Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Service Bulletin for the Last Sunday after the Epiphany

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Lent is coming...

Emmanuel announces the updated schedule of Lenten events and Easter week services for 2014:

4 Mar - Shrove Tuesday pancake supper, 6 pm at Emmanuel

5 Mar - Ash Wednesday. 10 a.m. at Emmanuel, 7 p.m. at Watson Memorial UMC.

12, 19, 26 Mar; 2, 9 Apr - Wednesdays in Lent, 5:30 p.m. at Chatham Baptist. 

17 Apr - Maundy Thursday at 7 p.m. Watson Memorial UMC.

18 Apr - Good Friday at 7 p.m. Chatham Presbyterian.

19 Apr - Easter Vigil at 7 p.m. Emmanuel Church.

Service Bulletin for the Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany

Download the Service Bulletin for 02232014

Chatham Concert Series Presents: Trios for Guitar and Strings, Feb 21th

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Homily for the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany - God Alone Gives the Growth

Deuteronomy 30:15-20
1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Matthew 5:21-37
Psalm 119:1-8

Homily by Fr R Christopher Heying

It is said that Henry Ward Beecher, a famous nineteenth-century Congregational pastor in New England, entered the pulpit one Sunday morning to find there an unmarked envelope. Opening it, he discovered a single sheet of paper on which in large script was written the single word FOOL.

After chuckling to himself, he held the paper up to the congregation and said: "I have known many an instance of a man writing letters and forgetting to sign his name. But this is the only instance I've ever known of a man signing his name and forgetting to write his letter."

This story is a poignant reminder to the clergy that a thick skin and a sense of humor can go a long way in dealing with our feet of clay.

I have known a lot of clergy, all with some gifts, most with extraordinary ones.

But even so, as we get to know our clergy better, weaknesses also tend to become apparent.  Great pastors are not always the strongest preachers.  Great preachers not always the strongest pastors.   Some have remarkable gifts as envisioning what can be. 

Some are better at simply loving in the midst of what is right now.  A few have such charisma that they build large congregations, some of which dwindle immediately following their inevitable departure to a new cure or death.

Most advertisements for clergy positions seek a priest who will address declining numbers and finances by growing the church without changing anything, or at least not things I like.  Bring us lots of children but don’t let them disturb us.  Clergy are not immune to this desire.

Service Bulletin for the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany

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Service Bulletin for the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

Download the Service Bulletin for Epiphany 5

Service Bulletin for the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

Download 02022014 Presentation of Jesus in the Temple