O Lord, God of life, as you care for all creation, give us your peace. May our security come not from weapons, but from respect. May our strength come not from violence, but from love. May our own wealth come not from money, but from sharing.
May our path be not one of ambition, but of justice. May our victory not be one of revenge, but of forgiveness. Unarmed and confident, help us to defend the dignity of all creation. Sharing today and always the bread of solidarity and peace. Amen.
-Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, Faith Vigil for Peace in Ukraine, ELCA
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We have many options to observe a holy Lent, including additional worship services here and with our sister parishes in the Evelyn Underhill Region; in-person, Zoomed, and online discussion group Adult Formation; a fun at-home activity for children, youth, and families; and more. A special edition of our newsletter has all of the details.
You will find the newsletter here.
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Ongoing Covid Protocols for Common Worship |
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With Covid levels in a positive downward trend, we are now celebrating the Holy Eucharist with congregational singing for our worship services. We will continue to take temperatures and maintain the contact tracing information. We ask that you remain fully masked at all times while in the building and maintain physical distance of at least three feet by household/pod. These protocols will remain in effect until Bishop Hughes and The Episcopal Diocese of Newark tell us otherwise.
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Happening at St. Stephen's This Week... |
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Welcome!
It's wonderful to be with each other in church and celebrate the Holy Eucharist with congregational singing.
Live-streamed to YouTube, Facebook, and via Zoom. Bulletins are available on the St. Stephen's website. All links can be found at the bottom of the newsletter.
Zoom passcode is SSM119.
The Sunday service will also be broadcast on HTTV (Comcast TV 36 and Verizon TV 33) on Tuesday at 6am and 3pm.
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Please join us for our
First Sunday of Lent
Worship Service on
Sunday, March 6th at 10:00am.
ALL are welcome!
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INTERFAITH BIBLE HOUR
On Friday, March 4th at 9:00am,
we will meet via Zoom with our friends from Christ Church in Short Hills and Temple B'nai Jeshurun to talk about the Book of Genesis.
The password is SSM119.
The meeting ID is 865 4375 6895.
Please feel free to join us
even if you haven't before.
If you'd like a copy of the text,
please call or text Rev. Paula
before 8am on Friday.
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WEEKLY WOMEN'S LECTIONARY STUDY
Please join us for a weekly study of a new lectionary available to the Episcopal Church and approved by Bishop Hughes. Our next session is on Tuesday, March 8th.
We will meet via Zoom on 3/8, 3/15, 3/22, and 3/29 from 5:00 to 6:00pm to study A Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year W by Wilda Gafney.
This thought-provoking lectionary invites and challenges us to explore differently the familiar stories of Scripture and how they shape and inform our faith today,
while also expanding our understanding of what it means to be made in the image of God through the use of non-gendered language for God.
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LENTEN SERIES
We will be reading Witness at the Cross: A Beginner's Guide to Holy Friday
by Amy-Jill Levine as our annual Lenten study.
There are two ways to join this conversation:
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Join us in-person or via Zoom from 10:30am to noon on the following Thursdays: March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, and April 7th, and 14th. NOTE: There is no meeting on March 31st because Rev. Paula will be at the diocesan clergy retreat. (If joining in-person, please enter the building using the door near the Rector's Study.)
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Join the Facebook Group. Each of the six weeks we meet, there will be a couple of discussion prompts. Whether or not you are able to participate in the Thursday discussions, you are welcome to share your thoughts (comments, questions, learnings). The link to the group is here.
The book is available at Amazon, Cokesbury, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org, with prices ranging from $16.19 to $17.99. We purchased eight copies and have them available on a first-come, first-served basis.
If purchase price is an issue, give what you can.
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Children & Youth Ministry |
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The second coat of paint has been applied to the walls in our Children's Chapel Room. Thanks to Grace, Domeneque and Sherry, this lively, purply-blue paint will help inspire creativity for our children and youths. |
"A second coat of paint with a surprise chalkboard wall! More exciting updates to come regarding Children's Chapel and Youth Group! Keep your eyes peeled for some Easter activities!" - Grace Savoia-Di Gregorio
More details to come!
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PLEASE CHECK WEEKLY BECAUSE EVENTS MAY BE ADDED OR CHANGED. |
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MARCH
MAR 2
Ash Wednesday
6:30am - 8:30am
Ashes to go @ Train Sta.
