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        912-236-2500

SCHEDULE OF WORSHIP
Week of June 6, 2024                                                        PRAYER LIST 

Sunday, June 9: The Third Sunday after Pentecost
10:00 a.m.    Nursery Opens
10:30 a.m.    Holy Eucharist and Baptism: BULLETIN

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


MESSAGE FROM THE REV. HELEN S. WHITE


Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
 

–1 Thessalonians 5:11

Last Sunday I found myself surrounded by the “home team” of 3rd to 5th graders in Children’s Chapel. So I took an unplanned opportunity to talk to them about my upcoming departure. They weren’t surprised because their parents had already informed them, and I was glad to be the only one shedding tears. But they were gentle and present and sincere—like they always are.  If you ever wonder why some of us love working with Christ Church kids, you can know we are hanging out with an extraordinary group of human beings, and we have formed a “congregation” down there in the undercroft.  Last Sunday, I encouraged them to know one another (we share our names and something about ourselves every week) and be a spiritual community for one another, especially as adolescence is arriving. I said, “You don’t have to be best friends, but you can pray for one another and care about one another in a spiritual way. Y’all are a special community based in God’s love.” 

It’s obvious that Christ Church folks are cool. If you have time to enjoy more than a two-second conversation with anyone, you will be intrigued, charmed, and impressed by the person standing before you. But over the past few years, another truth has been confirmed for me: Christ Church folks are incredibly faithful Christians. And the reason “being Church” is important is because we all need one another. We need this worshipping community to nurture and strengthen us in faith. We remember that because of Jesus, being a Christian is not a solo sport. The incarnation of God in Jesus Christ makes being Christian inherently relational. We need one another to be the Body of Christ, and this includes clergy—we need you. Sunday morning worship is where we come together and are fed by Sacrament and Word. We also know encounters with God constantly happen beyond the Church walls. Church is a team sport, and beyond Sunday morning is where many of the most interesting and challenging points are played out.  

Last fall, I was shopping at Whole Foods, and I noticed a person who was seemingly in need. Like many of us, I have studied the Parable of the Good Samaritan more times than I can count. Whenever I see someone in need, I recall Jesus’ teachings about loving our neighbors and Jesus' description of the priest hurrying by the injured man, too busy to care. I am a priest, but I am also human and often in a tired hurry like everyone else. So as I became aware of my surroundings, I chose to focus on my groceries— selfishly? self-care? Only God knows. When I turned back, there was a generous soul leaning over to talk to the distressed person in a very kind and personal way. Whew! I looked more closely and saw that the helper was a member of Christ Church. Wow. I gave thanks for being part of an incredible team and went on my way in peace.

Of course, I could name numerous other examples of extraordinary faithfulness that I have witnessed over the years. The message I want to convey is that you all inspire me in my faith, as I have endeavored through my ordained ministry to inspire you. I know I have served as a priest among you, but I could not have walked this journey without you. And I will carry all these moments of inspiration, big and small, with me forever. As Michael and I prepare for our final Sunday in leadership, I want to thank you for all the ways you shine the Light of Christ in this world. And I hope you will keep loving one another and encouraging one another to walk the unique, Christ Church way of following Jesus in today’s world—with open and faithful hearts. Go team! 


CONNECTION

Young Adults at Starland Yard: Tonight at 5:30 PM


Come hang out with other Christ Church young adults at Starland Yard (2411 DeSoto Ave)! We'll gather at 5:30 p.m. for food, drinks, and conversation. Starland Yard is a kid- and pet-friendly space, so feel free to bring them along. Feel free, too, to use this as an excuse to treat yourself to a sitter—whatever you find more convenient.

Please let the Rev. Samantha McKean know if you plan to attend.

In the Spirit: Monday, June 10 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: New Beginnings

Philosophers and theologians tend to obsess over death. Western protestants highlight Christ's crucifixion as the center of our faith. Heidegger said that when it comes to understanding the human condition, the most important thing to know is our mortality: we will die.

Hannah Arendt, a Jewish-born German-American philosopher, offered a different point of view. The most important part of being human, she argued, is not that we are people who will die, but that we are people who are born. In other words, it's not our mortality, but our natality that makes the biggest difference. Why? Our natality speaks to our ability to always begin again. Something new can always happen, even in the bleakest of scenarios.

Our Christian faith echoes this theme beginning anew. At Christ Church in particular, we have been celebrating many births and baptisms, each one a new beginning. Even beyond our physical births, we experience new beginnings many times over in our lifetimes.

