Christ Church is open for worship at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on Sundays. The live stream of the 10:00 a.m. service can be found on our You Tube channel! You can watch it in real time or at your convenience. Find it here. | |
|
Dear family and friends of Christ Church,
As I sit at our California relative’s dining room table to write this message, my heart and spirit still resonate with residual Holy Week joy. This past Holy Week included, by my count, sixteen worship services and events. I haven’t yet dug through final numbers, but we saw steady increases throughout the week from last year’s participation figures. Many newer faces joined with our faithful members in worship and fellowship, saying they had heard about us and wanted to see Christ Church for themselves. Our witness to the good news of Christ is resonating with the wider community and drawing others into the church. Alleluia! Thanksgivings abound in my heart for all the ministry and work I saw this last week, and more for the faithful service that I did not see, but I know was offered with humility and grace.
Easter Sunday was especially meaningful to me. In addition to being an incredible morning and joyous conclusion to our Holy Week journey, Easter also marked the conclusion of my first year as your priest at Christ Church. Answering this call, moving here, getting to know you, seeing my family so organically incorporated into this community – all this and more have been tremendous blessings to me.
For all of you who have practiced leadership with me this past year, I am grateful. For all of you who have shown support and care during this season of transition, I am grateful. For all of you who have shared concerns, past and present, I am grateful. For all of you who have shared hopes and dreams for our shared future, I am grateful. For the opportunity to walk with you for a second year, leading this incredible parish, I am just delighted.
See you in church! Blessings and peace,
Chris
The Rev. Chris Streeter
| | |
|
Thursday Morning Worship
Need to re-charge your spiritual battery mid-week? Join the Reverend Chris Streeter in the parlor on Thursday mornings for worship, discussion, and fellowship, 10:00 a.m. Each week we reflect on the life and ministry of a saint of the church, and discuss how their witness informs our practice today. All are welcome!
| | |
Church Breakfast
The Breakfast Crew will once again dole out a fantastic array of goodies on Sunday, April 14th, 8:45 - 9:30 a.m.
Bring a friend!
| |
| | |
|
Trio Giocoso Concert
Don't miss this concert by Trio Giocoso, featuring our very own Diana Greene, along with Nicholas Currie and Adam Gonzalez, on Saturday, April 20th, 7:00 p.m. The trio will perform works from Schubert, Haydn, and Kreisler. A freewill offering will be taken.
| | |
Christian Education for All Ages on Sundays! | |
Adult Bible Study, 9:00 a.m.
Want to reflect more on the day’s scripture lessons? Join a group in Holley Hall at 9:00 a.m. every Sunday – we’d love to see you!
Journey Youth Group, 9:00 - 9:45 a.m.
Students in grades 6 - 12 are invited to participate in the Journey Youth Group! We have a busy month of community service projects planned.
-
On Sunday, April 14th, the Youth Group will prepare and distribute bagged lunches to more than 60 people in need as part of the Brunch in a Bag program.
-
The group will spearhead the clean-up of a community park in Paterson on Sunday, April 28th. We will depart from Christ Church at 11:30 a.m. and return at 4:30 p.m.
Contact Randy Parks, 862-266-0513 or randolph.parks@atlantichealth.org, with questions.
Sunday School, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Children ages preschool through sixth grade can participate in engaging experiences, spiritual practices, and opportunities for reflection by following the Celebrate Wonder curriculum on Sundays, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. on the playground or in the Sunday School rooms downstairs.
Contact Susie Mittelstadt at 973-600-7725 or email susan@njworks.com with questions.
| | | |
|
The monthly meeting of the Christ Church Women group will be held on Thursday, April 18th, at 11:30 a.m. in Holley Hall. All women of Christ Church are welcome!
Contact Diana Greene with questions, dianatgreene@gmail.com.
| |
|
The Christ Church Book Club will meet Wednesday, April 24th, at 7:00 p.m. to discuss "The Only Woman in the Room" by Heather Terrell.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88109936528?pwd=YUnvpRyFClJQGIVPQ0NBRTVlHyaNu6.1
Meeting ID: 881 0993 6528
Passcode: 975847
For more information, please contact Lori Parks at 862-266-3059 or lacparks@hotmail.com.
| |
Those who have volunteered to serve as Ushers, Acolytes, Crucifers, Altar Guild members, Coffee Hour Hosts, or Brunch in a Bag Sandwich Slingers can check their schedule on the Christ Church website. | |
|
Christ Church provides volunteers to Manna House at the First Presbyterian Church of Newton on the 4th Wednesday of each month. The next volunteer opportunity is April 24th.
