Whoever you are or for whatever reason that you are looking at this website, we want you to know that in the Episcopal Church and particularly from the people of St. Christopher’s you will receive the Welcome of Christ.
Tenth Anniversary Celebration
of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church calling the Rev. Dr. Mary Ann Mertz to serve as Rector
Today is a special day in the life of this parish when we will gather to celebrate the tenth anniversary of our calling of the Rev. Dr. Mary Ann Mertz to serve as our Rector. These has been momentous and transformative years together and we hope that you will join us for the Eucharistic liturgy that will be celebrate at 10:00 AM (live-streamed). It will be followed by fellowship and a time for remembrance. We are excited to mark our time together and to move into the next chapter of our parish future, strong in faith, and hope, and love.
We hope you will join us – tomorrow – and as we move into the future!
WORSHIP
Worship Leaflet for Sunday, December 5 – Second Sunday of Advent
https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:430810a5-2f6f-4848-8483-af83ee25b629
In the Episcopal Church, the Worship of God is at the center of our life together and forms us as a community of faith. We gather to worship God and to be made holy so that we may serve God and one another in all of the places where we live and work and where people are seeking someone to listen and to care, to offer kindness and an experience of Christ’s love.
Since worship is central to our life together, we celebrate Holy Eucharist on Sunday at 8:30 AM and again at 10:00 AM. We are now gathering INSIDE THE CHURCH. We have the chairs appropriately spaced so you can maintain a safe distance from other congregants. We CONTINUE TO WEAR MASKS in addition to remaining appropriately distanced. We are grateful that many, if not most, who are attending worship have been vaccinated and that approval has now been extended to children ages 5-11 to also receive the vaccine. We continue to wear masks in order to protect our youngest children and others who have not been vaccinated. so that all may feel and be safe. We continue to do this out of love for one another. Let us continue to pray for those who are sick and for those who may be fearful. May we continue to do all that we can to help others during this continuing time of concern for our loved ones, neighbors, and people across the country and around the globe, that other variants may not arise and that soon this pandemic will be alleviated everywhere on earth.
In addition to being able the attend the 10:00 AM liturgy in-person, it is also live-streamed for those who are not able to be with us. You are always invited to add your name to the Chat Box so that we know who is gathering in this way and you may offer a prayer for any of your loved ones or for a special need by placing it in the chat box as well. In whatever way you gather, you are always welcome at St. Christopher’s.
We will celebrate the liturgy with both Word and the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist. We will receive only in one kind, the bread, following the guidelines of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. Please follow the guidance of the Ushers at the time for communion.
Following the liturgy, you may spend some time with each other. Please remember to remain appropriately distanced and continue to wear your mask during this time, as well.
You may access our Facebook page using this link.
FACEBOOK: St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church
You can find us regularly on St. Christopher’s Church YouTube. Subscribe to our channel, check out what is live-streaming or watch videos that have previously been aired. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1EwdTY0RpDjU9O1cdg1aTA
A Prayer for the Power of the Spirit among the People of God
Our Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry has asked all of us to pray for all who are mourning due to the coronavirus, keeping in mind that we have crossed a major threshold with over 750,000 people having died because of it. We were asked to continue to pray this prayer from Pentecost Sunday through the first Sunday in September, 2020, never imagining that the pandemic would continue much beyond that. Since the virus is still with us, we are choosing to continue praying this prayer until we return to a time when we can fully gather together to worship God in spirit and in truth. “This prayer – crafted by a team of Lutheran and Episcopal prayer leaders in light of the COVID pandemic – is meant to unite us in common prayer and revive us for common mission, wherever and however we may be gathered.”
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry praying the prayer: https://www.facebook.com/episcopalian/videos/2609858725901243/
God of all power and love,
we give thanks for your unfailing presence
and the hope you provide in times of uncertainty and loss.
Send your Holy Spirit to enkindle in us your holy fire.
Revive us to live as Christ’s body in the world:
a people who pray, worship, learn,
break bread, share life, heal neighbors,
bear good news, seek justice, rest and grow in the Spirit.
Wherever and however we gather,
unite us in common prayer and send us in common mission,
that we and the whole creation might be restored and renewed,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
May this be a time of grace and unity and may we use it to learn how to more deeply love and offer our lives in service to the common good.
May the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son, Jesus, and may the blessing of God rest upon you this day and always.
(Most call me Pastor Mary Ann)
Because we want everyone to be included, St. Christopher’s is so happy to be able to provide a hearing loop to those who wear hearing aids. Just switch your hearing aid to ‘T’ to access the loop. If you do not wear a hearing aid and wish to have the benefit of the loop, you may ask the ushers and they will give you a headset to use.
And now, the sound system has been connected to a professional live-streaming camera so that we may have high quality sound and picture when live-streaming our services. The 10:00 AM liturgy is live-streamed.
Please click HERE for the Order of Compline
Here is the Video of the Crosses made by parishioners for Good Friday liturgy and the Veneration of the Cross
PLEASE HELP! – Dottie Baker’s Son, Buddy
Dottie Baker has been a long-standing member of St. Christopher’s and is beloved. Many of the children of the church walk in faith because of her teaching. Now, she needs our help!
I hope everyone will respond generously to the Go Fund Me appeal for her son, Buddy. He has been diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer and needs unbelievably expensive treatments. Dottie received some good news this week. Enough has been raised so that he can have his first treatment soon. Now we need to continue to contribute so that he can receive the other two scheduled treatments. You are amazing and Dottie and her son are so grateful.
FYI – the parish itself has helped Dottie who has given her life in loving service to this parish and its children. The Outreach Committee has given some of its budgeted fund, I have contributed out of the Rector’s Discretionary Fund that you so generously contribute to on the first Sunday of every month (Oh wait! That’s today!) and our bishop, +Bishop Daniel Gutierrez has also made a contribution from his Bishop’s Discretionary Fund. I thought you should know. Thanks to all of you too! Dottie told me recently he is making some improvement. Let’s keep going!
St. Christopher's Episcopal Church 10:00 AM Special 10th Anniversay Inperson/online Worsip 