Rev. Ed Sharp baptized our daughter Trish here. Our children attended Sunday School and Church, and Pat and I became EYC advisors. We chaperoned the youth on several wonderful ski trips. Our daughters were married in Christ Church and our grandchildren, Thomas, Tucker, Chase, and Sarah, were baptized in here. Our dear friend Bishop Clay Matthews participated in Trish’s baptism and wedding and the baptisms of our four grandchildren. The people of Christ Church have accepted and loved Pat and me and our family, through Jesus Christ. The people of Christ Church have been there for us in times of joy and celebration and in times of difficulty and sadness. Christ Church has been an important part of our lives. Every year we support Christ Church’s annual campaign because we are grateful for Christ Church giving us a loving and caring community in which to raise our family. The impact we have felt on our lives is but part of the larger picture of our parish’s ministry in our community and beyond. Christ Church provides teaching, preaching, music, worship, ThanksLiving: An Attitude of Gratitude fellowship, and pastoral care for our parishioners and Reflection on Stewardship by Ken McCotter others. Christ Church provides outreach through support of Presented at Christ Church September 17, 2017 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is Religious Community Services, Merci Clinic, Interfaith from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with Refugee Ministries, Farmworkers, and Prison Ministry and other ministries. Christ Church leads by example. Christ whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Church welcomes all as a diverse, caring and James 1:17 compassionate church community through the love and I am Ken McCotter. My wife is Pat. Today I’d like to tell grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. you about us and our life of faith at Christ Church. Our story begins many years ago. I was born to Charles We invite you to join us in giving to our annual budget. Kennedy McCotter and Lucy Guion Dunn McCotter. My Your pledge supports our programs and makes sure that mother was a cradle Episcopalian who was a lifelong Christ Church continues to touch lives through its mission member of Christ Church. My father was a country boy and ministry. It is also a visual expression of our gratitude from Pamlico County, and a Free Will Baptist who both to God and to this parish for its impact on our life of became an Episcopalian. I was baptized in Christ Church faith. Give because you want to give. Give because you when I was a small child by Rev. Charles Williams. I enjoy giving. Join us in giving this year to Christ Church’s attended kindergarten at Christ Church. I was an acolyte. campaign and ThanksLiving into a new spirit of gratitude. Bishop Thomas Wright confirmed me in Christ Church. I Loving God, studied for the God and Country award under the Rev. Ed You love all creation and call us to follow the first and Sharp. Pat was born in Durham to Thomas Campbell greatest commandment. God, in your abundance, you Byrum, Jr. and Virginia Moore Byrum while her father was completing his undergraduate degree at Carolina. Pat provided all that we need not only to survive, but to thrive. You call us to live as generous stewards in response to grew up in Edenton and was a Southern Baptist. Pat was baptized at the Edenton Baptist Church where she God’s abundance and sustenance. Living into our call to attended Sunday School and Church. Pat and I were be stewards who depend on God’s gracious giving and married in the Edenton Baptist Church in 1968. Pat was character. May we commit ourselves to depend on your abundant provisions to sustain us in our daily walks confirmed at the Chapel of the Cross in Chapel Hill when I individually and to have an attitude of gratitude together. was in law school at UNC. Peter Lee was the rector, before AMEN he became Bishop, and baptized our daughter Ginny at Chapel of the Cross. Pat, Ginny and I moved back to New Bern in 1972. We began attending Christ Church. The 1
In peace we pray to you, Lord God
Calendar
For our ill and recovering parishioners: Art Vance, Muriel Latham, Barbara Willis, Dottie Parker, Gary Derck, Janet Stevens, Jackie Barney, Linda Lore, Mike Pridgen, Sonja Doran, Sue Hartley, Barbara Schmalhofer, Jim, Mary Hasell, Catherine Bender, Betty Jane Bonapartian, Bob and Joan Burnett, Audrey St. John, Fair Leonard, Champ Mitchell, Janet Anderson, Margi, Bradley, Joe Freemon, Ray Stark, Bob Kohn, Gretchen Gibson, Linda Howell, David Hancock, Janice Millns, Nicholas Pridgen, Betty Paramore, Susan Rivenbark, Mary Kay Farnham, Warren Meadows, Janet Corcoran, Rex Willis III, John Reichenbach, Hal Cameron, Linda Foster, Anne Lutton, Charlie Mitchell, Robert Lane, Barbara Odderstol, Thom Wilson, Evelyn Hunter, LaVonne Reamer, Ed Czernik, Bill Wilson
