By now you will have received the invitation to pledge to support the ministries of the parish, which is one way of being an active participant in the story of God at work in and through us as we seek to share God's love with the community and the world. If you haven't received your invitation, please let Maria know so that we can be sure we have your mailing address.

As of this morning, we have ten pledges totaling $53,920! This is a great start to our goal of $128,000. Thanks to those who have pledged. And thanks in advance to those of you who read this message and make your pledge this week. You can do so here or by placing your pledge card in the offering plate on Sunday or by mailing it to the office.

WELCOME TO ADVENT!

This year, we continue our observation of 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. We enter the new year 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.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

Join us at 10:00am on November 26th

for The Third Sunday of Advent.

ALL are welcome.

At Communion, you may receive the wine by sipping from the cup, reverently touching the base of the chalice, or you may choose Communion in one kind

only (the bread).

Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall after the service.

Our coffee hour hosts are:

Barbara and Roger Riedel

 December 3

"Prepare the Way of the Lord: Why did the Community of St. John Baptist choose John the Baptist as our Patron Saint?"

How did the founders of CSJB, people dedicated to the care of poor and marginalized women in England, discerned their call in connection with John the Baptist?

December 10

"The Great O Antiphons of Advent"

How do the names for and images of Jesus shape how we understand the story of the incarnation?

As part of our Christmas celebration, we are delighted to be supporting our Drumming Camp children!

We are kindly requesting donations of VISA or TARGET gift cards

(in denominations of $10, $20 or $25) this year for approximately 20 children.

Please forward your gift card donations to the St. Stephen's Church office

(119 Main Street, Millburn, NJ 07041) by Sunday, December 10th.

Please email Maryalice at maryalice_chech@yahoo.com if you have questions.

Many thanks! Your generosity is greatly appreciated and will help

bring joy to these children during the Christmas season.

ADVENT BOOK DISCUSSION

While at Clergy Conference, the Evelyn Underhill clergy talked about how to continue our new-ish and much loved custom of observing Advent together. We decided to use a beautiful Advent devotional written by our friend and diocesan colleague, The Rev. Anne Kitch. The book is called Expectant, and is one that I have used in my own prayer for the past two years. Even the cover feels likes an invitation to prepare for Christmas again as if for the first time.

Rev. Anne will be joining us on Wednesday, December 13th from 7:00 - 8:30. The region will be reading it beginning December 3rd. The book is available on Amazon for about $10 for either paperback or Kindle. If you'd like a copy but cannot buy one yourself, please let Rev. Paula know.

EU EPIPHANY PARTY

Saturday, January 6 at 7pm

Hosted by St. George’s, Maplewood