In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

As I was thinking over the Scriptures for today I was struck by my attitude toward the Romans Reading. It starts with the advice from Paul, “Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” To love one another means that we observe all the commandments in the second part of the Ten Commandments that deal with how we treat our neighbors—“Honor your mother and father,” “Do not murder,” “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not steal,” “Do not bear false witness,” “Do not covet.” Paul says that by following these Commandments—which distill the Law of the Hebrew Scriptures toward our neighbors—we fulfill the expectation of God about our behavior toward others.

But then I got hung up because it struck me that the general commandment to love one another is something that we hear so often that maybe, just maybe, it might be meaningless.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Welcome to Christ Church! If you are a newcomer or visitor, we want you to know that we are honored by your presence. This is the Lord’s Supper, God’s feast for God’s people. There is always abundance here and there is a place for you. All Christians including young children are welcome to receive Communion at this altar. If for reasons of conscience or practice you do not wish to receive Communion, please nevertheless come forward and simply cross your arms over your chest to receive a blessing.

During Prayers of the People the congregation is invited to name aloud or silently those folks for whom they wish prayer. We’ll suspend the list of people to be mentioned, making space for individuals to mention their loved ones.

Please join us for Coffee Hour after the 10 am service. The Hospitality Committee are our hosts. Thank you, committee members. Please see the fall sign up sheet if you can host one Sunday. Thank you.

This morning is Church School Sign-Up: Please join us for the coffee and ice cream after church in the Parish Hall. Sign your child(ren) up for the cherub room, church school, or our class for 5th-8th graders. If your high schooler is curious about Confirmation let us know that, too. Sign your child up for youth choir, too! Their first day to sing is October 5.

Acolytes and your parents, please join us for a potluck breakfast and training session on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 9 am. RSVP to Joey Davey.

Join us next week at 9 am as we continue our program “Stress and the Balance Within.” All are welcome! And the coffee’s available then, too.

Sunday, September 14
• “Food Pantry Awareness Day” and the first day of church school. Please, for our first lesson, bring in a box of cereal or pasta, a jar of sauce or jelly, a can of soup or vegs, or any non-perishable food item or paper product for the Redding Food Pantry. We’ll put all the food into grocery bags to count toward our anniversary goal of 275.
• K-4 meets in the parish hall at 10 am; Grades 5-8 meet in the classroom wing.

The Gospel of Mark Bible Study begins Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 8 pm. Books are available on the oak table in the parish hall. All are welcome!

Please notify the office or rector if a loved one is in the hospital. Due to privacy issue the hospitals don’t notify us as they did in the past. Thank you.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Meredith McClung gave me this Peanuts Cartoon that has the Peanuts gang weighing in on the problem of suffering when they’re struggling out there on the baseball diamond. They are each weighing in with a different explanation of suffering that you can get if you read the book of Job. And the last frame shows Charlie Brown with that “good grief” expression, saying, “I don’t have a ball team . . . I have a theological seminary!”

There are many, many explanations for the age-old question of why there’s suffering in a world made by our good and loving God. And still it remains a problem, a mystery. And suffering is something we know does happen and will happen to us. And we dread it.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Welcome to Christ Church! If you are a newcomer or visitor, we want you to know that we are honored by your presence. This is the Lord’s Supper, God’s feast for God’s people. There is always abundance here and there is a place for you. All Christians including young children are welcome to receive Communion at this altar. If for reasons of conscience or practice you do not wish to receive Communion, please nevertheless come forward and simply cross your arms over your chest to receive a blessing.

Mary Beth LaVallee is sitting in once again as our organist this morning while Martha is away.

During Prayers of the People the congregation is invited to name aloud or silently those folks for whom they wish prayer. We’ll suspend the list of people to be mentioned, making space for individuals to mention their loved ones.

Please join us for Summer refreshments after the 9 am service. The Andersons are our hosts, thank you Marilyn and Barry. Our regular coffee hour will resume next Sunday. Please see the fall sign up sheet if you can host one Sunday. Thank you.

Our next Dorothy Day meal is this Thursday, Sept. 4. Please sign up in the kitchen if you can donate either 2 lbs of spaghetti and 2 jars of spaghetti sauce (28 oz.) or 2 bags of frozen meatballs (15 oz. each). Thank you.

Next Sunday, September 7
• We begin the fall worship schedule: services at 8 and 10 on Sundays.
• Next week we begin our Sunday at 9 Adult Ed. Join us as we listen for half the session to the “Speaking of Faith” program called “Stress and the Balance Within.” Then we’ll take a little time to share and discuss what we’ve heard. Feel free to bring knitting or crafts to keep your hands busy during the listening portion of the program.
• Our first Church Family Service of the fall; everyone, young and not-so-young, worships together beginning at 10 am.
• Church School Sign-Up: Please join us for the coffee and ice cream after church in the Parish Hall. Sign your child(ren) up for the cherub room, church school, or our class for 5th-8th graders. If your high schooler is curious about Confirmation let us know that, too.

