Worship Notes | June 5-12, 2020
PLEASE NOTE: In light of ongoing efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, including limits on group gatherings, most houses of worship are closed at this time. The following represents the most recent information we have received from local faith communities as of press time. Updates are invited, and must be received by 10 am each Tuesday. Send details to Associate Editor Shannon Hicks, at shannon@thebee.com.
THE AL HEDAYA ISLAMIC CENTER
115 Mt Pleasant Road, Newtown
203-426-0589; hedayacenter.org
Weekly prayer services are not being offered at this time.
BAHA’I FAITH OF NEWTOWN
Contact Margo Woodall
203-241-5525; mdeselin@gmail.com
The Baha’is of Newtown are hosting a weekly online series on “Spiritual Resilience.” The series is a Facebook Live event from the Baha'is of Newtown Facebook page, Sundays at 1 pm. Each class begins with an interfaith devotional, “with quotes and prayers from the world’s great religions that speak to the them of the day,” according to John Woodall. After the devotional, the class will begin.
BEACON HILL CHURCH
371 Old Zoar Road, Monroe
203-268-8521; beaconhillchurch.org
Don Beachy, Senior Pastor
Nick Calawa, Director of Youth Ministry
Beacon Hill Church offers live streamed services each Sunday at 10:20 am; links to a recording will also be posted on the church’s Facebook page as available. AWAMA, Men’s Night Ministry, Engage and Equip class are all on hiatus; Youth Night meets via Zoom (contact the office for details); Community Bible Study (CBS) for women meets via Skype. Contact the church office for additional information. We are home to a vibrant, loving community that welcomes everyone with open arms. We have been called the “little country church in the hills of Monroe” for our friendly hospitality. We love Jesus, we love our neighbors, and we’re eager to make your acquaintance. Our vision is “To make and deploy mature and equipped followers of Christ for the sake of Family, Community, and Global transformation.”
B’NAI ISRAEL
444 Main Street North, Southbury
203-267-3394; bnaiisraelsouthbury.org
Rabbi Eric Polokoff
Rabbi Eric Polokoff and Linda Goodman, director of sacred music, are co-leading services from their homes via Zoom, with a virtual reception line and short Oneg to follow; contact Rabbi Polokoff before 7:30 pm each Friday to receive the necessary code for 7:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Friday Service (limited to 100 links). Services can also be watched through B’nai Israel’s YouTube page. Shabbat evening services Fridays at 7:30 and all Jewish holidays.
CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN CHURCH
85 Mt Pleasant Road (at Tory Lane), Newtown
203-426-6300; ctklutherannewtown.org
Pastor Rob Morris
Home of Maggie the Comfort Dog
Christ the King Lutheran Church continues to offer both in-person and live-streaming worship, while following all the governor’s orders and CDC guidelines. Due to renovations in the sanctuary, the worship schedule is flexible, and due to size limitations, reservations are required. Please see the church’s website for more information and contact the church office at ctknewtown@gmail.com or 203-426-6300 to make reservations.
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
16 Saw Mill Road, Newtown
203-426-8408; lds.org or mormon.org
Contact the church office for current schedule.
CONGREGATION ADATH ISRAEL
115 Huntingtown Road, Newtown
(Mail to: PO Box 623, Newtown CT 06470)
203-426-5188; congadathisrael.org
Rabbi Barukh Schectman
Benjamin Glazer, President
David Smith, Education Chair
Bonnie Goldstein, Sisterhood
Saturday morning service is live-streamed. Hebrew and Sunday school classes are available online to all students. The CAI Caring Committee, which plays an important role in the Adath Israel community, will continue reaching out to members who might need help of some kind. We hope to reschedule canceled events for later dates. Proudly celebrating 100 years, Congregation Adath Israel is an egalitarian synagogue dedicated to sustaining Jewish culture, learning, and spirituality in a warm and welcoming environment. We strive to provide families and individuals a connection with Judaism that will endure and be passed on to future generations. We are an open and diverse community that welcomes interfaith families and is committed to creating an inclusive congregation.
