Journey through Lent at Christ Church

Lent begins February 14 with Ash Wednesday

Lent is a season of transformation and self-examination, when we ask God for forgiveness while creating space to talk about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. You are invited to pray and observe this season at Christ Church and experience how these 40 days can lead us into closer unity with God. 

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner

February 13, 5:30-7:30pm

Join us in preparing for Lent by eating pancakes with good friends on Tuesday, February 13. Stay until the end of dinner for a short, kid-friendly service. We will mark the transition into Lent by burning last year’s palms to create this year’s ashes and the kids will create an Alleluia banner. The cost is $10 per adult and kids eat free!

Ash Wednesday Services

February 14, 8:30am, 12pm & 7pm

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season. It is a day of penitence in which we remember our mortality and humble ourselves before God. Christ Church is offering the imposition of ashes at 8:30am with Morning Prayer, 12pm with Holy Eucharist, and a Choral Eucharist with the imposition of ashes at 7pm. Livestream for the 7pm here.

Ashes-to-Go

Can't make it to a service on Ash Wednesday? Rev. Bowie and Rev. Paul will provide ashes at the Short Hills Train Station (6-8am) and the circle drive at CCSH (8:30-9:30am). 

Upcoming Lenten Offerings at Christ Church

Choral Evensong for Lent

Sunday, February 18, 4pm

Please join us at 4pm next Sunday for an Evensong for Lent sung by the Parish Choir. Featured will be the St. Alban’s Service of Alfred Fedak and Lord of the Dance by Sydney Carter. The director will be Dr. Andrew Moore and the organist will be Dr. Brian Harlow. The Very Rev. Larry Evans, Pastor at St. Rose of Lima, will be our guest preacher. A wine and cheese reception will follow.

Lenten Devotional

Beginning this Wednesday, we will publish a daily Lenten Devotional with thought-provoking reflections on Psalm 51 written by fellow parishioners. If you are not receiving the Lenten Devotional emails, and would like to, contact the Parish Office. 

Daily Morning Prayer

In-person & Zoom

Mondays-Thursdays, 8:30am

Begin your day with Morning Prayer, a time of abiding with God in community. A part of the Daily Office, Morning Prayer is a Spiritual practice with deep roots in the Anglican tradition.

Stations of the Cross

This Lent, you are invited to walk the Way of the Cross in the field behind Christ Church. Begin at the edge of the rear driveway on Forest Drive. 

Episcopal Relief & Development

On Sunday, March 10 we will celebrate the work of Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday with guest preacher Tamara Plummer. 

Evelyn Underhill Regional Ministry Lenten Events

RMN Noonday Prayer – Zoom

Mondays-Fridays, 12 noon

Join neighbors from our Regional Ministry Network weekdays in Lent for a time of communal prayer. This brief Zoom service will be led by clergy and laity from across the region.

Join Noonday Prayer via Zoom 

Meeting ID: 874 7000 5903 | Passcode: CCSH

Lent Madness

The world quivers in anticipation of each year for the coming of Lent Madness. The Madness pits saints against each other for the coveted Golden Halo. 

Each day during Lent, while you read and learn about various saints, you get to vote for your favorite in a head-to-head match-up. View this years bracket and vote daily: 

www.lentmadness.org

View Regional Flyer for Lent

Rector's Bible Study: The Gospel of John

Second and Fourth Tuesdays, 12pm — St. Mark's Room and Zoom

Beginning February 13

Rev. Bowie is back from a wonderful sabbatical and looks forward to beginning her Bible Study on John’s Gospel this Tuesday at 12pm. The Rector’s Bible Study meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 12-1pm in the St. Mark’s Room and via Zoom. Feel free to bring your lunch. Weekly schedule of readings are listed below and you are encouraged to read before the weekly gathering. 

Join Bible Study on Zoom

Meeting ID: 817 3619 4713 | Passcode: 430150

Near the Pool of Bethesda:

A Healing Prayer Retreat

Saturday, February 17, 1-4pm

Join Rev. Paul in a half-day retreat for a time of reflection, prayer, and invigoration in which we will explore stories of Jesus’ healing and learn about the ministry of healing prayers. This retreat is open to all, but especially to those who would like to be to a part of Christ Church’s Healing Prayer Ministry Team. Learn more or RSVP by emailing Rev. Paul.

