BAHA’I FAITH OF NEWTOWN

Contact Michael or Susan Dutton

364-1738; mdutton@bestweb.net

Devotional meetings; spiritual discussion meetings; discussions of social issues from a religious perspective. Call for current schedule.

BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH

35 Sugar Street (Route 302); 426-6484

Pastor Steve Plodinec

Sunday, Children’s Bible Hour and Adult Bible Groups, 9:30 am; Worship, 10:45 am with nursery; Wednesday, Bible and Prayer Group, 7 am and 7 pm.

CALVARY INDEPENDENT BAPTIST CHURCH

2 Side Cut Road (next to RR station),

West Redding

Kenneth Brooks, Pastor

Sunday School 10 am, Sunday morning service 11 am; Sunday evening service 6 pm; Wednesday evening service 7 pm, nursery care provided.

CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN CHURCH

85 Mt Pleasant Road at Tory Lane,

Newtown; 426-6300 or 426-0651

Gregory Wismar, Pastor

Johanna Perry, Parish Worker

Palm Sunday will be celebrated at the 10:30 am with special music by the Junior Choir and Ensemble and a children’s processional at the beginning of the service. Sunday school and Bible class will be held at 9 am. At 5:30 pm, the annual Palm Sunday potluck dinner will be held in the fellowship hall. Entertainment for the evening will include a special drama production by the Junior Youth Group. The calendar for the week includes a meeting of the evening Bible class on Monday at 8 pm. On Thursday, the Maundy Thursday service will be held at 7:30 pm and on Good Friday the traditional Service of Darkness will be held at 7:30 pm in the church.

CHRIST THE SAVIOR ORTHODOX MISSION

Middle Quarter Mall,

706 Main Street South, Woodbury; 263-0809

Fr  Vladimir Aleandro, Priest

Gregory Curran, Youth Director

Christ the Savior is a pan-Orthodox, all English mission of the New England Diocese of the Orthodox Church in America. Sunday Divine Liturgy 9:30 am; coffee hour and fellowship follows. Saturday Great Vespers, 5 pm.

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST

OF  LATTER DAY SAINTS

Saw Mill Road; 270-1455

Bishop Gary Hutchison

Family History Center; 426-1752

Full-time missionaries may be reached at 270-7087. Sunday Sacrament Meeting, 9 to 10 am; Sunday School and Primary School at 10:20 am; Priesthood, Relief Society and Young Women meeting, 11:10 am; Teenagers’ Activities on Wednesday, 7-8:30 pm. The women’s organization also sponsors monthly classes on a variety of topics dealing with the family and homemaking. The group meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 pm.

COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Meets at Newtown Meeting House

36 Main Street (at the flagpole)

Rev William Kessler, Pastor

Sunday School, 9:45 am; Worship Service, 11 am; Evening Service, 6 pm. Home Bible Studies and Women’s Bible Study are held in members’ homes. For information about time and location, call Rev Kessler at 270-3730. For further information, call Chris Crandall at 426-9569.

CONNECTICUT KOREAN UNITED CHURCH

35 Sugar Street (Route 302); 426-8610

Rev Jun-Soo Han, Pastor

Sunday Worship Service, 2 pm; Wednesday, Praise, Bible and Prayer Time, 8:30 pm;  Saturday, Neighborhood Bible Study, 8 pm.

FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST

27 Roxbury Road (Corner of Routes 6 & 67)

Southbury; 262-1944

Sunday Services, 11 am. All are welcome to hear the worldwide weekly Christian Science Bible Lesson with readings from the Bible and correlative passages from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. Join in singing hymns, silent prayer, and the Lord’s Prayer. All children up to age 20 are welcome to attend the Christian Science Sunday School,11 am. New pupils are asked to come a few minutes early. Childcare is provided for children too young to attend Sunday School. Wednesday, Testimony Meeting, 7:30-8:30 pm. Everyone is invited to listen to passages selected from the Bible and Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures on a timely subject, sing hymns, and listen to the congregation testify to the healing effects of prayer in their daily lives, as well as give remarks on Christian Science.

GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH

466 Elm Street, Monroe; 268-7596

Julia Haspel-Schoenfeld, Pastor

Sunday worship service with Holy Communion at 8 am and 10:30 am; Sunday School 9:15 am for children from preschool through high school. Sunday morning Adult Bible Study 9:15 am. Childcare is provided during the 10:30 am worship service. On Thursdays, Women’s Bible Study meets at 9:30 am; Bell Choir at 6:45 pm; and Senior Choir at 7:30 pm.