CONNECTIONS CHURCH
Meets at Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main Street
(Mail to: PO Box 27, Southbury CT 06488)
connectionschurchct@gmail.com; rockyveach.org
Pastor Adam Watt (203-917-7481)
No in-person services until further notice. Services will be online at noon each Sunday through the church’s website. Interdenominational evangelical church services combining Spirit and Truth, in-depth Bible Study with heartfelt Worship.
ECKANKAR OF NORTHWESTERN CONNECTICUT
Meets at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street (Old Courtroom)
Dan Schwartz, 203-733-2811 or danbschwartz@gmail.com;
Richard Lawson, 203-417-8434 or richardclawson@charter.net
Eckankar means “Co-worker with God.” It offers ways to explore your own unique and natural relationship with the Divine. An ECK Light and Sound service normally meets the first Sunday of each month at 11 am, includes discussion of a spiritual quote, a spiritual exercise, and is followed by an informal gathering with some light refreshments.
FAITH AT NEWTOWN
4 Riverside Road (lower level), Sandy Hook
203-364-1448; faithatnewtown.org
Pastor Tim Kuhn
Faith at Newtown is currently closed for regular services. Specific messages of encouragement, and each Sunday sermon, can be found online at faithatnewtown.org/videos/. Faith at Newtown studies the Bible verse by verse, and applies it to everyday living. We proclaim God as Creator, Jesus Christ as the Redeemer, and the Bible as our Guide.
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST
27 Roxbury Road (corner of Routes 6 and 67), Southbury
203-262-1944; christiansciencect.org/southbury
The church membership paused Sunday Services, Wednesday meeting, and Reading Room activities until further notice.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF BETHEL
46 Main Street, Bethel\
203-743-1877; fccbsecretary@firstchurchbethel.org
Sunday worship was scheduled to be an online service until May 24, when the next regular worship was scheduled, according to the church’s website. As of June 2, the website lists online worship service for 10 am via Zoom; visit the website for details
GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH
466 Elm Street, Monroe
203-268-7596; gslc-ct.org
Pastor Doug Ryniewicz
Good Shepherd has canceled worship and all activities at the church. Members are invited to join the Facebook group Good Shepherd-Monroe, which was created as a place to gather and share concerns, joys, and funny and spiritual messages. Pastor Doug Ryniewicz’s sermons are posted on the church’s website and can also be e-mailed to members upon request. Parishioners may support the church through mailed donations, and support local food pantries and feeding programs.
GRACE FAMILY CHURCH
13 Covered Bridge Road, Newtown
203-270-1005; gracect.org
Reverend Adam Fredericks, Lead Pastor
Reverend Barry Fredericks & Reverend Sheila Fredericks, Founding & Teaching Pastors
Reverend John Barago, Associate Pastor
Adrienne Ventresca, Church Administrator
All services are currently being live-streamed via Facebook (facebook.com/gracect.org) and the church’s website. From Pastor Adam: “If you are in need of prayer, always know that you can call the church at 203-270-1005.” Sunday worship, 8:30 and 10:15 am; Wednesday evening service at 7; weekly healing service, Thursday 1-2:30 pm; monthly healing service, fourth Wednesday 7 pm.
THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF WESTERN CONNECTICUT
444 Main Street North, Southbury
203-267-3177; jfed.net
All events, including Love & Knishes and mahjong, have been canceled until further notice. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for any reason. Our building is closed, our federation is not. Staff is working remotely, and can be reached via e-mail: Pauline Zimmerman, president, Jewish Federation of Western CT, fedprez@jfed.net; Cathy Conti, programming coordinator, cconti@jfed.net; and Pamela Perkins, administrative assistant, pperkins@jfed.net.
NEWTOWN BIBLE CHURCH
35 Sugar Street (Route 302), Newtown
203-426-6484; newtownbiblechurch.org
Pastor Joey Newton, PhD
Services are live-streamed, currently starting at 10:15 am each Sunday. Click on the website to view. Newtown Bible Church is committed to unfolding the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ as He is revealed in Scripture (Luke 24:44-47; John 5:39). The “goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart, and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Tim. 1:5) and the foundation in the authority and sufficiency of the Bible.
