St. Peter’s by-the-Sea, Gulfport, MS

Keeping close while keeping our distance.  A weekly guide for this journey. Our destination: Big Love BACK By the Sea.

April 5, 2021

the Best News

Alleluia !   Christ is Risen !   He is Risen Indeed !   Alleluia !

the Good News

  • FATHER PATRICK will be out of the office April 5th through April 10th.
    We will NOT have Bible Study or service on Wednesday, April 7th

  • RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE April 13th from 11AM until 4PM in the parish hall. 
    Visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to make your appointment

  • MEN’S GRILLIN’ GROUP RETURNS !!!    April 27that 6PM in the Parish hall.   All Men of the parish are invited, bring your entree’ to grill, beverage of choice and $15 dues.  Reservations are REQUIRED please contact Mike at 228-326-6601 to make yours.
     (Could our ELNO or ELOTE be far behind ?  Stay tuned ! )

  • Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group has resumed. Meetings are scheduled for the 4th Friday of each month at 2PM in the Parlor. Contact: Al Kirsh (228)383-5718 for more info
  • From Father Ezra and
    the Kasemire Church of Uganda Community     

Happy Easter to you and to all our St. Peter’s Friends.
The Christians of Kasemire Church Of Uganda have failed to get the unique right words to express their sincere gratitude to St. Peter’s Church for the big love. With great joy, the Kasemire Church Congregation has received the $5000 you donated towards the cement for plastering the walls and the floor of the dusty class rooms. As soon as they received the donation, the Church Choir master composed a new song by the chorus ‘ No more dust in our classrooms, God bless St. Peter’s Church for the big love for us’. The song was so lively that made every one dance till sweat all over the bodies

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you very much and God bless you all abundantly.


Peace to you all.
Fr. Ezra,
For Kasemire Church of Uganda Community

 

Upcoming Services

10:30am

Wednesday Bible Study

12:05pm

Wednesday
Litany of Healing*

6pm

Wednesday Lent Progam *

11am

Thursday Centering Prayer *

8am

Sunday Rite I *

9:30am

Sunday School
Adults & Kids

10:30am

Sunday Rite II *
Children’s Church & Nursery

  Please:
 – Wear your mask
– Wash your hands  
– Maintain social distancing
 – Please sign -in upon arrival    
 

 Would you like to be a reader ?
 Interested in being an Usher?
 Contact Susan at stpetersbythesea@bellsouth.net
 be sure to include your contact info and time and date you can serve.
 

*Watch On Any Device

Can't make it to church ?
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View our latest streaming  offerings…
 

Rite I Service, Sunday March 7, 2021 8:00 am

Sunday Worship Service, March 7, 2021 10:30 am Rite II

Litany of Healing, Wednesday March 3, 2021 12:05 pm

Centering Prayer with Rev. Liz March 4, 11am


View any of our services, anytime

Learn more

St. Peter’s Ornaments are back !


Commissioned in 2009, and the 4th in a series of Downtown Gulfport Landmarks, these cast pewter ornaments are the original work of artist Maurice Milleur.
Measuring approximately 2 3/4″ tall.
These make great gifts for Easter, Mother’s or Father’s Day and help support our ECW.
Ornaments are $20/each and may be purchased by contacting any ECW member or the church office.

Wednesday Bible Study

a story about Mary Magdalene

The Woman Caught in Adultery

53 Then each of them went home, 8 1 while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. 5 Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, sir.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.”
                       John 7:53-8:11

 

Inquirers’ Class begins
April 11 at 9:30am
Between Two Services
 

Have you ever wondered:

  • What do Episcopalians believe ?

  • What’s with the “aerobics” ?

  • What do the different colors mean ?

  • Where are the bibles ?

  • What are these “seasons” ?

  • Are we Protestant ? Anglican ? Orthodox ?

  • Who’s in charge? the Pope ? the Queen ? Bishop Curry ?

  • Why Rite I and Rite II ?

  • What’s a collect ?

  • Why the hand gestures ?

You’ve got questions.
We have answers !

Inquirers’ Class will last several weeks. Anyone 15 and older wanting to be confirmed, re-affirmed or wanting to learn more about our church is invited to attend. Once the classes conclude, we extend an invitation to Bishop Seage to visit and perform the confirmations and more. Looks like things are returning to a new normal in 2021 !