GRACE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

The Rev Barry Fredericks, Pastor

The Rev Sheila Fredericks, Assoc Pastor

Christopher Caton, Administrator

Adam Fredericks, Children & Youth Pastor

Sunday worship, 8 and 10 am; Children’s Church and Nursery at all services. Wednesday, worship 7:30 pm. Ladies’ Fellowship and Bible Study third Saturday of the month, 10 am at the church. Men’s Fellowship, first Saturday, 8 am, breakfast at the church. Care Group, second Sunday.

HOLY TRINITY ORTHODOX CHURCH

Eighth and Roberts Avenues Danbury; 748-0671

Robert Hublak, Youth Director

Susan Pataut, choir director

Sunday Divine Liturgy, 10 am, coffee hour follows. Church School every Thursday, 6:30 pm. Pierogie cooking sessions, Tuesday, 9 am to noon. Holy Trinity is a New Calendar, English services parish. Guests and visitors are always welcome.

MATTATUCK UNITARIAN

UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY

122 South Pomperaug Avenue

Woodbury; 266-4810

Rev Bonnie Vegiard

Sunday Service, 10:30 am. Religious education and childcare are available during the service. Visitors are welcome.

NEWBURY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

Corner Route 133 and Tower Road, Brookfield

860-355-4955

Rev Carl E. Mesnig

Sunday service at 11 am.  “Tiger Jesus” is the theme of the sermon by Rev Carl E. Mesnig on Palm Sunday, April 8. The children’s moment is “VIP.” The anthem “Hosanna” by Judith Snowdon will be sung by the adult choir. The youth choir will sing a processional entitled “Ho Ho Ho Hosanna” and an anthem “Into Jerusalem.” The youth also will distribute palms to the congregation during the worship service. Confirmation class will be held at 9:30 am. On Maundy Thursday, April 12, a worship service at 7:30 pm will include the Sacrament of Holy Communion and a message “Trust and Obey” by Rev Mesnig.

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NEWTOWN BAPTIST CHURCH

102 Church Hill Road, Sandy Hook; 426-3819

Pastor Allen Johnson

Newtown Baptist Church is a local church with a worldwide vision for reaching souls with the Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ. NBC is a warm and friendly church with a ministering heart. Its goal is to help meet the spiritual needs of the individual, the family, as well as the community. Sunday school, 10 am; Sunday Morning Service, 11 am; Sunday Children’s Church, 11 am; Sunday Evening Service, 6 pm. Wednesday Prayer Meeting, 7 pm. Nursery is provided during all services.

NEWTOWN CHRISTIAN CHURCH

210 Sugar Street, Newtown; 426-6189

Jack Tanner, Minister

Sunday Bible School, 8:45 am; Worship service 10 am, nursery is provided. On Sunday, April 8, students from Lincoln Christian College, Lincoln, IL, will be leading in the Bible School and worship times. On Saturday, April 7,  for all children in the community, the annual “Real Meaning Of Easter”  from 1-3 pm, is an afternoon of activities including an egg hunt, crafts, and a story about Jesus.  Register by calling the church office at 426-6189 by April 5. For small group studies: call the church for place, time, location. The church hosts a number of youth activities, including National Youth Week in January, Vacation Bible School in July and August, special outings for junior high and senior high students, and a Christmas workshop during December. The congregation is locally autonomous.

NEWTOWN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

14 West Street

The Rev Steven Gordon, Senior Minister

The Rev Janice Touloukian, Associate Minister

The Rev Alastair Sellars, Pastor Emeritus

Edwin Corfey, Commissioned Lay Minister

The Rev Steven Gordon, senior minister, will be conducting the 10 am All-Church Palm Sunday worship service on April 8. The Rev Janice Touloukian, associate minister, will be assisting. The anthem by the Senior Choir will be “Fanfare For Palm Sunday” with Philip Crevier at the organ and Mary Andreotta directing. The children from the Sunday School, members of the junior/senior high school “A Gathering,” and the liturgical dancers will participate in the Procession of Palms at the close of worship service. Rev Gordon will complete the Lenten prayer and meditation programs after the service in the Sanctuary. The Senior Choir will sing for the Maundy Thursday service at 8 pm, in the Sanctuary when the Office of Tenebrae will be celebrated. The Sanctuary will be open all day on Good Friday for quiet time and prayer. Easter services are scheduled from 6 am on the top of Castle Hill near the Preservation Site, and at 9 and 11 am in the Sanctuary. A continental breakfast will be served in the undercroft following the Sunrise Service. Bible studies continue on Mondays at 7:30 pm in the Church House and Wednesday mornings in the Sanctuary. The final candlelight meditation will be Tuesday at 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary.