NEWTOWN CHRISTIAN CHURCH
210 Sugar Street (Route 302), Newtown
203-426-6189; newtowncc.org
Reverend Jack Tanner, Minister
Kevin Kuzma, Treasurer
The church is offering streaming services through Facebook Live; all other services have been canceled until further notice. The congregation is a fundamental Bible teaching group that is locally autonomous. Newtown Christian Church is patterned after the church described in the New Testament writings. Communion is celebrated each Sunday throughout the year. Sunday: Bible School for adults at 9 am, Worship Celebration at 10 am (children’s worship available for children through grade 6).
NEWTOWN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
A member of the United Church of Christ
14 West Street, Newtown; 203-426-9024, 203-426-9600
newtownctchurch.org; facebook.com/NewtownCongregationalChurchUCC
Rev Matthew S. Crebbin, Senior Pastor
Rev Kristen Provost Switzer, Minister of Youth & Mission
The church building is closed. NCC is offering live-stream worship services at 10 am Sunday; find NCC-CT on YouTube to view, or contact the church office for help. The church is also offering a weekly Christian Education lesson for children and young adults via Facebook Live. The programs will begin at 1 pm each Wednesday. They will also be posted to the church’s Facebook page upon completion. Check the church’s Facebook page for virtual programs. The Annual Meeting of the Congregation has been postponed to Sunday, September 20. Communion is celebrated the first Sunday of each month. All are welcome in this Christ-centered open and affirming church. Regular offerings: Nursery Care, Sunday School, Youth Group, 9th grade Confirmation, mission trips, prayer groups, fellowships, Bible Study, and musical opportunities. “God is Still Speaking” and we are still listening!
NEWTOWN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
We are a Stephen Ministry Church
92 Church Hill Road, Sandy Hook
203-426-9998; numc.us
Reverend Lori Miller, Pastor
Reverend E. Sue Klein, Deacon
NUMC will continue to offer live-streaming of its 8 and 10 am services on its website. All are also invited to find and like the church on Facebook. In a note on the church’s website, Pastor Miller recently said that the live-streaming would continue “for the foreseeable future.” Links to Zoom meetings will be e-mailed to NUMC members upon request, and will also be posted on NUMC’s website each Sunday morning. Calendar includes June 6, Spaghetti Supper, 4-7 pm, takeout only; orders must be placed in advance, read more here: Pick Up Your Spaghetti Supper At NUMC).
OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY CHAPEL
15 Pepper Street (Stepney Green), Monroe
203-261-8290; rosarychapel.net
Father Adan Rodriguez, Pastor
There will be no public Masses until further notice for the safety and well-being of the Religious and the congregation.
SOUTH BRITAIN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
A United Church of Christ
693 South Britain Road (Route 172), South Britain
(Mail to: PO Box 64, South Britain 06487)
203-264-5890; southbritainchurch.org
Handicap Accessible
Reverend David Buchan, Bridge Interim Minister
No Sunday service until further notice. Recent sermons are being posted online; contact the church office for additional information.
STEPNEY BAPTIST CHURCH
423 Main Street, Monroe
203-268-9680; stepneybaptist.com; stepneybaptist@gmail.com
Reverend Kevin Merritt, Senior Pastor
Liz Merritt, Associate Pastor
Mark Persson, Youth Minister
We are hosting live-stream services through Facebook Live; visit facebook.com/StepneyBaptist each week to join us or to view previous services. We are a warm and loving church that purposes to have a passion for God and compassion for people. We worship together on Sundays at 10 am, combining hymns with contemporary music. We share Communion the first Sunday of the month.
ST JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH, ELCA
111 Peter Road, Southbury
203-264-6446; stjamesct.org
Reverend Paul Sinnott, Interim Pastor
Audio of our worship services is streamed at stjamesct.org/listen. Sunday School Zoom-time takes place Wednesday evenings, 8 pm. Children have been sent Sunday School lessons. You may join Prayer Calls, and pray with us as a congregation via conference calling.
