First Sunday after Christmas

December 28, 2025

A special thank you to the Klugh family who donated the outdoor Nativity Set and to Brandon Gorman and his grandfather, who built its stable and the Brotherhood of St Andrew who helped put it up.

And thank you to the Altar Guild and Brotherhood for directing the greening of the church for Christmastide. It looks beautiful and we couldn’t do it without you!

Those Who Serve

The First Sunday After Christmas

Sunday, December 28, 2025

8:00 am

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Server & Chalice: Bernie Lasoski

Lector: Bernie Lasoski

Ushers: Mark Hendricks

10:00 am

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Organist: Luke Staisiunas

Master of Ceremonies: Ed Ferrell

Thurifer & Boat: Scott Cranston

Crucifer: Brandon Gorman

1^stServer: Daphne Rhodes

2^nd Server: Rebecca Piskun

Torches: Thomas Piskun & Petra Ares

Acolyte Master: Robertta Shomo

Chalice Bearers: Doreen Mills & Steve Lewis

Lector I & Intercessor: Marilyn McGeoch

Lector II: Tori Wishnick

Ushers: Mike Sanchez & Chris Cranston

Nursery: Jennifer Allbright

Vestry Lock up: Doreen Mills

Notewriter: Cheryl Rheiner

Food Bank: Sue Velasquez

Vestry Counters: Team 2: Tori Wishnick & Laura Erasmus

Coffee Hour Host: No Host

_____________________________________________________________________________

The Second Sunday after Christmas

Sunday, January 4, 2026

8 am

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Server & Chalice: Ed Ferrell

Lector: Helen Gwalthney

Usher: Mark Hendricks & Steve Shomo

10 am

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Organist: Luke Staisiunas

Master of Ceremonies: Steve Lewis

Thurifer & Boat: Payton Sims

Crucifer: Miguel Sanchez

1st Server: Maya Sanchez

2nd Server: Riley Shomo

Torches: Evan Shomo & Petra Ares

Acolyte Master: Robertta Shomo

Chalice Bearers:Sarah Cranston & Scott Carr

Lector I & Intercessor: Cheryl Rheiner

Lector II: Scott Carr

Ushers: TBD

Nursery: Jennifer Allbright

Vestry Lock Up: Robertta Shomo

Note writer: Marilyn McGeoch

Food Bank: Doug & Carol Hill

Vestry Counters: Team 3: Steve Lewis, Robertta Shomo & Charles Lewis

Coffee Hour Host: No Host

View or download Those Who Serve using the buttons below

December 2025

January 2026

Those Who Serve can be found on our website www.christchurchwoodbury.org under the Worship tab.

Readings for Next Week

Feast of the Holy Name

January 1st

First Reading: Book of Numbers 6:22-27

Second Reading: Galatians 4:4-7

Gospel: Luke 2:15-21

Psalm 8

Second Sunday after Christmas

January 4, 2026

First Reading: Book of Jeremiah 31:7-14

Second Reading: Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-19

Gospel: Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

Psalm 84

*Please note Christ Church uses the RSV Bible Translation

Liturgical Schedule this Week

Wednesday December 31

Of the Christmas Octave

10:00 am Mass

Thursday, January 1

Feast of the Holy Name

10:00 am Mass

Friday, January 2

Christmas Feria

5:30 Evening Prayer

Upcoming Meetings & Events

January 6 - Epiphany Mass & Reception
January 25 - Annual Meeting

Announcements

Nicene Creed Series

2025 is the 1700^th anniversary of the Nicene Creed. The Creed itself was the culmination of the Ecumenical Council held in Nicaea in 325 AD. It sought to heal division and unify the Church around a common profession of faith, in particular around our understanding of the Holy Trinity and to some extent the nature of Christ. It laid the groundwork for the work of future councils. Scott Carr will continue to present a series on the Creed on December 14 and January 4 at our Adult Forum.

Bible Study

Our weekly Bible Study is on Mondays at 8:00 PM via Zoom. Bible Study is 6 week study 2 Timothy and Titus—letters that shape much of our Sunday worship this season.

Together, we’ll reflect on themes of church leadership and faithful teaching using the N. T. Wright for Everyone Bible Study Guide.

We’ve had wonderful discussions in the past and would love for you to join us!

Zoom Link

✨ Acolytes Wanted! ✨

Calling all students entering 3rd grade and up!

Do you (or someone you know) have:

🔹 A heart to serve

🔹 A curious spirit

🔹 A desire to grow in faith

If so, come be part of our Acolyte Ministry at Christ Church!