NEWTOWN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

92 Church Hill Road

The Rev Terry W. Pfeiffer, Pastor

Rev E. Sue Klein, Deacon

Sunday services at 8 am and 10 am. Adult Church School Classes are at 8:45 am followed by Family Worship with Church School at 10 am. For more information 426-9998.

STEPNEY BAPTIST CHURCH

423 Main Street, Monroe; 268-9680

Rev Dr George W. Britt, Pastor

David Edwards, Youth Director

Sunday school for all ages (birth-adult), 9 am; Fellowship, 10 am; Worship Service, 10:30 am, childcare available. Youth Group for grades 7-12 meets Wednesday, 6:30-8:30 pm.

ST JOHN’S EPISCOPAL

Washington Ave (Route 34)

(Mailing address is PO Box 716)

Sandy Hook; 426-9938

The Rev William Padgett, Priest

Lois Pratt and Joanne Hornak, Co-Wardens

Sunday, Holy Eucharist and Sermon, 9:30 am, childcare provided; Church School for children 9:30 am. Annual events include Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. St John’s is the home of FAITH food pantry, an ecumenical ministry that distributes to those in need on an emergency basis. Hours are Tuesday, 10 am to noon, and Thursday, 6 to 7:30 pm. St John’s is presently housing The Back Door Cafe, sponsored by Newtown’s public schools.

ST PETER AND PAUL

ORTHODOX CHURCH, OCA

A Mission Parish of the Orthodox

 Church of America

93 Dodgingtown Rd, Bethel

791-9994; www.oca.org

Saturday, Vespers 6 pm. Sunday, Divine Liturgy 10 am. Wednesday, prayer ministry at 7:30 pm, with class following. Services in English, and all are welcome.

ST ROSE OF LIMA CHURCH

46 Church Hill Road; 426-1014

The Rev Robert E. Weiss, Pastor

The Rev Lawrence A. Larson,

Parochial Vicar

The Rev Peter J. Towsley, Parochial Vicar

Thomas F. Curran, Deacon

Schedule for Holy Week and Easter: Palm Sunday weekend, April 7 & 8:  Saturday confessions 2 to 4 pm; Masses 8 am,  4 & 5:30 pm; Sunday Masses 7:30 am, 9, 10:30, and noon. Monday of Holy Week, Masses at 6:45 am & 9 am; Tuesday, Mass 6:45 am & 9 am; Wednesday, 6:45 & 9 am; Holy Thursday, Morning Prayer at 6:45 and 9 am, Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:30 pm, adoration until midnight. Good Friday, morning prayer at 6:45 and 9 am; Veneration of the Cross from noon to 3 pm, Solemn Service, 3 pm; Stations of the Cross at 7:30 pm; Holy Saturday, April 14, morning prayer at 8 am; confessions 10 am to noon; Blessing of Food at 2 pm, Easter Vigil at 7:30 pm; Easter Sunday, April 15, Sunrise Mass at 6 am, (parish grounds, weather permitting), 7:30 am (church), 9 am (church), 9:30 am (Newtown High School), 10:30 am (church), 11 am (Newtown High School); noon (church).  Pre-Baptismal instruction is held on first Sunday at 1 pm (register with the parish secretary). Parish Education Coordinator, Pam Arsenault; Director of Religious Education, Alice Kohler; Music Director Joseph Jacobino; Women’s Club President, Debra Sennefelder; Men of St Rose, Patrick Shevlin. Annual events include a parish carnival, a Christmas fair, and parish dances.

