Today is the Third Sunday in Lent. Collect of the Day: Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Readings for today: Exodus 3:1-15 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Luke 13:1-9 Psalm 63:1-8 Today's Sermon: Father Manny's sermon text can be read here. Today's Worship Livestream: You can join us for today's service by using this leaflet.

On weekdays during the season of Lent, we post daily meditations on our website, and on Saturdays we include a piece of music, as well. These songs are submitted by parish family members and friends of Christ Church, and meant to uplift, comfort, and inspire. We hope that you enjoy. If We Are the Body It's crowded in worship today As she slips in Trying to fade into the faces The girl's teasing laughter Is carrying farther than they know Farther than they know But if we are the body Why aren't his arms reaching? Why aren't his hands healing? Why aren't his words teaching? And if we are the body Why aren't his feet going? Why is his love not showing them There is a way, there is a way A traveler is far away from home He sheds his coat And quietly sinks into the back row The weight of their judgemental glances Tells him that his chances are better out on the road But if we are the body Why aren't his arms reaching? Why aren't his hands healing? Why aren't his words teaching? And if we are the body Why aren't his feet going? Why is his love not showing them there is a way Jesus paid much too high a price For us to pick and choose who should come And we are the body of Christ If we are the body Why aren't his arms reaching? Why aren't his hands healing? Why aren't his words teaching? And if we are the body Why aren't his feet going? Why is his love not showing them there is a way? If we are the body Why aren't his arms reaching? Why aren't his hands healing Why aren't his words teaching? And if we are the body Why aren't his feet going? Why is his love not showing them there is a way? Jesus is the way Songwriter: John Mark Hall

Christians hear the message that Jesus Christ is calling us to return to an interactive relationship with the Father through Him, and that only this relationship will fulfill our deepest needs. Few realize that there are two additional paths, both flawed, to establish relationships. The first is one of selfish, self-serving interest, and often it leads to the second - serving evil for promises of sinful desires. Both flawed pathways lead to horrific delusion. The former seeks to fill a hunger and thirst with things and desires of this world, while the latter offers allegiance in return for promises of things and desires of the world, which cannot be reached without help. But what does Christ promise us? That He will love us regardless of what path of relationship we may choose? Sounds quite thin, not much gain. But He makes another promise that He will fill to overflowing that well of our “deepest needs.” And what is the price for that? Friendship, and love. That certainly doesn’t seem hard, does it? Well, it is. We carry this bag of tricks called vices, which, for some reason, we really enjoy hanging on to them. We want to feel important, so our pride steps in and drives us to pretend we are more than we are. We want comfort, so we covet right and left, trying to “keep up with the Jones’” as one would say. We try to establish control over others to show how powerful we are feeding our vanity. We hoard to excess, thinking things will somehow increase our sense of worth. And there are many more that could fill these pages and then some. In fact, there are so many we can never enumerate them because we are the masters of creating them. So, what do these vices have to do with the friendship and love of Christ? Can’t we do both? No, and we all know why. One cannot serve two masters. Christ calls us to fully love Him, so one cannot fully love Christ and follow our vices, for they are the pathway to self-centered love and separate us from Him. So how does one love Christ and be His friend? The same way that we do with others in this world. We are truthful, helpful, take an interest in each other’s interests, share activities together, play, and enjoy each other’s company. Friends become alike. Lovers become one. It really isn’t that hard, but you do have to throw away those vices, those loves that separate you from Him. Can you do that? If you try, He will help. Do it today, for being together on this journey is awesome!