Who Can Join?

👉 Anyone entering 3rd grade or older

Why Be an Acolyte?

Serve God in a meaningful way
Build confidence & leadership skills
Make new friends & grow in community

Interested?

Contact Robertta Shomo to get retreat details and be added to the Fall acolyte schedule.

✨ Come be a light in worship — and learn to carry it! ✨

ECW - Episcopal Church Women

The ECW at Christ Church meets the third (3rd) Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm; There is no December meeting. The Holiday Tea will be January 10th, 1pm to 3pm. The next regular meeting is January 21st at 7:00pm. All women who attend Christ Church are considered members of the ECW. Since 1871, the National Episcopal Church Women, ECW, have championed women’s rights and the Christian foundation of God and family. They are a ministry of the Episcopal Church and celebrate that Episcopalians believe in a loving, liberating, and life-giving God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ECW meetings will resume in October. Click to download & print the 2025-2026 Registration Form

Brotherhood of St. Andrew

The Brotherhood at Christ Church meets on the third (3rd) Thursday of every month at 7:00 pm. Next Meeting will be on January 15th. Join The Brotherhood of St. Andrew for prayer, study, and service. The Brotherhood of St. Andrew is an international ministry of men within the Anglican Communion with the commission of spreading Christ’s kingdom among men and youth.

Chorister rehearsals

Children in 2nd grade and above are invited to join the Christ Church Choristers. We are affiliated with the Royal School of Church Music, which provides a framework for choral singers to develop their vocal skills, their musical understanding, and their knowledge of the repertoire. No previous choral/singing experience required! We have a short rehearsal following Sunday school most Sundays, and sing in the service with the adult choir 1-2 times per month. We have a lot of fun, and we hope to have more children join us! If your child/grandchild would like to become a chorister, please complete this Google Form: https://forms.gle/j8StoLfiWrdAHrro9

Pastoral Care Team

Our Vision Statement

The vision of the Pastoral Care Team is to engage the parish in a ministry to serve God by following the commandment of Jesus to ‘to love thy neighbor as ourselves’ and caring for those in need or transition by establishing a personal relationship with them in the name of the Lord.

Listed below are the ways in which we care for the people of Christ Church.

Parish Pathfinders

This is a group of people who have volunteered to provide transportation to parishioners who need and request a ride to church services and activities.

Martha’s Meals

This is a group of parishioners, some who prepare and others who deliver meals to families who are in immediate need due to illness, birth of a child, or death in the family.

Visitation and Caregiving

This ministry does not require nursing skills. It is a way that we connect with our hospitalized and homebound parishioners and also their families to check on their needs and offer support.

Pastoral Care Team

Deb Allbright, Jean Lucas, Doreen Mills, Barbara O’Mealia

If you or someone you know in the parish is in need, please contact the church office (856)845-0190.

Stewardship Announcement:

We have received pledges to date totalling $220,444.00. Thank you to those who submitted their pledge cards. There is still time for those who have not done so.

Calling all Coffee Hour Hosts...

We are in need of some volunteers to serve as Coffee Hour Hosts on many dates from now until the end of the year. Thank you to all who have signed up to provide some snacks to those who choose to attend our Adult Forum, which is held right after 10 AM Mass. Our turnout has been averaging 25-30 persons. It does not have to be elaborate - donut holes and cheese/crackers would suffice. Just a snack to carry us over to when Sunday School ends (noon), and we can all go home for lunch.

Please see Mary Beth or Jim Bathurst if you have any questions. There is a sign-up sheet in the Parish Hall.

Thank you

Support Peace in the World

Download & Print Donation Form

Episcopal Relief & Development partners with faith and community leaders to advance lasting change in communities affected by injustice, poverty, disaster and climate change.

Episcopal Relief & Development’s Mission Statement

Episcopal Relief & Development is the compassionate response of The Episcopal Church to human suffering in the world. Hearing God’s call to seek and serve Christ in all persons and to respect the dignity of every human being, Episcopal Relief & Development serves to bring together the generosity of Episcopalians and others with the needs of the world.

Episcopal Relief & Development faithfully administers the funds that it receives from the church and raises from other sources. It provides relief in times of disaster and promotes sustainable development by identifying and addressing the root causes of suffering.

Episcopal Relief & Development cherishes its partnerships within the Anglican Communion, with ecumenical bodies and with others who share a common vision for justice and peace among all people.