Third Sunday of Advent

December 14, 2025

Click to download the bulletin

Those Who Serve

The Third Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 14, 2025

8 am

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Server & Chalice: Bernie Lasoski

Lector: Helen Gwalthney

Usher: Mark Hendricks & Brian Erasmus

10 am

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Organist: Luke Staisiunas

Master of Ceremonies: Jim Bathurst

Thurifer & Boat: Payton Sims

Crucifer: Scott Carr

1st Server: Joey Lyden

2nd Server: Daphne Rhodes

Torches: Johnny Lyden & Joey Scales

Acolyte Master: Robertta Shomo

Chalice Bearers: Dorren Mills & Jim Bathurst

Lector I & Intercessor: Ellen McGeoch

Lector II: Scott Carr

Ushers: Mark Novalsky & Steve Rash

Nursery: Jennifer Allbright

Vestry Lock Up: Sherm Yeiter

Note writer:Cheryl Rheiner

Food Bank: Kim Henning

Vestry Counters: Team 4: Sherm Yeiter, Gwen Simpson & Jim Bathurst

Coffee Hour Host: Steve & Robertta Shomo

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Lessons & Carols

Friday December 19, 2025

Crucifier: Miguel Sanchez

Torch 1: Maya Sanchez

Torch #2: Riley Shomo

Usher: Steve Shomo

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The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 21, 2025

8 am

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Server & Chalice: Jim Bathurst

Lector: Frank Gwalthney

Usher: Mark Hendricks & Steve Shomo

10 am

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Organist: Luke Staisiunas

Master of Ceremonies: Scott Carr

Thurifer & Boat: Payton Sims

Crucifer: Scott Carr

1st Server: Joey Lyden

2nd Server: Thomas Piskum

Torches: Rebecca Piskun & Johnny Lyden

Acolyte Master: Robertta Shomo

Chalice Bearers:Sarah Cranston & Scott Carr

Lector I & Intercessor: MiMi Jones

Lector II: Nathan Wishnick

Ushers: Chris Piskun & Charles Lewis

Nursery: Jennifer Allbright

Vestry Lock Up: Sherm Yeiter

Note writer: Gwen Simpson

Food Bank: Jim & Mary Beth Bathurst

Vestry Counters: Team 1: Doreen Mills, Mark Novalsky & Nathan Wishnick

Coffee Hour Host: Eva & Zach Ares-Deterding

View or download Those Who Serve using the buttons below

December 2025

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

Readings for The Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 21, 2025

First Reading: Book of Isaiah 7: 10-16

Second Reading: Romans 1: 1-7

Gospel: Matthew 1: 18-25

Psalm 80

*Please note Christ Church uses the RSV Bible Translation

Liturgical Schedule this Week

Wednesday December 17

Feria

10:00pm Mass with Prayers for Healing

Thursday, December 18

Feria

6:30 pm Mass

Friday, December 19

Feria

5:30 Evening Prayer

6:30 Lessons & Carols

Upcoming Meetings & Events

December 19 - Lessons & Carols
December 22 - Blood Drive
January 6 - Epiphany Mass & Reception
January 25 - Annual Meeting

Announcements

Winter 2025 Newsletters have been emailed and are available in the back of the church.

See all the great things we are doing at Christ Church.

Youth Group Event

The Youth Group will be doing a Christmas service project, visiting parishioners who aren't able to make it to church and delivering poinsettias on December 14th.

If your teenager would like to be involved in this wonderful opportunity to share Christmas love with valuable members of our community, please reach out to Sarah Cranston, Scott and Anna Carr, or Brandon Gorman.

Give the Gift of Life This Holiday Season

Christmas Blood Drive

Event Details

Date: Monday, December 22, 2025

Time: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Location: Christ Church

Schedule Your Donation

Make a difference this Christmas by donating blood! Your contribution can help save lives during the holiday season, when blood supplies are often critically low.

To reserve your spot, please go online to www.redcrossblood.org and schedule your donation or see Jim or Mary Beth Bathurst

Every donation counts. Join us in spreading hope and compassion to those in need. We look forward to seeing you at Christ Church’s Christmas Blood Drive!

Thank You for Your Generosity!

Nicene Creed Series

2025 is the 1700^th anniversary of the Nicene Creed. The Creed itself was the culmination of the Ecumenical Council held in Nicaea in 325 AD. It sought to heal division and unify the Church around a common profession of faith, in particular around our understanding of the Holy Trinity and to some extent the nature of Christ. It laid the groundwork for the work of future councils. Scott Carr will continue to present a series on the Creed on December 14 and January 4 at our Adult Forum.

Bible Study

Our weekly Bible Study is on Mondays at 8:00 PM via Zoom. Bible Study is 6 week study 2 Timothy and Titus—letters that shape much of our Sunday worship this season.

Together, we’ll reflect on themes of church leadership and faithful teaching using the N. T. Wright for Everyone Bible Study Guide.

We’ve had wonderful discussions in the past and would love for you to join us!

Zoom Link

✨ Acolytes Wanted! ✨

Calling all students entering 3rd 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; There is no December meeting. The Holiday Tea will be January 10th, 1pm to 3pm. The next regular meeting is January 21st at 7:00pm. 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 on January 15th. 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.

Stewardship Announcement:

We have received pledges to date totalling $220,444.00. Thank you to those who submitted their pledge cards. There is still time for those who have not done so.

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.