Christ Episcopal Church
K E N S I N G T O N
|
|
Dear People of Christ Church,
A hearty "Thank You" to all who have submitted a pledge for 2021!
In these incredibly difficult times, your pledge is an act of faith and hope that has a positive impact on your church, the community of Kensington, and our troubled world.
Your investment in Christ Church during the height of this pandemic means so much. With God's help - and yours - I have every confidence that Christ Church will continue to brave this storm, and come back stronger than ever!
To date, we have received pledges totaling $305,695!
Members of the Vestry will be contacting parishioners we haven't heard from yet in the coming days. If you have yet to submit a pledge for 2021 - there is still time, and it is so easy to do. Just click below:
|
|
Thank you again for your faithful support of Christ Church!
Kurt Ellison
Sr. Warden
|
|
Sunday Worship Services
December 6, 2020
Second Sunday of Advent
9:30 a.m. Children's Chapel
Live on Zoom via password-protected link emailed to parents.
Please scroll down for more information and please contact Ann Enkiri if you are not receiving these emails: sundayschool@ccpk.org.
Christ Church Morning Prayer Service
Download the Morning Prayer Service Bulletin here.
10:00 a.m. Advent Discussion Series
brief video with Prof. Emilie Townes, Dean of Vanderbilt Divinity School,
followed by discussion of the power of the incarnation, the fully human Jesus.
11:15 a.m. National Cathedral Sunday Service
Preacher: The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde
Download Service Bulletin here.
4:00 p.m. Bible Study
5:00 p.m. Christ Church Live @ Five
Password: 20895
Download the Evening Service Bulletin here.
Joining us on Zoom?
It is best experienced on computer, iPad, or smartphone,
but you can also dial in from your telephone!
To join by phone:
Dial: +1 301-715-8592.
It will ask you for the Meeting ID: 626 256 7637, then press the # sign.
The password is: 20895
|
|
The Second Sunday of Advent:
We Light the Candle of Peace
Children’s Chapel Live on Zoom at 9:30 a.m.
This Sunday, we will focus on preparing for our December 13th Virtual Christmas Pageant—held during that Sunday’s 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist live on Zoom! First, we will hear a short Godly Play Lesson about the Mother Mary, the Father Joseph, and the donkey on their way to Bethlehem. Then, we will break out into two zoom groups to prepare for the pageant: younger non-readers and readers of all ages. Let’s get ready to take our church family with us “On Our Way to Bethlehem.”
|
|
“On Our Way to Bethlehem” Virtual Christmas Pageant
Third Sunday of Advent, December 13th at the
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Service, Live on Zoom
In the spirit of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, we are keeping it simple and trusting, as always, that our children will lead us on Our Way to Bethlehem! Everyone is invited to dress for the occasion—don your robe, scarves, shawls, Zoom halos and attend this service as your favorite Nativity character. Let’s all join the fun and count on the unexpected for some grace-filled moments.
|
|
Here’s what we need:
-
Baby photos of one and all for a montage, honoring the Holy Child.
-
Photos of children costumed for the pageant: Angel Gabriel, Mary, Joseph, Blessed Animals, Shepherds, Angels, and Royal Visitors from Afar. These will be used as visuals during the readings. Children’s costumes may be picked up from the church, but we also encourage you to have fun improvising with robes, scarves, bejeweled hats! (email Ann for pick up
-
Elementary and Middle School Readers: Join us at this Sunday’s Dec. 6 9:30 a.m. Children’s Chapel Zoom for rehearsal. We will assign and practice the readings.
Please email photos, requests for costumes and for the Zoom link, and any questions to Ann (sundayschool@ccpk.org).
|
|
ARCOLA ANGELS NEEDED
Help parents of Arcola families make Christmas bright for their children! In this difficult time, it's even more important that we reach out with Christmas love to our neighbors.
As in the past, our parish family has generously given Angel Gifts to the Arcola children and families identified as at-risk, and this year is no different! This year the Angel Gifts will be even more significant to the children since many of their parents are struggling to even keep food on their tables.
This year there are 35 children in need of a Christ Church Angel. CLICK HERE to view their wish lists! Although some of their Wish Lists are quite extensive, don’t be afraid - we don’t want you to buy every item on the list! NOTE: We have a wonderful Angel donating many soccer balls, so if that is on your child's list you might choose another one of their "wishes" instead! What we need is “Angels” to sponsor a child (or two) and buy one of two of their gifts along with a gift card ($20-$30). In the past, Angels spent between $35-$60 on gifts.
