30 Nov

Newsletter, November 29

Prayer for Guidance in finding a new Rector (BCP)
Almighty God, giver of every good gift:  Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a new Rector for this parish, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.
Events
Date
Time
Event
Dec 2, Saturday
9am-4pm
St. Stephen’s Annual Advent Retreat
Dec 3, Sunday
11:15am
Transition Process
Dec 10, Sunday11:15amFinal Grocery Gift Card Sunday
Dec 12, Tuesday11am-2pmSenior Luncheon
End of Year Celebration
Dec 13, Wednesday7:30pm-10pmFinance Committee Meeting
Dec 17, Sunday11:15amAngel Tree Gift Collection
Dec 17, Sunday11:30-1pmVestry Meeting
Dec 21, Thursday7pmBlue Christmas Service
Dec 24, Sunday
Christmas Eve Schedule of Services
10am
5pm
10pm
Eucharist Service
Family Service
Candlelight Service
(Pre-service music, Organ & Harp starts at 9:40pm)
Dec 25, Monday
Christmas Day
10amEucharist Service
Serving at the Altar  12/3 & 12/10
Dec 3, 2017
8am Reader:  C. Francis
Dec 10, 2017
8am Reader:  M. Ellingham
10am Readers:
1. B. Churchill
2. T. Scharff
3. P. Wick
10am Readers:
1. F. Taber
2. B. Riedel
3. L. Owolabi
Chalicist: S. ClarkeChalicist: J. Scharff
Ushers: J. & K. Wade
Ushers: S. & L. Landers
Altar Guild: C. Francis & J. Dorn
Altar Guild: M. Nazareth & A. Cole
Coffee Hour: J. James
Coffee Hour: M. Cruikshank & N. Sieffert
Altar Flowers: No altar flowers during Advent
Altar Flowers: No altar flowers during Advent
 
NOTICES
 
North Porch
Thanks to all who recently contributed to North Porch!! A very generous donation was recently dropped at the collection center which is now St. Peter’s Episcopal church in Morristown.  The previous collection center we used was in Newark and it lacked storage space for items other than emergency supplies. So, if you would like to donate new or like new, gently used infant clothing
(newborn – 1 year) this is now possible.  Please leave these items in the Narthex by the North Porch collection box.
Thanks!!
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
St. Stephen’s annual Advent Retreat
 Saturday, December 2, 2017 9am – 4pm
 Convent of St. John Baptist in Mendham. 
St. Stephen’s annual Advent Retreat will be on Saturday, December 2 from
9am – 4pm, at the Convent of St. John Baptist in Mendham.  Join fellow seekers for a day of prayer, reflection, and stillness.  We will be lead through our day by one of the Sisters.  Donation is $35.00, check or cash and can be given to Theresa Scharff.  Checks should be made out to St. Stephen’s church with “retreat” as the note.”  Please reserve your place by November 19.  Any questions – speak to Theresa.  Please consider giving yourself this pre Christmas gift as we reflect on transitions – both in our lives and as a theme of Advent.
Coffee, tea and breakfast foods will be provided as well as a luncheon.
 
Transition Process December 3, 2017
Please join Vestry members this Sunday, 12/3, during coffee hour to further develop the questions you answered in September.  This time, we will center
the questions around our Congregations strengths, challenges and goals.
This will better inform us about the type of person we need as our Priest in Charge.  Please look for these 3-4 questions in your bulletin and join us for some coffee and conversation.  See you in the parish hall on Sunday!
 
Final ShopRite Gift Card Sale December 10, 2017
We will have the last fundraiser sale of ShopRite gift cards at coffee hour on December 10.  Plenty of cards will be available!  Please bring cash or check.
If you’d like cards reserved please contact Blair: blairmajtyka@me.com,
973-801-1471.
 
Senior Luncheon “End of Year Celebration”
December 12, 2017 11am-2pm
Join us at St. Stephen’s Rectory on Tuesday, December 12, for an end of year celebration with seasonal songs, including Christmas carols.  Great food and fun company, lets celebrate in style!
christmas_party.jpg
Angel Tree
December 17, 2017
religion_angels2.jpg
Our Drumming Camp partner, PATCH, which serves children with an incarcerated parent, is collecting holiday gifts for the children they serve.
They have asked for 10 gifts.
  • Gifts should be wrapped, labeled as boy, girl or either, and the appropriate age.
  • Any gifts we receive in excess of the 10 will be distributed to children in the Interfaith Hospitality Network which serves homeless families..
  • We will be collecting the gifts on Sunday December 17.
Sign up at coffee hour or email greenfieldmargo@gmail.com.
 
Parish Office Hours
Mon & Wed Closed
Tues & Thurs 9am-4:30pm
Friday 9am-1pm