12pm & 7:30pm
Service w/ Ashes
8pm - AA Meeting
MAR 3
10:30am - Lenten Series
MAR 4
9am - Interfaith Bible Hour
MAR 5
7:30pm - AA Meeting
MAR 6
1st Sun in Lent
10am - Sunday Worship
1pm - AA Meeting
MAR 7
7:30pm - MA Meeting
MAR 8
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
MAR 9
8pm - AA Meeting
MAR 10
10:30am - Lenten Series
MAR 12
7:30pm - AA Meeting
MAR 13
2nd Sun in Lent
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Reading with the Rector
1pm - AA Meeting
MAR 14
7:30pm - MA Meeting
MAR 15
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
MAR 16
7:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting
8pm - AA Meeting
MAR 17
10:30am - Lenten Series
7pm - Preschool Committee Meeting
MAR 19
7:30pm - AA Meeting
MAR 20
3rd Sun in Lent
Communion for All
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Vestry Meeting
1pm - AA Meeting
MAR 21
7:30pm - MA Meeting
MAR 22
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
MAR 23
8pm - AA Meeting
MAR 24
10:30am - Lenten Series
MAR 26
7:30pm - AA Meeting
MAR 27
4th Sun in Lent
10am - Sunday Worship & Annual Meeting
1pm - AA Meeting
MAR 28
7:30pm - MA Meeting
MAR 29
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
MAR 30
8pm - AA Meeting
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APRIL
APR 1
9am - Interfaith Bible Hour
APR 2
7:30pm - AA Meeting
APR 3
5th Sun in Lent
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Reading with the Rector
1pm - AA Meeting
APR 4
7:30pm - MA Meeting
APR 5
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
APR 6
8pm - AA Meeting
APR 7
10:30am - Lenten Series
APR 9
7:30pm - AA Meeting
APR 10
Palm Sunday
10am - Sunday Worship
1pm - AA Meeting
Apr 11
7:30pm - MA Meeting
7:30pm - Evening Prayer Livestreamed
APR 12
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
7:30pm - Evening Prayer Livestreamed
APR 13
7:30pm - Tenebrae
8pm - AA Meeting
APR 14
Maundy Thursday
10:30am - Lenten Series
7:30pm - Eucharist with Foot Washing
APR 15
Good Friday
12pm - Noonday Service
7:30pm - Solemn Collects with the Veneration of the Cross
APR 16
Holy Saturday
10am - Liturgy Livestreamed
7:30pm - AA Meeting
APR 17
Easter Day
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Vestry Meeting
1pm - AA Meeting
APR 18
7:30pm - MA Meeting
APR 19
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
APR 20
7:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting
8pm - AA Meeting
APR 21
7pm - Preschool Committee Meeting
APR 23
7:30pm - AA Meeting
APR 24
2nd Sunday of Easter
10am - Sunday Worship
1pm - AA Meeting
APR 25
7:30pm - MA Meeting
APR 26
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
APR 27
8pm - AA Meeting
APR 30
7:30pm - AA Meeting
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MAY
MAY 1
10am - Sunday Worship
1pm - AA Meeting
MAY 2
7:30pm - MA Meeting
MAY 3
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
MAY 4
8pm - AA Meeting
MAY 6
9am - Interfaith Bible Hour
MAY 7
7:30pm - AA Meeting
MAY 8
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Reading with the Rector
1pm - AA Meeting
MAY 9
7:30pm - MA Meeting
MAY 10
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
7pm - Worship Committee Mtg
MAY 11
8pm - AA Meeting
MAY 14
7:30pm - AA Meeting
MAY 15
Communion for All
10am - Sunday Worship
11:30am - Vestry Meeting
1pm - AA Meeting
MAY 16
7:30pm - MA Meeting
MAY 17
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
MAY 18
7:30pm - Finance Committee Meeting
8pm - AA Meeting
MAY 19
7pm - Preschool Committee Meeting
MAY 21
7:30pm - AA Meeting
MAY 22
10am - Sunday Worship
1pm - AA Meeting
MAY 23
7:30pm - MA Meeting
MAY 24
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
MAY 25
8pm - AA Meeting
MAY 28
7:30pm - AA Meeting
MAY 29
10am - Sunday Worship
1pm - AA Meeting
MAY 30
7:30pm - MA Meeting
MAY 31
5pm - Women's Lectionary Study
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READING WITH THE RECTOR
Sunday, March 13
11:30am - 1:00pm
This month we are discussing:
Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
by Christopher Moore
Everyone knows about the immaculate conception and the crucifixion. But what happened to Jesus between the manger and the Sermon on the Mount? In this hilarious and bold novel, the acclaimed Christopher Moore shares the greatest story never told: the life of Christ as seen by his boyhood pal, Biff.
Just what was Jesus doing during the many years that have gone unrecorded in the Bible? Biff was there at his side, and now after two thousand years, he shares those good, bad, ugly, and miraculous times. Screamingly funny, audaciously fresh, Lamb rivals the best of Tom Robbins and Carl Hiaasen, and is sure to please this gifted writer’s fans and win him legions more.
