Church guide

CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR MAY 10TH MEN’S GROUP RETREAT The Men’s Group will be meeting at Brigham Hill Farm (Community Harvest Project) in Grafton on Saturday, May 11, for service and fellowship. We will share in worship, work on the farm in the morning (there will be non-field work options available), barbecue lunch and reflection led by Fr. Jesse. Starting with breakfast at 8am and ending at 3pm. This invitation is open to all men at St. Stephen’s. We have done this a number of times and it has always been an enjoyable event. If you haven’t been to one or our retreats before now, this is your opportunity to try it out. Contact Simon Fricker for details. MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH The men of the parish are serving a special Mother’s Day brunch after the 10:00am service on Sunday as a thank you to all the maternal figures in our lives. All men are invited to bring a pastry or baked good to share with the moms. Any men interested in helping out should contact Basil Brigandi. PARISH DIRECTORY We are almost done finalizing a new edition of the Parish Directory so we can get you a copy! If you have not yet checked your contact information, please contact the Parish Office ([email protected] or 508-366-4134) or Sharyn Philcox to do so ASAP. CONGRATULATIONS TO MOTHER HILARY Mother Hilary has accepted a job offer to serve as the Director of Pastoral Studies at the Montreal Diocesan Theological College. In this role, she will be teaching Church History and Liturgy, oversee seminarian internship placements in parishes, and work with continuing education and distance learning programs. She and Rick and the boys will be moving in July to get ready for the next academic year. More details on a farewell celebration will be coming soon. PENTECOST FOOD FESTIVAL On Pentecost Sunday, June 9, we will have a special international food festival pot luck after the 10am service. Each family is invited to bring a dish representative of their family’s heritage. Please sign up on the sheet in the parish hall. RECOGNITION OF OUR GRADUATES Next month, we will be recognizing our parish’s graduating students at the 10am service. If you have a student who is graduating from high school or college, please contact the parish office at 508-366-4134 or [email protected] so we can include him/her. COFFEE HOUR HELP NEEDED A new schedule for Sunday coffee hour has just come out, and we need hosts! All that is needed is to bring juice, half & half, and pastry, and to make coffee on Sunday morning. Feel free to partner with others. The sign-up sheet is in the parish hall. See Jane Symes if you have questions. THIS WEEK’S GOD WINK Seen recently on the news and Facebook: two teenagers were swimming in Florida and swam out so far (or were caught in a riptide) that they had great difficulty getting back to shore and tired quickly. They were losing the struggle with no end in sight and the young man’s legs were beginning to cramp up. Holding on to his girlfriend he asked God “for a plan” because they surely needed one and quickly. In the vicinity, two folks were sailing their boat in not-so-good sailing conditions but had decided to stay out on the water anyway. Visibility was not good and boats are noisy but over the noise they thought they heard someone “screaming” for help. Catching sight of the two weary swimmers, they were able to get them on board and return them to safety. By the way, the name of the boat was “The Amen”. The young rescued swimmer credits God for their rescue—surely a major God Wink!!! (For more Godwinks, read the weekly announcement email. Do you have your own “Godwink” to share? Email it to [email protected] or drop it off in the jar in the Narthex.) YARD/RUMMAGE SALE Please come to an indoor and outdoor Rummage and Yard Sale to be held on Saturday, May 18 from 9am – 1pm. Along with Grandma’s attic of fabulous finds, treasures available for purchase will include clothing, household goods, books, furniture, costume jewelry, baby and children’s toys and accessories. Goodies and coffee will also be available. Any gently used items that you wish to donate for the sale can be dropped off at the church through May 16 between 9am and noon. For additional information including afterhours drop-off, please call the church office at 508-366-4134. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED The Fundraising Committee is looking for volunteers to help with the Yard/Rummage Sale. We need volunteers from 9am to 1pm for the following: • to help pick up large items from homes • to prepare soups and breakfast dishes • hang, tag, and sort items • advertise on your car and circulating flyers throughout the neighborhood. • get the word out on social media by sharing our Facebook event Sign-up sheets will be available in the Parish Hall. PLANS FOR FALL FAIR HAVE BEGUN! We have begun planning for our annual fall fair to be held in November. “A Fair for All Seasons” gives us an opportunity to offer different craft items this year but we need your ideas and help. For questions please contact Sharyn Philcox. ALTAR FLOWERS You can dedicate flowers in memory of or in thanksgiving for a loved one by signing up on the flower chart in the Narthex. Put the envelope with date you have chosen, the dedication and your check for the flowers in the Treasurer’s mailbox. Please be sure to complete both the spot on the Flower Chart and the information form on the envelope, in order for us to record your memorial in the bulletin. Suggested Contribution: $75. SANCTUARY LAMP MEMORIALS You can dedicate the Sanctuary Lamp in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving by signing up in the Narthex. Put the envelope with date you have chosen, the dedication and your check (suggested donation is $10) in the mail box for the Treasurer, just outside the church office. Please make sure that the parish office has the information as well for the Sunday bulletin. DO YOU USE AMAZON.COM? Then you can easily raise money for St. Stephen’s ministry. Amazon offers a program that makes a donation for each sale to a non-profit organization of your choice for orders placed through their https://smile.amazon.com and St. Stephen’s is now on their list of beneficiaries! Please remember us when you place orders on Amazon. If you have any questions, please contact Lynne Urso. DEFICIT REDUCTION FUNDRAISER! "Working together we can beat the budget deficit. But we can’t do it without YOU. Here's how: CARDS. And, who can resist this opportunity to purchase not only cards but handcrafted cards packaged in a beautiful keepsake box all for one exciting price. 30 cards for $30!!! --and St. Stephen's receives 55% of each box sold. Think of these for your personal use, as gifts to family and friends at the holidays, hostess gifts, or purchase and donate to the card ministry. Orders can be placed through our treasurer Lynne Urso. Contact her at [email protected] ARE YOU NEW TO ST. STEPHEN’S? Welcome! If you are new to St. Stephen’s and you would like to join the parish, please see Fr. Jesse ([email protected]) to learn more about how to do so. We’d love to include you in the next edition of the parish directory and to include you in the parish prayer list. OUR PARISH PRAYER LIST Those seeking prayers for healing Chris Michelle Rita Fitzgerald Nancy Tessa Lianne Liza Vivian Marla Peter Rhonda Naomi Alison Skye Those in nursing homes Ruth Gail

