“…we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.” – St. Paul, in Colossians 1:9-10
THE WAY OF LOVE IN CHALLENGING TIMES
Series Starts September 13th
When life gets tough, we turn to God.Our relationship with God in Christ is the source of amazing peace, purpose, joy and love, even in the most challenging circumstances. This fall we will return to the Way of Love, those seven practices for a Jesus-centered life – this time with a focus on how deepening our faith can help us in the hard times we face now. Each Sunday our worship will focus on a practice, and in the hour before worship we’ll have a time of learning. (The class begins September 20th).
Families can also move through the series at home, using this wonderful resource.
Here is a series of worksheets to help you plan how you might incorporate each of these spiritual practices into your life. Download them Way of Love – Small Group Sheets.
Sacred Ground: A Racial Justice Dialogues Series starts Wednesday, September 16 at pm, online
The Christ Churches will host an online Sacred Ground Dialogue Circle, meeting on Zoom every third Wednesday from mid-September 2020 through April 2021. Sacred Ground is a 10-session program developed by the Episcopal Church “that creates space for difficult but respectful and transformative dialogue on race and racism.” The curriculum includes short films and videos and readings, as well as facilitated discussion. It moves toward the “vision of beloved community – where all people are honored and protected and nurtured as beloved children of God, where we weep at one another’s pain and seek one another’s flourishing.” Register here if you will be part of this circle. A link to the gathering will be sent.
Christ Church Connects! Wednesdays 7 pm
Christ Church Connects is a Wednesday evening online gathering for study and prayer. We will be exploring the Gospel of Mark, a whirlwind tour of Jesus’ life and ministry. Connect to Zoom here Password: LPWay or call 1 646 558We start at 7 pm. The evening ends at 8 pm with “Night Prayers,” Christ Church’s brief weekday evening prayer service. Come for all or any of these pieces.
Recording of June 24 teaching and discussion; Password: 4V&03$A3
Recording of June 17 teaching and discussion; Password: 8t!9L#o8
Recording of June 10 teaching and discussion, Password: 0f#*$r%S
Recording of May 20 teaching and discussion; Password: 5v#dxFq6
Recording of May 13 teaching and discussion: Password: 2w+4&90#
Recording of May 6 teaching and discussion; Password: 3c+AwvCA
Recording of April 29 teaching and discussion; Password: 6m^$!233
Recording of April 22 teaching and discussion; Password: 5K^@&I5
Here’s what else is going on…
“God is love.” – that is where we begin in living the life of faith. And God’s love is where we will end, and God’s love is with us all through our lives. But we all have different experiences of that love – and sometimes obstacles to experiencing it at all. Spiritual growth often calls for healing of body, mind and healing – spirituality and healing are virtually inseparable.
At Christ Church, we believe in God’s power to heal us, inside and out, given to the church through Jesus’ ministry. We witness God’s healing through our prayers, sometimes in miraculous ways. We offer prayers for healing at our Sunday services, as well as occasional healing services.
Faith is a gift of God – and like all gifts, it needs to be nurtured and tended. Whether you are a seeker exploring spiritual traditions, or a long-time believer in Jesus Christ as Lord, or someone with a whole lot of questions about God, you are welcome to grow with us in this spiritual garden. Through worship and spiritual offerings, Christ Church provides opportunities for adults to study the Bible and contemporary spiritual books, learn about prayer, deepen our faith lives and recharge our batteries.
We celebrate the spiritual journey of each person who journeys with us, seeking to support and uphold each person’s path as we testify to the truth and power of the tradition of Christian spirituality we have inherited. We invite you to bring your gifts and your wounds, to share with us in the transforming love of God.
Sunday Faith Exploration for Adults
Adult Christian Formation Classes are 5 to 6-week classes offered at various times during the year on Sunday mornings from 9:45 – 10:45 in the Parish Hall. They are usually accompanied by a book and a short video presentation. Participants are asked to read a chapter in the book each week. However, anyone who wishes to “pop in” and come to any class is welcome without reading the book and will surely learn something from it. Past classes have been based on Adam Hamilton’s books: Moses: In the Footsteps of the Reluctant Prophet; The Journey, Walking the Road to Bethlehem; Creed, What Christians Believe and Why; and Half Truths: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves and Other Things the Bible Doesn’t Say. Classes for 2018-19 may include John: The Gospel of Light and Life; Faithful: Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph; Making Sense of the Bible: Rediscovering the Power of Scripture Today; and 24 Hours that Changed the World.
Sunday School for Children
Children’s Sunday School classes are offered from the Sunday after Labor Day until our annual “Prayers at the Port” service in June. Classes meet at 11 am, and end when the children join their parents in the Sanctuary for Holy Communion. The lessons, taught by Jane Hobbs and Barry Kercher, follow closely the Sunday readings in church, and the seasons of the church year.
Once a month, the whole 11 o’clock worship service is more child-focused, with a children’s homily, and children are there instead of at Sunday School. Children participate in special activities during the year such as Palm Sunday Processional, Easter Egg Hunt and Gingerbread Houses. Periodically Rev. Kate offers a Holy Communion Workshop for children to better understand what happens during the eucharist.
Alpha
Alpha is a ten-week course oriented around hospitality that is a great way to deepen your understanding of the Christian faith – and to deepen that faith through experiences of God’s love and power. Each evening begins with supper at 6:30, followed by a talk and discussion. We end by 8:45. Childcare and homework help can be provided – put the little ones in pajamas and bring them along! Click here to inquire about the next Alpha Course.
Training for Ministry
We try to support our leaders (that’s most of the congregation… ) by offering training and support for the ministries people undertake. Whether it’s how to teach Church School, how to pray for others, or how to run an effective meeting, we are delighted to provide ongoing support.
Quiet Days and Retreats
Periodically we offer a Quiet Day (one-day retreat) or weekend Retreat for rest, reflection and recharging our spiritual batteries. These are wonderful opportunities for drawing closer to God, and to the community at Christ Church.