Worship Notes | June 26-July 2, 2020
PLEASE NOTE: In light of ongoing efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, 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
Devotional meetings, spiritual discussion meetings, and discussions of social issues from a spiritual perspective, held at various locations in Newtown. Call for locations or additional information.
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 is offering live streamed services each weekend, Sundays 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 is meeting online via Zoom (contact the office for details); Community Bible Study (CBS) for women is meeting 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 for the necessary code for 7:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service (limited to 100 links). Services can also be watched through B’nai Israel’s YouTube page.
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
Divine Service at 9:30 am in the Fellowship Hall, attendance limited, reservations required (ctknewtown@gmail.com). The service will be live-streamed. All regular precautions still apply: masks, sanitizing, and distancing. Adult Bible Study will follow. Private communion services are available; contact Pastor Morris for an appointment. Services are live-streamed the church’s YouTube channel. Videos of previous services and Pastor Morris’s Pastoral Notes are linked from the church’s website.
Christ the King Lutheran Church is a joyful and welcoming community of faith, centered on receiving Jesus Christ in His Gospel and Sacraments and sharing God’s fatherly goodness with all who are in need. Our worship and teaching are rooted in the rich, liturgical tradition of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, which holds to the three ecumenical creeds (Apostles, Nicene, and Athanasian) and the Lutheran Confessions as a faithful exposition of the Bible’s teaching. Visit our website or call the church office for more information. We look forward to meeting you and joining with you in the journey of faith from baptism to our final rest in Christ, our King.
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
(Mailing address: PO Box 623, Newtown CT 06470);
203-426-5188; congadathisrael.org
Rabbi Barukh Schectman
Benjamin Glazer, President
David Smith, Education Chair
Bonnie Goldstein, Sisterhood
Adath Israel is live-streaming service every Saturday morning until further notice. Videos from previous services are available on the synagogue’s Facebook page (click on Videos). Hebrew School registration, for students entering grades K-7 in the 2020-21 school year, is open; visit the website for details. The CAI Caring Committee will continue to reach out to members who might need help. The synagogue’s leaders hope to reschedule canceled events at a later date.
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
(Mailing Address: PO Box 27, Southbury CT 06488)
connectionschurchct@gmail.com; rockyveach.org
Pastor Adam Watt (203-917-7481)
No in-person services until further notice; service offered 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 (Old Courtroom), 45 Main Street
Contact Dan Schwartz, 203-733-2811 or danbschwartz@gmail.com;
or Richard Lawson, 203-417-8434 or richardclawson@charter.net
All in-person events have been suspended until July 31, according to Eckankar’s website. A summer series of online spiritual discussions is being offered.
Eckankar means “Co-worker with God.” It offers ways to explore your own unique and natural relationship with the Divine.
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.
Church regathering will resume on Sunday, July 5. Special guidelines and protocols will be followed. Contact the church office for details. Until then, 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 has “decided to pause our Sunday Services, Wednesday meeting, and Reading Room activities until further notice,” according to its website.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF BETHEL
46 Main Street, Bethel 203-743-1877;
fccbsecretary@firstchurchbethel.org
As of June 9, 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 advised to join the new Facebook group Good Shepherd-Monroe, which was created as a place to gather and share concerns, joys, funny and spiritual messages; read the pastor’s sermons, which are posted on the church’s website, and can be e-mailed to members upon request; continue to 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.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
The Jewish Federation of Western CT has announced that all Federation events, including Love & Knishes and mahjong, have been canceled until further notice. A special Virtual Love & Knishes has been scheduled, however, for July 1, 1 pm, featuring Alyce & Gary Bertz of Hot Acoustics, performing variety of music including patriotic tunes, additional details TBA (or contact office directly).
