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A Message from Rev. Paula+
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Beloved Community,
"It is now, at Advent, that I am given the chance to suspend all expectation...and instead to revel in the mystery."
I came across this quote by Jerusalem Greer, Episcopalian and author/blogger, when I was doing some internet "noodling" about Advent. From the moment I first saw it, it captured my attention. I realized as I sat with it for a while that Jerusalem's words speak quite eloquently to my thoughts and feelings about this season of hopeful waiting, what I often think of as "pregnant expectation." (Pun intended.)
It is such a gift, filled with immense grace, to be able to spend intentional, dedicated time preparing for Jesus' birth as if for the very first time. When we do that well, Advent becomes for us a time of sacred mystery. How will we greet Jesus in the nativity? Will the incarnation resonate with us the way it has in years past or will we experience something new? How will our experiences this new first time shape our lives in the days and weeks and months that follow? And are we ready for what is coming?
I love the way Jerusalem presents the suspension of all expectation as "the chance," as an
opportunity to do something good, something exciting, and, perhaps, something a bit risky, rather than as one more thing to slog through in a very busy time of year. In this time when activities and to-do lists abound, when we wonder if we will ever be ready to celebrate Christmas, my hope and prayer for each of you, for all of you, is that you find some time each day to savor
this season.
Peace & Blessings,
Paula+
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As of December 4th, we have 29 pledges for a total of $115,550! This includes five people/families who did not pledge last year, though at least some of them gave consistently. For those who are in this group, thank you for moving to a pledge, which is helpful to the budgeting process. We have a number of people/families who pledged last year who have not done so yet this year. Of course we assume this is an oversight and we look forward to your commitment to give in faith again. And for those who have not pledged before, we invite and encourage you to do so. You will be in good and faithful company as we move forward to do faithfully the good work God has given us to do.
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CHRISTMAS GIFT COLLECTION
We are happy to announce that we will be having a gift collection for 20 of our Drumming Camp children.
Please see Maryalice during coffee hour to sign up or email her at:
[email protected]
. Gifts will be picked up on
Sunday, December 15 or 22
. Many thanks!
FOOD BARREL
The Advent season is the perfect time to renew - or begin - a commitment to the food barrel. The contents of our barrel are taken to the food pantry of Apostles' House in Newark. This pantry serves a large number of people who are unable to purchase sufficient food for themselves or their families.
Our food barrel is located in the Narthex by the rear door of the church, ready to be packed with
nonperishable items such as:
CANNED meat, beef stew, tuna, fruit, vegetables, soups, & potatoes; peanut butter, jelly, rice, dried beans, 100% fruit juice, powdered milk or Parmalat, cold & hot cereals, macaroni & cheese, instant potatoes, coffee & tea. Thank you!
BAKERY BIBLE HOUR
Don't forget to join us at
Splurge Bakery on Friday, December 6,
9-10am, for this adult education program in partnership with Christ Church and B'nai Jeshurun.
This group meets the first Friday of each month. All are welcome!
SHALL WE DANCE?
Come join the fun of ballroom dancing with Michael and Fangjie!
December 8 and 15 from 3-4pm here at St. Stephen's.
This week they will
be introducing the Rumba. Everyone is welcome! All ages, no experience necessary...and it's free!
ADULT FORMATION ADVENT SERIES
The Advent Series continues this
Sunday after church at
11:30am.
We will view a short video and discuss Chapter 2 of Light of the World: A Beginner's Guide to Advent
by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine.
We will be reading one chapter per week through December 22nd.
(Please note:
we may adjust the time on 12/22 to avoid a conflict with another Advent activity.)
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YOUTH ORCHESTRAS OF ESSEX COUNTY
As part of living into our identity as the "Church on Main Street," we are hosting a holiday concert for the Youth Orchestras of Essex County at
3pm on Sunday, December 15.
From Tchaikovsky to Tito Puente, the students have prepared an exciting program of the classics of the symphonic tradition and jazz standards.
Open to the public, all ages welcome. A fun holiday event for the whole family!
For tickets, click
here
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HANDEL'S MESSIAH AT CHRIST CHURCH SHORT HILLS
This special performance will include Christ Church Festival Choir and Orchestra including members of St. Stephen's Choir.
Sunday, December 15 at 4pm. Free will donation and reception to follow. For more information, click
here.