 This year’s Lent discussion concludes at St. Peter’s by-the-Sea 
 Join us Wednesday at 6pm, In-person, on Facebook and through Zoom meetings.

Lenten Program
 “Will you strive for justice and peace among all people,
and respect the dignity of every human being?
I will, with God’s help.” [BCP Baptismal Covenant]

This week’s topic for Lenten discussion will cover Political Dignity.
 Check our Facebook page or our website for updates.

Inspiration

Holy Week has concluded. What now ?

The Octave of Easter,
the beginning of Eastertide

The Octave of Easter is the eight-day period, or octave, that begins on Easter and ends with the following Sunday. In Christian churches that celebrate it, it marks the beginning of Eastertide. The first seven of these eight days are also collectively known as Easter Week.

“Octave” is the eighth day after a feast, inclusively, and so always falls on the same day of the week as the feast itself. The word is derived from Latin octava (eighth). The term can also be applied to the whole period of these eight days, during which certain major feasts came to be observed.

A little confusing, like “the third day” (sunset to sunset being a day), the Easter Octave includes Easter Sunday, AND the following Sunday, the Second Sunday of Easter or, White Sunday, Low Sunday or Renewal Sunday.

The Monday following, is the second day of the Octave and Eastertide. While not a holiday in the US or really celebrated in the Episcopal church, Easter Monday is celebrated in the Catholic church and also called the Monday of the Angel “because we recall the meeting of the angel with the women who arrived at Jesus’s tomb (see Mt 28:1-15).
Hilariously, traditionally Polish areas of the United States observe Easter Monday as Dyngus Day. Dyngus Day is observed most notably in Buffalo, New York, which hosts the largest continuing event commemorating the day. It has become a fusion of Polish and American traditions, with polka bands, a parade, consumption of krupnik, and Polish food.
Sounds a lot like Octoberfest, and while not necessarily “inspirational”, a great way to continue our Easter celebrations. After all, who wouldn’t want to say Happy Dyngus Day !

There is not a particular Biblical event coinciding with the days of the Octave of Easter, but there are readings from the Revised Common Lectionary for each day of this week. Those can be found at Lectionary Page.net.

Eastertide,  the “great fifty days” is exactly that, a 50 day celebration ! After the forty day sacrifice of Lent, the Easter Season is literally fifty days of feasting. After all, the main point of the Gospel is to prepare us for an eternal celebration and feast.

Eastertide ends with Pentecost Sunday [Pentecost, from the Greek (Pentēkostē) meaning “fiftieth”] 50 days after Easter.
However, there is a 40 day period within Eastertide.

After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
                                                       Acts 1:3

Easter week NDNLectionary readings during the following Sundays of Easter explore the post-resurrection appearances of Christ. Some of these appearances include the story of “doubting” Thomas and the restoration of Peter, who had denied Jesus 3 times and returned to a career of fishing. Jesus appears to Peter and gives him a mission: “Feed my Sheep” and “Follow me.”

These 40 days culminate on Ascension Day (always a Thursday) when Jesus ascends into Heaven.
Ten days later, on Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples. A sign of Pentecost is the color red. It symbolizes joy and the fire of the Holy Spirit. Symbols of the Holy Spirit, include the dove or flames.


There are several ways to embrace the Season of Eastertide:

  • Read through the Acts of the Apostles the Church’s the most ancient lectionary tradition and vitally important to the Church’s understanding of the resurrection.
  • Fifty Days of Easter Music the music in Easter should be jubilant and joyous. In Eastertide, a whole season of Easter music is a feast for the soul. The 1982 Hymnal contains a wealth of Eastertide hymns in numbers 174-213.
  • Easter Collects the first week of Eastertide offers a wealth of collects. The collects for Sundays in Easter continue to teach the resurrection message. Use the Easter Week collects for devotions at home. [BCP pp. 222-226]
  • Paschal Candle lit for the first time at the Easter Vigil, is a visual reminder of the light of Christ in us and  reminds us of our new baptismal life. After Eastertide the Pascal candle is put away, but used for baptisms and funerals.
  • Furnishings in the Church The liturgical color for the entire season of Eastertide is white or gold. The pure white garments of baptism and the gold of royalty as a sign of Christ the King.
  • Feasting Together Celebrate together with picnics and parties. Invite the neighborhood to join in! It’s the perfect season to invite newcomers to experience the beauty of the resurrection and celebrate the joy of the living Christ.

