Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Welcome to Emmanuel, founded in 1844 and located in historic
Chatham, Virginia.

  

  

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Upcoming Events and Recent News:

Upcoming Events

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Regular Sunday Schedule:  

   9:45 am -       Sunday School for Young Children

10:00 am -       Adult Class - G2R with Dr. Smith

11:00 am -       Holy Eucharist

12:00 pm -      Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall

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December 13 - 12:15 pm -      Congregational Luncheon + Annual Meeting

January 13 - 5:45 pm -      Chatham Main Street Churches – Dinner Program

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Recent News

November 29 -    We Remember, by  Dr. Smith

November 15 -    Go There, by  Dr. Smith

November 2 -      Pruden Parish Press for November 2009 Is Online

October 24 -      The Great Emergence

October 4 -      Feast of St. Francis - A Blessing of Animals

July 12 -    The Two Dances, by  Dr. Smith

June 28 -    A New Dimension of God’s Nature, by  The Rev. Helen McKee

June 2 -      Dr. Smith Ordained Priest

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Third Sunday of Advent

The Collect -

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Feast of Ambrose

The Collect -

O God, you gave your servant Ambrose grace eloquently to proclaim your righteousness in the great congregation, and fearlessly to bear reproach for the honor of your Name: Mercifully grant to all bishops and pastors such excellence in preaching and faithfulness in ministering your Word, that your people may be partakers with them of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Click here to learn more about Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, 397.

Second Sunday of Advent

The Collect -

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Feast of Clement of Alexandria

The Collect -

O God of unsearchable wisdom, you gave your servant Clement grace to understand and teach the truth as it is in Jesus Christ, the source of all truth: Grant to your church the same grace to discern your Word wherever truth is found; through Jesus Christ our unfailing light, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Click here to learn more about Clement of Alexandria, Priest, c.210.

Feast of John of Damascus

The Collect -

Confirm our minds, O Lord, in the mysteries of the true faith, set forth with power by your servant John of Damascus; that we, with him, confessing Jesus to be true God and true Man, and singing the praises of the risen Lord, may, by the power of the resurrection, attain to eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Click here to learn more about John of Damascus, Priest, c. 760.

Feast of Channing Moore Williams

The Collect -

Almighty and everlasting God, we thank you for your servant Channing Moore Williams, whom you called to preach the Gospel to the people of China and Japan. Raise up in this and every land evangelists and heralds of you kingdom, that your Church may proclaim the unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Click here to learn more about Channing Moore Williams, Missionary Bishop in China and Japan, 1910.

Feast of Nicholas Ferrar

The Collect -

Lord God, make us worthy of your perfect love; that, with your deacon Nicholas Ferrar and his household, we may rule ourselves according to your Word, and serve you with our whole heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Click here to learn more about Nicholas Ferrar, Deacon, 1637.

Feast of Saint Andrew

The Collect -

Almighty God, who gave such grace to your apostle Andrew that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ, and brought his brother with him: Give us, who are called by your Holy Word, grace to follow him without delay, and to bring those near to us into his gracious presence; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Click here to learn more about Saint Andrew.

Homily for the First Sunday of Advent - We Remember!

The Gospel – Luke 21:25-31

Homily by the Rev. Dr. David Smith

We Remember!

A new year begins. 

Different from the secular year or fiscal year, or school year, today marks the beginning of Advent and yet another Christian year.  It is the end of what we call “Ordinary Time” or rather the time during the cycle of the Christian year when nothing “extraordinary happens”…..like Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost ….those are extraordinary times and the six months when none of that is going on is Ordinary time.  So here we go in the extraordinary time….again. 

First Sunday of Advent

The Collect -

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Feast of Kamehameha and Emma

The Collect -

O Sovereign God, who raised up (King) Kamehameha (IV) and (Queen) Emma to be rulers in Hawaii, and inspired and enabled them to be diligent in good works for the welfare of their people and the good of your Church: Receive our thanks for their witness to the Gospel; and grant that we, with them, may attain to the crown of glory that never fades away; through Jesus Christ our Savior and Redeemer, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Click here to learn more about Kamehameha and Emma, King and Queen of Hawaii, 1864, 1885.

