Pentecost XIV 8:00 in Old Brick 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. in the New Brick Sanctuary You can view our new Sunday schedule here. Today's Collect: O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Readings for Pentecost XIII: Exodus 32:7-14 Psalm 51:1-11 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Luke 15:1-10 Today's Sermon: Today's sermon is given by Deacon Denise. Her sermon text can be read here. Today's Service Livestream: You can worship with today's livestream by using the service leaflet that's located here.

A few weeks ago, Mike worshipped with us at Christ Church. After worship, he introduced himself and asked if he could make an appointment for a chat. I gladly accepted the invitation and asked him to email me with possible dates. We finally got together and to my surprise, Mike’s request was that he is to begin seminary at General Theological Seminary in the fall and would be interested in serving at Christ Church for his contextual education. Again, that was a surprise to me. And I didn’t hesitate in agreeing to have him serve here at Christ Church. I don’t remember asking Mike why he chose Christ Church. After all, what is it about Christ Church that attracted you? I am very sure he knows why he chose Christ Church, and I am sure he would tell you should you ask him. I readily agreed to have him serve here because I, too, was a beneficiary of a similar opportunity at All Saints Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Georgia. That experience was deeply spiritual, incredibly transforming, and unimaginably life-giving. For me, I cannot thank the then-Rector, Reverend Geoffrey Hoare, enough for the opportunity he gave to me, a stranger who simply walked into his church on a cold winter morning. Remember what Matthew says: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Again, I have no idea why Mike decided to choose Christ Church, but I am sure it says something about our hospitality, ministries, outreach, and the many ways in which this vibrant church extends its reach. I remember telling our staff this past Tuesday that as a parish, we punch above our weight. And to a greater extent, that is true. This is because our common life is filled with many opportunities for worship, formation, fellowship, and ministry. The good news is that we can offer and share all of these with you because of your support and prayers. Mike will be with us for two years and will be very much involved in many areas of ministry. I invite you to offer him the Christ Church welcome. Please read about him below: Hello Christ Church! I am your newest intern, Mike Looney, and I am thrilled to be serving in this amazing community. I am discerning my call to the priesthood and recently started my four-year journey at The General Theological Seminary in NYC, where I will be pursuing a Masters in Divinity degree on-line. I am blessed with a beautiful family including my wife, Anne, children - Ella (22) and William (21), and our three loving dogs. We moved to Columbia from DC in 2001. Ella now lives in Denver, CO, and William is a senior at McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. Our home parish is St. Andrew's Glenwood. In 1991, I graduated from McDaniel College (known then as Western MD College) and took a job at T. Rowe Price. After four years I joined a startup consulting company and in 2004 founded Chesapeake Benefit Partners, which I still own and manage. In 2017, I realized I could not deny my calling any longer and began to transition towards being "a teacher and a preacher". In 2020 I started teaching at McDaniel College (teaching two classes - Business Ethics, and Intro to Innovation). In 2021, I became the Director of the Program in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at McDaniel, and also formally entered into the discernment process with the Diocese of MD. I expect to be with Christ' Church for at least two years and for starters will be involved with older youth Sunday School and helping to lead the 3rd Thursday, Theology on Tap program (first meeting 9/21 at The Ale House - join us!). I genuinely appreciate the warm reception I have received at Christ Church and look forward to worshipping, serving, and growing with you Blessings, Mike I am grateful for the opportunity of mentoring Mike at this stage in his ministry, and I hope you will all join in sharing the many gifts and experiences that abounds here at Christ Church with him. Welcome, Mike. Manny