PIZZA WITH A PURPOSE
Stop by the Short Hills Mall California Pizza Kitchen for a delicious meal while you are holiday shopping and
20% of your check will be donated to St. Stephen's! (This includes dine-in, take-out, catering and all beverages.)
Bring the flyer on
Tuesday, December 17, 11am - 10pm for this special FUNdraiser!
F
lyers are available on our Facebook page, in church, by the narthex bulletin board and from the church office.
Bon appetit and thank you!
CONGRATULATIONS REV. PAULA!
We celebrated Rev. Paula's 1st Anniversary with St. Stephen's at coffee hour this past Sunday and the vestry presented her with this beautiful cross as a gift.
CAROLING FUN!
Thanks to all who joined us for caroling on Saturday for the Taylor Park Winter Walk.
Our group got bigger and we had lots of folks stop by or wave to us from their cars. It was a fun afternoon, and the cookies and cocoa were delicious!
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 SERVICES: The Christmas services are finalized. Please refer to "Events" for details.
FLOWERS: If you would like to donate for Christmas flowers, please let Doreen know. You may call the office at 973.376.0688, ext. 32 or email [email protected].
GREENING OF THE CHURCH: We will be readying the church for Christmas celebrations after the 10am service on December 22nd. Please join the Altar Guild for this time of preparation and fellowship.
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Bakery Bible Hour at Splurge Bakery
Advent Retreat at St. John Baptist
Advent Series, Week 2
Shall We Dance? Ballroom Dance Club
Preschool Committee Meeting
Advent Series, Week 3
Shall We Dance? Ballroom Dance Club
Youth Orchestras of Essex County
Winter Concert
Messiah at Christ Church in Short Hills
Pizza with a Purpose at California Pizza Kitchen, Short Hills Mall
Finance Committee Meeting
Blue Christmas
Youth Sunday
Greening of the Church
Advent Series, Week 4
Christmas Eve Family Service
Festival Christmas Eve Service
Christmas Day Eucharist
SAVE THESE 2020 DATES
Beckerath Organ 50th Anniversary 2019-2020 Recital Series
John Charles Schucker
Johann Vexo
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December 6, 9am
December 7, 10am-5pm
December 8, 11:30am
December 8, 3pm
December 12, 7pm
December 15, 11:30am
December 15, 3pm
December 15, 3pm
December 15, 4pm
December 17, 11am - 10pm
December 18, 7:30pm
December 19, 7:30pm
December 22, 10am
December 22, 11:30am
December 22, 11:30am (Note: this time may change)
December 24, 5pm
December 24, 10pm
December 25, 10am
Sunday, February 23, 4pm
Sunday, April 19, 4pm |
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Liturgical Stewardship Schedule
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December 8, 8:00 am
Reader & Chalicer: Nancy Sieffert
Altar Guild: Nancy Sieffert
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December 8, 10:00 am
Readers: Kathy Conway, Barbara Riedel
Chalicist: Roger Riedel
Ushers: Kathy and Tim Conway
Altar Guild: Alex Cole
Coffee Hour: Margo Greenfield
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December 15, 8:00 am
Reader & Chalicer: Michelle Ellingham
Altar Guild: Maria Nazareth
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December 15, 10:00 am
Readers: Jean James, Ladi Owolabi
Chalicer: Eric Maurer
Ushers:
Jeff Majtyka, Dan Mitchell
Altar Guild: Maria Nazareth, Jean James
Coffee Hour: Carole Francis
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Links to the Wider Church
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The Episcopal Diocese of Newark
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Tithe.ly is a
mobile-friendly
app designed by a clergy person and used by thousands of congregations across the country. With Tithe.ly, you can do one-time or recurring payments, as well as help with the nominal fee of using the service. You can download the app from the App Store or Play Store, or you can do it online at tithe.ly/give. Enter St. Stephen's Church in the search menu and we should pop up. You'll know it's
us if it says "St. Stephen's Church, Millburn, NJ 07041."
It's also possible to access Tithe.ly through our website - click on the "Give" button in the menu and you will be given the option to use Tithe.ly.
Don't worry. If you prefer to use a check or cash, that's fine. If you are a Vanco user and want to keep it that way, that is good, too.
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Office Hours and Contact Information
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Office hours are Tuesday thru Friday, 10:00 am to 1:30 pm or by appointment.
Website: ststephensmillburn.org
Doreen Schindler, Parish Administrator
can be reached at ext. 32 or
The Rev. Paula J. Toland, Rector can be reached at ext. 21 or
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