A Reminder about Out Intercessory List

As has been our practice, we begin anew our list of those on our public prayer roster on the First Sunday of Advent each year.  When refreshed, the list will include only those in our parish community or those whose immediate condition is known to us.  Additional names, concerns, and thanksgivings are certainly accepted and encouraged.  If you wish to add a name to our public intercessions, please let Fr. Clements know either by calling or emailing the parish office.

Prayers, Petitions, and Thanksgivings for this Sunday

The altar flowers are given by Gregory Banks in loving memory of his father, Clifford Banks

Prayer List:

Babs Ross, Jayne Johnson, Michael and Gene Luther, Al Sciarretti, Les Molnar, Madeline Slicer, Mary & Ed Karoll, Gerry Shaw, Doris Beswick, Sandy, Pearl Brown, Cate Horton, Christine Steele

Birthdays:

Wesley Hook and Jennifer Fletcher 

This Sunday's Participants

 Officiant: The Rev. Dr. Robert Peter Clements

Organist: Mr. John Williams

Lay Minister: Rosalie Molnar

Lector: Michael Prinz

Altar and Flower Guild: Pat Ryan

Video Minister: Pat Ryan

Counters: Pam Prinz and Gail Peabody

A Devotion for The Holy Innocents

The First Sunday after Christmas: Announcements, Lections, and Sermon

Historically, the Sunday after the Christmas Eve and Day celebrations is a little casual.  For fun, please listen to the discussion that takes place before the reading of the Gospel as to whether or not we stand when it's the office of Morning Prayer.

Prayers, Petitions, and Thanksgivings for this Week

                                                               Petitions and Thanksgivings:

Babs Ross, Jayne Johnson, Michael and Gene Luther, Al Sciarretti, Les Molnar, Madeline Slicer,

Mary & Ed Karoll, Gerry Shaw, Doris Beswick, Sandy, Pearl Brown, Cate Horton

Birthdays:

Tom Sansone, Cameron Baker, Eric Emanuelson, Deb Melycher, Ed Carroll

Anniversaries:

Bill and Pearl Brown

 

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer:

St. Mark’s, Bridgeport;

St. Mark’s, Bridgewater;

Good Shepherd, Bristol/Plainville

A Devotion for the Feast of St. Stephen

Renegade Singers Take Over the Church on Christmas Day! No Film at 11

The small group gathered for Christmas "spiritual" Communion, in full compliance with our be-masked, physically distant directives, decided that it wouldn't be Christmas unless we sang a couple of carols. For the first time in nearly 10 months, hymns were sung within the walls of Christ Church. It was glorious.

Christmas Eve at 730, Lections and Homily

Christmas Eve at 5pm, Lections and Homily

Services for December [UPDATED]

THE CHURCH IS FULL FOR ALL SERVICES ON CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ATTENDANCE ON CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY. PLEASE CONTANCT FR. CLEMENTS AT THE OFFICE PHONE OR THROUGH EMAIL. 

RESERVATIONS WILL NO LONGER BE ACCEPTED AS OF THE 23RD

Christmas Eve [Thursday]

[TO BE LIVE-STREAMED ON YOUTUBE WITH A RECORDED VERSION AVAILABLE LATER IN THE DAY]

            5pm – Seasonal Liturgy with “Spiritual Communion” 

Christmas Day [Friday]

          11am – Seasonal Liturgy with “Spiritual Communion"

First Sunday after Christmas [December 27^th]

          9:30am – Morning Prayer [Lay minsters and preacher]

Since indoor singing is still discouraged by the organizations that represent choral groups and organists, at the Christmas Eve service we will sing “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “Silent Night” outdoors at the beginning and end of the liturgy, depending on the weather.

Advent IV B 2020 Lections and Sermon

Announcements for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Advent III B 2020 Lections and Sermon

Christmas Services [UPDATED]; Reservations are Required for Attendance; Please Contact the Parish Office

 Christmas Eve [Thursday]

          5pm – Seasonal Liturgy with “Spiritual Communion”

                    [This service will be live-streamed with a recorded version available later in the evening.]

