So teach us to number our days * that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.
Psalm 90:12
Making a Plan for the Holidays
March of 2020, I couldn’t imagine doing Lent without gathering in community. In April, it was: “how do we do Holy Week & Easter?” May and June were equally hard, but by then, we had a routine. Now, as the second wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic approaches we must prepare for another set of holidays.
At Governor Larry Hogan’s Press Conference on Tuesday 11/10, we heard Dr. Ted Delbridge, the Executive Director of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services and Systems, say:
“When we look at the modeling, we’re concerned that December, January, February are going to be the peak times, and so much is dependent on mitigating steps that the public takes, wearing a mask and keeping distance, those kinds of things. So, the effects of those are a little bit more challenging to predict, but when we see what the trajectory is now, we are definitely concerned that this is a longer lasting peak and that it’s going to go into the winter months. Some have correlated the virus with changes in humidity. It happened in other places in the world. As the humidity drops and weather changes, it becomes more of a problem. So we’re thinking along those lines, which is why it is just so incredibly important, I can’t miss this opportunity to reiterate that people get a flu shot, because it just makes them comorbid, gives them another problem to have, and keeps people out of the hospital with the flu to save space for other people.” (Emphasis added.)
Now is the time for members of Christ Church Parish to plan our gatherings of family and friends for Thanksgiving, Christmas and after. These gatherings can seem safe. After all, what family member would willingly infect another? But the data suggests that gatherings such as these have added to the increase of infections. The Governor announced:
“The Maryland Department of Health is issuing a new public health advisory, strongly warning against any indoor gatherings of 25 people or more. This is consistent with all our contact tracing data and an uptick in cases resulting from family gatherings and house parties.”
Your gatherings may be smaller than 25, but the possibility of Viral Spread by asymptomatic friends and family is real.
I am grateful that Psalm 90 is the chosen Psalm for this coming Sunday. It’s a Psalm that takes the long view. God has been our home (our refuge) in every generation. In the familiar words of verse 4, we hear: “For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, and like a watch in the night.” The commentator Robert Alter says “the poet moves from a thousand years to a passing day to a watch in the night (a mere third of the night). Thus, he concertizes a vision of time seen from God’s end of the telescope.”
It will be hard this Thanksgiving to eat at separate tables; to Zoom or FaceTime our interactions. You may need a tripod for your phone on Christmas Day so grandparents and young ones can share the joy. In the larger view, God is still Sovereign. In the end, God will make our celebrations whole and safe.
Peace,
Mark +
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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No In-Person Worship this Sunday, 11/15
Updates about future gatherings will be published soon
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Christian Formation
As we approach the time of Advent let’s take a few minutes to turn inward and take a closer look at the gifts and talents that God has given to each of us. We each have our own super power that should not go to waste. God considers us to be very valuable and trusts us to use our gifts and abilities to help our neighbors and community and honor Him. This week in “Wednesdays with Winnie” we see how something as plain and simple as a Frisbee can really fly. When we use our God-given talent to be all that God intended us to be we can fly too.
Tune in to “Lesson with Lisa” to get the rest of the story of the Parable of the Talents.
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We have Advent Activity Baskets for our families. I will be at church on Sunday November 15th 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 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.
- 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:
November 25th at 7:00 pm--Thanksgiving Eve Holy Eucharist Service
December 6th at 3:00 pm--On-Line Christmas Caroling
December 12th at 7:00 pm--Westminster Ringers Virtual Concert
December 20th at 7:30 pm--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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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 has announced it will be hosting a Harvest of Hope Online Auction between November 12 and November 14 to benefit its essential services. Participants will be able to purchase one-of-a-kind art, jewelry, accessories, dining options, indoor and outdoor experiences like wine tastings and spa treatments, and sports memorabilia.
There is something for everyone in the online auction with items ranging in price from $30 to $1000. Special items include sporting clay lessons for two at The Point at Pintail, a half-day light tackle or fly fishing experience with up to three anglers on the Chesapeake Bay with Anglers Connection Guide Services, Raven’s sports swag, and a romantic get-a-way for two at the Kent Manor Inn and diamond stud earrings from TNT Jewelers. Proceeds from the Harvest of Hope event will provide HOPE through shelter, food, clothing, and support to area residents.
According to Taryn Chase, Haven Ministries Business and Marketing Development Director, “This event is in response to the cancellation this year of both our Best Girlfriend Night Out and Beef, Bonfires and Cigars annual events. Both were extremely important to funding the services we provide, which have continued to grow during the pandemic.”
“The community has stepped up to help us meet this increased demand for services. We are especially appreciative of the generosity of our business partners and local businesses.”
The Harvest of Hope Auction Preview opens November 1. Participants can register online at Haven-Ministries.org. Winning auction items can be picked up after the auction by contacting Taryn Chase at 410-490-0925.
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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