Newsletter, April 6

Reverend Sheelagh’s Thought for the Week: April 6, 2016

This Sunday we have the joy of a Baptism!  Alleluia!  It is always wonderful to welcome a new member into our Christian community.  The words are particularly beautiful, listen,  “We thank you Father, for the water of Baptism.  In it we are buried with Christ in his death.  By it we share in his resurrection.  Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit…” BCP p. 306.

Furthermore, Ann will also have a cross marked on her forehead with Chrism oil and will be “sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ’s own forever,” just as we all were when we were baptized.  For those who fear that Episcopalians who were baptized as infants have not been “born again” – listen carefully to the pledges and promises made on Ann’s behalf.  Also witness how we live into our promises as we prepare to welcome our guests from IHN, seeking to serve Christ in all persons.  Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

Reminders

Serving at the Altar 4/10 & 4/17

SABBATICAL NEWS

I am a graduate of EFM. Through study, prayer and reflection I gained a deeper understanding of the fullness of God’s Kingdom.  During my time in EFM I learned about Sabbath and the importance of taking Sabbath time to renew my Spirit.  Sabbath’s definition is to stop, cease, or to keep.  Its theological meaning is rooted in God’s rest following the six days of creation.  Sabbath is creating a space to stop and listen.

A sabbatical is a prolonged Sabbath.  Rev. Sheelagh will be leaving to begin her Sabbatical.  It is an opportunity for her to rest and renew her spirit through study, prayer and reflection.  Gracious God, in you we live and move and have our being. We pray that you guide Rev. Sheelagh during this intentional Sabbath time. May she return to St. Stephen’s restored in body, mind and spirit.  Amen.

Janet Hagar, Vestry member.

UPCOMING EVENTS

IHN – JUST FOUR MORE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Thirty parishioners and friends have stepped up to welcome and serve our IHN guests next week but between the school spring vacation and a smaller congregation we’ve lost some of our regulars.  Please advise Margo or Blair if you can serve as an overnight host either Friday or Saturday night, April 15 or 16, or as a daytime host Saturday morning, April 16.

To sign up online, click this link.

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0845a4ac2ba02-ihnapril

IHN SUPPLIES
For those of you who have signed up to give IHN supplies, please bring the items on Sunday, April 10, to the Parish Hall kitchen and label them IHN.   Thank you!

Questions?  Please call Sara Ruth Dorn at 973-467-9847.

BECKERATH ORGAN RECITAL SUNDAY, APRIL 24, AT 4 PM!
“The time has come” (the walrus said) for our 3d and final organ recital of the 2015-16 season (on the church calendar since early Fall).   There will be Spring flowers, no snow, and beautiful music issuing from our acclaimed Beckerath organ, played by IAN TOMESCH, a gifted young organist, active as an accompanist, educator, and performer, currently Associate Organist of the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark and a doctoral candidate in organ at the Yale University School of Music, where his teachers included Thomas Murray.  Ian’s program will feature works by Johann Sebastian Bach plus two earlier composers of the Baroque era, Muffat and Sweelinck.   Played on our 1970 Beckerath tracker organ, these selections convey the unique clarity and quality of sound which characterized the organs of Bach’s time, enhanced by the artistry of Rudolph von Beckerath, who designed and built our organ for the historic carpenter Gothic interior of St. Stephen’s Church.  For more information about the artist and about the Friends of Music who help support this series, pick up a season brochure at the church door.   And don’t miss the recital–and the reception to meet the artist following the recital!

Papermill Show Choir Benefit Concert
Sunday 24 April, 7:30pm St. Stephen’s Church
Tickets: $20 adults, $15 seniors & $10 children.

Tickets can be purchased at the door or after church in April. Tickets can be reserved by calling the Rectory, 973-376-0688.

NOTICES

Online resources:
Daily meditations delivered to your email box: www.dioceseofnewark.org  click on Online Meditations to read, and to subscribe.

Please send all articles and e-mails for the newsletter to Claire by NOON on Tuesday at church@ststephensmillburn.org.