MEN’S GROUP RETREAT The Men’s Group will be meeting at Brigham Hill Farm (Community Harvest Project) in Grafton on Saturday, May 11, for service and fellowship. We will share in worship, work on the farm in the morning (there will be non-field work options available), barbecue lunch and reflection led by Fr. Jesse. Starting with breakfast at 8am and ending at 3pm. This invitation is open to all men at St. Stephen’s. We have done this a number of times and it has always been an enjoyable event. If you haven’t been to one or our retreats before now, this is your opportunity to try it out. Contact Simon Fricker for details.

THIS WEEK’S GOD WINK As I was preparing the God Wink collection jar for the table out in the narthex, I wanted to provide a tablet of paper for folks to use if they wrote a God Wink to put in the jar. I have numerous pads of paper at home and went to the drawer where I have them stored hoping to find a something suitable. The first pad that I pulled out had the word “Believe” imprinted at the very top. I was truly amazed because I had no idea where that pad of paper came from but God knew and brought it forth for me to use. Another simple God Wink in my life. That pad of paper is now missing but I hope that God winks again so I can put it back beside the jar. (For more Godwinks, read the weekly announcement email. Do you have your own “Godwink” to share? Email it to [email protected] or drop it off in the jar in the Narthex.)

COFFEE HOUR HELP NEEDED A new schedule for Sunday coffee hour has just come out, and we need hosts! All that is needed is to bring juice, half & half, and pastry, and to make coffee on Sunday morning. Feel free to partner with others. The sign-up sheet is in the parish hall. See Jane Symes if you have questions.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR MAY 2ND LEGACY SUNDAY This Sunday, May 5, we will observe Legacy Sunday, giving thanks for those who have gone before us and through whose giving of themselves helped St. Stephen’s to become the great parish that it is today. At both services on Sunday, we will have a special guest preacher: Dean Rogeness, from St. Andrew’s Church in Longmeadow. MEN’S GROUP RETREAT The Men’s Group will be meeting at Brigham Hill Farm (Community Harvest Project) in Grafton on Saturday, May 11, for service and fellowship. We will share in worship, work on the farm in the morning (there will be non-field work options available), barbecue lunch and reflection led by Fr. Jesse. Starting with breakfast at 8am and ending at 3pm. This invitation is open to all men at St. Stephen’s. We have done this a number of times and it has always been an enjoyable event. If you haven’t been to one or our retreats before now, this is your opportunity to try it out. Email Simon Fricker for details. COFFEE HOUR HELP NEEDED A new schedule for Sunday coffee hour has just come out, and we need hosts! All that is needed is to bring juice, half & half, and pastry, and to make coffee on Sunday morning. Feel free to partner with others. The sign-up sheet is in the parish hall. See Jane Symes if you have questions. THIS WEEK’S GOD WINK As I was preparing the God Wink collection jar for the table out in the narthex, I wanted to provide a tablet of paper for folks to use if they wrote a God Wink to put in the jar. I have numerous pads of paper at home and went to the drawer where I have them stored hoping to find a something suitable. The first pad that I pulled out had the word “Believe” imprinted at the very top. I was truly amazed because I had no idea where that pad of paper came from but God knew and brought it forth for me to use. Another simple God Wink in my life. That pad of paper is now missing but