December 2024

Worship with Us

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 .

Fun fact: Crayons and mini coloring books for kids are now available in the rear of the church - check them out!

Christmas Services

Lessons & Carols, Sunday, December 22nd, 7:00 p.m.

This powerful liturgy includes nine Bible stories interspersed with Christmas carols which depict the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus. Featuring our own Junior and Senior Choirs, accompanied by organ and orchestra. Come early to get a good seat!

The Christ Church Senior Choir

The Christ Church Junior Choir

Christmas Eve, December 24th

Family Service with Pageant, 4:00 p.m.

Choral Sing, 7:30 p.m.

Festal Choral Eucharist, 8:00 p.m.

Christmas Day, December 25th

Holy Eucharist, 10:00 a.m.

Christmas Memorial Flowers

Christmas memorial flower envelopes will be available in church through December 15th. All envelopes must be turned in by Sunday, December 15th, for the memorial to be listed in the Christmas bulletins.

A Note from Our Priest

Dear family and friends of Christ Church,

Though I am writing this on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, with visions of turkey legs dancing through my head, I am aware that a shift is just around the corner. December 1 brings not just a new calendar month, but an entirely new liturgical year and season. Advent prescribes a wholly counter-cultural approach to the preparation tasks that can overwhelm and shorten our fuses this time of year.

Instead of trying to pack in more, and more, and more, Advent reminds us that excess baggage only makes our journey to the manger more difficult. I’ve included this poem in our bulletin for the First Sunday of Advent:

A Poem for Advent

If we fill our lives with things,

and again with things,

if we must fill every moment of our lives with action,

when will we have the time

to make the long slow journey across the desert

as did the Magi?

Or sit and watch the stars

as did the Shepherds?

Or brood over the coming of the child

as did Mary?

For each of us, there is a desert to travel,

a star to discover,

and a being within ourselves to bring to life.

Michael Podesta

I hold you in my prayers this season, as we engage this hard, holy work of shedding some of the spiritual weight that encumbers us on our journey. I hope that you will use the resources of this community to help you on your way.

I look forward to standing in Christ’s presence with you throughout this Advent season and celebrating the joy of God’s coming among us at Christmas.

See you in church!

Chris

The Rev. Chris Streeter

Happening this Month

Join Us for Breakfast

Like breakfast? Our faithful team of volunteer cooks will whip up a feast on Sunday, December 8th, 8:45 - 9:30 a.m.

Bring a friend and introduce them to Christ Church!

Thursday Worship Opportunity

Join Father Chris in the parlor on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. for worship, discussion, and fellowship. Re-charge your spiritual juices mid-week!

We are looking forward to seeing you!

Christian Education

Christian Education for All Ages on Sundays!

Nursery Care

Nursery care for young children is available during the 10:00 a.m. service, 9:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School

Christian education for children in grades preschool - fifth grade begins at 9:30 a.m. and runs mid-way through the 10:00 a.m. service. During December, students will be rehearsing for the December 24th Christmas Pageant.

Following Sunday School, children are invited to sit with their families so that they may partake of Eucharist together. We are using the "Big Faith" curriculum to explore important stories in the Bible. Got questions? Contact Susie Mittelstadt, 973-600-7725 or by email, susan@njworks.com.

Journey Youth Group

The Journey Youth Group for students in grades 6 - 12 will be pursuing the following service opportunities for students this month:

Sunday Brunch in a Bag, December 15th. Assist with preparing and distributing bagged lunches to approximately 60 individuals. Preparation, 8:45 - 9:30 a.m., distribution, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Liberty Towers Excursion, December 22nd. Visit our elderly neighbors at the Liberty Towers apartments to share donuts, coffee, hot chocolate, and a short prayer service. Depart Christ Church at 9:00 a.m. and return by 9:45 a.m.

Got questions? Contact the Reverend Randy Parks for more information, 862-266-0513.

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!

Confirmation is Coming!

Confirmation Classes – Participants & Parents Meeting

Sunday, January 12th, at noon in the Church Parlor

Interested in Confirmation here at Christ Church? Join Father Chris on Sunday, January 12th, noon, to discuss our program and learn more about the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Episcopal Church. Confirmation is open to all youth grades 9 and up. Feel free to reach out to Chris ahead of time (cstreeter@christchurchnewton.org) with questions. Our Confirmation classes will begin in February and prepare us for our regional Confirmation service here at Christ Church on May 10th.

Parish Activities

Christ Church Women

The annual Christmas potluck celebration and gift exchange will take place at the home of Patricia Taggart, Thursday, December 12th, at 11:30 a.m. RSVP for this event to Diana Greene and indicate if the dish you will be bringing will be savory or sweet. Suggested cost of gifts, $0 - $20. Address will be provided at the time of RSVP.

Annual Lenten Retreat

“Sing to the Lord a New Song: Faithfully Navigating Spiritual Transitions"

Saturday, March 8, 2025, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Crossroads Retreat Center

Our facilitator will be The Reverend Barbara Hutchinson, Rector, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. During her time at this parish, her focus has been on the spiritual formation of the parishioners, the intersection of liturgy and our lives, and the deepening of the parish's engagement with the community. Mother Barbara is also a spiritual director, active in diocesan leadership, an Associate with the Order of Holy Cross, and one who writes on the spiritual journey through grief and into new life. Cost is $50 and includes lunch, snacks, coffee, tea. Registration begins January 5th.

If you would like to be receive emails about CCW activities, please contact Diana Greene at dianatgreene@gmail.com. This is a “read only” email group with news and information regarding all CCW activities.

Christ Church Book Club

The Christ Church Book Club will be on hiatus during December. We are looking forward to meeting in person in the Church Parlor in January. Keep reading! Contact Lori Parks at 862-266-3059 or lacparks@hotmail.com with questions.

Sunday Volunteers

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.

Manna House Volunteers

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 Christmas Day, December 25th.

The First Presbyterian Church of Newton will host a spaghetti dinner to raise funds for Manna House, Tuesday, December 10th, 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 Tuesday, December 10th, at 11:00 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.

Photo Directory in the Works

We are in the process of adding photos to our directory and we need your help. Please send a current photo of yourself or your family to Karrie in the church office, office@christchurchnewton.org. We are working with a professional photographer to set up a date and time for photos to supplement the directory. More information about that option will be forthcoming.

Faith Community Nurse Available

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.

Thank You!

Well Done, Good & Faithful Servants!

Diana Greene, Joe Mello, and the members of the Senior Choir for the presentation of the Faure "Requiem" in November.
The Reverend Chris Streeter, and special guest The Right Reverend Carlye Hughes, for the informative and engaging "Episcopal 101" series.
Ann Marie Oberstein, Johanna Osborne, and Alex Zander for sharing their immense creativity at the CCW Friday Fun Night in November.
All those who helped with set up and clean-up of the Stewardship Dinner.
Dan Kous and the Sussex County Community College Culinary Institute students for serving as celebrity judges at the Stewardship Dinner. Shout out to our own Reverend Chris Streeter for the selection of fabulous prizes awarded to our winners.
Al Greene and the members of the Christ Church Property Committee for their ongoing service.
Luz Quintero for assisting with cleaning up the Sunday School rooms and Matt Genung for adding lights to the Sunday School area.
The talented members of the Christ Church in Stitches group for the creation and distribution of hundreds of hand-crafted items for individuals and families in need.
All our faithful Manna House volunteers for helping to feed our hungry neighbors.
Our newest member, teeny Trent Meyer, who was baptized into our church family in November.