October 10, 2021 Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost - Christ Church NYC Online
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Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost
October 10, 2021WELCOME Brandon Batson
CALL TO WORSHIP Brandon Batson & Amelia Acerra
Let your work be manifest to your servants,
and your glorious power to their children.
Lord, teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
We approach the throne of grace with boldness,
so that we may receive mercy
and find grace to help in our time of need.
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and prosper for us the work of our hands– O prosper the work of our hands!
OPENING HYMN
Jesus, We Want to Meet on this Thy Holy Day Nigerian Folk Hymn; arr. Frank W. Boles
Jesus, we want to meet on this thy holy day.
We gather round thy throne on this thy holy day.
Thou are our heav’nly friend,
Hear our prayers as they ascend;
Look into our hearts and minds today,
On this thy holy day.
We kneel in awe and fear on this thy holy day.
Pray God to teach us here on this thy holy day.
Save us and cleanse our hearts, lead and guide our acts of praise,
And our faith from seed to flower raise, on this thy holy day.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY The Reverend Nicole Armstrong
Eternal One, whose thoughts and ways are not ours,
you alone are God, awesome, holy, and most high.
Lead us in the ways of faith and wisdom,
that we, like Job,
may learn to truly see and hear,
and in humility find blessing. Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Daphne Tong-Smith
Loving God,
open our ears to hear your word
and draw us closer to you,
that the whole world may be one with you
as you are one with us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
2A READING FROM THE BOOK OF JOB 23:1-9, 16-17
Becca Grudzina-Macias
Then Job answered:
‘Today also my complaint is bitter;
his hand is heavy despite my groaning.
O that I knew where I might find him,
that I might come even to his dwelling!
I would lay my case before him,
and fill my mouth with arguments.
I would learn what he would answer me,
and understand what he would say to me.
Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?
No; but he would give heed to me.
There an upright person could reason with him,
and I should be acquitted for ever by my judge.
‘If I go forward, he is not there;
or backward, I cannot perceive him;
on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him;
I turn to the right, but I cannot see him.
God has made my heart faint;
the Almighty has terrified me;
If only I could vanish in darkness,
and thick darkness would cover my face!
A READING FROM THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK 10:17-31
The Reverend Nicole Armstrong
As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what
must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal;
You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.”’ He said to him,
‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing;
go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come,
follow me.’ When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter
the kingdom of God!’ And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again,
‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle
than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ They were greatly astounded and said to one
another, ‘Then who can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for
God; for God all things are possible.’
Peter began to say to him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you.’ Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, there
is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and
for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and
sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many
who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’
The word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
3MESSAGE The Reverend Dr. Violet Lee
ANTHEM
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling Text: Charles Wesley; Music: Ned Rorem
Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heav’n, to earth come down,
fix in us thy humble dwelling,
all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love thou art.
Visit us with thy salvation;
enter ev'ry trembling heart.
Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit
into ev’ry troubled breast.
Let us all in thee inherit,
let us find the promised rest.
Take away the love of sinning;
Alpha and Omega be.
End of faith, as its beginning,
set our hearts at liberty.
Come, Almighty, to deliver,
let us all thy life receive.
Suddenly return, and never,
nevermore they temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray, and praise thee without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.
Finish, then, thy new creation;
true and spotless let us be.
Let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee.
Changed from glory into glory,
till in heav’n we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love and praise.
INVITATION TO GIVE Marilena Aquino de Muro
4PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Andy Smith, Daphne Tong-Smith, Becca Grudzina-Macias
We give thanks for your Son, Jesus,
whose word cuts to the core of all things,
exposing all that holds us back from serving you,
and through whom we have the confidence
to come into your presence,
looking to your grace for our life.
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
For all people in their daily life and work;
for our families, friends and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
Redeeming Sustainer,
Pour out your strength and courage upon us.
For this community, our country, and the world;
for all who work for justice, freedom and peace.
Redeeming Sustainer,
Pour out your strength and courage upon us.
A silence is kept…
For the just and proper use of your creation;
for the victims of hunger, fear, injustice and oppression.
Redeeming Sustainer,
Pour out your strength and courage upon us.
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
for those who minister to the sick, the friendless and the needy.
Redeeming Sustainer,
Pour out your strength and courage upon us.
For the peace and unity of the Church of God;
for all who proclaim the gospel, and for all seek the truth.