For our families and friends: Bella, Natalie, Natalie, Richard, Nancy, Connor, Miles, Andrew, Everett, Michael, Edward, Jay, Roy, Gracie, Colt, Ken, Monty, Charles, Brett, Deanna, Cindy, Don, LaBinda, Barry, Rusty, Owen, Bobby, Anne, Brenda & Family, Liesel, Tate, Audra, Sally, Ruth, Kathy, Nancy, Denise, Tony, Barbara, Charlie, Bob, Ann, Mathias, Katherine, Alex, Linda, Ginny, Dennis, Mary Dunn, Jim, Dorothy, Teresa, Bill, Robert, Michael, Dorothy, Julia, Harold, Ian, Lee, Jessica, Michael, Dan, Steve, Andy, Beth
For our deployed military: Capt. Jason White, Cpl. Jason Church, Sgt. Bill Jarvis, Capt. Paul Truog, LCPL Ross Drury, Andrew Konzen, Capt. Delbert R. Patton, SSG Andrea D. Eubanks, CW02 Justin Harshner, Army Spec. Devin Clarke, Capt. John Jones
For our parishioners in boarding school and college: Amanda Buffa, Ashley Buffa, Davis Cook, Anna Louise Flanagan, Campbell Huddle, Jack Huddle, William Little, Alex Norwood, Carlee Peele, Htoo Soe, Kiaishia Squires, John Thomas, Zack Thuringer, Dequan Williams
For all refugee families especially:
Sunday, September 24 7:30am 8:45am 10:00am 11:00am 2:00pm
Eucharist I Eucharist II Contemporary Music Sunday School for all ages Eucharist II Traditional Music Crop Walk
Monday, September 25 10:00am 11:30am 12:00pm
Prayer Shawls Small Wonders NA Contemplative Group
Tuesday, September 26 8:00am 10:00am 2:00pm 6:30pm
Holy Eucharist Women’s Book Study OSL Small Wonders NA
Wednesday, September 27 10:00am 11:00am
Holy Eucharist /Healing Service Rector’s Bible Study - Gospel of St. Luke Music & Movement EfM AA meeting (open) Parish Choir
4:30pm 6:00pm 6:15pm 7:00pm
Thursday, September 28 6:30 pm
Small Wonders NA
Friday, September 29 Saturday, September 30
Leonardo, Viviana and Mariann
Sunday, October 1 Birthday & Anniversary Sunday
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: St. George’s, Engelhard & St. John’s Fayetteville
7:30am 8:45am 10:00am 11:00am The flowers on the altar are given to the Glory of God and In loving memory of Son David and Husband Joe Johnson by Shirly Johnson and in loving memory of Jenna Williamson by Gary and Nadine Williamson. 2
Eucharist I Eucharist II Contemporary Music Sunday School for all ages Eucharist II Traditional Music
Mumfest Book Sale
Foyers Food, fun, fellowship – that is what Foyers is all about. It is a wonderful opportunity to get to know your fellow parishioners beyond coffee hour. Groups of 6 – 8 get together once a month to share a meal either in a home, have a picnic or go Dutch treat in a restaurant. Normally the “host” will pick time and place as well as provide a main dish while others will bring appetizer, salad, and dessert to round out the meal. There are no set rules as this is intended to be all about sharing time and especially fellowship. There will be signup sheets in the reception area starting September 24 so we can put groups together before our 1st gathering. We will have a “kick off” on October 22 from 5PM – 7PM at the home of Martha Ross @216 Johnson St where you will meet the others in your group and arrange your first get together. Bring an appetizer to share, beverages will be provided. For more information contact Jane Broaddus @ 252.772.8156 or jbroaddus205@suddenlink.net. We hope many of you will participate in this very special ministry.
BACKPACK BLESSINGS “BUILD” The next “build” is October 6th from 6 – 8PM October 7th from 9 – 11 AM and again from 1 – 3PM. It is fun and takes only about 1 ½ hours to fill over 3000 bags at each session. It is very well organized so the time goes quickly. It is amazing how many families bring their children to participate and get a look at how they and our community are helping less fortunate children. No need to sign up just come to any or all of the sessions. Garber is located @ 4201 Country Club Road.
Backpack Blessings is community wide service serving children in our area who may go hungry on the weekends when there is no school and no free breakfast or lunch. Over 17 churches including Christ Church get together twice a year @ Garber United Methodist Church to fill zip lock bags with nutritious treats to be given to those children on Friday afternoon (put secretly by the teachers in the child’s backpack so there is no knowing who receives and who does not).
