November 25-26, 2017 Our Lord Jesus Christ, King Of The Universe Christmas Tree & Wreath Sales Christmas Tree and Wreath sales are underway! Please prayerfully consider purchasing your Christmas tree and/or wreath from the parish this year! Bring the aroma of holiday cheer to your home with a fresh cut Fraser Fir tree. Cash, check or credit card are accepted. Candy Cane Wreath $20 10" Wreath $10 16" Wreath $20 20" Wreath $30 Small Tree $45 Medium Tree $65 Large Tree $95 Hours of Operation Monday-Friday 3:00pm-9:00pm Saturday-Sunday 9:00am-9:00pm Price List Christmas Pageant Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 19 at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary. The Music Ministry will present a Christmas concert featuring Joyful Noise Children's choir presenting a Christmas show titled "Away from the Manger" and the Adult choir performing the Christmas cantata "I Hear the Prophet Callin'. The evening will be filled with beautiful music to prepare our hearts for the Christmas season! This is an event for every member of the family! Additional details will be in the bulletin and e-newsletter as the concert date approaches. Be sure to save the date and we look forward to seeing you there! Bethlehem Christians We are very happy to welcome back our friends from Bethlehem Christians. They will be selling olivewood figurines, crosses and specialty items the first weekend of Advent. Their beautifully carved items will become constant reminders of your Catholic faith. But even more importantly, every item we purchase will assist Christians in Bethlehem, who have become a minority of just 2% of the population of Israel. Visit the tables in the Commons after all Masses to learn more about their struggles and speak with Samir Qumsieh. He owns Nativity TV, the only Christian TV station in Palestine. Samir travels in the United States selling of olivewood items. To raise funds to support Christian causes in the land of Jesus' birth. Advent Candles Advent Candles are available now on the Credenza for $5.00. Kids Christmas Crafting Drop by Saturday, December 2 in the Commons from 9:30am –1:30pm. We will have several projects to choose from and someone will be at each station to give a little help. This is a great time for kids to make gifts for family members! Projects range from $1or $2. RSVP on the website under events.
Transcript
November 25-26, 2017
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King Of The Universe
Christmas Tree & Wreath Sales Christmas Tree and Wreath sales are underway! Please prayerfully consider purchasing your Christmas tree and/or wreath from the parish this year! Bring the aroma of holiday cheer to your home with a fresh cut
Fraser Fir tree.
Cash, check or credit card are accepted.
Candy Cane Wreath $20 10" Wreath $10 16" Wreath $20 20" Wreath $30 Small Tree $45 Medium Tree $65 Large Tree $95
Hours of Operation
Monday-Friday 3:00pm-9:00pm
Saturday-Sunday 9:00am-9:00pm
Price List
Christmas Pageant Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 19 at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary. The Music Ministry will present a Christmas concert featuring Joyful Noise Children's choir presenting a Christmas show titled "Away from the Manger" and the Adult choir performing the Christmas cantata "I Hear the Prophet Callin'. The evening will be filled with beautiful music to prepare our hearts for the Christmas season! This is an event for every member of the family! Additional details will be in the bulletin and e-newsletter as the concert date approaches. Be sure to save the date and we look forward to seeing you there!
Bethlehem Christians We are very happy to welcome back our friends from Bethlehem Christians. They will be selling olivewood figurines, crosses and specialty items the first weekend of Advent. Their beautifully
carved items will become constant reminders of your Catholic faith. But even more importantly, every item we purchase will assist Christians in Bethlehem, who have become a minority of just 2% of the population of Israel. Visit the tables in the Commons after all Masses to learn more about their struggles and speak with Samir Qumsieh. He owns Nativity TV, the only Christian TV station in Palestine. Samir
travels in the United States selling of olivewood items. To raise funds to support Christian causes in the land of Jesus' birth.
Advent Candles Advent Candles are available now
on the Credenza for $5.00.
Kids Christmas Crafting Drop by Saturday, December 2 in the Commons from 9:30am –1:30pm. We will have several projects to choose from and someone will be at each station to give a little help. This is a great time for kids to make gifts for family members! Projects range from $1or $2.
RSVP on the website under events.
Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunity! SSM has partnered with Collette Travel for an extraordinary experience to see the Passion Play which is performed once every 10 years. Not only is it an opportunity for parishioners, it is a fundraiser for the parish. 10% will come back to SSM for each paid traveler. Preparations are already underway for the next Passion Play in the tiny Bavarian hamlet of Oberammergau. The show in 2020 may seem distant but the excitement is already building for the next production. Demand for tickets is high and space on tours will be limited. The Dates: August 23– September 1, 2020 There are only 14 seats available. The 10 day adventure includes 12 meals, pick up and return service to airport from SSM, 4 star accommodations (double occupancy), airfare and land travel to Germany, Austria, Bavaria and the Passion Play.
Total Cost: $4999 per person Reservation deposit: $750 per person
First Payment: $1200 due 1 year from departure
Last Payment: due 120 days from departure
Merry and Bright Advent Outreach It is that time of year to help those in need to have a Merry & Bright Christmas. Sign ups are in the Commons at all Masses. This is our annual outreach to help families in need during Christmas. Adopt A Family: Consider adopting a family that is qualified through CHIP (Children's Health Investment Program). Please provide two gifts per child in the family ($25-$30 per gift) and a food basket that includes food for a family Christmas dinner. Parishioners who sign up for a family are responsible for contacting the family and delivering the gifts and food basket to their home on Saturday, December 16 or make arrangements with the family for delivery date. Most of the families live in Chesapeake but some may live in Portsmouth and Norfolk. This information will be clearly marked on envelopes at the sign up table after Masses. Coat Drive: Make someone’s Christmas Merry, Bright
and warm. Please donate a gently used child or adult coat in the Commons. The coats will be donated to those in the CHIP program.
GiftsForKids: Please support the ForKids program by providing an individual gift for a child. ForKids is an organization that serves homeless families and those transitioning to stable housing throughout the region, including the Our House shelter in Chesapeake. You can pick up gift tags on the table in the Commons. Gifts must be returned to the church unwrapped & placed in the bins at the sign up tables by Sunday, December 17 at 5:00pm. Gift cards are acceptable to give as gifts too. Contact Linda Hollingsworth at [email protected] or 757-642-1277 for more information about our Advent Outreach programs. Thanks to all who help those less fortunate in our community.
Teaching Mass Do you understand all of the "Bells and Whistles" in the Mass? The average Catholic has never had an opportunity to understand all that is happening on the altar, and how close we are to heaven each time consecration occurs. Don't miss Fr. Brian's Teaching Mass, on Thursday, November 30 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.
Travel insurance is strongly suggested and may be purchased through Colette for $500 per person. All 109 performances of the Passion Play between May and September will sell out. We have to act quickly and act NOW! To learn about the Passion Play visit: https://www.passionsspieleoberammergau.de/en
For more information or to reserve your place, visit after all Masses in the Commons December 2 /3 for this incredible journey. Want to reserve your place right now? Reach out to Carol Ehrbar at [email protected] or 757-708-6585 or Linda Hollingsworth at [email protected] or 757-642-1277.
Family Adoration Children of the Eucharist Please join us Wednesday, December 6 for the second session of Children of the Eucharist Holy Hour at St. Stephen's! This Holy "Hour" will consist of music, prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament geared specifically towards families with young children. We encourage EVERY FAMILY in our parish to take advantage of this time spent with the Lord where the wiggles, giggles and joyful exuberance of children are welcomed!!! The atmosphere will be relaxed but reverent. There will be stories of the Saints, explanations of why we do what we do at adoration and so much more! Don't miss this chance to build the faith life of your family!!! See you at 6:00pm on Wednesday, December 6!
Adult Faith Formation
RCIC 2017-2018 Next class: Thursday December 7
7:00pm to 8:00pm in Classrooms 1 and 2. The Topic will be on Salvation History.
Symbolon will meet Monday, November 27 from 9:30am-11:30am in Room 4. Topic is on Mary and the
Saints
“Upper Room” Prayer Fellowship Come join us every Tuesday
7:00-8:30pm in the Worship Space
The St. Stephen, Martyr‘s prayer fellowship offers the following:
The Divine Mercy Chaplet sung
Praise & Worship songs—contemporary
Sacred Scripture/
Catechetical talks
Testimonials, sharing
God’s gifts
Intercessory prayer for healing
Join us for the Upper Room Prayer Fellowship on Tuesday, November 28 at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary. The talk is Expectant Faith: Do I have what it takes to walk on water?
