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What in God's name are we singing?
St. Augustine of Hippo is quoted as saying, "To sing is to pray twice." Music plays a huge role in our worship for good reason. Join Nat Taylor in exploring our liturgical music and hymnody. This interactive, musical forum will be part history, part conversation, part singing, and totally fun for all ages. Join us at 9:15 a.m. this Sunday, July 25.
Summer Education Offering
How We Make Room
A summer conversation about the role of hospitality in our life together, led by Edmund Harris. Join us at 9:15 on Sunday mornings, beginning August 1.
August 1 - "Entertaining Strangers Unaware: Hospitality in the Old Testament" - What role did hospitality play for the people of God in Israel? We'll begin by retelling some of the oldest stories about hospitality.
August 8 - "The Least of These: Jesus and Hospitality" - What's distinctive about Christian hospitality? We'll look at what Jesus said about hospitality to his followers, and how
he embodied it himself.
August 15 - "The
Household of God:
Hospitality and the
Church" - What has
been the role of
hospitality in the
Church? Who has
offered it? And to whom have they offered it? This week, we'll look at what hospitality has meant for the Church over the centuries.
August 22 - "Hospitality and Church of the Epiphany" - What about hospitality right here in our own community? How are we hospitable to the outsiders in our midst? How might we be even more hospitable? Come share your own experiences of hospitality, both from Church and from your own lives.
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Dear
friend,
"Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." These are Jesus' words to his disciples and us, in this week's Gospel.
Really? We may ask for anything from God and we will receive it? I remember hearing this passage in church as a kid, and thinking God must be like a genie. All I had to do was ask God for what I wanted, and like magic, I would get it! More money than the tooth fairy had left the last time. The brand new bike I'd been coveting for Christmas. First prize instead of honorable mention in the science fair. And for a while, the whole system seemed to work. I did get more money from the tooth fairy. The bike did show up beside the Christmas tree. And my science project did win first place in the county fair. But then my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer, and no amount of praying kept him from dying. So what was the point of prayer if God didn't give me exactly what I wanted, when I wanted it?
Anne Bryant recently shared a story with me about her own prayer life. As many of know, Anne is a gifted gardener who spends many hours in our community garden at church. For years she and her husband Jim lived and worked as farmers on their own land in Maine. When they eventually moved to a condo in Rhode Island, however, Anne no longer had the space to grow vegetables. She longed to get her hands back in the dirt, but couldn't see how it would ever happen given their new living situation. So she began to pray that somehow, God would give her a place to plant a garden. She didn't know exactly how this would come to pass, but she nevertheless had the faith to bring her desire before God in prayer. Anne told me that she remembers that her prayer was answered one Sunday morning during one of Jennifer's sermons when Jennifer used the image of a "community garden" to illustrate a point she was making. Eureka! Anne recognized that this was God's invitation for her to start the community garden at Epiphany. And the rest, as they say, is history.
When we come to God in prayer, we may not get exactly what we want. And we may not get it when we want it. But as we grow in relationship with God through opening our hearts to God in prayer, I do believe that we are made more aware of the ways in which God is already responding to our deepest desires. In Anne's case, the garden for which she had hoped and prayed came together for her-as well as for parishioners, and even for local food pantries that now enjoy fresh produce!
Both at church on Sundays, and in your own daily life, I invite you to open your heart to God in prayer. Don't be shy. Knock hard on the door! You might be surprised by what you receive, and by what passages God is opening for you.
Edmund
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| This Sunday |
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Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
July 25, 2010
Holy Eucharist, 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Sermon: The Reverend George Warren
Bible Study, 9:15 a.m.
The Gospel of Luke
"What in God's name are we singing?", 9:15 a.m.
