The Spiritual Life Commission invites everyone to join us on Zoom for our Wednesday Evening Lenten Series, which centers on our 2021 theme - Be God's Light that Shines in the Darkness. Each week, we host a presenter who gives their perspective on this theme, and tonight we're blessed to have the Reverend Richard Ginnever, Rector Emeritus of Christ Church, offer his perspective. The leaflet for tonight is here. Everyone is welcome to be with us for this popular series. We sent the Zoom details out earlier, but if you would like them sent to you directly, please email us at info@christchurchcolumbia.org

A PSALM OF LIFE What the Heart of The Young Man Said to the Psalmist Tell me not, in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream! For the soul is dead that slumbers, And things are not what they seem. Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; Dust thou art, to dust returnest, Was not spoken of the soul. Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined end or way; But to act, that each to-morrow Find us further than to-day. Act in long, and Time is fleeting, And our hearts, though stout and brave, Still, like muffled drums, are beating Funeral marches to the grave. In the world’s broad field of Battle, In the bivouac of Life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle! Be a hero in the strife! Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant! Let the dead Past bury its dead! Act, --act in the living Present! Heart within, and God o’erhead! Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time; Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again. Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait.

CONVERSATIONS ON RACE: R.A.G.E. Ministry Tuesday, March 9th at 7:30 p.m. Join us as we begin a discussion on the book "So You Want to Talk About Race" by Ijeoma Oluo. You can find the book - a New York Times Bestseller - at many retailers in physical, audiobook, and digital form. All are welcome and encouraged to join us for this virtual gathering, and feel free to email us if you have any questions or would like the Zoom link - info@christchurchcolumbia.org

On the Pulse of the Morning So say the Asian, the Hispanic, the Jew, The African, the Native American, the Sioux,, The Catholic, the Muslim, the French, the Greek, The Irish, the Rabbi, the Priest, the Sheik, The Gay, the Straight, the Preacher, The privileged, the homeless, the Teacher… History, despite its wrenching pain, Cannot be unloved, but if aced With courage need not be lived again. Maya Angelou

Are You Listening? Say, ‘Yes,’ and Be God’s Light Such a wide world. So many problems. What can I do as just one person? Lent is an appropriate time to step back from the brink of resignation and contemplate what it takes to “Be God’s Light that Shines in the Darkness.” Given the right circumstances, a single person can make an impact far beyond the expected reach of an ordinary individual. For example, a recently published book review in The Washington Post described how the son of Holocaust survivors helped bring about a peace agreement in Mozambique that saved lives. In the book, The Good American, The Epic Life of Bob Gersony, the U.S. Government’s Greatest Humanitarian, author Robert D. Kaplan describes how the consultant for the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department adopted a new technique to help officials make sound policies. He relied on interviewing refugees and other vulnerable people. Over a 40-year career, according to reviewer Daniel Runde, Gersony talked to more than 8,200 people. But the most important observation is that he listened. That is a characteristic anyone can emulate. Think of listening as a way of letting God’s light shine through. Teachers, priests, and mentors do it, shaping others’ actions in the process. Young people often brighten the lives of their elders with a call, or text, or video-chat. Parents and children share life’s lessons. Spouses, siblings, friends, neighbors, and co-workers shine God’s light when they lend an ear. And during the pandemic, having someone to talk to eases what can be a frightening, lonely path. Clearly, most of us have the opportunity to speak with hundreds or thousands of people over the decades of our lives. And while most of us are not aiming for world peace or even a nation’s peace, however imperfect it turned out to be, we do have the chance to listen. ~ Patricia

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 20:1-17 Psalm 19 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 John 2:13-22 Sermon for Today: Father Manny's Sermon text can be read here. Today's Worship Livestream: Today's service bulletin can be found here.

Today is the Third Sunday in Lent, but this year it is also celebrated as "Keath Sunday" at Christ Church. For those of you who do not know, Mary and her husband Ed are soon heading westward and relocating to Oregon. They are very excited about their trip across the country to begin their next adventure and deserve the fondest of send-offs. For the last 45-plus years, Mary has been committed to meeting so many of the needs at Christ Episcopal Church. She has served as a Warden, a Greeter for newcomers, the Chair of the Building Committee for New Brick, as Parish Ministries Coordinator, as a master gardener, and a host of other roles. Ed, for his part, has shared his artistic woodworking talents in the form of the beautiful Altar Table, the Cross on the wall, the case that holds the McGill Bible, the Lectern, and the Ambo. And so in our diverse and appreciative voices, we want to say Bon Voyage, Adios, O dabo (Yoruba), Sanga sung (Efik), Sai anjuma (Hausa), Ijeoma (Ibo), Kwaheri (Swahili), NyiƐmƆ JurƆ (Ga), Arrivederci, Auf wiedersehen, Au revoir, and Happy trails to Mary and Ed. You are loved by all of us!