I hope that God winks again so I can put it back beside the jar. (For more Godwinks, read the weekly announcement email. Do you have your own “Godwink” to share? Email it to [email protected] or drop it off in the jar in the Narthex.) YARD/RUMMAGE SALE Please come to an indoor and outdoor Rummage and Yard Sale to be held on Saturday, May 18 from 9am – 1pm. Along with Grandma’s attic of fabulous finds, treasures available for purchase will include clothing, household goods, books, furniture, costume jewelry, baby and children’s toys and accessories. Goodies and coffee will also be available. Any gently used items that you wish to donate for the sale can be dropped off at the church through May 16 between 9am and noon. For additional information including afterhours drop-off, please call the church office at 508-366-4134. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED The Fundraising Committee is looking for volunteers to help with the Yard/Rummage Sale. We need volunteers from 9am to 1pm for the following: • to help pick up large items from homes • to prepare soups and breakfast dishes • hang, tag, and sort items • advertise on your car and circulating flyers throughout the neighborhood. Sign-up sheets will be available in the Parish Hall. PLANS FOR FALL FAIR HAVE BEGUN! We have begun planning for our annual fall fair to be held in November. “A Fair for All Seasons” gives us an opportunity to offer different craft items this year but we need your ideas and help. For questions please contact Sharyn Philcox at 508-393-6858 or [email protected]. ALTAR FLOWERS You can dedicate flowers in memory of or in thanksgiving for a loved one by signing up on the flower chart in the Narthex. Put the envelope with date you have chosen, the dedication and your check for the flowers in the Treasurer’s mailbox. Please be sure to complete both the spot on the Flower Chart and the information form on the envelope, in order for us to record your memorial in the bulletin. Suggested Contribution: $75. SANCTUARY LAMP MEMORIALS You can dedicate the Sanctuary Lamp in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving by signing up in the Narthex. Put the envelope with date you have chosen, the dedication and your check (suggested donation is $10) in the mail box for the Treasurer, just outside the church office. Please make sure that the parish office has the information as well for the Sunday bulletin. DO YOU USE AMAZON.COM? Then you can easily raise money for St. Stephen’s ministry. Amazon offers a program that makes a donation for each sale to a non-profit organization of your choice for orders placed through their https://smile.amazon.com and St. Stephen’s is now on their list of beneficiaries! Please remember us when you place orders on Amazon. If you have any questions, please contact Lynne Urso. DEFICIT REDUCTION FUNDRAISER! "Working together we can beat the budget deficit. But we can’t do it without YOU. Here's how: CARDS. And, who can resist this opportunity to purchase not only cards but handcrafted cards packaged in a beautiful keepsake box all for one exciting price. 30 cards for $30!!! --and St. Stephen's receives 55% of each box sold. Think of these for your personal use, as gifts to family and friends at the holidays, hostess gifts, or purchase and donate to the card ministry. Orders can be placed through our treasurer Lynne Urso. Contact her at [email protected] ARE YOU NEW TO ST. STEPHEN’S? Welcome! If you are new to St. Stephen’s and you would like to join the parish, please see Fr. Jesse ([email protected]) to learn more about how to do so. We’d love to include you in the next edition of the parish directory and to include you in the parish prayer list.

