Rev. Shirley: A Prayer for Saturdays

We can take protective measures now, while still having hope for the future!

Devotional: Living One Day at a Time

by Linda Walton

PSALM

Psalm 118:14-24, King James Version (KJV)

14 The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.

15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.

16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.

17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.

18 The Lord hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord:

20 This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter.

21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

23 This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

 SCRIPTURE

Matthew 6:19-21 King James Version (KJV)

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

REFLECTION

I have often thought I needed to know all of God's will for me for my entire future. I worry about how I will handle myself in any given situation (which may or may not occur). This includes good times as well as bad. It can sometimes be obsessive thinking. But as the scripture says, these 'treasures' that I am storing in my brain can corrupt my attitude, my thoughts and my life.

In the context of living one day at a time, I have to trust that God will give me what I need; the right decisions, the proper understanding, the right qualities such as courage or strength to carry out His will at the moment it is needed. I really don't have room in my psyche to store all the answers.

God, however, has the answers to all the conditions I will ever face. So I don't need to have a storehouse. I need to cultivate the assurance that the right response, choice or decision will come to me at the time it is needed, because all of it rests with God.

~ Linda Walton

HYMN

 
Forever, by Chris Tomlin (click here to play on YouTube)

Give thanks to the Lord our God and King,
His love endures forever.
For He is good He is above all things,
His love endures forever.
Sing Praise, Sing Praise.

With a mighty hand and outstretched arm,
His love endures forever.
For the life that's been reborn,
His love endure forever.
Sing Praise, Sing Praise.

Forever God is faithful,
Forever God is strong.
Forever God is with us,
Forever

From the rising to the setting sun,
His love endures forever.
And by the grace of God we will carry on,
His love endures forever.
Sing Praise, Sing Praise

Forever You are faithful,
Forever You are strong.
Forever You are with us,
Forever and ever, forever.

His love endures forever,
His love endures forever,
His love endures forever.


PRAYERS

Let us Pray:

Free our hearts O God to take things one day at a time.

Remove from us the need to be all that we planned for ourselves and help us surrender to what you can be in us.

Give us strength and clarity to walk in your will for us and to trust in you.

Remind us that your peace is a gift.

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

Collect - For Quiet Confidence (BCP p. 832)

O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Pastoral Message: Rev. Shirley

Many of us are still reeling from the announcement yesterday to close schools for the remainder of the academic year. But God is with us!

Worship

Welcome to worship at Christ Church Episcopal on Sunday, March 22, 2020!


Christ Church Episcopal has obtain a copyright license for the following song featured in this video: Steven Curtis Chapman © 1999 Primary Wave Brian (Chapman Sp Acct) (Admin. by BMG Chrysalis US) Sparrow Song (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 697852

Devotional: Rev. Darren

Take a little walk with Rev. Darren!

Youth: Stay in Touch via CCE Youth Ministry

Youth and parents are encouraged to stay connected to Youth Ministry during this time of social distancing.

If you are already in the Garage Youth Facebook Group, click here to view Adam's latest devotional

Follow the Garage

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/groups/ccgarage/

Instagram:
garagestudentministries

Helping Others during this time

These are strange times indeed and many of you have asked, how can we help? What can we do? Here are a few ways:

• Help children and families through RPS and HCPS.
• Help others through Hands On Greater Richmond
• Donate money or volunteer time to FeedMore
• And please join the Missions & Outreach Network Group in Realm for updates and more detailed information. This is a great way to connect with other big-hearted do-gooders!

Devotional: Rev. Darren

Devotional: Rev. Shirley

Remember, you are fearfully and wonderfully made!

Worship

Welcome to worship at Christ Church Episcopal on Sunday, March 15!

Message: Stay Safe & Keep in Contact

Important Guidance During COVID-19

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." -Isaiah 43:1-3

Guidance During COVID-19 (Updated 3/11/2020)

NOTE: If cases of COVID-19 are identified in the congregation or if the community is experiencing spread of COVID-19, then this guidance will be updated.