Scripture readings:
Hosea 1:2-10
Psalm 85
Colossians 2:6-15
Luke 11:1-13
Read these
lessons
Liturgical Ministers for this Sunday:
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Eucharistic Minister-Arthur Manning
Lector-Pat Blenkiron
Usher-Ray Grant
Greeter-Barbara Priddy
Coffee Hour- Betsy Kelley & Mel Inman
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Eucharistic Minister-Mary Lambert
Eucharistic Visitor-
Lectors-Suellen Franze & Tyler Lockard
Cantor-Phil Campbell
Acolytes- Tyler Lockard, Ali Amaral & Ariana Liceaga
Ushers-Richard Messier & Bruce Lambert
Greeters- Ernie & Beverly Fairhurst
Altar Guild-Cal Loven & Betty Patterson
Counters-Janice Johnson & Toppy Carlson
Coffee Hour- Brett & Matt Brumbaugh and Susan Murphy
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| Wanted: Godly Play Teachers! |
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Ever considered becoming a Godly Play teacher in our Sunday school program?
Godly Play is a Montessori-based curriculum, with a multi-sensory approach to telling Bible stories
using three-dimensional materials. The goal of Godly Play is to help children aged 3-11 to know
God and find direction in their lives while they are still young.
The Godly Play classroom is a place for children to be themselves; to come closer to the mystery of
God's presence; to learn the language of Christian people; to form community, and to take care of
one another. Sacred stories, symbols, and liturgical actions are invitations to enter into the work of
discovering.
A free Godly Play training will take place at Church of the Epiphany on Saturday, September 18
from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Please prayerfully consider whether the Spirit might be leading you to offer your time and talent to
this important ministry in our church.
For more information, or to RSVP for the training, contact Edmund at 401-434-5012 ext. #14 or edmund{at}epiphany{dot}org.
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| Dancing with the Stars of Epiphany |
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When: Friday, August 6, 7- 9:30 p.m.
Where: Parish Hall
Put on your dancing shoes and bring your friends for an evening of dancing!
Please bring a dessert, appetizer, or a drink (no spirits, but the Holy Spirit) to share. We will have the dance floor cleared, and the tables set for a great evening out.
We hope to welcome all ages to the dance-floor, and there will be childcare including a movie and popcorn downstairs for tired tots.
We want to dance to the music of all the generations, so please submit the title and artist of up to three of your favorite tunes. Send your submissions to jennifer{at}epiphanyep{dot}org or or write them down on the sign-up sheet on the table in the entrance of the church.
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| Journey to Adulthood Pool Party! |
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Mark Your Calendars!
Are you part of Journey to Adulthood (Rite 13, J2A, YAC)? Then you're invited to a pool party! Come cool off, hang out with friends, and meet new people, including Edmund, Epiphany's new Assistant to the Rector.
When?: Sunday, August 15th 4 p.m.
Where?:Lockard Home, 193 Leonard Ave., East Providence, RI
Food will be provided. Just bring yourself, whatever you need to have fun in the water, and some sun block! See you there!
Questions? Call or email Edmund at 434-5012 Ext. #14 or edmund{at}epiphanyep{dot}org.
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| Upcoming Safe Church Trainings |
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Are you a Eucharistic minister, current or future Sunday school teacher, or regular volunteer at
Church? Have you attended a Safe Church Training before? If not, please plan on attending
one of these upcoming Safe Church Training workshops:
- August 28th at Trinity Church, Cranston (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
- September 25th at Church of the Transfiguration, Edgewood (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
Safe Church certification is required of all clergy, employees of the Diocese, licensed eucharistic
visitors, and those who regularly volunteer in Diocesan programs for children and youth.
For questions or to RSVP for the training, contact Edmund at 401-434-5012 ext. #14 or edmund{at}epiphany{dot}org.
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| Christmas in July |
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Stanley Street Treatment & Resources:
Those battling HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and/or addiction need your assistance in securing personal items to help them maintain personal hygiene and self esteem as they start to rebuild their lives. Shirley Friend (401-835-3466 or amigosmf{at}cox{dot}net) will collect shaving cream, soap, deodorant, disposable razors, toothpaste and travel size shampoos and conditioners. A collection box for these items has been placed in the Parish Hall.
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| Next Sunday |
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Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
August 1, 2010
Holy Eucharist, 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Sermon: The Reverend Edward Gammons
Bible Study, 9:15 a.m.
The Gospel of Luke
Summer Education Offering, 9:15 a.m.
"Entertaining Strangers Unaware: Hospitality in the Old Testament"
Scripture readings:
Hosea 11:1-11
Psalm 107:1-9, 43
Colossians 3:1-11
Luke 12:13-21
Read these
lessons
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