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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
Christ Congregation Lenten Moments
Photo: Pastor Denise Carrell and Rev Ted Hardgrove
 

March 19  5pm Worship Service
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 6      6pm Maundy Thursday 
FROM THE MUSIC MINISTER:
This Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent, our Catholic and Anglican siblings will observe Laetare Sunday: a break from the solemnity of Lent with a command to rejoice! We will celebrate alongside them in our own way, through an interactive hymn sing that will serve as a reminder of God's endless presence in all of our lives.

You—the congregation—will take time during the service to reflect on the hymns that have been the most meaningful, moving, and pivotal in your life, and to share these with your neighbors. Then, you’ll have the opportunity to request any hymn from the hymnal for the congregation to sing, in exchange for sharing why you chose it. 
 

If you are joining us on Zoom, you can access the majority of the New Century Hymnal online via hymnary.org/hymnal/NCH1995 and participate through the Zoom chat.

I have been looking forward to this for months, and I am excited to hear what you all share.

 

- Jason

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
Sorry for the conflict with our service, but there is a very special opportunity to hear a major work for Passion Week in Princeton this Sunday. Princeton Pro Musica and La Fiocca will perform St. John’s Passion at Richardson Auditorium on the Princeton University campus at 4:00. It will also be re-broadcast on Good Friday on WWFM.
Sala Fellowship Night:  Feeding our Souls with Nutrition

Join us on Thursday, March 23rd, 7:30-9:00 pm

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!

***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
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.

We will next meet on March 26th.

Peace, Bob
Prayers of the People

"This is my prayer."
For healing and comfort for our illness, grief, recovery, and pain.
With joy for growth and discovery, love and beauty. 
For renewed energy and sense of purpose for Live Well Church and Christ Congregation.
For courage and strength for our Search Committee and our Council and pastor.
"This is our prayer."
 

Sunday Schedule
March 19th is the 3rd Sunday
5pm 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
Copyright © 2021    Christ Congregation   All rights reserved.

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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