Alleluia!

Alleluia, the great storm is over.  Lift up your wings and fly!   (From a great old gospel song that I want sung at my funeral!)  
Now we deal with the aftermath.   I have heard from lots of folks that we are in pretty good shape.  Lots of electricity out and phones out, but no serious damage that I have heard about yet.  Hope that is so!   
The church sustained some minor damage.  The roof work was unfinished which I think has led to a few extra small leaks at the front of the church (over the choir), in the back stairwell, and at the bell tower.   There are some slate pieces blown off the roof at the side of the church, so watch your step if you go that way.  
There was to be an evangelism committee meeting tonight, but I have decided to postpone that.  I will get back to the committee once I know a new date.   I hope everyone gets word of that.  I have not been able to reach all by phone.  I am guessing and hoping that midweek Eucharist, Bible Study, and Thursday evening's meeting of the Worship Committee will be able to  happen without a hitch. 
We have electricity, phone, and internet at church.  If you do not and need water, a chance to charge your cell phone, or anything else we can help with, call the church or me.   Deb and I are both in the office at least some of each day at this point, although we both have some issues at home to deal with too. 
Blessings to you all,
Gary+

IMPORTANT STORM NEWS

Beloved:

OK.  Uncle.  I say we cancel church for Sunday.   The storm could be such a whopper.   So let's not plan on church for Sunday.  
Because the storm is so large, be aware that it will come to us much sooner than the eye showing on the map.  When the storm center is still three hundred miles to the south of us, we will begin to know it.   The Red Cross put out a warning last night asking everyone to be ready and in the place where they plan to weather the storm by 8 AM Saturday morning.  
Know too that some of the people of Christ Church are already trying to prepare to be available to help out after the storm.  If you need help, you can call me or Ed Greskowiak.   My cell is 371-9382.   Obviously the phones have to be working.  It's possible that the Facebook and email connections will work when the phone doesn't so you can try that too.  I will try to keep abreast of all. 
Meanwhile, stay safe.  

God's Peace,
Gary

Hurricane Irene - Important information CEC

Thursday

                                                                                                August 25, 2011

                                                                                                King Louis of France Day

Beloved of Christ Church:

Well, we appear to be in the week of natural disasters.   If the smoke hasn’t gotten in your eyes and lungs, then perhaps you shook with the earthquake.  And now we await the coming storm and wonder what it will bring.    The smoke and the earthquake have been mostly just nuisances for us.  (Although as you may have heard our National Cathedral suffered some serious if non-structural damage and an Episcopal church in the mountains near where I used to serve has been literally separated out in two by the earthquake.)   The hurricane, however, may be destructive closer to home.  

While the insurance industry may call all of these “acts of God,” we know God’s acts are the ways we have and will love and take care of one another.   Please be sure to let us know at Christ Church –as best you can given possible electrical and telephone outages – if you  have any special needs before or after the storm.  

At present, I plan to hold services on Sunday, but I will not expect anyone to come in who does not feel safe to do so.  Our vestry is at the ready with a new phone tree to call all at church members to let them know should we feel we need to cancel church.  

Let us keep one another and all others who will be blowing about or floating this weekend in our prayers and hearts.   God may not be in the roaring wind or in the flash of wave, but God will be in us through the storm.

God’s Peace,

Gary+

Readings News & Announcements August 28 - Sept 4

Volunteer Schedule September 2011

http://christchurchsmithfield.blogspot.com/p/volunteer-schedule.html

 

News and Announcements:

Sun     Aug 28               Early Quiet Service – 7:45am

                                    Celebration Service – 9:00am

                                    Sunday School; all ages – 10:00am

                                                Traditional Service – 11:00am

Mon    Aug 29               Evangelism Committee 7:00-8:00pm                   

Wed    Aug 31              Bible Study 4:00pm

                                    Mid Week Eucharist 5:00-6:00pm

                                    Celebration Band 6:30-7:15pm

Thurs Sept 1                 Worship Committee 7:00-8:00pm

Sun    Sept  4                 Early Quiet Service – 7:45am

                                    Celebration Service – 9:00am

                                    Sunday School; all ages – 10:00am

                                                Traditional Service – 11:00am

The flowers on the altar are given to the Glory of God by Bud & Joyce Gill in loving memory of Jack Gale