Come One, Come All: Inviting Parishioners to Virtually Attend our Christ Church Outreach Meeting this Monday, September 12th The Outreach Commission invites you to join its monthly meeting to learn about opportunities this fall. In keeping with our mission, the scope is local, national, and international. We meet virtually on Zoom at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, September 12th, and everyone is invited to join us to see how you might be able to help those in need. Email us at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org and we'll send you the Zoom link and details. We are looking forward to seeing you! It’s the Second Monday of the Month! Volunteer to Serve a Meal or Add to the Menu for Our Homeless Friends at the DRC and Grassroots Now’s the time to experience the Christ Church tradition of helping the homeless on the second Monday of each month. There’s a lot of camaraderie involved, so why not see it for yourself on Monday, September 12th? You can read a thorough description of the heart-warming routine on the Christ Church website in the Outreach Blog of July 7, 2022. We most recently took part on August 8th, which you can see in the above photo collage. If you wish to volunteer or bring food for the Day Resource Center (DRC) at the Dorsey Center, our DRC online signup form also describes the procedure. The drop-off time for side dishes, desserts, and fruit is 12:45 p.m. in the Christ Church parking lot near Old Brick. In-person volunteers also rendezvous at that time to car-pool to Jessup. Parishioners who cook or shop for the evening meal for 50 residents of a live-in center on Freetown Rd. make their drop-off later, arriving in the parking lot at 3:15 p.m. A volunteer transporting the food departs at 3:30 p.m. Get more details in our Grassroots online signup form. These facilities for the homeless are both operated by the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center. It’s efficient to provide for groups at two separate venues on the same day. Your donations and Vestry-approved funds pay for the fried chicken entrees. Thank you! Both the DRC and the Live-In Facility have wider needs for their pantries and welcome in-kind donations to be dropped off for delivery on the second Mondays. Look for the monthly needs list under the words “Related Files” on each of the signup sites online. There are vaccination requirements for in-person volunteers. For information, email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org to contact co-coordinator Nancy Winchester. SAVE THE DATES: January 8-14, 2023 DreamBuilders Trip to Puerto Rico! Our mission trips to San Juan in 2019 and 2022 were so successful and so rewarding, that we are heading back for a third trip to repair homes damaged by Hurricane Maria. Hurricane Maria, a category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 155 mph, devastated Puerto Rico in September of 2017. FEMA estimated that 53% of all structures on the island were significantly damaged. Now, 5 years later, thousands of families in Puerto Rican are still living in damaged homes or crowded in with family members waiting for the day when their home can be made livable again. We are delighted to be working with the SBP Puerto Rico team, who share their professional skills with friendship and fun. We have reserved great housing in apartments a few blocks from the beach and near restaurants and shops. The average temperature in Puerto Rico in January is between 80-83 degrees. We will be opening registration for this trip soon, but we are limited to only 20 people, so SAVE THE DATES! A New Representative Will Transport Our Donated Diapers, Baby Care Items to Columbia Community Care Starting this fall, Leigh Smith has become our representative and takes parishioners’ donated items to Columbia Community Care (CCC), so that they can be distributed on Saturdays or stored until needed for home deliveries. Information about distribution sites, home deliveries, and how to volunteer in multiple ways can be found on the CCC Group on Facebook. At Christ Church, members of R.A.G.E and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to continue supporting the primarily volunteer organization. Please collect diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers. Put them in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall on weekdays when the church office is open or on Sunday. Afghan Refugee Ministry Updates – New Ways You Can Help Support the Afghan Refugee Ministry “white elephant” table at the September 17 Christ Church flea market: donate items in very good condition, help at the table, shop at the table. Items you’re donating can be dropped off at Old Brick from 10am – 3pm during the week of Sept 12 (only during that week, please). Check-in with Aisha White in the church office who’ll show you where to put your donations. Nothing that's broken or damaged, please, nothing too heavy, and no clothing. Contact Paula Rees for more information - cprees@comcast.net. As we mark one year since the U.S. military left Afghanistan and the Taliban took control, your voice is needed to urge a resolution of the current temporary visa status of thousands of Afghans who helped the U.S. and were evacuated (the members of the Afghan family here in the U.S. that's sponsored by Christ Church are in this group), and lack of visas for thousands more Afghans who helped the Americans but who did not get out last year and remain in grave danger from the Taliban (the husband/father and son/brother of “our” Afghan family are in this group). Link to steps you can take (either quick or more in-depth) in support of the Afghan Adjustment Act on the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service website (www.lirs.org), under the “Take Action” tab. Donate Snacks, Crackers, and Cookies to FISH in Bin on our Breezeway Organizers for FISH of Howard County are continuing to ask for cookies, crackers, and snacks to fulfill its shopping lists. The yellow bin is between Old Brick and the Parish Hall. Thanks for your contributions to our neighbors in need. In general, if you have suggestions about ways to help the community, if you want to get involved, or if you need assistance, please email Christ Church Outreach at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. Your help is greatly welcomed and appreciated. Thank you.

