Dec. 2 - Work party 7:00 a.m.

     Dec. 4 - Education Committee 4:30 p.m.

      Library

     Dec. 6 - Elder/Deacon meeting, 9:30 a.m.

      Library

     Dec. 6 - Christmas Tree trim and

      sanctuary decorate, 9:00 a.m.

     Dec. 7 - Blood pressure check, Room 7

     Dec. 7 - Bargain boutique, Room 7

     Dec. 7 - WELCA Fall Festival fund

      disbursement

     Dec. 9 - Church Council 7:00, library

     Dec. 12 - Preschool Christmas program,

      9:30 a.m.

     Dec. 14 - Christmas Concert, 7:00 p.m.

     Dec. 15 - Mary Circle, 9:00 a.m. Library

     Dec. 15 - Esther Circle, 5:00 p.m. at the

      home of Judy Cave

     Dec. 17 - Naomi Circle, 11:30 a.m. at

      Dianne Tillman’s home

     Dec. 22 - Preschool committee, 1:00 p.m.

      Library

     Dec. 22 - Book Club,A Red Bird Christmas

      by Fannie Flagg, 7:30 p.m. at the home of

      Nancy Hall

     Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve services at

      5:30 and 10:00 p.m.

     Weekly

     Monday - Teen Group - 6:30 p.m.

     Wednesday - Yak n’ Sew 9:00 a.m. Room 7

     Wednesday Mid-week Advent Services

      6:00 p.m. dinner, 7:00 p.m. service

     Thursday - Bell choir 6:00 p.m., Senior

      Choir 7:30 p.m.

     Children’s Sunday School during the

      sermon

      Adult Sunday School 10:30 a.m.

“Advent is here!  It begins on Sunday November 30.  Advent is a time of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, and of longing.  Most of all it

     is a time of hope.  Here at St. Stephen's we are cleaning out from the ashes of the Sayre fire.  The Harris's and the Teadke's lost their homes. All

     our hearts are filled with sadness for the losses so many families have endured. The ashes have begun to subside but the scars remain.  Things

     will never be quite the same.  And the economy…

     

     We are reminded that the "People who dwelt in darkness have seen a great light." More than ever we long for that hope and that light.  As the

     days have darkened in many ways we look to the Light of Christ for hope.  As God promised hundreds of years ago at the time of Jesus'  birth, 

     He is with us.  Immanuel, God is with us.  As the angels spoke as well,  "Fear not!"

     

     And so in the Advent season we dare to hope.  Our hope is not in politics or in finances or in security.  Our hope is finally in the One whose birth

     we celebrate and proclaim.  The tiny babe has been born into this world and began his dwelling in a manger on straw.  The same Child breaks

     into the straw of our hearts and lives, transforming our disappoints and disillusions into light and hope.  Lift up your hearts, because your

     redemption is near.

     

     We will gather for worship each Sunday and offer midweek devotions each Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m.  The theme for these devotions will

     be  THE GIFTS OF CHRISTMAS.  Each week will have its own theme:  Anticipation,  Patience,  Revelation and Hope.  Please join us if you can.

     

     On Sundays during Adult Education time we  will study a few passages from the Book of Isaiah. PREPARING THE WAY will be the focus themes for

     those studies.

     

     Isaiah 40: 1-2  "Comfort"

     

     Isaiah 40: 3-4  "Strategy"

     

     Isaiah 40: 6-8   "Breath of God"

     

     May God continue to be with you as your Light in the Darkness and your everlasting hope.

     

     Pastor Kathy

     

     

Fall Family Festival

     

     The 2008 Fall Family Festival was a wonderful success.  Including the Trivent matching funds we realized a profit of nearly $4,000.

      We enjoyed delicious soups on Friday night with every burner of our new stove in use.  On Friday about 100 bowls of nine varieties of

     homemade soup were enjoyed by those in attendance. The bake sale provided dessert and was run by Norma Teadtke and Barbara Harris with

     other generous contributions. We ran out of Norma's delicious pies on the first night! On Friday we chased the last few customers away with a

     lively Karaoke show by the youth. Thank you Laurel Seaver and Dianne Tillman for showing them how! Lunch on Saturday was served to about

     150 guests.

      On Saturday In the front parking lot we had a display of antique cars by the Model T Car Club. Thanks to Jackie Swift for arranging this

     upfront publicity.

      The Friday and Saturday boutique was a hit, as usual with sales comparable to previous years. This is outstanding with our reduced-in-

     numbers, yet ever faithful, Yak-n-Sew group. 

      With a couple of glitches in our Saturday lineup (our face painter got sick), we still managed to paint butterflies, flowers, rainbows and yes,

     even a spider in a web, on a dozen smiling faces that then took off for the bouncer and games provided by the preschool. 

     

      Lorrie, Elise, Christina, Andrew, Vina and John, the brats, kraut, and sloppy joes were "to die for"!  The African jewelry table enjoyed return

     clientele. Thanks Nancy Hall for the silent auction which did well and included donations from Virginia Croxen, Vina Rall, Ann King, Lorrie

     Decoursey-Thomas, Dorothy Stilling and Betty Sue Weitkamp. The Kings are the lucky family heading off to Disneyland.  The beautiful raffle

     items were won by Scott Andersen, Sylvia Johnson and Becky Kober.

      MANY people put MANY hours of planning and work into this event and MANY came to be part of it. It was great for the fellowship,

     financially and as a community outreach to the THANKS TO ALL!!!!! 

     Dorothy and LaNita and all the women of St. Stephen’s.