Thanksgiving Day

The Collect -

Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Feast of James Otis Sargent Huntington

The Collect -

O loving God, by your grace your servant James Huntington gathered a community dedicated to love and discipline and devotion to the holy Cross of our Savior Jesus Christ: Send your blessing on all who proclaim Christ crucified, and move the hearts of many to look upon him and be saved; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Click here to learn more about James Otis Sargent Huntington, Priest and Monk, 1935.

Feast of Clement

The Collect -

Almighty God, you chose your servant Clement of Rome to recall the Church in Corinth to obedience and stability; Grant that your Church may be grounded and settled in your truth by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; reveal to it what is not yet known; fill up what is lacking; confirm what has already been revealed; and keep it blameless in your service; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Click here to learn more about Clement, Bishop of Rome, c.100.

Last Sunday after Pentecost

The Collect -

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Feast of Edmund

The Collect -

O God of ineffable mercy, you gave grace and fortitude to blessed Edmund the king to triumph over the enemy of his people by nobly dying for your Name: Bestow on us your servants the shield of faith with which we can withstand the assaults of our ancient enemy; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Click here to learn more about Edmund, King of East Anglia, Martyr, 870.

Feast of Elizabeth

The Collect -

Almighty God, by your grace your servant Elizabeth of Hungary recognized and honored Jesus in the poor of this world: Grant that we, following her example, may with love and gladness serve those in any need or trouble, in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Click here to learn more about Elizabeth, Princess of Hungary, 1231.

Feast of Hilda of Whitby

The Collect -

O God of peace, by whose grace the abbess Hilda was endowed with gifts of justice, prudence, and strength to rule as a wise mother over the nuns and monks of her household, and to become a trusted and reconciling friend to leaders of the Church: Give us the grace to recognize and accept the varied gifts you bestow on men and women, that our common life may be enriched and your gracious will be done; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Click here to learn more about Hilda, Abbess of Whitby, 680.

Feast of Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln

The Collect -

O holy God, you endowed your servant and bishop Hugh of Lincoln with wise and cheerful boldness, and taught him to commend the discipline of holy life to kings and princes: Grant that we also, rejoicing in the Good News of your mercy, and fearing nothing but the loss of you, may be bold to speak the truth in love, in the name of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Click Here to learn more about Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, 1200.

Concluding The Great Emergence

This week, G2R, Emmanuel's Adult Christian Formation Class, concluded its study of Phyllis Tickle’s The Great Emergence with a discussion of “Where is it going?”

Continue reading...

Feast of Margaret, Queen of Scotland

The Collect -

O God, you called your servant Margaret to an earthly throne that she might advance your heavenly kingdom, and gave her zeal for your Church and love for your people: Mercifully grant that we who commemorate her this day may be fruitful in good works, and attain to the glorious crown of your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Click Here to learn more about Margaret, Queen of Scotland, 1093.

Homily for the Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost – Go There!

The Gospel – Mark 13:1-8

Homily by the Rev. Dr. David Smith

Go There!

Today’s Gospel lesson can be read in a number of ways.

From an historical point of view, Jesus’ prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem’s great buildings suggests that Mark’s Gospel was written during or shortly after 69 – 70 AD. It was during this time that the Romans, in response to a Jewish rebellion in Palestine destroyed the Temple, literally wiping away any trace of where it had been. Attributing such a prophecy to Jesus would surely have increased Jesus’ standing among the people.

On a more whimsical note, the passage can be read as a “tourist moment”, not unlike someone’s first visit to New York City – “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!”

The passage is also an example of apocalyptic literature about “the End Times” and the use of fear and guilt to coerce people into a particular state or direction: “Do this or you will burn in hell!” Over the centuries, the church has proven itself very proficient in the effective use of fear and guilt.

But Jesus may have been saying something entirely different. He may be saying to us that war, rumors of wars, and earthquakes will always be with us. Don’t get caught up in worrying about when they will be over. They won’t. There is no rescue. Rather, look to see what you can do to alleviate the suffering and anguish which result.

Go There – to where people are suffering and anguished. It is there that you will find the Kingdom of God.

