Many years ago while I served at Trinity Cathedral in Columbia, S.C., I signed up to serve as a volunteer fireman. I do not remember exactly why I chose to serve as a fireman... was it because something about being a fireman was so attractive to me? Was it because I had met a fireman in my past who had made such an impression on me? I had an uncle who was a fireman back in Ghana; he was a very good man and exceptionally kind to my brother and me when we were in boarding school. As good as my uncle was, I was clear in my mind that I didn’t sign up to be a fireman because of how I felt about my relationship with him. Thinking about a fireman or firewoman, I realize that there’s some universal quality to the job description of one. It is important to recognize that in just about any part of the world, a fire truck may be painted red, but the universal trait or responsibility of any fireman or firewoman is to save lives - to risk their own lives in saving the lives of the vulnerable. Simply said, put out fires, save property, and save lives. Although I have seen many firemen and women over time, I had never seen any fireman or firewoman in action until September 11, 2001. At that time, I had been in the United States for about 10 months, and to see these firemen and women rush into the World Trade Center buildings to save lives - as many lives as they possibly could - without simultaneously dwelling on the danger to their own lives was the most powerful part of the entire story to me. In fact, an iconic picture is one of a fireman named Bob Beckwith, who is standing with former President George Bush on the heap of rubble. It is for me, an iconic representation of the story of September 11th. There’s a story of a chaplain who visited a patient in hospice. During the course of their conversation, the chaplain learned that the man had been a fireman for over forty years. After thanking the gentleman for his service, he then asked him, “Have you ever tried to draw a link, any connection between your career as a fireman and your faith?” It was as if the man had reflected on that question long before the chaplain asked, as he had an answer already prepared for him. Within a second, the fireman simply responded, “Lifesaver,” which is something had he been all through his career. The fireman or firewoman saves lives, but in the process of doing so, they offer their lives as a ransom for the one - anyone - who may be in danger of being burned by fire. Thinking about the word 'lifesaver' reminds me of what these next couple of days mean for you and me. Our stories can be eerily similar to that of being trapped in a burning house, and our only prayer has been one of a fireman or woman walking through the fire to redeem us, restore us, and save us. Come to think of it, Jesus Christ is our Fireman. Listen to Paul: “But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Hear also what John says about the Fireman: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” The Fireman lays down his life for his sinner friends simply because of his love for them. The fireman you know, the one who lives down the street from you - yes, even the one you do not know - he also proves his love for you by walking into the raging fire for your sake, while you walk away from the inferno. Notice that the fireman or woman doesn’t even ask about those people that he or she is to save from this extreme danger - whether they are good or bad people, or whether they are Republicans, or Democrats, or any of the other categories with which we saddle our sad, poor selves. The fireman or woman simply walks into harm's way just so they can save those who are in danger. In Christ Jesus, I see a Fireman who, as a servant, offers His life for the sake of all lives. In the book of Isaiah are four Servant Songs. One of the Songs, specifically the Second Servant Song, talks about the Servant who will restore God’s people. Remember, God’s people were in exile, and the prophet not only talks about their restoration and that the Servant will bring comfort to God’s people, but the Servant will make possible the redemption of the Gentiles as well. Hear the prophet: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” The prophet makes a bold claim that God’s salvation will be brought to all people. In Christ Jesus, therefore, we experience God’s light that has been brought to the world, for in Christ, both Jews and Gentiles are made one. In Christ, we see the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. In Christ, we see the fulfillment of God’s single purpose of restoring all people to God’s self. In Christ, we see God’s salvation reach the ends of the earth. In Christ, we see the example of a fireman who walks into danger, not necessarily because of a paycheck or for any particular reward, but because of the unique duty that he or she carries, to save lives - yours and mine. It is possible that you may not have considered a connection between your career and your faith, and that is perfectly fine. However, I’d like to share with you that you may not be a fireman but your career - whatever it is that you do - has some connection with your faith. It is only when you recognize the self-sacrificial nature of it that can you appreciate what it means to save lives with your life. One unique quality I have come to embrace about firemen and firewomen is that they hardly ever consider themselves heroes, not even after a heroic act. "Who am I that I would be considered a hero?" they ask. In the hymn My Song Is Love Unknown, Samuel Crossman asked a similar question: O who am I, That for my sake My Lord should take Frail flesh and die? Tonight, and throughout the rest of the Holy Week, I invite you to join us in worship. Join and hear Christ - the Fireman - prove the ultimate love for all people... a love that will save my life, and yours. Manny.

Maundy Thursday: Thursday, April 1st @ 7:30 p.m. Join us in New Brick or worship with us online via our website, YouTube, or Facebook On this evening of Maundy Thursday, we gather together to bring into remembrance the Last Supper of our Lord and the Institution of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. We hear and remember the words of Jesus as he states, “Do this in remembrance of me.” As the service concludes, the altar is stripped of all of its appointments, so that the focus of all can be upon the cross alone on the following day, Good Friday. We then hear of the Agony in the Garden, as Jesus is arrested. The Watch then takes place through the night, as in response to our Lord’s question: “Could you not watch with me one hour?” If you would like to attend, please complete the brief form at https://www.christchurchcolumbia.org/attend-holy-week You can also watch on the main page of www.christchurchcolumbia.org, Facebook, and YouTube pages.

