SAINT STEPHEN THE PROTOMARTYR -Reminder: PLEASE make sure the church doors are locked when you leave! ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH -If you have not already done so, please submit your Archdiocese dues before year end, with the 609 LANE AVE., SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ 07080 check made out to St. Stephen's and a note in the memo section. The guideline is $35 per baptized TEL. (908) 756-0410 - www.ststephenchurch.net soul in your family. St. Stephens pays this on your behalf. THE V. REV. Fr. STEPHEN TEWFIK, PASTOR - TEL. (908) 654-4301 - We have a new coffee percolator. NOVEMBER, 2015 NEWSLETTER News from Our Church School: The Epistle and the Gospel Readings -On behalf of the Church School Children and Teachers, I would like to thank Anthula for making Sunday, Nov.1 st Epistle: 1 Cor. 12:27-31;13:1-8 Sunday, Nov. 22 nd Epistle: Eph. 4:1-7 two absolutely delicious loaves of banana and chocolate chip bread for the Sunday School Children. Sts. Cosmas & Gospel: Lk. 16:19-31 25th Sunday after Gospel: Lk. 12:16-21 It was delicious and there was not a crumb left -- from our hearts to yours thank you!! Damian of Asia Tone: Five Pentecost Tone: Eight -Thank you to Amanda Elsabee for the wonderful Autumn Festival we shared last Sunday. Our thanks goes out to Barbara Walters, Barbara George, Alyssa, Sophia and Angie & Christiana’s Mom Sunday, Nov. 8 th Epistle: Heb. 2:2-10 Sunday, Nov. 29 th Epistle: Eph. 5:8-19 for helping make the Autumn Fest a fun time for everyone. Synaxis of the Gospel: Lk. 8:41-56 26th Sunday after Gospel: Lk. 18:18-27 -As the Nativity Fast approaches beginning on November 15th, this year, teachers and parents, we Archangels Michael, Tone: Six Pentecost Tone: One will be preparing for Our Lord and Savior's Birth by making ourselves ready before God to Receive Gabriel & all the Heavenly Powers Jesus. Every Church School class except the preschool children will be preparing and making confessions before Christmas. Please advise Father Stephen which Sunday your class will be Sunday, Nov. 15 th Epistle: Eph. 2:14 to end confessing as we prepare for the Nativity of our Lord. 24th Sunday after Gospel: Lk. 10:25-37 -This year the Creative Arts theme is: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua Pentecost Tone: Seven 24:15. We will begin working on the theme in our classrooms and would like to thank Nadine for ______volunteering to help with both the Creative Arts Projects and The Nativity Songs. Ms. Nadine and (Please see St. Stephen’s Monthly Calendar for daily services for November) Ms. Sandy have volunteered to work with our Church School for the Nativity Holiday. More to -The Parish Council Meeting will be held on Sunday Nov. 8th after Divine Liturgy at the Church follow! Hall. -The Antiochian Archdiocese together with Metropolitan Joseph, who chose this year's theme reminds us that..."Let us be inspired by the holy families of Jesus and St. Basil the Great to -Our Annual Gift Raffle Auction was held on Saturday October 24th in our Church Hall, and it truly make our homes “little churches.” We must reinforce what we learn in Church School in our was a great success. Many thanks to: Rosemary Kattas, Camille Waser, Barbara George, Barbara homes. Please, ask your children what they learned in Church School this week.--- And to all the Walters, and Ibtihaj Kanj for their great efforts, their dedication and great planning. Many thanks to: parents, thank you for bringing your children! the people who worked the kitchen especially Amanda ElSabee. Many thanks to: our teens for News from Our Teen SOYO: bringing the gifts from the basement to the hall and during the event. Many thanks to all of you, the -Teen SOYO thanks our parishioners for their generosity to The Special Olympics during Youth wonderful parishioners of St. Stephen for your donations and participation in this major event. Month. We will be donating over $400. You support of Teen SOYO is always appreciated. -Our Annual Dinner & Dance Party: Save the date for the St. Stephen Annual Dinner Dance News from Our Women Group: scheduled for November 7th. We plan to have a buffet dinner with mezza and music. Please come -As we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday, let us thank God for all the gifts He bestows on us and join us; bring your families and friends for a fun, enjoyable evening. Any donation toward our our families, and let us be grateful for God’s tender hands blessing our lives. expenses would be greatly appreciated. -The group will be busy during month of November, collecting Thanksgiving food baskets for two -St. Anthony Church will be having their Annual Festival on Nov. 5, 6 and 7th. Please plan to needy families and baking for a Thanksgiving Bake Sale on November 22nd. attend and support our sister parish. For more information, see the flyer on the bulletin board. -SAVE THE DATE: Our sister church, St. George of Little Falls is hosting a retreat, December 5th -Our Saint Nicholas Cathedral of Brooklyn, NY invites you all to join them for the Feast of St. 9:30 am – 3:30 pm; the topic “Are WE Truly Human?” speaker, V. Rev. Fr. George Kevorkian. For Raphael of Brooklyn commemorating the 100th anniversary of his repose. Friday, Nov. 6th Great more details, please see flier on Women Group Bulletin. Vespers and Artoklasia at 7 pm. Saturday, Nov. 7th Orthos at 9:15 am and Hierarchical Divine -Next Meeting is scheduled for December 6th during coffee hour. Liturgy at 10:30 am followed by a lunch in the Cathedral hall. His Eminence, Metropolitan JOSEPH IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) News will preside at the services both days. -IOCC is responding to the urgent needs of survivors from a deadly 7.5 magnitude earthquake -Congratulations to Paul Tewfik and Alexis Geeza who were joined together in Holy Matrimony on which struck Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. Oct. 10th at St. Stephen Church. Congratulations to: their parents Fr. Stephen & Kh. Beba, Michael & - Since 2012, IOCC has provided relief to more than 2.7 million people inside Syria affected by the Pat Geeza and to Alexis’ grandparents John & Ann. MABROOK. civil war by providing emergency aid, shelter, health aid, educational supplies for children, and

News from the Parish Council : other aid. - IOCC is assisting victims of the recent South Carolina floods with the slow process of cleanup and recovery. Www.IOCC.org accepts donations for all of their relief efforts. 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 humility, prayer and silence. Please approach the Holy Chalice “In the fear of God and in faith and in love.” 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.

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