First Sunday in Lent

February 22 2026

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Click to download the bulletin

Lenten Retreat – Saturday, February 28 | 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m

Christ Episcopal Church, Parish Hall

Sarah Crasnton will lead a half-day retreat focused on the three pillars of Lent—prayer, almsgiving, and fasting—supported by time in scripture (Lectio Divina), reflection, and group discussion. Lunch will be provided

Forty Days of Gratitude (ECW)

Gratitude. That one word embodies the spirit of the United Thank Offering, a vessel for sharing our blessings with others in need. Through UTO, individuals are invited to embrace and deepen a personal spiritual discipline of gratitude. UTO encourages people to notice the good things that happen each day, give thanks to God for those blessings and make an offering. These offerings distribute 100% of what is collected to support mission and ministry throughout the Episcopal Church and Provinces in the Anglican Communion.

The Vestry of Christ Church has approved a parish commitment to support UTO by inviting our parishioners to participate during the weeks and days of the Lenten season. The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) and the United Thank Offering (UTO) are closely related. The ECW acts as the parent group by serving as a foundational support, partner, and administrative arm for the UTO ministry. UTO is a ministry of the Episcopal Church that encourages people to notice daily blessings, give thanks to God, and make an offering for each blessing using a “Blue Box”.

Blue Boxes will be available at the back of the church and upstairs in the parish hall during coffee hour and the Lenten dinner program. The Box is designed as a bank to receive coins, cash, or checks. No amount is too small. Your offering is combined with others to provide a blessing where every coin counts. After Easter the donated boxes will be collected on ECW Sunday in mid-May.

Thank you for turning your heart towards gratitude and passing the blessings God has given you onto others.

Please Note

Father Civale will be on retreat Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 24 until Friday evening, Feb 27. Please keep him your prayers.

Father Druce will handle pastoral emergencies and can be reached at 619-751-5556.

Father Civalier will celebrate the weekday Masses.

Those Who Serve

The First Sunday of Lent

Sunday, February 22, 2026

8 am

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Server & Chalice: Rob Johnson

Lector: Frank Gwalthney

Usher: Mark Hendricks

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Organist: Luke Staisiunas

Master of Ceremonies: Ed Ferrell

Thurifer & Boat: Chris Cranston

Crucifer: Joey Lyden

1^stServer: Riley Shomo

2^nd Server: Annabella Scales

Torches: Johnny Lyden & Daphne Rhodes

Acolyte Master: Robertta Shomo

Chalice Bearers: Ed Ferrell & Steve Lewis

Lector I & Intercessor: Gwen Simpson

Lector II: Sarah Cranston

Ushers: Steve Shomo & Dennis Sims

Child Care : Jennifer Allbright

Vestry Lock up: Tori Wishnick

Notewriter: Gwen Simpson

Food Bank: Sue Velazquez

Vestry Counters: Team 2: Tori Wishnick & Maureen Carrigan

The Second Sunday of Lent

Sunday, March 1, 2026

8 am

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Server & Chalice: Bernie Lasoski

Lector: Helem Gwalthney

Usher: Mark Hendricks & MikeWiersky

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Organist: Luke Staisiunas

Master of Ceremonies: Scott Carr

Thurifer & Boat: Brandon Gorman

Crucifer: Payton Sims

1^stServer: Joey Lyden

2^nd Server: Thomas Piskun

Torches: Rebecca Piskun & Joey Scales

Acolyte Master: Robertta Shomo

Chalice Bearers: Doreen Mills & Scott Cranston

Lector I & Intercessor: John Lyden

Lector II: Aimee Lyden

Ushers: Charles Lewis & Scott Cranston

Child Care : Jennifer Allbright

Vestry Lock up: Steve Lewis

Notewriter: Marilyn McGeoch

Food Bank: Doug & Caro Hill

Vestry Counters: Team 3: Steve Lewis, Robertta Shomo & Branson Gorman

View or download Those Who Serve using the buttons below

February 2026

March 2026

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

Readings for the Second Sunday in Lent

Old Testament: Genesis 12:1-4

New Testament: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

Gospel: John 3:1-17

Psalm 121

*Please note Christ Church uses the RSV Bible Translation

Liturgical Schedule this Week

Wednesday, February 25

Lenten Feria

10:00 am Mass with Prayers for Healing

Thursday, February 26

Lenten Feria

6:30 pm Mass

Friday, February 27

George Herbert, Priest and Abbott, 1633

5:30 pm Evening Prayer with Stations of the Cross

Upcoming Meetings & Events

February 20 - Stations of the Cross Begin
February 28 - Lenten Retreat
March 21- Grounds Clean Up Day
March 28 - Acolyte Retreat with Holy Week Training

Announcements

Bible Study

Our Adult Bible Study meets on Zoom every Monday at 8 PM. We have excellent discussions reflecting on the meaning of Scripture and hope you will join us! Beginning January 12, we will be spending the Winter and Spring of 2026 discussing the Gospel of Matthew, our Gospel for this liturgical year. We will be using the N. T. Wright for Everyone Bible Study Guide. We would love to have you be a part of our discussions!

The Zoom meeting can be accessed at this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86427635457

Zoom Link

✨ Acolytes Wanted! ✨

Calling all students entering 2nd 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. The next regular meeting will be February 25th due to Ash Wednesday. 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 in February. 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.

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

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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.