          7:30pm - Seasonal Liturgy with “Spiritual Communion”

Christmas Day [Friday]

          11am – Seasonal Liturgy with “Spiritual Communion"

First Sunday after Christmas [December 27^th]

          9:30am – Morning Prayer [Lay minsters and preacher]

Since indoor singing is still discouraged by the organizations that represent choral groups and organists, at the Christmas Eve services we will sing “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “Silent Night” outdoors at the beginning and end of the liturgy, depending on the weather.

Stewardship 2020: What We Have Done, What We Are Doing, What We Will Do

Announcements December 6th 2020

Morning Devotion for Tuesday, as read by Steve Johnson of the Order of St. Ambrose

Christmas Reservations

In order to maintain "safe distancing" for the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services, we are asking those who plan on attending to reserve a pew for themselves and their family and/or friends in advance. There are 14 pews available on the main floor and 5 more in the loft.

Please specify which liturgy you plan on attending, either the 5pm or 7:30pm on the Eve, or 11am on the Day.

Please email or call the office to make reservations.

The viewing room in the parish hall will be available for all services without the need for reservations.

Advent II B 2020 Lections and Sermon

Morning Devotion for Monday, as lead by Les Molnar of the Order of St. Ambrose

Evening Devotion for Sunday, as read by Bob Skolozdra, Order of St. Ambrose

Morning Devotion for Sunday, as read by Tom Sansone, Order of St. Ambrose

Services for December

 Second Sunday of Advent [December 6^th]

          4pm – Evensong, Tree Lighting and Carols

Christmas Eve [Thursday]

          5pm – Seasonal Liturgy with “Spiritual Communion”

          7:30pm - Seasonal Liturgy with “Spiritual Communion”

Christmas Day [Friday]

          11am – Seasonal Liturgy with “Spiritual Communion"

First Sunday after Christmas [December 27^th]

          9:30am – Morning Prayer [Lay minsters and preacher]

Since indoor singing is still discouraged by the organizations that represent choral groups and organists, at the Christmas Eve services we will sing “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “Silent Night” outdoors at the beginning and end of the liturgy, depending on the weather.

The other familiar and beloved carols will be sung on December 6^th when we gather to light the tree.

Morning Devotion for Saturday, as read by Al Maiorano, Order of St. Ambrose

Annual Flower Dedications

There is a calendar in the big room in the church hall. It will soon be replaced by the 2021 calendar.

Rosalie will re-list all the current repeating dedications unless otherwise notified.

All who wish to make changes in their week of choice, their dedications, commemorations, and etc. are to please contact Rosalie either by email or in person on Sunday mornings.

Noon Devotion for Friday, as read by Barbara Ross, Order of St. Brigid

Prayers, Petitions, and Thanksgivings for The Second Sunday of Advent

Prayer List:

Jayne Johnson, Michael and Gene Luther, Al Sciarretti, Les Molnar, Madeline Slicer, Mary & Ed Karoll, Gerry Shaw, Doris Beswick, Sandy, Pearl Brown, Cate Horton

The altar flowers are given by Rob and Jenni in loving memory of Murray Buttner, The Rev. Clinton Dugger, and The Rev. Buck Belmore

Birthdays: Jayne Johnson

Morning Devotion for Friday, as lead by Rosalie Molnar, Order of St. Ambrose

Participants for the Second Sunday of Advent

 

Officiant: The Rev. Dr. Robert Peter Clements

Organist: Mr. John Williams

Lay Minister: Ruth Beardsley, Order of St. Brigid

Lector: Jessica Skolozdra

Altar and Flower Guild: Jenni Matheson, Priest Associate

Video Minister: Jessica Skolozdra

Counters: Margaret Moreau and Steve Burt

Morning Devotion for Thursday, as read by Kim Wicks Maiorano, Order of St. Ambrose

Morning Devotion for Wednesday, as read by Ruth Beardsley, Order of St. Brigid

A Devotion for St Andrew's Day

December's NEON offering

December's Free Pick Up a Meal for Take Out will be Ham, Cheesy Potato and Dessert.  Pick up is at 

St Michael's Episcopal Church of  Naugatuck Town Green

Saturday December 19, 2020

between 4pm -6pm

A Note from our Treasurer and Joining Jesus Information

 

Please complete your Stewardship paperwork and bring it to church Sunday December 6th for a blessing!