I have a friend who seldom wears makeup. She likes to keep her face as natural as possible. But whenever she does wear makeup, she looks glorious and radiant; there’s something about makeup that can illuminate the beauty of those who wear them. I am all for people feeling very beautiful and confident in makeup. Every time I walk by the makeup section at Macy’s and see all the ladies in their makeup, I am reminded of the cliché ‘Beauty can be purchased at the store. I believe that if wearing makeup can cover something or illuminate your beauty, then go for it. As you may well know, makeup is big business; the market value of makeup runs into the billions of dollars. I wonder how people keep up with all the different brands. There are so many that I dare not list some and offend those whose favorite brands are left out, but I am sure you get the picture. We like to look beautiful, and so we invest in beauty. We like to appear pleasant, and so we spend on the things that will help us look pleasant. We like to look attractive, and so we splurge on the things that create the comfort of attraction. And we like our faces to look spotless and so we invest in the things that will cover the spots on our faces. Trust me - I see nothing wrong with wearing makeup nor do I have a problem with it. However, the more I think about makeup, and the extent to which we use it to cover our faces, or helps us to look more beautiful and pleasant than we really are, the more I tend to think about the extent to which we hide our flaws or even commit our sins under the cover of darkness. We like to hide our sins and so we commit them when no one is watching. We like to cover our sins so no one truly knows who we are, what we have done, and the extent to which we can go with our sins. There’s this sense of shame that we feel when we sin. But the tragedy is that not only do we try to cover up so no one sees our sins, but we act as if the Omniscient God who sees the darkness of our sins doesn’t even see them. Remember the story of Cain and Abel, where Cain murders his brother Abel. When God asked Cain about the whereabouts of his brother, Cain responded thus: “I do not know: am I my brother’s keeper?” Well, how could he be? Prior to that, Adam and Eve, parents of Cain and Abel, had tried to cover their sins by hiding themselves among the trees in the Garden of Eden-as if God couldn’t see them. If you have not as yet read Psalm 139, I implore you to do so. It is such a beautiful psalm that reminds us that no matter how hard we try and how far we go, we cannot go away from the presence of God. The Lord knows us. God knows who we are. God knows where we’ve been. God is acquainted with all our ways - it is He who knit us together. God knows each and every one of us. And so, if we cannot hide from the God who is everywhere, then we shouldn’t even dare attempt to cover our sins. We should appear before God, just as we are - no makeup, nothing. Just the way we are. You cannot be any different from who you truly are and no amount of makeup is enough to cover you or your sins. There’s a story about Oliver Cromwell who was known as the “Protector of England.” He was a military commander who led the armies of Parliament of England against King Charles I during the English Civil War. As Lord Protector, he also acted as the head of state and head of government. It was common practice during those days for people of importance to have their portraits painted. And it wasn’t unusual for an artist to avoid depicting the less attractive aspects of a person’s face. Cromwell, however, wanted nothing to do with a likeness that would flatter him. He cautioned the artist, “You must paint me just as I am—warts and all—or I won’t pay you.” Apparently, the artist complied. The finished portrait of Cromwell displays a couple of prominent facial warts that in the present day would surely be filtered or airbrushed before being posted on social media or hanged in an office building. Cromwell’s expression “warts and all” has come to mean that people should be accepted just as they are—with all their annoying faults, attitudes, and issues. And that is precisely how our relationship with God and with each other should look and sound like. In a way, that is the invitation of Lent. Lent is a period of renewal. Lent brings us back to the place where we have long desired to be. Lent helps us to wipe clean all the makeup that makes us feel other than who we truly are. Lent creates the space for us to accept ourselves just as much as we accept others for who they are. Lent is a period devoid of any and all makeups-just pure, original, authentic you and me. If you so yearn for that authentic self, the one you terribly miss, allow the blood of the Lamb to wash all the makeup so you can see yourself in just the same way that you want us to see you. Allow your makeup to be washed with hyssop. ~Manny.