     

     Special thanks to the following businesses for their donations: Laemmle Theatres, Al & Bob's Carpets, Valley Book & Bible Stores, Ronald

     Reagan Presidential Library & Museum, LACMA, Valley Ice Center, Mel-O-Dee Garden Center, Ralphs Market, Disney Worldwide Outreach. See's

     Candy Shops, Inc., Los Angeles Zoo, Bobbi-Lyn Beauty Salon, Calabee’s Inc., Sierra's (Jaramillo Enterprises), Trader Joe’s, Hows Market

     

     

     WELCA

      The December Bible study is the book of Daniel. The theme is "Keeping the Faith". All women are invited to choose a date and time and join

     in the study. 

     Mary Circle - Monday December 15, 9:00 a.m. meets in the library, Virginia Croxen, chair.

     Esther Circle - Monday December 15 at Judy Cave's home, 5:00 pm., Laurel Seaver, chair

     Naomi Circle - Wednesday December 17, 11:30 a.m. at Dianne Tillman's home. Bring a salad and Christmas goodies to share, Joyce Falk,

     chair.

     

     

Early Childhood Center

     

     Take a look at our updated web page

     stephenschurch.org

     

      “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine . . .” is a popular chapel song. We usually add many verses regarding where we will let our lights

     shine, frequently singing that we will “let it shine in our neighborhood”. St. Stephen’s Preschool has a tradition of being an outreach to this

     neighborhood.

     

      During this time of stressful economics, we thank all of our families who have increased their tuition by bringing their part time children more

     often and therefore increasing our income. We thank families, staff and church members who are providing snack, cleaning services, supplies

     and other services to help reduce our expenses. It is always amazing what a Christian Community can do, together!

     

      In order to remain open, and meet our budget, we need and would love to have more children! If you know anyone with a preschool age child,

     please invite them to come for a tour. We would love to show them what we have to offer! Lori, Pari and Sharon have over 60 years of combined

     experience, offering: a strong curriculum provided with Christian care, help developing social skills, appropriate behavior, strong morals and

     ethics, and plenty of opportunities for each child to grow and develop to the best of each of their unique, God given abilities.

     

      Write a review for our preschool! Go to “insiderpages.com” or click the link on the preschool web page, found at “stephenschurch.org”. Four

     people have already given rave reviews!

     

     Lori Nelson, Director

     

     

     Advent

     A Special Time of Preparation

     

      Without this special time for preparation the meaning of Christmas is diminished. It provides us with a time to really consider what Christ

     means to us in our lives. The book of Isaiah is studied during this time which is a celebration of the fulfillment of the prophecies in the Old

     Testament regarding the Messiah.

     

      Advent used to be a penitential time similar to Lent. Today the Orthodox churches observe a 40 day Nativity Fast beginning on November

     15. The Coptic Church begins it’s fast on November 25. As you know there are special scriptural readings and liturgical colors during this

     time. The Advent Wreath is also a part of this preparation with an additional candle lit each week in church and in people’s homes. Advent

     hymns are sung and Christmas carols are reserved for the Christmas Season, beginning with Christmas Eve.

     

     

     Christ is the Heart of Christmas

     

     When you do something with candles...Say out loud “Jesus is the Light of the world”

     

     When you unpack the first Christmas decorations...Talk about some time in your life when God’s love in Christ was especially new and

     meaningful to you.

     

     When you go on a shopping trip...Try to think of those people (and yourself) as more than just a faceless surging mass. Try to see them as

     individuals for whom Christ was born.

     

     When there is a special Church service... Go to church expecting to meet your Lord there!

     

     When you address Christmas cards...Pray for the people who will receive your greetings.

     

     As you wrap gifts...On the gift tag write the words, “Christ is the Heart of Christmas”.

     

     When you bake cookies...Pray for the hungry of the world.

     

     

     

     When you decorate the tree...Make sure there are ornaments that symbolize the fact that “Christ is the Heart of Christmas”.

     

     When you hear Christmas music...Sing along and pray for all who make music to the Lord.

     

     When you are caroling...Remember all those who were a part of the first Christmas.

     

     When company comes...The Lord also comes to be a Guest in your home.

     

     When you participate in a Christmas charity...Remind yourself of Christ’s command to help those in need.

     

     When you hear the Christmas story read...Listen - listen - listen!

     

     When Christmas Day draws to a close...Remember the Christmas season has just begun so pray that the joy will stay in your heart the whole

     year.

     

     

     Your Opportunities to Help With St. Stephens’ Christmas Preparations

     

     Work Party - December 2, 7:00 a.m.

      Help us start the new church year with a clean church and campus. Lots of jobs for everyone, including removing ash and dirt from the

     recent fires.

     

     Christmas Tree Trim and Sanctuary Decorating

     December 6, 9:00 a.m.

      Everyone (children - seniors) is invited to join the fun of helping to put up our beautiful Christmas decorations.

     

     Christmas Concert

     December 14 at 7:00 p.m.

      Come to our annual concert and holiday reception for inspiration and enjoyment of this special season.

     

     

     

     Boy Scouts Special Thanks

     Food Pantry Helped

     

      Special thanks to all the Boy Scouts who collected over 500 food items during the “Scouting For Food Drive”. One young scout sat outside of

     Ralphs in Porter Ranch for three hours. People responded very generously when asked to purchase an item for the food pantry while they

     were shopping.

     

      During this difficult financial time requests for food have been greatly increased and it’s difficult keeping enough on hand to give to people.

     The scout items were donated to St. Stephen’s Food pantry with plans to continue the drive through Christmas.

     

     

     Tables of Eight

     January 11, 2009

     

      If you haven’t already done so, be sure to contact Marilyn Fursman to sign up for this wonderful fellowship opportunity. It’s open to all St.

     Stephen’s members, friends and their guests. The past three dinners have provided lots of fun and a chance to get to really know other

     people. Marilyn is hoping for three tables in January. The dinners are hosted by members in their homes and everyone brings a part of the

     pre-planned gourmet meals.