Also, there is greeting of celebration for Eastertide (like Merry Christmas), called the Paschal Greeting.
       Alleluia! Christ is risen!
       Response: The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia!
 

So today, I greet you with a hearty ALLELUIA! and a Happy Dingus Day!
Let’s celebrate !

Bible Study

Bulletin Insert: Easter 2 (B)
Explore the Way of Love: Turn
April 11, 2021

There are so many voices in the world, telling us who we are, what we should do, and how we will be fulfilled. They tell us to focus on our desires, on our cravings, on being the best individual we can be. The world, we are told, revolves around each of us.

For many, these pursuits of self-fulfillment can leave us feeling drained, empty, and alone. They can lead us away from our divine calling. Away from the creator in whose image we were made. But if we listen closely, there is a spirit calling us to come back to ourselves, back to our purpose, back to something more meaningful.

When we look to the example of Jesus, we see the way that he followed. This is the Way of Love.

One aspect of this Way and making it a practice in our own lives is remembering to simply to turn toward the voice that calls us. Intentionally choosing our direction, choosing to turn and face the light, is the fundamental shift that puts the Way of Love into action. As Jesus tells us in the Book of John: “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also.”

Turning doesn’t have to change who you are—you are loved as you were created. But it can change where you are going. It can shift you from selfishness to loving the other. It can shift you from hoarding to generosity. It can lead you from sin and distance from God into closer alignment with the One who made and loves you so much.

Obeying this call means recognizing the things we put first in our lives, the things we allow to have the most space in our minds, our fears and hopes and desires. And turning instead toward love.

It can be as freeing as the early followers putting down their fishing nets. It can be as missional as Jesus asking us to pick up our cross and follow him. It can be as simple as paying attention to which direction our feet are facing on our journey.

Turning is not just a one time event, but an ongoing discipline, re-directing our steps as often as we think to, always turning toward the light. And turning toward the light can also illuminate how many there are on the journey with you, emerging from the shadows to walk the same path.

The Way of Love can lead you to discover a community of fellow travelers with whom you share the journey. The Way of Love shows us who we are, it lights the path to where we should go, and it gives purpose to our desires for fulfillment. And it shows us that we are not alone. That like us, there are many who choosing to turn toward the Way of Love. Are you ready to commit to turning and following Jesus?

Bible Study

Easter Day (B) – April 4, 2021

RCL: Acts 10:34-43 or Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 or Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8

Acts 10:34-43

“The Episcopal Church Welcomes You!” The message is posted on street corners in thousands of cities across the Americas. Created in the 1950s, the slogan and sign were adopted not only to attract membership but also to express the church’s deep value of hospitality. We in The Episcopal Church believe that everyone has a place in our communities and are eager to invite them in to sit with us at the Lord’s table.

We see a similar message in our reading from Acts on this Easter Sunday, in which Peter is surprised to find that God has poured out the Holy Spirit even on the Gentile centurion, Cornelius, and his family. “God shows no partiality,” Peter exclaims. Notice, however, that in this passage, Peter is not the one who welcomes Cornelius’ family. Cornelius’ family are the hosts who welcome Peter. In fact, it is Peter who, at first, is resistant to entering the Gentile home. Yet upon entering, he finds the Holy Spirit has already entered ahead of him.

Practicing hospitality is a beautiful expression of Christian love deeply rooted in the tradition of the Hebrew Scriptures; just as Jesus came out of the tomb, the risen Christ calls his people out of their homes and worship places to encounter the hospitality that is given to them by others in places they’d least expect. Jesus calls us out of our communities to join the Holy Spirit at work in “every nation.” Perhaps our signs should say, “The Episcopal Church is coming to you!”

  • Who experiences transformation in this passage? Peter or Cornelius and his family?
  • When have you experienced unexpected hospitality?

read more…

Bible Study

Bible Study: Easter 2 (B) – April 11, 2021

RCL: Acts 4:32-35; Psalm 133; 1 John 1:1-2:2; John 20:19-31

 

Acts 4:32-35

Several years ago, I was in a church where the preacher decided to conduct an experiment. He told the congregation that he was taking up an offering for those who needed it. And with no other explanation, the offering plates were passed, and people gave. After asking people to raise their hands if they knew of a single parent who had a need, he then had ushers count the money and divide it up into envelopes. Those who raised their hands were asked to come up to the front, pick up an envelope, and were told to give it to whomever in the church they had determined had a need. The people were encouraged to give the envelope to the recipient in private. This is what is happening in our scripture lesson, and we see the practicality of the Gospel in action: The believers in this assembly were in agreement. They agreed to share their possessions – and there was not a needy person among them.