Children & Youth Ministry News EYC Meals- We would not be able to do the wonderful programming that we do without the help of those that cook meals for EYC. If you would like to cook a meal for EYC, please sign-up in the reception area or use the following link to sign-up. http://tinyurl.com/eycmeal P.O.D.- Our first 3rd, 4th, & 5th Grade P.O.D. Meeting will be October 1st at 5pm in the Youth Building. Our programming will be led by our EYC and will go until 6:30 pm. This year, P.O.D. will meet the first Sunday of each month. We look forward to seeing you! EYC Parents Meetings- Reminder that EYC Parent's Meetings are being held this Monday (9/25) and Tuesday (9/26) in the Youth Building at 5:30. These are necessary meetings for all parents that have young people involved in EYC to go over paperwork, schedule of events, and more. If you are not able to make it to one of the two meetings, please contact Ashley Simpson to set up another time to meet. 3
3 DAY TRIP TO BLACK MOUNTAIN
Christ Church Classifieds
PUMPKINS ARRIVE OCTOBER 7TH
STEPHEN MINISTRIES
Do You Know Someone Going through a difficult time? Do you have a friend, neighbor, co-worker, or relative who has been struggling with the loss of a loved one, loneliness, cancer, a layoff, relocation, divorce, a spiritual crisis, recuperation, single parenthood, or any of countless other life challenges? Our Stephen Ministers can provide them with the focused care, encouragement, and support they need to make it through the crisis. If you know of someone who is hurting, talk with one of our Stephen Leaders: Rev. Cortney Dale, Mary Parrish, Mary Davidson. They can talk with you about how we can connect the person you know with one of our Stephen Ministers. It’s a great way for you to show how much you care!
We need everyone’s help! Unloading and Sales Booth set-up begins at 8am. Sales staff needed by 10am. Our 14th annual Pumpkin Patch kicks off with the arrival of a humongous truck with a FULL load of pumpkins on Saturday, October 7th. We need all hands on deck to unload pumpkins and transform our churchyard into a festive fall wonderland. Dress grubby. Bring wheelbarrows, wagons, work gloves and a joyful spirit. Plenty of liquid and other nourishments will be on hand to fuel all workers.
Help Wanted 10AM-6PM, October 7 -31! (Sundays 12N -6PM)
CALLING ALL WOMEN The fall ECW (Episcopal Church Women) dinner will be held on Tuesday, October 17th at the Harrison Center. The speaker will be Canon Sonny Browne, Canon for Diocesan Life for the Diocese of East Carolina. Come and hear about his new ministry as he works with and ministers to the 77 churches in our Diocese.
“ADOPT A COOKIE BAKER” This Sunday Janet Eldred and Liz Lane will be available between services to explain and answer questions about adopt a cookie baker for Cookie Walk. This is for those persons who do not know how to make cookies and those who would like to share their talents. Sign-up sheets will be available. Please stop by to see what this is all about.
Fellowship will begin at 5:15pm with dinner served at 6 o’clock. Please call Suzanne at 633-2109 to reserve your place or sign up in the Reception area. The dinner will be served buffet style with entree choices of stuffed chicken breast and beef-tips. The cost is $20.00 which includes service charges. Please mail your check to the church or give it to the receptionist made out to ECW with fall dinner on the memo line.
INTERFAITH REFUGEE MINISTRY DINNER, OCTOBER 7TH Join us for dinner on Saturday, October 7th at 6pm at the Harrison Center. Price is $40 per seat or two for $75. The dinner is a “small plate” menu featuring cuisines from five continents (Asia, Africa, North America and the Mediterranean.) Wine and beer are available and there will be live music and entertainment. Reservations are available at: www.helpingrefugees.org
All Women of the parish are invited to attend; spouses are welcome to come also. Deadline for reservations is Friday, October 13th. Join us for a delicious dinner, and informative evening and an opportunity to meet/see old and new friends.
FORMING OF JUNIOR DAUGHTERS OF THE KING Girls between the ages of 7-21 years old are invited to a pre-introduction party, Sunday, October 1st in the Pelletier Room. The future Jr. DOK will meet once a month. This spiritual order is a sisterhood that will grow in faith, support and pray for each other, study the Bible, participate in service activities, take day trips, attend Junior events, and enjoy Christian fellowship. Please RSVP Mary Lynn by text at 252-626-3364 or email her at: miglinton12@gmail.com. Christ Church girls may also invite baptized friends from other denominations to be a Junior Daughter.
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