THE CROWN the Newsletter of Christ Church Shrewsbury Christ Church Is a Community Committed to Exploring the Reality of God in Today’S World
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THE CROWN The Newsletter of Christ Church Shrewsbury Christ Church is a community committed to exploring the reality of God in today’s world ________________________________________________________________________________________ Volume XIX Issue III March 2016 ________________________________________________________________________________________ HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE OF SERVICES Sunday, March 20: PALM SUNDAY 8AM Liturgy for Palm Sunday & Holy Eucharist 10AMLiturgy for Palm Sunday & Holy Eucharist Service Begins in the Parish House with Blessing of the Palms and Procession to the Church Wednesday, 23: WEDNESDAY IN HOLY WEEK 7PM Service of Tenebrae Thursday, 24: MAUNDY THURSDAY* 7PM Liturgy for Maundy Thursday, including Footwashing, Stripping of the Altar and Prayer Vigil Friday, 25: GOOD FRIDAY* 12noon: Seven Last Words from the Cross as told through Prose, Poetry, and Music including Communion from the Reserved Sacrament Saturday, 26: HOLY SATURDAY 9:00AM Liturgy for Holy Saturday, followed by preparing the Church for Easter Sunday, 27: EASTER DAY 6:30AM Sunrise Service 10AM Festive Eucharist with full Choir, flowering of the Cross & Holy Baptism Easter Egg Hunt to follow * The ministries of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East are supported through Holy Week’s Special Offerings. Make checks payable to Domestic & Foreign Missionary Society. Tuesday, March 15th - Easter Memorial Flower Deadline “The sparrow has found her a house and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young; by the side of your altars, O LORD of hosts”. Psalm 84.2 “Find the place that that God has given you and take root there.” - Thomas Merton Dear Friends, There are few things in life that I find more wondrous than meeting together with the household of Faith. This is especially true when it includes introducing others into our Christian tradition and the beauty of communal worship. What a joy it is when persons – regardless of whether they are young children or more mature individuals – find a home at Christ Church and begin to take root in this place. It is a sign that the Holy Spirit is moving among us, bringing new life and reinvigorating those of us who were planted here long ago. Those familiar weekly, monthly, and seasonal rhythms that so mark the spirituality of our Episcopal Faith take on new meaning as they are seen and experienced through the eyes and hearts of those experiencing them for the first time. They remind me of how grounded we are in those rituals that help us mark the workings of God in our lives. The weeks ahead are filled with such signs of new life! On March 12th, we are hosting an event for Boy Scouts to work on their “Duty to God”. I will be moderating a panel of persons from various Faith Traditions; together they will explore how their spiritual experiences, customs, and beliefs are both different – and alike. This will be a safe way to nourish these young boys and their parents, beginning what I hope will be a life-long dialogue about God and Faith. On March 19th, members of our Girls Friendly Society will gather to make Palm Crosses for our liturgical use on the next day, Palm Sunday. As little fingers work to manipulate and craft each one of those long, green fronds into delicate little crosses, they will feel the imprint of that cross on their own souls. For them to be able to contribute to our parish’s first mass of Holy Week is a wonderful gift to us – and to them. They are “becoming” more and more, the persons they were created to be in Christ Jesus, absorbing the mystery that is Christ crucified and risen. And each of you who take a cross in hand will be part of their spiritual formation. Another sign that things are moving and changing is our plan for Easter services. Take note! We are indeed doing a “new thing”. The Easter Vigil, which in years past has been held at sundown on the eve of Easter, has been moved to a new time! At dawn on Easter morning (at 6:30am) we will meet in the quiet of the graveyard for the first mass of Easter. Like the disciples of old, we too will begin Easter with the drama of an empty tomb before processing into the nave for Word and Sacrament. We will then celebrate our Parish Easter Mass at 10:00am with our parishioners of every age all together in one place. Our children, as has been our custom in the past, will participate in the flowering of the Cross. Three young children will be baptized in the midst of the entire congregation. And of course, our infamous Easter Egg Hunt will take place directly following the service. I am so looking forward to this