“Please don’t hesitate to contact us for any reason,” staff said via e-mail. “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
Newtown Bible Church is live-streaming its services, currently starting at 10:15 am, each Sunday; visit the church’s 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
facebook.com/newtowncongregationalchurchucc
Reverend Matthew S. Crebbin, Senior Pastor
Reverend Kristen Provost Switzer, Minister of Youth & Mission
The church building is closed. NCC is offering live-streamed worship services at 10 am Sunday; find NCC-CT on YouTube, visit NCC’s Facebook page to view, or contact the church office for help. The church is also offering a weekly Virtual Bedtime Story, Mondays at 7 pm on Facebook Live and Christian Education for children and young adults via Facebook Live, Wednesdays at 1 pm, then posted to church’s Facebook page. Check the church’s Facebook page for other virtual programs.
Calendar includes: July 7, American Red Cross Blood Drive, 8:30 am-6:30 pm, donors must be at least age 16, in generally good health and weigh at least 110 pounds, social distancing and other COVID-19 protocols will be in place, appointments available; 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767), redcrossblood.org; September 20, Annual Meeting; September 27 (tentative new date), Servant Sunday, with projects for all ages to benefit local and regional groups, details TBA.
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 remains closed, although members and staff are working on reopening. "Our main goal is to keep everyone safe!" Pastor Lori said via email on June 20.
Sunday worship at 8 and 10 am will continue visa Zoom and Facebook Live, as well as on the church's website. Small group studies are held Tuesday evenings via Zoom; through July the topic is "Vital Conversations on Race and Racism." There is also Thursday evening Congregational Chat & Pray. For information about either, as well as to connect with Pastor Lori or the church, email lori.miller@nyac-umc.com, post to the church on Facebook, or connect by email via the church website. NUMC will continue live-stream of its 8 and 10 am services on its website.
Sunday worship at 8 and 10 am will continue visa Zoom and Facebook Live, as well as on the church's website. Small group studies are held Tuesday evenings via Zoom, as is a Thursday evening Congregational Chat & Pray. For information about either, as well as to connect with Pastor Lori or the church, please email
OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY CHAPEL
15 Pepper Street (Stepney Green), Monroe
203-261-8290; rosarychapel.net
Father Adan Rodriguez, Pastor
The chapel’s website notes that there are to 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
(Mailing address: 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; visit the website or contact the church office for additional information.
STEPNEY BAPTIST CHURCH
423 Main Street, Monroe
203-268-9680; stepneybaptist.com;
Reverend Kevin Merritt, Senior Pastor
Liz Merritt, Associate Pastor
Mark Persson, Youth Minister
Stepney Baptist is live-streaming services at facebook.com/stepneybaptist, where previous sermons are also posted.
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
Outdoor worship services, with Holy Communion, each Sunday at 9:30 am in the church parking lot (attendees remain in their vehicles, tuning in to service over the radio). All are welcome. Prayer Calls, Wednesday evenings, via conference call at 712-451-0839, Code 337751. Sunday School will resume in the fall. Contact the church office for information.
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. You are welcome here.
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
For those attending in-church services, reservations are required, limited to 100 persons, with social distancing and face masks required and new sanitation policies in place. Mass celebrated Saturday at 4 pm (in church and streaming); Sunday, 7:30 am (in church), 10:30 am (in church and streaming) and 5 pm (in church); and Monday through Friday, 6:45 am (in church and streaming) and 9 am (in church).
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
Our congregation is part of the 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.
Calendar includes: June 27, Retirement (& Birthday) Parade for Rev Dr Jenny Montgomery, 10-11 am, all invited to drive through church parking lot (use Church Hill Road entrance) to offer best wishes as Rev Jenny heads toward retirement on her birthday.
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.
VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCUSA)
21 West Whisconier Road, Brookfield
203-775-2624; valleypresct@gmail.com
Reverend Deb Packard, Interim Pastor
Valley Presbyterian will not be meeting for worship until further notice, and all activities are suspended at this time. 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.
Sunday worship service is celebrated at 10 am. 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
Church leaders have posted that “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.