THREE STREAMS--ONE MIGHTY RIVER

THREE STREAMS SERIES: THE CATHOLIC STREAM
Sunday, January 15, 2012, at Christ Church Quaker Farms

Last Sunday, we began our Bicentennial commemoration by reflecting on how Christ Church celebrated Christ for 200 years. Christ Church has a wonderfully unique story and history, of which we will hear more in the year to come. But today, I want to explore some of our rich heritage…a SHARED heritage which is central to this church, to the national Episcopal Church, and our extended church family of the world wide Anglican Communion, as well.

Our parish webpage says, quote, "Christ Church is motivated to be a Christ-centered, Spirit-filled, Bible based, Spirit-filled, & eucharistically oriented Church." Unquote. This statement is based upon the writings of Episcopal Bishop Leslie Newbegin who about the early church, as described in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. He maintains that all Christians churches have received an incredible legacy, a legacy which has been largely unclaimed. He contends that Jesus' church on the world is like a mighty river of faith—whereby we can all, according to today’s psalm, drink the waters of God’s delights to receive the spiritual refreshment of healing, hope, and heaven. This mighty river of faith is composed of three streams—three streams. Without each of the three streams, the river would be deficient.

If you would turn to the diagram toward the back of today’s bulletin, you will find an illustration that illustrates the mighty river. As you can see, the mighty river of faith is composed of the catholic (universal/sacramental/tradition) stream; the apostolic stream, focusing upon teaching of God’s word; and the holy stream, which is empowerment for ministry through the Holy Spirit. Beginning today and continuing for the several weeks, we will reflect on each of these streams, and explore how they can enrich your own spiritual lives.

Now, the small “c” catholic stream is NOT the same thing as Roman Catholicism, with whom we have major doctrinal differences. No, the term ‘catholic’, with a small “c” comes from the Latin word, meaning universal. The term started to be used in the 2nd century, AD, to describe the universal scope of the Christian church throughout the world. The Roman Catholic Church is just one expression of the “small c” universal catholic church. Specifically, the small “c’ catholic stream focuses upon Jesus’ presence in his universal church, whereby his followers can partake of the riches of life-giving Christian traditions, historical liturgy, and the sacraments, which are outward and visible signs of God’s love for us.

One of the riches of the catholic stream is the Nicene Creed, which is quoted at the top of the page. This ancient statement of belief is said weekly by Episcopalians, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists and many other liturgical and protestant groupings, across the whole world. The one, holy catholic Church does not refer to the papacy, or to denominations, or to differing practices of worship or music. Membership in the universal Catholic Church is entirely determined by baptism and commitment to Jesus Christ. PERIOD.

The universal Catholic Church is mystical. It reaches back to the first Christians who followed Jesus and encountered Him after He rose from the dead.
• It encompasses all people, both the living and the dead, committed to Jesus Christ, individually, and as lived out in our community life as the family of God.

Today’s reading from ‘Ephesians’ described this mystical, universal church, as being the actual BODY OF CHRIST, here on earth. And that Body has many parts, which are you and me. The Bible says that together, we are the Body of Christ.
• Jesus has no other physical body on earth but you and me, to serve as
1. As his hands to reach out in friendship,
2. as his lips to speak words of encouragement,
3. and as His heart to love and forgive every single person.
• Now, our reading form Ephesians tells us that this Body has a Head, And that Head is not the Pope, nor the Bishop & diocese; nor the clergy and the Vestry. The Head of the Church is Jesus.
• So, this is today’s power point, which I ask you to repeat after me:
THE CHURCH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST. WE AE THE PARTS OF THE BODY.
JESUS IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH.

The sad truth is that most Christian leaders do not fully understand and live out this crucial and foundational truth. Most non believers and many Christians only see the church as some human association and institution, which is lead by human leaders with their own selfish-personal- agendas. But that is only the smallest tip of the iceberg.

If the church is just human institution, then it would not have lasted for 2000 years.
• It would not have unselfishly fed the hungry, comforted the lonely, prayed for the sick, and ministered to the dying.
• It would not have stood defended the weak against mass murderers.
• It would not have launched an underground resistance that ultimately led to the fall of the Iron Curtin.

Instead, it would have been totally destroyed by human sin and self interest, long ago. (pause). And indeed, human sin and self interest has grievously infected, wounded, and crippled the church at various times. But just as the Body of Jesus walked out of the tomb when He rose from the dead, so now His Body, the universal small ”c” catholic church, is alive and active and powerful in many millions of ways that are apparent to those touched by the love of Christ.

