Vestry Transition Prayer

O God, You are our gracious and loving Father.
We ask for your guidance and presence so that we may have the wisdom and unity to make decisions and discern your will during our period of transition. Through your son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.

Online Diocesan Morning Prayer

Online Morning Prayer with Bishop Heyd Every Weekday at 8 a.m.

Please note that you'll need to register before you join.
Click here https://dioceseny.org/online-morning-prayer to register.

Did You Know?

The Second Week of Advent is a sacred time in the Episcopal Church, marked by growing anticipation and deepening preparation for the coming of Christ. As we light the second candle on the Advent wreath, our hearts are invited to reflect on the prophetic voices that call us to repentance, hope, and renewal. This week, we journey further from darkness into the increasing light of Christ, nurturing our readiness to receive God anew. 

The Candle of Peace (or Faith)

The second candle on the Advent wreath is often called the "Candle of Peace" or "Candle of Faith." Lighting this candle reminds us of the peace Christ brings into our world and our lives, even as we wait in hope and expectation.

Focus on John the Baptist

The lectionary readings for the Second Sunday of Advent often feature John the Baptist, the prophetic forerunner who calls us to "prepare the way of the Lord" (Matthew 3:1–12). His message is one of repentance and readiness, urging us to turn from old ways and make space for God's coming presence.

Advent Collect Emphasizes Scripture

The Collect (prayer) for the Second Sunday of Advent asks God to "give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer." It highlights the importance of hearing and inwardly digesting the Scriptures—an invitation to let God's word shape our lives in this season of preparation.

Advent is a gentle invitation to pause, prepare, and open ourselves anew to the mystery of God's love.

Announcements

Coffee Hour

Join us for coffee hour following Sunday worship in the Guild Room for light fare, conversation, and fellowship. All are welcome.

Knitting Club

Our next meeting of the Knitting Club is scheduled for Thursday, December 11, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Vestry Room. All are welcome! 

Stewardship Pledges

If you have not received your pledge packet, please see Beth McLean or contact the parish office for assistance.

Christmas Tree Tags

Personalized tags for our Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony are available for purchase. Tags are $10. Orders can still be placed through Sunday, December 7th, 2025. Our Tree Lighting ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 13th, 2025. Place your orders by calling the office at 718-727-6100 or Alleida at 917-834-8727.

Altar Flowers

Envelopes for Christmas flowers will be available from November 30, 2025, to December 14, 2025. If you'd like to get your flowers in honor of a loved one, please pick up an envelope from the church ushers or at the Parish Office.

Christ Church Coming Events

Wednesday, December 17

Packing Holiday Food Baskets

Thursday, December 18

Distribution of Holiday Food Baskets

Wednesday, December 21

Decorating the Church and Parish Hall
Coat and WInter Items Collection

IPC Coming Events

Sunday, December 7th

St. John's, Rectory Open House, 4:00 PM

Saturday, December 13th

St. John's, Breakfast with Santa, 9:30 AM
Christ Church, Tea and Tree Lighting 3:00 PM

Sunday, December 14 (Advent III)

St Alban's, Historic Presentation by Friends of Olmsted-Beil House, 2:00 PM
St. Paul's Lessons and Carols, 4:00 PM – Details to follow.

Sunday, December 21 (Advent IV)

St. Mary's, Advent Concert, 4:00 PM – Details to follow
Save the Date – Sunday, January 11th, 2:00 PM – Collaborative Ministry Celebration

Christ Church Parish Prayer List

The following individuals have requested our prayers:

Fred Allen, Ricia Augusty, Betty Babb, Elma Babb, Erma Babb, Marcella Babb, Jenny Badger, Joseph Bonner, Mary Boyce, Deborah Broome, Frank Cangemi, Merle Carrington, Irvin Celestine, Eva Charney, Matthew Cileli, David Clark, Wayne Clark, Marcia Clendenen, Sandra Cocks, Lisa Colli-Hogan, Theodore R. Coletti, Carmen Conrado, Barbara Corregan, Laura Craig, Gaynelle Cumberbatch, Wayne Dupuis, Marlene Elia, Garfield Evans, Tabitha Foxx, Julio Gambuto, Ann Gardner, Sandra Giambalvo, Peter Gilchrist, Melonie Griffiths, Suzanne Guglielmi, Steven Haley, Mary Hamblin, Mary Haugen, Anne Heather, Avion Hernandez-Elcock, Aretha Jadusingh, Michael Kelly, The McIntosh Family, Eva McClary, Mary Mcclellan, Julie Murphy, T. Rauch and Teri Murray, Minister Robert Perkins, Ann Reilly, Olivia Rey, Leila Rollock, Willie Marcus & Dylan Schumaker, Lorelei Shull, Daphne Smith, Joyce Smith, David Lloyd Stephens, George Sullivan, Fred Tucher, Linda Tuell, John Tuohey, Lucille Williams, Doreen Wood, Leighton Wynter, Marsha Wynter, Teresa Brown-Zapken, Patrick Zapken.

Please Note: The Prayer List is intended to uphold and encourage those who need healing prayers. If persons have been fully recovered and no longer need to be lifted up in this way, please let us know so that we can make room for others. This list will be updated every three months unless otherwise notified. If you need a loved one or friend to remain on the list, please call the parish office. Thank you!

We pray for the repose of the souls of the Very Reverend O. Samuel Nichols, and all the faithful departed. May their souls rest in peace.

We pray for all the frontline and essential workers in our parish, and around S.I. and the world.

We pray for the hundreds of asylum seekers in New York City, particularly on Staten Island, and ask God's Holy Spirit to help us as citizens, civic organizations, and religious institutions respond with love and compassion.

We pray for comfort to the families and communities impacted by gun violence, and for the will and determination to enact appropriate gun control legislation and promote a culture of safety. 

We pray for an end to armed conflict and lift up the people of Israel, Palestine, Ukraine, Russia, and Sudan in the hope that they can move towards peace and diplomacy.

We pray for all those negatively affected by climate, environmental, and natural disasters. We pray for those impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

We pray for those who are suffering from the impacts of systemic racism, and for those who are committed and working towards change, unity, and equality for all peoples.

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Memorial Candles are available in honor of your loved ones. Donation envelopes are available at the Usher's station.

Columbarium candle

Lit in memory of Alma Smith. Given by Catherine Barnett and family.

Sanctuary Candle

Lit in Loving memory of the deceased members of the Lettiere Family. Given by Nick Lettiere.
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We give thanks to God for the following individuals who are celebrating their Birthdays this week. Tre'va Babb (8), Zahra Cooper (11), Halina McCormack (12).

We give thanks to God for the individuals who are celebrating their wedding anniversaries this week.

In the Richmond IPC Cycle of Prayer, we pray for The ministry of our Altar Guilds, and The Multicultural and Bilingual Ministry Discernment Group.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for The Church of Bangladesh.

In the Diocese of New York, we pray for +Sean, our Presiding Bishop; +Matthew and +Allen, our Bishops.