You Make ALL The Difference!

Feel free to fill out your commitment online at christchurchbethany.org/pledge 

Your pledge determines our yearly operating costs, thank you for your generosity!

Those that wish to fulfill their Joining Jesus Campaign commitment should make their check  payable to ECCT and send it to: 

 ECCT

 29 Pratt St Meriden CT 06450

The Joining Jesus Campaign does not factor into our yearly budget.

Our Service on The First Sunday of Advent

A Reminder about Prayers, Petitions, and Thanksgivings

As is our custom, the corporate prayer list begins anew with the beginning of the liturgical year in Advent.  If you wish to have a person or concern addressed by the celebrant, officiant, or lay minister during the Prayers of the People, please either notify the office or Fr. Clements.

News from NEON

 NEON is currently in search of the following:

Peanut Butter, Jelly, Soup, and Crackers

They have plenty of tuna, macaroni and cheese, and Chef Boy-ar-dee [who was from Cleveland, btw]

This Week's Prayers, Petitions, and Thanksgivings

Prayer List:

Jane Johnson, Michael and Gene Luther, Al Sciarretti, Les Molnar, Madeline Slicer, Mary & Ed Karoll, Gerry Shaw, Doris Beswick, Sandy, Pearl Brown

Birthdays: Natalie Prinz

Anniversaries: Bob and Shirley Skolozdra

The altar flowers are given by Nancy Shattuck in loving memory of her parents, Ted and Mary Shattuck

This Week's Participants

Officiant: The Rev. Dr. Robert Peter Clements

Organist: John Williams

Lay Minister: Rosalie Molnar, Order of St. Ambrose

Lector: Les Molnar, Order of St. Ambrose

Altar and Flower Guild: Pat Limauro

Video Minister: Pam Prinz

Counters: Les Molnar and Babs Ross

Something From Our Neighbors

 

A Devotion for Thanksgiving

Please enjoy this video, as offered by the Orders of St. Ambrose [Preachers] and St. Brigid [Officiants]. It was recorded in a church that is vibrant and busy, even in this time of quarantine. You will see people listening and praying, people coming and going, and all of it framed by the sounds of passing traffic. This is what a living church looks like.

 

Prayers, Petitions, and Thanksgivings for This Week at Christ Church

 

Craig Keith, Linda White, Michael and Gene Luther, Tricia Paugus, Glenn Dougan, Frank Roberts, Al Sciarretti, Frank Pfeiffer, Tom Troeger, Les Molnar, Curtis, Madeline Slicer, Mary & Ed Karoll,

Elwyn Quirk, Ron Colandrea, Gerry Shaw, Maryjo, Ryan S., Stephanie Spanos, George, Lia Kennedy,

Doris Beswick, Stefan and Connie Fedeyko, Cheryl Heart, Ian Johnson, Annabelle Shaw, Louise Sciarretti, Sandy, Al Mayer, Fred Jenks, Pearl Brown

The altar flowers are given by Loretta Smith in loving memory of her parents, William and Dagmar Kane

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer:

Christ Church, Ansonia; St. Paul’s, Bantam; Christ Church, Bethany

   Postulants and candidates for Holy Orders; The members and ministry of the Commission on Ministry

Birthdays: Al Prinz, Art Slicer

Participants for this Sunday's Office of Morning Prayer

This Sunday is our second experiment in monthly lay-lead services.  We will offer the Office of Morning Prayer with music appropriate for The Feast of Christ the King.

Officiant: Mr. Les Molnar, Order of St. Ambrose

Organist and Music Director: Mr. John Williams

Preacher: Mr. Alfred Maiorano, Order of St. Ambrose

Lay Minster: Deb Melchyer

Lector: Babs Ross, Order of St. Brigid

Altar Guild: Pat Ryan

Video Ministry: Ms. Kathie McKiernan, Altar Guild

The Feast of St. Hilda of Whitby

Hilda was, for all intents and purposes, the spiritual head of the Celtic Church in the days before our tradition was consumed by the Church of Rome [only to be liberated 900 years later]. Ironically, she also played a large role in the synod that determined that our tradition would be a part of Rome; something that is debated with much passion to this day. More of her may be read here.

