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SCHEDULE OF WORSHIP
Week of April 18, 2024                                                        PRAYER LIST 

Sunday, April 21: The Fourth Sunday of Easter
9:15 a.m.      Nursery Opens
9:30 a.m.      Adult Forum in the Chapel

10:30 a.m.    Holy Eucharist: BULLETIN

Wednesday, April 24
12:00 p.m.    Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Healing

Livestreamed services can be found on the on the Christ Church YouTube channel


MESSAGE FROM THE REV. DAVID C. SEYLE

I made a mistake. I decided to listen to the radio during breakfast, and I heard the news at the top of the hour. Israel vs. the Palestinians, Ukraine vs. the Russians, political gridlock closer to home: as if I didn’t have enough trauma in my life already. I won’t do that again.  I need to find some peace, some serenity.

Perhaps American theologian Reinhold Niebur was having a similar morning when he penned his famous prayer.  We know it best in a shortened form, but here is his entire prayer:

God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.


I frankly don’t find much serenity in the more famous part of the Serenity Prayer. I find peacefulness in the second section where Niebuhr prays the heart of his theology of Christian realism:

“Living one day at a time... taking this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it, trusting You will make all things right...” You know, the more I think about it, I am reasonably serene.


CONNECTION

Transition Update from the Vestry

With the retirement of Michael and Helen approaching this summer, the vestry wanted to share the next steps in the life of Christ Church. Bishop Logue met with the vestry last month and shared that there are three main phases of a rector’s transition:

  1. Celebrating the current rector and seeking an interim rector.
  2. Conducting a search for the next full-time rector.
  3. Welcoming and integrating the new rector into the life of the church.

The first phase is already in progress, with a church-wide celebration being planned for Michael and Helen on June 14, from 5:30-7:30 at the Ships of the Sea Museum. Liz Macfadyen is leading a small committee of volunteers to organize the event. Save the date for June 14—everyone is invited!

The position of the interim rector has been publicly advertised and we are collaborating with the bishop to identify suitable candidates. Given the ample three-month notice and the presence of other priests and two deacons in our congregation, we have sufficient time to find the right person, even if they can begin only later in the summer. While we search for our interim rector, we will simultaneously be searching for candidates to fill Helen’s many roles.

Once we have an interim rector in place, a Search Committee for the next full-time rector will be formed (the interim rector fills an important transitional role and cannot stay on as the new rector). This phase will involve creating a Parish Profile and conducting the actual search. The entire process is expected to take 12–18 months, and we will provide updates throughout this period.

The vestry is honored to serve this strong and vibrant community during such an important moment of our congregational life together. With your prayerful support, we are confident that we will find Spirit-led and servant-hearted candidates in the months ahead. If you have questions about the transition process, you can reach out to our wardens, Stephen Rilee and Wash Dender.


Low Country Boil this Sunday

Sunday, April 21, following the 10:30 a.m. service


Immediately after church this Sunday, April 21, join us at Juliette Low Park in Gordonston (10 Edgewood Rd) for an outdoor low country boil. Delicious food and good company await! The park has a playground for kids and plenty of space to relax and spend time with one another. Lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. There's no need to RSVP, and donations will be accepted to offset costs.


Reflections on Easter: Theme and Variations

9:30 a.m. Adult Forum in the Chapel
April 7–May 12

Join us in the chapel during the Easter season as we discover the wonderful variations found in the life-changing theme of Easter. Borrowing a concept from musical compositions, we will begin with one theme: Easter. Different Easter stories from Scripture will be shared, and we will listen each week as a new variation flows forth and transforms us. Variations include forgiveness, reconciliation, joy, and peace.


In the Spirit: Monday, April 22 at the Sandfly 5-Spot

Second and Fourth Mondays, 5:30 p.m.