The CEC Fellowship committee has been hard at work planning some fun activities over the next few months, and we are grateful for their efforts. One of these new events is our First Wednesday Fellowship, a special gathering of dinner and activities taking place each month this fall (on the first Wednesday, of course!). Our first evening will be this Wednesday, September 7th in the Great Hall of New Brick. 6-7 p.m. catered dinner by Chipotle - Please RSVP to ensure we have enough food - you can do so by using this link, by clicking the QR code at the bottom of this email, or by calling the church office. If you can, please donate as you are able to help offset the cost of the meal (you can select Parish Life & Activities from the FUND dropdown menu and write "First Wednesday" or "FWF" in the memo line). An average meal costs about $15. Bring your own beverage. Kids eat free! 7-8 p.m. a fun game of Bunco. Meet some new friends and reconnect with others. We are looking forward to a wonderful, fun evening, and hope that you'll all join us!

Pentecost XIII 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. in the New Brick Sanctuary Today's Collect: Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Readings for Pentecost XIII: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Psalm 1 Philemon 1-21 Luke 14:25-33 Today's Sermon: Today's sermon is given by Mother Marcia. Her sermon text will be posted here soon. Today's Service Livestream: You can worship with today's livestream by using the service leaflet that's located here.

My Beloved Brothers and Sisters, Thank you very much for joining us last Sunday for the Parish Festival. I was very impressed with the number of parishioners who joined us for worship, fellowship, and the ministry fair. This show of support for our parish more than assures me of the desire by each of one you to contribute towards deepening the life-giving spirit of this place. At our ministry fair, we shared lots of information about the many activities that enrich our common life, and our hope this week is to share with all of you, especially those who didn’t get the chance to be with us on Sunday, to acquaint themselves with the many ways in which they can also share in the life of this wonderful community. Below are the Ministries & Activities: Youth Ministry Pastoral Care Refugee Ministry Outreach Ministry Sunday Mornings @ Christ Church Music Ministry Adult Formation as well as others that are listed on our website's Ministries page, and in our Ministries and Activities booklet. Two important items are worth your consideration... First, our inaugural First Wednesday Fellowship is scheduled for next Wednesday, September 7th at 6:00 p.m. Children eat free and so please join us for great food and fellowship. This month, the meal is provided by Chipotle. We highly encourage each one of you to RSVP. Second - on Sunday, September 11th we will begin to offer three services at Christ Church. The first Holy Eucharist (no music) will be in Old Brick at 8:00 a.m., our Children and Family Worship will be in New Brick at 9:00 a.m., and our Holy Eucharist with music and choir will be in New Brick at 10:30 a.m. This month marks my fifth year of serving here at Christ Church. I feel so blessed and grateful for the opportunity of serving all of you at Christ Church. I am very thankful to our staff for their dedication and commitment to our parish. The level of output amazes me and I’d implore you to say, "thank you" to our staff whenever you see any of them. And what more can I say about our corps of dedicated volunteers? I cannot thank each of you enough for all the work that you do. You each bless this community of faith with a gift so immensely valuable, and these gifts come together to offer new life to these ministries that shape our common life. Thank you! On this Labor Day weekend, I wish you all a peaceful rest, traveling mercies, and a wonderful start to the school year. It is also my prayer that you will spare a moment to read all the ministry pamphlets that we have put together for you and support all our work with your presence. I wish you all the very best of the season, and beyond. Best, Manny