LEGACY SUNDAY: Mark your calendars! On Sunday, May 5, we will welcome Dean Rogeness as our special guest preacher on legacy stewardship.

THIS WEEK'S GOD WINK: My grandparents were simple people, who strived all their lives to serve God. When my grandmother died about 3 years ago, my grandfather was lost. He sat beside her casket at the funeral and couldn’t let go of her hand. It had been raining hard the day of the funeral and he couldn’t bear the thought of taking her out to the cemetery and “leaving her” in the rain. All through the service we prayed that the rain would stop so he would have an easier time saying goodbye to her. But the sky was like lead, and it continued to pour as the service concluded. Then, as we were leaving the funeral home and getting into our cars to go to the cemetery, the rain abruptly stopped. Not only did it completely stop raining, but the sun came out, and shone brightly. Somehow our hearts were lightened, a burden was removed, and Grandpa was able to let her go. (For more Godwinks, read the weekly announcement email. Do you have your own “Godwink” to share? Email it to [email protected] or drop it off in the jar in the Narthex.)

ST. STEPHEN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR APRIL 27TH SPECIAL CHILDREN’S EASTER SERMON This Sunday, Fr. Jesse will give a very special sermon for children about Easter. All families with children are invited to take part! OUR FATHER’S TABLE: For the April 29 Our Father’s Table Dinner, we are asking those who would normally prepare food or bring supplies to donate $5 to $10 to be used toward shopping, preparing and serving the dinner. Please give your donation to either Peggy Yankee, David Small, Bev Boyer or Father Jesse. All donations should be received as soon as possible. MEN’S GROUP RETREAT: The Men’s Group will be meeting at Brigham Hill Farm (Community Harvest Project) in Grafton on Saturday, May 11, for service and fellowship. We will share in worship, work on the farm in the morning (there will be non-field work options available), barbecue lunch and reflection led by Fr. Jesse. Starting with breakfast at 8am and ending at 3pm. This invitation is open to all men at St. Stephen’s. We have done this a number of times and it has always been an enjoyable event. If you haven’t been to one or our retreats before now, this is your opportunity to try it out. Email Simon Fricker for details. LEGACY SUNDAY: Mark your calendars! On Sunday, May 5, we will welcome Dean Rogeness as our special guest preacher on legacy stewardship. TODAY’S GOD WINK: My grandparents were simple people, who strived all their lives to serve God. When my grandmother died about 3 years ago, my grandfather was lost. He sat beside her casket at the funeral and couldn’t let go of her hand. It had been raining hard the day of the funeral and he couldn’t bear the thought of taking her out to the cemetery and “leaving her” in the rain. All through the service we prayed that the rain would stop so he would have an easier time saying goodbye to her. But the sky was like lead, and it continued to pour as the service concluded. Then, as we were leaving the funeral home and getting into our cars to go to the cemetery, the rain abruptly stopped. Not only did it completely stop raining, but the sun came out, and shone brightly. Somehow our hearts were lightened, a burden was removed, and Grandpa was able to let her go. (For more Godwinks, read the weekly announcement email. Do you have your own “Godwink” to share? Email it to [email protected] or drop it off in the jar in the Narthex.) PLANS FOR FALL FAIR HAVE BEGUN! We have begun planning for our annual fall fair to be held in November. “A Fair for All Seasons” gives us an opportunity to offer different craft items this year but we need your ideas and help. For questions please contact Sharyn Philcox. YARD/RUMMAGE SALE: Please come to an indoor and outdoor Rummage and Yard Sale to be held on Saturday, May 18 from 9am – 1pm. Along with Grandma’s attic of fabulous finds, treasures available for purchase will include clothing, household goods, books, furniture, costume jewelry, baby and children’s toys and accessories. Goodies and coffee will also be available. Any gently used items that you wish to donate for the sale can be dropped off at the church through May 16 between 9am and noon. For additional information including after hours drop-off, please call the church office at 508-366-4134. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: The Fundraising Committee is looking for volunteers to help with the Yard/Rummage Sale. We need volunteers from 9am to 1pm for the following - sign-up sheets will be available in the Parish Hall.: - to help pick up large items from homes - to prepare soups and breakfast dishes - hanging items - tagging items and sorting items - advertising on your car and circulating flyers throughout the neighborhood. NEED PRAYERS? St. Stephen’s Prayer Request hotline is open and ready to receive your prayer requests. Contact Sharyn Philcox with your prayer needs. ARE YOU NEW TO ST. STEPHEN’S? Welcome! If you are new to St. Stephen’s and you would like to join the parish, please see Fr. Jesse ([email protected]) to learn more about how to do so. We’d love to include you in the next edition of the parish directory and to include you in the parish prayer list.