A spaghetti dinner to raise funds for Manna House will be held on Tuesday, April 9th, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Cost for adults, $5, children 5 - 12, $3. Children under 3 years of age are free.
Those interested in volunteering are invited to call Laura Booker, 973-383-7635 or email lpbooker40@gmail.com.
| |
Christ Church in Stitches | |
The Christ Church in Stitches group will meet on Thursday, April 11th, at 11:30 a.m. in Holley Hall. If you like to knit, crochet, or sew - or you would like to learn - we hope you will join our merry tribe!
If you have unused, full skeins of yarn, please contact Johanna Osborne 201-788-6361 or at johannaosborne7@gmail.com.
| |
|
Altar Guild News
Parishioners are encouraged to contribute toward the purchase of the flowers on the altar in order to commemorate a special occasion or loved one; Sanctuary Lights or Candles, $20; Altar Flowers, $50. Contact Alex Zander at ahzander@yahoo.com or contact the church office to offer flowers or to make a monetary donation.
| | |
Faith Community Nurse Available | |
Did you know that Christ Church has its very own Faith Community Nurse? Beth Batastini is available to assist you with healthcare issues, personal visits, and other concerns.
Call the church office or contact Beth at bethbatastini@gmail.com or 973-876-5579.
| |
Well Done, Good & Faithful Servants! |
- The members of the Junior and Senior Choirs for their spectacular musical contributions during Holy Week and on Easter Sunday.
- The adult volunteers and the members of the Journey Youth Group who assisted with the Easter Egg Hunt.
- Cate, Antonio and Anne for creating a safe space to share the Good News with our children every Sunday.
- Maureen Slamer for her inspiring artwork which graces the covers of our bulletins.
- Lou Slamer for his help with Sunday School.
- Our dedicated group of counters, including Mary Ann Risley, O.B. Taylor, Shari Hillard, Danise Tellfsen, Pauline Josephs, Eric Fohl and Andy Van Orden.
- Mark Maruska for designing our swank Holy Week banner and Kurt Lutz for installing it.
-
Evelyn Polcer for more than THIRTY years of dedicated service to our Altar Guild!
- Nick and Lisa Pachnos, Mike and Denise Streeter, Dan Kous, Trish Froden, Matt Genung, Al Greene, Kurt Lutz, and all those who helped with the feast immediately following the Vigil.
- Our dedicated Altar Guild who did a fantastic job decorating our worship space to reflect the individual days during Holy Week and on Easter.
| |
Holy Week & Easter Highlights | |
The Atar Guild transformed our worship space for Palm Sunday. | |
The Junior Choir performed spectacularly during Holy Week and on Easter. | |
We kicked off Holy Week with a procession from the Newton town square on Palm Sunday. | |
Thank you, Evelyn Polcer, for more than 30 years of service! | |
Evening Prayer offered a time for quiet reflection. | |
Our Columbarium represented the Garden of Gethsemane. | |
Once again, the Altar Guild transforms our worship space for the Great Vigil of Easter. | |
Surprise Celebrity Guest, the Right Reverend Carlye Hughes, Bishop of the Diocese of Newark, joined us for the Easter Vigil. | |
No one remembered to take a photo of the Kitchen Crew during this year's Easter Vigil, so here is a picture from last year (just replace John Pachnos with Denise Streeter and Trish Froden)! | |
Thank you, Dominic, for volunteering to have an Easter Egg "smashed" on your head during the Children's Sermon on Easter Sunday! | |
It's time for the annual Easter Egg hunt! Thanks to all who organized this for our kids! | |
Fellowship at Coffee Hour followed our Easter Sunday service. | |
We were delighted to welcome families to the Easter Egg hunt. | |
Thank you, Mike and family, for serving as an usher and for singing in the Junior choir. | |
Mason, will you be taller than Mom next Easter?! | |
-
Final Church Breakfast of the season will take place on May 5th.
-
Adult Formation Series based on Adam Hamilton's book "Half Truths", Wednesdays, May 1 - 15, 7:00 p.m.
| |
Stay up-to-date with the events at Christ Church by checking out the calendar on our website .
| | | | |