celebration. There is more: we have several adults who are also ready for that “next step” in their spiritual journey with God. They may come from many different traditions, but they have truly found a place to take root and are ready to be confirmed (or received) into The Episcopal Church. A special class for adults will take place on Saturday April 2nd from 10:00am to 2:00pm in the Parish House. Those who attend the class and wish to be presented to Bishop Stokes will receive the Sacrament on Wednesday, April 13th at 7:00m at our sister parish of Christ Church Middletown. They will be joining two of our teenagers who have already been well-prepared to be confirmed. Trappist monk and writer Thomas Merton once advised, “Find the place that that God has given you and take root there.” As we approach the Great Mystery of Easter, may you find yourselves digging deep roots, exploring your own deepening spirituality, and discovering the joys of our life together. Peace, Mother Lisa+ PARISH NEWS & NOTES Barbara, Bill Allen, Shari Gregory, Dawn, Nanette, Denise, and for all who serve our country here and ANY CHANGES? abroad, especially Traver, Michael, Bo, Dennis, Please advise us of any changes in your home Travis “TJ” Wilson. address, email address or any phone number(s). Let us know so we can also keep our records/database up to date. Please send us an email or call the Church Office at 732-741-2220. PARISH PRAYER LIST Thank you for your time and Please note: The Prayer List is updated on a continual basis. efforts… The people will be kept on for three months and then removed. (Please get consent before adding a name to the list.) to Marie Maber and the Maber family for their If you would like a person to be added, simply call the Church donation of 7 new pew edition BCP books. In Office (extension 3) and leave your name, their first and last December they purchased 2 books as a Christmas name; please specify if you do not want their last name Gift and 5 more in thanksgiving for their 25th published in the bulletin, and when appropriate, who the wedding anniversary. Bramley, who has joined the person is and the nature of their condition. “Usher” team noticed that many books are in poor condition and mentioned it to Marie who took it (*) indicates member of CCS upon herself to ask us about replacements. BCP books are always welcomed to be donated at any *Carolyn, *Matthew, *Irwin Rapolla, *Shirley, time during the year in memory or thanksgiving for *Ruthann, *Chrissy Maber, *Mignon Williams, someone or something! If you too would like to *Cassie Reagan, *Phil Ryser, *Rick, *Diane, *Kate donate one (or more) call the office for more details. DiLiberto, *Zack Roberts, *Heidi Gall, *John Smalls, *Ron Knoth, *Jenny Lovekin, *Dianne, *Gail Reilly, *Gerry Marengo, Michael Schiavo, SEEKING SPACE!! Doris Rainwater, Patrick Donohoe, Jake, Joan, Loren James, John Veil, Jennifer Turner, Tina, We are looking to borrow some space – maybe a Debbie Ambrogio, Pam, Lisa, Ana Cisneros, Chris, corner in your garage or basement – maybe you Mora Hanley, Ian Hay, Josh, Mark Schiavo, have a shed! Donations are already coming in for Breanne, Omar, David Bry, Chuck, Pete and Jill our next Flea Market (getting a little tired of the Biddle, Anne, Meghan Ryan, Christopher, Brady, winter and have begun some “Spring Cleaning”) Cindy, John and John David Meade, Gerardo, folks just don’t want to hold on to items until we Reverend Milton Holmes, Trevin, Heddy can take them into our Parish House. We are sad Napoletano, Fred Blozen, Lou, William Emerson, when we need to turn donations away simply Ava, Jay Czarnecki, Amy, Brett Risser, Becky because we do not have room. Let us know if you Cuthbert, Jean Bye and family, Ron Johnson, Pete, can help us out and have some to spare. Sam Scott, Sue, Joan Hall, Lucy, Fr. Rob+, Dory Reagan, Don, Adam David, Charie Miller, Clete, MARK YOUR CALENDARS….. Debbie Shouldis, Thomas J. Graham, Richard Brugger, Sr., Allen, Alexandra, Sally Cooper, Brennan Maclean, Joe, Rose, John, Keith, Jacob, Lucy, Monet, Maryann Citro, Harriet Clare Shaner, Roy, Ruth, Katie, Anella, Jennifer Lamb, Antonia Malone, Leigh and Richard Polhemus, Sam Nativo, Stan Thornton, Sue Welfley, Charlotte Spencer, Remember to change your clocks – Sherri, Pat, Loren Medina, Charlie, Alex, Daylight Saving time begins Sunday, March 13! Meriwether Schmid, Pat Rivenes, Polly Evans, Eileen Borden, Phyllis Tetley, Jerry Werben, 232nd Diocesan Convention 2016 Know your Story. Live it Boldly. March 4 -5 Crown Plaza, Cherry Hill, NJ A Rule of Life for Lent: Pray, Study, Fast, Give Alms Lenten Sock Project for Refugees Second Saturday Workday This Lent we are inviting you to take part in the We continue the monthly workdays and would love Lenten Sock Project as part of your Lenten for you to come and join us.