If you have questions, please contact the Adult Faith Office at [email protected] or 757-421-7416.
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Santa For A Senior Please remember to return your Christmas bags before December 10! Thank you from all the seniors who will benefit from your kindness!
RCIA 2017-2018 Next class: Thursday, November 30 , 6:30pm to
8:30pm. We will be meeting in the Sanctuary where Fr. Brian will be leading us in a teaching Mass.
Adult Mission Trip Volunteer to join fellow SSM parishioners as we conduct our first adult (over 18) mission trip to West Virginia in October of 2018! Both men and women are invited! No construction experience necessary! We will spend one week providing our support to make it "Warmer, Safer, and Drier" for those in need.
The Appalachia region is home to some of the very poorest areas in the country with a tremendous need for help. If you want to make a difference, this is the opportunity for you!
Our trip will be either the week of October 7-13 or October 14-20, 2018. In March 2018, a firm date will be released and our registrations will begin! The cost will be $350 per person (which includes all meals and lodging).
Beginning December 2-3, we will have a table in the Commons once per month. You will be able to get more information and sign up to participate. It is very important for us to get an idea of how many people are interested in attending, so sign ups before March 1,
DO NOT commit you to the trip.
Diocesan Youth Conference Any High School youth interested in attending the Diocesan Youth Conference this coming February, please contact Jason Morrison at [email protected] or 757-421-7416, ext. 309. Deadline for registration is December 3. For more information about this event please visit http://evangelizerichmond.org/events/dyc2018/.
Hampton Roads Catholic Singles Club The Hampton Roads Catholic Singles Club will attend the Hampton Roads Philharmonic Holiday Concert at historic Fort Monroe on Saturday, December 9. The concert begins at 4:00pm, followed by a Christmas Tree Lighting at 5:30pm at Cannon Park. The Hampton Roads Catholic Singles Club is an organization of single Catholic professional men and women. The club is formally known as the Tidewater Catholic Alumni Club and is a member of the national organization Catholic Alumni Club International.
For more information, go to the club website www.freewebs.com/tidewatercatholicalumniclub/, contact us by e-mail at [email protected], or call 757-898-6991.
Advent Reconciliation Services
December 5, 7:00pm Prince of Peace
December 5, 7:00pm St. Matthews
December 12, 7:00pm St. Stephen, Martyr
December 14, 7:00pm St. Mark
New Parish Directory Photo Sessions! It is time to sign up to have your photos taken for the New Parish Directory! Photo sessions begin December 7! December, January and February dates are available. Select your date and time with the easy on line scheduling. If you choose a December date, you are guaranteed your photos by Christmas! Everyone that participates will get a FREE 8X10 photo!
Our Gifts To The Lord Due to the upcoming holidays the Offertory 11/19/17 information will be provided in the Weekly E-Newsletter sent on Wednesday
through email.
First Sunday of Advent
December 2/3, 2017
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 63:16b-17,19b; 64:2-7
1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13:33-37
Memory Board During the month of November, we will have a Memory Board in the alcove in the back of the Sanctuary. Please bring Mass Cards or pictures of your deceased loved ones to display. Write your name and phone number on the back of the items to ensure they can be returned to you.
Prayers of the Faithful If you or your small faith group would like to write Prayers of the Faithful in 2018, please contact Marge Marino in the office at [email protected].
Second Collection There will be a second collection at all the weekend Masses, December 2-3, for the Samaritan Fund.
FaceBook Like us on FaceBook, https://www.facebook.com/ststephenmartyr/
E-Newsletter Sign up for the weekly E-Newsletter, on our web-site under About > Sign-Ups > Subscribe to our Newsletter
Thursday, November 30 8:30am Mass (Judy Pfeifer) 6:30pm Teaching Mass
Friday, December 1 8:30am Mass
Saturday, December 2 8:30am Mass 5:00pm Mass (Parish of St. Stephen, Martyr)
Sunday, December 3 7:00am Mass (Parish of St. Stephen, Martyr) 8:30am Mass (Parish of St. Stephen, Martyr) 11:30am Mass (Parish of St. Stephen, Martyr) 5:00pm Mass (Parish of St. Stephen, Martyr)
Mass Intentions
Prayer for Our Troops Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need,
and bring them home safely. May their sacrifices bring about a lasting
and just peace in all lands. I ask this in the name of Jesus, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.
