Father David was sick and unable to do the Sunday service.  We pray for his recovery back to health.
Thank you John Todd for conducting the Daily Morning Prayer: Rite One.

Tuesday, February 21st is the ECW’s “Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper” beginning at 5:00 pm.  If you have not already signed the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall, you are still invited to attend.   Come and feast on pancakes and sausage before your fasting for Lent.

Father David will be in the office on Wednesday, February 22nd from noon – 6:30 pm and on Thursday from 10:00 am – noon.

Wednesday, February 22nd is “Ash Wednesday. – 6:30 pm – Eucharist and distribution of Ashes.

Bishop Gregg will be visiting St. Stephen’s next Sunday, February 26th.  We will have a confirmation service followed by a covered dish luncheon.

Starting Wednesday, February 29th, we will have “Stations of the Cross” followed by a Lenten meal of soup and sandwiches.  Group 1 will be in charge.

As part of the “Church/Vestry Outreach” program, Chairperson Tony Adams and his team, Pam Gibbons and Greta Crayton have proposed that each members donate an article of food (canned, boxed, etc.) one item per day for the 40 days of Lent.  It has now been suggested that you bring the items to church WEEKLY so it can be distributed throughout Lent.  Any questions, please call Tony.

Father David will be in the office this week on Wednesday from 12:00 noon to 6:30 pm and Thursday from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. 

Wednesday, February 15th - Evening Prayer at 6:30 pm.

Vestry will meet at 7:00 pm. 

There will be a “Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper” on Tuesday, February 21st at 5:00 til 7:00 pm sponsored by the “ECW” with Sandra Joseph in charge.  There is a sign-up sheet posted on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall.  Please sign it if you plan to eat so they will know how much food to purchase and how many they will be cooking for. 

Bishop Gregg will be visiting St. Stephen’s on February 26th, 2012.  Should you wish to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church, please see Father David as soon as possible. 

Adult Education classes started Sunday, February 5th, and will continue for 12 weeks each Sunday at 10:00 am in the Parish Hall Library.  It will offer an informal study of the Book of James, the half-brother of Jesus.  It is a down to earth guide for Christian living led by discussion leader, Dave Heinzman.  All adults in the congregation are cordially invited to join this group for 45 minutes of informal study, lively discussion and fellowship.  The study guides are here and you can ask Dave for one. 

Congratulations to Jay Elliott and his parents on winning the ‘Division Level’ of the American Legion contest that was Saturday, February 11th at Prospect Hill, NC.  Thank you Margaret Taylor and Greta Crayton for attending the competition and representing St. Stephen’s.  Plan on going to the ‘State Level Competition’ that will be in Raleigh on March 3rd.

Jonathan (Jay) Elliott, 1st Place District Level Winner & Johnsie Pilkington, Runner Up.

Each year the “American Legion” offers the opportunity for students grades 9-12 to compete for scholarships by participating and excelling in “The American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest”, which is “A Constitutional Speech Contest”.  William A. Kitchen, a past department commander of Missouri, is credited with the originating of the contest.  The first national contest were held in 1938.  The contest was developed primarily to instill a better knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States in high school students.  Other objectives include the development of leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly, and the preparation for acceptance of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship.  Another purpose of the program is to assist students in paying the high cost of a college education.  The participants compete locally, district, division and state wide before going to compete at the national level.  Through the encouragement of Greta Crayton of the “NC American Legion Children and Youth Committee”, Jonathan (Jay) Elliott entered the contest.

Jay is a Crucifer for the St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and is very active in the church.  He is the son of Pamela and John Tuohey of Linden and Jonathan Elliott of Fayetteville.  Jay represents his school, the Pine Forest Senior High School, where he is a junior.  After competing in the first two levels, he won the District level on Saturday, January 21st at the “Dunn American Legion Post #59″.  He will be competing in the Division level on February 11th.

 left to right – James Holder, District Chairman; Jonathan (Jay) Elliott, 1st Place District Level Winner; Terry Chatfield, Division Commander; & Johnsie Pilkington, Runner Up.

Father David will be in the office on Wednesday, January 26th from noon until 6:30 pm and on Thursday, January 27th from 10:00 am to noon.

Wednesday, January 25th – Evening Prayer at 6:30 pm.

Bishop Gregg will be visiting St. Stephen’s on February 26th, 2012.  Should you wish to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church, please see Father David as soon as possible.

Contribution statements are in the Narthex.  If you have not picked up your statement by the end of January, they will be mailed.

If you would like to add someone to the prayer list that is read on Sunday morning, please see Father David.

“ECW” will meet on Monday, January 30th at 6:00 pm in the Parish Church Hall.  This is an important planning meeting.

Sandra Joseph will be having surgery in Raleigh on Wednesday, January 25th.  Please keep her in your prayers.

The youth of St. Stephen’s (EYC) will meet on Wednesday, August 31st. after church (7:00 pm).  They will meet in the Sunday School room.

Adult Education:  This fall, Tony Adams will facilitate a study of the book “Celebration of Discipline:  The Path to Spiritual Growth” by Richard Foster.  Books have been ordered and will be available soon for those wishing to get a summer head-start in reading.  Cost for a personal copy is $15.  If you wish to just check one out for the course, the cost is free.

Eucharist – Wednesday, August 10th at 6:30 pm.

Sunday, August 14th after church service there will be a Birthday Celebration in honor of Vertie Baker upstairs in the Parish Hall.  Everyone is invited….come help her blow out her candles!

Ginny Powers wanted me to remind everyone of the upcoming “Feast of St. Stephen – 106th Anniversary of the Parish, Baptism” on Sunday, August 28th. which will be a 11:00 am worship.  Immediately following there will be the “ECW’s” Cold Plate Luncheon.  Ladies, if you are in doubt of what you are suppose to bring, please contact Ginny.