Now, the reality that Jesus is Head of the church has many profound implications for revitalizing local churches, such s our own. Although we do not have the time to explore all these profound implications today, we shall in the future. It has been my experience that when local churches, such as ours, fully embrace Jesus as the true head of the Church , that the people and the congregation become transformed in wonderful ways:
• The congregation becomes more harmonious and begins to grow, numerically, spiritually, and financially.
• People don’t feel judged by others, but feel accepted and cared for, even in the midst of hard times and disagreements.
• The church becomes active in serving one another, and in reaching out in love to the world around us.

Here’s another example: When Jesus is fully embraced as Head of the church, the liturgy Holy Communion bursts out of empty and deadly ritualism, which is the sad experience in many parishes. No, just as Jesus burst forth from the tomb with new life on Easter Sunday, so he can break forth with new life on every Sunday, as we receive his precious body and blood.
• Some Christians do not know that every Sunday is a celebration of Jesus rising form the dead, and Holy Communion is the chief sacrament through which the living Christ infuses us with his forgiveness, love, &new life. Unlike some denominations, the Episcopal Church does not seek to define how Jesus is present in the body and wine of Holy Communion. The Episcopal Church believes that Jesus is miraculously present in a manner which defies human understanding; BUT, that His real spiritual presence is with us as we break the bread and share the wine, as He commanded us to do.
• However, when a whole worshipping parish is totally unified in Him, we not only commune with him, but commune with one another. That amplifies and expands the experience of his presence.

This is my dream for Christ Church Quaker Farms. For some of us, certain aspects of this dream are already being fulfilled. But I look ahead to the time when it will be totally fulfilled for all who enter these doors. This will happen as we more fully learn to follow the leadership of the true head of this church by growing in a deeper love with Him, and with each another.

In today’s Gospel, we heard how Jesus transformed water into wine …and not just any old wine, but the best wine. Just as surely as Jesus transformed water into wine, may He likewise transform us that we would, indeed, become a radiant sign & symbol of His love for the entire world. AMEN.


--The Rev. John Donnelly

CHRIST CHURCH

CHRIST CHURCH QUAKER FARMS
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Gospel of Matthew

CHRIST CHURCH INAUGURAL BICENTENNIAL SERMON

CHRIST CHURCH QUAKER FARMS (1812-2012)

Oxford, CT        Sunday, January 8, 2012

INAUGURAL BICENTENNIAL SERMON  

200 years ago live was awfully hard for those living in Quaker Farms.

·         Like in our day and time, there were times when the local economy boomed and times it bustled. 

·         In 1807, the shipping port in Derby closed, causing widespread economic hardship for farmers and factory workers, and for the wealthy people alike.

·         Housing was a problem for most people who lived in log cabins.  When the cold wind blew in the winter, you couldn’t escape to a nice heated house, like we do now.  Life was much more like what we experienced with the power outages after the Halloween blizzard at last year.

·         Of course roads were problematic.  During the spring rains the dirt roads became mud city.  But during the winter months going up hills & mountain roads, covered with ice & snow were almost impossible.  Indeed, during such months, the people of Quaker Farms were cut off from the outside world.

So, in 1812, something wonderful happened . . . something which began to improve the quality of life for the people of Quaker Farms.  Neighbors and friends of many different religious backgrounds and even some who had no religious background at all . . . all came together in the name of Christ to build Christ Church Quaker Farms.  One early document says, and I quote, “The Episcopalians and others contributed generously to support St. Peter’s Church (which was the mother church in Oxford center), but during the severe storms of winter, there were many times when they were deprived of the comfort offered by the church’s worship and sacraments.”  So, about 50 plus people generously pledged their time, talent and treasure, to begin to create a space and a place where they could come together in the name of Jesus Christ, the Light of the world.

           

You see, our spiritual forefathers and foremothers understood that just as there are the dark times at winter, there are also dark times in life . . . Dark times when we face hardship, pain, loneliness, grief, loss, sickness, death, and the like.

But they understood that the Light of Christ could lead them through those dark times; and building Christ Chapel would provide for Jesus Christ to do just that.

So, the light of Christ shined through the worship at Christ Chapel, but it also shined through the community at people who gathered here.  Christ Chapel was not intended to be a strictly denominational church.  Indeed, in its bylaws Christ Chapel was dedicated to be a church for everyone in the community regardless of religious affiliation or lack there of.  Within this building, and later in the social hall across the street, people came together for dinners, parties, dancing, talking, and socializing.  Here, people new to the area met new friends.  Here, young women and men met for the first time and some of them got married here and some of them had their children baptized here, and some of them were buried here, and some of them were comforted by there friends as they grieved  their loss.  And some of them saw the Light of Christ in their darkness and they picked up and resumed their lives, waiting until the time when they would enter into the heavenly light of Christ to be reunited with their departed loved one.

