Shelter, a Resource Center and Food Pantry at 206 Del Rhodes Avenue in Queenstown, Our Daily Thread Thrift Store in Stevensville, Hope Warehouse in Queenstown, and a Resource Center at Fisher Manor.
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