✢ FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT ✢ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Trinity Church
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WEEK OF SUNDAY, MARCH 22nd, 2026
✢ FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT ✢

God’s Chosen Family

Dear friends,

Greetings from Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, NY, where a group of Trinity folks are enjoying a time of prayer, discussion, and renewal before Holy Week and Easter.  While we have primarily been discussing the Gospels for Holy Week, our conversation has also included the lessons and sermons we have heard in worship with the brothers. Today we observed the Feast of St. Joseph, one of two major feasts that falls during Lent – the other is the Annunciation on March 25. Today’s sermon began with a mention of the Thanksgiving for the Birth or Adoption of a Child in the Book of Common Prayer, a short liturgy to give thanks for a newborn baby or to give thanks for the adoption of a child at any age.  In the case of adoption, the priest presents the child to his or her parents, saying, “As God has made us his children by adoption and grace, may you receive N. as your own son (daughter).” The service then continues with the Magnificat, the Song of Mary.

In Jesus Christ, God configures our relationships in ways that transcend biological heredity. St. Joseph is, of course, a model of this kind of relationship, acting as an adoptive earthly father for Jesus. But each one of us is adopted as a child of God through Jesus Christ our brother. God doesn’t stand at a spiritual or physical distance from us. Rather, he takes on our humanity and names each one of us as beloved children. In doing so, he also gives us to each other as chosen family – chosen by God from before the foundation of the world. As we prepare to walk the way of the cross, there is no better time to contemplate the Church as a family in Christ, a family constituted even from the Cross itself. In St. John’s passion narrative, we read:

‘Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.’

We often think of Pentecost as the birthday of the Church, but here on Good Friday, at the very foot of the Cross, Jesus knits his followers together. May we walk these days of Holy Week knowing that we are so much more than a loose affiliation of church members, we are family to each other in a very real sense.

P.S. On March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation, Archbishop Sarah Mullally will be enthroned at Canterbury Cathedral. While the service won’t be available live due to BBC restrictions, you can watch it here after the broadcast.

Yours faithfully in Christ,

Roof Repair Update and Temporary Dumpster

Dear Good People of Trinity Church,

I want to address a few questions that have arisen regarding the dumpster and equipment located outside the main entrance of the church.

These are in place as part of an important roof repair project. After a thorough assessment, it was determined that significant work is needed to address a leak over the chancel. The dumpster is necessary to support this work and is expected to remain on-site for approximately one month. While in place, we will do everything we can to respect the integrity and dignity of the Memorial Garden.

While I recognize that its presence is not ideal, it will not interfere with our upcoming services or Holy Week liturgies.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time. This work is part of our ongoing commitment to care for and preserve the beauty and integrity of our historic church.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me directly.

Peace and blessings,

PHISHING SCAMS

Please be aware that there has been a prevalence of phishing scams pretending to be clergy or staff. Please make sure to confirm that the email address is coming from the correct @trinityprinceton.org email. We will never solicit or ask you to send money or valuables to an unknown source.

This Sunday’s Sermon:

Rachel First

Princeton Theological Seminary Intern

9:30am Adult Forum

Questions on the Way with Fr. Paul: The Christian Life

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SUNDAY READINGS

First Lesson:

Ezekiel 37:1-14

Second Lesson:

Romans 8:6-11

Gospel:

John 11:1-45

Download Bulletin

March 22nd

 10:30 AM BULLETIN 
 LIVESTREAM 

One of Trinity's most sacred Holy Week traditions is the overnight vigil in the Lady Chapel. We invite you to sign up to spend an hour in the presence of Christ, in prayer and meditation. We need at least one person to sign up for each time slot from 8 PM on Maundy Thursday to 7 AM on Good Friday (April 2-3).

If you would like to sign up with a family member or friend, please do! If there is a specific time that works best for you, and someone else is also signed up, that's fine! Multiple people can be there at the same time. There will be a paper signup sheet in the Narthex starting this Sunday, or you can sign up online at this link:

CLICK HERE

Agape Meal

Can you believe it? We are two short weeks away for celebrating Easter!