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. We hope that you enjoy. Light Up the Sky by The Afters When I'm feeling all alone With so far to go The signs are no where on this road Guiding me home When the night is closing in Is falling on my skin Oh God will You come close? [Chorus] Light, light, light up the sky You light up the sky to show me You are with me I, I, I can't deny No, I can't deny that You are right here with me You've opened my eyes So I can see You all around me Light, light light up the sky You light up the sky to show me That You are with me When stars are hiding in the clouds I don't feel them shining When I can't see You beyond my doubt The silver lining When I've almost reached the end Like a flood You're rushing in Your love is rushing in [Chorus] So I run straight into Your arms You're the bright and morning sun To show Your love there's nothing You won't do [Chorus] That You are with me That You are with me

Nurturing the Light Within with the Rev. Dr. Jill Snodgrass March 6th and 13th at 11:00 a.m. on Zoom Join us for an hour on consecutive Saturdays - March 6th and 13th - for a guided discussion on self-care and spiritual care practices that foster health and wellness during this time of continuing isolation and turmoil. The Reverend Dr. Jill Snodgrass, professor of theology at Loyola University, a pastoral counselor and ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, and Clinical Director of Spiritual Support at GBMC hospital, will lead us in exploring ways to nurture and care for ourselves spiritually and emotionally during dark times, including strategies for managing stress and anxiety in our lives. We emailed the Zoom link earlier this week, but if you would like us to send it to you directly, let us know - email info@christchurchcolumbia.org

