This newsletter contains the highlights of our full twice monthly newsletter.  If you need event details, please refer to the full newsletter from the previous week.  Newsletters are also posted on our website, here.  St. Stephen's event information can also be found on the St. Stephen's website calendar, here.

THANKSGIVING SERVICE WITH CHRIST CHURCH SHORT HILLS via Zoom
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 10 AM

The bulletin will become available on 11/25 and can be found here.

Join the Zoom service here.
Meeting ID: 874 7000 5903
Passcode: CCSH



ADVENT SERIES via Zoom
SUNDAYS, DECEMBER 6, 13, & 20, 1 PM
Join us for a three-week series of conversation based on Church Anew's Christ/Christmas/Covid video conference.  We'll view short (7 minute) videos and talk about how they impact the way we live our faith this Advent.

To keep it simple and make it easy for you to do both, we will use the Coffee Hour link.

LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE WITH CHRIST CHURCH IN SHORT HILLS AND THE CHURCH OF THE ATONEMENT (ELCA) IN PHILADELPHIA via Zoom
MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 7 PM
Perhaps this year more than in recent years past, gathering together to honor the ways in which the holiday season does not feel like a celebration is an important expression of our faith and our hope.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24
FAMILY SERVICE WITH PAGEANT via Zoom, 4 PM
Designed for kids of all ages, this service will tell the story of the Incarnation in the Nativity with a simple story and music.  We'd love for you to take part from the comfort or Christmas chaos of your own home.  Please let Kim Williams or Rev. Paula know if you're interested.  They'll also be reaching out to you.

FESTIVAL SERVICE live-streamed to You Tube, Facebook, and via Zoom, 7 PM
This will be our principal service of Christmas.  We'll celebrate with the Liturgy of the Word and some special music.

CHRISTMAS DAY, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25
Recorded message on You Tube and Facebook, 10 AM
Rev. Paula will share a Christmas message, though we won't be having our usual service.
Office Notes
THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON THURSDAY 11/26 AND FRIDAY 11/27 FOR THANKSGIVING.

St. Stephen's Pre-School reopened on Tuesday, September 1st.  Due to COVID restrictions, only teachers and staff are allowed to be in the building during school hours. If you need to visit the parish office/building for any reason, please contact us for an appointment.  THANK YOU!

PLEASE NOTE:  We have some openings at the preschool.  
If you know of a family that may be interested, please have them contact our Director, Nancy Siracusa at [email protected] or call 973-376-3534 Ext. 20.  The preschool has learning programs for Infants, Toddlers, Pre-K and Kindergarten.
Connection and Common Worship
SUNDAY WORSHIP
- Live-streamed via Facebook and YouTube at 10 AM 
- Broadcast on HTTV (Comcast TV 36 and Verizon TV 33) on
  Tuesdays at 6 AM and 3 PM.
- Bulletins can be found here.
- Liturgical ministers can find the safety protocols here.

COFFEE HOUR
- 12 PM Sunday Morning via Zoom
- To call in, dial by your location        
        +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
        Meeting ID: 895 5857 6382

DAILY PRAYER 
- Live-streamed on Facebook
- M-W-F at 8:30 AM
- T-TH-SAT at 7:45 PM

Most days, Rev. Paula will lead prayer live, though occasionally it will be a "Prayerful Interlude" or a recorded reflection. Videos of all the posts can easily be accessed from the Facebook video library here.

All of the information you need to remain actively connected to St. Stephen's can be found on the website under the "Living Our Faith in a Time of Pandemic" here.

Please be sure to spread the word to your friends and family who do not use the internet.

Upcoming
11/25 -8:30 AM - Daily Prayer on Facebook

11/26 - 10 AM - Virtual/Zoom Thanksgiving Service with Christ Church Short Hills

11/27 - 8:30 AM - Daily Prayer on Facebook

11/28 - 7:45 PM - Daily Prayer on Facebook

11/29 - 10 AM - Sunday Worship; live-streamed via Facebook & YouTube, and broadcast on HTTV on Tuesday at 6 AM and 3 PM

11/29 - 12 PM - Zoom Coffee Hour

11/29 - 7:30 PM - Campfire & Carols; Cross Roads is kicking off the Advent season with this special event.  Join them on their Facebook page here for this virtual event.
Resources from the Diocese and Beyond
There are many, many resources available to parishes and individuals to help sustain our faith practices during this unprecedented time.  We have moved the list to our website, here. This is by no means a complete list, though it does cover many areas of need.

The Teen & Youth Groups can be found here:
Diocese of Newark PopUp Youth Ministry - Facebook & Instagram - Next POP UP event is 12/13 at 3 PM!
Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center - Facebook & Instagram - 2021 Retreat information coming soon!
St. Stephen's Prayer List


Please keep the following St. Stephen's family members and friends in your prayers...
McManus Family
Blanchard Family
Donna Riggi
Bernard & Nathan
Fitzgerald Family
Jeff Loggins
Jimmy Hasenkamp
Felder Dorn
Julia Dorn
Chris Anderson
Corey Toland
Ian Janeczko
Peggy Thompson
Sue Macbeth
Alex Cole
Matthew Anderson
Hailey Rose Flout
Lectionary
Welcome to Advent! 
This year, St. Stephen's joins a growing number of churches who celebrate an extended Advent of seven weeks, rather than four.  This is a return to the Advent observance of the Church from its beginnings until just a few hundred years ago.  Extending Advent in this way moves it from the "season of preparation" for Christmas to an observance of the full promise and realization of God's dream, helping us to engage more fully in Christ's mission of peace, justice, and the integrity of creation. It seems especially meaningful that, in this year of pandemic and civic conflict, we begin the new liturgical year a few weeks early, mindful of God's work in creation through all time as we look ahead with hopeful anticipation to a more peaceful and just world and the fulfillment of God's promise to all people. 

NOVEMBER 29, 2020 - Advent 4 - Root of Jesse Sunday
Reading:  Isaiah 64:1-9
Response:  Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18
Gospel:  Mark 13:24-37
Links to the Wider Church

The Episcopal Diocese of Newark







The Episcopal Church









The Presiding Bishop
Giving with Tithe.ly
Giving with Tithe.ly is easy, with options for one-time or recurring donations.  We encourage you to consider it at all times, but especially when you are away for any reason, like all of us now with the restrictions due to coronavirus.

There are two ways to do it:  thru tithe.ly.com or the tithe.ly app on your smart phone.  You'll want to search for St. Stephen's Church Millburn.  Be sure to have the correct punctuation. You'll know you're there when you see: St. Stephen's Church Millburn and the address. Once you're at the church's page, follow the prompts.  
Office Hours and Contact Information

Office hours:
Until we are through this public health emergency, there are NO office hours.  Please call Rev. Paula to arrange for pastoral care or if you have any reason to come to the office. She'll work with you to figure out a safe way to manage this.

Phone: 973.376.0668  
Fax: 973.376.4002
Website: ststephensmillburn.org
Main email: [email protected]
Follow us on: Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest

Doreen Schindler, Parish Administrator can be reached at ext. 32 or

The Rev. Paula J. Toland, Rector can be reached at ext. 21 or 
She is an occasional blogger at fromthestillness.