Reveal Spiritual Life Survey Results

Earlier this year, our congregation was asked to participate in the Reveal Spiritual Life Survey. 558 people did so, giving us a great sample from which to gauge how we are progressing in our growth as disciples of Jesus Christ. Click here to see the summary of the results: Reveal_Results

Christ Church Moving to ESV Bible

We are a Bible believing, Bible preaching, Bible living church. It is in our DNA. At Christ Church you hear the Bible read and taught every Sunday even as it is lived out by faithful believers throughout the week. It is at the core of all we are and do, so we take very seriously which Bible translation we use. In a Bible, we are looking for at least three things:

1. We want a very readable translation. We need a version of the Bible that can be easily followed when it is being read aloud because that is an important element in Anglican worship.
2. We want a very accurate translation. It is vital that whatever translation we use, it represents the original Greek and Hebrew well.
3. We want a very usable translation. We need a version of the Bible that everyone can use for their own personal Bible study.

Where do we find all of this? The English Standard Version of the Bible hits every criterion like no other Bible on the market today. Some translations are very readable but they take liberties with the original text and are therefore not as accurate. Some translations are very accurate but are clumsy. They are not translations one would want to listen to read aloud in a congregation. The beauty of the ESV is that it is very readable, even elegant at times, very accurate, truly reflecting the original Greek and Hebrew, and there is a version that comes with amazing study notes to make the Scripture more accessible to everyone in our congregation.

If you are wondering why now…the answer is simple. In addition to all the advantages of the ESV, the NIV translation will be completely redone in 2011. Rather than waiting around to find out whether or not the new version might be a better translation than the current NIV, we are being proactive and making a choice for a proven translation.

This is a great opportunity for Christ Church during our 25th anniversary celebration to change to a new translation that is beautiful in its language and faithful to the original, a fresh translation to breathe new life into our Bible reading. This is the translation for a Bible-reading, Bible-preaching, Bible-living church. This translation is for us.

Within the next few weeks, we will trade out the NIV Bibles in our pew racks with new ESV Bibles. Also, The Bookstore will carry a great selection of ESV Bibles for your personal study.

Appreciation: VBS at San Miguel, Ft. Worth

Upon completion of their VBS program, Fr. Sergio Diaz of Iglesia San Miguel in Fort Worth took a moment to express thanks for our Children’s Ministry’s support of donated VBS material. Below is the letter he sent.

July 9, 2010

Fr. David Roseberry
Christ Church
550 Legacy Drive
Plano, TX 75024

Dear Fr. David:

San Miguel completed its vacation Bible School today and I want to thank you and your Children’s Ministry staff for making this year’s program a wonderful experience for our children.

San Miguel is a small church in Fort Worth with an Hispanic congregation. The donation of the decorations, craft items, equipment for the games, and guidance for the volunteers from All Saints’ Episcopal Church (Anglican) saved us many hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars.

I would especially like to thank former Director of Children’s Ministry, Katherine Somich, for working with All Saints’ to provide the donated materials. Also, your new Director, Jon Lyon has indicated the Children’s Ministry will continue to help us next year.

We are very grateful and feel God’s hand has been at work in this year’s VBS program.

Enclosed is a picture of the 75 children, teen-age Crew Leaders, Nursery children and mothers, All Saints’ volunteers, and San Miguel volunteers. Everyone sends their thanks.

Blessings,

Fr. Sergio Diaz

 

Susan Freeman Ordained to the Priesthood

On Saturday, May 15, 2010, the Rev. Susan Freeman was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests by the Rt. Rev. John A. M. Guernsey, Bishop of the Diocese of the Holy Spirit, Anglican Church in North America.

A gathering of over 250 (including family members, friends, colleagues and members of the parish) joined her in the Sanctuary for the event.

