Weekly news & announcements

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Monthly Calendar

Church School News

Sunday, April 26, 2026

The Fourth Sunday of Easter:

Good Shepherd Sunday

8:15 a.m. Spoken Rite I Eucharist (Chapel)

9:15 a.m. Faithful Families Session

9:45 a.m. Church School: PK-3rd (Chapel), 4-6 (LPH)

10 a.m. Rite II Choral Eucharist (MC; online)

11:15 a.m. Coffee Hour (UPH)

7 p.m. AA Needham On Time (UPH)

Nick will never send emails asking you to give him gift cards.

Thanks to those who are serving this weekend!

Volunteer online here...

Ushers: Brian Mukherjee & Ann MacFate

Lector: Volunteer here

Intercessor: Jean McCarthy

Chalice: Volunteer here

Crucifer: Volunteer here

Torchbearer: Volunteer here

Gospel Book Bearer: Volunteer here

Digital Verger: Logan Bertolet

Altar Guild: Dorothy Rifai, Bea Dagdigian & Dottie Hagar

Lay Worship Service Sign-Up

Sunday's Music

Prelude: IV. Allegretto, Six Preludes and Intermezzi, Op. 9, Hermann Schroeder

Opening Hymn: 645, The King of Love My Shepherd Is

Gloria: S278

Gradual Hymn: 343, Shepherd of Souls, Refresh and Bless

Offertory Anthem:Agnus Dei, Requiem, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Doxology: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow, (vs. 3) #380

Holy, Holy, Holy: S128

Fraction: S154

Communion Anthem: He Shall Feed His Flock, Messiah, G.F. Handel

Soloists: Becca Bly and Katie Cloutier

Closing Hymn: 205, Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing, vs. 1-3, and 5

Postlude: VI. Poco Vivace, Six Preludes and Intermezzi, Op. 9, Schroede

April 23, 2026

Alleluia, Christ is Risen!

Recently I watched an interview that I found hopeful and motivating. Former Senator Ben Sasse was interviewed by the New York Times a few weeks back. As he faces terminal pancreatic cancer in light of his profound Christian faith, he has had the opportunity to think widely and deeply about all manner of topics that should concern every thoughtful and engaged citizen: politics, culture, education, religion, family, to name a few of the biggies. I hope this is not behind a paywall.

Among many takeaways for me: When asked what the best hope was for reform and repair of our toxic politics, Sasse said it was clear to him that local politics would be the place from which decent, civil, and effective governance that solves real problems for real people would emerge. He wasn't at all confident that Congress could fix itself.

In this spirit I urge each of you to take part in Faith250, a nationwide celebration of the 250th anniversary of our nation's independence, based on face to face conversation with our Needham neighbors. In small groups, we'll look at secular texts from deep in our history which evoke the life giving values that people of good will and in every religious and ethical tradition aspire to for the health of our nation. This is NOT Christian Nationalism! The local details are here.

In face to face conversation and in the breaking of bread (there will be snacks!), we love our neighbor by striving to be peacemakers (Matthew 5.9) and ministers of reconciliation(2 Corinthians 5.19-20).

And we begin to heal our politics.

Alleluia, Christ is Risen!

Nick+

Credit for image of Nick: Thomas Gaitley

Lay Worship Assistant Sign-Up

Spring is finally here! Please click here to sign up to help lead God's people in worship this Eastertide. Thanks for your time and dedication!

Acolyte Highlights

Congratulations to our first two Novice acolytes, Grace O'Connell and Anthony Guerriere. In the Sacred Order of Acolytes, the novice badge is earned for participating as an acolyte in 5 services. Additionally, all of our new acolytes have earned their Servant of God badges for participation in a major Holy Day service since their training this fall.

Many thanks to all of the seasoned altar servers who have supported our young people in this endeavor, particularly Troy Wainwright, who has served as their senior acolyte and shepherd in this process.

Update on the Steps

We have some good news on the progress on the second objective of the Building for Today and Tomorrow campaign: address the unsafe and unsightly steps up from Highland Avenue. The project is out to bid. Click here to learn more.

Bishop's 2026 Appeal

Bishop Whitworth reminds us that the Fourth Sunday of Easter is affectionately known as Good Shepherd Sunday. This year’s Appeal highlights key ways we support shepherds, lay and ordained alike, who are strengthening congregational vitality throughout our diocese. The appeal newsletter and donation envelope are available in the UPH and around the parish. You can donate online. You can place your gift in the Offering next Sunday. You may also mail it back directly to the diocesan office. Together, we accomplish that which we cannot do alone!

MANNA Food Ministry and MANNA Newsletter

Food insecurity is an ongoing challenge for our MANNA brothers and sisters. Please consider volunteering as a DRIVER on one of our designated Sundays. Thank you!

Here is the latest MANNA newsletter .

To volunteer to donate one or more of the requested items or to drive the food to the Cathedral on Sunday, please sign up here for January - June 2026. Thank you!

If you need help signing up or have any questions at all please don't hesitate to reach out to Lindsay Guerriere or Barbara Hurley. THANK YOU for loving our neighbor as Jesus teaches!!!!!

May 10:

1 driver

1 casseroles

2 baked goods

2 banana

1 bagged lunch

4, 24 oz pre-washed salad greens

1 gallon cut up cucumbers

June 7:

1 driver

1 casseroles

2 baked goods

2 banana

1 bagged lunch

4, 24 oz pre-washed salad greens

1 gallon cut up cucumbers

Community Art Gallery - New Exhibit: Deeply Rooted

Enjoy the tree-themed quilts of Rhoda Cohen in our in honor of Earth Day and Arbor Day. Trees illustrate embedded community, supporting plant, human and animal life alike. Historically, creating quilts has been an act of community through coming together in sewing circles to share stories and to bring comfort and warmth to one another. Gallery Hours Mon - Fri 10am - 2pm and Sundays 9am - 12 noon. Be in touch with parishioner and expressive art therapist Lucy Nims-LaFleche to display your art.

QUICK LINKS

Annual Report

The Visitor: Lent/Easter 2026

Vestry Minutes

Community Art Gallery

Solar Panel Updates

MANNA Monday Lunch Program Sign Up

Volunteer to help with worship

Summer Sermons

If you or someone in your family is in the hospital or in need of pastoral care, please call the church office so that our clergy or the Pastoral Response Ministry team may be notified and tend to the need. The office number is (781) 444-1469, and you can reach Nick at ext. 113.

Christ Episcopal Church| Visit us online | (781) 444-1469