Lent at CHI

Each year the Church invites us to a Holy Lent by remembering how we have strayed from God’s ways, and repenting, that is, to turning our life back to God and God’s ways.
Jesus teaches us that God loves us enough to want us back even though we are far from the people we could be. Think of it: we are loved by God who knows everything about us, everything we have done and not done; who sees past the front we put on for our friends and even family. Even the best of friends might turn their backs on us if we ignore or neglect them, but not God. Grateful that our God is loving, kind, merciful and gracious, we use Lent as a time to reorient ourselves to draw closer to Love.


Ash Wednesday: Self-examination

We begin Lent with a day of self-examination, first looking at the unvarnished truth of our life, thinking about how our life does and doesn’t shape up in light of Jesus’ teachings and example. We confess those shortcomings to God. There is also an admission that only by God’s grace do we have life at all. That is just the beginning. The real work is in the repentance, that is, taking steps to turn our life around, to correct our path, and move toward the way God calls us. This is the work of the Lenten Season.

• 7am-8am " Ashes to Go" in response to Bishop Beckwith’s request that all parishes make a public witness by offering ashes in a public space, Rev. Martie and anyone who wants to go with her will be in a public place (to be announced) at 7 am.

• 12 noon and 7pm: Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes at CHI

Sundays in Lent: Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.

• 8 and 10am Holy Eucharist – Each service begins with confession.
• 12:15 pm (at United Presbyterian Church) Bible study on Philippians with Dr. Migliore, professor at Princeton Theological Seminary, and Rev. Becca’s father.

Make Sundays in Lent a Spiritual Discipline:
• Prayer and Meditating on God’s word-Make it a priority to come to church every Sunday
• Fasting- Try skipping breakfast, so that you break the fast each Sunday with Holy Communion
• Charity – bring food weekly for the Holy Trinity Food Pantry (special emphasis on food for diabetics and people with low salt diets) Think what we could do if everyone brought food every week!

Spiritual Disciplines for Lent: Aids to our Repentance

The point of a spiritual discipline is to constantly remind ourselves of our devotion to God, God’s call to us to live a life of love, and to align our lives accordingly. Each week, one of our members will tell you how they keep Lent. We can learn from one another, and choose a practice that is right for us.


Wednesdays in Lent: Opportunities to Extend Understanding and Pray Compline Together

• March 14th, 6:30 –7:30 p.m. Rev. Martie’s “Reflections on her Pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Israel. “
• March 21st, 11 a.m. and 6:30-730 p.m. Discussion of Pilate's Wife; A Novel of the Roman Empire. While this book advances some unorthodox stories about Jesus, it gives us an amazing glimpse into the world of the Roman Empire which was the context for Jesus’ life and mission. Come and join us to glean a backdrop for Holy week. (You can purchase book from Amazon for $1.00 plus postage)
• March 28th, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Topic TBA

Holy Lent will prepare your heart for a joyous Easter.

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LENT AND EASTER SCHEDULE

Every Sunday Holy Eucharist 8AM and 10AM
Church School 10AM
Coffee Hour 11AM

Ash Wednesday February 22 - Holy Eucharist and imposition of Ashes 12&7pm

April 1st – Palm Sunday – Holy Eucharist 8AM and 10AM

April 5 - Maundy Thursday Holy Eucharist 7:00

April 6 - Good Friday Liturgy 12 Noon and 7:00PM

April 8 - Easter Sunday Feast of the Resurrection
10AM Holy Eucharist for whole family
11AM Easter Egg Hunt
11AM Pot luck Brunch

Contact us:
Phone: 973-731-0259
Email: holyinnocents681@yahoo.com

Messages are picked up at the church office on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Stop by Wednesday mornings from 9:30-10:30 for coffee and conversation.

-----------------------------STAFF-------------------------------------
Priest- in- Charge – The Rev. Martie Metzler
Priest Associate- The Rev. Dr. Paul A. Metzler
Parish Administrator – Susan Martignoni
Organist and Choir Master– Anne Reiners

Julie Day, Senior Warden
Lisa Johnson, Junior Warden
Geoffrey Gimber, Treasurer
Sandi Devine, Assistant Treasurer