4 Easter, Sunday School Rehearsal, "A Rose for Mother" to Return

4th Sunday of Easter: Good Shepherd Sunday
April 25, 2021

​ Sunday School Rehearsal on Saturday morning:  Children and Youth Ministries Director Tyler Jarvis has invited all Sunday School students, and their High School friends, to help tell the story of Pentecost.  The rehearsal is Saturday, April 24, at 10a.m. Please join the happy throng via this link.  The story will be recorded in May for presentation during services on Pentecost Sunday, May 23.
 
A Rose for Mother Returns:  Our ECW is pleased to announce its 7th Annual “A Rose For Mother” project.   We will once again offer the  opportunity to honor the women in your life, -- mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, friends, --  with a red rose for the living or a white rose for the departed. 
     The ECW invites your free-will donations along with the names of the women you wish to honor.  Please clearly print the name(s) and indicate  a red  for the living or a white rose for the deceased.  The bouquets of roses on the altar will be removed to the parish hall after the 10:00 am service and remain there for a day or two.  You will be welcome to pick-up a rose while they last.
     So that the names of the honored women may appear in the bulletin on Mothers' Day, please be sure to send name(s) and your contribution to support the ECW's good work to  Mrs. Paul Whitman, 21 Aberdeen Way, Durham CT 06422, or Mrs. Diane W. Link, 118 Michael Drive, Guilford, CT 06437.  Please make checks payable to Christ Church ECW, with "Roses for Mother" on the memo line.
Easter Worship Continues:   It's the 4th Sunday of Easter; so expect the 23rd Psalm and Jesus identifying himself as our Good Shepherd.  There are more Easter hymns to sing; more Alleluias to shout!
     During our 10a.m. livestream, we'll be inspired by beautiful music, great hymns, a fine sermon from Tyler Jarvis and Spiritual Communion.
     As this is written, the forecast for Sunday, April 25 includes a 96% chance of rain; if that's accurate, let's gather again in the Parish Hall at 1p.m. for Prayers at Mid-Day.  We'll open all the windows.  Please remember your mask.
      
Digital Sunday School was mailed Friday afternoon.  Be sure to check out Children and Youth Ministries Director Tyler Jarvis' video introduction to Sunday's readings, as well as his letter with all the links to videos, songs, coloring pages, and discussion topics.  He talks asks a basic question, "What is love?" and sparks helpful conversations and reflections on how we can love one another.

In his latest book, Love is the Way: Holding onto Hope in Troubling Times, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry wrote a book that responds to Tyler's question.  Bishop Curry reflects on how he's witnessed God's love in his life, and the life of the world, through the loving acts of all sorts of folks, including Dolly Parton and Archbishop Tutu.  The book is available online; and your favorite brick-and-mortar bookstore can order it for you.
    Our evening discussions continue Tuesday evenings; and a parallel Rectory Forum conversation continues Sunday mornings at 9a.m.  Here's the Zoom link for the Sunday Forum. 

Virtual Coffee Hour:  Check in with folks, and we'll probably commiserate over Sunday's weather.   The link to YFNR's Personal Zoom Room seems to work well.  So, join the conversation via Zoom on Sunday, April 25 at 11:30a.m. by clicking this link. 

Wednesday's Order for Evening will continue our Eastertide celebrations.  Join our livestream prayers and hymns, Wednesday evening, April 28, at 7p.m.
 
Thursday Bible Study is following the narrative of the Israelites' wandering in the Book of Numbers.  There are some truly memorable stories coming up!  Our conversation continues 9:30a.m. Thursday, April 29, via Zoom.

Intercessory Prayer: Please help shape the Prayers of the People, by replying to this message with the people, birthdays, anniversaries, and concerns you would like included in the Prayers of the People.

      We are continuing our experiment with leaving the door closest to the Guild Room unlocked between 10a.m. and at least 3p.m.  Please enjoy a quiet moment of prayer, likely alone, and pick up a remaining Easter lily to share, and a candle stub for prayers at home.

Thanks to all who are mailing in your offerings!  
Although our in-person connections remain limited, the routine of the parish continues.  Thanks to your faithfulness, we are able to continue our shared life of worship and witness -- even while maintaining appropriate distances.  Please continue your financial support of our common life by bringing your offering to the altar, or the parish office, or by mailing to Christ Church, PO Box 574, Guilford, CT 06437.  Your offering will be presented at the altar; it will be physically present, while you remain safely at home.
In the faith, hope and love of Christ,
Harrison+
YFNR