Did You Know?

Did you know that the heart of the blue whale is five feet long?
The heart of the blue whale, the largest animal on earth, is five feet long and weighs 400 pounds. The whale in total weighs 40,000 pounds.
The 400-pound heart of a 40,000-pound animal is still pretty big! (Even though the heart is only about 1% of the whale's body weight, it's still the biggest on the planet.)
For comparison...African elephants are the largest terrestrial creatures on Earth. Their round-shaped hearts weigh about 30 pounds. A human heart weighs about 10 ounces. There are 16 ounces in a pound.

Did you know that both white chocolate and punctuation have "national" days recognized this weekend?
White chocolate seems like a paradox. How can white and chocolate exist at the same time on the same cookie or in the same vat of ice cream? All we can say is, it can happen. And, National White Chocolate Day on September 22 is proof-positive that this delicious combo rates its own special day.
Although the FDA officially recognized white chocolate as being chocolate in 2004, the question of its authenticity is still being hotly debated even today. We say, there's no time for arguing when we could be celebrating National White Chocolate Day in the only logical fashion: by finding the nearest cookie, cake or even liqueur that includes luscious white chocolate basking in non-debatable sweet creamy goodness!
From the lowly comma to the flamboyant ampersand, National Punctuation Day on September 24 celebrates the punctuation that makes our words legible and gets our point across. "Let's eat, Grandma!" or "Let's eat Grandma!" — it's clear that punctuation saves lives. Though you might not have consciously considered punctuation since elementary school, you likely use it every day. Every year, the creator of the holiday sets a punctuation challenge, and punctuation quizzes and games can be found all over the country.

Did you know that one pufferfish can kill 30 people?
This is one animal myth that's true: Eating parts of a pufferfish can kill you because, in a defense mechanism to ward off predators, it contains a deadly chemical called tetrodotoxin. There's enough in one pufferfish to kill 30 people—and there's no antidote. Still, pufferfish, called fugu, is a highly-prized delicacy in Japan, but can only be prepared by well-trained chefs.

Announcements

Coffee Hour

Coffee hour will be hosted this week by Connie Black. Join us following Sunday worship in the guild room for coffee hour fellowship.

Christ Church 175th Anniversary

We are thrilled to announce that Christ Church is celebrating its 175th anniversary in 2024! To plan the yearlong celebration, we are forming an anniversary committee and are seeking enthusiastic members to join us. If you are interested in being a part of the committee for this historic milestone, please contact Nick Lettiere at 917-923-1884. Much work is needed, and your contribution and support will be invaluable to making this celebration a memorable one. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Prayer and Book Review Ministry

Our Prayer and Book review Ministry w/ Fr. Trevor+ and Anne Devlin resumes on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Prayer and Book review takes place online via Zoom.

Knitting Club

Our next knitting club will be Thursday, September 28th. We will continue every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 10am until 12pm. Anyone who would like to knit/crochet, please contact Judy Davis 1-718-981-1890.

Monday Night Table Tennis

Looking for some pick up ping pong? If you are a table tennis enthusiast, and would like to be a part of our Monday night ping pong matches, please join us weekly on Mondays from 7pm until 8pm. Paddles and balls are provided (bring your own rackets if you so desire). For more information please contact Fr. Trevor+ at the office 718-727-6100.

Weekly Noonday Prayer

Join us for Noonday prayer on Facebook live, every Thursday at noon. At this time Fr. Trevor+ will be reading the biographies of many of the saints, known and unknown. These are the ones who have laid the foundation for our Christian witness. (Facebook Live broadcasts will be posted to the Christ Church FB page at facebook.com/christchurchsi, for later viewing.)

Save the Date

Sunday, October 14th, 2023 - Many Threads One Fabric event.
Saturday, October 21st, 2023 - Fall Festival & Pumpkin Patch.

Parish Prayer List

The following individuals have requested our prayers:
Fred Allen, Elma Babb, Erma Babb, Marcella Babb, Jenny Badger, Ezekiel Bascombe, Richard Biada, Chris Broderick, Deborah Broome, Frank Cangemi, David Clark, Wayne Clark, Marcia Clendenen, Sandra Cocks, Lisa Colli-Hogan, Iris Colbourne, Laura Craig, Athelridge Cumberbatch, Gaynelle Cumberbatch, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Elizabeth Deprima, Marlene Elia, Garfield Evans, Tabitha Foxx, Sandra Giambalvo, Steven Haley, Mary Hamblin, Mary Haugen, Avion Hernandez-Elcock, Emilia Jaime, Jan, Mark, Tom & Joy, Michael Kelly, Erica Korzekwinski, Chloe Lee, Willie Marcus, The McIntosh Family, Eva McClary, Mary Mcclellan, Michael & Lois Moschella, Louise Nygard, Ann Reilly, Olivia Rey, Christine Riola, Leila Rollock, Joyce Rowan, Barnett Shepherd, Joyce & Eric Smith, Thomas Sox, David Lloyd Stephens, Christopher Still, Candy Tice, Fred Tucher, Deborah Vurckio, Lucille Williams, Marsha Wynter, Joan Yearwood, and the people of The Girls and Boys of Heartshare St. Vincent's Services.

Please Note: The Prayer List is intended to uphold and encourage those who are in need of healing prayers. If persons have been fully recovered and no longer need to be lifted up in this way, please let us know so that we can make room for others. This list will be updated every three months unless otherwise notified. If you need a loved one or friend to remain on the list, please call the parish office. Thank you!

We pray for the repose of the souls of Fran Dreisbach, Vincent Craig, and all the faithful departed, especially those whose death resulted from gun violence. May their souls rest in peace.

We pray for all the frontline and essential workers in our parish, and around S.I. and the world.

We pray for the hundreds of asylum seekers in New York City, and particularly on Staten Island and ask God's Holy Spirit to help us as citizens, civic organizations and religious institutions to respond with love and compassion.

We pray for comfort to the families and communities impacted by gun violence, and for the will and determination to enact appropriate gun control legislation and promote a culture of safety.

We pray for an end to armed conflict, and lift up the people of Ukraine, Russia and Sudan in the hopes that they can move towards peace and diplomacy.

We pray for all those negatively impacted by climate, environmental and naturally occurring disasters.

We pray for those who are suffering from the impacts of systemic racism, and for those who are committed and working towards change, unity, and equality for all peoples.

We pray for our young people and all those who have started a new academic year.

We give thanks to God for the following individuals who are celebrating their Birthdays this week. Willie Black IV (27), Alidel Zayzay (29).

We give thanks to God for the individuals who are celebrating their wedding anniversaries this week: Susan Fowler & Victor Stanwick (17).

We pray for Bishop Coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, The Rev. Matthew Foster Heyd and for, Bishop Andrew Dietsche who will be entering retirement.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for The Church of Ireland.

In the Episcopal Futures Prayer Cycle, we pray for all who seek God by strengthening their faith and serving their community.

In the Diocese of New York, we pray for +Michael our Presiding Bishop; +Andrew, +Allen, +Mary, and +Matthew, our Bishops; Trevor+ our Rector; Diocesan Convention Planning Committee; Resolutions Committee, Diocesan Convention; Episcopal Chaplaincy at Vassar College; New Mission Initiatives in the Diocese; The Missioner for Asian Ministries; St. Michael's Church, Manhattan; and All Laity of the Diocese.