Our Bicentennial there if “200 years of Celebrating Christ, the Light of the World.”  For 200 years, the Light of Christ has shined through this community, during good times and bad; for better for worse; for richer for poorer; in life and death and in eternal life.

One of my predecessors, the Rev Timothy Carbury, spoke about this in a sermon delivered from this pulpit 35 years ago.  He said, and I quote, “The Light of Christ shines through this parish, and it here illuminates within and without, inside and out, hear and far.  The light shines brightly, most vividly in our Sunday worship, in the Eucharist, in the reading and preaching of the word, and in and through our program of church music.  The light shines in our Sunday school with our students and our teachers.  It shines in our prayer group; it shines in our parish suppers, events and meetings.  In times of death, in times of confusion the light is not allowed to dim or quiver, but is offered as a bright and determined guide.  The light shines bright in these four walls, as we serve our community.”

And of course, the Light of Christ continues to shine through this church today.  Indeed, whether you realize it, the Light of Christ guided you this morning to this place to be part of our celebration of Christ.

·         We celebrate Christ today as we welcome a new member of the Christian family through baptism.

·         Shortly our young people will celebrate Christ as they enter this church carrying star, representing the Light of Christ and as they offer their annual Christmas gifts for needy children in Navajoland.

·         Following our service today, we will celebrate Christ with great food, fun and fellowship at the special Epiphany party and lunch, being hosted by the Bicentennial Committee.

·         Our Bicentennial committee will lead us in commemorating 200 years of Celebrating Christ through a whole year of bicentennial Fellowship and special activities.

You see, the wonderful thing about the light of Christ love is that once you have received it, you want to celebrate by sharing Christ’s light with others.  Indeed, Jesus went as far as to say that only we have received and acknowledges His love, that WE    ARE      the light of the world – that His light shines through us.  He went on to say that as the Light of the world, we don’t have this light under a bushel – but we place it on a stand   for it to shine and shine brightly.

Closing Prayer from the  Book of Common Prayer

            Almighty God, to whose glory we celebrate the anniversary of this house of prayer:  We give you thanks for the fellowship of those who have worshiped in this place, and we pray that all who seek you here may find you, and be filled with our joy and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, nor and for ever. Amen

--The Rev. John Donnelly

BULL RUN on Christmas Eve

RUNNING OF THE BULLS IN OXFORD

December 24, 2011

As we joined family and friends for our holiday celebrations, the local media seemed to have missed what could be the strangest and yet most intriguing story of 2011.

'Twas was the (day) before Christmas, when all through the (town). Not a creature was stirring, except for a…bull?
That’s right. Around 3:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve, a 780-pound bull got loose from his owner’s farm near the Quaker Farms section of town and led residents, police and firefighters on a wild chase that lasted about two hours, police said.
The bull originally made its way to Great Oak Middle School and ran toward Captain Wooster Road and then Route 188, said Oxford Resident Trooper Dan Semosky, recalling the wild incident in which little Oxford looked like Pamplona, Spain for a day.
The bull ran to O’Neill Road toward Christ Church Quaker Farms, where Semosky said parishioners could be seen lining the windows to catch a glimpse of the running of the bull.
“It was one of the most bizarre events I can remember,” Semosky said. “That bull was 780 pounds! If he wants to get out and get going, there is very little you are going to do to pull him back. Luckily, nobody was seriously hurt.”
The owner’s friends attempted to help, and one of them struck a police cruiser with his car after he pulled up behind the officer and forgot to put the car in park, Semosky said. And firefighter Joe Calabrese, former first selectman candidate and aide to former First Selectman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers, was clipped on the hand by a car as he closed off a street to keep commuters away from the chase, Semosky said. Calabrese was not injured, and the trooper was taken to a hospital for evaluation but also was OK, Semosky said. Police cited both drivers.
Meanwhile, the owner continued to chase the bull with a flock of at least 10 people; the owner continuously tried to lasso the animal, but it kept slipping away, Semosky said.
Finally, it appeared the chase was over when the owner cornered his animal and tried to tie him to the push bumper of a state police cruiser, Semosky said. But once again, the massive animal got away and ripped the push bumper off the car, he said.
A little while later - about two hours after the bull got loose - the chasers finally cornered the animal and tied him to a pole, Semosky said.
The reason the story has yet to be reported in mainstream local media - that we know of - is probably because most local reporters, including myself, were on vacation for the week. And there was no press report released on the incident.
“This is something that if you tried to write a full report on it, you’d be writing a novel,” Semosky said. “But we are investigating it. We are following up now to see how the owner is going to pay for the damage to the police cars, and we’re following up with animal control.”
Editor's Note: Joe Calabrese clarified that he was struck by a car on the hand and that the car was not going slow. We have since updated the story.

