17 Nov

Newsletter, November 16

Rev. Sheelagh’s Thought For The Week

This Sunday we have Luke’s crucifixion narrative, an odd choice perhaps for the Sunday known as Christ the King.  Well, it would be if the story had ended there on that hill: But it didn’t – and Christ is gracious, loving and forgiving even in the midst of the most feared of all moments.  It is a timely reminder that Christ is the firstborn of all creation and that
“(H)e himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Col 1:15).  Whatever rocks our world there is a bigger picture, and God has this one.  Really!  In God we trust+
Our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry put out a statement Monday urging us to continue to live into our baptismal covenant promises as Christians, you can read it for yourself at http://www.episcopalchurch.org./posts/publicaffairs/statement-presiding-bishop-michael-curry

Reminders
Date
Time
Event
Nov  20, Sundaybefore 10am serviceAnnual Turkey Box Dinner Drive
Nov 20, Sunday11:30am-1pmVestry Meeting
Nov 21 Thru Nov 28
Mon-Fri
Parish Office Closed
Emergency Contact: Rev. Sheelagh Clarke 908-456-3290
Nov 27 & Dec 410am-11amIn Gathering Sundays
Dec 3, Saturday
10am-4pm
Eucharist for 2nd
Sunday of Advent
4:00 pm
Advent Retreat
St. Stephen’s Church,
Parish Hall & Common Room
Dec 4, 11 & 1811am-12pmPageant Rehearsals, St Stephen’s Church
Dec 11, Sunday11:15am-12pmCookie Sunday

Serving at the Altar  11/20 & 11/27

 

11/20
11/27
8am Reader: A. Walker8am Reader: M. Walker
10am Readers:
1. S. Polanco
2. B. Churchill
3. O. Owolabi
10am Readers:
1. K. Conway
2. K. Hanson
3. B. Riedel
Chalicist: D. Price
Chalicist: J. Scharff
Ushers: J. & K. Wade
Ushers: P. Boegershausen & M. Hirschfeld
Altar Guild: N. Sieffert & D. Price
Altar Guild: M. Walker & J. Dorn
Coffee Hour: F. Taber
Coffee Hour: The Owolabi Family
Altar Flowers: Open
Altar Flowers: Advent/Greening of the Church
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
St. Stephen’s Annual Turkey Box Dinner Drive
Sunday November 20, 2016
This Thanksgiving we will be supporting 15 Patch families with Turkey box dinners.
Bring your Turkey Box to church Sunday November 20
before the 10:00 am service and The Moore’s will deliver them to the
Families.  Box Dinner Menu-The following items are recommended for
inclusion in each donated dinner:
1 sturdy box
1 10 – 15 lb. FROZEN TURKEY
1 disposable aluminum foil roasting pan
2 boxes of stuffing
1 5lb bag of potatoes OR two cans sweet potatoes
2 cans of vegetables (corn, green beans, peas,)
2 cans of turkey gravy
2 cans cranberry sauce
1 package rolls or corn muffins
½ gallon of apple or cranberry juice
Dessert-cookies, brownies, pies (no frozen pies)
A Gentle Reminder
Sunday 27, November & Sunday 4, December   
“Parish In Gathering” of Pledges and giving intentions will be on Sunday 27 November and Sunday 4, December.  Your decisions help us to plan for our Parish life together.  The pledge is the largest part of our budget.  Please be thoughtful and prayerful.  And then rejoice with us as we offer up our gifts to God in thanksgiving for all we have.
St. Stephen’s Annual Advent Retreat
Saturday, December 3, from 10:00am – 4:00pm at St. Stephen’s
The retreat  director this year is  Jean Marie Du Hamel, an associate with the Sisters of St. John Baptist in Mendham and an experienced retreat guide.  The theme is “Who is Waiting for Whom?”
The day will include time for guided reflection, walking the Labyrinth, quiet time, a light lunch, and will conclude with a celebration of the Eucharist  for retreat participants as well as other members of St. Stephen’s. This Eucharist will be a celebration of the second Sunday of Advent on Saturday afternoon.
Donation for the retreat is $35.00. Checks should be made out to St. Stephen’s Church; please submit these by November 25. You may give checks to Theresa Scharff, Rev. Sheelagh, or place in the collection plate marked “Retreat.”
Give yourself a gift this Advent/Christmas season  – come to the Advent Retreat on December 3.
NOTICES
Coffee Hour & Altar Flowers
If you would like to sign up for coffee and flowers the sign up sheet is in the Narthex on the bulletin board.
Please note there will be no altar flowers during Advent
due to greening of the church.
 

Dates & Deadlines

If you have any dates or events that need adding to the St. Stephen’s Calendar please send them to Claire, and all articles and e-mails for the newsletter by NOON on Tuesday to church@ststephensmillburn.org.  Thank You.

Please note the Parish Office is closed on Mondays