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Prayer for our Country: Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Important Notices
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From April 20th - 28th Mother Elizabeth will be on an 8-day silent retreat at a Jesuit Monastery. This is part of her annual continuing education.
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ROOF/ CROSS REPAIR—WE NEED YOUR HELP!
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You will shortly be receiving in the mail an announcement to help us raise sufficient funds to restore the cross and to repair the roof. More than the beauty of the Church is involved—our health and safety are dependent on getting this work done this year. Please prayerfully consider a donation. Whatever you contribute will be that much less that we have to withdraw from other funds.
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Fruits of Girl Scouts’ Bulb Planting
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On Earth Day, April 20th, our scouts will plant more flower bulbs at the Church.
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Upcoming Events
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Sunday Worship at 10:00 a.m
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Fourth Sunday of Easter: In-person worship service Live-streamed via Zoom at 10:00 a.m. *
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* (This service will be recorded and uploaded to our Youtube Page for those who cannot attend but would like to watch/participate at a later time.)
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We are able to worship in person by following the protocol outlined below:
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-- A sign in sheet with visitors contact information will be maintained;
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-- All visitors will have their temperature taken by ushers using contactless thermometers;
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-- All visitors must be masked. Double masking is advised but not required;
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-- Social space of 6 feet per group will be maintained;
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-- Hand sanitizer will be provided;
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-- Each service will be allowed one soloist. Only the soloist is permitted to sing during the service. Please note that singing poses a higher risk of viral transmission if you plan on attending our services;
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-- The soloist will maintain at least 15 feet of distance from all others. The soloist may wear a mask, but is not required to do so;
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-- All participants will remain in place during passing of the Peace. Safe greetings such as bowing and waving are encouraged;
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-- The Celebrant will use appropriate hygiene and wear a mask when celebrating the Eucharist;
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-- Mother Elizabeth will consecrate the Bread but will not commune people directly until her vaccines are fully effective (Sunday April 18th). Deacon Kay and a Eucharist minister will distribute communion, maintaining physical distant from the participants to the extent possible;
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-- Communicants will keep their masks on when receiving communion. Communicants should return to their seat before removing their mask briefly to consume the Host;
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-- No offering plate will be passed. Gifts will be collected online or in plates placed near the Church entrance;
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-- After the service, participants will remain 6 feet apart with masks on in accordance with social distancing guidelines while socializing and exiting the Church.
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Parking in the Metro Center parking lot is available. Press the button and take a ticket to enter. Please leave the entry ticket in the car so that it is readily available when exiting. Ushers will provide a ticket which you will need to exit. Both tickets will be needed in order to exit.
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However you choose to worship with us, in-person or virtually, you are fully part of the community. We understand your choice may shift from week to week. Thank you for your patience and support throughout these trying times.
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Reader Schedule Through Easter
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Chimer Schedule
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Each week we read and ask questions about the lectionary for the upcoming Sunday. We explore some history and context and spend most of our time looking at what the scripture is saying to us about our lives. You do not need to have a Bible background to come. Just bring a willingness to learn, listen and join in the conversation.
To sign up for this week's meeting and receive the Zoom information please click here.
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Sunday School acts as a way for children and teens to access age appropriate Bible teachings and lessons that can help them understand and navigate the world we live in today. Each lesson is designed to meet the comprehension level and interest of any age. To access the Zoom link for this week's Sunday School please click here.
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Pledges & Donations
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PLEASE KEEP YOUR PLEDGES CURRENT
COVID-19 Does Not Prevent us From Receiving Bills!
2021 Pledges: In these disruptive, extraordinary times, Christ Church has had to re-evaluate its financial outlook for next year as a result of declining income over the past six+ months. In addition to a decline in contributions, we have lost income from church services (e.g., weddings, Cabaret, rummage sales, rentals of facility, and space utilization.) We expect this will continue in 2021, causing a financial operating shortfall of approximately $90,000.
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In addition, we are faced with a substantial expense for roof repair work. Fortunately, some part of this potential cost will be covered by funds which have already been set aside. More on a proposal to repair the roof and cross will be in future Heads Up.
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Please consider helping us fill the substantial financial gap facing us as you make or pay your pledge for 2021.
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Pledges and other donations can be mailed to the church. If you do not have envelopes, we will use the name on your check.
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Please note our online donations are up and running. You can donate via our website at www.christepiscopalbing.com/donate/. With thanks to Ryan Davis, you can now simply click donate to send your pledge or other special donations. You can donate specifically to CHOW, Katie's Closet, the Rector's Discretionary Fund and Cross/Roof Repair.
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Christ Church Amazon
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When you're shopping on amazon go to smile.amazon.com and list "Christ Church Binghamton" as your charity of choice. The Church will receive .5 % of your purchase!
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Prayers & Prayer List
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I cannot tell you how the light comes, but that it does. That it will. That it works its way into the deepest dark that enfolds you, though it may seem long ages in coming or arrive in a shape you did not foresee.
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And so we pray we may turn ourselves toward the light giving thanks for Christ’s birth and this communion. May we lift our faces to let the light find us. May we bend our bodies to follow the arc it makes. May we open and open more and open still to the blessed light that comes. *
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With thanks to Jan Richardson*
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Prayer List
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In the week ahead, please pray for comfort and healing for: Connor, Connie, George, Joell, Kathy, Mark, Millie, Mother Elizabeth, Rick, Rose, Scott, and Father Jim & Family.
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A Word From Your Senior Warden
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Latest Posts
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Cultivating the Kingdom of God Within
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This week I wrestle further with the concept of pruning and its purpose. I hang to to parts of me I’d rather keep, such as my sense of any control over the trajectory of my life, and even my own worries about me and those I love. In the midst of my pondering came a quote that seems to …
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Trust in the Pruning
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‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. John 15:1-2 With spring at last in the air, a gardener’s thoughts often turn to pruning. Pruning is an important part of gardening, and …
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Bask in the Joy of the Resurrection
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On this day we celebrate the fulfillment of God’s promises to raise Jesus from the dead and the deep knowledge that Love and Life are forever. Though we continue to live in a time of uncertainty, we see signs of new life as we look to living in a time of vaccines and precautions, a time of some movement …
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Despite the changes around us we are a Church and a community that stands together in faith despite adversity. We feel fortunate to have each other during these difficult and uncertain times.
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