Fourth Sunday in Lent

March 15, 2026

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Click to download the bulletin

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Reminder

Today Friday, March 13, 2026

5:30 pm Evening Prayer with Stations of the Cross

6:30 pm Holy Hour & Benediction

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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.

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

Greater Woodbury Cooperative Ministries News

Thank you all for your dedication to this ministry. Bringing one item of food to church is a simple but powerful way to help our community. Between the main pantry and Colonial Manor, GWCM served 1,346 families (5,379 people) in January and February.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens to your food donations when they leave Christ Church, here are some of the logistics that go into running the GWCM main food pantry. A team of volunteers pick up what’s called “food rescue” from WaWa, Heritages, Shop Rite bakery, Verchio’s rolls, Costco, and Sprouts. Every person who comes to the pantry is greeted by the Welcome team who greets each person and assesses their needs and gets them registered. There are teams who put the boxes together, those who pack the boxes, those who haul out all the produce and meat, eggs, bread, rolls and desserts to be distributed. More teams distribute the items and volunteers or “cart pushers” who take food to the client’s cars. Every person who comes to the pantry is greeted by the Welcome team who greets each person and assesses their needs and gets them registered. There is a recycling team who breaks down the cardboard from the cases of food we purchase, and a team who checks all the expiration dates of the donated food. It takes about 44 volunteers to keep the main food pantry running smoothly!

Special Collections

Laundry Detergent

The food pantry is currently collecting laundry detergent for the month of March. (No pods please)

Undergarments

When money is tight undergarments become a luxury.

GWCM is collecting new bras to hand out to their clients for Mother’s Day and new boxers/briefs to hand out for Father’s Day. All sizes are welcome.

We will collect bras until April 26^th and boxers/briefs until May 24^th. There is a table in the back corner of Fellowship Hall for these special collections.

If you have any questions, please contact Darcie Sanchez at 856-906-8800

Information about online monetary donations and events can be found at GWCM.org

Those Who Serve

The Fourth Sunday of Lent

Sunday, March 15, 2026

8 am

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Server & Chalice: Doreen Mills

Lector: Bernie Lasoski

Usher: Mark Hendricks & Steve Shomo

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Organist: Luke Staisiunas

Master of Ceremonies: Steve Lewis

Thurifer & Boat: Payton Sims

Crucifer: Miguel Sanchez

1^stServer: Maya Sanchez

2^nd Server: Daphne Rhodes

Torches: Evan Shomo & Reily Shomo

Acolyte Master: Robertta Shomo

Chalice Bearers: Steve Lewis & Jim Bathurst

Lector I & Intercessor: Darcie Sanchez

Lector II: Jean Lewis

Ushers: Mark Novalsky & Nathan Wishnick

Child Care : Jennifer Allbright

Vestry Lock up: Jim Bathurst

Notewriter: Gwen Simpson

Food Bank: Mike & Darcie Sanchez

Vestry Counters: Team 1: Mark Novalsky & Jim Bathurst

Coffee Hour Host : No one volunteered

The Fifth Sunday of Lent

Sunday, March 22, 2026

8 am

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Server & Chalice: Bernie Lasoski

Lector: Jack Ennis

Usher: Mark Hendricks

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Organist: Luke Staisiunas

Master of Ceremonies: Scott Carr

Thurifer & Boat: Brandon Gorman

Crucifer: Joey Lyden

1^stServer: CeCe Lyden

2^nd Server: Rebecca Piskun

Torches: Thomas Piskun & Petra Ares

Acolyte Master: Robertta Shomo

Chalice Bearers: Doreen Mills & Scott Carr

Lector I & Intercessor: Tori Wishnick

Lector II: Nathan Wishnick

Ushers: Chris Pikun & Dennis Sims

Child Care : Jennifer Allbright

Vestry Lock up: Tori Wishnick

Notewriter: Marilyn McGeoch

Food Bank: Kim Henning

Vestry Counters: Team 2: Tori Wishnick & Maureen Carrigan

Coffee Hour Host : No one volunteered

View or download Those Who Serve using the buttons below

March 2026

April 2026

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

Readings for the Fifth Sunday in Lent

March 22, 2026

Old Testament: Ezekiel 37:1-14

New Testament: Romans 8:6-11

Gospel: John 11:1-45

Psalm 130

*Please note Christ Church uses the RSV Bible Translation

Liturgical Schedule this Week

Wednesday, March 18

Lenten Feria, Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem, 386

10:00 am Mass with Prayers for Healing

Thursday, March 19

Saint Joseph

6:30 pm Mass

Friday, March 20

Lenten Feria, Cuthbert, Bishop of Landifarne, 687

5:30 pm Evening Prayer with Stations of the Cross

Upcoming Meetings & Events

March 18 - Lenten Supper & Book Discussion
March 21- Grounds Clean Up Day
March 21 - Youth Group Paint Night Fundraiser
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. 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. 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.

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.