About this column: Oxford Online is a column about happenings in Oxford. Feel free to nominate a column idea to Oxford Patch editor Paul Singley at paul.singley@patch.com.

RESCUING THE NAME OF JESUS

 RESCUING THE NAME OF JESUS

New Year’s Day,  Sunday, January 1, 2012

From today’s Gospel:  And at the end of 8 days, when he was circumcised, he was called ,”Jesus,” the name given by the angel before he was  conceived in the womb.”  Luke 2:21

Going back to the time of Moses, it was the practice of God’s people that every male child should be circumcised on the 8^th day from his birth.  On this Day, 2011 years ago, Mary & Joseph’s new born son was circumcised, but he was also  named, “Jesus,” which means, ”Savior.”   On this day, every year, the church celebrates this occasion, because the baby of Bethlehem was given , by God, this   holy name.

• Yes,’ Jesus’  is a holy name to those who love Him.
•  But to those who do not love Him, his name can be inflammatory.
• It  can be a curse; or it  even be used as a weapon against to intimidate his people.

When Jesus’ name is blurted out as a curse, it can bring shock and fear to the innocent on the receiving end.  Or, cursing the name of Jesus might not be directed anyone in particular, but as an expression of frustration and rage, maybe against God, or maybe against life in general.  I wonder if those angry people, who take the Lord’s name in vain, have any idea of the righteous indignation  that God  must feel  towards those who abuse the Name of his son?

But those are the non believers, from whom God expects rejection  and ignorance.  But what about the believers , who have smeared the Name of Jesus by word and deed?

·         Think of all the  violence, rape, torture, war, genocide  throughout the past 2000 years, all undertaken by those claiming to be Christians:

·           Christians versus Muslims, Catholic versus Protestants;  one hundred years wars; the inquisition; Catholics warring against other Catholics; and Protestants  fighting among themselves; clergy committing all sorts of notorious crimes;  Cult leaders  stealing the money of their followers, and others inspiring their followers to commit  mass suicide--- all of which was done in the name of their religion—their God—their Jesus.

·          Jesus’ identity and good name was stolen, slandered,  and used to justify the very sins that Jesus condemns.  But, in the court of public opinion, who is the one who has ended up getting blamed?  Jesus.

However, there is another group of Christians, whom we are much more likely to encounter. These are faithful Christians,  who are not intentionally evil, but who appear to have hijacked the name of Jesus for in order to puff themselves up, and to put others down.  Some Christians throw around the Name of Jesus like they are his best friend, like they have an inside track, while others of us have been left standing on the sidelines. Sometimes it reminds me name dropping to impress others. When I lived  in New Jersey, half the people in my town claimed to be best friends with local TV celebrities, like the Real Housewives of New Jersey, the crazy Jersey Shore Kids, and various notorious mob figures.

·         What is the motive of the speaker who invokes the name of Jesus? Is it being used to share God’s love with the listener, or to beat the audience  over the head, or to impress someone? 

·           Now being confident in faith can be a great joy, but some of us, and I include myself in this, someone  of us, who have received that gift of faith may need to remember that the gift of faith is indeed a gift; it’s  not something we have earned by our own merit.  So , I believe that when Jesus’ name is invoked, spoke So when  Jesus’ name is invoked, it is utilized as a blessing to those who receive that word.

Indeed, I believe that  when Jesus’ name is invoked, spoken, or read, it must be done with a humble reverence.