Twenty Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

The Collect -

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Feast of the Consecration of Samuel Seabury

The Collect -

We give you thanks, O Lord our God, for your goodness in bestowing upon this Church the gift of the episcopate, which we celebrate in this remembrance of the consecration of Samuel Seabury; and we pray that, joined together in unity with our bishops, and nourished by your holy Sacraments, we may proclaim the Gospel of redemption with apostolic zeal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Click Here to learn more about Samuel Seabury, First American Bishop, 1784.

Feast of Charles Simeon

The Collect -

O loving God, we know that all things are ordered by your unerring wisdom and unbounded love: Grant us in all things to see your hand; that, following the example and teaching of your servant Charles Simeon, we may walk with Christ in all simplicity, and serve you with a quiet and contented mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Click Here to learn more about Charles Simeon, Priest, 1836.

Feast of Martin of Tours

The Collect -

Lord God of hosts, you clothed your servant Martin the soldier with the spirit of sacrifice, and set him as a bishop in your Church to be a defender of the catholic faith: Give us grace to follow in his holy steps, that at the last we may be found clothed with righteousness in the dwellings of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Click here to learn more about Martin, Bishop of Tours, 397.

Feast of Leo the Great

The Collect -

O Lord our God, grant that your Church, following the teaching of your servant Leo of Rome, may hold fast the great mystery of our redemption, and adore the one Christ, true God and true Man, neither divided from our human nature nor separate from your divine Being; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Click Here to learn more about Leo the Great, Bishop of Rome, 461.

Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost

The Collect -

Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Feast of Willibrord

The Collect -

O Lord our God, you call whom you will and send them where you choose: We thank you for sending your servant Willibrord to be an apostle to the Low Countries, to turn them from the worship of idols to serve you, the living God; and we entreat you to preserve us from the temptation to exchange the perfect freedom of your service for servitude to false gods and to idols of our own devising; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Click Here to learn more about Willibrord,

Archbishop of Utrecht,

Missionary to Frisia, 739.

Feast of William Temple

The Collect

O God of light and love, you illumined your Church through the witness of your servant William Temple: Inspire us, we pray, by his teaching and example, that we may rejoice with courage, confidence, and faith in the Word made flesh, and may be led to establish that city which has justice for its foundation and love for its law; through Jesus Christ, the light of the world, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Click here to learn more about William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1944.

Feast of Richard Hooker

The Collect -

 O God of truth and peace, you raised up your servant Richard Hooker in a day of bitter controversy to defend with sound reasoning and great charity the catholic and reformed religion: Grant that we may maintain that middle way, not as a compromise for the sake of peace, but as a comprehension for the sake of truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Click here to learn more about Richard Hooker, Priest, 1600.

The Pruden Parish Press for November 2009 Is Now Online

The November 2009 issue of The Pruden Parish Press, a periodic newsletter containing news and information for parishioners and friends of Emmanuel, is being published this week. The current issue includes:

• Emmanuel Celebrates a Blessing of Animals,

• G2R studying The Great Emergence,

• Vestry Notes from the Senior Warden,

• Outreach Continues at Oak Grove,

• Calendar of Parish events for Nov. 2009 - Jan. 2010,

• Blessing of Animals in Photos,

• Keeping Our Souls Afloat by Dr. Smith, and

• Emmanuel's Treasures.

Click here to read the November issue online.

Earlier issues may be viewed at The Pruden Parish Press.

To receive future issues by mail, please call or email the Parish Office.

Feast of All Faithful Departed

The Collect -

O God, the Maker and Redeemer of all believers: Grant to the faithful departed the unsearchable benefits of the passion of your Son; that on the day of his appearing they may be manifested as your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

All Saints' Day

The Collect -

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.   

Click here to learn more about All Saints' Day.

Vigil of All Saints

Be our light in the darkness, God we pray,
and in your great mercy
defend us from all perils and dangers of this night;
for the love of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Feast of James Hannington

The Collect -

Precious in your sight, O Lord, is the death of your saints, whose faithful witness, by your providence, has its great reward: We give you thanks for your martyrs James Hannington and his companions, who purchased with their blood a road into Uganda for the proclamation of the Gospel; and we pray that with them we also may obtain the crown of righteousness which is laid up for all who love the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, on God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Click here to learn more about James Hannington, Bishop of Eastern Equatorial Africa, and his Companions, Martyrs, 1885.