Holy Grounds Lenten Series

Stories and Our Shared Life of Faith

Sundays at 9am — St. Mark’s Room



Join Rev. Paul and others around a pot of coffee this Lent for a two-part series during Holy Grounds. In Part 1, we’ll be discussing stories: how we hear them; what we learn from them; and how we tell them. Then in Part 2, we’ll join with the youth confirmands for conversations about our shared life of faith and experiences. Next Sunday, February 18, the Rev. Katie Kirk will be a special guest to present on “Listening Well to Bad News.”

Note: This Sunday, February 11, Holy Grounds is covering Holy Eucharist, the conclusion of the Outward and Visible Signs series during Epiphany.

Episcopalians: A Prayerbook People

Tuesdays in Lent, 7-8:15pm on Zoom – Beginning February 20

What does it mean to be Episcopalian? What is an Episcopalian for that matter? This Lent, gather on Zoom with Rev. Paul for a time of formation and fellowship as we discuss, hear, and learn about our particular expression of Christianity. This program is open to all, but especially to those looking to be confirmed or received into the Church. 

Join Episcopalians: A Prayerbook People on Zoom

Meeting ID: 874 7000 5903 | Passcode: CCSH

Save the Date: Creativity Time

First Friday of the Month, 9-10:30am — St. Mark's Room

This spring, set aside time to be creative in community. We’ll gather with coffee provided, get set up, and then spend 30-45 minutes being creative in silence together. You can write, knit, scrapbook, watercolor, or be creative in any way that feeds your soul and can be easily done in a group setting. This monthly gathering will be hosted by Rev. Bowie and Sarah Rosen.

 “Art is an act of the soul” – Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity

General Convention Youth Trip - Registration Now Open!

June 22-28, 2024 – Louisville, Kentucky

Have you ever wondered how decisions get made in the Episcopal Church? Do you want to see how other Episcopalians live out their faith? Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be in the convention center where it all happens! Youth from across the diocese (grades 8-12) are invited to travel to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Louisville, KY.

As a group we will meet with deputies from our diocese, attend legislative hearings and worship, explore Louisville, engage with a local outreach ministry, and watch the historic election of the next Presiding Bishop. Cost is $1,500, scholarships available.

Absalom Jones Celebration Service

Sunday, February 11, 3pm

Trinity-St. Philip's Cathedral (608 Broad St., Newark)

The Union of Black Episcopalians Diocese of Newark Chapter will celebrate the life and ministry of the Rev. Absalom Jones, the first person of African descent ordained a deacon and priest in the Episcopal Church, in an in-person and online service. The Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes will serve as celebrant and the Rev. Dr. Allen Robinson, Rector of Grace Church, Brooklyn Heights will preach. The service will be livestreamed to the diocesan Youtube channel.

Black History Month Book Recommendations

In celebration of Black History Month, here are five book recommendations, for both youth and adults, from Bishop Hughes and her staff. [Learn more]

Each week, we continue to remember those in need of prayer. 

Special Prayers: Christina, Kathy, Tony E., Kay S., Diana B., Hilary S., Ruth G., Sol, Teresa K., Byron M., Kathy G., and Chase.  

Ongoing Prayers: Rebecca M., Mabel, Leonor D., Suzanne M., Paul J., Vivian J., Jane H., Linda J., Graham P., Sofia D., Liz D., Ginny, Celine, James I., Mary I., Frank B., Angelo B., Andrew G., Peter M., Duke L., Mary T., Joanie, Katia G., Priscila F., Winnie, Curtis F., Lupe V., Sandra, Donna N., Sen K., Elena B., Anne T., Mildred, Tracy, Graham, and Lin K.

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: We pray for St. Luke’s Church, Phillipsburg; and St. Paul’s Church, Paterson. 

Anglican Cycle of Prayer: We pray for the Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan.

We pray for: For Peace in the world and an end to war, especially in Ukraine and Israel/Palestine.

In observance of Black History Month: We give thanks for the gifts, accomplishments, influence and witness of African-Americans and pray that God will guide our church as it strives for an end to racism in our church, society and institutions.

Please contact the Rev. Paul Keene if you have any prayer requests or would like a pastoral visitation.