I'm certain that many of you have seen or possess some knick knack item called a round tuit. (It is a round coin promising the bearer success in accomplishing things previously put aside until they got a round tuit.) I was amazed while scrolling through several pages on Amazon.com and another similar website, how this catchy play-on-words was used as a hook to lure shoppers into purchasing something else to clutter up their homes. As one of my besetting faults is procrastination, I am a prime candidate to buy several round tuits!
This Sunday's reading from Isaiah 55 is rich enough that a sermon series could be developed on each one of the chapter's thirteen verses. It was verse 6 that caught my attention: "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near." Reading closely you may wonder: is God not always to be found? Is God not always near?
Most biblical scholars speculate that the latter section of Isaiah (chapters 40-66) may have been written much later than the first half of the book, in particular, since it appears to reference the Babylonian exile. And, as we know, from reading much of the Old Testament, God gave both the northern tribes (who broke from the house of King David) and the two southern tribes (Judah and Benjamin) plenty of warnings to turn away from their unfaithfulness to avoid a coming judgment. The warnings were – save for brief revivals – largely unheeded and King Nebuchadnezzar's armies destroyed Jerusalem and took many into exile.
All of us recognize the ebbs and flows of life. Indeed, many outside of the church or synagogue recognize the section of Ecclesiastes 3 that begins, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." St. Paul exhorts the Corinthian church that "…now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation"(2 Cor 6:2). In the Book of Revelation, St. John records Our Lord appealing the church at Laodicea, that He does "…stand at the door and knock. If anyone opens the door, I will come in to him…." (Rev 3:20).
God isalways to be found and is near, but there are times and seasons when God seems closer and others when He seems far away. I suppose the real question for each of us is: are we always to be found by Him and daily drawing near to Him?
Don't end up being a religious round tuit. Find that consistent time in your day in which God can find you and draw near to you.
Brady Johnson is the Organist and Choirmaster at Christ Church. His two daughters were both born in the month of July (Lydia, 13th, and Emma, 17th). Lydia just graduated from DePaul University with a degree in marketing and Emma just released the first full-length movie that she directed.
Eucharist, 10:30 am Preaching: Fr. Keith Allen | Bulletin
Thu., July 16
Healing Service, 10 am Preaching: Rev. Kim Allen
Please call the Church Officeeach week to indicate
which service(s) you wish to attend due to the 80-seat capacity.
Part of One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church
GAFCON recently produced this video montage of fellow Anglicans worldwide confessing the Nicene Creed. The GAFCON (Global Anglican Future Conference) movement is a family of Anglicans worldwide uniting to guard and proclaim Biblical truth in a changing world. More about GAFCON
Grow
Sunday School Sundays at 9 am now being live streamed
Please support the annual Care Net baby bottle campaign. The bottles and donations must be returned to the church by July 19 or the Care Net office by July 26. Christ Church is a proud supporter of this ministry that serves Vero Beach families with ultrasound scans, maternity and baby supplies, support groups, and education for those facing the challenges of an unexpected pregnancy.
Bottles are available in the cafe area, or you may mail your donation to the office.
TIP #7
Today’s hint is about your personal safety. Be smart about your health! Check the CDC website and wash your hands frequently. Check out “Dodie - a Song to Wash Your Hands To” on You Tube, and stay 6 feet apart. (Ask your 6-foot friend to stretch out on the floor to check the distance.) Most importantly, be smart spiritually. Read Joshua 1:9.
True Vine Ministry is available for personal appointments if you need to talk and pray through your struggles during this health crisis or any other situation. Please send an email or call 772-999-5335.
Thank You For Giving
Easy Tithe is secure software on our website that allows you to give directly from your bank into a Christ Church designated fund.
Thank you for your faithful giving. We are blessed by your generosity. A new offering collection box has been installed at the entrance to the Nave as an alternative option to mailing a check to the Church office or giving online.
Next Week at Christ Church
Monday, July 13 TOTS Summer, 8:30 am Cleaning Crew, 9:30 am Grief Share, 2 pm Tuesday, July 14 TOTS Summer, 8:30 am Prayer Intercessors, 10 am
True Vine/EHS class, 2:30 pm
Wednesday, July 15 TOTS Summer, 8:30 am
Road to Recovery, 6 pm
Thursday, July 16 Adult Bible Study, 7:30 am
TOTS Summer, 8:30 am
Healing Service, 10 am
Military Moms, 5 pm
Friday, July 17 Promise Keepers, 8 am Cleaning Crew, 9:30 am
Celebrations
THE WEEK OF July 12 - 18
Birthdays:
Lydia Johnson
Patricia Hoff
Emmett Evans
Judy Stull
Norwood Stanhope
Emma Johnson
DOHC To Gain Three New Members
On Sunday, July 12, Mary Hansen, Joyce Massaros, and Janice Spotts will be installed as new members of the Christ Church chapter of the Order of the Daughters of the Holy Cross during the worship service and will receive their Cross of the Order. The DOHC has chapters throughout the entire Anglican Church in North America (ACNA).
The DOHC is a community of women who are called to be servants of Jesus, following ordered disciplines for growing in faith and relationship with God. Each one first undergoes a discernment process that culminates in a lifetime vow to practice a Rule of Life including daily prayer, service, study, and evangelism. Congratulations and blessings to our new Daughters!
Our New Associate Priest
Christ Church is pleased to announce Rev. Hunter Van Wagenen has accepted our call to be the Associate Priest for Discipleship and Mission, and he will join our staff and parish on or before November 1. He most recently served as Assisting Priest at Church of the Redeemer in Greensboro, N.C., and missionary candidate with Society of Anglican Missionaries and Senders (SAMS).
As Priest for Discipleship and Mission, Rev. Hunter will work to develop and implement a systematic approach to making disciples through Sunday School, Bible Studies, Life Groups, Leadership Training & Development, and Lectures. Additionally, he will work to ensure there are mission opportunities to live what is learned through local, national, and international partnerships.
Rev. Hunter received a Master of Divinity and Certificate of Anglican Studies from Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Ala. He and his wife, Stephie, grew up in Orange Park, Fla., and have a two-year-old son, Asher, and are expecting their second child, Jed, in August.
Special Announcements
In general, maintain a safe distance between you and others, wear a mask in public, hum rather than sing, and stay home if you don't feel well or were exposed to illness. Click here for more details about Phase 2 of reopening.
was amazed while scrolling through several pages on Amazon.com and another similar website, how this catchy play-on-words was used as a hook to lure shoppers into purchasing something else to clutter up their homes. As one of my besetting faults is procrastination, I am a prime candidate to buy several round tuits!
you need to talk and pray through your struggles during this health crisis or any other situation. Please 
