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A Message from Rev. Paula+
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Beloved Community,
I write to you the morning of Maundy Thursday. Tonight we enter into the Triduum, the three most holy days of the Christian year. It is a unique time, one in which we find ourselves straddling what feel like the competing demands of being present to our Holy Week journey, even as we prepare for Easter.
It occurred to me a bit earlier today, as Theresa and I were looking at the Easter flowers delivered today, while also getting ready for foot washing and setting up a small Garden of Repose for our vigil tonight, how odd a time this is.
I'm surprised every year how acutely I feel caught in between - willing, needing to be fully present to Maundy Thursday, while having to be thinking ahead to Good Friday and Holy Saturday, before getting to Easter. There is such a huge part of me that wishes for more time and less to do. Today I'm not quite ready to be at Good Friday or beyond.
There is a huge part of me that thinks (knows?) that the me who is willing and needing to be immersed in this day before experiencing that same need tomorrow and Saturday and then Sunday, is the most authentic part of me. It is the place from which I best recognize my faith and my true self. It is the part of me that connects most deeply and honestly to the me God created me to be. It is the part of me that hears and responds to God's call on me and my life.
Peace & Blessings,
Paula+
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Easter Egg Hunt:
Our annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place on the church lawn after services on Sunday,
April 21
. Many thanks for your donations!
Paper Mill Show Choir: Please join us for The Paper Mill Show Choir's annual benefit performance for St. Stephen's on
Sunday, April 28 at 7:00pm
here in St. Stephen's Church. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $10 for children. They will be available at the door only. Please help us spread the word about this wonderful evening.
If you would like to make a donation of food or refreshments for the event, please email Barbara at
bwinsonriedel@gmail.com. Thank you!
Faith & Family Night with the NJ Jackals:
St. Stephen's would like to
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gather a group to attend this fun night of baseball, fireworks, and a food drive at Yogi Berra Stadium in Little Falls, NJ on
Saturday, June 29; first pitch at 6:05pm
.
Please email
Doreen at
Tour of St. Stephen's Historic Cemetery:
The 2019 Tour of St. Stephen's Cemetery will be held on
Sunday, October 20 at 2:00pm.
Guided tours will leave the cemetery gate at intervals until the last tour departs at 4:00 pm. Impersonators will stand at 12 gravesites to speak for the cemetery residents buried at those sites. Volunteers will be parishioners of St. Stephen's or members of the Millburn-Short Hills Historical Society. Tours have been held in 2008, 2011, 2014, and 2016. Please mark your calendars NOW and let nothing interfere with your attendance on October 20th!
Rev. Paula will be away the week after Easter, including the morning of April 28th. The Rev. Okwunna Nwogu will be here to preach and preside at both services. Please plan to be here to give him a huge St. Stephen's welcome.
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Lent and Holy Week Services
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Maundy Thursday, April 18:
7:00 pm - Eucharist with Foot Washing & Stripping of the Altar
8:15 to 10:00 pm - Vigil
Good Friday, April 19:
12:00 pm - Proper Liturgy for Good Friday with Administration of the Reserve Sacrament
8:00 pm - Proper Liturgy for Good Friday
Easter Sunday, April 21:
8:00 am - Contemplative service without music
10:00 am - Joyful Celebration of the Resurrection with a Festival Eucharist
In addition to the services here at St. Stephen's, on
Holy Saturday, April 20th:
7:30 pm - Rev. Paula will be preaching and presiding at the Great Vigil of Easter at Holy Spirit, Verona. The service will be followed by a champagne reception. If you like (or are curious about) the ancient liturgy of the Vigil, please do join us.
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Finance Committee Meeting
Easter Egg Hunt
Vestry Meeting
Paper Mill Show Choir Performance
Reading with the Rector
Third Thursday Theater
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Wednesday, April 24, 7:30 pm
Sunday, April 21, following 10am service
Sunday, April 28, 11:30 am
Sunday, April 28, 7:00 pm
Sunday, May 5, 11:30 am
Thursday, May 16, 7:00 pm
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This Week: April 21, 8:00 am
Reader & Chalicer: Allison Walker
Altar Guild: Julia Dorn
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This Week: April 21, 10:00 am
Readers: Theresa Scharff, Barbara Riedel, Fran Taber
Chalicist: John Scharff
Ushers: Roger and Barbara Riedel
Altar Guild: Julia Dorn
Coffee Hour: Open
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Next Week: April 28, 8:00 am
Reader & Chalicer: Nancy Sieffert
Altar Guild: Nancy Sieffert
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Next Week: April 28, 8:00 am
Readers: Peter Wick, Fran Young, Kira Hanson
Chalicist: Eric Mauer
Ushers: Tim and Kathy Conway
Altar Guild: Alex Cole
Coffee Hour: Open
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Links to the Wider Church
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The Episcopal Diocese of Newark
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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
Main email: church@ststephensmillburn.org
Doreen Schindler, Parish Administrator
can be reached at ext. 32 or
church@ststephensmillburn.org.
The Rev. Paula J. Toland, Rector can be reached at ext. 21 or
rector@ststephensmillburn.org.
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