Redeeming Sustainer,
Pour out your strength and courage upon us.
For our own needs, and for others for whom you have called us to pray.
A silence is kept…
Redeeming Sustainer,
Pour out your strength and courage upon us.
We give thanks for all those who have died in the peace of Christ, and for the promise of your eternal
kingdom.
Redeeming Sustainer,
Pour out your strength and courage upon us.
Amen.
5THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us in the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.
BLESSING
Go now in the confidence of people who have found mercy.
Follow Jesus, keeping the commandments,
letting go of all that binds you to the ways of this world,
and investing everything in God’s realm.
And may God come close to you and keep you safe;
May Christ Jesus reward your faithfulness a hundredfold;
and may the Holy Spirit be your help in time of need.
Amen.
CLOSING MUSIC
In Thee Is Gladness J. S. Bach
Anders Söderlund, organist
Christ Church Staff:
The Rev. Dr. Stephen Bauman, Senior Minister
The Rev. Dr. Violet Lee, Executive Program Minister
Ms. Roseann DeGennaro, Church Administrator
Dr. Steve Pilkington, Director of Music and Organist
The Rev. Nicole Armstrong, Director of Spiritual Formation
Mr. Brandon Batson, Director of Communications & Christ Church Online
Mr. Tyler Weakland, Director of the Bell & Children’s Choirs
Ms. Amanda Smith, Director of the Parish Choir
Ms. Amelia Acerra, Executive Administrative Assistant
The Rev. Mickey Correa, Minister of Christ Church Washington Heights
Ms. Monika Guzman Estrada, Director of Nido de Esperanza, Washington Heights
6UPCOMING EVENTS
Remember to visit christchurchnyc.online/events for access links to all of our events & services.
NEW MEMBERS CLASS- Session I: October 24th at 12:30pm. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey in
Christ, you are welcome at Christ Church. You do not have to join in order to participate in worship, many
areas of serving, Connection Groups, or classes. Yet, for those who wish to join us in the mission to love God
above all things and our neighbors as ourselves, membership is an excellent way to live out that mission. This
mission requires partners and fellow travelers on the journey, and membership is way of deepening your
commitment to this larger purpose. This is the introductory session of the class: It is in-person at 524 Park
Avenue. Lunch is provided so vaccination is required. If you are not fully vaccinated, contact Brandon Batson,
brandon@christchurchnyc.org to make virtual arrangements. All other sessions will be held virtually. SIGN
UP TODAY at christchurchnyc.online/membership
PARISH CHOIR RETURNS TO IN-PERSON REHEARSALS! - The Christ Church Parish Choir is a
volunteer choir open to Christ Church members and friends. Parish Choir participants come from a wide
variety of music backgrounds. Some can read music off the page, and some learn music better by listening
and repeating. Some have years and years of formal training, and some have sung primarily around their
home. Regardless of an individual's music background, Parish Choir is a welcoming space for anyone who is
interested in singing, community, and God. Parish Choir is meeting in-person on Thursdays from 6:45-
7:45pm. Masks and social-distancing are part of our safe return practices. For more information and to join,
email Amanda Smith at amanda@christchurchnyc.org
CONVERSATIONS ON RACE – Tuesday, October 19th at 6:30pm. Each month the communities of Christ
Church, both on Park Avenue and in the Heights, gather with other area churches for an open and honest
conversation about race and race relations. The virtual sessions usually center on a book from an author who
deals with these issues, such as Dr. Jennifer Harvey, Zora Neal Hurston, James Baldwin, Alice Walker, etc.
We hope that this space will provide opportunities to learn from each other and push us closer to our mission
of loving God and neighbor.
October’s Selection: A continued discussion on Four Hundred Souls edited by Ibram X. Khendi & Keisha N. Blain
HALLOWEEN PARTY- Saturday, October 23rd at 6:00pm. Hosted by the LGBTQIA+ & Young Adult Ministries:
Everyone is invited to join us for a fun night of Halloween fun including a costume party, trivia, and more.
We will have light food and beverage, so vaccination is required. This is a perfect opportunity to meet new
people in the Christ Church community and hear about our plans for these groups as we move into the new
year.
