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Christ Congregation | 50 Walnut Lane Princeton | NJ 08540
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United Church Of Christ
American Baptist Churches USA

50 Walnut Ln.,
Princeton NJ 08540

Tel. 609-921-6253

ccprinceton.org
 
Alberto's art corner
Art: Jesus our Savior, by Anonymous
 

March 23  SALA Night 7:30pm
March 24  DVD Night 7pm
March 25  Book Discussion group
March 26  10am Worship Service
                 Bible Study After Service
April 2      5pm Palm Sunday worship
April 6      6pm Maundy Thursday 
Pastor Note:
Dear Church, 
Lent is a complicated time in the life of the church. On Ash Wednesday we are reminded of our own mortality, and then each subsequent week we are reminded of the impending execution of Jesus. It's a lot.
However, there is also a subversive hope: the hope that comes from knowing the end of the story. Christ rose from death, and by doing so, he declared that neither the corruption of earthy empire or sin had any power in the presence of God. 
So, as you see the simplicity of our Lenten services, as you hear the familiar stories, as you receive the ashes and the washing of feet, remember that it is by the love of the God of eternal mercy, that you are blessed.
Blessed in your imperfection, your frailty, your doubt. 

So, come. You are beloved, and you are not alone.
Pastor Denise
Welcome to the Pulpit this Sunday
Pastor Denise Carrell
Sermon Title: Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
Scripture Reading: Psalm 13; John 11:1-45
A CALL TO CARE

We are forming a Care Ministry at Christ Congregation!
We have shown we are very good at caring for one another in big and small events of our lives; this is a move to be more intentional about that.

Are you someone who connects with people and will:
  • Observe and take notice of needs
  • Come alongside 
  • Listen and respond
We are seeking some founding members of this Care Team which will frame and design itself, identifying and responding to the needs of the congregation. 
Who will we be? How will we serve? What will that look like for the Care Team and for the Congregation?

This is predominantly a lay ministry, and we will provide training for all Care Team members. 
As a Team, we will establish terms of service to encourage sharing the ministry over the long term. 
We will support one another in our support of one another. 
Speak to Ann or Ted. 
My Family From Afghanistan

It has been 16 months since I first met the young family evacuated from Afghanistan in August of 2021 who was relocated to Mercer County, NJ.  The decision was made to leave the country because the young father had worked for a US based organization promoting peace in Afghanistan. It was no longer safe for his  young family to remain in their home country. Both Mother and Father both have large families still in Afghanistan. Women remain unable to leave the home without a male relative as ordered by the Taliban. I grieve for their mothers and sisters and nieces. This continues to be heartbreaking.

The father and his pregnant wife and 3 little boys were in the airport in Kabul during the time the Taliban was shooting and people were passing infants to American soldiers in order to gain safe passage for them. The family eventally was crowded into a plane to Qatar and were then sent to the US where they spent weeks/months at a base in Texas.  

During the past 16 months I have had the privilege of seeing them generally 1 to 3 days per week. My connection is through the Jewish Center in Princeton where I was referred to through I-Rise.  I have assisted them with cultural differences and in many very important aspect of their lives: medical, employment, driving, English and education. The list is even longer. I have strived to provide as much assistance as I can physically muster. After all they were here not knowing English, not knowing our culture, not having income etc and not having any family close by. 

The Mosque in Princeton has been extremely helpful to these families even providing a minivan to my beloved family. I believe there's about 13 or 14 families in the Princeton area. I generally just focus on this one family as I am so devoted to the 6 of them, and they remain close to my heart. There are endless things to do. Though there is a second family I interact with and assist on occasion.

My family, kids and adults alike, treat me as if I am a valued and beloved relative. I am included in so much. I feel the warmth of this gift of family almost daily. I have received tenfold from these folks and I have learned so much about Afghan food and family and culture, Islam and similarities to Christianity, and navigating America when you are familiar or unfamiliar. And about devotion.

I'm going to ask for donation of toiletries/ cleaning items to this family. I notice they are very often lacking something when I am there. If we receive more than needed they or I will share with another refugee family.  Islam asks that it's followers give to others also just like Christianity does. A new family with four children have arrived and are in a hotel, and there is that second family with four children I interact with on occasion who can also benefit. 

Items needed in no particular order:

toothpaste
baby shampoo
baby wash
size 4 diapers
sensitive skin bar soap
hand soap
dishwashing liquid
dishwasher detergent
clothes detergent
mens deodorant 
womens deodorant
sensitive skin body wash women
body wash men
womens sanitary napkins
tooth brushes
paper towels
toilet paper
*Anything you feel you would like to give. 

I will soon have a bin in the lobby that will say "Family"

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR KEEPING THIS FAMILY IN YOUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS. Thank you for what you have given thus far. If anyone is interested in helping a refugee family please let me know!