Volunteers needed for the Agape Meal following the Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 4th. The Agape meal will begin immediately following the Easter Vigil. There are three shifts - setup, serving, and cleanup.

Thank you in advance.

Click here to sign up as a volunteer for the Agape Meal!

Office Space Available in the Belshaw House


Trinity owns a historic building at 22 Stockton Street known as the Belshaw House.  It is named in honor of the Right Reverend G.P. Mellick Belshaw (1928–2020), the 9th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey.  For nearly fifty years, it was home to Trinity Counseling Service, which moved into a building of their own several years ago.  Since then, it's been home to nine tenants, consisting of three non-profit agencies and six mental health or social work professionals.  

The building has been fully leased since 2024, thanks in part to its excellent location just around the corner from downtown Princeton.  We have an opening in May for a small office on the first floor with eighty (80) square feet.  If you know someone looking for such an office, please refer them to Tom Scott at tomascott1965@gmail.com. or ask them to call the front desk at Trinity.   The building's use is restricted to low-traffic tenants such as independent professionals and non-profit agencies. 

Music for Sunday | 22 March 2026

Holy Eucharist | 8 and 10:30 am

Prelude: Ciacona in F - Johann Pachelbel

Hymns: “My shepherd will supply my need” (tune: Resignation), “I am the bread of life” (tune: I am the bread of life), “O for a thousand tongues to sing” (tune: Azmon)

Offertory Music: (8:00) Andante tranquillo (from Sonata no. 3) - Felix Mendelssohn; (10:30) Out of the deep - Thomas Morley

Communion Music: Ave Maria - Fanny Hensel

Choral Compline | 5 pm

Nunc dimittis: Fauxbourdons - William Byrd

Motet: Versa est in luctum - Alonso Lobo

Marian Antiphon: Ave Regina coelorum (Plainsong)

Author Talk, Reception, and Book Signing | 5:30 pm

Dr. Marty Wheeler Burnett of Virginia Theological Seminary joins us to share her recently published book “Shapers of The Hymnal 1982: Our Faith in Words and Music.” Marty presents on her research, including a deep dive into the personal papers of former Trinity Princeton music director Jim Litton, who served on the committee that selected music for the Hymnal

1982. Join us for light hors d’oeuvres and an exploration of our hymnal’s history, which is inextricably tied to this parish!

Trinity’s Family Ministries

NEWSLETTER

Adult Formation Corner:

Lent Continues

Dear friends,

Lent is a time to recommit ourselves to following Jesus, and to turn to Jesus as our friend as well as our savior. Part of that journey with Jesus is spending time in prayer and in study – and Trinity has several opportunities for you to do just that!

On Sunday mornings during Lent, we are exploring the Catechism and delve deeper into what we believe as Episcopalians with our series Questions on the Way. We will also have our traditional program of Eucharist, dinner and formation on Wednesday evenings during Lent.

On Wednesdays, join us for Eucharist at 5:30, dinner at 6 PM, and a discussion of Walk in Love: Episcopal Beliefs and Practices by Scott Gunn and Melody Wilson Shobe.

This program is for everyone, but it will also serve as confirmation preparation for adults. If you’d like to buy your own copy of the book, you can do so here:

https://shop.forwardmovement.org/product/2463

If you have been attending confirmation classes and have not yet notified me, please email me ASAP at sladek@trinityprinceton.org so I can add you to the list.

Yours in Christ, and in Christ alone,

Adult Formation This Week:

Sunday, March 22 at 9:30 AM: Questions on the Way with Fr. Paul: The Christian Life

Monday, March 23 at 7:30 PM at Yankee Doodle Tap Room: Pub Theology with Rob Long

Wednesday, March 25: Eucharist at 5:30 PM, dinner at 6:00 PM, and Lent program at 6:30 PM. This will be the last Wednesday evening program for the season. There will be no program during Holy Week.

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Calling All Future Acolytes!

Might you or your child be called to serve God and Trinity Church on the altar?

