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. | | |
Dear family and friends of Christ Church,
Many of you know that Rev. Jeanette Hile, the deacon you see at our 10:00 am service most Sundays, is an accomplished musician. Jeanette spent much of her vocational life on the faculty at Seton Hall University, equipping and shaping generations of singers and choral music teachers in our region.
Jeanette spends most Monday evenings at Christ Church in her role as music director of the Sussex County Oratorio Society. Though I am not a formal member of the group, she has invited me to sing with them on several occasions. This past Monday, I found myself in the bass section as the group readies itself for a concert this coming Sunday, May 3, at 3:00 pm.
We had run through the entire program when Jeanette addressed the group:
“You need to look like you’re enjoying yourselves more. This is Mozart!”
I appreciated her healthy reminder. Singing the right notes is a critical part of our task, of course. But we are also responsible for sharing and embodying the joy at the heart of the composer’s offering. It is the merging of these two goals that we strive toward as musicians.
I wonder if the same isn’t true of us in our faith lives. I know the work and ministry that God has placed before me. Often I can put my head on the pillow at night confident that several boxes got checked off that day. But did I engage my work joyfully? In my rush to “accomplish” more, have I lost sight of the joy God gifts to me each new day? Sir Francis Drake’s famous prayer puts it this way:
Disturb us, Lord, when in our efforts to build a new earth, we have allowed our vision of the new Heaven to dim.
I pray this Easter season will continue to offer each of us opportunities to not only “do” faithful works, but to live lives that reflect that faith most brightly into a wounded world.
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, May 11th, 7:00 p.m. Learn to rest quietly in God's presence and practice using centering prayer to deepen your connection with God. 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 participate in service projects throughout the year. 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!
| | Thanks to all those who participated in services and activities for students and their families during Lent, Holy Week, and Easter! | |
Two Ways to Join Us for Breakfast!
Monthly Parish Breakfast
Celebrity chef and crepe-maker extraordinaire Mark Hoyer will join our hard-working Breakfast Crew to serve up a delectable array of savory and sweet dishes during the monthly Parish Breakfast, Sunday, May 17th, 8:45 - 9:30 a.m. Bring a friend!
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New Beginnings Community Breakfast
On Thursdays, 7:00 - 8:30 a.m., a crew of volunteers serve a hot breakfast to approximately 40 of our neighbors in need. Our guests are also invited to 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.
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Christ Church Women will gather for the monthly meeting and potluck luncheon on Thursday, May 21st, 11:30 a.m., in Holley Hall.
Please note that we are updating and transferring our email list to a new platform, so please email Diana Greene dianatgreene@gmail.com if you wish to remain on the CCW email list or be added. Please provide your name and email address in the body of your email.
| | The Christ Church Book Club will gather in the church parlor to discuss Theo of Golden by Allan Levi, Tuesday, May 19th, 7:00 p.m. 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 May 27th.
The First Presbyterian Church of Newton will host a spaghetti dinner to raise funds for Manna House, Tuesday, May 12th, 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 in Holley Hall on Thursday, May 14th, 11:30 a.m.
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.
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Altar Guild News
Flower memorials and thank offerings should be scheduled through the church office, 973-383-2245 or office@christchurchnewton.org. 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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Well Done, Good & Faithful Servants! |
- Randy Parks and the Journey Youth Group for sharing a Palm Sunday service with the residents of Liberty Towers.
- All those who served our parish family as ushers, lectors, lay eucharistic ministers, chefs, choristers, and teachers during Lent, Holy Week, and on Easter!
- Diana Greene, Joe and Debbie Mello, and the members of the Junior and Senior Choirs for the spectacular music during Holy Week and on Easter.
| | We ask for your patience as we continue to update our database. If you have not already done so, please provide us with your birthday and anniversary dates so that we can celebrate with you! Email the information to office@christchurchnewton.org. | |
Historical Society Event at Christ Church
Our own parish historian, Merritt Ierley, will be the featured speaker during an event hosted by the Sussex County Historical Society at Christ Church, Saturday, May 2nd, 11:00 a.m. Learn about the history and architectural significance of our church. Luncheon and tour of the historic Newton cemetery to follow. Cost is $50 per person. For information, call 201-341-9318.
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Spring Concert
The Sussex County Oratorio Society, under the direction of our own Jeannette Hile, will offer a Spring Concert at Christ Church on Sunday, May 3rd, 3:00 p.m. The performance is free and open to the public.
For more information, visit www.sussexoratorio.org
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- Visit from the Bishop, June 7th.
- First Aid Class, June 13th.
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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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