ST PAUL’S CHURCH
Episcopal/Anglican
174 Whisconier Road, Brookfield Center
203-775-9587; stpaulsbrookfield@gmail.com
Reverend Joseph Shepley, Rector
“Celebrating 236 Years in Spirit”
“Expect A Miracle”
Visit the church’s website to read recent bulletins and to listen to recent sermons. St Paul’s Church is a welcoming community that worships, serves, studies, and lives out the love of God and life together as a spiritual family centered upon Christ. “It feels like home” is what we often hear as someone walks through our open Red Doors. We are traditional and contemporary in worship, local and global in vision, and loving and connecting in mission.
ST ROSE OF LIMA CHURCH
46 Church Hill Road, Newtown
203-426-1014; strosechurch.com
Monsignor Robert E. Weiss, Pastor
Reverend Alphonse Arokiam, Parochial Vicar
Visit the church’s website for links to live streams and previous Mass presentations. For the week of June 6-12: Saturday, June 6, 4 pm Livestream Mass; Sunday, June 7, 7:30 am Parking Lot Mass *for those age 65 and over only; 10:30 am Livestream Mass, noon Parking Lot Mass, and 5 pm Parking Lot Mass; and Monday-Friday, 6:45 am Livestream Mass, and 9 am Parking Lot Mass. The parking lot opens 30 minutes prior to each Parking Lot Mass. There is one entrance, one exit, and no leaving early; admission form must be presented (available online); no restrooms available. For details and an admission form, visit the church website. We are an exceptionally active and deeply faith-based parish serving the Newtown area. We embrace God’s call to service through the good works of over 60 ministries that include prayer, outreach, service, and support groups, as well as children’s programs, Religious Education and Virgilius Council 185 of the Knights of Columbus.
TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH
36 Main Street, Newtown
203-426-9070; trinitynewtownct.org
The Reverend Doctor Jennifer Glaze Montgomery,
Interim Priest In Charge
Donald Wismann, Director of Music
Please visit the Being Church Now page on our website for this week’s worship and other virtual offerings. To ensure well-being for all, we are cautiously phasing in the reopening of our building. However, feel free to walk through our parking lot, sit in our prayer garden, and walk the outdoor labyrinth while maintaining safe distances. Please check our website, Facebook page, or Instagram feed if you would like to connect. Our congregation is part of the Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion. At Trinity we know that God is continually at work “making all things new” and we are eager to serve God’s mission in the world. We invite you to journey with us as we care for one another, grow in faith, serve others, give generously, work for justice and follow Jesus out into the world.
VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCUSA)
21 West Whisconier Road, Brookfield
203-775-2624; valleypresct.org
Reverend Deb Packard, Interim Pastor
Meeting for worship is suspended until further notice, as are all Valley activities, including Choir Rehearsals, Bible Studies, and Lenten Book Study. Members are posting sermons, music, and prayers through the church’s Facebook page (Valley Presbyterian Church-Brookfield), and updates will be found on the Facebook page. Whoever you are, and wherever you find yourself on the journey of faith, you are welcome to come as you are and receive the riches of God’s blessings; no church experience required.
WALNUT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH
156 Walnut Hill Road, Bethel
203-796-7373; walnuthillcc.org
Brian Mowrey, Adam DePasquale & Craig Mowrey, Lead Pastors
In this unique season, Walnut Hill worship services are taking place online. Online ministries are also being offered during the week; visit walnuthillcc/org/coronavirus for the latest updates, schedules, and posts. Walnut Hill Community Church is a welcoming church for fellowship and gathering together as a family to worship our Lord Jesus Christ. We want to ignite a passion for Jesus in New England so that people will come to know the love, hope, healing, and security that can only be found in Jesus Christ. We embrace a “come as you are” philosophy; our church is a diverse family with people from all walks of life. Services are Sunday at 9 am, 11 am, and 5 pm.