Parish News for December 20
Dear St. Stephen’s church family,
Here we are, on the eve of the shortest day of the year! It is no accident that Christmas comes at this, the darkest time of year. Truly the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not and never will overcome it! May we all find the light of Christ shining in the places of hurt, division and sorrow in our lives and world. As we prepare to celebrate the holy day of Christmas, here is some news…
Big thank-you
Thank you to all who participated in providing gifts and donations for the children at Adelle House this Christmas season. The gifts were personally delivered and received with gratitude.
Youth Pageant
Sunday, December 23, 10:30am
We look forward to A Christmas in Narnia, the children and youth’s Christmas Pageant for this year. It takes place on Sunday, December 23rd, during the 10:30 am service and is followed by communion. Please note, there will be an 8:30 service on Sunday as well.
Christmas Eve Potluck
Monday, December 24, 6:00pm
Christmas Eve Potluck supper at 6. Christmas Eve Service at 7:30, candlelight and communion. Christmas Day service at 11 am.
Advent Resource
If you haven’t seen this Advent resource, The Rev. Robert Mitchell has created a thoughtful and challenging daily reflection on women in the Bible. It can be accessed at https://pwrdf.org/ and by following the links to Advent.
New Year’s Day
January 1, 11:00am
A service to welcome the new year and mark the Naming of Jesus on January 1st, 2019 at 11 am. Potluck appetizers and games to follow.
Parish Cycle of Prayer
We pray for Linda Dunkley and Vera Dyer and families.
We pray for Cathryn and for all involved in music ministry in our parish, that we might use our gifts to offer praise and worship.
An Advent thought from Madeline L’Engle
Often we stumble along, not knowing where we’re going, but understanding that the journey is worth it because Jesus took it for us, shared it with us. Because the immortal God became mortal, we all share in the immortality as well as the mortality.…To believe that the universe was created by a purposeful, benign Creator is one thing. To believe that this Creator took on human vesture, accepted death and mortality, was tempted, betrayed, broken, and all for love of us, defies reason.