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THE MESSENGER
December 1, 2023
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Advent and Christmas at Christ Church | |
We invite you to join us for services and activities in the upcoming Advent and Christmas seasons. Come be a part of the faith, joy, love, and community which come with the birth of Our Lord. | |
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Advent Lessons & Carols
Sunday, December 3, 10:00am
This Sunday, the Parish and Canterbury Choirs will lead us in a Procession of Advent Lessons and Carols. The service of Advent Lessons and Carols has a long tradition in the English Church and its celebration of Advent, helping worshipers prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and his coming again in glory.
During the service, the procession moves from West to East, from the direction of darkness towards light. As it does so, it expresses symbolically our desire to turn away from the darkness in which we are separated from God and draw closer to the light, which is God.
Note: the 8am spoken Eucharist service will continue as usual.
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Advent Wreath Making
Sunday, December 3, 5:00pm
It wouldn’t be Advent without our annual Advent Wreath Making Dinner and Caroling Party. Join us next Sunday at 5pm in Parish Hall for a delicious dinner, followed by festive music and caroling with Dr. Andrew Moore. Each family will also be able to make their own Advent wreath with supplies provided. If you have them, please bring scissors or pruning shears. A donation of $12 per person or $25 per family (includes one advent wreath per family) is requested. Sign up on the sheet outside the Parish Hall.
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An Invitation to Make a Joyful Noise During Advent | |
During the season of Advent, you are invited to make a joyful noise and join in congregational singing as we lift our voices to make jubilant songs of praise. Watch this update from Rev. Paul and stay tuned for additional Advent and Christmas hymn videos throughout the season. | |
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Children’s Pageant Rehearsals Continue This Sunday
If your child is interested in participating in the Pageant, please come to the sanctuary after the 10am service this Sunday or email Kevin Johnson so we can assign them a role. Children and Youth ages three through middle school are encouraged to participate. Rehearsals will be held each Sunday (12/3, 12/10, 12/17) immediately after the 10am service with a final rehearsal at 2pm on Christmas Eve. Please note: the pageant will be held on Christmas Eve at 4pm.
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Winter Concert featuring the Rutgers-Newark Chorus
Friday, December 8, 7:30pm
The Rutgers University–Newark Chorus and conductor Dr. Brian Harlow present their annual Winter Concert on Friday, December 8 at 7:30pm at Christ Church in Short Hills. The concert, entitled The Road Home, will feature choral music from the Renaissance to the present day, featuring songs from several continents celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the winter season. Admission is free, donations accepted at the door.
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Advent & Christmas Preview | |
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Dec. 3 Advent I: Spoken Eucharist, 8am
Advent Lessons & Carols, 10am
Advent Wreath Making & Dinner, 5pm
Dec. 8 Winter Concert with
Rutgers-Newark Choir, 7:30pm
Dec. 10 Advent II Services, 8am & 10am
Dec. 17 Advent III Services, 8am & 10am
Youth Christmas Party, 5pm
@ Grace, Madison
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Dec. 24 Advent IV Service, 10am (no 8am service)
Children’s Christmas Pageant, 4pm
Candlelight Service, 8pm
Dec. 25 Christmas Day Service, 10am
Dec. 31 Christmas Lessons & Carols, 10am
Jan. 6 Epiphany Party, 6pm
@ St. George’s, Maplewood
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Advent Meditations on Expectant
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Christ Church is joining with other churches in the Evelyn Underhill Region this Advent through Christmas to read Anne Kitch’s Expectant: Advent Meditations, a daily devotional which calls us to seek and see God in our everyday living through the words of the Psalmist. On December 13 at 7pm, we’ll gather with the Rev. Anne Kitch for a region wide conversation on Expectant and our Advent waiting. Books are available in the back of the church or email the Parish Office.
Other special events from the Evelyn Underhill churches are highlighted in the flyer available using the link below and we will come together for a family-friendly celebration on Epiphany (the 12th night of Christmas). Save the date! January 6 from 6:00-8:00pm at St. George’s, Maplewood.
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Advent Morning Prayer
Mondays-Thursdays, 8:30am
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This Advent, we invite you to 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. The daily recitation of psalms, dwelling in scripture, and speaking with God through prayer helps us to spread wide our branches, to give thanks, to know, and to be known. Join us in person online via ZOOM.