Feast of Saint Simon and Saint Jude

The Collect -

O God, we thank you for the glorious company of the apostles, and especially on this day for Simon and Jude; and we pray that, as they were faithful and zealous in their mission, so we may with ardent devotion make known the love and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Click here to learn more about Saint Simon and Saint Jude, Apostles.

A Blessing of Animals

(Photos by Jeanne Reynolds. Click here to see more photos.)

October 4th was a day for celebrating The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi at Emmanuel. Saint Francis’s Feast Day is traditionally celebrated with a Blessing of Animals.

Approximately thirty special pets were brought to Emmanuel to be blessed by Dr. David Smith.  All dogs and cats were well behaved and seemed to enjoy the special attention and blessing!

Feast of Alfred the Great

The Collect -

O Sovereign Lord, you brought your servant Alfred to a troubled throne that he might establish peace in a ravaged land and revive learning and the arts among the people: Awake in us also a keen desire to increase our understanding while we are in this world, and an eager longing to reach that endless life where all will be made clear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Click here to learn more about Alfred the Great, King of the West Saxons, 899.

Twenty First Sunday after Pentecost

The Collect -

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Great Emergence

This fall, Emmanuel's Adult Christian Formation Bible Class has been studying Phyllis Tickle's The Great Emergence.

Rooted in the observation that massive transitions in the church happen about every 500 years, Phyllis Tickle shows readers that we live in such a time right now.

Continue reading...

Feast of Saint James of Jerusalem

The Collect -

Grant, O God, that, following the example of your servant James the Just, brother of our Lord, your Church may give itself continually to prayer and to the reconciliation of all who are at variance and enmity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Click here to learn more about Saint James of Jerusalem.

Feast of St. Luke, the Evangelist

The Collect -

Almighty God, who inspired your servant Luke the physician to set forth in the Gospel the love and healing power of your Son: Graciously continue in your Church this love and power to heal, to the praise and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Click Here to learn more about St. Luke, the Evangelist.

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

The Collect -

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Feast of Ignatius

The Collect -

Almighty God, we praise your Name for your Bishop and martyr Ignatius of Antioch, who offered himself as grain to be ground by the teeth of wild beasts that he might present to you the pure bread of sacrifice. Accept, we pray, the willing tribute of our lives and give us a share in the pure and spotless offering of your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Click Here to learn more about Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, and Martyr, c. 115.

Feast of Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Ridley, Thomas Cranmer

The Collect -

Keep us, O Lord, constant in faith and zealous in witness, that, like your servants, Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Ridley, and Thomas Cranmer, we may live in your fear, die in your favor, and rest in your peace; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Click Here to learn more about Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Ridley, Thomas Cranmer,

Bishops and Archbishop, Martyrs,  1555, 1556.

Feast of Teresa of Avila, Nun

The Collect -

O God, by your Holy Spirit you moved Teresa of Avila to manifest to your Church the way of perfection: Grant us, we pray, to be nourished by her excellent teaching, and enkindle within us a keen and unquenchable longing for true holiness; through Jesus Christ, the joy of loving hearts, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Click Here to learn more about Teresa of Avila, Nun.

Feast of Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky

The Collect -

O God, in your providence you called Joseph Schereschewsky from his home in Eastern Europe to the ministry of this Church, and sent him as a missionary to China, upholding him in his infirmity, that he might translate the Holy Scriptures into languages of that land. Lead us, we pray, to commit our lives and talents to you, in the confidence that when you give your servants any work to do, you also supply the strength to do it; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Click here to learn more about Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky, Bishop of Shanghai, 1906.

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

The Collect -

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Feast of Vida Dutton Scudder

The Collect -

Most gracious God, you sent your beloved Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Raise up in your Church witnesses who, after the example of your servant Vida Dutton Scudder, stand firm in proclaiming the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Click here to learn more about Vida Dutton Scudder, Educator and Witness for Peace, 1954.