• Sermon Audio
  

475 Made a Difference

On Saturday, May 1, 2010, some 475 Christ Church parishioners went out in the community to contribute their services as part of our annual Make a Difference Day. The photos below tell the story of a great day, including Christ Church member Maryann Leach’s experience helping “Lisa,” a Plano Community Home East resident who has cerebral palsy, plant a garden for the first time in her life. Maryann had to lift her hands, but Lisa got to be part of the action. Here are some other highlights of the day:

• 1,101 lbs. of food was collected for the ACO Food Pantry in Allen
• 55 donors gave 47 units of blood
• 2 picnic benches were assembled, numbers were painted on concrete in the carpool area and numbers were painted on the playground concrete at Bright Elementary School in Frisco
• Our Middle School Youth sorted clothing at Frisco Family Services Resale Shop
• Our High School Youth cleaned up the grounds of the CITY House teen shelter
• Thousands of shoes were sorted at the Buckner warehouse
• A fence was built, concrete repaired and the front of a house was painted in Carrollton for senior residents
• Medical supplies were sorted for shipment to developing countries at MediSend
• 100 summer reading book packets were assembled for needy children at Boyd Elementary School in Allen
• Clothing was sorted at the Allen Community Outreach Resale Shop
• The grounds were mowed, trimmed and planted at the Assistance Center of Collin County
• Clothing was received, sorted and delivered to five different agencies
• Fire personnel were honored at three Plano fire stations
• Hundreds of items were collected and donated to the Frisco Family Services Food Pantry
• Food was sorted and clients assisted at Minnie’s Food Pantry
• The building entryway was painted and residents’ apartments cleaned at Pioneer Place
• Planting occurred at Plano Community Home East and West campuses for seniors
• Items were sorted and organized at The Samaritan Inn Thrift Shop
• Trash and debris were picked up on the grounds of the Vista Buena ApartmentsCLICK ON PHOTO FOR LARGER IMAGE

Names for God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit

Letter to Fr. David Roseberry from a Christ Church parishioner:

Quite frequently I save the bulletins from the Sunday service and read and pray the prayers at work. This past week May 2, I decided to list the ways the names of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are mentioned in the service, and throughout the bulletin beginning to end. It gave me another way to Praise during the day. Watch out !!

God
Almighty God,
One God
Creator
Maker of heaven and earth; of all that is seen and unseen
Merciful Father
Holy Lord God
God of power and might
Our Father
Lord of all
Gracious God
Infinite Father
Faithful, Loving Father
Holy Father
God Almighty
I AM Thy God
Righteous Omnipotent Hand
My Grace
Sufficient.

Jesus
King
Christ
Light of the world
Lord our God
King of all days
Lord Jesus Christ
Only Son of God
My Jesus
My Savior
Lord ,Oh Lord
My Comfort,
My Shelter
Tower of refuge and Strength
Jesus Christ Our Lord
Saving Grace
Christ our Passover
Pascal Lamb
Risen Christ
Lamb
Word made Flesh
Savior Redeemer Friend
Sacrament of the Body , Christ
His Blood of the new covenant
First Born of all creation
Head of the Church
Author of our Salvation
Wonderful, Merciful Savior
The One
First Born from the dead
Rescuer
Christ the Son of Righteousness
Faith of Christ
Name of Christ
Body of Christ
Jesus Christ my Lord

Holy Spirit
Lord Giver of Life
My Comfort,
My Sanctifier
Counselor,
Comforter
Keeper
Power of the Spirit
Power of His Spirit

Who knew? One Sunday Bulletin, the complete worship packet could be so simplified  to find all that matters, Father Son and Holy Spirit.
With God the Father through Christ’s Love and Grace and the Power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen

Archbishop Duncan’s Easter Message 2010

Archbishop Robert Duncan

“Go make the tomb secure…”

Pilate invites Jerusalem’s leaders to “secure” the tomb of Jesus [Mt.27.62-66].  They “secure” the tomb with a stone, sealant and soldiers.  As if these could contain our Lord…  Their efforts prove inadequate.  Their materials and means turn out to be no match for the One through whom all things were made.

In this first year of the life of the Anglican Church in North America we have so much for which to give thanks.  First and foremost is the cross of Jesus Christ, by which all previous securities are undone, and life comes by death.