The outward deed without charity is little to be praised, but whatever is done from charity, even if it be ever so little and worthless in the sight of the world, is very profitable before God, who judges all things according to the intent of the doer, not according to the greatness or worthiness of the deed. He does much who loves God much, and he does much who does his deed well, and he does his deed well who does it rather for the common good than for his own will. from The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a’ Kempis; located in Book I Admonitions Useful for a Spiritual Life

Holy Wednesday Choral Evensong Wednesday, March 31st @ 7:30 p.m. in New Brick and livestreamed on our website, YouTube, and Facebook pages As Jesus draws ever closer to the events of Good Friday, the church readies itself by a special service of Choral Evensong. During this brief sung service, one of the jewels of the Anglican tradition, our quartet offers ancient hymns, psalms, and a setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis. In-person attendance is limited in accordance with social distancing protocol, and masks are required. If you'd like to join us, please complete the short form at https://www.christchurchcolumbia.org/attend-holy-week

Lord, you are the light This world desperately needs, Let our lamps keep burning bright So the lost may come to see The light of your love Burning brightly in our hearts, Chasing away the darkness, Revealing who you are So your glory may be seen In everything we do In our everyday happenings, May our lives acknowledge you No matter where you send us, Whatever land we're in, May your light pierce through the darkness Penetrating deep within To stir up deep desire To truly seek your face And come fully into your light And receive your saving grace. © By M.S.Lowndes

Simeon, a righteous and devout man, had had it revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Messiah. In the Temple, Simeon picks up the baby Jesus and praises God, saying, Lord, now you are dismissing your servant* in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’ Simeon recognized that the Messiah is the light that comes for all. This passage describes part of the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple and the recognition of Jesus as the Christ by Simeon. May we all recognize that Jesus continues to be the light in our world that eliminates the darkness that surrounds us.

This year, services will take place each day during Holy Week. Morning and Evening Prayer will be livestreamed on our website and Facebook, as always, and the New Brick services will be on those two sites, as well as on YouTube. In addition to these livestreams, current public health guidelines also allow us to offer some in-person worship, and those are listed below. All social distancing, attendance, and safety protocols will be strictly followed by all. If you wish to attend any of the Holy Week services, please complete the form on our website - https://www.christchurchcolumbia.org/attend-holy-week You'll find many more details for the entire Holy Week schedule on our Lent page at www.christchurchcolumbia.org/lent Morning and Evening Prayer Monday - Friday @ 7:00 a.m. Monday @ 7:00 p.m. Holy Wednesday / Choral Evensong Wednesday, March 31st 7:30 p.m. in New Brick Maundy Thursday Thursday, April 1st 7:30 p.m. in New Brick Good Friday Friday, April 2nd Holy Eucharist at 12 noon and 7:30 p.m. in New Brick Holy Saturday Saturday, April 3rd Easter Vigil at 7:30 p.m. in New Brick Easter Sunday Sunday, April 4th Holy Eucharist at 8:00 a.m. in Old Brick 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. in New Brick If you would like to make an offering in thanksgiving or memory of someone for Easter, click here.

A number of years ago, a local artist, Kelmie Snider, created a series of paintings depicting the Stations of the Cross. During Lent every year since, they are displayed on the walls of our own New Brick. Although we are not gathering together in person for Stations of the Cross this year, we would like share those powerful works with you here; click on each for full-sized viewing. While viewing the works of art, you can listen to a wonderful audio reading of the Stations of the Cross. Both are provided below. We do have in-person and online services during Holy Week, and those details are on our website's Lent page - https://www.christchurchcolumbia.org/lent

Lord, you are the light This world desperately needs, Let our lamps keep burning bright So the lost may come to see The light of your love Burning brightly in our hearts, Chasing away the darkness, Revealing who you are So your glory may be seen In everything we do In our everyday happenings, May our lives acknowledge you No matter where you send us, Whatever land we're in, May your light pierce through the darkness Penetrating deep within To stir up deep desire To truly seek your face And come fully into your light And receive your saving grace. © By M.S.Lowndes

Today is Palm Sunday. Collect of the Day: Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; 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: Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 Philippians 2:5-11 Mark 15:1-39 Sermon for Today: Father Manny's Sermon text can be read here. Today's Worship Livestream: Today's service bulletin can be found here.

On weekdays during the season of Lent, we post daily meditations on our website, and on Sundays this year 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. This week's song was submitted by our parishioner, Donna, and we hope that you enjoy. "Contemporary “Praise Songs” have long been a love of mine, playing quietly in my car as I drive; they inspire and center me, and this is the song I chose to share with you in this Lent. I believed that the lyrics were written by Chris Tomlin. I discovered, in researching the song that the words were first written in 1874 by Frances R. Havergil and it may, in fact, go back even farther to the early 1800s. They are a humble prayer to God." Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee. Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise. Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love. Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee. Take my voice and let me sing always, only for my King. Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from Thee. Take my silver and my gold not a mite would I withhold. Take my intellect and use every power as You choose. Take my will and make it Thine it shall be no longer mine. Take my heart it is Thine own it shall be Thy royal throne. Take my love, my Lord I pour at Your feet its treasure store Take myself and I will be ever, only, all for Thee. Take myself and I will be ever, only, all for Thee. Here am I, all of me. Take my life, it's all for Thee. May we walk humbly with our God.