Beloved Community,
 I'm writing on Monday, the night of our Martin Luther King, Jr. observation, "Opening Doors to Open Hearts: A Space to Honor the Life & Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." Turnout was low, as it was for the events sponsored by our sister congregations: Wyoming Presbyterian and Congregation B'Nai Israel. Based on their histories of significantly larger participation, my guess is that the bitter cold and fierce winds had an impact. We are hoping that next year participation will be higher and that our collaboration to honor the witness of Dr. King will be stronger.
Still and all, as I sat in the church, with soft music in the background, and the chancel illuminated with a multitude of candles, I was so incredibly aware of my gratitude for those saints who have gone before, such as Dr. King. There is something especially powerful about honoring people who have lived or died (some both) in one's lifetime.
I was also aware of my gratitude for St. Stephen's, specifically tonight for our location. We've already had many conversations, some casual, others more intentional, about our shared ministry and where God might be calling us to be. I think part of what God is calling us to do is to live more fully into our place as the "Church on Main Street" and to find a way to open our doors more often to meet the needs of our neighbors and the world. It would be an interesting "take" on the words of our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, who says:
Now is our time to go. To go into the world to share the good news of God and Jesus Christ. To go into the world and help to be agents and instruments of God's reconciliation. To go into the world, let the world know that there is a God who loves us, a God who will not let us go, and that love can set us all free.
Diocesan Convention February 1
& 2
Annual Meeting February 3
, 10:00 am
Beckerath Organ Recital February 10, 4:00 pm
Celebration of Ministry March 30, 2:00 pm
Announcements
Save-the-Dates:
We will be having an Adult Formation series in Lent. More information will be coming soon. In the meantime, please mark your calendars to save the following dates: March 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st; April 7th and 14th. All sessions will be held after church.
Food Barrel: Sunday, February 3, is the day of the Super Bowl and hence is
S O U P E R Sunday, which means that you are encouraged to bring cans of soup that Sunday to put in our FOOD BARREL. Other non-perishable items are welcome as well, but please include some soup!
Prayers & Condolences: We send our prayers and condolences to Ellen Puta and family with the passing of her mother, Barbara Pluta. Barbara supported many of our outreach activities over the years and was a delight to all who knew her.
Cards may be sent to the family at: 132 Parkway, Mountainside, NJ 07092
Serving at the Altar 1/27/19 & 2/3/19
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8:00 am
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10:00 am
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8:00 am
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10:00 am
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Altar Guild:
N. Sieffert
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Altar Guild:
T. Scharff
J. Scharff
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Altar Guild:
C. Francis |
Altar Guild:
J. James |
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Readers:
N. Sieffert
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Readers:
F. Taber
L. Owolabi
F. Dorn
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Readers:
M. Ellingham
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Readers:
J. James
B. Riedel
P. Wick
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Chalicist:
S. Clarke |
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Chalicist:
E. Maurer |
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Ushers:
M. Chech
H. Rooney |
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Ushers:
E. Maurer
M. Hirschfeld |
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Coffee Hour:
Open
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Coffee Hour:
Dorn Family |
Altar Flowers:
A. Thompson
P. Nodes |
Altar Flowers:
A. Thompson
P. Nodes |
Altar Flowers:
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Altar Flowers:
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A Reminder
The phone extensions have changed now that the parish office and rector's study are in the Education Building. You can reach Doreen Schindler, Parish Administrator at x32. Rev. Paula can be reached at x21.
Rev. Paula's regular schedule is Sunday thru Thursday, though that may change depending upon what's happening in the parish or diocese in any given week.
She isn't always working in the office, so please call or email to schedule to see her.
She can be reached at 973-376-0688, ext. 21,
though for pastoral emergencies you may try her on her cell: 508-542-1327. Her email is rector@ststephensmillburn.org.
The office is open Tuesday thru Friday from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm. Doreen may be reached by phone at 973-376-0688, ext. 32 or by email at church@ststephensmillburn.org.
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