Farewell to the A-word!

Last Sunday we bid farewell to our old friend "A______a."  We have observed the tradition of putting away the A-word on the last Sunday before Lent begins for many years, which reflects our Church's liturgical practice of ceasing to use that festive word during the contemplative season of Lent.

It was a quiet Sunday due to yet another Sunday morning snow fall, but the children enjoyed decorating the letters during Christian formation and we all processed up the aisle with the word during the final hymn.

After putting the letters together so that the congregation could see the word, Rev. Peter walked down the line and collected them in a basket and we covered them with a piece of black felt. They were left on the altar and later moved to the Sacristy.

The letters the children decorated will reappear on Easter morning as a large banner across the front of the Church. Until then, keep the A-word to yourself!

Epiphelmas!

On Sunday evening we gathered for an Epiphelmas service at Christ Church! The idea for an Epiphelmas service was brought to our Church from England by our previous Choir Director and this was our second time offering it. I have to say - I'm in love!

Similar to a Service of Lessons and Carols, this service highlights some of the major moments of the Epiphany season, beginning with the Visit of the Magi and ending with the Presentation at the Temple. Each moment was celebrated with a reading of the scriptural account, poetry, an anthem by the Choir and a hymn. We also reaffirmed our Baptismal vows after hearing the account of Jesus' baptism by John and were sprinkled with Holy Water by our priest.

The service ends with candlelight, echoing the Church's practice at Candlemas, as we remembered the Presentation at the Temple.

Although we hadn't advertised it as such, this is a lovely service for children. Many of the stories we read were ones that children in our atria know, and with Rev. Peter dousing us with water and each of us holding a lit candle there was a lot going on! Luckily one wonderful family did attend, and I loved capturing a few photos of their girls.

It was a beautiful service and I look forward to celebrating it again next year!

Christmas Eve 2013

We celebrated Christmas Eve in our usual style at Christ Church! The pageant was wonderful! Here are some photos from rehearsal and Christmas Eve along with our thanks to all who led and participated this year!

The Angel Gabriel speaks with Mary.

Thank you to our amazing Director Graham Lanz, who persevered through illness to lead rehearsal!

The Angel of the Lord tells the shepherds the good news.

Thank you to Kathleen Nitschke, and Kate and John Malarney for organizing our rehearsal lunches and to all of the families who brought food to share!

Mary and baby Jesus.

Joseph.

Thanks Dwayne, Beth and family for bringing the live animals!

Herbie the camel was a hit as usual!

 Thank you to Music Director Will Gotmer and assistant Ruth Mercer for leading our wonderful Pageant Choir and Junior Choir!

The Pageant Choir

The Junior Choir

Thank you to Erin Pawlak for her incredible work with our very old and mismatched costumes and props!

Getting ready to go on the big night!

Shepherds and animals wait.

The Holy Family and the star.

The Magi and the Royal Page.

Many thanks to the Rev. Peter Faass, for leading us in worship and being our Celebrant!

And a very special thank you to all of the children and youth who participated in our pageant, and the parents and grandparents who made it possible!

A multitude of the Heavenly Host!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Blessing of the Animals 2013

We had a wonderful celebration of St. Francis's feast day early in October! The service of Holy Eucharist was enhanced with an animal blessing and some exotic animal visitors. I have been so busy I forgot to post the pictures. Here are some photos to give you a feel for this wonder-filled service!

Many dogs raised their voices in song this year!

We had a great group of dogs, a number of cats, and some rodents too!

Sandy loves Church!

Our preacher Carol and her support team.

My dog Sydney enjoyed the service tremendously!

Carol our preacher, Rev. Peter our celebrant, and friends!

Our Christ Church girls are not afraid of spiders!

Look at that smile!

All creatures great and small...

The exotic animal parade!
Rev. Peter could not get far enough away from this snake!

This wallaby youngster was in its mother's pouch
at last year's blessing!

The Yak! It took a little coaxing to get him down the aisle
and then he didn't want to leave.

What a beauty!

At the end of the service animals came
 forward with their family for a blessing.

Celebrating Pentecost

Our prayer table decked out in red!

We gathered to celebrate Pentecost in atrium last Sunday! You can learn more about Pentecost and our atrium celebration from a previous post called Pentecost Celebration. This year, I was particularly moved by the children's insights as we talked about the meaning of the different gifts and the solemn and joyful way that each child came forward to light a candle.

Thank you to all of the parents and catechists who brought food and drinks for our feast! The children loved them! Thank you also to our catechists for overseeing the feast so that I could leave early and attend my niece's Confirmation. Being there was a blessing for me!

I was busy during the celebration but caught a few photos afterward to share here.

A lovely piece of artwork made by a child in the True Vine Atrium on Sunday.

The candles, each representing a different gift of the Holy Spirit that we might desire.

The Last Supper environment with the disciples gathered
 in the Upper Room at the time of Pentecost.

The candles representing the gifts we prayed to receive from the Holy Spirit.

The Church was filled with the Holy Spirit this week! Thank you to Lynn and all the volunteers who made the Sanctuary look so lovely!

May the earth be filled with the Holy Spirit

 as we celebrate Pentecost and always!