"In the Spirit" is a discussion group for those who seek to deepen their faith through meaningful conversations. Join us this Monday at The 5-Spot in Sandfly (7360 Skidaway Rd), where you can grab a drink or a bite as we spend time together. We'll gather at 5:30 p.m. and begin our discussion at 6:00.

This week's topic: Thy Will Be Done on Earth (Day)

April 22 is Earth Day! Often when we think of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we focus on what that story means for people—but what about the rest of creation? What is God's intention for the created world, and how does that purpose affect how we interact with creation? What would it look like for God's Kingdom to come and God's will to be done on Earth?

Questions to Ponder:
  • What does the created world show you about the one who created it? Has your own experience of the created world ever helped you to pray or communicate with God?
  • Genesis 1 tells the story of human beings created in the image of God and told to "Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground." What do you think it means to "rule" creation?
  • What do you think it looks like for God's will to be done on earth? What do you think God desires for the created world?
  • In what ways do you think human beings have failed to care for creation?
  • What gives you hope when it comes to the future of our planet?

If you have questions or would like to receive emails about upcoming In the Spirit topics, please contact the Rev. Samantha McKean.


Youth Service Project with Over the Moon Diaper Bank: Sunday, April 28 


All middle and high school students are invited to take part! Join us after the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, April 28. After sharing a meal together, we will head to the Parish House for a service project with Over the Moon Diaper Bank, a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded by Christ Church member Katie Griffith in 2019.

Please RSVP to the Rev. Samantha McKean if you plan to attend.


Concerts at Christ Church: To Build a Home,
Musica Atlantica & Bridge Voices

Sunday, April 28, 4:00 p.m.

Join us for this concert of choral music centered on themes of homecoming, vulnerability, and what it means to belong. Savannah choral ensemble Musica Atlantica joins with Washington D.C.-based Bridge Voices to offer this hour-long program of music stretching from the English Reformation up through a world premiere of a new work by Baltimore composer Jonathan Woody.


Introducing Thomas Matthews Harper


Christ Church members Caroline and Sam Harper welcomed baby boy Thomas Matthews Harper at 9:52 a.m. on Monday, April 15, weighing in at 7 lb 8 oz. Both mom and baby are doing great! Thomas is the grandchild of proud grandparents Catherine and Joe Gussler.

Welcome, Thomas Matthews!


Register Now for Summer Camp at Honey Creek


In less than two months, the Diocese of Georgia's 100th Summer Camp will be underway at Honey Creek. We will have daily camp activities, including arts & crafts, outdoor games, ropes course activities, kayaking, pool time, and more. In addition to every day being filled with fun camp activities, we also devote time to worship and spiritual formation. Each session has Spiritual Directors on staff that will lead a formation program in the afternoon, and we begin and end each day with worship in the Chapel of Our Savior with gorgeous views of the Creek right outside our window. The Rev. Samantha McKean will be a Spiritual Director for Middle School Camp June 9–15!

Registration for each session is open, and scholarship assistance is available.

High School Camp
June 2-8, 2024
Registration

Middle School Camp
June 9-15, 2024
Registration

Elementary School Camp
June 16-22, 2024
Registration

Learn more about Summer Camp here.

 


Next Week at Christ Church


Sunday, April 21: The Fourth Sunday of Easter
     9:30 a.m. Choir Rehearsal
     9:30 a.m. Adult Forum in the Chapel. Reflections on Easter: Theme and Variations
     10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
     12:00 p.m. Low Country Boil

Monday through Friday, April 22–26
     10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Docent Tours

Monday, April 22
     5:30 p.m. In the Spirit. Thy Will Be Done on Earth (Day)

Wednesday, April 24
     12:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Healing
     5:15 p.m. Chorister Rehearsal
     7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK







Thanks to Mills Fleming for the photographs
Centered in Worship
All are Welcome
Joyful Living

Servant Leadership


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Church Location: Johnson Square | 28 Bull Street
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28 Bull Street
Savannah, GA 31401

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