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. | |
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Dear family and friends of Christ Church,
After a particularly long Epiphany season, we finally turn this month to the liturgical season of Lent. Lent begins on Wednesday, March 5, when Christians throughout the world will participant in the imposition of ashes and hear again the sobering words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return”. This important observance frames our 40-day Lenten journey, a journey that will end at a tomb.
Some of us might wish to skip over this season and move straight to Easter. But Lent reminds us that Resurrection only comes on the other side of death. We cannot fully embrace the wonder of new life without first facing the seeming finality of the grave. Our faith emboldens us to speak openly and courageously about our mortality, embracing St. Paul’s reflection that through Christ “death has lost its sting” (1 Corinthians 15:55).
To aid us in this critical work, I am using the book Faithful Living, Faithful Dying as the focus for this year’s Lenten series. Starting Wednesday, March 12, we will gather from 7-8 pm on Wednesday evenings to reflect on our theology of death. We will be joined by several local professionals who will help guide us and answer questions we often avoid asking. I pray this time in communal conversation will help assuage fears by demystifying some of the end-of-life decisions that we all will face. I hope to see you for one (or all five!) of these sessions. See below for more information.
My prayers are with you for a holy Lent. I hope you will join us and allow Christ Church to aid you in your journey of reflection and self-examination.
See you in church! Blessings and peace,
Chris
The Rev. Chris Streeter
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Ash Wednesday Service Schedule
Wednesday, March 5th
Noon & 7:00 p.m.
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Lent Discussion Series
Wednesdays, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.,
beginning March 12th
Sociologists point out that we are culturally both “death obsessed” and “death avoidant”. Our faith in Christ invites us not to avoid conversations and reflections on our mortality, yet we often put off end of life decisions. Our five-week Lenten series will invite discussion and offer insight from experts. We hope you will join us in Holley Hall for this important series of conversations. For more information, please speak with Faith Chris.
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Music during Lent
During Lententide, the Christ Church Choir will present a series of anthems from Patrick Hawes’s work: BEAUTITUDES. It is a choral work in eight movements based upon Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount as found in Matthew 5:3-10.
In the words of the composer: "The eight verses for St. Matthew’s Gospel which form the Beautitudes are some of the best-known and best loved of the New Testament. They are, quite simply, some of Christ’s most comforting and beautiful words. The recurrence of the word “blessed” makes for a unified collection of pieces—closely linked and each with its own particular message and character."
The Offertory Anthem, beginning on Ash Wednesday and continuing through Palm Sunday, will be one movement from this work as follows:
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March 5th, Ash Wednesday, The Poor in Spirit
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March 9th, First Sunday in Lent, Those who Hunger & Thirst
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March 16th, Second Sunday in Lent, Those who Mourn
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March 23rd, Third Sunday in Lent, The Poor in Heart
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March 30th, Fourth Sunday in Lent, The Meek
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April 6th, Fifth Sunday in Lent, The Peacemakers
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April 13th, Palm Sunday, Those who are Persecuted for Righteousness' Sake
Please come and be immersed in the words of The Beautitudes this Lent. See you in church!
Joseph Mello, Director of Music
| Flowers for Easter … In honor of a loved one, consider purchasing flowers to decorate our church on Easter Sunday. Envelopes will be available in the pews or at the back of the church during Lent. All donations must be received by Palm Sunday, April 13th , in order for the information to be included in the Easter bulletin. Contact Karrie in the church office, 973-383-2245, or office@christchurchnewton.org for more information. | |
"Shrove Sunday" Pancake Breakfast
Celebrate Shrove Tuesday - two days early - at the Church Breakfast, Sunday, March 2nd, 8:45 - 9:30 a.m. Pancakes and beads provided!
Bring a friend and enjoy this time of delicious food and fellowship. We are looking forward to seeing you!
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Contemplative Prayer Gathering
Need a space for quiet reflection? Join Diana Greene for the monthly Contemplative Prayer group, Monday, March 3rd, 7:00 p.m. Learn to use a variety of methods to rest in God's presence and deepen your relationship with God.
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Thursday 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!
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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.
Sunday School
Christian education for children in grades preschool - fifth 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 Eucharist together. We are using the "Big Faith" curriculum to explore important stories in the Bible. Got questions? Contact Pastor Jenny Streeter, castlejenny@gmail.com, for more information.
Journey Youth Group
The Journey Youth Group for students in grades 6 - 12 will be pursuing service opportunities throughout the year. Contact the Reverend Randy Parks for more information, 862-266-0513.
Adult Bible Study, 9:00 a.m.
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!
Confirmation Classes Continue
Confirmation classes are held on Mondays, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., in the church parlor; dinner is provided. Participants are exploring the important aspects of our faith and preparing for the regional Confirmation service which will be held at Christ Church on Saturday, May 10th. Confirmation is open to all youth grades 9 and up. If you have not yet registered for Confirmation, or if you have questions, contact Father Chris directly by calling the church office, 973-383-2245, or by email (cstreeter@christchurchnewton.org).
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The monthly potluck luncheon and meeting of the Christ Church Women's Group will take place in Holley Hall, Thursday, March 20th, 11:30 a.m.
Annual Lenten Retreat
“Sing to the Lord a New Song: Faithfully Navigating Spiritual Transitions"
Saturday, March 8, 2025, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Crossroads Retreat Center
Please note that registration for this event is closed.
If you would like to be receive emails about CCW activities, please contact Diana Greene at dianatgreene@gmail.com. This is a “read only” email group with news and information regarding all CCW activities.
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The Christ Church Book Club will meet Tuesday March 25th, 7:00 p.m., to discuss The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali. 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. | |
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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 March 26th.
The First Presbyterian Church of Newton will host a spaghetti dinner to raise funds for Manna House, Tuesday, March 11th, 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.
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Christ Church in Stitches | |
The Christ Church in Stitches group will not be meeting in person until May. If you like to knit, crochet, or sew - or you would like to learn - we hope you will join our merry tribe.
If you have unused, full skeins of yarn, please contact Johanna Osborne 201-788-6361 or at johannaosborne7@gmail.com.
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Altar Guild News
There are always openings for new Altar Guild members who are interested in scheduled duties and/or special assignments, such as brass and linen cleaning and maintenance. Call or text Alex Zander at 862-268-5416 for more information.
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.
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Photo Directory in Development
We are in the process of adding photos to our directory and we need your help. Please send a current photo of yourself or your family to Karrie in the church office, office@christchurchnewton.org. Still have questions? Contact Katie Reilly, kreillydirectory@gmail.com, for assistance.
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Faith Community Nurse Available | |
Christ Church has its very own Faith Community Nurse! Beth Batastini is available to assist you with healthcare issues, personal visits, and other concerns.
Call the church office or contact Beth at bethbatastini@gmail.com or 973-876-5579.
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Calling all Graduating Seniors!
It's only March, but we are already thinking about graduation! If there is a student in your family who will be graduating from either high school or college this year, we want to recognize their achievement! Please provide their name, school, and degree information to Diana Greene, dianatgreene@gmail.com.
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Well Done, Good & Faithful Servants! |
- Diana Greene for organizing the Friday Fun Night Poetry Circle in February.
- Our newly elected parish representatives - thank you for serving our church family!
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Easter Vigil and Greek Feast, April 19
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Easter Sunday, April 20
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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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