Use the button below to sign up to be an Angel for a specific child.
Once you have made your purchases, deliver them UNWRAPPED or or have them sent to Liz Quinn (see address and contact information below). Be sure to include with the gifts the ID number listed that corresponds to the specific child, and your Outreach Angels will take it from there!
All gifts need to be at the Quinn’s no later than December 16th.
Liz Quinn: 301-775-2545 3303 Geiger Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895
If you feel you can’t actually shop for a child, but want to be an “Angel,” you could make a $60 donation to Outreach and your Outreach Angels will be there for you. Use the button below to donate online through Realm (choose Outreach as the Fund), or mail/drop off a check to the church with "Angel Tree" in the memo line.
|
|
Opportunities to reflect together in Advent.
Advent Discussion Series: Beginning tomorrow, Sunday, Dec 6th, we'll gather at 10:00 am on Zoom to watch a short video from the series called Magnifying the Light. The Rev. Dr. Emilie Townes talks about the fully human part of Jesus. As she says: "We make Jesus too sterile. We take all the stuff of human birth and act like none of that have possibly been present at Jesus' birth, and therefore make this sterile savior that none of us can aspire to..."
What might appreciating the total humanity of Jesus - born like every other baby - teach us about embracing and loving ourselves? Grab your coffee/tea and join the conversation. Then Sunday, Dec 20th, we'll gather again for another film and conversation.
Bible Study continues our discussion of the Gospel of John. Sundays at 4:00pm. Drop-ins welcome!
Weekly Devotionals for All Ages: Be not afraid!
Illustrated Advent invites all of us - children and adults of all ages -
"to explore what it looks like to hold hope when life feels really uncertain,
to bring peace in the face of fear, to practice joy when everything seems burdensome, and to choose love, when sometimes, it’s just really hard."
|
|
Virtual Flower Dedication
The flowers this week are given by Bill Davies in memory of his sister Lisa, deeply missed and loved.
If you would like to make a virtual flower offering please send an email to administrator@ccpk.org or call the office - voicemail is being checked!
|
|
ERD Gifts for Life
Episcopal Relief and Development Gifts for Life catalogs are on-line this year. We will not have printed copies for distribution. Please go the https://support.episcopalrelief.org/gifts Honoring relatives and friends by helping those in need through ERD is a wonderful alternative to store-bought gifts this Christmas.
Double your gift - all gifts between now and December 31 will be matched!
|
|
Tax Planning?
If you are planning to donate stock or a large check to the church, please start the process now so that it has time to clear before the end of this year and is recorded on your 2020 statement. Consult your tax advisor regarding the tax laws that impact charitable giving. Contact Ted Seale, Asst. Treasurer (theo.seale@gmail.com) to alert him to watch for your transfer.
|
|
Worship Services & Events at Christ Church Next Week: |
|
Monday, December 7, 2020
8:30 p.m. Compline - a beautiful short service to end the day
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
6:30 p.m. Evening Prayer
Thursday, December 10, 2020
8:30 p.m. Compline - a beautiful short service to end the day
Friday, December 11, 2020
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Blessing Bag pick up
Saturday December 12, 2020
12:00 - 4:00 p.m. Blessing Bag pick up
Looking ahead...
Sunday, December 13, 2020
10:00 a.m. Celebration of Holy Eucharist & Creative Christmas Pageant,
Thursday, December 24, 2020
4:30 p.m. Outdoor Candlelight Christmas Eve Service with Carillon Music (registration required, sign up information coming soon)
Friday December 25, 2020
Sunday, December 27, 2020
|
|
Enjoy music from past services offered by Dr. Theodore Guerrant, Christ Church Organist & Choirmaster and by Christine Taylor, Soprano.
|
|
Missed the Morning Prayer Service from Last Week? |
|
Ways To Give While We Are Apart
A number of you have asked for guidance on how to give remotely during this time. There are several different options for you make contributions and help Christ Church to maintain financial health.
|
|
Christ Episcopal Church Kensington
4001 Franklin Street
Kensington MD 20895
301-942-4673
God of the present moment,
God who in Jesus stills the storm
and soothes the frantic heart;
bring hope and courage to all
who wait or work in uncertainty.
Bring hope that you will make them the equal
of whatever lies ahead.
Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided,
for your will is health and wholeness;
you are God, and we need you.
Amen.
A Prayer for those facing great uncertainty - From the New Zealand Prayer Book
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
