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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.
All those who pledged for 2026 - thank you! Don't forget to stop by the back of the church to pick up your personalized envelopes.
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Dear family and friends of Christ Church,
Sitting at my desk on December 30th, I find my spirit filled with several, overlapping emotions. My heart is still filled with joy and pride from our Christmas services. Each welcomed more worshippers than the year before. Our family Christmas Eve service saw attendance double from last year. Numbers don’t tell the whole story, but they are one way to measure how we are connecting to the wider community. To all who made Christmas here so special, please know how grateful I am for the witness we offered, and the hours of ministry invested to make these liturgies so meaningful.
I am also mindful of the calendar shift that is just on the horizon. I included this prayer on Sunday:
As we near the end of another year,
we look both at the days, months, and years past,
and the time that lies ahead.
We know we have done nothing to deserve or earn the gift of time we are given.
Time, like the air we breathe and life itself, is a gift from you.
May we remember to thank you each and every day
for life, time, and the multitude of blessings you shower upon us.
During this season of Christmas, I appreciate the reminder that gifts are not confined to December 25th alone. This season, always overlapping the start of a new year, is an invitation to recognize the gifts God graces us with throughout the year. I am grateful for all this past year has offered, and excited for all God has in store for us in this new year.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.
See you in church! Blessings and peace,
Chris
The Rev. Chris Streeter, Rector
| | Additional Worship Opportunities | |
Thursday Morning Worship Group
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!
Contemplative Prayer
Make time to join us for a Contemplative Prayer gathering on Monday, January 5th, 7:00 p.m. Learn to rest quietly in God's presence and practice using centering prayer to deepen your connection with God. Meeting monthly on the first Monday; contact the church office or Diana Greene with questions.
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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.
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Sunday School
Christian education for children in grades preschool - sixth grade begins at 9:30 a.m. and runs mid-way through the 10:00 a.m. service. Following Sunday School, children are invited to sit with their families so that they may partake of the Eucharist together. The church uses Spark: Activate Faith curriculum. Students learn through music, scripture study, discussion, games, and crafts.
Youth Group
Students in middle school and high school are invited to participated in occasional community outreach projects, such as park clean-ups, visits with senior citizens, and more. Contact the Reverend Randy Parks, 862-266-0513, or randolph.parks@atlantichealth.org with questions.
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Adult Bible Study
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!
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Monthly Church Breakfast
Join your parish family for a delicious breakfast prepared by our volunteer crew, Sunday, January 11th, 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. Bring a friend!
| | New Beginnings Community Breakfast | On Thursdays, 7:00 - 8:30 a.m., our neighbors in need are invited to enjoy a hot breakfast and learn about community resources to assist in their recovery, growth, or progress towards self-sufficiency. Want to help? Sign up to assist with serving our guests, set up, or clean up by calling the church office, 973-383-2245. | | |
Christ Church Women will gather for the monthly meeting and potluck luncheon on Thursday, January 15th, 11:30 a.m., in Holley Hall.
Save the date for the annual Lenten Retreat, Saturday, March 7th, with facilitator the Reverend Danielle Baker, Priest-in-Charge at St. Paul’s in Morris Plains. Reverend Baker focuses on stewardship, spiritual growth, and service and she is dedicated to helping others discover and share their gifts through worship, teaching, prayer, and community engagement. The retreat will be held 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., at Project Self-Sufficiency, 127 Mill Street, in Newton. Registration will begin shortly.
If you would like to be receive emails about CCW activities, please contact Diana Greene at dianatgreene@gmail.com.
| | The Christ Church Book Club will meet on Wednesday, January 28th, 7:00 p.m. in the church parlor to discuss Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. Contact Lori Parks at 862-266-3059 or lacparks@hotmail.com with questions. | | 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. | | |
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 January 28th.
The First Presbyterian Church of Newton will host a spaghetti dinner to raise funds for Manna House, Tuesday, January 13th, 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. Learn more about Manna House on their website.
| | Christ Church in Stitches | |
Christ Church in Stitches will meet Thursday, January 8th, 11:30 a.m. in Holley Hall. The group’s mission is to provide support and comfort to those in need in our community, through Christ Church’s Prayer Shawl Ministry as well as by donating handmade items to non-profit organizations which serve veterans, families, and individuals from infancy to the elderly.
Like to sew, knit or crochet? Stop by to meet the group and learn how you can contribute to the mission or contact Johanna Osborne at 201-788-6361 or at johannaosborne7@gmail.com.
The Christ Church in Stitches group will take a hiatus during February, March, and April.
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Altar Guild News
Flower memorials and thank offerings should be scheduled through the church office. Any special instructions should be specified at that time. Support of the candles, linens, and other Altar necessities is also available as a memorial or thank-offering. Call or text Alex Zander at 862-268-5416 for more information.
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Well Done, Good & Faithful Servants! |
- Patricia Taggart for hosting the CCW Christmas party and gift exchange at her home.
- Joe Mello, Debbie Mello, Diana Greene, and the members of the Junior and Senior Choirs for the outstanding music offered during Advent and the Lessons & Carols service.
- All those who helped with set up and clean up for the reception immediately following the Lessons & Carols service.
- Teresa Krueger and Debbie Mello for directing a memorable pageant during the Family Service on Christmas Eve.
- Nick Pachnos, Mike and Denise Streeter, Patricia Lyons, Lisa Kimball, Dusty Terwilliger, Amy Helfrick, Jennifer Fucetola, Teresa Krueger, Anne Reed, Randy Kurie, Matt Genung, Helen Humbert, Claire Humbert, Jack Humbert, Kurt Lutz, Mark Rella, and all those who have successfully launched the New Beginnings Community Breakfast.
- Our faithful Manna House volunteers.
- All those who signed up to provide meals for Christ Church family members in need during November and December.
| | | | | Christmas Pageant Rehearsal | | Did you know that our Sunday Brunch in a Bag program feeds approximately 60 people every week? We are searching for volunteers to help assemble and distribute bagged lunches to our hungry neighbors. Work as a team to prepare sandwiches prior to the 10:00 a.m. service, and hand out food in the church immediately following the service. Teams rotate responsibility throughout the year. Contact Karrie in the church office, 973-353-2245, or office@christchurchnewton.org to volunteer. | | | - CCW Retreat, Saturday, March 7th.
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Stay up-to-date with the events at Christ Church by checking out the calendar on our website .
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