Christ Church Provides Summer Supplies at Grassroots’ DRC at Dorsey Center and Shares A “Save-the-Date” to Help the Homeless It’s been a hot, muggy summer, so gaining access to supplies like bug spray, sunblock, and sports drinks has made a big difference for people living in a tent or in their vehicles. One oasis – literally – is the Day Resource Center (DRC), which offers services at Dorsey Center three days a week to homeless men, women, and, occasionally, their children. The DRC is operated by Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center. The center has been in need of supplies ranging from men’s underwear to bottled water and canned meats and soups. Meanwhile, requests flowed from Dr. Joseph Gagliardi to meet the needs of patients at his free medical clinic at the DRC. Every month this summer, Outreach member Dione Mahoney and her husband, Jim, responded to the DRC needs by shopping and delivering the goods. Thanks to the support of parishioners who donate through the church to “General Outreach,” or to the DRC explicitly, the Outreach Commission could replenish the clinic's medicine cabinet with vitamins, over-the-counter allergy pills, acetaminophen, and more. We also responded to a plea for oral health aids: toothbrushes, toothpaste, and Orajel. In total, the purchases came to just under $1,300. Separately, the Outreach Commission voted at its July 11 meeting to give Grassroots $500 to be at the ready when “Dr. G'' has a patient who is hospitalized and must be released with no home in which to recuperate. The funds, drawn from parishioners’ donations, go toward so-called “respite care.” A hearty thanks go out to you from “Dr. G” and our DRC friends! Now save the date! Here is a way to help Grassroots by celebrating with friends and family at a fundraising event. The date is the same day as the Christ Church Flea Market. No need to cook dinner that night; instead go to the 75th Annual Community Crab Feast from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Howard County Fairgrounds on Sept. 17. The menu is “all-you-can-eat” hot crabs, cold oysters, and pit beef. Tickets are $85, $25 for ages 3 to 10, or the discounted price of $80 each if purchased in a table for 10. For details, read the online invitation. Tell your friends and co-workers and, as Grassroots puts it, “Let’s Get Crackin’ for the Community! “ Besides operating the DRC and the Freetown Road Live-in Facility where Christ Church provides a monthly meal, Grassroots provides numerous crisis intervention services. These include walk-in opioid counseling. It is the point of entry for the county’s Coordinated System of Homeless Services. Afghan Refugee Ministry Updates – New Ways You Can Help Support the Afghan Refugee Ministry “white elephant” table at the September 17 Christ Church flea market: donate items in very good condition, help at the table, shop at the table. Items you’re donating can be dropped off at Old Brick from 10am – 3pm during the week of Sept 12 (only during that week, please). Check-in with Aisha White in the church office who’ll show you where to put your donations. Nothing that's broken or damaged, please, nothing too heavy, and no clothing. Contact Paula Rees for more information - cprees@comcast.net. As we mark one year since the U.S. military left Afghanistan and the Taliban took control, your voice is needed to urge a resolution of the current temporary visa status of thousands of Afghans who helped the U.S. and were evacuated (the members of the Afghan family here in the U.S. that's sponsored by Christ Church are in this group), and lack of visas for thousands more Afghans who helped the Americans but who did not get out last year and remain in grave danger from the Taliban (the husband/father and son/brother of “our” Afghan family are in this group). Link to steps you can take (either quick or more in-depth) in support of the Afghan Adjustment Act on the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service website (www.lirs.org), under the “Take Action” tab. Columbia Community Care Requests Diapers, Personal Care Items At Christ Church, members of R.A.G.E and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to continue supporting the all-volunteer organization, Columbia Community Care (CCC). Please collect diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers. Put them in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall on weekdays when the church office is open or on Sunday. Our representative is Violet Smith, who takes parishioners’ donated items to a CCC site for distribution on Saturdays. Updated information about distribution can be found on the CCC Group on Facebook. Please note the image here, which mentions holiday closing information. Donate Snacks, Crackers, and Cookies to FISH in Bin on our Breezeway Organizers for FISH of Howard County are continuing to ask for cookies, crackers, and snacks to fulfill its shopping lists. The yellow bin is between Old Brick and the Parish Hall. Thanks for your contributions to our neighbors in need. In general, if you have suggestions about ways to help the community, if you want to get involved, or if you need assistance, please email Christ Church Outreach at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. Your help is greatly welcomed and appreciated. Thank you.

Pentecost XII 10:00 a.m. on the Central Lawn Today's Collect: Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen. Readings for Pentecost XII: Sirach 10:12-18 Psalm 112 Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 Luke 14:1, 7-14 Today's Sermon: Today's sermon is given by Father Manny. Click here to read the text of his sermon. Today's Service Livestream: You can worship with today's livestream by using the service leaflet that's located here.

Welcome!! Welcome!! It feels incredibly special to welcome all of you back to Christ Church for our first Parish Festival in years. The past couple of years has been difficult for everyone. We have had to adjust our lives to the ravages of a virus which never seems to go away. Through it all, you have remained faithful and resolute. Through our trials of pain, sadness, depression, and uncertainty, Paul’s words to the Corinthians have been your watch word: Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. You have been on your guard and held on strongly to your faith. You have been both courageous and strong, and for all that, I give thanks to God through His son Jesus Christ. This Sunday, August 28th we invite you to join us at 10:00 a.m. for our Parish Festival which begins with Holy Eucharist. We will gather outdoors after Holy Eucharist and enjoy some fellowship time. We will share information on the many ministries and activities that enriches our common life. We will have a food truck; children eat for free and adults are encouraged to make donations (thank you). Parishioners are encouraged to bring desserts. Christ Church will provide free beverages. An exciting feature of this year’s festival is the availability of a beautifully-designed Christ Church t-shirt which will be offered for sale to support our parish. Aisha, our Parish Administrator, took a picture of me wearing one of them, which you can see here. Please join us for a joyous day. Again, welcome! Manny