Join Small Delusions in Helping Provide Needed Support for Ukrainian Refugees This Sunday, March 20th, folks of all ages are welcome to join us for a special concert at 2:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary of New Brick. The wonderful trio, Small Delusions, will present a special performance to help raise funds for Ukrainian refugee families. The United Nations reports that, as of this publication, 3.5 million people have fled the catastrophic situation in their homeland, and that number is very likely to continue to rise exponentially. For a few hours this Sunday, we'll have an opportunity to hear classic sounds and fan favorites - as well as get up and dance, if the mood strikes - while helping to support a very necessary cause. Small Delusions - Jan DeBoissiere, JB Hanson, and Shannon Pruitt - used to be part of a larger group called Delusions of Grandeur. As they tell us, "Our delusions are still there; they are just smaller." They've performed together for over six years, and we're thrilled to have them back on the Christ Church "stage" for this one-off gig. Contributions can be brought with you on Sunday; be sure to write "Ukrainian refugees" in the MEMO line of your check so that it goes to the right place. In the meantime, or if you wish to donate online, you can use the Refugee Ministry online form or scan the QR code in the accompanying image. Just select "Ukrainian Refugee Ministry" from the MEMO dropdown menu, and Christ Church will direct every bit of those gifts toward relief for the people of Ukraine. Episcopal Relief and Development Gets Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine More than 3 million people have fled Ukraine in the three weeks since Russia invaded the country, causing widespread death, destruction, and deprivation. Episcopal Relief & Development continues to work with Anglican and ecumenical partners to provide aid to those displaced by the crisis. “International Program staff are in close contact with church and ecumenical partners including the ACT Alliance, The Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, the Diocese of Europe, the Anglican Alliance and United Society of Partners in the Gospel. These organizations are coordinating immediate and long-term humanitarian responses through their local partners in Romania, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia,” ERD said in a statement on March 16th. “We are extremely grateful to all of our generous donors and supporters who are enabling us to provide assistance through our partners,” said Abagail Nelson, Executive Vice President of ERD. Christ Church is among these donors. On behalf of parishioners, members of the Outreach Commission voted at its March meeting to contribute $1,000 to ERD to assist in humanitarian relief efforts. These are Vestry-approved funds derived from your pledges and contributions. Heartfelt thanks go out to one and all who make this possible. The UN Refugee Agency has declared the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine to be a Level 3 Emergency, its highest level. Earlier this month, in commenting on the crisis, ERD noted its own history. “Episcopal Relief & Development was founded by The Episcopal Church to help people fleeing violence in World War II,” said Nagulan Nesiah, Senior Program Officer, Disaster Response and Risk Reduction, Episcopal Relief & Development. “We remain committed to supporting our partners on the ground as they meet both immediate and long-term needs created by this crisis.” If you wish to donate personally to the ERD’s fund, go online to “Ukraine Crisis Response.” SAFE Offers Gluten-Free Food And Accepts Items for Distribution on March 19th The SAFE Food Pantry, a nonprofit organization that helps people who require gluten-free and allergy-friendly groceries, will hold one last distribution at its indoor location. The allergy-safe foods will be available to those in need at the NonProfit Collaborative, 9770 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046. The time-frame remains the same no matter the season: 3rd Saturdays of the month from 10 a.m. to noon. But with the arrival of spring on Sunday, the next distribution will be at a location outdoors on April 16th. Check the organization’s Events page for details next month. If you have safe foods to donate, you can bring them without making advance arrangements. Or, if you or others whom you know are in need of these items, please come to Patuxent Woods, which is on an RTA bus line. Another way to obtain food from SAFE is through its partnership with the Howard County Food Bank. Clients of the food bank can receive pre-bagged, non-allergenic food items when they check-in for their monthly visits. For more information, please call or text a SAFE volunteer at 443-741-1060. Last Call: CCC Asks the Community to Help in Pantry Set-Up on March 19-20 The all-volunteer organization Columbia Community Care (CCC) has obtained a site to establish a new pantry and has been recruiting volunteers to work various shifts on Saturday, March 19th, and Sunday, March 20th. It will clean up a county-owned building that was once home to the Columbia Flier. It is located at 10750 Little Patuxent Parkway. For information, go to the CCC Facebook Group or check online for two separate signups. The first is a good opportunity for youth looking for school-required service hours. Go to CCC’s sign-up form for volunteers. The second asks for people to lend or donate cleaning and painting supplies by using a separate online sign-up form. At Christ Church, members of R.A.G.E and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to continue CCC by collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers. Please put them in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall. DreamBuilders Trip to Repair Homes in Puerto Rico: May 15 - 21, 2022. REGISTER BY MARCH 25th! Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in September of 2017. Though it’s been over 4 years, hundreds of Puerto Ricans are still waiting for the day when their home can be livable again. DreamBuilders will be making its second trip to the island in May to work with SBP-Puerto Rico to repair damaged homes. The trip is for adults 18 and older. The cost of the trip is $1000 per volunteer, which covers the flights, housing, food, and rental vehicles. Trip registration is only open for ONE WEEK, until March 25th, to meet airline requirements for a group rate. SBP has covid protocols in place to protect their staff, homeowners, and us. All volunteers must be vaccinated. Puerto Rico has recently relaxed their requirements for entry to the island, and pre-flight testing is no longer required. You can register as a volunteer by clicking here. You will be required to pay at least half of the cost ($500) upon registration. The remaining $500 will be due by March 31st. The payment portal can be found at this url: https://goo.gl/4SHxKv Hope to see you in Puerto Rico in May! Baltimore Seafarers News As a reminder, the Women of Christ Church gather donations for Seafarers throughout the year. At this time, they are looking for magazines, cards, notebooks, gloves, hats, and scarves. If you’d like to donate any of these items, the "Seafarers" box is under the table in the Tower Room of New Brick. FISH Continues its Request for Cookies, Crackers, and Snacks As winter continues, organizers for FISH of Howard County continue to ask for cookies, crackers, and snacks to fulfill shopping lists. They also say thanks to Christ Church for its response to their earlier needs, which produced an adequate inventory of household cleaning supplies and personal items. The bin is on the breezeway near the door to the Parish Hall. 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.

