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

The Feast of James Chisholm

 More of the person and the occasion of the feast day may be found at this link.

The Rector's Ramble for Sept 15, 2020

And the winner of our online First Thursday subject poll is:

"What's That Called?"

The particular, and sometimes peculiar, terminology of Christian liturgy and practice.

Please stay attentive to our FB page and weblog for more information.

Yesterday's Outdoor Worship

 A recorded version of yesterday's outdoor worship may be found on our parish's YouTube channel.  Please "click" on the highlighted text.

First Thursday Subject Poll, Last Call

The poll below will be closed as of 12pm tomorrow, at which time we will announce the subject of our next First Thursday class [video edition]. Given some of the limits of our technology, the class will be conducted in 10-15 minute sessions on a weekly basis on our YouTube channel for download, viewing, or general appreciation at any time.

Please click here to vote.

A Reminder

Just a reminder that Bishop Laura Ahrens will be with us tomorrow morning at 9:30am for the Office of Morning Prayer.  Also, we will be worshiping outdoors only in the morning, so please bring a lawn chair.

Tag Sale Preview

THERE IS CURRENTLY A TIE BETWEEN "More Than Wanderers" AND "What's That Called?" PLEASE VOTE NOW FOR THE NEXT FIRST THURSDAY'S SUBJECT.

 The poll may be found here or on the parish Facebook page.

Please Vote on the Next First Thursdays Subject

The poll may be found here.

Tag Sale Time

We're hosting our tag sale on the front lawn of the parish this Saturday and could certainly use some more helping hands.  If you are able, please join with the members of the vestry and the tag sale organizers before 9am on Saturday to help price, distribute, and otherwise organize all that we have to offer.  At the sale's conclusion, we will be carting the remaining items to the transfer station and will need some aid in that, as well.

This Sunday's Lections

Exodus 14:19-31 

The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them. It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night.

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. At the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the Israelites, for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.”

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and chariot drivers.” So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, the Lord tossed the Egyptians into the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained. But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left.

Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great work that the Lord did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the Lord and believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.

Psalm 114 

1 Hallelujah!
When Israel came out of Egypt, *
the house of Jacob from a people of strange speech,

2 Judah became God's sanctuary *
and Israel his dominion.

3 The sea beheld it and fled; *
Jordan turned and went back.

4 The mountains skipped like rams, *
and the little hills like young sheep.

5 What ailed you, O sea, that you fled? *
O Jordan, that you turned back?

6 You mountains, that you skipped like rams? *
you little hills like young sheep?

7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, *
at the presence of the God of Jacob,

8 Who turned the hard rock into a pool of water *
and flint-stone into a flowing spring.

Matthew 18:21-35

Peter came and said to Jesus, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Today’s Sermon and Gospel

They may be found on the parish YouTube channel by clicking here.

As Mentioned in This Morning's Sermon

A Message from the Senior Warden: A New Ministry Opportunity

We are looking for volunteers to be a “Broadcast Minister” on a rotating schedule. We have written instructions for people to follow.  Those who have already done it can shadow new people until they feel comfortable. 

As we move indoors for the winter, and our new sound system is up and running, the task should be very simple and require someone to arrive about 15 minutes prior to the service starting to start and stop the live stream recording. Please let me know what dates work for you. 

Sept 20

Sept 27

Oct 04

Oct 11

Oct 18

Oct 25

Nov 1

Nov 8

Nov 15

Nov 22

Some Good, if Odd, News for the Weekend

The Blues Brothers Declared a Catholic Classic by the Vatican

Click on the above link to be taken to the full article.

Tag Sale Update, a Thank You Note and Lectionary for September 6

Due to inclement weather our Tag Sale date has moved!  The items are still great and we hope your participation will remain- if you can help at the event, please contact Carol or the church office.

We will be having an end of the summer tag sale on Saturday September 12th 9-2. Thank you to all who donated items and are working the event.  All items are in good to excellent condition and are looking for a new home while benefiting Christ Church. Masks, social distancing and hand sanitizer are a must.

