ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Sunday, February 5, 2011

 St. Stephen’s welcomes all visitors. We invite you to return often and become an active member of our parish family.
 

_________   THIS WEEK AT ST. STEPHEN’S  _________

Sunday School program!  Today, Sunday School for 4 year olds through 4th grade will take place beginning at 10:15 a.m. in the Education Building.  The children will then return at the time of The Peace to join their parents for communion in church.

 

Adult Inquiry class is held at 9:15 a.m. in the Activity Room.  If you are interested in being confirmed, received, are interested in renewing your baptismal vows or want to learn about the Episcopal Church this class is for you.  This course includes church history, why we do what we do, our prayer book, etc.  Please see Deacon Louane,  call 651-0339 or e-mail lfrey716@aol.com  to join.

 

Breakfast FOR Clyde! Join us on today at 9:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall

as we honor Clyde Stephens for his devoted service of almost 30 years to SSEC. 

Admission is free to everyone - join us!

 

Annual Super Bowl Chili Sale!  Thank you to everyone who ordered chili to help the Youth raise money for their trip to Kanuga. You may pick up your chili today before or after services or arrange another time with Megan Carlson.  See Megan or  email her at filleaunc@gmail.com.  Thank you!

 

CANDLEMAS AT THE EPISCOPAL CENTER - The observance of Candlemas will take place at The Episcopal Center at Duke today at 4:00 p.m.  In the Anglican Communion, Candlemas is the traditional name for The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in The Temple, which is observed on February 2nd (or forty days after Christmas).  It is also called The Purification of St. Mary the Virgin.  There will be a grand service at The Episcopal Center and St. Stephen’s is providing supper.  Adding to the liturgical reference for this day, it’s also Super Bowl Sunday – and that means chili!  Thanks to the Youth for helping provide chili for the Center.  Donation checks are

always helpful; make your checks payable to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, memo line: Episcopal Center.  Thank you! - Jean Losee

 

The Property Committee will meet on Thursday, February 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Davis Room.

 

Acolyte Training sessions in February will be on the 11th at 10am until 12pm,  and on the 18th from 1pm to 3pm. The 11th is only for current acolytes.  The 18th is open to all 4th graders and above who would like to learn how to acolyte and current acolytes who could not make the first training session.  See Megan Carlson if you have any questions or email filleaunc@gmail.com.

The Annual Meeting of SSEC will be held next Sunday, February 12 in the Nave.  We will have one service beginning at 9:30 a.m. with the meeting following at 10:30 a.m. 

 

__________  PARISH LIFE  _________

 

The Young at Heart Group is going to indulge themselves with a real treat for

Valentine’s Day.  On February 14 at 11:30 a.m. we will be going to the Weathervane Restaurant at University Mall in Chapel Hill.  After lunch, we will tour Southern

Seasons and the new art galleries in the mall.  Please RSVP to Marlene Morrison by calling 489-8237.

 

The Men’s Club will meet at Ruth and Allen Killam’s home on Wednesday,  February 15 starting at 6:00 p.m.  Their home is at the corner of Nottaway and  Kimberly, so parking in the church’s parking lot is convenient.  Please call 489-7615 or emaildotykillam@aol.com to RSVP.  All men of the church are urged to come and enjoy the food, fellowship and lively discussion.

 

Be sure to save the first Saturday in Lent, February 25, for the SSEC Women’s Quiet Day: Rediscovering Jesus (Recovering Spirituality in Mid-Life).  This event will be led by The Rev. Dr. Lauren Winner of Duke Divinity School.  Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the program will end at 12:30 p.m. with a concluding Eucharist.  (See insert in today’s bulletin to register.)

 

Another opportunity for quiet reflection on Saturday, February 25 will be a day with Sam & Jo Wells at The Church of the Holy Family, located on Hayes Road in Chapel Hill from 9:30am to 3:30pm, and sponsored by area Episcopal parishes, including St. Stephen’s.  You may pick up a form in the narthex or register online with a credit card at http://lentenreflectionday.eventzilla.net.