My bare feet walk the earth reverently for everything keeps crying, Take off your shoes The ground you stand on is holy The ground of your being is holy. When the wind sings through the pines like the breath of God awaken you to the sacred present calling you soul to new insights Take off your shoes! When the sun rises above your rooftop colouring your world with dawn Be receptive to this awesome beauty Put on your garment of adoration Take off your shoes! When the Red Maple drops its last leaf of summer wearing its ‘burning bush’ robes no longer read between its barren branches, and Take off your shoes! When sorrow presses close to your heart begging you to put your trust in God alone filling you with a quiet knowing that God’s hand is not too short to heal you. Take off your shoes! When a new person comes into your life like a mystery about to unfold and you find yourself marveling over the frailty and splendor of every human being Take off your shoes! When, during the wee hours of the night you drive slowly into the new day and the morning fog, like angel wings hovers mysteriously above you Take off your shoes! Take off your shoes of distraction Take off your shoes of ignorance and blindness Take off your shoes of hurry and worry Take off anything that prevents you from being a child of wonder. Take off your shoes The ground you stand on is holy. The ground you are on is holy. from Seasons of Your Heart by Sister Macrina Wiederkehr

Family: “Be One Body in Christ, Belonging to Each Other” I have, in the past, been cautioned to refer to our church body as a “Community” rather than a “Family.” Well, I no longer live in Maryland, and I have gradually grown to become a part of a truly wonderful church in my new home Virginia, but I want you to know that when I turn into the parking lot off Oakland Mills Road in Columbia, it is a homecoming for my heart and for my spirit! For you whom I may never meet because you discovered Christ Church after I had moved away, I would still say that you are my family because you made that same life and faith choice in a church, and in a church family, that I made years ago. When I look across a worshiping congregation at Christ Church, I see you all, my sisters and my brothers in Christ! I see the unmistakably beautiful palette of God’s handiwork, all together, worshiping as the one big family that we truly are in this world: God’s children! Christ Church is a priceless treasure! Imperfect as we all are on this earth, when you stand in Christ Church in worship on Sunday morning, please know that you stand with your sisters and your brothers and that you are, together, one family blessed with an incredible Rector, Father Manny, a wonderful Priest Associate, Marcia, and an exceptional Deacon, Denise. Rejoice in that. Somehow, I know that God does! ~Donna

Each of us has a purpose, we just need to find it each has a talent to apply so together we can fit. Each of us has a measure, of faith to utilize each has a job to do if our part we’d realize. Each of us has a role, a service to perform each has a function whether a leg or an arm. Each of us has a portion, of grace for us to use each has a dose of love that we need to infuse. Each of us has a duty, to serve God in some way each of us has a special gift everyone, a role to play! © 2014 - D.A. Belka

The word had gone out that our church would sponsor a refugee family. Housing was secured and then the gifts of love and welcome began to come in — even from folks who were not members of our church! The outpouring included the transport of lovingly knitted warm hats, gift cards, furniture, bedding, clothing, kitchenware, and on and on. It was all done in a spirit of good will and the hope that healing could begin from the trauma of what came before. There is much work and more adjustment to come. The path forward is not easy. Yet, in spite of it all, our new family is quietly gifting us with smiles, cups of tea, and lessons about resilience, our shared humanity despite any cultural or faith differences, and the wisdom of Paul’s teaching to the Corinthians, that “there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.” May we continue to be sustained by Paul’s other words to the Corinthians: “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three, and the greatest of these is love.”

Today is the Second Sunday in Lent. Collect of the Day: O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Readings for today: Genesis 15:1-12,17-18 Philippians 3:17-4:1 Luke 13:31-35 Psalm 27 Today's Sermon: Deacon Denise's sermon text can be read here. Today's Worship Livestream: You can join us for today's service by using this leaflet.

On weekdays during the season of Lent, we post daily meditations on our website, and on Saturdays we include a piece of music, as well. These songs are submitted by parish family members and friends of Christ Church, and meant to uplift, comfort, and inspire. We hope that you enjoy. All the People Said Amen One, two, sing, five You are not alone if you are lonely When you're feeling frail, you're not the only We are all the same in need of mercy To be forgiven and be free It's all you got to lean on But thank God, it's all you need And all the people said Amen, whoa, oh-oh And all the people said Amen Give thanks to the Lord, for his love never ends And all the people said Amen If you're rich or poor, well, it don't matter Weak or strong, we know love is what we're after We're all broken, but we're all in this together God knows we stumble and fall And he so loved the world he sent his son to save us all And all the people said Amen, whoa, oh-oh And all the people said Amen Give thanks to the Lord, for his love never ends And all the people said Amen Blessed are the poor spirits who are torn apart Blessed are the prosecuted and the pure in heart Blessed are the people lonely for another start For this is a kingdom, the kingdom of God And all the people said Amen, whoa, oh-oh-oh And all the people said Amen Give thanks to the Lord, for his love never ends And all the people said Amen And all the people said Amen, whoa, oh-oh-oh And all the people said Amen Give thanks to the Lord, for his love never ends And all the people said Amen Songwriters: Paul Greer Moak / Matthew Maher / Trevor G. Morgan