SAINT STEPHEN THE PROTOMARTYR

ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

609 LANE AVE., SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ 07080

TEL. (908) 756-0410 - www.ststephenchurch.net

THE V. REV. Fr. STEPHEN TEWFIK, PASTOR - TEL. (908) 654-4301

DECEMBER, 2015 NEWSLETTER

The Epistle and the Gospel Readings

Sunday, Dec. 6th Epistle: Heb. 13:17-21 Sunday, Dec. 20th Epistle: Heb. 11:9-10;17:23,32-40

Sts. Nicholas the Gospel: Lk. 13:10-17 Sunday of the Gospel: Mt. 1:1-25

Wonderworker Tone: Two Genealogy Tone: Four

Sunday, Dec. 13th Epistle: Col. 3:4-11 Sunday, Dec. 27th Epistle: Act. 6:8-7:1-5,47-60

Sunday of the Fore- Gospel: Lk. 14:16-24 Sunday after the Gospel: Lk. 18:18-27

Fathers of Christ Tone: Three Nativiy & Joseph Tone: Five

The Betrothed, David the King & James the

Brother of the Lord

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(Please see St. Stephen’s Monthly Calendar for daily services for December)

-The Parish Council Meeting will be held on Sunday Dec. 6th after Divine Liturgy tffollfolllat the Church Hall.

- The St. Stephen Annual New Year Celebration will be held on December 31st, 2015 at our Church Hall 8:30 PM. Elias El-Choueri is chairing this event. A flier and more news will be coming soon.

-Annual Dinner Dance/ Hafli: Many thanks to everyone that helped organize the evening with cooking, decorating, baking, setting up and cleaning; the families that generously donated toward our expenses and a special thank to Carmen for chairing the event and to Nadi Atalla for providing the evening’s entertainment. With God’s helping hands we had a very successful and enjoyable evening; all that attended had a wonderful time.

-New Parish Directory: Rosemary is preparing to update our Parish Directory for publication by the end of December. Please review your listing from the current one and let her know if there are any changes or corrections. Check the birthday and anniversary pages also. Let her know if you want something added like a cell phone or e-mail address. Also, if you are not currently a member of St. Stephen’s, now is a good time to join our parish. Please contact her at 973-270-0256 or e-mail:

-Our Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese is one of the sponsoring organizations for the National Committee for World Food Day. We now join 456 voluntary organizations throughout the United States and 163 countries around the world observing “World Food Day”. From October till December we sponsor a Canned Food Drive. Please bring your canned foods to be donated to the needy. Very soon, we will be starting preparing ourselves to celebrate the birth of our Lord in the flesh. He was born in a manger to teach us to care for the poor. Please be generous and remember to bring your cans of food.

-We are having “Our Annual Christmas Gifts to Needy Children”, please see Violette. Please bring all gifts to the Church no later than Dec. 13th.

News from the Parish Council:

-The carpets in the basement, steps and foyer have all been cleaned.
-Thank you to everyone who has helped throughout the past year at our events, and kept our church running smoothly and looking good.

News from Our Church School:

-The Church School children will be preparing for the upcoming weeks for St. Nicholas Day celebration (Dec. 5th), and the Christmas Party with Santa followed by the annual Luncheon on Dec. 20th.

-Please bring your children to church, as Nadine and Sandy will be practicing with the children the next few Sundays to prepare them for the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is important that the children attend church so they can practice their special Christmas program for the parish. Parents please remember that since your children cannot drive, they depend on you to bring them. Their gift to you is their heartfelt celebration of Jesus’ birth through songs and retelling of the Christmas story. We look forward to seeing you.

News from Our Teen SOYO:

- Through the generosity of the parish, the teens raised $425 for Special Olympics. We thank you all. Teens will also sponsor the Lenten luncheon which will be held on December 13th after the Sunday School Christmas pageant.

News from Our Women Group:

-The Annual Thanksgiving Bake Sale was once again very successful; many thanks to ladies that organized the project the ones that baked and the rest of the parish for their generosity and continuous support.

-We collected an abundant amount of food for two Thanksgiving Baskets; as always St. Stephen families were extremely generous.

-The group is organizing a Falafel luncheon on December 6th; we truly appreciate all the efforts of the ladies that are organizing this fundraising.

-SAVE THE DATE: A Christmas Luncheon is scheduled for January 3rd after the Divine Liturgy. The ladies will be going out to lunch to a local restaurant, please let Carmen know if anyone is interested to participate.

-Wishing you and your families a Blessed Christmas Season and Happy, Healthy New Year!

-Next Meeting is scheduled for February 7th during coffee hour.

IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) News
-IOCC is responding with emergency relief to Hurricane Joaquin survivors in the Bahamas by sending blankets, hygiene kits, cleanup buckets, and building supplies. 3000 people were affected by the hurricane, and hundreds of families were stranded without shelter.
-IOCC continues its distribution of food and tents to 300 families displaced by the deadly earthquake which hit Pakistan and Afghanistan.
-IOCC has been providing up to 1000 hot meals and water daily for Syrian refugees arriving in Greece.

Preparation for Holy Communion:

-Only Orthodox Christians who are prepared may approach the Holy Chalice. Please remember to have respect as we are processing forward to receive Holy Communion. This is a solemn time for

Gift Certificates from Shop Rite are available. Please see Alice Hossary.

MANY THANKS:

-To May Elias for baking the prosphora.

-To Marie Samaan for donating the olive oil.

-To Ricky Ghanim for fixing the banister of the steps leading to the Church Hall.

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