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AA/MA MEETINGS
Weekly AA meetings:
Sunday at 1:00pm
Contact: Rob H. (516) 860-9062
Wednesday at 8:00pm
Contact: Steve B. (201) 452-8375
Contact: Dave (908) 451-8919
Saturday at 7:30pm
Contact: Steve B. (201) 452-8375
Contact: Dave (908) 451-8919
For more information about
Alcohol Anonymous, click here.
Weekly MA meeting:
Monday at 7:30pm
Contact: Max T. (212) 203-2542
Contact: Deana L. (908) 499-8997
MA meetings are presented in a rotating format -- Step, Speaker, Story from Life with Hope, Topic.
For more information about
Marijuana Anonymous, click here.
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ANNUAL MEETING
Sunday, March 27th
Our annual meeting and Sunday worship will be held on March 27. Join us for a special presentation about this past year at St. Stephen's.
More details to come.
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An inspiring concert with works from Heinrich Schutz to Lili Boulanger, Adolphus Hailstork to Alice Parker, and live performance of several of last year’s winners of the High School Choral Composition Contest. March 5th at 7:30pm and March 6th at 3:00pm, both at Morristown United Methodist Church.
For more info, click here.
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From Bishop Hughes & The Episcopal Church |
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God understands that some part of us has the struggle that Paul names in Romans – that we do the things that we don't mean to do. And Lent gives us a chance to look at that, to turn ourselves, again and again, back to God, and ask the question, “What is it that I am called to do now? And what do I need to ask forgiveness for? And who do I need to forgive?” (Time: 3:59.)
DIOCESAN E-NEWSLETTERS
Sign up to get e-newsletters and important announcements directly from diocesan headquarters. Find out more and subscribe here.
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EPISCOPAL RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT
This year, the Lenten Meditations will focus on those who were transformed. These Lenten Meditations are now delivered only via email and as a downloadable PDF.
Subscribe to receive your daily email meditations, or download a PDF of all of the 2022 Lenten Meditations here.
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Please keep the following St. Stephen's family
members and friends in your prayers...
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Peggy Thompson
Felder Dorn
Donna Riggi
The Blanchard Family
The McManus Family
Bernard & Nathan
Lucille B.
Jack Moreno
Mary Jo Zarance
Joseph G.
Kelly Olson
Jane Rossiter
Nicole & Emma
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Ningyu Liu
KT Thalin
Mike Losito
Evan D. & Family
Alexandra Shuss
Donna Stadler Hostetler
Brian Roland
Renee Kleppinger
Liliane Khouri
Alma Greenfield
Drew
Shirley
Theresa Scharff
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We give thanks for the life of Jean Graham who entered into greater glory. |
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A Death in our Parish Family
It is with deep sadness that we share that Joan Koll Borneman, a member for many years, died on February 8, 2022. Joan was the ex-wife of Pete Vrahnos and mother of Steven and Donald.
May Joan rest in peace and rise in glory.
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If you would like to add someone to our prayer list, please email us at church@ststephensmillburn.org, or call (973) 376-0688 Ext. 32.
Anyone for whom we are praying will be on our prayer list for six weeks. If prayers are still needed beyond that time period, please let us know. Thank you.
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March 6, 2022
First Sunday in Lent
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
Luke 4:1-13
If you'd like to read the full lectionary for the week, you may do so here.
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Financial Stewardship Pledge Campaign |
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As of 3/1/22, our pledge total is $118,405, which is $1595 short of our goal of $120,000. If you have not made a pledge, you may do so at any time. The easiest way is via the website using the "Give" tab.
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TITHE.LY
Giving with Tithe.ly is easy with options for recurring donations or one-time use for when you are away or not able to be in church (like all of us now due to COVID restrictions).
You can access Tithe.ly via their website or their app on your smart phone. Be sure to search for the correct account - "St. Stephen's Church Millburn." Once you have accessed the account page with our address, you will be instructed to follow the prompts.
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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. |
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Zoom passcode: SSM119
To call in, dial by your location:
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 864 1664 1640
Passcode: SSM119
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Links for Sunday Worship Live-Stream & Social Media |
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St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
119 Main Street, Millburn, NJ 07041
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Church
Parish Administrator, Maria T. Card
973.376.0688, Ext. 32
church@ststephensmillburn.org
Rector, The Rev. Paula J. Toland
973.376.0688, Ext. 21
rector@ststephensmillburn.org
Fax: 973.376.4002
Website: ststephensmillburn.org
Preschool
Director: Nancy Siracusa
Phone: 973.376.3534, Ext. 20
Email: sspsmillburn@gmail.com
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