LITURGICAL NOTES ON HONORING THE CROSS

The cross or crucifix is the most powerful symbol in our lives as Christians. We are reminded of Christ's sacrificial love and his victory over sin, brokenness and death. We are reminded that we are a people reconciled and in covenant with Christ and each other by means of our baptism. As we gaze upon the cross, it should fill us with gratitude, joy, and thanksgiving for Christ’s work on our behalf. 

The Special Role of the Processional Cross 

As the cross leads the opening procession, it symbolizes that Christ is in our midst and faithfully gathers us as a united people, His Church. We move from our lives outside to a visibly united life around the altar where we worship and where we are nourished to do the work we are called to do. We should be focused on the cross, not only in procession, but on the altar throughout the Mass. As the cross passes by we bow and turn toward the altar. We don’t wait until the rest of the procession passes by because the cross and what is going to happen on the altar is now our focus. 

The processional cross takes on a special meaning during the closing procession as well. We are a people who have been nourished and strengthened. As we leave the church, we leave entrusting our lives to the One who has nourished us and who goes before us. We are a united people in faith, led by Christ, moving out into the world with a duty to spread the Gospel as that Body of Christ. 

The Gospel Procession 

You may notice at the 10:00 Mass we no longer lead the Gospel procession with the cross. This is because our sole focus is on the Gospel itself. Instead of bowing and turning as the cross goes by, we may bow and turn as the Gospel book goes by. This shows that we are now focused in a special way on hearing the teachings of Jesus and hearing about his life, passion, death and resurrection.

Christ Church Stewardship Prayer

Almighty God, we thank thee for all of the gifts that thou hast given us; our lives, our loved ones, and all that we have, and all that we are. Most  of all we thank thee for Jesus, thy son and our redeemer who came among us to show us the way to eternal life. Jesus was the perfect steward of thy gifts, showing that complete trust in thee is the most important part of  following him. May the offerings of our time, talent, and resources be made in the spirit of sacrifice that Jesus taught us by his life and death for us. Who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen

Confirmation Classes Begin September 28th

Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation of Faith will be celebrated during Eastertide of 2027. Although we don’t yet have an exact date from the bishop, we will begin preparation this fall. Instead of a crash course in spring, we will meet once a month to review our assigned readings and explore what it is about the faith that we are confirming. The extra preparation time will also explore how our parish ministers to its needs and the needs of the community. Classes will generally meet from 7:00- 9:00pm on the fourth Monday of the month beginning on Monday, September 28th. The spring dates may need to be adjusted depending on when the bishop schedules her visit and there will be no class in December. The evening will begin with Mass in the church and continue with class in the parish hall. It is expected that confirmands attend all eight sessions, however if an emergency occurs the class work can be made up.

Please let Fr Civale know by email if you or your child are interested by September 23rd. And don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

Confirmation, is the sacrament when a baptized Christian makes "a mature commitment to Christ and receives strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop." (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 857) It involves making our own commitment to Christ- a commitment originally made for us by our parents and godparents. Confirmation reinforces our personal desire to live as a Christian, as a member of the Body of Christ, as a follower and lover of Jesus. Confirmation also expresses the desire to live out our faith within the Episcopal Church and the world-wide Anglican Communion.

Reception into the Episcopal Church is for a person who has already been confirmed in another denomination of the Church. Reaffirmation is for people already confirmed in the Episcopal Church, who desire to deepen their faith and reaffirm their commitment to Christ and His Church.

Reaffirmation is a great way to spend time reviewing the faith and why it is important enough for us to reaffirm.

Confirmation and Reception and Reaffirmation all require a period of preparation, examination, and exploration into all aspects of the Christian life and what it means to be a member of the Body of Christ.



Mass Schedule Updates

A Vigil Mass to begin a trial run on Saturday, September 26th – December 20th

This fall Christ Church will offer three weekend Masses. Beginning on Saturday, September 26th at 4:30 we will offer a short more contemplative celebration of the Eucharist which will include a sermon. We are adding the service to accommodate those families and individuals who often run into Sunday morning conflicts with sports and school and other activities. Ushers, Altar Guild and acolytes are not expected to attend unless they want to. This is a trial run. If it is well received, we will continue in the new year. The Vigil or Eve of a major Feast Day and Sunday has always been observed in the Church beginning the evening before- preferably after sundown. As you know the Roman Catholic Church has offered the Vigil Mass option for decades and it is increasingly popular in the Episcopal Church. The preference is always that one attends on Sunday morning itself, but there are times when conflicts might occur and the availability of a Saturday evening option is welcomed.

Thursday Mass

Thursday 6:30 pm Mass has resumed.

Coffee Hour Volunteers Needed for 2026-2027

Coffee Hour is a warm and welcoming part of our parish life and a simple ministry of fellowship and hospitality. We are beginning to plan the 2026-2027 schedule.

Please prayerfully consider hosting one or two Sundays, either on your own or with a friend. Hosting is simple, food choices are flexible, and help is always available.

We have about 30 Sundays to schedule, so if each volunteer signs up for two weeks, we will need about 15 volunteers.

A general sign-up will be available in September on Homecoming Weekend, but if you feel called to serve you can sign up today on “Sign Up Genus” by  using the QR code that is below. An email invitation was sent out to those who participated last year but if you sign up you can help “lessen the burden”.