Join Noonday Prayers on Zoom
Meeting ID: 874 7000 5903
Password: CCSH
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Fellowship Shabbat at Temple B'nai Jeshurun
Friday, December 1, 5:30pm
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Members of Christ Church have been invited by our friends at Temple B’nai Jeshurun to share Shabbat with them tonight at 5:30pm. This “Fellowship Shabbat” welcomes friends and neighbors to services who are not part of the Jewish community to share in Shabbat to honor our relationships across traditions and communities. The evening will be filled with music, prayer, and an opportunity to gather in community. As a bonus, members of TBJ will be making To-Go cups of Matzoh Ball Soup for everyone to take with them! Can you attend? Let Rev. Paul know.
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Martha and Mary Gathering & Cookie Exchange
Tuesday, December 5, 7:15pm
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Gather with the Martha & Mary group in the Christ Church kitchen this Tuesday for a festive evening of fellowship. You are invited to wear festive outfits and bring two dozen cookies (one for exchange and the other for donation); you will go home with a wonderful assortment of cookies to share with your family and friends.
During the evening they will make sugar cookies for the freezer to compliment the meal deliveries. Please RSVP to Lisa Gadsden or Joanne Gordon.
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Priestly Ordination of Paul Keene
Saturday, December 16, 10am
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God willing and the people consenting, the Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes, Bishop of the Diocese of Newark, will ordain the Rev. Paul Keene to the Sacred Order of Priests on Saturday, December 16 at Christ Church in Short Hills. RSVP here.
A purse is being collected for a gift to Rev. Paul. You can contribute through our website or you can mail a check to the office with Ordination Gift in the memo line.
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Families Retreat at Cross Roads Camp
Friday, January 12-Saturday, January 13
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Mark your calendars for MLK weekend and join the clergy and other Christ Church families for a time of fun and fellowship at Cross Roads Camp. Programming for children will be provided and there will be lots of free time to explore the camp, catch up with friends, and relax with a hot cup of cocoa.
The weekend will conclude Saturday afternoon with a time of worship and reflection at the camp. Additional details to follow. Interested? Contact Kevin Johnson.
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Ongoing Spiritual Formation | |
Holy Grounds
Sundays at 9am
Gather around a fresh pot of coffee at 9am in the St. Mark’s Room to explore varied extended topics in scripture and Christianity, to ask burning questions, and to deepen our Christian vocation through conversations and learnings on faith.
During Advent, join us for Hope, Peace, Joy, Love, and the Lord’s Prayer, a meditative exploration of the prayer Jesus taught us.
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Bible Study on Hebrews
2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 12pm
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Join Rev. Bowie to read, learn about, and reflect on Scripture. This fall, we’ll read the Book of Hebrews. In their final session they will read Hebrews 12-13. Come in person to the St. Mark’s Room or join via Zoom.
Join Bible Study on Zoom
Meeting ID: 817 3619 4713 / Pass: 430150
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Noonday Prayers
Every Thursday at 12pm
| Take a brief break on Thursdays at noon to worship together on Zoom. We will use An Order of Service for Noonday from The Book of Common Prayer. All are welcome! | |
It's Not Too Late to Make Your 2024 Pledge! | |
Thank you to those that have already completed your 2024 pledge cards. If you have not already done so, we invite you to prayerfully consider a gift or pledge to Christ Church this year. Pledging gives the church a chance to assess our priorities in a planned and thoughtful way. Your generosity directly impacts our ministry, new initiatives, and our outreach. Please take the time to complete your pledge card online or through the church office and know that we will be grateful for your support at whatever level you are able to provide. | |
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Worship Information for this Sunday | We look forward to seeing you at worship this Sunday! The 8:00am service will be in-person and on Zoom and the 10am service is in-person and live-streamed on our YouTube channel. | |
Christ Church Prayer List | |
Each week, we continue to remember those in need of prayer.
Special Prayers: Hilary S., Ruth G., Sen K., Leon S., and Sol.
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, Doy, Katia G., Priscila F., Winnie, Joey P., Curtis F., and Lupe V.
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: We pray for Grace Church, Madison; St. George’s Church, Maplewood; and St. Martin’s Church, Maywood.
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: We pray for the United Church of North India.
We pray for: For Peace in the world and an end to war, especially in Ukraine and Israel/Palestine.
Please contact the Rev. Paul Keene if you have any prayer requests or would like a pastoral visitation.
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