Acolytes and your parents, please join us for a potluck breakfast and training session on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 9 am. RSVP to Joey Davey.

Sunday, September 14
• “Food Pantry Awareness Day” and the first day of church school. Please, for our first lesson, bring in a box of cereal or pasta, a jar of sauce or jelly, a can of soup or vegs, or any non-perishable food item or paper product for the Redding Food Pantry. We’ll put all the food into grocery bags to count toward our anniversary goal of 275.
• K-4 meets in the parish hall at 10 am; Grades 5-8 meet in the classroom wing.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Welcome to Christ Church! If you are a newcomer or visitor, we want you to know that we are honored by your presence. This is the Lord’s Supper, God’s feast for God’s people. There is always abundance here and there is a place for you. All Christians including young children are welcome to receive Communion at this altar. If for reasons of conscience or practice you do not wish to receive Communion, please nevertheless come forward and simply cross your arms over your chest to receive a blessing.

This morning we welcome Mary Beth LaVallee to Christ Church as our supply organist.

Karen, our Parish Administrator, will be in the office on Tuesday and Thursday this week.

During Prayers of the People the congregation is invited to name aloud or silently those folks for whom they wish prayer. We’ll suspend the list of people to be mentioned, making space for individuals to mention their loved ones.

Summer refreshments after the 9 am service. Our regular coffee hour will resume in September. Please see the fall sign up sheet if you can host one Sunday. Thank you.

Ladies Night Out: End the summer among friends. Join us for dinner at The Putnam House, 12 Depot Place, in Bethel on Thursday, August 28. Our reservations are for 7 pm. Please call Nancy Stevens. Remember you can always join us at the last minute without a reservation. There is always room for one more at the table.

Our next Dorothy Day meal is Thursday, Sept. 4. Please sign up in the kitchen if you can donate either 2 lbs of spaghetti and 2 jars of spaghetti sauce (28 oz.) or 2 bags of frozen meatballs (15 oz. each). Thank you.

Sunday, September 7
• We begin the fall worship schedule: services at 8 and 10 on Sundays.
• Our first Church Family Service of the fall; everyone, young and not-so-young, worships together beginning at 10 am.
• Church School Sign-Up: Please join us for the coffee and ice cream after church in the Parish Hall. Sign your child(ren) up for the cherub room, church school, or our class for 5th-8th graders. If your high schooler is curious about Confirmation let us know that, too.

Sunday, September 14
• “Food Pantry Awareness Day” and the first day of church school. Please, for our first lesson, bring in a box of cereal or pasta, a jar of sauce or jelly, a can of soup or vegs, or any non-perishable food item or paper product for the Redding Food Pantry. We’ll put all the food into grocery bags to count toward our anniversary goal of 275.
• K-4 meets in the parish hall at 10 am; Grades 5-8 meet in the classroom wing.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Welcome to Christ Church! If you are a newcomer or visitor, we want you to know that we are honored by your presence. This is the Lord’s Supper, God’s feast for God’s people. There is always abundance here and there is a place for you. All Christians including young children are welcome to receive Communion at this altar. If for reasons of conscience or practice you do not wish to receive Communion, please nevertheless come forward and simply cross your arms over your chest to receive a blessing.

Karen, our Parish Administrator, will be in the office on Tuesday and Thursday during the summer.

During Prayers of the People the congregation is invited to name aloud or silently those folks for whom they wish prayer. We’ll suspend the list of people to be mentioned, making space for individuals to mention their loved ones.

Summer refreshments after the 9 am service. If you can provide a cool drink and cookies for next Sunday please sign up on the bulletin board in the parish hall.

Lectio Divina and Meditation weekday services will resume this Tuesday, Aug. 19 and Thursday, Aug. 21.

Glad Tidings deadline approaches – it’s this Thursday, August 21. Please submit your story to editor Connie Borofsky at dreamcatchercb@aol.com and to the office as well at christchurchparish@sbcglobal.net.

Ladies Night Out: End the summer among friends. Join us for dinner at The Putnam House, 12 Depot Place, in Bethel on Thursday, August 28. Our reservations are for 7 pm. Please call Nancy Stevens. Remember you can always join us at the last minute without a reservation. There is always room for one more at the table.

