Father David will be in the office on Wednesday, May 9th from 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm; and on Thursday, May 10th from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon.
 
Wednesday, May 9th – Evening Prayer Service – 6:30 pm.
 
The ECW’s “Cinco de Mayo Meal” was a delicious success!!   A big “Thank You” to Sarah Wells and Kelly Strickland for heading the event and all who helped and brought the condiments and desserts.   
 
Today has been designated “Church Periodical Club Sunday” and we will continue to collect offerings through the month of May.  Envelopes are provided in the pews and the “Miles of Pennies jar” is located in the kitchen.  A ministry of the Episcopal Church, “CPC” is the ministry of the printed word. Through the “National Book Fund Christian Education” materials and grant requests to Episcopal Missions and Ministries are provided.  The “Miles of Pennies” program is used solely for the benefit of children and provides grants throughout the year.  One mile of pennies laid side to side is $844.80.
 
The summer schedule will start on Sunday, June 3rd, and go through August 19th.  Eucharist will begin at 10:00 am.

Father David will be in the office on Wednesday, May 2nd from 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm and on Thursday, May 3rd. from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon.

Wednesday, May 2nd – Evening Prayer Service – 6:30 pm.
Wednesday, May 2nd – Choir Practice – 7:00 pm.

Sunday, May 6th – the ECW’s “Cinco de Mayo Meal” will follow service upstairs in the Parish Hall at 12:15 pm.  There is a sign-up sheet posted on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall for you to sign if you plan to attend.  Come and enjoy the festival!!

Quarterly contribution statements are ready to be picked up in the Narthex.

Monday, May 7th – 5:30 pm – doors to the church will be open to anyone for quiet prayer.
Monday, May 7th – 5:30 pm – Daughters of the King will meet.

Monday, April 2nd – Daughters of the King will meet at 6:00 pm.

Church doors open at 5:30 pm for quiet prayer and is open to the public. 

There will be special services during Holy Week:  

     Wednesday, April 4th – 6:30 pm – Stations of the Cross    *No Lenten meal

     Thursday, April 5th – Maundy Thursday  -  Seder Meal at 6:30 pm upstairs in the Parish Hall – Covered Dish dinner – ***SIGN-UP SHEET is on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall.

                    8:00 pm – Holy Eucharist, includes washing of the feet and procession to the Altar of Repose.

                    Solemn Vigil – Begins immediately after “Stripping of the Altar” and departure of celebrant.

                    Sign up sheet on the bulletin board for the all night Vigil starting at 9:00 pm and ending at 7:00 am. 2 people are needed for each hour; however, more than 2 can stay during any hour.

     Friday, April 6th – Good Friday – Reading of the Passion, Veneration of the Cross and Communion.

     Saturday, April 7th – 8:00 pm – Holy Saturday – Great Eater Vigil – Consists of Service of Light, Service of Lessons, Renewal of Baptismal Vows and Holy Eucharist.

     Sunday, April 8th – 11:00 am – Easter Sunday Eucharist. 

Candy for the plastic Easter eggs is needed for the “Easter Egg Hunt”  for the youth on Easter Sunday after service.  For safety and sanitary reasons, PLEASE bring individually wrapped candy that will not melt to be placed in the plastic eggs.  Please bring your contributions and place them on the counter in the kitchen of the Parish Hall.

There is also a SIGN-UP SHEET for the ECW’s “Cinco de Mayo” Luncheon on May 6th immediately after church service.

Anyone interested in volunteering to sew “pillowcase dresses and shorts” for those devastated by disaster:

This past Saturday was again a very productive one upstairs in the Parish Hall.  41 dress are at various stages of construction.  We have more fabric to use but are in need of donations to apply towards bias tape and ribbon. Once these are finished we hope to start making shorts for the boys. We have some appropriate fabric already, but may need more and also elastic.  We will resume our work on Wednesday, April 11th at 9:00 am till 2:00 pm.

Remember no previous sewing experience is needed.  This will be basic sewing.  There is work for all levels of expertise. 

If you need to contact Susan Stephens:  910-897-7071 or speducat@embarqmail.com

Anyone wanting to contribute money, please put “ECW Sewing Project” on your check.

Please remember the special collection of gifts of food for “Grace Chapel Food Bank” during the 40 days of Lent.  Your Lenten food offerings will be taken to the food bank weekly. 

Monday, April 2nd – Daughters of the King will meet at 6:00 pm. Church doors open at 5:30 pm for quiet prayer and is open to the public.  

There will be special services during Holy Week:  

     Sunday, April 1st – 11:00 am - Palm Sunday – Eucharist – Begins with Palm Procession.