TRINITY CHURCH

36 Main Street; 426-9070

Rev Kathleen E. Adams-Shepherd, Rector

The Rev Kurt J. Huber,

Assistant to the Rector

Holy Week/Easter services: Sunday, April 8, Palm Sunday, liturgy of the Palms and Holy Eucharist 8 and 9:45 am; Monday, 7 pm evening prayer; Tuesday, 9:30 am morning prayer; Wednesday, 7:30 pm, Tenebrae; Maundy Thursday, 7:30 pm, Holy Eucharist followed by The Watch until Good Friday at 9 am; Good Friday, children’s liturgy, 10 am; The Way of the Cross 12:10 pm; Good Friday liturgy 7:30 pm; Holy Saturday, Easter Eve, 8 pm, the Great Vigil of Easter (with incense) followed by Agape Feast; Easter Sunday, April 15, 9 am, Festival Holy Eucharist with choirs and brass (without incense), 11 am, Festival Holy Eucharist with choirs and brass (with incense).

Administrative Assistant, Patricia G. Ehlers; Music Minister Maria Coffin; Parish Secretary, Margaret Cassin; Sexton, Jack Qubick; Church School Director, Sue Vogelman; Wardens Dick Kraycir and Anne McWhirter; Treasurer, Margy Henderson; Clerk, Patricia Patrick; Altar Guild Co-Directors, Sallie Meffert and Peg Watson.

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY

OF NORTHERN FAIRFIELD COUNTY

9 Picketts Ridge Road, West Redding;

438-4281 (main office) or

 438-2534 (minister’s study)

Rev Dr Daniel Simer O’Connell, Minister

Karen Judd, Dir of Religious Education

The Unitarian Universalist Society of Northern Fairfield County has two Sunday Services at 9 and 11 am. On Sunday, April 8, parish minister Dr. Daniel O’Connell will lead When Your Enemy Prospers.  “Reflections for Passover.  We will dedicate our children today.” Religious education and child care for young children are available during both services. For more information, please call the Society office at 203-438-4281.

VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCUSA)

21 West Whisconier Road, Brookfield;

 775-2624

The Rev Royal B. Garren

Worship service Sunday at 9:30 am. The fellowship and coffee hour is at 10:30 am. Sunday school for children and adults is at 11 am. Childcare is provided. Youth group meets at 6 pm on the first and third Sundays. For more information, call 203-775-2624.

WALNUT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH

156 Walnut Hill Road, Bethel; 796-7373

Joel Eidsness, Senior Pastor

www.walnuthillcc.org

Worship services: Saturday 5 pm; Sunday 9 am and 10:45 am. Childcare and children’s programs available during all services. Junior and Senior High Primetime at 9 am on Sunday. Adult small groups and Bible studies as well as children and youth activities throughout the week. See the Web site for specifics or contact the church office.

Area Synagogues

B’NAI ISRAEL

122 South Pomperaug Ave, Woodbury;

263-3213

Friday services, 7:30 pm. Saturday services, 9:30 am. All are welcome.

CONGREGATION ADATH ISRAEL

111 Huntingtown Road

(mailing address is PO Box 623)

426-5188 or 426-6817

Rabbi Moshe Betan

Friday Night Services, 8 pm, except the first Friday of the month, at 7:30 pm, which is a family service. Saturday services on the second and fourth Saturday of the month, 9:30 am. Hebrew School, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 4:15 pm. Sunday School, 8-10 am and 9:45 am-noon. President is Sybil Blau (426-6817). The Sisterhood is made up of ladies of the synagogue; President is Marsha Moskowitz (426-5655). Eric Israel (426-2932) is president of the Men’s Club. Traditional events include a Purim Carnival, Progressive Dinner, Corn Party, and Community Break-the-fast.

CONGREGATION B’NAI ISRAEL

“Danbury’s Only Conservative Congregation”

193 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury; 792-6161

Rabbi Vivian S. Mayer

Shalom Lampell, President

Saturday services, 9:30 am. Following each weekly reading, Rabbi Vivian Mayer conducts an exchange of ideas relating to the theme of the reading. All are welcome. On Sunday, April 8, at 9:30 am, cantor Deborah Kachko will lead “Toll,” the prayer for dew, at the end of the rain season. Monday, April 9, at 9:30 am; Saturday, April 14, at 9:30 am; Sunday, April 15, at 9:30 am with guest speaker Dr Jefferson Wiggins. For more information call 792-6161 Monday through Friday between 9:30 am and 1 pm.

UNITED JEWISH CENTER SYNAGOGUE

141 Deer Hill Avenue, Danbury; 748-3355

Rabbi Bradd Boxman

Friday, Reform Services 8 pm. Family Service, third Friday of each month, 7:30 pm, and Saturdays during the school year at 11:15 am. Traditional services, Saturday 8:45 am.