Love, Evie
609.571.0093
eviemaedee@gmail.com
Join us this Evening!!! For SALA
Sala Fellowship Night:  Feeding our Souls with Nutrition


A Workshop on Nourishing our Spirit and Health through What and How We Eat
Hosted by Maryann Kampmann and Istvan Suto

Are you hungry to nourish your spirit- literally?  Join Maryann and Istvan for a culinary Sala workshop.  We will be exploring a range of topics including Whole Foods eating and being vegan.  What choices do we make about our own nutrition and why?  Enjoy a sampling of some very healthy dishes we will prepare during the Sala.  We will explore how nutrition can feed our soul and connect us to our spirituality.  In addition, we will briefly discuss the overall impact on climate change, social justice, and healthcare when we consciously make choices about our diet.  Bring your appetite and your soul!  See you there!

NEXT SALA NIGHT IS APRIL 13TH.
***Sala is a monthly fellowship which is hosted by a member who shares their “knowing” with the group or coordinates an event for a most special evening. Refreshments are served followed by a guided meditation and then an activity or presentation/group discussion chosen by the host. Sala is an all inclusive, safe, sober, and beautiful space to feed one’s soul!

Interested in hosting a Sala evening in 2023?  Reach out to Istvan at Istvans7513@gmail.com or attend this Sala night.
Please join us for the next DVD night
Friday, March 24th
In the “comfy couch” room 7:00 p.m.
Viewing The Hundred Foot Journey
                
The Hundred-Foot Journey is about how the hundred-foot distance between a new Indian kitchen and a traditional French one can represent the gulf between different cultures.

Refreshments served. See you then!
Book Group
Folks,
Our next book for reading and discussion will be the novel Anxious People, by Fredrik Backman, who also wrote A Man Called Ove.

The book has also been adapted to television as a six part miniseries (30 minutes each), available now on Netflix streaming.

We will meet by Zoom on Saturday, March 25th, at 7:00PM.
We hope to see many of you then.

Joe and Carol Sundeen

The Christ Congregation Book Discussion Group
book group zoom link
Meeting ID: 875 9571 1779
Passcode: 539119

I'm excited to invite you to attend CFPA's hybrid Annual Membership Renewal and New Member Welcome Gathering from 2:00-3:30 PM this Sunday, March 26. Since 2020, CFPA has been holding this annual event by Zoom only. We are pleased to offer it as a hybrid event this year.  The in person gathering will be at Christ Congregation.

Our keynote speaker is Prof. Rob Socolow, who is a member of the prestigious committee at the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists that decides each year how to set its well known Doomsday Clock. Earlier this year, the Clock was moved to 90 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been! 

You can attend either in-person (RSVP requested) or via Zoom (pre-registration required to receive the Zoom link). There will be a Q and A session after Prof. Socolow's presentation. If you attend in person, you will be able to be recognized to ask your question live.

To RSVP to attend in person (which I especially encourage you to do), please email jnew@peacecoaliton.org with the name(s) of those coming.  Space is limited, so I urge you to register NOW. 

To attend via Zoom, you must click here to register to receive the link.
Our Bible study meets following the 10 AM services
(2nd, 4th, & 5th Sundays)
 
Bible Study will begin about 10-15 minutes after the end of worship and will conclude by 12:15. It is discussion-oriented, and we welcome the input and insights of all participants. 

Our discussion is based on the Revised Common Lectionary for the Sunday following the one we meet for the Bible Study.
 
Liturgy of the Palms:
 
We will next meet on March 26th.

Peace, Bob
Prayers of the People

"This is my prayer."
With joy and celebration of Jason's wedding, and Phyllis and Dwight's birthdays.
With gratitude for safe and successful travels and the strengthening of relationships.
For healing and comfort for our illness, grief, recovery, and pain.
With joy for growth and discovery, love and beauty. 
For renewed courage and strength for our Search Committee and our Council and pastor.
For renewed energy and sense of purpose for Live Well Church and Christ Congregation.
"This is our prayer."
 

Sunday Schedule
March 26th is the 4th Sunday
10am Worship service

In person or on zoom  
https://www.ccprinceton.org/worship.html

Service Archives: 
ccprinceton.org/service-archives
 
Denise Carrell
Long Term Pulpit Supply Pastor
Office hours: Mon & Weds. 1-5 pm
pastordenise@ccprinceton.org
Jason Steiner, Minister of Music
steiner6000@gmail.com
Alberto Lisboa, office manager
office hours:
Wed & Thurs 2pm-6pm
albertolisboa777@gmail.com
Pastoral Care:
Rev. Bob Moore
609-924-5022 weekday office
609-924-1206 home
609-937-6931 cell

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MARCH 2023 CALENDAR
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Our mailing address is:
50 Walnut Lane
Princeton, NJ  08540

Our phone number is:
609-921-6253

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Christ Congregation Church · 50 Walnut Lane · Princeton, NJ 08540 · USA

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