Christ Church Supports Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center In pandemic times, as the needs have been relentless in Howard County, the Outreach Commission recently voted to send funds to an organization that, day-to-day, is among the closest to the neediest. The Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center describes its goal: “Our mission is not very complicated, it’s to serve those in need. Of course, more and more these days, carrying out that mission gets complicated. Today, providing our various services requires more staff, more planning, more resources, and more skill than ever before.” In recognition of this great demand, the commission voted on February 8th to contribute $1,000 in parishioners’ donated funds for the purpose of “General Outreach” to Grassroots. Christ Church already has a strong relationship with this organization, as it oversees the Freetown Road live-in facility where we provide a monthly meal. The next one is March 15th; you can sign up here. It also operates the Rt. 1 Dorsey/Day Resource Center, where Christ Church volunteers had both cooked and served a hot meal until indoor functions were suspended due to the pandemic. Grassroots is the first point of contact in the county for homeless services. For example, its live-in facility houses about 10 families and six single women at a given time. The children have been experiencing distance learning like all others in the county with the added challenge of being in a congregate-living situation. One upside: The Freetown Road facility has good wi-fi, said Anna Katz, Director of Operations. She sent parishioners a letter of thanks: “Please extend our appreciation to all the members of Christ Episcopal Church for the very generous contribution of $1,000 in support of our programs and services. 2020 was a year like none other. Grassroots had to adjust to the new normal while still doing the work of providing crisis and shelter services to our clients. We could not have done it without the support of our community. Thanks to donors like you… ● Grassroots was able to provide safe emergency shelter to 485 individuals including 91 children. ● Our crisis services responded to 37,903 phone calls. ● Our hotline pantry distributed 1,001 bags of food to households requesting food assistance. Counselors processed applications from callers seeking Rental Assistance. A total of 93 households received funds to help them pay months of back rent. Thank you again for your generous support.” Grassroots operates a 24-hour general crisis hotline (see photo above) that can be reached by calling 410-531-6677. Its crisis services also include a walk-in counseling program and special youth services such as a Runaway Intervention Program. The Crisis Intervention Service is certified by the American Association of Suicidology. Grassroots Offers Training in March in QPR Skills to Help Prevent Suicides Once again, Grassroots offer members of the community a chance to learn skills that could help save a life from suicide. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer -- the three simple steps anyone can learn to help save lives, just as individuals trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver learn what to do. The online seminar is free to Howard County residents, employees, or students. On Tuesday, March 16 from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Grassroots and the Horizon Foundation are offering QPR training for youth age 13 or older and their families. There is a session for adults on Monday, March 29th from 6 to 7:30 p.m. To register for either one go here: To learn more, email amanda@grassrootscrisis.org to speak with Amanda Ganoe, the sessions’ organizer. Collection Drive Continues to Provide Diapers, Personal Care Items for CCC Parishioners continue to support Columbia Community Care (CCC) by collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items at the request of this all-volunteer organization. Please put them in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” just inside the Parish Hall door. You can drop off items on weekdays until 2 p.m., but we ask that you call the church office (410) 381-9365 to let them know when you are coming. In a separate initiative at Christ Church, our Racially Aware Group of Episcopalians (R.A.G.E) will host CCC leaders Monday, March 22nd. Our guests are invited to talk on Zoom about the needs in Howard County and their work with a proposed Social Justice Center. Please mark your calendars. Donate Groceries for FISH in an Altar Basket or in the Yellow Bin As worship resumes, the basket of groceries for FISH of Howard County will reappear at the altar. But for the convenience of parishioners who continue to observe pandemic precautions, the yellow bin marked “FISH” remains on the breezeway between the Parish Hall and Old Brick. In winter, keep the weather in mind and avoid putting items in the bin that will freeze. Come One, Come All to our Zoom Outreach Meeting on Monday, March 8th The Outreach Commission is scheduled to hold its next meeting, virtually on Zoom, on Monday, March 8th, and parishioners are invited to attend. Log on at 7:30 p.m. with your ideas and aspirations to get more involved in volunteer activities! (Look for Zoom instructions in the online events email that the church communications staff sends at the start of each week.) The Commission meets once a month on the second Monday. For more information, email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. WOCC Outreach - Seafarer’s Donations For years, the WOCC has been involved in providing requested items to Seafarers. Below is a list of the types of magazines, books, and DVD’s/CD’s to be donated. If you can help, it would be greatly appreciated. The Seafarer’s bin is in the lower level, near the bottom of the steps, in the Parish House. Suggested Items needed: · Bible in modern English (or Tagalog, Russian, or Chinese) · Times/Newsweek/etc. up to 3 months old · Sports Illustrated/People/etc. up to 6 months · Cars/Computers/Consumers magazines - up to 1 year · Reader’s Digest up to a couple of years · National Geographic (post-2000) · Books (except for Bibles) are less often requested, but some seafarers do appreciate action novels, as well as picture books about Baltimore or the U.S. · Action/adventure DVD’s. Recent popular CD’s. · Religious books (in easy English), DVD’s, CD’s; rosaries. 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.

Psalm 18: 28 - You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. Micah 7:8 - Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. Matthew 4:16 - The people living in darkness have seen a great light. John 9:5 - While I am in the world, I am the light of the world. Psalm 119: 105 - Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Matthew 5:16 - In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. John 8: 12 - When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. John 1:5 - The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 1 John1:7 - But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. Psalm 139: 7 - Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. John 12:36 - Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light. Luke 11:34 - Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. 35 See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Psalm 119:130 - The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. 1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Thessalonians 5:5 - For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. Ephesians 5:8 - For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. 1. Meditate on your calling to be the light of the world. 2. Take time to simply let God love you 3. Ask the Holy Spirit how he wants to use you to be the light of the world today. The truth of Scripture is that God is not calling us to minister out of our perfection. He isn’t calling us to figure everything out before we can be used. The most powerful declaration we can make to those in darkness is that we who are in desperate need have been met by a perfectly loving Savior. When all the world sees is our facade of perfection, they know right away that they don’t belong in Christianity. But when we live with the courage to be truly vulnerable and honest, we open our lives for those in darkness to see the light of God within us—that he in his grace encounters, loves, and dwells with weak and desperate men and women. God is not calling you to share with the world your own perfection. He is calling you to simply be who you truly are, encounter his loving-kindness, and share with the world the grace-filled hope we have in Christ. Take time today to simply let God love you. Allow him to mold and shape you into a child who wholly experiences the love of the Father. And from that place of being loved as you are, open up your life and love others as you have been loved. Live today openly and honestly before God and man. Open up your life to those in darkness that they might see the light of God’s glorious grace. And live as the light of the world, illuminating the path to God’s heart for all those around you. May you experience the joy, passion, and purpose that comes from being used by God to advance his kingdom today.