Saint Luke’s Youth Center Holds a Live Performance in Baltimore on Friday, Aug. 26, and Continues Its Quilt Raffle at Our Parish Festival St. Luke’s Youth Center, which operates year-round as the nonprofit SLYC, invites everyone to attend a performance in person at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26. It will be held on the campus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore in Leadership Hall, 685 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore MD, 21201. The program features children who have been attending Camp Imagination, which has inspired a love of reading and writing through the visual and performing arts. SLYC held one session of its summer camp in June; it will conclude its second session on Friday, as described in the July newsletter. To help children in West Baltimore attend, the Outreach Commission contributed $500, and others at Christ Church also made donations. We learned more about SLYC when Executive Director Amanda Gardner Talbot delivered the Aug. 7 sermon at Christ Church, speaking about faith. Parishioners also met SLYC Engagement Coordinator Darlene Clark, who will appear during Friday’s performance as “Granny Slam.” She and others at SLYC will take a shuttle to Leadership Hall to simplify parking. You can join them by arriving no later than 3:45 p.m. at the former St. Luke’s Episcopal parish, 217 N. Carey Street, Baltimore, MD, 21223. Clark and SLYC participant TyJuan Hawkins helped Talbot launch its fund-raising raffle during their visit to Christ Church. It was made possible by parishioner Nancy Winchester, who donated one of her lovely, handmade quilts, this one in queen-size with an accompanying runner for the pillows. Clark and SLYC participant TyJuan Hawkins helped Talbot launch its fund-raising raffle during their visit to Christ Church. It was made possible by parishioner Nancy Winchester, who donated one of her lovely, handmade quilts, this one in queen-size with an accompanying runner for the pillows. The raffle continues on Sunday, Aug. 28 at the Christ Church Parish Festival, where members of the Outreach Commission will sell tickets. Buy 1 ticket for $5, 5 for $10, or 10 for $25. If you wish to purchase tickets later, please email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. Other venues for the quilt raffle will be area congregations that support SLYC, which counts the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland among its partners. The reparations task force of the diocese recently awarded a grant to SYLC and five other organizations. Read about the grants in a May 25 press release from the diocese. Afghan Refugee Ministry Updates – New Ways You Can Help Support the Afghan Refugee Ministry “white elephant” table at the September 17 Christ Church flea market: donate items in very good condition, help at the table, shop at the table. Items you’re donating can be dropped off at Old Brick from 10am – 3pm during the week of Sept 12 (only during that week, please). Check-in with Aisha White in the church office who’ll show you where to put your donations. Nothing that's broken or damaged, please, nothing too heavy, and no clothing. Contact Paula Rees for more information - cprees@comcast.net. As we mark one year since the U.S. military left Afghanistan and the Taliban took control, your voice is needed to urge a resolution of the current temporary visa status of thousands of Afghans who helped the U.S. and were evacuated (the members of the Afghan family here in the U.S. that's sponsored by Christ Church are in this group), and lack of visas for thousands more Afghans who helped the Americans but who did not get out last year and remain in grave danger from the Taliban (the husband/father and son/brother of “our” Afghan family are in this group). Link to steps you can take (either quick or more in-depth) in support of the Afghan Adjustment Act on the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service website (www.lirs.org), under the “Take Action” tab. Columbia Community Care Requests Diapers, Personal Care Items At Christ Church, members of R.A.G.E and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to continue supporting the all-volunteer organization, Columbia Community Care (CCC). Please collect diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers. Put them in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall on weekdays when the church office is open or on Sunday. Our representative is Violet Smith, who takes parishioners’ donated items to a CCC site for distribution on Saturdays. Updated information about distribution can be found on the CCC Group on Facebook. Donate Snacks, Crackers, and Cookies to FISH in Bin on our Breezeway Organizers for FISH of Howard County are continuing to ask for cookies, crackers, and snacks to fulfill its shopping lists. The yellow bin is between Old Brick and the Parish Hall. Thanks for your contributions to our neighbors in need. In general, if you have suggestions about ways to help the community, if you want to get involved, or if you need assistance, please email Christ Church Outreach at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. Your help is greatly welcomed and appreciated. Thank you.

Pentecost XI 8:00 & 10:30 a.m. in New Brick Today's Collect: Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Readings for Pentecost XI: Isaiah 58:9b-14 Psalm 103:1-8 Hebrews 12:18-29 Luke 13:10-17 Today's Sermon: Today's sermon is given by Mother Marcia. We will have the text of it here soon. Today's Service Livestream: You can worship with today's livestream by using the service leaflet that's located here.