First Sunday of Advent

November 30, 2025

Click to download the bulletin

Those Who Serve

The First Sunday of Advent

Sunday, November 30, 2025

8 am

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Server & Chalice: Doreen Mills

Lector: Bernie Lasoski

Usher: Mark Hendricks

10 am

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Organist: Luke Staisiunas

Master of Ceremonies: Scott Carr

Thurifer & Boat: Payton Sims

Crucifer: Scott Cranston

1st Server: Annabella Scales

2nd Server: Joey Scales

Torches: Evan Shomo & CeCe Lyden

Acolyte Master: Robertta Shomo

Chalice Bearers: Ed Ferrell & Scott Carr

Lector I & Intercessor: Jim Bathurst

Lector II: Mary Beth Bathurst

Ushers: Chris Piskun& Nathan Wishnick

Nursery: Jennifer Allbright

Vestry Lock Up: Laura Erasmus

Note writer: Gwen Simpson

Food Bank: Ed Ferrell

Vestry Counters: Team 2: Tori Wishnick & Laura Erasmus

Coffee Hour Host: Susan Noalsky & Stacy Yeiter

The Second Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 7, 2025

8 am

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Server & Chalice: Rob Johnson

Lector: Jack Ennis

Usher: Mark Hendricks & Mike Wiersky

10 am

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Organist: Luke Staisiunas

Master of Ceremonies: Jim Bathurst

Thurifer & Boat: Chris Cranston

Crucifer: Miguel Sanchez

1st Server: Maya Sanchez

2nd Server: Rebecca Piskun

Torches: Thomas Piskun & Petras Ares

Acolyte Master: Robertta Shomo

Chalice Bearers: Rob Johnson & Jim Bathurst

Lector I & Intercessor: Jean Lucas

Lector II: Charles Lewis

Ushers: Steve Shomo & Dennis Sims

Nursery: Jennifer Allbright

Vestry Lock Up: Steve Lewis

Note writer: Marilyn McGeoch

Food Bank: Doug & Carol Hill

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

Coffee Hour Host: Pastoral Care Committee

View or download Those Who Serve using the buttons below

November 2025

December 2025

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

Readings for The Second Sunday of Advent

December 7, 2025

First Reading: Book of Isaiah 11:1-10

Second Reading: Romans 15:4-13

Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12

Psalm 72

*Please note Christ Church uses the RSV Bible Translation

Liturgical Schedule this Week

Wednesday, December 3

Francis Xavier, Priest and Missionary to Japan, 1552

10:00 am Mass with Prayers for Healing

Thursday, December 4

John of Damascus, Priest, c. 760

6:30 pm Mass

Friday, December 5

Clement of Alexandria, Priest, c.210

5:30 pm Evening Prayer

Upcoming Meetings & Events

December 12 - Woodbury Christmas Tree Lighting
December 19 - Lessons & Carols
December 22 - Blood Drive
January 6 - Epiphany Mass & Reception

Announcements

Please be on the lookout for our Advent and Christmas postcard that will show all of the important dates and masses for the upcoming weeks.

It was mailed out this week.

Give the Gift of Life This Holiday Season

Christmas Blood Drive

Event Details

Date: Monday, December 22, 2025

Time: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Location: Christ Church

Schedule Your Donation

Make a difference this Christmas by donating blood! Your contribution can help save lives during the holiday season, when blood supplies are often critically low.

To reserve your spot, please go online to www.redcrossblood.org and schedule your donation or see Jim or Mary Beth Bathurst

Every donation counts. Join us in spreading hope and compassion to those in need. We look forward to seeing you at Christ Church’s Christmas Blood Drive!

Thank You for Your Generosity!

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 November 30. December 7 and 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.

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew is sponsoring a winter coat drive for the month of November. This drive is being done to assist Jeanette's Closet, an arm of the Greater Woodbury Cooperative Ministry. Coats for men, women, and children of all sizes are needed for those who have been going without during the cold winter months. These coats should be in relatively good condition, clean, and do not need repair. New coats are always accepted and often are used for Christmas gifts. Coats can be brought into Church on Sundays, November 2 through November 26, and left with the ushers or in the Upper Assembly Hall. For more information, see Steve Shomo, Ed Ferrel,l or Jim Bathurst.

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 $215,644.00. 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

Mark your Calendars!

Woodbury Christmas Tree Lighting

December 12, 2025

Lessons & Carols

December 19, 2025

Blood Drive

December 22, 2025

Epiphany Mass & Reception (6:30 pm)

January 6, 2025

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.