Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Service Bulletin for the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

Download the Service Bulletin for the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany 4C bulletin

Homily for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany - the Work God Gives Us to Do

1 Corinthians 12:12-31a

Luke 4:14-21

Homily by Fr R Christopher Heying

Having returned to Nazareth and at the inauguration of his public ministry, Jesus declares that the good news, release, sight, freedom, grace and favor of the Lord that was prophesied by Isaiah is “fulfilled in your hearing” today.

Having spoken last week about a diversity of gifts but the one Spirit, Paul goes on to declare that we though many are by the same Spirit made the one body of Christ.

These two readings together are a starting point from which we can have a conversation about what it is we are about—or should be about—at Emmanuel Church. 

Luke explains that Jesus, whose body we are, went to the synagogue according to his custom and there, toward the start of his public ministry, proclaimed good news, freedom, sight, God’s grace and favor.  Jesus’ proclamation becomes our proclamation. 

The heart of Christ’s mission is to restore all things to unity with God.  As Christ’s body his mission becomes ours: to restore all to unity with God and each other in Christ.   

This is who we are.  This is what we do. But lest this be pious claptrap, let’s ask ourselves: how do we fulfill our mission of reconciliation of all to God?

Emmanuel Announces Lenten Service Schedule

13 February.  Ash Wednesday.

12 noon: eucharist and imposition of ashes at Emmanuel.

7 p.m.: ecumenical service at Concord UMC.

WEDNESDAYS IN LENT (except Wednesday of Holy Week)

5:30 dinner at Chatham Baptist, followed by service from 6:15 to 7.

$6.00 for the meal and freewill offering for support of the ecumenical outreach for the needy.

Feb 20, 27; March 6, 13, 20

EMMANUEL provides DESSERTS (for 70) and SERVICE on 27 February.

7 p.m. MAUNDY THURSDAY, 28 March, 

Chatham Presbyterian for Tenebrae (and no service at Emmanuel)

7 p.m. GOOD FRIDAY, 29 March

Chatham Baptist (and no service at Emmanuel)

8:00 p.m.  EASTER VIGIL AND BAPTISM, Saturday, 30 March

EMMANUEL CHURCH, including participation by area clergy.   Please make plans to be at this service which will last around an hour and is "the quintessential service of the Christian year"!

EASTER DAY - 11:00 a.m. at Emmanuel, 31 March

Service Bulletin for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany

Download the Service Bulletin for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany

Homily for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany - The Third Side

Homily by Fr R Christopher Heying

Let me begin by saying how thankful I am for Bishop Light’s visit last week.  His sermon was a timely reminder that each and every one of us—whether ordained or lay—has been given gifts for ministry.  This is fully consonant with what Paul tells us in First Corinthians (12.1-11): “There are a variety of gifts, but the same Spirit. . . . To each is given a manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

We each have been given gifts.  We all have ministries.  We have work to do. 

The Catechism of The Book of Common Prayer (855) is in question-and-answer format:

Q.        What is the mission of the Church?

A.        The mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.

Q.        How does the Church pursue its mission?

A.        The church pursues its mission as it prays and worships, proclaims the Gospel, and promotes justice, peace, and love.

Q.        Through whom does the Church carry out its mission?

A.        The church carries out its mission through the ministry of all its members.

These questions and answers amplify the mission statement on the back of our bulletin:  Emmanuel Episcopal Church is a community of faith that worships God and goes forth to do the work God gives us to do. 

In worship we encounter God in the community, in scripture, in sacrament.  In worship we are nurtured and strengthened to go out to do the work God has given to us to do: to share through word and action the good news of God’s love by promoting justice, making peace, loving one another as Jesus has loved us.

Service Bulletin for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany

Download the Service Bulletin for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany 01.20.2013

Service Bulletin for the First Sunday after the Epiphany

Download the Service Bulletin for the First Sunday after the Epiphany 01.13.2013 rev

Baptism, Confirmation & Eucharist - Jan. 13

The Rt. Rev. A. Heath Light, Bishop of Southwestern Virginia (retired), will be present at the 11 a.m. Eucharist on Sunday, 13 January 2013, that day being the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord.

A son of Emmanuel Church and the Chatham community, Bishop Light has many friends
here. We are delighted that Bishop Light will be able to be with us.

With the permission of the Rt. Rev. Holly Hollerith, Bishop of Southern Virginia, Bishop Light will baptize, confirm, receive, preach, and preside at the Eucharist.

Lighten the Dark Days of Winter : The Chatham Concert Series Presents Music for Flute, Harp and Strings

The Chatham Concert Series Presents

Music for Flute, Harp and Strings:

Celtic to French Impressionism

Friday, 11 January, 7 p.m. at Emmanuel

Celtic Harp concert this Friday

Join us this Friday (January 11) for the Chatham Concert Series’ next event, “Celtic to French Impressionism: Music for Flute, Harp and Strings”. The musicians are Roanoke Symphony Flutist Julee Hickcox, Greensboro and Winston-Salem Symphony Principal Harpist Helen Rifas and Kevin and Bryan Matheson of the Classic Strings Duo. 

Celtic harp and flute duets set the stage for the beautiful Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp by Claude Debussy, the first of its kind. The program continues with Two Interludes by Jacques Ibert for flute, violin and harp, and C. P. E. Hoffman’s quartet for harp, flute, violin and viola. The program will conclude with Beethoven’s famous Serenade for flute, violin and viola.

A special treat will be young flutist Monifa Williams, from Danville.

The concert begins at 7:00 p. m. and is held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 66 North Main Street, Chatham. Admission is by donation for the musicians.

The Pruden Parish Press for January 2013 Is Now Online

The January 2013 issue of The Pruden Parish Press, a periodic newsletter containing news and information for parishioners and friends of Emmanuel, is now online. The current issue includes:

• Emmanuel Elects Three to Vestry,

• Baptism & Confirmation - January 13,

• The Greening of the Church,

• Calendar Notes for Jan - Mar,

• Chatham Concert Series Returns to Emmanuel,

• What a joy! and

• Spotlight on the Vestry.

 

Click  here to read the January 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.

Service Bulletin for the Feast of the Epiphany

Download the Service Bulletin for the Feast of the Epiphany 1.6.2013