O God of peace, by whose grace the abbess Hilda was endowed with gifts of justice, prudence, and strength to rule as a wise mother over the nuns and monks of her household: Raise up these gifts in us, that we, following her example and prayers, may build up one another in love to the benefit of your church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

News about December Services

 Second Sunday of Advent [December 6^th]

          4pm – Evensong, Tree Lighting and Carols

Christmas Eve [Thursday]

          5pm – Seasonal Liturgy with “Spiritual Communion”

          7:30pm - Seasonal Liturgy with “Spiritual Communion”

Christmas Day [Friday]

          11am – Seasonal Liturgy with “Spiritual Communion"

First Sunday after Christmas [December 27^th]

          9:30am – Morning Prayer [Lay minsters and preacher]

Since indoor singing is still discouraged by the organizations that represent choral groups and organists, at the Christmas Eve services we will sing “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “Silent Night” outdoors at the beginning and end of the liturgy, depending on the weather.

The other familiar and beloved carols will be sung on December 6^th when we gather to light the tree.

Prayers, Petitions, and Thanksgivings for this Week

 The altar flowers are given by Carol Paugus in memory of her son, Jason, and her husband, Jack.

Prayer List:

Jane Johnson, Michael and Gene Luther, Joan Leslie, Tricia Paugus, Glenn Dougan, Frank Roberts, Al Sciarretti, Tom Troeger, Les Molnar, Curtis, Madeline Slicer, Mary & Ed Karoll, Elwyn Quirk, Ron Colandrea, Gerry Shaw, Maryjo, Ryan S., Stephanie Spanos, , Lia Kennedy, Doris Beswick, Stefan and Connie Fedeyko, Cheryl Heart, Ian Johnson, Annabelle Shaw, Louise Sciarretti, Sandy, Al Mayer, Fred Jenks, Pearl Brown

Remembrance: George

Birthdays: Ron Melycher, Ginger Vecchio, Matthew Boyd, Steve Burt

Participants for the 24th Sunday after Pentecost

 

Officiant: The Rev. Dr. Robert Peter Clements

Organist: John Williams

Lay Minister: Rosalie Molnar, Order of St. Ambrose

Lector: Rosalie Molnar, Order of St. Ambrose

Altar and Flower Guild: Kathie McKiernan

Video Minister: Steve Burt, vestry

The 23rd Sunday after Pentecost

Participants for the Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost

Officiant: The Rev. Dr. Robert Peter Clements 

Organist: John Williams 

Lay Minister: Ruth Beardsley, Order of St. Brigid 

Lector: The Rev. Jenni Matheson 

Altar and Flower Guild: Shirley Skolozdra 

Video Minister: Matt Baker, warden

Prayers, Petitions, and Thanksgivings for the Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost

                             The altar flowers are given by Greg Banks in honor of all veterans 

Prayer List:

Jane Johnson, Michael and Gene Luther, Joan Leslie, Tricia Paugus, Glenn Dougan, Frank Roberts, Al Sciarretti, Tom Troeger, Les Molnar, Curtis, , Madeline Slicer, Mary & Ed Karoll, Elwyn Quirk, Ron Colandrea, Gerry Shaw, Maryjo, Ryan S., Stephanie Spanos, George, Lia Kennedy, Doris Beswick, Stefan and Connie Fedeyko, Cheryl Heart, Ian Johnson, Annabelle Shaw, Louise Sciarretti, Sandy, Al Mayer, Fred Jenks, Pearl Brown

Birthdays:

Jeff Boyd

The Collect for Elections

 Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This Sunday's Altar Flowers

Not John's flowers

The flowers are given in loving memory of Blaine Boxwell, Lois Boxwell, and Jack Williams, and in honor of Ruth Williams, parents of John and Meg Williams.