 

__________  CARING  _________

 

The Ministry of Healing: Each Sunday at the 10:30 a.m. service, you are invited to receive prayers for healing for yourself or others during communion.  Those seeking healing may come to the narthex after they receive communion for private prayer with the healing team.  Healing prayers express the hope that we will be brought to wholeness in mind, body and spirit.  They remind us that God is with us in our brokenness as well as in our joy.  We are not alone, but are part of a caring community that is bound together in the love of God.  Prayers for healing include the ancient practice of laying on of hands and anointing.  A kneeler will be provided for those who wish to kneel; it is also appropriate to stand as you are prayed over.  All concerns and requests for prayers will be held in strict confidence among the pastoral team.

 

Eucharistic Visits can be arranged for parishioners who are unable to attend church but would like to be part of our corporate worship.  If you or a family member would like to be on our list to receive regular Eucharistic Visits, please contact Bob Frey by email bobafrey@aol.com or call 651-0339, or call one of the clergy at 493-5451.  Bob Frey is also the person to contact regarding the Eucharistic Ministers’ schedule.

 

Ministry of Intercessory Prayer - St. Stephen's has an active and committed prayer team that offers prayer support for parishioners and family members who are sick or experiencing any kind of crisis. If you would like to have the prayer team pray for you or a family member or would like to learn more about becoming a member of the prayer team, please contact Sally Markham at skbmarkham@mindspring.com.

 

__________  WORSHIP and STUDY  _________

 

Bible Study meets on Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. in the Davis Room.  Join us and our friend David Winer as we continue our study of “Women in the Bible.”  Call Waltz Maynor at 489-8366 for more information.

 

The Spiritual Book Club meets weekly on Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon in the Davis Room.  The Spiritual Book Club will be reading "Listening for God" by Paula J. Carlson and Peter Hawkins - ISBN # 0-8066-2715-8, also available from amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com.  Please contact Diana Dohr - dohr.diana@gmail.com or call 886-1417 for more info.

 

Lenten Resources: As Lent once again draws near, it presents an opportunity for the Church to reflect and consider how we might follow Christ in healing a hurting world.  The 2012 Lenten Meditations are co-authored by a group of leaders from across the Episcopal Church, who bring a range of perspectives as they reflect on Scripture and other sources of spiritual wisdom.  Free information is available on the web; please visit www.erd.org.  We will also have Lenten booklets available soon for your use.

 

We invite you to join us each week just prior to the 10:30 a.m. service as we enjoy the opening prelude and prepare our hearts for worship.  This is a time which may be used for private prayer and meditation.

 

Mid-Week Eucharist -  St. Stephen's celebrates the Eucharist every Thursday at 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel. After the service, all are welcome to join in a pot-luck luncheon. Those who are able are invited to bring a dish to share.

 

We meet between services at 9:15 a.m. in the Davis Room for informal reflection on the sermon and the scripture readings for the day.  Bring your coffee and join us!  NOTE: We will NOT meet today (February 5 - Breakfast FOR Clyde) or next week (February 12 - Annual Meeting).

 

Lenten Series -  Adult Christian Formation - Starting March 6th, 2012 St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church will hold a four session Lent Series entitled Harsh Ground, Holy Ground.  We will begin the evenings at 6:00 p.m. with a simple Lenten supper of soup and salad, tea or coffee and end the evening with Compline. Lent is a time of reflection, of growing into the Spirit and of a renewed commitment to faith in God. This series will be led by Phyllis Leppert, Emily Hylden, Louane Frey and Martin Caldwell, all of whom have an interest in church history and what this history means in terms of our faith today.  The dates and topics are: March 6: Harsh Ground, Holy Ground DVD produced by the North Carolina Diocese of the Episcopal Church; March 13 Baptism of Virginia Dare and Manteo, the Lords Proprietors, Revolutionary War. March 20- Antebellum Period: African-American Spirituality-(in the words of Lauren Winner- A Cheerful and Comfortable Faith), Spirituality among the English and Scots descendants, and the formation of the North Carolina Diocese.  March 27- The Civil War time and afterwards.  For more information, see your February newsletter or talk to Phyllis Leppert.

 

Don’t forget to bring in your Campbell’s Soup labels!  Bring the untrimmed whole labels (take care not to damage the barcodes) and place them in the “soup can” in the kitchen.  These labels are sent to Thompson Child and Family Focus where they are redeemed for educational materials.  Your efforts matter!

 

Lost an item? There are numerous items in the lost and found box in the reception area.  Over time, the box has grown to overflowing and it has been suggested that we donate these unclaimed items to charities.  If you have misplaced an item please be sure to check to see if it is in the “box” at your earliest convenience.