Sunday, July 7: The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
10:00 a.m. Nursery Opens
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist: BULLETIN
Livestreamed services can be found on the on the Christ Church YouTube channel.
|
|
FROM THE DEACON'S BENCH
We have a treasure in our Book of Common Prayer, a treasure of beautiful prayers and, in our hymnal, a treasure of hymns that are prayers. Both inspire us to hope and trust, to keeping our souls turned heavenward, to gratitude for all the ways we are blessed. And yet, for many of us, prayer has become a sporadic thing, something we do when we remember but we seldom remember, as busy as we are. And yes, when things get hard, we pray but those too are respectful, full of hope and cloaked in lovely words. But what about those times when things are not just hard but awful, when we haven’t any hope or joy or gratitude, those times when all is dark? What about those times when we are sure God is of no help whatsoever? When we are alone and bereft? When we are facing an illness that may take our life? I suspect that we don’t take those times to God because we are so sure our real thoughts would be wrong, unlovely, offensive, to the heavenly Father that we are told loves us beyond imagining.
Into that dark and threatening territory have ventured two Episcopal priests, both women I knew when in Virginia. They have published a book called Irreverent Prayers: Talking to God When You’re Seriously Sick. Both have been dealing with life-threatening illness and both have tossed out all the beautiful words in favor of the dreadful honesty that needs speaking. In the book Elizabeth and Samantha have each told their own story about what it is to be human and then offered prayers that are specific and honest, prayers of pain and anger, of blood and breath, of waiting and hospitals, prayers of anxiety and helplessness. And I give thanks for them, opening the door to a relationship with God that trusts – trusts that God can handle our anger and despair, trust that God wants our honesty, not our fake cheerfulness, trust that God listens, even when the words are not “nice”. I commend it to you, along with this from their book:
Dear Jesus, I believe in miracles but I don’t believe they can happen to me. Help my unbelief. I believe in prayer but I’m not sure how it all works. Help my unbelief. I believe that it’s not your fault when bad things happen, but I still blame you. Help my unbelief. I believe that death is not the end but I am reluctant to test that. Help my unbelief. I believe that I am brave and strong, but mostly I am afraid. Help my unbelief. I believe that you are always with me, but I also feel lonely most of the time. Help my unbelief. I believe in your love and unconditional grace, which is why I can admit these things. Help me believe. Amen.
|
|
Save the Date: Neighborhood Parties on September 15
![](https://mcusercontent.com/5da6420af0ce411d2ce23d0bd/images/e756f912-8405-8630-a4da-c0d272cd20b8.jpg)
A party is coming to your neighborhood on September 15! Our Christ Church community spans from Richmond Hill to Beaufort, South Carolina and everywhere in between. Every fall, parties are held in each of these neighborhoods so that you can meet your (literal) Christ Church neighbors in a fun and casual environment. Keep an eye out for details about party locations and more. In the meantime, mark your calendar!
|
|
In the Spirit: Monday, July 8 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: Practice Makes Perfect?
Christian "spiritual practices" are habits taken on as individuals or as a community meant to nourish and sustain a life of faith. They also, presumably, are supposed to provoke some sort of change in the person who does them. Do spiritual disciplines make us better people? And if not, is there a point to doing them at all?
Questions to Ponder:
- What are some spiritual practices you've tried out over the years? Which ones have stuck? Which ones haven't?
- Have you ever felt changed for the better by a spiritual practice? What was it, and how did you change?
- Why do you think you need to "practice" spiritual practices? What's the difference between a sustained commitment to a discipline, vs. a one-time try?
- Have you ever seen spiritual practices do the opposite in people: change them for the worse?
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![](https://mcusercontent.com/5da6420af0ce411d2ce23d0bd/images/87cd9d96-97c1-dd6d-d0c5-13a6e335c03b.jpg)
Thursday, July 11, 10:30 a.m.