 ‘Homeland’

Let us remember September 11, 2001, those who died and their families, our first responders and the men and women of our Armed Forces.  Enjoy The Smithfield Community Chorus's presentation of "Homeland", a montage of songs about our country's roots, heritage and freedom.  The concert is free, open to the public and will be held at the Smithfield  High School on September 11th at 7:30 p.m.

EfM ~Education for Ministry begins in September!
Christ Church has a wonderful program for adult Christian formation called Education for Ministry -- EfM for short. EfM is a program from the Episcopal Theological Seminary at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee.   You must register for the program in advance.  Classes are small -- usually between six and eight folks.   There is homework and a two and a half hour class each week.  You register for a year at  a time, but the program is a four year program.  Year one focuses on the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament).  Year two focuses on the New Testament.   Year three focuses on Church history and year four focuses on theology and planning your future life in Christ.  If you think you might be called to dig deeper into your faith journey with a tool like this, speak with Father Gary or any of a number of EfM graduates and students at EfM.  We would like to have registration by September 1.  The course costs $310 per year, and some scholarship is available. 

Sunflowers 
This painting was inspired by
one of the many beautiful gardens
in the Smithfield, historic district.

A group of local artists will be painting at St. Luke's Church on  Sept. 12 beginning at 8:30 AM. Anyone interested in trying "plein  air" painting (outdoor landscapes created on location) is welcome to  participate. For more information, please contact Stephanie Faleski  at 610-360-7623 or send e-mail to fineart@calico-studios.com.

Finances at Christ Church
We are going to begin printing the expenses verses the income here at church as a tool to help you all with your stewardship.  The income this year is behind expenses by a fair bit even though we have been able to keep most expenses to a minimum. 
As of August 1, 2011,

our year to date expenses have been:  $104,060.77  (about $3000 below budget)
our year to date income has been:      $85,465.54    (about $21,000 below budget)
A complete budget and financial report is available on the hallway bulletin board at church.   Thank you all for your generous giving of self and funds to God's Kingdom. 

9:00am Reading

Reader:  A reading from the book of Romans [9-21]

Paul exhorts the Christian community at Rome to outdo each other in loving behavior, and to strive to overcome evil with good.

Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church

People: Open our ears to hear your Word.

Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.

Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."

Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

People:  Open our ears to hear your Word.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

7:45 &11:00am Readings

+The First Lesson: God calls to Moses from a burning bush, directing him to return to Egypt and lead the chosen people out of slavery.

A Reading from [Exodus 3:1-15]

Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, "I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up." When the LORD saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." Then he said, "Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." He said further, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Then the LORD said, "I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt." But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" He said, "I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain."

But Moses said to God, "If I come to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" God said to Moses, "I AM Who I AM." He said further, "Thus you shall say to the Israelites, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" God also said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the Israelites, 'The LORD, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you':

This is my name forever,

and this my title for all generations."

Reader: The Word of the Lord                                                                                           People: Thanks be to God  

Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26,45c Page 738, BCP

Give thanks to the LORD and call upon his Name; *
make known his deeds among the peoples.

Sing to him, sing praises to him, *
and speak of all his marvelous works.

Glory in his holy Name; *
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

Search for the LORD and his strength; *
continually seek his face.

Remember the marvels he has done, *
his wonders and the judgments of his mouth,

O offspring of Abraham his servant, *
O children of Jacob his chosen.

Israel came into Egypt, *
and Jacob became a sojourner in the land of Ham.

The LORD made his people exceedingly fruitful; *
he made them stronger than their enemies;

Whose heart he turned, so that they hated his people, *
and dealt unjustly with his servants.

