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THE MESSENGER
December 8, 2023
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Winter Concert featuring the Rutgers-Newark Chorus
Tonight at 7:30pm
The Rutgers University–Newark Chorus and conductor Dr. Brian Harlow present their annual Winter Concert Tonight 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, suggested donation of $15 accepted at the door.
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Newcomer Liturgy of Welcome & Belonging This Sunday | |
If you are new to this community and would like to become a member of Christ Church, you are invited to participate in a Liturgy of Welcome & Belonging this Sunday, December 10 at 10am. During the announcements, you will be invited to come forward to affirm their desire to belong to this congregation and the congregation will affirm its commitment to you. [Learn more] | |
Priestly Ordination of Paul Keene
Saturday, December 16, 10am
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Join us next Saturday for the ordination of the Rev. Paul Keene! God willing and the people consenting, the Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes, Bishop of the Diocese of Newark, will ordain Rev. Paul to the Sacred Order of Priests on Saturday, December 16 at Christ Church in Short Hills. RSVP here. Please keep Rev. Paul in your prayers this week as he prepared for ordination.
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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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. | |
Advent & Christmas Preview | |
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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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Author Conversation with the Rev. Anne Kitch
Advent Meditations on Expectant
Wednesday, December 13, 7:00pm via Zoom
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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.
Join the Author Conversation on Zoom
Meeting ID: 817 8818 0408
Password: 674157
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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Christmas Music & Flowers
Christmas is coming! The time when Christ Church is filled with song and adorned with flowers to celebrate the birth of Christ. It is your donations that make the glorious music and the trees, wreathes, window greens, and poinsettias possible. Please consider making a donation to help us prepare Christ Church for Christmas. You can download and complete a flower dedication form or donate online.
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Embrace-a-Family
This is the season for giving and this year we have the opportunity to embrace several families residing at the Apostles House in Newark. The Embrace-a-Family Outreach at Christ Church is an annual project inspired by the Advent season to fulfill the wish list items to families in need. There are a few spots for gifts remaining! Sign up to give a gift here. All gifts should be delivered to Christ Church by Sunday, December 17 at 10am.
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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 Advent Morning Prayers on Zoom
Meeting ID: 874 7000 5903
Password: CCSH
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CHILDREN, YOUTH, & FAMILIES | |
Youth Group Christmas Party
Sunday, December 17, 5-7pm @ Grace, Madison
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On Sunday, December 17, students in grades 6-12 from parishes in the Evelyn Underhill Region of the Diocese of Newark are invited to a Christmas Party hosted at Grace Episcopal Church in Madison, NJ. We will begin the evening with Chipotle catered for dinner and end the evening with a “Secret Santa” gift exchange game. There will be a lot of fun activities and snacks in between. Everyone who comes will need to bring one wrapped gift valued between $10-$15 for the “Secret Santa” exchange (NO gift cards).
The event is FREE to attend and friends are welcome to join. Please RSVP to Chris Whitaker by Thursday, December 14.
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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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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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The Vestry met in the Parish Hall on November 21, 2023. The Vestry approved a new letter of agreement for Chris Whitaker. Winston Kung presented a draft budget for 2024. Chuck Nwachuku gave an update on stewardship, including 13 new pledging households. Libby Clarke shared that the Grounds Committee is gathering information for an RFP for native plantings on the church grounds. Vestry members from each table at the October Town Hall shared the feedback from conversations about each area that is part of the strategic goals. Libby Clarke offered the Closing Prayer.
If you would like to see the approved minutes from the October meeting, email the Church Office.
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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 on December 12, 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., Sol, Teresa K.
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., Lupe V., Daniel P., Sandra, and Donna N.
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: We pray for St. Mark’s Church, Mendham; All Saint’s Church, Millington; and St. Stephen’s Church, Millburn.
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: We pray for the United Church of Pakistan.
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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