Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Homily for the Last Sunday after Pentecost - God's Economy

The Gospel -Matthew 25:31-46

Homily by the Rev. Dr. David Smith

God's Economy

 

This is the last day of the Christian year.  Next Sunday marks the beginning of Advent.  Our annual journey through the liturgical calendar begins anew.  Like any new year, it is time to reflect and plan.  To assess who we are, where we have been and where we want to go. 

Paramount on everyone’s mind of course is the economy, and as we begin to plan for our next year as a parish family, the economy will be part of the planning.  One of the dangers of terrible economic times is that we have a tendency to become insular; to protect our assets, to hold tightly to what we have for fear of losing everything.  But during days of economic crisis, the church needs to do just the opposite. 

Where will you be this Sunday?

The Peculiar Life of Sundays by Stephen Miller

A WSJ book review by Jay Tolson

Who, raised in or around the Christian tradition, has not experienced the ambivalent dolors of a Sunday? That is only one question -- but a central and recurrent one -- raised by "The Peculiar Life of Sundays," Stephen Miller's lively history of a day that has exercised a peculiar hold on countless human beings for the past 2,000 years.

One might think that, for the devout, this hold would be especially firm. For them, after all, the day is unquestionably holy, unquestionably the Lord's: an Easter in miniature marking their savior's resurrection. But even the faithful can feel uneasy, as Mr. Miller shows by depicting the spiritual struggles of many of his exemplary figures.

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Twenty Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

The Collect

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Dr. Smith Ordained to Episcopal Church Diaconate

On Friday evening, November 14, before a full St. Mary's Chapel at Chatham Hall, the Rt. Rev. John Buchanan, Interim Bishop of Southern Virginia, ordained the Rev. Dr. David Smith to the Sacred Order of Deacons in the Episcopal Church.

Dr. Smith has served as Pastoral Vicar of Emmanuel since January 2008. Ordination to the transitional diaconate is a necessary interim step to Dr. Smith’s ordination as Priest in the Episcopal Church, expected in May 2009.

Chatham Concert Series Begins January 16th at Emmanuel

Spring of 2009 will see the beginnings of a new cultural event in our town.  The Chatham Concert Series, directed by new Chatham Hall choirmaster Kevin Zakresky in collaboration with Emmanuel Episcopal Church, will bring professional musicians to the area for four entertaining recitals of classical music. 

Intended mainly as a new venue for art music in Pittsylvania County, the Chatham Concert Series will also serve as a stage for the young emerging artists of our town.  Each concert will include “opening act” performances by young people from Chatham, followed by a “headlining act” professional musician from out of town.

The concerts will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church on Main Street in Chatham, with the finale concert being staged in St. Mary’s Chapel at Chatham Hall.  Admission is by donation.

Performance details and musicians scheduled to appear are as follows:

High Strung -    Friday, January 16 , 7 pm at Emmanuel

            Kevin Matheson, violin

           

 

 

 

            Bryan Matheson, viola

 

There’s always room for Cello -  Sunday,  February 22, 8 pm at Emmanuel

            Ben Wyatt, cello

 

 

The Magic Flute -   Friday, March 27 ,  7 pm at Emmanuel

            Janet Phillips, flute

 

The 1 Tenor -    Saturday,  May 9, 7 pm at St. Mary’s Chapel, Chatham Hall

            Kevin Zakresky, tenor

            Katherine Dowling, piano

Annual Congregational Meeting & Luncheon Set for December 14th

Emmanuel's Annual Congregational Meeting and Luncheon will be held on Sunday, December 14th, in the Parish Hall immediately following the 11 am service of Holy Eucharist.

The agenda for the meeting will include the delivery of Annual Reports by the Vestry and Dr. Smith, as well as the Election of two new Vestry members for a three-year term beginning in 2009.

All members of Emmanuel are invited and encouraged to attend. Fried chicken and beverages will be provided. Please bring a dish to pass.