He sent Moses his servant, *
and Aaron whom he had chosen.

Hallelujah!

+The Second Lesson: Paul exhorts the Christian community at Rome to outdo each other in loving behavior, and to strive to overcome evil with good.

 A Reading from Romans [12:9-21]

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

Reader: The Word of the Lord

The People Respond: Thanks be to God

Prayers of the People III BCP page, 387

Important information CEC

Thursday

                                                                                                August 25, 2011

                                                                                                King Louis of France Day

Beloved of Christ Church:

Well, we appear to be in the week of natural disasters.   If the smoke hasn’t gotten in your eyes and lungs, then perhaps you shook with the earthquake.  And now we await the coming storm and wonder what it will bring.    The smoke and the earthquake have been mostly just nuisances for us.  (Although as you may have heard our National Cathedral suffered some serious if non-structural damage and an Episcopal church in the mountains near where I used to serve has been literally separated out in two by the earthquake.)   The hurricane, however, may be destructive closer to home.  

While the insurance industry may call all of these “acts of God,” we know God’s acts are the ways we have and will love and take care of one another.   Please be sure to let us know at Christ Church –as best you can given possible electrical and telephone outages – if you  have any special needs before or after the storm.  

At present, I plan to hold services on Sunday, but I will not expect anyone to come in who does not feel safe to do so.  Our vestry is at the ready with a new phone tree to call all at church members to let them know should we feel we need to cancel church.  

Let us keep one another and all others who will be blowing about or floating this weekend in our prayers and hearts.   God may not be in the roaring wind or in the flash of wave, but God will be in us through the storm.

God’s Peace,

Gary+

Readings, News & Announcements August 21-28

News and Announcements:

Sun     Aug 21               Early Quiet Service – 7:45am

                                    Celebration Service – 9:00am

                                    Sunday School; all ages – 10:00am

                                                Traditional Service – 11:00am               

Wed    Aug 24              Bible Study 4:00pm

                                    Mid Week Eucharist 5:00-6:00pm

                                    Celebration Band 6:30-7:15pm

Sun    Aug  28                Early Quiet Service – 7:45am

                                    Celebration Service – 9:00am

                                    Sunday School; all ages – 10:00am

                                                Traditional Service – 11:00am

                                             

The flowers on the altar are given to the Glory of God by Peggy Egan in loving memory of William Egan I

Finances at Christ Church
We are going to begin printing the expenses verses the income here at church as a tool to help you all with your stewardship.  The income this year is behind expenses by a fair bit even though we have been able to keep most expenses to a minimum. 
As of August 1, 2011,

our year to date expenses have been:  $104,060.77  (about $3000 below budget)
our year to date income has been:      $85,465.54    (about $21,000 below budget)

A complete budget and financial report is available on the hallway bulletin board at church.   Thank you all for your generous giving of self and funds to God's Kingdom. 

EfM ~Education for Ministry begins in September!
Christ Church has a wonderful program for adult Christian formation called Education for Ministry -- EfM for short. EfM is a program from the Episcopal Theological Seminary at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee.   You must register for the program in advance.  Classes are small -- usually between six and eight folks.   There is homework and a two and a half hour class each week.  You register for a year at  a time, but the program is a four year program.  Year one focuses on the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament).  Year two focuses on the New Testament.   Year three focuses on Church history and year four focuses on theology and planning your future life in Christ.  If you think you might be called to dig deeper into your faith journey with a tool like this, speak with Father Gary or any of a number of EfM graduates and students at EfM.  We would like to have registration by September 1.  The course costs $310 per year, and some scholarship is available. 

 

Sunflowers 
This painting was inspired by
one of the many beautiful gardens
in the Smithfield, historic district.

A group of local artists will be painting at St. Luke's Church on  Sept. 12 beginning at 8:30 AM. Anyone interested in trying "plein  air" painting (outdoor landscapes created on location) is welcome to  participate. For more information, please contact Stephanie Faleski  at 610-360-7623 or send e-mail to fineart@calico-studios.com.