An Organist/Tinkerer with an Interesting Ride

This Sunday's Participants

 

Officiant: Mr. Tom Sansone, Order of St. Ambrose

Organist and Music Director: Mr. John Williams

Preacher: Ms. Kim Wicks Maiorano, Order of St. Ambrose

Lector: Mr. Bob Skolozdra, Order of St. Ambrose

Altar Guild: Ms. Kathie McKiernan

Video Ministry: Mr. Steve Johnson, Order of St. Ambrose

This Week's Petitions and Thanksgvings

 

Petitions and Thanksgivings:

Linda White, Michael and Gene Luther, Tricia Paugus, Glenn Dougan, Frank Roberts, Al Sciarretti, Frank Pfeiffer, Tom Troeger, Les Molnar, Curtis, Madeline Slicer, Mary & Ed Karoll, Elwyn Quirk, Ron Colandrea, Gerry Shaw, Maryjo, Ryan S., Stephanie Spanos, George, Lia Kennedy, Doris Beswick, Stefan and Connie Fedeyko, Cheryl Heart, Ian Johnson, Annabelle Shaw, Louise Sciarretti, Sandy, Al Mayer,

Fred Jenks, Pearl Brown

The Gospel and Sermon for the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost

Participants, Petitions, and Thanksgivings for This Week

Officiant: The Rev. Dr. Robert Peter Clements 

Organist: John Williams 

Lay Minister: Rosalie Molnar 

Lector: Pam Prinz 

Altar and Flower Guild: Rosalie Molnar 

Video Minister: Al Maiorano 

The altar flowers are given by Annyce and Al Mayer in loving memory of Sylvia Mayer 

Prayers for our Parish and Extended Congregation: 

Jane Johnson, Michael and Gene Luther, Joan Leslie, Tricia Paugus, Glenn Dougan, Frank Roberts, Al Sciarretti, Tom Troeger, Les Molnar, Curtis, , Madeline Slicer, Mary & Ed Karoll, Elwyn Quirk, Ron Colandrea, Gerry Shaw, Maryjo, Ryan S., Stephanie Spanos, George, Lia Kennedy, Doris Beswick, Stefan and Connie Fedeyko, Cheryl Heart, Ian Johnson, Annabelle Shaw, Louise Sciarretti, Sandy, Al Mayer, Fred Jenks, Pearl Brown 

Anniversary: Tom & Kathie McKiernan

Today's Lections and Sermon

Today's ECCT Convention Business

Today is our standard convention, with various reports presented, the election of new membership on diocesan committees, and voting on a variety of resolutions.  Details about all of the reports and resolutions may be found on this page.

Today's ECCT Convention Discussion

Just a reminder that there are more than just Blacks and Whites in The Episcopal Church

How can parishes educate themselves about the reality of systemic racism, white supremacy and anti-Black bias, and feel compelled to take action as followers of Jesus?

Today's ECCT Convention Discussion

Which of the pandemic changes we have already made will we KEEP and thereby encourage a continuing culture of discovery in parishes?

Today's ECCT Convention Discussion

The annual convention of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut begins today.  Each weekday will focus on a 2 and 1/2 hour discussion of a particular topic.  Today's is as follows:

What can ECCT and its members do to address the issue of wealth inequality, including: Developing a common language to assure that everyone is talking about the same thing; Understanding how it distorts the political decision making of our governments with examples; Understanding how wealth inequality intersects with other issues as racism, classism, etc; Understanding what is our role in politics as a church; Understanding how our Christian faith provides a standard for our participation in public life.

A Footnote

Our recent conversations in racial awareness often appear to note only two of the groups that make up the great salad bowl of American culture.  On this combined Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day, we demonstrate that not only are there more than two racial groups in the U.S., but we as a congregation participate in the broadening conversation by being the only parish in the diocese that currently employs a [card-carrying] Tribal-American [aka "Native American"].  To that we can only say, "Niá:wen ki’ wáhi".

Lections and Sermon for the 19th Sunday after Pentecost

Participants, Prayers, Petitions, and Thanksgivings for this Sunday

 The altar flowers are given by Jennifer Fletcher iin loving memory of her mother, Lois Horvath

Prayer List:

Michael and Gene Luther, Joan, Tricia Paugus, Glenn Dougan, Frank Roberts, Al Sciarretti, Tom Troeger, Les Molnar, Curtis, Joan Steele, Madeline Slicer, Mary & Ed Karoll, Elwyn Quirk, Ron Colandrea, Gerry Shaw, Maryjo, Ryan S., Stephanie Spanos, George, Lia Kennedy, Doris Beswick, Stefan and Connie Fedeyko, Cheryl Heart, Ian Johnson, Annabelle Shaw, Louise Sciarretti, Sandy, Al Mayer, Fred Jenks, Pearl Brown