The people of this assembly were no doubt impacted by the unselfish acts they experienced or witnessed, just like those of us in the church I spoke of earlier. On that Sunday, I was one of the recipients of an envelope. I remember someone coming up to my car window, she smiled and said, “Here Rita, this is yours,” as she handed me the envelope. I was stunned because I was not expecting this. But someone did see this widow with young children and saw that I had needs. I have never forgotten that experience because I saw the Gospel in action.

  • If you are part of an assembly, in what ways are you of “one heart and soul” with the other believers?

  • What are some practical ways we can share our possessions with others?

read more…

 

For the Kids

Jacob preschool Bible lesson. Learn about how God can change our life. Games, Crafts, Activities, songs, lesson, worksheets and more.

In this lesson, we will learn about Jacob from Genesis 25-28.
We will learn that God works His perfect plans through imperfect people.

Main points:

  • God forgives us.

  • We should treat others the way we want to be treated.

  • God can restore our relationships.

 

May be an image of flower and text that says 'The Road to Emmaus Easter Season with your Household'
From the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi


 April 4 – April 10
 Birthdays
 4th – Sue Del Frazier
 7th – Pearl Kmack
 Anniversaries
 5th – Stephen & Karen Reuther

email stpetersbythesea@bellsouth.net
to subscribe to our newsletter

Donations and Offerings for 2021 can be made on our website or by mailing your check to the church

NEEDED:
plastic grocery bags
Drop off at the church office

 

Support our local non-profits:
Gulf Coast Community Ministries

Holy Week Readings

Maundy Thursday

 

The Great Easter Vigil

 

Easter Sunday

Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Psalm 116:1, 10-17

 

The Liturgy of the Word
Genesis 1:1-2:4a [The Story of Creation]
Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18, 8:6-18, 9:8-13 [The Flood]
Genesis 22:1-18 [Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac]
Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21 [Israel’s deliverance at the Red Sea]
Isaiah 55:1-11 [Salvation offered freely to all]
Baruch 3:9-15, 3:32-4:4 or Proverbs 8:1-8, 19-21; 9:4b-6 [Learn wisdom and live]
 Ezekiel 36:24-28 [A new heart and a new spirit]
 Ezekiel 37:1-14 [The valley of dry bones]
Zephaniah 3:14-20 [The gathering of God’s people]

At The Eucharist

Romans 6:3-11
Psalm 114
 Mark 16:1-8

 

Early

Use one of the Old Testament Lessons from the Vigil with:

Romans 6:3-11

Matthew 28:1-10

Psalm 114

Good Friday

  

Primary
 Acts 10:34-43

or Isaiah 25:6-9

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

or Acts 10:34-43

John 20:1-18

or Mark 16:1-8

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Hebrews 10:16-25

or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9

John 18:1-19:42

Psalm 22

  


Did you know we have readings for each day in Lent ?
Find them here: lectionarypage.net/
And, the Lesser Feast Days and Fast for each day may be found here:
Lesser Feast Days and Fasts 

From the Episcopal church website: Way of Love Practices

Turn        Learn        Pray        Worship        Bless        Go Rest

Explore the Way of Love: GO
As we discover the Way of Love and the practices through which we can follow Jesus more closely, we realize that Jesus did not stay in one place very often. The pursuit of Jesus can often mean moving out of our circles of comfort and going to other places – geographically, culturally, economically, spiritually. Because if there is one thing Jesus did, it is that he went – out of his home, out of his town, out of his community – to engage with other cultures and people, to listen and dignify their stories, no matter their culture or station in life. Jesus was a listener and witness to outcasts and sinners, drinkers and tax collectors, strangers and foreigners, the rich and the poor. He uplifted women who were considered unequal to men. He dignified people of other faiths or no faith at all, and showed them the values of the Kingdom of God, through his teaching, through his healing, through his listening, and through his meeting them where they were and putting love into action.
read more…