Reading 9:00am

Reader:  A reading from the book of Romans [12:1-8]

Paul urges listeners to offer their whole selves, body and soul, as a thankful response to God’s gift of salvation through Jesus..

Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church

People: Open our ears to hear your Word.

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

 I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.

In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't.

If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in

charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.

Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

People:  Open our ears to hear your Word.

7:45 & 11:00am Readings

+The First Lesson: The Egyptian king orders that all male Hebrew children must be killed. Moses’ mother saves him by hiding him in a basket, where he is found by the king’s daughter.

A Reading from [Exodus 1:8-2:10]

Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. He said to his people, "Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and more powerful than we. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase and, in the event of war, join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land." Therefore they set taskmasters over them to oppress them with forced labor. They built supply cities, Pithom and Rameses, for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread, so that the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites. The Egyptians became ruthless in imposing tasks on the Israelites, and made their lives bitter with hard service in mortar and brick and in every kind of field labor. They were ruthless in all the tasks that they imposed on them.

The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, "When you act as midwives to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, she shall live." But the midwives feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but they let the boys live.

So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and said to them, "Why have you done this, and allowed the boys to live?" The midwives said to Pharaoh, "Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them." So God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied and became very strong. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, "Every boy that is born to the Hebrews you shall throw into the Nile, but you shall let every girl live."

Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a Levite woman. The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a fine baby, she hid him three months. When she could hide him no longer she got a papyrus basket for him, and plastered it with bitumen and pitch; she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds on the bank of the river. His sister stood at a distance, to see what would happen to him.

The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her attendants walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to bring it. When she opened it, she saw the child. He was crying, and she took pity on him, "This must be one of the Hebrews' children," she said. Then his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, "Shall I go and get you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?" Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Yes." So the girl went and called the child's mother. Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will give you your wages." So the woman took the child and nursed it. When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and she took him as her son. She named him Moses, "because," she said, "I drew him out of the water."

Reader: The Word of the Lord                                                                                          

People: Thanks be to God  

Psalm 124 Page 781, BCP

If the LORD had not been on our side, *
let Israel now say;

If the LORD had not been on our side, *
when enemies rose up against us;

Then would they have swallowed us up alive *
in their fierce anger toward us; 

Then would the waters have overwhelmed us *
and the torrent gone over us;

Then would the raging waters *
have gone right over us.

Blessed be the LORD! *
he has not given us over to be a prey for their teeth.

We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; *
the snare is broken, and we have escaped.

Our help is in the Name of the LORD, *
the maker of heaven and earth.

+The Second Lesson: Paul urges listeners to offer their whole selves, body and soul, as a thankful response to God’s gift of salvation through Jesus.

 A Reading from Romans [12:1-8]

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-- what is good and acceptable and perfect.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

Reader: The Word of the Lord

The People Respond: Thanks be to God

Prayers of the People, Form II, BCP, Page 388

Readings, News & Announcements Aug 14-21

**Please note the new updated volunteer schedule page (above), please notify me of any changes**

News and Announcements:

Sun     Aug 14               Early Quiet Service – 7:45am

                                    Celebration Service – 9:00am

                                    Sunday School; all ages – 10:00am

                                                Traditional Service – 11:00am

Tues   Aug 16               Vestry 7:00pm

Wed   Aug 17               Party at Riverside Convalescent Home 3:00pm

                                    Celebration Band 6:30-7:15pm

Sun    Aug  21                Early Quiet Service – 7:45am

                                    Celebration Service – 9:00am

                                    Sunday School; all ages – 10:00am

                                                Traditional Service – 11:00am

The flowers on the altar are given to the Glory of God by Cal & Shirley Warfield in loving Memory of Calvin Warfield III & Thomas R. Warfield

Sunflowers
This painting was inspired by 
one of the many beautiful gardens
in the Smithfield, historic district.