Birthdays:

Stella Norton

Remembrance:

The Rev. Clinton Dugger; The Rev. Kent "Buck" Belmore, priests of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church

Officiant: The Rev. Dr. Robert Peter Clements

Organist: John Williams

Lawn Minister: Deb Melycher

Lector: Jessica Skolozdra

Altar Guild: Jenni Matheson

Video Minister: Kathie McKiernan

Upcoming Online Events from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music

 Three events over the next week, beginning today, that may be of interest.

#renameYale

Lections and Sermon for the 18th Sunday after Pentecost

[Happy] Coffee Hour Help

 

If anyone would like to help with the coffee cart on Sunday, please lend a hand at the conclusion of our service.  The cart will be stocked and ready, the coffee will have already been made, it just needs to be poured into the large carafes and wheeled to the appreciative congregation.

[Admit it.  The ad caught your attention, didn't it?]

The Lections for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

 Exodus 32:1-14

When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered around Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make gods for us, who shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” Aaron said to them, “Take off the gold rings that are on the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” So all the people took off the gold rings from their ears, and brought them to Aaron. He took the gold from them, formed it in a mold, and cast an image of a calf; and they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a festival to the Lord.” They rose early the next day, and offered burnt offerings and brought sacrifices of well-being; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to revel.

The Lord said to Moses, “Go down at once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely; they have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them; they have cast for themselves an image of a calf, and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’” The Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, how stiff-necked they are. Now let me alone, so that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; and of you I will make a great nation.”

But Moses implored the Lord his God, and said, “O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, how you swore to them by your own self, saying to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.’” And the Lord changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people.

Psalm 23

Dominus regit me

1 The Lord is my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures *
and leads me beside still waters.

3 He revives my soul *
and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.

4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil; *
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *
you have anointed my head with oil,
and my cup is running over.

6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Matthew 22:1-14

Once more Jesus spoke to the people in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’ But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.

“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”

News About the Coming Change in Ordained Ministry at Christ Church at the 2:43 Mark

This Week at Christ Church

 On our parish prayer list:

Michael and Gene Luther, Joan, Tricia Paugus, Glenn Dougan, Frank Roberts, Al Sciarretti, Tom Troeger, Les Molnar, Curtis, Joan Steele, Madeline Slicer, Mary & Ed Karoll, Elwyn Quirk, Ron Colandrea, Gerry Shaw, Maryjo, Ryan S., Stephanie Spanos, George, Lia Kennedy, Doris Beswick, Stefan and Connie Fedeyko, Cheryl Heart, Ian Johnson, Annabelle Shaw, Louise Sciarretti, Sandy, Al Mayer, Fred Jenks, Pearl Brown

Birthdays:

Madeline Slicer

Anniversary:

Eric Emanuelson and Margaret Moreau

And, of course, the ministers:

Officiant: The Rev. Dr. Robert Peter Clements

Organist: John Williams

Lawn Minister: Ruth Beardsley

Lector: Les Molnar

Altar Guild: Pat Limauro

Video Minister: Jessica Skolozdra

The Lections for the 18th Sunday after Pentecost

Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20

Then God spoke all these words:

I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me.

You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.

Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. For six days you shall labour and do all your work.

Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

You shall not murder.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking, they were afraid and trembled and stood at a distance, and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we will die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come only to test you and to put the fear of him upon you so that you do not sin.”

Matthew 21:33-46

Jesus said, “Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.” So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.”

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures:

‘The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone;

this was the Lord’s doing,

and it is amazing in our eyes’?

Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.”

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.

Saint Remigius of Reims

Today's feast is that of Saint Remigius of Reims, who significantly  advanced Christian education and witness in the 5th century.

O God, who by the teaching of your faithful servant and bishop Remigius [and the loving influence and example of your handmaid Clotilda] turned the nation of the Franks from vain idolatry to the worship of you, the true and living God, in the fullness of the catholic faith; Grant that we who glory in the name of Christian may show forth our faith in worthy deeds; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

St. Jerome, Translator of the Vulgate Bible

Learning of the lesser feast days on our ecclesial calendar is a great way to learn of Christian history, both ancient and recent.  Today's lesser feast is that of St. Jerome, the greatest Biblical scholar of early Christianity and the translator of the Vulgate Bible, the first to be translated into Latin.