PUMPKIN CARVING PARTY- Sunday, October 31st at 12:30pm. Families and kids at heart are invited to
join in on some pumpkin carving fun! Immediately after the last service, we’ll head to Phillips Hall and carve
some pumpkins. There’ll be prizes for different categories and age groups and of course, lots of treats!! For
more information or to RSVP, contact Rev. Nicole at nicole@christchurchnyc.org.
FALL SMALL GROUPS- Tuesday & Wednesday evenings. These groups will be online gatherings of 10-12
people who meet weekly to discuss essential questions of the faith, dive into each others’ stories, pray with
one another, and provide care in times of struggle. This season of small groups will only last 8 weeks, so you
aren’t signing your life away. Join us as we grow together in our relationship with God and each other. If you
haven’t already, be sure to go to the groups page(christchurchnyc.online/groups) and sign up for a group
before joining the zoom.
7FAITH FORUM: THE PARABLES OF JESUS- Monday nights. We will be reading through Amy Jill Levine's
"Short Stories by Jesus." This book is a fascinating dive into the parables of Jesus. Levine guides us through
cultural contexts, religious stereotyping, and what these parables would have meant to the first century Jews
hearing them. Our goal is to deepen, challenge, and contemplate how these well-known parables have shaped
our understanding of Jesus, ourselves, and the faith we profess. Our time together will be 7-8ish Monday
nights on Zoom, September 27th - November 15th, with an in-person lunch celebration Sunday, November
21st after church! We will have limited copies of her book for purchase that you can pick up on any Sunday
(or weekday while we are in the office). The books will be $10, or you can purchase one for yourself on your
own. Please reach out if cost is prohibitive, and we will gladly make something work. All are welcome, no
matter your age or experience with scripture! For more questions, email Rev. Nicole Armstrong at
nicole@christchurchnyc.org.
AN EASY WAY TO SUPPORT NIDO DE ESPERANZA- Want an easy way to support Nido de Esperanza?
Make Nido your designated charity on AmazonSmile. Every time you shop on AmazonSmile a small portion
of the proceeds are donated to Nido. It adds up! To do this visit: smile.amazon.com. Sign in with your amazon
account. Select Nido de Esperanza Charitable Society (EIN: 82-5510616). Go to smile.amazon.com to shop
anytime.
CHRIST CHURCH CHAIR DEDICATION- Leave your mark on the legacy of Christ Church. - As we gather
once again in our newly refurbished sanctuary, we invite you to participate concretely in the renewal of our
sacred space that both recognizes your legacy and points us forward to Christ Church 2.0. To that end we
invite you to dedicate a chair in honor or memory of a family member or loved one, or as an expression of
gratitude. These chairs have replaced the pews, and on each of these chairs we will install a small beautiful
plaque, marking your commemoration. For more information and to dedicate a chair(s), please visit
christchurchnyc.online/chairs.
USHERS NEEDED - “Serving as an usher is important to me... keeps me in contact with the congregation
and I feel like I am doing my bit to help out. Ushering is a nice way to be a part of things...” - Current Ushers.
Ushering is a very important part of the life of the church. It is a way of serving that rewards both our guests
and our ushers. Presently we are short ushers and could use your help! Please contact Amelia at
amelia@christchurchnyc.org to take part in this vital ministry.
CHRIST CHURCH WASHINGTON HEIGHTS WORSHIP SERVICE – Sundays, 12:00pm. Join Pastor
Mickey Correa for a bilingual live in-person or Zoom service every Sunday at 12 noon featuring scripture
reading and an inspiring message.
PRAYER REQUESTS – We have a Prayer Team praying over prayer requests each week. If you would like
to join the Prayer Team or submit a prayer request, please email amelia@christchurchnyc.org.
SHARING TABLE OUTREACH - Sharing Table is back and operating a grab-and-go system to feed our
neighbors and keep everyone safe. Volunteers arrive at 4pm on Sundays to make sandwiches, prepare bags
of snacks and toiletries, and sometimes package a prepared dish in to-go containers in Phillips Hall. At 4:30
the bags are brought to the Duke room and handed out to neighbors. At 5:30, volunteers take whatever bags
are left around the neighborhood looking for people who need them, or give them out on their way home.
Since returning in November we’ve had roughly 40–50 people a week. Everyone is masked (and we give out
masks to all the guests), we practice social distancing, and we limit each week to 8 volunteers. Please consider
signing up to serve or get more info by emailing rebezina@gmail.com.
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