There are many tombs which others have tried to “secure” with us inside.  There are also some tombs in which we have been tempted to “secure” ourselves.  None of these tombs hold when Jesus is there.

They can take our buildings and our assets here at home.  They can even take our lives, as in far-flung places like Nigeria and Sudan and Indonesia   But Jesus is with all those who embrace Him above all else, who follow Him to – and through – whatever crosses are asked.

For us as faithful Anglican Christians the efforts by others to “secure” our tombs have failed miserably, just as they did with the One we call on as Lord and Savior.  There has been suffering and loss, pain and grief, anxiety and fear – these things have been very real, and demanded our very best efforts, as well as the grace of the Holy Spirit in abundance.  “But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” [1 Cor.15.57].

As I look across the Anglican Church in North America this Easter – seeing its life, its vitality, its healing, its unity, its compassion, its forgiveness, its renewal, its multiplication and growth, its international partners, its clear sense of mission, its appreciation of the transforming love of Jesus Christ – I think I am understanding the mystery and the truth of Easter better than I ever have before.  I hope you and yours are too.  With Jesus it is just not possible to “secure” any tomb.  Easter joy and love to all.

The Most Reverend Robert William Duncan, D.D.
Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America
Anglican Bishop of Pittsburgh

Easter, A.D. 2010

UPDATE: God’s Heart for Haiti

Recently, Christ Church sent $10,000 to a ministry in Haiti that is supported by the AMiA. Bishop T.J. Johnston of Pawley’s Island, South Carolina, was in Haiti last week to oversee the distribution of the funds. He had done extensive work in Haiti, even before the earthquake. He reports that our donations are going to help provide vitamins, vaccinations, medications and nutrients to displaced mothers and their children. Here are a few recent excerpts from his blog:

March 12, 2010

I saw people living under plastic, cloth, and canvas tents and shelters and, literally, hundreds of thousands of people living like that (everywhere). A thousand people grouped together in a tent community is called a sit (pronounced see-t and meaning at least 1000 people or more living together in tents).  You see tents and sits everywhere as they fill streets and any open area in which the multitudes of refugees can find a place to survive.  The impact of these tent communities is indescribable as they define a post January 12th Haitian landscape.

March 09, 2010

Today we focused on the work of Lespwa Timoun (Hope for Children).  We had an amazing day, we started at the Lespwa Timoun clinic in Croix-des-Bouquet that was filled with a variety of health issues and went from there to the village of Thomazeau.

The nutrition workers associated with Lespwa Timon were conducting their monthly follow-up with the parent’s and children in the nutrition program in the Thomazeau area.  The children are monitored on a monthly basis and given vaccines, vitamins and food supplements like plumpy nut (high protein, peanut based paste) and AK1000 (vitamins).  They stay in this program from three to six months depending on how they respond.  Today 58 children were monitored and treated at Thomazeau (which is one of six monitoring stations – with more being planned).

The results are incredible but the need remains staggering.  Toward the end of today’s clinic, Carmel sent the driver to check on a mother who had not been following up with the program.  He brought both mom and child back with him.  The child is very sick and extremely malnourished.  She is two years old, weighs 12 pounds and can neither walk nor talk.  Although extreme, this was not the only child at risk.  Of the 58 who were seen today at Thomazeau least 30 were identified as significantly malnourished.

Read more on Bishop T.J. Johnston’s blog: www.godsheartforhaiti.org

Also, our own artist in residence, Josh Havens, recently visited Haiti to participate in the production of a music CD called Healing 4 Haiti, the proceeds from which will benefit the earthquake victims. You can purchase that CD at www.samaritanspurse.org .

Finally, we must not grow weary in praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Haiti.

I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them…Ezekial 11:19

New Vestry Members Elected

During the Annual Meeting of the Christ Church Parish on February 21-22, 2010, the following four members were elected to serve three-year terms on the Vestry.  Outgoing members are: Rich Bedford, Matt Atkinson & Dave Coveney.