Join us each second Thursday in the undercroft as we explore insights from thought-provoking works. This month's selection is Walking Across Egypt by Clyde Edgerton. Mattie Rigsbee, an independent, strong-minded senior citizen, who at 78, might be slowing down just a bit. When young, delinquent Wesley Benfield drops in on her life, he is even less likely a companion than the stray dog. But, of course, the dog never tasted her mouth-watering pound cake... Wise, witty, down-home and real, Walking Across Egypt is a book for everyone.
|
|
Finance and Stewardship Updates
- Letters will be sent soon to all those who have a pledge to the church in 2024. The purpose of these letters is to ensure the church records are correct and agree with your gifts to date. These letters will ONLY include pledge payments received by June 30, 2024. Other gifts, such as those to altar flowers, memorial or music at Christ Church will be noted on the year end tax letter that will be sent in January 2025.
- Required Minimum Distributions from your retirement plan may be gifted directly to the church and may provide tax benefits. Please contact your tax advisor or Catherine Gussler for more information.
- The Endowment Committee meets quarterly to review with our investment advisors the status of our endowment. Members are: Jim Pember (Chair), Steve Edwards, Sarah Jones, Denton Stone, Bill Wallace. The rectors, wardens, and treasurers are ex-officio members.
- The Finance Committee meets quarterly as well. At the end of July, they will meet with our auditors to review the annual audit for 2023. Members are: Patton Dugas (Treasurer and Chair), Karl Bohnstedt, Stephen Hooten, Stephanie Lindley, John Northup, and Paul Reddick; and our wardens, Stephen Rilee and Wash Dender.
|
|
Report on Docent Tours
![](https://mcusercontent.com/5da6420af0ce411d2ce23d0bd/images/487742cc-9892-6f33-57d3-81cec10d35cd.jpg)
The church is open for tours by the public most weekdays. A team of docents and Suzanne Phillips Smith open the church for two hours per day (from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) for all to access our beautiful sanctuary. From January 1 to June 30, 2024, we had 1,117 visitors tour Christ Church. A script is available, so please contact Suzanne to volunteer.
|
|
RJGA Book Discussion
Thursdays, 7–8 p.m., beginning July 11
On Thursday evening, July 11, Racial Justice Georgia will begin its four-part discussion series of Dr. Catherine Meeks' recently published memoir, A Quilted Life. We'll discuss the Preface and Chapters 1–4. Please join us! Subsequent meetings will be July 18, 25, and August 1, always 7–8 p.m.
Click here for the Zoom meeting link.
|
|
Prayer for the Nation on Independence Day
Lord God Almighty, who has made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
|
|
Next Week at Christ Church
Sunday, July 7: Seventh Sunday After Pentecost
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Monday through Wednesday, July 8–12
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Docent Tours
Monday, July 8
5:30 p.m. In the Spirit. Practice Makes Perfect?
Thursday, July 11
10:30 a.m. Book Group. Walking Across Egypt
|
|
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
![](https://mcusercontent.com/5da6420af0ce411d2ce23d0bd/images/421bbfb6-5007-16d4-1f4f-631d5d300f8a.jpg)
![](https://mcusercontent.com/5da6420af0ce411d2ce23d0bd/images/c5f4b1f2-a40d-5cf8-d641-f4602c44010e.jpg) ![](https://mcusercontent.com/5da6420af0ce411d2ce23d0bd/images/03684e9c-4180-d1b6-0413-93914482b743.jpg)
![](https://mcusercontent.com/5da6420af0ce411d2ce23d0bd/images/9c5f91fa-7c38-a6d1-756c-30a86f83b5d4.jpg)
![](https://mcusercontent.com/5da6420af0ce411d2ce23d0bd/images/ef30b546-c34f-74dd-3fd8-5c5d084bd4e7.jpg) ![](https://mcusercontent.com/5da6420af0ce411d2ce23d0bd/images/c746a12f-4f4a-8b0b-cc3d-4cd655c57933.jpg)
![](https://mcusercontent.com/5da6420af0ce411d2ce23d0bd/images/70d42e3a-4a24-67d7-109b-64d28128d8d7.jpg)
![](https://mcusercontent.com/5da6420af0ce411d2ce23d0bd/images/b69d60fd-41ba-35f7-b8ea-993ed9248926.jpg)
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.
|
|
|
|
|