All of us working together have accomplished great things!  Those parishioners that participate in the Joining Jesus Campaign made it clear that outreach and return to charitable giving was a goal the group wanted to strive for.  In August we were able to financially support Rosebud Episcopal Mission, Naugatuck Ecumenical Outreach Network and the Nambale Magnet School through WIKS-USA.  Please see a thank you note below, from our own Tom Sansone, vice president of donor engagement.

September 2, 2020

Christ Episcopal Church of Bethany, Inc.

526 Amity Road

Bethany, CT   06524

Dear Parishioners:

Thank you for your kindness and generosity to WIKS-USAs support of the Nambale Magnet School’s orphans and vulnerable children, through your donation of $500.  Your parish has been a longtime supporter of our organization, dating back more than 12 years.  Each year has made a difference to these children as they study, thrive and grow under excellent teachers.

                                                                         

For the most part, children entering as three and four-year olds are shy, afraid and homesick.  With caring teachers and a devoted residential staff, however, they soon overcome their reticence, and turn into friendly, outgoing students.  To witness them coming to recess or going to the dining hall, holding hands with their classmates, is truly touching.  They graduate as confident, outgoing and well-educated youngsters after Grade 8.  Their lives, because of you, are forever changed—for the better!  From homes with straw roofs and dirt floors to a clean, safe educational environment, they shine with happiness.

                                                                       

In Kenya, graduating eighth graders must achieve a minimum score on the national exam to qualify for admission to high school.  At the Nambale Magnet School, every graduating eighth grader since 2016, the first class that sat for the exam, has qualified for admission to high school, well over the national average.  Some children did so well on the national exam that they were accepted into prestigious private schools in Kenya, tuition-free!  Some even dream of attending college in the U.S.  These children will change their country in positive ways, and you have given them that opportunity.  In short, you have changed their world dramatically. 

Please visit our web site, www.wiks-usa.org, to learn more about the great work that WIKS-USA, Inc. makes possible.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Very truly yours,

Thomas J. Sansone, Vice President, Resource Development and Donor Engagement

Scripture for this Week 

 Click link below for

September 6, 2020

Exodus 12:1-14

Psalm 119:33-40 

Matthew 18:15-280

Whether we see you in church, on the lawn or you are watching our live stream on YouTube or Facebook link, here's to the unofficial end to the summer of 2020! 

This Week's Ramble from The Workshop

The Gospel and Tom's Sermon from Sunday

The Feast Day of David Oakerhater

Oakerhater on the left wearing the stole of a deacon

David P. Oakerhater, who was born circa 1850, was a leader of the Cheyenne Indians of Oklahoma who revolted against the U. S. government in a dispute over Indian land rights in the decade after the Civil War.

In 1875, he and other Cheyenne warriors were taken prisoner by the Army and sent to a military post in Florida. There, thanks to the efforts of a concerned Army captain, they learned English, were encouraged to earn money by giving art and archery lessons to visitors, and encountered the Christian faith.

Oakerhater and three others chose the Christian faith and traveled north to study for the ministry. He was baptized in Syracuse, New York in 1878 and ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons in 1881. He returned to Oklahoma and there founded schools and missions, and continued to deliver the sacrament among his people until his death in 1931.

When he first returned to Oklahoma in 1881, he said:

You all know me. You remember when I led you out to war I went first, and what I told you was true. Now I have been away to the East and I have learned about another captain, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he is my leader. He goes first, and all He tells me is true. I come back to my people to tell you to go with me now in this new road, a war that makes all for peace.

O God of unsearchable wisdom and infinite mercy, you chose a captive warrior, David Oakerhater, to be your servant, and sent him to be a missionary to his own people, and to exercise the office of a deacon among them: Liberate us, who commemorate him today, from bondage to self, and empower us for service to you and to the neighbors you have given us; through Jesus Christ, the captain of our salvation; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

This Coming Sunday's Lections and Collect

Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Exodus 12:1-14
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted over the fire, with its head, legs, and inner organs. You shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the Lord. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.

Matthew 18:15-20
Jesus said, “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”