Trinity is starting an acolyte program open to all kids and teens grades 5+. 

Kids and teens are invited to join our adult and seminary acolytes as torchbearers. 

This meaningful and important ministry will help participants to better understand the liturgy and enable them to take a leadership role in the service. 

Low-commitment, participants will be required to attend an initial one-hour training and to sign up to acolyte at the 10:30am (10am in the summer) service at least once every-other month (6x year) via a sign-up genius and will be mentored as they progress. Treble choristers are encouraged to participate on their off Sundays to experience the liturgy from a different perspective.

 Email Allie Graham at allie.graham@gmail.com for more information along with your child's grade for the 2025-2026 school year as well as their height.  Adults who are curious about this ministry are also welcome to inquire. 

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Watercolors with Hank Bristol

After Easter Sunday - please bring a friend and join Hank Bristol at church for an Introduction to Watercolors Sunday afternoons in April at 3pm

Meeting Dates: 4/12, 4/19, 4/26

[...followed by our Evening Prayer/Compline...]

Most materials will be provided.

Questions and to pre-register: call/text Hank 609-915-5134 cel

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Dear Friends,

As we enter the season of Lent, we are introducing our new Parish Directory with InstantChurchDirectory.com. Please click below to sign up:

PARISH DIRECTORY

Please update your information. You can also upload a picture if you choose! If you have any technical difficulties please reach out to epistle@trinityprinceton.org.

Thank you for helping us keep our amazing church community connected.

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PRAYER LIST:

Please keep the following individuals in your prayers:

Dan Van Abs, Joshua Alexander, Barbara, Susan Barry, Zoe Beaton, Vanessa Belhomme, Peter Brown, Wesley Brown, Jennifer Burke, Brian Burleson, Peter, Bill Causey, Kevin F. Cunningham, Chip Dongara, Daryll Eatmon, Don Edwards, Gus Escher, Amy G., Pat Grabiec, Reverend Dana Hall, John Hannan, William Hannan, Ellen Jane, Anne Jarmon, Deborah Jordan, Patricia Killian, Edwin Metcalf, Nancy Metcalf, Louise Mountford, Joan Nester, Ross Parker, Guy Pierson, Bob Pietrucha, Lisa Witt Pinair, Carol Reynolds, Claire Roberts, Jennifer Sanborn, Nancy Slade, Clive Muncaster, Dulcie Muncaster, Dianne Senko, Samantha Seto, Randy States, Isaiah Stevens, Gary Sykes, Sylvia Temmer, P.A. Tippett, and Joshua.

Please pray for the following souls who have recently passed:

John Bertalot

Billy Mitchell

Dorothy Morin

Peter Smith

Individuals will remain on the prayer list for one month, unless we are otherwise notified.

➨ If you want to add someone to the list, please email Annie Bryson at brysona@trinityprinceton.org.

RECOVERY MEETINGS: Looking for recovery meetings? See our list of recurring meetings here.

ZOOM EVENTS: Join all Zoom meetings, unless otherwise advertised, at ZOOM.US/J/2859819016 [By phone: 1 646 558 8656 Meeting ID: 285 981 9016 Password: 1979].

ABOUT US: Trinity Church ➨ Est’d 1833 ➨ An Episcopal Church in the Diocese of New Jersey ➨ 33 Mercer Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 ➨ (609) 924-2277 ➨ The Rev. Paul Jeanes III, Rector; The Rev. Cn. Dr. Kara N. Slade, Associate Rector ➨ Website: trinityprinceton.org

“We believe God’s love is expansive and unconditional and that through Christ, God has called us to love one another as God loves us. We welcome all people of every gender, race, age, culture, ethnic background, sexual orientation, economic circumstance, family configuration, or difference of ability. We celebrate the worth, dignity, and gifts of every person as a child of God.”

 PARISH CARE 

Please know that we are here for you, to support you and pray for you however best we can. Feel free to reach out to the clergy.

Trinity Church
CHRISTUS MAGISTER EST DOMUS

Trinity Church, 33 Mercer St, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA

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