More about Jerome may be found here.

O Lord, O God of truth, your Word is a lantern to our feet and a light upon our path: We give you thanks for your servant Jerome, and those who, following in his steps, have labored to render the Holy Scriptures in the language of the people; and we pray that your Holy Spirit will overshadow us as we read the written Word, and that Christ, the living Word, will transform us according to your righteous will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Michaelmas

Today is Michaelmas, or the Feast of Michael and All Angels. More of this day may be read by following this link.

Everlasting God, you have ordained and constituted in a wonderful order the ministries of angels and mortals: Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always serve and worship you in heaven, so by your appointment they may help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Today's Gospel and Sermon

A Diocesan Program of Potential Interest

 Walking with Asylum Seekers: A Training Series for Congregations

[September 25, 2020] In the month of October, join Episcopal Migration Ministries, in partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) and Lutheran Family Services of the Rocky Mountains (LFSRM), for a three-part training series for congregations interested in supporting and walking alongside asylum seekers. The three 90-minute virtual events will provide advocacy updates, resources for group discernment, ministry models, and important considerations when engaging in ministry with asylum seekers.

The Rector's Ramble for the Week of the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

This Week's Flower Memorial

 

This Sunday's Lections

The Collect for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost:

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Exodus 17:1-7

From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” So Moses cried out to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” The Lord said to Moses, “Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

Psalm 25:1-8

Ad te, Domine, levavi

1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
my God, I put my trust in you; *
let me not be humiliated,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.

2 Let none who look to you be put to shame; *
let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.

3 Show me your ways, O Lord, *
and teach me your paths.

4 Lead me in your truth and teach me, *
for you are the God of my salvation;
in you have I trusted all the day long.

5 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, *
for they are from everlasting.

6 Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; *
remember me according to your love
and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.

7 Gracious and upright is the Lord; *
therefore he teaches sinners in his way.

8 He guides the humble in doing right *
and teaches his way to the lowly.

Philippians 2:1-13

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death--even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Matthew 21:23-32

When Jesus entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

“What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.

A Reminder

If anyone wishes to receive an electronic copy of the Sunday order of service, please write to the parish office at office@christchurchbethany.org and one will be provided.

Current Parish Financial Report

If you "click" this link, you will be taken to a video presentation by our treasurer.  She completed it just in time for the Emmy Awards.

Sunday's Office of Morning Prayer: Gospel and Sermon

A Visit from our Bishop, A Successful Tag Sale and New Ministry!!

Last Sunday, September 13, Christ Church members worshiped together on our great lawn and welcomed a thought provoking sermon by Bishop Laura J Ahrens.  Check out our YouTube channel if you missed the live stream.  As always, many thanks to our volunteer sound engineers and movers of equipment- including our Senior Warden Bob Skolozdra and Minister of Music John Williams. 

It's hard to believe but the picture above was occupied by tables full of items and socially distanced, masked tag sale workers just 12 hours before. Many thanks to all the folks that donated items, helped sort, set up, work and clean up.  This was a real community endeavor, and like all things we join together in doing-it was a great success!  Final sales are still coming in, but it looks like we earned in the excess of $2000.00.

NEW MINISTRY ALERT!!

Would you consider assisting with the live stream portion of our service each Sunday?  Many hands make light work and training is provided.  If you can read directions and use a computer mouse, you have all the qualities needed to stream our service to those who are unable to worship with us in person. We are looking for enough folks to volunteer their time so that each Broadcast Minister would be on deck every other month or so. Talk to Bob Skolozdra to find out how you can learn a few new things and help out.

Join us for worship this Sunday- either in church on the front lawn, or live stream via our YouTube channel.  We can also accommodate worshipers in our parish house in case of inclement weather- come find community with us, you are most welcome!

Scripture for this Week 

 Click link below for

September 20, 2020

Psalm105:1-6,37-45

Philippians1:21-30

Matthew 20:1-16