To volunteer, please contact Mary Beth at jim5001@verizon.net, 609-412-0691, or Jim at 609-472-2812.

Thank you for helping make Coffee Hour a joyful place to share God’s  welcome through fellowship, hospitality, and parish family.

Adopt-a-Project: Caring for Our Parish Home



The Buildings and Grounds Committee is grateful for the many ways our parish community helps care for our shared property. We invite you to consider  supporting the Adopt-a-Project fund, which helps address smaller facility and grounds needs that keep our parish home safe, welcoming, and well maintained. Over the past several months, we have identified several projects that are   smaller than our Capital Projects but still need attention, including repairing the rear property gate, replacing the window shades in the Sunday School wing, improving the walkway from the Rectory to the Church for safety, and replacing the deteriorating utility shed. While some funds remain from previous Adopt-a-Project efforts, additional support is needed to complete these projects. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated and may be made to the Adopt-a-Project fund. Thank you for helping us care for the place we gather, worship, learn, and serve together

Save the Date

All Acolytes and their parents are invited to attend our annual Autumn Acolyte Retreat on Saturday, September 26th at 9:30-10:45

We will gather for a light breakfast in the parish hall and then spend some time discussing why serving at the altar at Mass is such a beautiful and special part of our life as members of the Church. We will also have a review of what we do and don’t do in the liturgy. 

All those who serve- including LEM’s are asked to attend.

Annual Woodbury Fall Festival Parade

Saturday, October 3rd (Rain date: October 10th)

Parade time is 5:00 pm, Line up 4:00 pm

Please join the vestry as we march in the parade representing Christ Church. 

Please email Father Civale if you wish to participate.

New Emails for Christ Church



We have updated our email addresses at Christ Church.

Effective immediatelty, please use the following email addresses to get in contact with us:

Father Civale

frcivale@christchurchwoodbury.org

Jackie Fahr

parishadministrator@christchurchwoodbury.org

Please update your records.

Thank you.

A Friendly reminder from the Stewardship Committee



Please use the “I Gave Electronically” cards, which are in the book racks of each pew. Whether you give electronically, or in a way other than traditional envelopes, please place a card in the offering plate. This symbolic gesture shows each other and our visitors that we are a giving parish which supports the mission and ministries of Christ Church.  

             If you have questions or want to begin giving online, please contact the  church office.

Each month we will highlight a different designated fund that our church takes a special collection for.

If you wish to give, please use the pew envelopes and select the correct box for your donation.

Designated Monthly Offerings

September.......................Sunday School

October..............................All Souls Day

November...............................Thanksgiving

Review our Church

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost - September 27, 2026

8:00 am

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Server & Chalice: Ed Ferrell

Lector: Jack Ennis

Ushers: Mark Hendricks & Steve Shomo

 10:00 am

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Organist & Choir Director: Matthew Glandorf

Master of Ceremonies: Jim Bathurst

Crucifer: CeCe Lyden

1^st Server: Maya Sanchez

2^nd Server: Joey Scales

Torches:

Thurifer: Sam Buck

Acolyte Master: Robertta Shomo

Chalice Bearers: Jim Bathurst & Doreen Mills

Lector I & Intercessor: Tori Wishnick

Lector II: Nathan Wishnick

Ushers: Chris Piskun & Mike Sanchez

Childcare: Jennifer Allbright

Vestry Lock up: Doreen Mills

Notewriter: Marilyn McGeoch

Food Bank: Sue Velazquez

Vestry Counters: Team 1: Jim Bathurst & Mark Novalsky

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost - October 4, 2026

8:00 am

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Server & Chalice: Doreen Mills

Lector: Maureen Carrigan

Ushers: TBD

 10:00 am

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Organist & Choir Director: Matthew Glandorf

Master of Ceremonies: Steve Lewis

Crucifer: Brandon Gorman

1^st Server: Riley Shomo

2^nd Server: Evan Shomo

Torches:

Thurifer: Scott Cranston

Acolyte Master: Robertta Shomo

Chalice Bearers: Steve Lewis & TBD

Lector I & Intercessor: Jim Bathurst

Lector II: Mary Beth Bathurst

Ushers: TBD

Childcare: Jennifer Allbright

Vestry Lock up: Tori Wishnick

Notewriter: Gwen Simpson

Food Bank: Doug & Carol Hill

Vestry Counters: Team 2: Tori Wishnick

View or download Those Who Serve using the buttons below

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

• September 26 Saturday Vigil Mass @ 4:30 pm begins
• September 28 Confirmation Classes Begin - 7:00 pm
• September 30 Sunday School Zoom Meeting - 7:00 pm
• October 1 Executive Meeting - 7:00 pm
• October 3 St. Francis Day
• October 3 Blessing of the Animals in Jubilee Garden - 11:00 am
• November 13-14 Christmas Attic
• November 20 Convocation
• November 20-21 Diocesan Convention

This Coming Week at Christ Church

Readings for Next Week

Readings for Next Sunday

October 4, 2026

Isaiah 5:1-7

Psalm 80:7-14

Philippians 3:4b-14

Matthew 21:33-46

      *Please note Christ Church uses the RSV Bible Translation 

Please see below our Fall 2026 Parish Newsletter