A group of local artists will be painting at St. Luke's Church on  Sept. 12 beginning at 8:30 AM. Anyone interested in trying "plein  air" painting (outdoor landscapes created on location) is welcome to  participate. For more information, please contact Stephanie Faleski  at 610-360-7623 or send e-mail to fineart@calico-studios.com

Christ Episcopal Church will host the August Summer Party for the residents of Riverside Convalescent at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, August 17, 2010.  We usually serve cupcakes and drinks as well as provide gift bags for the folks having birthdays in August.

♥If you would like to attend and/or help, please call Pam Glanville or Deborah Webb 757 357 2826. 

Reading:

Reader:  A reading from the book of Genesis [45:1-15]

Years after his brothers sold him into slavery, Joseph ranks high in Pharoah's court. He is reconciled to his brothers when they travel to Egypt in a time of famine.

Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church

People: Open our ears to hear your Word.

Joseph couldn't hold himself in any longer, keeping up a front before all his attendants. He cried out, "Leave! Clear out—everyone leave!" So there was no one with Joseph when he identified himself to his brothers. But his sobbing was so violent that the Egyptians couldn't help but hear him. The news was soon reported to Pharaoh's palace.

Joseph spoke to his brothers: "I am Joseph. Is my father really still alive?" But his brothers couldn't say a word. They were speechless—they couldn't believe what they were hearing and seeing.

"Come closer to me," Joseph said to his brothers. They came closer. "I am Joseph your brother whom you sold into Egypt. But don't feel badly, don't blame yourselves for selling me. God was behind it. God sent me here ahead of you to save lives. There has been a famine in the land now for two years; the famine will continue for five more years—neither plowing nor harvesting. God sent me on ahead to pave the way and make sure there was a remnant in the land, to save your lives in an amazing act of deliverance. So you see, it wasn't you who sent me here but God. He set me in place as a father to Pharaoh, put me in charge of his personal affairs, and made me ruler of all Egypt.

"Hurry back to my father. Tell him, 'Your son Joseph says: I'm master of all of Egypt. Come as fast as you can and join me here. I'll give you a place to live in Goshen where you'll be close to me—you, your children, your grandchildren, your flocks, your herds, and anything else you can think of. I'll take care of you there completely. There are still five more years of famine ahead; I'll make sure all your needs are taken care of, you and everyone connected with you—you won't want for a thing.'

"Look at me. You can see for yourselves, and my brother Benjamin can see for himself, that it's me, my own mouth, telling you all this. Tell my father all about the high position I hold in Egypt, tell him everything you've seen here, but don't take all day—hurry up and get my father down here."

Then Joseph threw himself on his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. He then kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Only then were his brothers able to talk with him.

Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

People:  Open our ears to hear your Word.

August 14 7.45 &11am

+The First Lesson: Years after his brothers sold him into slavery, Joseph ranks high in Pharoah's court. He is reconciled to his brothers when they travel to Egypt in a time of famine.

A Reading from Genesis [45:1-15]

Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, "Send everyone away from me." So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?" But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come closer to me." And they came closer. He said, "I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, `Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children's children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there-- since there are five more years of famine to come-- so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.' And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. You must tell my father how greatly I am honored in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here." Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.

Reader: TheWordoftheLord                                                                                          

People: Thanks be to God  

Psalm 133 Page 787, BCP

Oh, how good and pleasant it is, *
when brethren live together in unity!

It is like fine oil upon the head *
that runs down upon the beard,

Upon the beard of Aaron, *
and runs down upon the collar of his robe.

It is like the dew of Hermon *
that falls upon the hills of Zion.

For there the LORD has ordained the blessing: *
life for evermore.

+The Second Lesson: Paul expresses his hope that Israel will come to accept Jesus as the Messiah, just as Gentile believers have embraced the New Covenant.

 A Reading from Romans [11:1-2a,29-32]

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.

Reader: The Word of the Lord

The People Respond: Thanks be to God

+Prayers of the People, Form I, BCP, Page 383

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