     Wednesday, April 4th – 6:30 pm – Stations of the Cross    *No Lenten meal

     Thursday, April 5th – Maundy Thursday  -  Seder Meal at 6:30 pm upstairs in the Parish Hall – Covered Dish dinner during – ***SIGN-UP SHEET is on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall.

                    8:00 pm – Holy Eucharist, includes washing of the feet and procession to the Altar of Repose.

                    Solemn Vigil – Begins immediately after “Stripping of the Altar” and departure of celebrant.

                    Sign up sheet on the bulletin board for the all night Vigil starting at 9:00 pm and ending at 7:00 am.

     Friday, April 6th – Good Friday

     Saturday, April 7th – 8:00 pm – Holy Saturday – Great Eater Vigil – Consists of Service of Light, Service of Lessons, Renewal of Baptismal Vows and Holy Eucharist.

     Sunday, April 8th – 11:00 am – Easter Sunday Eucharist. 

 Candy for the plastic Easter eggs is needed for the “Easter Egg Hunt”  for the youth on Easter Sunday.  For safety and sanitary reasons, PLEASE bring individually wrapped candy that will not melt to be placed in the plastic eggs.  Please bring your contributions and place them on the counter in the kitchen of the Parish Hall. 

There is also a SIGN-UP SHEET for the ECW’s “Cinco de Mayo” Luncheon on May 6th immediately after church service.

 Anyone interested in volunteering to sew “pillowcase dresses and shorts” for those devastated by disaster:

This past Saturday was again a very productive one upstairs in the Parish Hall.  41 dress are at various stages of construction.  We have more fabric to use but are in need of donations to apply towards bias tape and ribbon. Once these are finished we hope to start making shorts for the boys. We have some appropriate fabric already, but may need more and also elastic.  We will resume our work on Wednesday, April 11th at 9:00 am till 2:00 pm.

Remember no previous sewing experience is needed.  This will be basic sewing.  There is work for all levels of expertise. 

If you need to contact Susan Stephens:  910-897-7071 or speducat@embarqmail.com

A BIG THANK YOU goes to Cindy Strickland for the sausage biscuits and walnut pound cake she brought and Greta Crayton for the makings for turkey sandwiches and apples that we enjoyed for our lunch.  Your loving kindness was appreciated!

Please remember the special collection of gifts of food for “Grace Chapel Food Bank” during the 40 days of Lent.  Your Lenten food offerings will be taken to the food bank weekly. 

There will be special services during Holy Week:  

     Sunday, April 1st – Palm Sunday

     Thursday, April 5th – Maundy Thursday 

      -  Seder Meal at 6:30 pm upstairs in the Parish Hall – Covered Dish dinner during – ***SIGN-UP SHEET is on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall.

      -  All night Vigil starting at 9:00 pm and ending at 7:00 am – A sign-up sheet will be posted.

     Friday, April 6th – Good Friday

     Saturday, April 7th – Holy Saturday

     Sunday, April 8th – Easter Sunday 

There is also a SIGN-UP SHEET for the ECW’s “Cinco de Mayo” Luncheon on May 6th immediately after church service.

The ECW “St. Patrick’s Luncheon” today would have made any Irishman proud!!  Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, hard work and great food.  A special ‘Thank You’ to Susan Stephen.

It was a beautiful Service with all the Youth serving.  Thank you John Todd, you should be proud.  Everyone enjoyed Bishop Gregg’s Homily.  The covered-dish luncheon in honor of Bishop Gregg and the three confirmation candidates was outstanding.  The tables were laden with delicious specialties from the church’s cooks.  Thank you everyone for making this day so special.

A certificate signed by three members of the Senate honoring Jay Elliott for his winning of the “Division III Oratorical Contest” was presented to him by Father David and Greta Crayton.  Jay goes to the State Level this coming Saturday, March 3rd. at 1:00 pm at the State Legislative Building in Raleigh.  Plan to go and show your support.

Father David will be in the office this week on Wednesday, February 29th from 12:00 noon till 6:00 pm and Thursday, March 1st from 10:00 am till noon.

Wednesday, February 29th – 6:30 pm – The Stations of the Cross will be read.
A light Lenten Meal of soups and sandwiches will follow the service in the Parish Hall prepared by Group #1.

For your Lenten Offering, it is asked that you bring an article of food (canned, box, etc.) one for each day of the 40 days of Lent to church.  Please bring the food WEEKLY so it can be delivered weekly to Grace Chapel Church to help feed the hungry.

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.