A letter of thanks: Dear Rev. Marilyn Anderson & the parishioners of Christ Church Parish,
I am writing on behalf of the “B” family. “D” was so grateful for the check that allowed her to get a replacement green card. “D” had not been able to get employment without proper identification, making it difficult to provide for her family. Replacing the green card was a major step toward achieving the stability that her children so desperately needed. She” is in the process of completing the final steps and is looking forward to being gainfully employed. Thank you very much for your generosity, Maggie Quintana [our Covenant to Care Social Worker].

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Welcome to Christ Church! If you are a newcomer or visitor, we want you to know that we are honored by your presence. This is the Lord’s Supper, God’s feast for God’s people. There is always abundance here and there is a place for you. All Christians including young children are welcome to receive Communion at this altar. If for reasons of conscience or practice you do not wish to receive Communion, please nevertheless come forward and simply cross your arms over your chest to receive a blessing.

During Prayers of the People the congregation is invited to name aloud or silently those folks for whom they wish prayer. We’ll suspend the list of people to be mentioned, making space for individuals to mention their loved ones.

Following up on today’s sermon, check out loveandforgive.org. It’s an amazing, inspiring treatment with wonderful and practical tips for reconciliation and making peace.

Karen, our Parish Administrator, will be in the office on Tuesday and Thursday during the summer.

Design Group meets this Monday, August 11 at 7 pm. Organ Search Task Force meets Tuesday, Auguast 12, at 7:30 pm.

Lectio Divina and Meditation weekday services will be taking a break this summer. They will resume on Tuesday, Aug. 19.

Glad Tidings deadline approaches – it’s Thursday, August 21. Please submit your story to editor Connie Borofsky at dreamcatchercb@aol.com and to the office as well at christchurchparish@sbcglobal.net.

Please join us for summer refreshments after the 9 am service. The Kimballs are our hosts this morning, thanks Fran and Chris. If you can provide a cool drink and cookies, sign up for one Sunday during the summer on the bulletin board in the parish hall. The next 2 Sundays are open.

The Spirituality of Service will be the topic for Wine, Cheese, and Spirituality. We meet again this Wednesday, August 13th to conclude our discussion of Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen. For August 13, please read pages 198-331. Holy Eucharist at 7 pm, discussion follows.

Ladies Night Out: End the summer among friends. Join us for dinner at The Putnam House, 12 Depot Place, in Bethel on Thursday, August 28. Our reservations are for 7 pm. Please call Nancy Stevens. Remember you can always join us at the last minute without a reservation. There is always room for one more at the table.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

New life is startling. And it can be very unsettling. Let me tell you a story about that. I once took a Physics class with a midwife. It was when I was studying at the University of Illinois at Chicago. For whatever reason this woman was also taking Physics. I remember once she brought into class a tape of a birth at which she was the midwife. It featured the woman laboring and straining to give birth. It was as graphic as you could get in a soundtrack. It was at a time when I was thinking about having kids, and that tape so rattled me that I ended up dropping some piece of lab equipment onto the floor and shattering it.

Birth is startling.

And so we consider the first reading and the work of the midwives Shiphrah and Puah, the wonderful, brave midwives who allowed a whole generation of Hebrew boys to be born, despite the orders of the Pharaoh to kill them all.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Let’s take a look at this complex and disturbing gospel. It comes in two parts—the first has Jesus giving a discourse to his disciples that teaches that the old rules about what to eat and what not to eat are not what’s really important. What IS important is eating with the right intent and for the right reasons.

Now this teaching is significant because it breaks down an old barrier that stood in the Jewish Law—a barrier that said that Jews couldn’t eat with Gentiles because they don’t observe the dietary and purity laws of the Jews. Jesus says this doesn’t matter any more. What matters is that eating be done for the right reason, and that the things that are bad for a person are produced inside the heart—bad thoughts, bad intentions, and bad actions.

So Jesus breaks down a long-standing barrier here. And now we see if Jesus is able to translate his breaking down of prohibitions from the realm of food into the realm of pastoral care.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

It can be so hard to forgive your brother or your sister. So complicated and so messy.

Hurts that we receive from siblings can go way, way back, and involve difficult family dynamics. And it’s extra difficult because for every hurt there’s also a bond of love. So things are really murky sometimes between siblings, and it’s hard to see which ground you’re standing on—the ground of hurt or the ground of love—or a little bit of both, maybe.

When we live with each other under the same roof we may feel like we’re competing with each other for food or love or attention. And we surely didn’t choose our brothers and sisters. We all just happened to be in the same family, whether or not we have things in common.

We have bonds of love and bruises from hurt from interacting with the people who are closest to us. What an odd paradox that is. And the resentments and hurts we experience may indeed last a lifetime, and infect our relationships with each other, unless we do something about it.

Today we’re considering the hurts of family life and our call to forgive them because of these stories we’ve been reading through in the Old Testament.