Questions to Ponder:
  • When is a time when you witnessed or experienced a new beginning? (This could be a literal birth, or metaphorical.) What did you notice? What did you learn?
  • Why do you think people tend to fixate on death, especially when it comes to Christian themes like Jesus, salvation, and the afterlife? What changes when we shift that focus toward birth instead?
  • What needs to happen in order for a new beginning to take place? What changes make room for new life to emerge?

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


Christ Church Book Group: The Sweetness of Forgetting, by Kristin Harmel

Thursday, June 13, 10:30 a.m.

All are welcome to join the Christ Church book group as they discuss The Sweetness of Forgetting, by Kristin Harmel. A baker in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, must travel to Paris to uncover a family secret for her dying grandmother—and what she learns may change everything. The Sweetness of Forgetting is the book that made Kristin Harmel an international bestseller.


Farewell Party for Michael and Helen

Friday June 14, 5:30–7:30 p.m. 


Everyone is invited! Join us at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum (41 MLK Jr. Blvd.) for a time of food, fun and celebration as we bid Michael and Helen farewell for now.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP.


Appreciation for the Ministry of Helen and Michael White

If you would like to express your gratitude to the Revs. Helen and Michael White for their years of faithful ministry to Christ Church, we have set up a "purse" to collect monetary gifts that we will present to them on their final Sunday, June 16. You can contribute via the website, or make checks payable to Christ Church and put "purse" in the memo line.

Any words of gratitude left in the online "comments" form will be passed on to Michael and Helen. You can also send a physical note by placing it in the alms basin at church, or mailing it to 28 Bull St, Savannah, GA 31401.

Contact Catherine Gussler (912-222-0888) with any questions.


Introducing Mae Elizabeth "Maisie" Rinker


Christ Church members Zoe and Rob Rinker welcomed the arrival of baby girl Mae Elizabeth Rinker on Friday, May 31. Her big brother, Asa, proudly holds her in the picture to the left. Maisie is the granddaughter of Christ Church members Kim Bockius-Suwyn and Dan Suwyn. Welcome, Maisie!


Introducing Isabella Rae Maynard


Isabella Rae Maynard made her entrance at 9:32 a.m. on Saturday, June 1, weighing in at 7 lb 1 oz and measuring 19 3/4 inches. She was welcomed by her parents, Christ Church members Roy and Crystal, and big brothers RJ and Roman, who had been eagerly anticipating her arrival. Everyone is excited and doing well! Welcome, Isabella!


Baptism of Elizabeth Grace Finley on Sunday

Elizabeth “Ellie” Grace Finley, born March 4, 2024, is excited to be welcomed into Christ’s family at Christ Church, following in the footsteps of her big brother Paul, baptized January of 2020. Ellie is the second child and daughter of Matthew Miller Finley and Megan Elizabeth Lambert Finley. While Megan is originally from Texas, Matthew was raised here in Savannah down the street at First Baptist Church, Savannah. 

Assisting in the sacrament of Holy Baptism is Megan’s father, the Rt. Rev. Paul E. Lambert, retired Bishop Suffragan of Dallas, Texas and by Matthew’s father, former Sr. Minister at First Baptist Church, Savannah, Rev. Dr. John M. Finley.  Ellie’s godparents are her Uncle Scott Robertson of Texarkana, AR and Elizabeth “Betsy” Davis of Savannah, GA and sister of Whit Davis. Ellie’s maternal grandparents are Paul and Sally Lambert and her paternal grandparents are John and Norma Finley. Matthew enjoys performing independent historic property research and also serves as Department Chair of History at Oglethorpe Charter School while Megan works as the Financial Aid & Scholarship specialist at SCAD.


Next Week at Christ Church


Sunday, June 9: Third Sunday After Pentecost
     9:30 a.m. Choir Rehearsal
    10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist and Baptism

Monday through Friday, June 10–14
     10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Docent Tours

Monday, June 10
     5:30 p.m. In the Spirit. New Beginnings

Thursday, June 13
     10:30 a.m. Book Group. The Sweetness of Forgetting

Friday, June 14
     5:30 p.m. Farewell Party for Michael and Helen

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK







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

Servant Leadership


We invite you to worship with us at Historic Christ Church.
Copyright © 2023 Christ Church, All rights reserved.
Church Location: Johnson Square | 28 Bull Street
Our mailing address is:
28 Bull Street
Savannah, GA 31401

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