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.

Annual Woodbury Fall Festival Parade

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

Parade time is 5:00 pm. Check-in time is 3:45 p.m. at the corner of Washington Street & Colonial Avenue.

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

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

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

Thank you to everyone who has already signed up to host Coffee Hour. If you have not yet volunteered, please review your schedule and choose a date that works well for you. To sign up, choose whichever option is most convenient: use the SignUpGenius QR code below; contact Mary Beth at jim5001@verizon.net or 609-412-0691; contact Jim at 609-472-2812; or add your name to the list in the Parish Hall.

On Sundays when no one is available to host, coffee, tea, fellowship, and learning will still be offered, although no food will be served.

Thank you for helping make Coffee Hour a warm and welcoming time for our parish family. Your hospitality helps create a joyful place to gather, connect, and grow in fellowship—we hope you will join us!

Adopt-a-Project: Caring for Our Parish Home



We continue to ask that you consider contributing to the Fund which will be used to

address our facility and grounds needs. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated. Just use the white envelopes in the pews and write in Adopt-a Project. The projects that we would like to complete are the shades in the Sunday School wing, repairing of the rear property gate, improving the walkway from the Rectory to the Church and the replacement of the utility shed. Thank you for helping us maintain our property.

Christmas Attic

We are just weeks away from our Christmas Attic event on Friday, 11/13 and Saturday, 11/14. Your donations are sorted and ready to be set up in the parish hall. The Signup Genius will soon be available. Pictures of last year’s Christmas Attic at St.Paul’s Episcopal Church in Doylestown, PA will be on display in the upper assembly room this coming Sunday so that you can see what our next step will look like.

An important part of the Christmas Attic will be the Check Out teams. We will need three Check-out teams, one for Friday evening, and two shifts on Saturday. Each team will have four volunteers. Volunteer #1 will take the price tags from the items being purchased. Volunteer 2 will total the amount using a calculator/adding machine. Volunteer 3 will be the cashier to receive the cash or check payment for the items that will then be passed to Volunteer 4, who, if needed, will wrap and bag the items. If you are interested in being part of one of our three check-out teams, please sign up on the Signup Genius.

The check out area will need newspaper, bubble wrap, tissue paper, shoe boxes, small – medium-size delivery boxes, and shopping bags. You may bring them to the parish hall the week before the Christmas Attic.

Christmas Attic Posters and postcards are being prepared and will soon be available for your distribution to places where you shop or dine. Remember to ‘check out’ the many opportunities that will be available to serve and enjoy this event with our parish family.

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

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

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

Review our Church

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost - October 4, 2026

8:00 am

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Server & Chalice: Doreen Mills

Lector: Maureen Carrigan

Ushers: Mark Hendricks

 10:00 am

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Organist & Choir Director: Matthew Glandorf

Master of Ceremonies: Steve Lewis

Crucifer: Joey Lyden

1^st Server: Thomas Piskun

2^nd Server: Rebecca Piskun

Torches:

Thurifer: Brandon Gorman

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: Marilyn McGeoch

Food Bank: Doug & Carol Hill

Vestry Counters: Team 2: Tori Wishnick

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost - October 11, 2026

8:00 am

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Server & Chalice: Bernie Lasoski

Lector: Frank Gwalthney

Ushers: Mark Hendricks & Mike Wiersky

 10:00 am

Celebrant: The Rev. Lawrence Civale

Organist & Choir Director: Matthew Glandorf

Master of Ceremonies: Steve Lewis

Crucifer: Joey Lyden

1^st Server: Annabella Scales

2^nd Server: Rebecca Piskun

Torches:

Thurifer: Sam Buck

Acolyte Master: Robertta Shomo

Chalice Bearers: Sarah Cranston & Ed Ferrell

Lector I & Intercessor:Jean Lewis

Lector II: Sarah Cranston

Ushers:Mike Sanchez & Charles Lewis

Childcare: Jennifer Allbright

Vestry Lock up: Charles Lewis

Notewriter: Gwen Simpson

Food Bank: Jim & Marybeth Bathurst

Vestry Counters: Team 3:Steve Lewis, Roberta Shomo & Charles Lewis

• October 3 St. Francis Day
• October 3 Blessing of the Animals in Jubilee Garden - 11:00 am
• October 3 Woodstown Fall Festival Parade
• 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 11, 2026

Isaiah 25:1-9

Psalm 23

Philippians 4:1-9

Matthew 22:1-14

      *Please note Christ Church uses the RSV Bible Translation 

Please see below our Fall 2026 Parish Newsletter