• The Name “ Jesus” was intended by God to be direct communication to you and to me. He did not send us impersonal junk mail, or email spam, or  a twitter or text message. He did not use a marketing firm to purchase TV time at the Super bowl.
• No,  God sent this message by giving his son the Name of Jesus, so that we could learn that through His Son, God is delivering us from evil in the world and reconciling us with him and with one another.  
• So, in short, whenever you hear the Name Jesus, think of the fact that God is reaching out to save you from  powers and forces that would destroy us, if it was not for Him. The name of Jesus is meant to be a word of encouragement and hope for all of us seeking to live the abundant lives that God desires for all his children. The name of Jesus is the turning point in all of human history..in the entire universe.  Love came down from heaven for all people, to give us grace, freedom, and  security now and forever.
•  Let’s not dwell on the selfish and personal motives that some people have when they abuse Jesus’ name. Instead,   Instead, let us dwell on the motives of love which inspired God in the naming of His son on that first  Christmas, and as he speaks it today:

Would you please open your red and black hymnals to Song # 107?

• This is a sweet lullaby written by a Grammy award winning artist, Bill Gaither.  The melody and tone of the song take the name of Jesus out of  the realm of the profane, and lifts it  up as a comfort and a joy.
• Mike and I will sing it once, then we invite you to join us in singing it again.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
There's just something about that name
Master, Savior, Jesus
Like the fragrance after the rain
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
There's just something about that name
Master, Savior, Jesus
Like the fragrance after the rain
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Let all heaven and earth proclaim
Kings and kingdoms will all pass away
But there's just something about that name.

The Rev. John Donnelly

Christ Church Quaker Farms, Oxford, CT

RESCUING THE NAME OF JESUS

And He was called

  Jesus

Feast of the Holy Name

Christ Church Quaker Farms

470 Quaker Farms Road  Oxford, CT  06478

203-888-4936

The Apple

 SERMON: THE APPLE

 from the “You are Important to God” series

November 13, 2011

Today  we continue our Fall sermon series  exploring the wonderful truth that You are important to God.  Please take out your scripture inserts, and look at the side with that title.  There you will see the 2 complementary power points, upon which I will speak today.
Would you please join me in reading, together,  Power point # 1:  I AM YOUR PROVIDER. Now, actually, this  power point is God’s name—one of his Names.·         Whenever in the Bible God refers to Himself by saying “I am,” that’s his name, as it describes something that he does or is.  God was first called this name by the ancient patriarch, Abraham, as we heard in today’s Old Testament reading.·           Throughout the bible, God and Jesus consistently refer to themselves by using these “I am names”—such as I am the good shepherd, I am the door, and I am the way, the truth, and the life.”   ·          Each of God’s “ I am names” refers to a particular function  or characteristic  of God, the way that our various name & titles refer to our functions.  So, my name is John.  I am also John the husband, John the father, and John the priest.  Each of those names  refers to something that I am, and something that I do.
Likewise, the one named  “God the provider” provides for our needs, according to the Bible, out of His own glorious riches.·         He most significantly provided for the hope of our  salvation, by providing his own son to die for our sin, and to rise from the dead, to bring  the  hope of  reconciliation to the world.·           But way before the birth of Jesus, as we hear in today’s psalm,  the Lord made the earth, and has given it to humankind to use for two purposes: to provide for our material needs, and to gratefully give back to Him a portion of what we have received.
We Americans have received so many  material blessings from God, which is why each week we sing, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow”. ·         Recently, many of us were deprived of some of those blessings, like heat and light which comes from God’s gifts of oil, water, electricity, and coal.·           Many of you have told me that having been deprived of those gifts after the recent Nor’easter, that you are so grateful  for those gifts, which we often take for granted.
Now, nobody I know likes being  taken for granted.  How sad it is that with the decline of civility in our culture, fewer and fewer people  express gratitude  for what they have received.   For example: Pretend that you have been giving a Christmas gift to  Sam, for year after year, after year.  However in all that time, Sam has never given you a gift, or even  given you a sincere “Thank You.”  My guess is that you may begin to feel for  taken for granted.  I know I would.
You see, God feels the same way.  Today’s he Bible readings  tells us that God provides for our physical  needs, but expects that in turn, we will give back to Him a portion of what we have received in thanksgiving to Him.(PAUSE) Perhaps  one of the most widespread sins of those who claim to be Christians, is an attitude of ingratitude toward God.
Would you please take out   the apple book mark from your bulletin.  Read.

SERMON # 6  “THE APPLE"’   November 13, 2011From Sermon series, “You are Important to God.  Once upon a time, there was a man with nothing...and God gavehim ten apples.  One was bigger, juicier, and reder than the other 9...It had beengiven so the man might return it to God to show his gratitude for the otehr 9.  The man was given 3 to eat...3 to trade for shelter from the sun and rain.....and 3 to trade for clothes to wear.

