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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.

Be . . . Be Here . . . Belong

St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church

in-person and livestreamed

Sunday via YouTube at 10:00 AM

WELCOME TO ST. CHRISTOPHER’S

First Sunday of Advent – November 27, 2022

Worship Leaflet

Come check us out. In the Episcopal Church, everyone has a place to belong.

FACEBOOK:  St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church

Subscribe to the St. Christopher’s Church YouTube channel to check out what is being live-streamed or watch videos that have previously been aired. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1EwdTY0RpDjU9O1cdg1aTA 

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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. 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.

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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

PLEASE HELP! – Dottie Baker’s Son, Buddy

https://gf.me/u/y833a3

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!

https://gf.me/u/y833a3

Upcoming Events

ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP EVERY FIRST SATURDAY – 10 AM

A group has been started here at St. Christopher’s with leaders trained by the Alzheimer’s Association. The Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group is now meeting the FIRST Saturday of EVERY month. It is intended be a group that will support anyone who is caring for a person who has Alzheimer’s, dementia, or any other memory issue. This is a group where you will receive materials to help you learn more about the disease and how to care your loved ones. Please spread the word if you know someone who might need a group like this. It is open to caregivers throughout the area. Come and receive a little care for yourself and leave feeling encouraged and supported.

DUE TO COVID-19 THE GROUP IS NOW MEETING VIA ZOOM. BECAUSE THOSE MEETINGS HAVE GONE SO WELL AND HAVE ALLOWED PEOPLE TO ATTEND FROM THIS REGION AND ELSEWHERE. WE WILL CONTINUE WITH OUR ZOOM MEETINGS FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

YOU WILL BE HELD IN OUR PRAYER AND PLEASE CONTACT ST. CHRISTOPHER’S IF YOU HAVE A PASTORAL EMERGENCY. rector@stchrisoxford.org or 610-932-8134

News Flash!

What is an Episcopalian anyway?

The Episcopal Church is a Protestant denomination that uses Scripture, Tradition, and Reason for an understanding of faith; at the same time we are Catholic in the way that we worship. Our service looks much like the Catholic Mass, focusing on Scripture, preaching, and the Holy Eucharist.

If you are looking for a place to belong, come to St. Christopher’s.

If you have no religious experience, or if you come from a Protestant faith tradition, or if you are coming from a Roman Catholic background, you will be able to find in the Episcopal Church a place that feels like home. Come just as you are! Whoever you are! If you are seeking a spiritual home, at St. Christopher’s you just might find out that we are just what you are looking for!

We want to spread the good news and reach out to those looking for a place to worship God in a community where they know they will belong.

We have just completed an Inquirer’s Class for those wanting more information about the Episcopal Church. If you are interested in finding out more or joining a class like this, just let us know. Email Pastor Mary Ann . . . rector@stchrisoxford.org.

Former Roman Catholics often feel at home in the Episcopal Church because our liturgy is “a little bit catholic.”

People who come from a Protestant or non-denominational background find the Episcopal Church comfortable because we rely on scripture, tradition, and reason, like protestants do.

There are no restrictions on who can belong to the Episcopal Church and everyone who is baptized is welcome to receive communion, even babies!

Come as you are and who you are. You will find a place in the Episcopal Church.

If you want a church that can be a spiritual home, focused more on prayer and spiritual life and growth, the Episcopal Church has those dimensions too.

And as far as St. Christopher’s goes, you will not find a group of people who will gather you in to be part of the community so quickly and with such joy. If you don’t believe that, come and find out.

In-Person Parish Worship Has Returned at 10:00 AM followed by Christian Education for Children and Youth and Coffee Hour

All parish events, rehearsals, meetings, and gatherings are up and running!

Who would have thought it would have been two years that we would have been away from one another! Our last Sunday together was March 8, 2020. But we are BACK! Now is the time to return. Invite your friends and neighbors, family and anyone who is looking for some spiritual refreshment. Let us pray!

FRIENDS FOLK CLUB

Check out the Facebook page of the Friends Folk Club for upcoming concerts. We are excited that MUSICIANS HAVE RETURNED! What a long time it has been! For sure, the Christmas Concert with Charlie Zahm is a go, so plan for it! It is scheduled for FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9. SAVE THE DATE . . . DECEMBER 9 . . . CHARLIE ZAHM’S CELTIC CHRISTMAS . . . LIVE AND IN-PERSON!!!

https://www.facebook.com/St-Christophers-Episcopal-Church-278151712203375

How fun it was to celebrate COOKIE WALK – CHRISTMAS IN JULY! The vestry enjoyed packaging the cookies and delivering them to parishioners. Thanks to Zach Slaughter for putting together this great video for us so that we get to see our parish family! We hope you enjoyed the cookies and that you know how much you are loved! Enjoy this feast for your eyes!

“Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his footstool; [for] he is holy” (Psalm 99:5, NIV).

Contact Us

We look forward to the time when health officials clear us to once again hold services following the suspension of them due to COVID-19. When we return to having services again, we invite you to come worship on Sunday Morning at one of our two Holy Communion services:

8:30 a.m. is a quieter and more reflective celebration of Holy Communion. At the 10:30 a.m.  liturgy, we worship in prayer and song. Congregational singing is an important part of our worship and we sing hymns and songs using both traditional and contemporary resources. The choir and musicians add beauty and spirit and liturgical ministers of all ages serve in various capacities throughout the liturgy. The full and active participation of all who gather is important, including our children and youth. All are welcome in this place.

At 9:30 each week, we offer Christian Formation and Education between the services. Episcopal 101 is for adults and youth who want to grow in their faith and fulfill their baptismal promises of being “faithful to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship.”

Join us for Fellowship Time after the services

St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church

116 Lancaster Pike

Oxford, PA 19363

email: stchris@stchrisoxford.org

Telephone: 610-932-8134

Rector: Rev. Dr. Mary Ann Mertz

Email: rector@stchrisoxford.org

Phone: 502-489-1337

Parish Administrator: Mary Clark Admin@stchrisoxford.org