Toby Eisenberg

• Wife (for almost 16 years) – Suzy Eisenberg
• Children: Nathan (age 10), Audrey (age 8), and Ellie (age 3.5)
• Why do you feel called to be on the Vestry? Though an attorney by occupation, my life’s calling is to help equip the Church for the ministry of the Gospel. God has allowed me to pursue this calling by heading a small groups ministry, teaching adult Sunday school, teaching religion courses at SMU, serving on a committee to help aspirants discern whether called to ordained ministry, and serving as an appointed Vestry member to fill a one-year vacancy. As I complete doctoral-level studies in theology and seek to help the Church discern how best to live out the Gospel, I feel called to seek election to the Vestry.

Teri Herrick

• Husband: Tom
• Children (2): Ben 12, Austin 11
• How long have you been a member of Christ Church? I have been a member of Christ Church for 25 years less the 7 years Tom and I lived in the Boston area just after being married.
• Why do you feel called to be on the Vestry? My gratitude for all the love that God has made clear to me through Christ Church over my lifetime is immeasurable. I would love to help do my small part with the perspective of a wife, mother, and long-time member of Christ Church to ensure that we continue to serve those in need in our community through growth, worship, and service. It was an honor being nominated and it would be a privilege to be able to give back to the Christ Church community by serving as a vestry member.

Joel Roper

• Family: Ginger, Haley (13), Hayden (11), Holly (8)
• How long have you been a member of Christ Church? 11 years
• Why do you feel called to be on the Vestry? Christ Church has been an integral part of my life ever since Jesus saved me through the preaching of the Word here. For the past several years I have served as a teacher in the Children’s Ministry and as a Small Group leader. My family and I have been blessed through our association with the people of this parish, and I am honored to be considered for this position.

Paul N. Wageman

• Spouse: Anna Wageman
• Children: Nicholas (15), Mack (12), Caroline (9) and Hannah (9)
• How long have you been a member of Christ Church? Ten years
• Why do you feel called to be on the Vestry? Christ Church enriches me and my family spiritually and provides us with fellowship and community. I enjoy teaching 3rd grade Sunday school and volunteering with GAP 45 and Middle School Youth Group. I want to continue giving back to Christ Church for all it has done for us. I will serve the Vestry with humility and commitment to our faith. Anna and I have been married for 18 years and are blessed with four wonderful children – Nicholas, Mack, Caroline and Hannah. I am an attorney and serve on several private company boards and chair the board of the NTTA.

Related

Current Vestry »

Update: Disaster Relief Offering for Haiti

Our church, I am proud to say, has responded to Haiti with grace and generosity. As of now, we have received donations totaling over $30,000. Funds have been transferred to Franklin Graham’s organization, Samaritan’s Purse, and to New Missions. Both of these groups are poised to help in enormous ways. Graham’s organization already has their desalinization plant up and running and producing 1,000,000 gallons of water a day!

A final note about Haiti: I know that many, many people gave, and are still giving, to the relief efforts. The generosity of this parish and thousands of parishes and millions of people all around the country is a testimony to the spirit of hope and goodness that is the byproduct of a Judeo-Christian heritage. We really do believe that humans…all humans…are created in the image of God. Jesus taught that when we reach to help another person who is in distress, we are actually reaching and touching the Lord God himself. (Read Matthew 25)

Susan Kerr
Director of Missions and Outreach
214-291-5028

In response to the devastation from the recent earthquake in Haiti, Christ Church has made an urgent donation of $5,000. But your donations are also needed.

We are working with two ministry partners who are already in place in Haiti and can address the immediate needs. They are Samaritan’s Purse and New Missions. The quickest way to get your donation to them is to make an electronic donation to Samaritan’s Purse:

Alternatively, you can bring your contribution to church this weekend. Checks should be made out to Christ Church Plano and put “Haiti” in the memo line. Please remember to pray for Haiti. Pray that the Lord would be their refuge and their strength and that they would put their trust in Him. Questions? Contact Susan Kerr, Director of Missions and Outreach for Christ Church, at 214-291-5028.

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• Poorer Than Poor

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