Explore the Way of Love: REST
When the scriptures tell us that we should love others as we love ourselves, there is an underlying message that we are allowed to love ourselves. The Way of Love recognizes that one way to love ourselves and to maintain ourselves as useful instruments of God is through the practice of rest.
As Jesus tells us in the Gospel of Matthew, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Part of the work of a Christian is to take time to put the work aside and be restored. After God created the heavens and the earth and everything in them, God rested. In doing so, God created a sacred pattern of work and rest, realizing that making dedicated time – to allow our minds to unwind, for our souls to be comforted and healed, for our bodies to be rejuvenated – ensures we can continue in this divine stream.
Rest is a gift and we are allowed to take it.
read more…

Explore the Way of Love – Bulletin Insert Series

View the entire Way of Love in Lent Curriculum here:
https://www.episcopalchurch.org/life-transformed-the-way-of-love-in-lent/

The Empty Tomb

Download
the PDF
 

 

Palm Sunday and Holy week Bible lesson for kids - FREE printable
 

This week, we are learning about Palm Sunday, sometimes called the triumphant entry. It the day when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The account is found in all four gospels.

We will also reflect on some of the Holy Week events such as:

  • The washing the disciple’s feet,

  • The last supper

  • and praying in the garden.

May be an illustration of text that says '奇所 Holy Week with your household'
From the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi

All about Lent — the 40 days before Easter

Lenten Activities For Children
 

Being Episcopalian

 

The Mississippi Episcopal Diocese

The Episcopal Church

National Cathedral

Episcopal Cafe

 

Check out our neighboring
Coast Churches

St. Mark’s Gulfport

Trinity Pass Christian

Christ Church Bay St. Louis

St. Patrick’s Long Beach

St. Thomas Diamondhead

Church of the Redeemer Biloxi

St. John’s Ocean Springs

First United Methodist Church

 

 

 

Bible Study

Palm Sunday (B) – March 28, 2021

Mary Barber

RCL: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 14:1-15:47 or Mark 15:1-39, [40-47]

Isaiah 50:4-9a

This passage is from what scholars call “Second Isaiah,” written while the people of Israel were living in exile in Babylon. This text is one of the “servant songs,” speaking of God’s servant, called to gather the exiled people back together and restore Zion. In these songs, sometimes the servant seems to stand for all of Israel, and sometimes the servant seems to be describing an individual person. Christians have long read these texts as pointing toward Christ, but this is certainly not the only way to approach them, even for us as Christians.

The speaker in this passage talks about God who “wakens my ear” and “has given me the tongue of a teacher,” allowing the speaker to listen to God’s word and tell it to others. But servanthood has consequences – the servant has to endure violence, insults, and disgrace for telling God’s truth. This is what Dietrich Bonhoeffer has called the “cost of discipleship,” and it continues to ring true in our present times, where fighting inequality and injustice is incredibly hard, and can lead to painful divisions.

  • Where are the servants you look to in these times, who set their “face like flint” and do the hard work of truth-telling and justice-making?
  • What are the difficult truths to which you are being called to waken your ear? And where are you being called to speak out?

read more…

Bible Study    Holy Week

 

Take a look back at this year’s Lent discussion

Lenten Program
 “Will you strive for justice and peace among all people,
and respect the dignity of every human being?
I will, with God’s help.” [BCP Baptismal Covenant]
 

 

“O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: preserve those who travel; surround them with your loving care; protect them from every danger; and bring them in safety to their journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Contact Us
email: stpetersbythesea@bellsouth.net          phone: 228.863.2611       address: 1909 15th Street  Gulfport, Ms 39501
See much more: stpetersbytheseagulfport.com


getting social

Join us each Wednesday, in-person or on-line

  • 9am Intercessory Prayer (Chapel)
  • 10:30 Bible Study (Great Room)
  • 12:05 Litany of Healing and Holy Eucharist (Chapel)
  • 12:45-ish Via Media: The Middle Way (LIVE Streaming)
  • Streaming Link

Join us each Sunday, in-person or on-line

  • 8am Rite I Celebration of Holy Eucharist
  • 9:30 Inquirer's Class for Adults (Great Room)
  • 9:30 Sunday School for the Kids (classroom)
  • 10:30 Rite II Celebration of Holy Eucharist
  • 10:30 Children's Church (kids gather at rear of church)
  • Nursery Care
  • Sunday Streaming Links

Kids and Teens join us each Sunday Afternoon for EYC

  • 4:30 5th-8th grade EYC (@St. Mark's)
  • 5:30 EYC Dinner (@St.Mark's)
  • 6pm 9th-12th grade EYC (@St. Mark's)