Fellow followers of Jesus, faced with the COVID-19 virus being declared a pandemic, I appreciate your help following these instructions. I hope they will seem sensible. I am happy to field questions you may have at s.smithgraham@ccerva.org or communicate with the clergyperson who supports your ministry area. - The Rev. Shirley Smith Graham

Over-arching Principles:

• Slow the spread
• Safeguard the health of one another
• Keep doing ministry but do it safely

Take care of yourself and others

Check in on those who may feel isolated or lonely. Consider joining the Faith at Home group in Realm for weekly reflection resources and stay tuned as CCE shares additional resources for at-home faith formation and worship. If you live alone and become sick and need groceries or medications, please contact a clergyperson.

Look out for those who feel isolated, depressed or anxious. The most vulnerable populations to COVID-19 are the elderly and those with suppressed immune systems. Our concern for them is a worthwhile cost to taking precautionary measures. 

• Public in-person worship is suspended.
• Online worship opportunities will be provided by Christ Church ministers.
• Children’s Sunday School and Children’s Chapel are suspended. Online resources for family formation will be available.
• In-person Sunday morning Adult Formation is suspended. Online resources will be available.
• Events that involve sharing food are suspended. Groups are encouraged to call their members to stay in touch or meet online.
• Ministry teams are encouraged to meet online instead of in person. A variety of media are available, for example Zoom, GoToMeeting, Webex. If a team does decide to meet in person, they must follow current state and federal guidelines.
• Choir rehearsals are suspended until in-person worship resumes.
• Small group gatherings are encouraged to meet online.
• Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop in-person gatherings are suspended.
• Preschool is closed.
• The Children’s Consignment sale is being rescheduled for May 2.

Please see below for Bishop Susan’s Goff communication to the churches, 3/11/2020

Dear People of the Diocese of Virginia,
As the Coronavirus spreads, we are called as people of faith to protect one another, particularly the most vulnerable among us. As a step toward doing this, Bishop Brooke-Davidson, three diocesan staff members and I met virtually with 185 of our clergy this afternoon and conveyed to them the decision that we will not physically gather for worship in our church buildings for the next two weeks, between now and March 25. Toward the end of the two weeks, we will assess the situation and adjust as necessary.

An early version of a Washington Post online article says that we have "closed" our churches for two weeks. That is not correct. Churches may remain open, unless told otherwise by local health officials. Church staff may come to work. We will not, however, gather physically for public worship. Why? The Coronavirus is now a pandemic and we are responsible for one another, especially for the most vulnerable among us. Mathematical models show that the virus is spreading exponentially. We can't stop the spread, but we can slow it, thereby saving lives and helping ensure that our health care system remains effective. Social distancing is our best means of slowing the spread. The Diocese of Washington has made the same decision as COVID-19 cases increase in the DC urban and suburban area. This is not the first time that our churches have suspended public worship. One hundred two years ago, bishops cancelled visitations and churches closed for two to six weeks during the 4 great flu epidemic. As it was then, these are extraordinary and unusual times. They require extraordinary and unusual measures.
While we won't gather in our churches for worship these next two Sundays, God will be worshipped and praised. By the end of the day tomorrow we will send you resources for virtual worship with a variety of options for churches of every size. We'll also include links with answers to questions that clergy of the diocese asked this afternoon during the ZOOM meetings, and other questions we receive.

Do not be afraid. God is good. God is leading us and guiding us even now. God is teaching us how to be Church in ways that might not be comfortable, but in ways that will be faithful. God bless you and God bless us all as we care for one another, especially the most vulnerable among us.

Faithfully yours, Bishop Suffragan and Ecclesiastical Authority

Holy, Gracious, Loving God;

Our times are in your hands, and these times have brought us to a strange moment. We read the news. We hear the stories. We know of people who have either tested positive for the Coronavirus or have been in a room with people 5 who have tested positive. And we wonder. We know that there is fear out there, and we ask you to help us to turn this fear, our fear, into an opportunity for your love. We pray for all who have been affected by this illness, for those who are afraid, for all healthcare workers, for our hospital system, for all leaders who are making decisions that affect their people. Guide us all, because we haven't done this before and we are figuring out how to do it as we are doing it. Lead us, bless us, fill us with your peace and with your presence, so that our faith may always exceed our fear, and that we may be a part of the healing work that you are doing. And we pray it all in Jesus' name. Amen


Christ Church Episcopal
5000 Pouncey Tract Road
Glen Allen, VA 23059
(804)364-0394