The  the man ate three. . .... he traded three for a shelter from the sun and rain and. . .... he traded three for clothing to wear.
Then he looked at the first one, bigger, more beautiful,juicier than all the rest.It was the best. . .... so the man ate the apple...and gave back to God the core. 

The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the Lord thy God.(Exodus 23:19 KJV)God has given you enough apples to supply your needs - plus one with which you may show your gratitude to Him.The choice is yours..ist« ffiKHhimcr Press. Warminster, PA  18974

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Now, I am sure that most of us agree that we need to give back to God.  So God, in his infinite wisdom, has provided us with the way He would like you to do it.·         If you would go back to our sermon power points on the top of the page of that insert we just viewed,  let  read the 2nd power point out loud, together:·         “I discipline you, not to harm you, but to free you from every enemy of righteousness, joy, and peace.”

So, what is the enemy of our righteousness, peace, and joy?  The man with one talent in today’s Gospel could tell you.  It’s the  attitude of ingratitude before God.
You see, God not only gave us the earth for our provision, but he also had two other  motives.
1.      First,  He wants each of us to become more generous in giving, which will result in Him giving you n  MORE righteousness, joy, peace, and other material and spiritual; blessings. ·         Paul delineates this spiritual principle in our reading from the 2nd Letter to the Corinthians.  Paul uses the image of farming to talk about giving money to God.  He  writes, “Whoever sows sparingly, will read sparingly; and whoever sow as generously will reap generously. “·         So, God wants you to love Him, not just with our prayers and worship, but also  with our offerings of money.  This is what Jesus meant when he said, “Wherever your money is, your heart will be there also.”
2.      So, first giving generously to God results in more blessings for us, personally.  And secondly, your financial giving to God helps to promote His purpose in building up his Kingdom on earth through his church.  I believe that  God wants to use His church as a funnel, through which He can pour out his  emotional & spiritual blessings to all people.
It is in this regard that the Episcopal Church USA provides a simple discipline   to help us financially give to God , so that Jesus  can bless us and promote his work in the world.  And this widespread Episcopal custom is called the “pledge.”·         Some of you who are newer to the Episcopal Church may not know what a pledge is, or you might not understand this important custom. Please turn to the back of your service sheet, page 8, which explains it.RENEEQUESTIONS 1 & 2What is a pledge?   A pledge is a promise of what you intend to financially give to Christ Church Quaker Farms in the   upcoming year.
 Why should I pledge to  Christ Church Quaker Farms?  For two reasons:  (1) Making a financial commitment to God and his church reminds us that God is more important than money in our lives, and that we serve God, not our check book (Matthew 6:24); and  (2) The Vestry can only plan the next year’s budget, based on the pledges we receive.  The Vestry pays the rector and staff, and disburses all the income needed to keep the church open.

So on one level, your financial pledge is absolutely vital to the ongoing ministry of this church.(Pause)
Let’s be honest here.  Christ Church has  financial problems because most of those who worship here have not pledged in the past.  ·         Now, I am speaking frankly here—I left my last job, moved here with my wife, and bought a new house, because I believe in Christ Church’s future.  I believe that together with the Lord, we can build a church which will not only just survive, but thrive. For that to continue to happen, we need to grow spiritually, numerically, and financially.·          I believe that we can do that –I believe that we are doing that, and I believe that we will do that as we go forward into 2012, the Bicentennial of the founding of the church.
Now, I would like to conclude by having us look at the key verse, which the Vestry wanted me to present to you today.  You can find it on page 2, the inside cover of the bulletin. At the top[ of the page is a verse from today’s epistle reading.  Let’s read that out loud, together.
“EACH OF YOU SHOULD GIVE WHAT YOU HAVE DECIDED IN YOUR HEART TO GIVE, NOT RELUCTANTLY OR UNDER COMPULSION, FOR GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER.”
Let’s make this clear. There is NO, absolutely no compulsion here for  you to do anything you do not want to do.  Indeed, quite on the contrary.  Jesus wants you to be happy about what you give. It is your free choice.·         If you have never made a pledge, then start out with something that feels manageable.  And pray to the Lord for guidance, which you will receive.  guide·         If during the year you wish to change your pledge, up or down, that IS OKAY.  There is not judgment here. ·          We are all living through these hard times together.  And perhaps now, even more than ever, that is why we, together, need to  Man up, woman up, and Stand UP for Jesus  and his church.

Today it is our pleasure to welcome another important person into God’s family.  In thanksgiving for the life of Jackson Robert, let us rise and sing together “Borning Cry”.  The words are on your music insert.
---The Rev. John Donnelly