MEN’S GROUP RETREAT The Men’s Group will be meeting at Brigham Hill Farm (Community Harvest Project) in Grafton on Saturday, May 11, for service and fellowship. We will share in worship, work on the farm in the morning (there will be non-field work options available),barbecue lunch and reflection led by Fr. Jesse. Starting with breakfast at 8:00am and ending at 3pm. This invitation is open to all men at St. Stephen’s. We have done this a number of times and it has always been an enjoyable event. If you haven’t been to one of our retreats before now is your opportunity to try it out. Contact Simon Fricker for details.

OUR FATHER’S TABLE For the April 29 Our Father’s Table dinner, we are asking those who would normally prepare food or bring supplies to donate $5 to $10 to be used towards shopping, preparing and serving the dinner. Please give your donation to either Peggy Yankee, David Small, Bev Boyer or Father Jesse. All donations should be received as soon as possible.

Gathering in darkness, telling the ancient, saving stories of Jesus, taking us to the cross and, after despair, the wonder of the resurrection! The first Eucharist of Easter!

Town wide Good Friday service. Hosted this year at St. Stephen’s. A beautiful service, lovingly attended by the faithful of Westborough.

Maundy Thursday. “Let me go over with you again exactly what goes on in the Lord’s Supper and why it is so centrally important........Examine your motives, test your heart, come to this meal in holy awe.”

More pictures from the matzoh making!

Bringing an authentic Maundy Thursday experience to you! Ancient grains, timeless tales, and the Last Supper brought to life. Join us Thursday night at 7 pm.

Join us on noon on Good Friday, April 19th, for an ecumenical service

THIS WEEK’S GOD WINK Several years ago we took the family on a driving trip towing our popup camper to Yellowstone Park in Wyoming, going up into Canada and around Lake Superior before turning down into the U.S. and heading to the park. When in Canada, we experienced instances of the car stalling/starting and became quite concerned. We pulled into a gas station and was told that the nearest full service gas station was closed but we could spend the night on the premises and start out again in the morning. Where to park the camper? Lo and behold, the side yard of the gas station had electric hookups and water so we were all set for the evening. Got to the garage the next morning and work began to identify the problem with the car. One issue was discovered which was thought to be the problem but in the process of this repair, the real source of the problem was identified. Had this second issue not been resolved, we would have eventually experienced the stalling/stopping issue again, many miles from home. So one problem led to the solution of the more critical issue. God at work again.

*UPDATED*: NEEDED POTTERY & PILLOWS We’re planning a special presentation on the Last Supper for our Maundy Thursday service in Holy Week, and in addition to volunteers, we need pottery and pillows/blankets. We especially need rustic wooden platters, stemless pottery glasses without handles, and natural-colored pillows and blankets. If you have any of these items and you’re willing to let us borrow them for the evening of Thursday, April 18, please let Fr. Jesse know ASAP. Thanks!

New Church Directory: We are assembling a new church directory, but first we need to ensure that our information is accurate. Please review your household's information on the printout in the parish hall between now and Easter Sunday and note any corrections.

Bringing an authentic Maundy Thursday experience to you! Ancient grains, timeless tales, and the Last Supper brought to life. Join us Thursday night at 7 pm.

On September 28-30, a group from St. Stephen’s went camping at Pine Acres in Oakham. We lit camp fires, shared snacks, told stories and laughed (a lot) – all while enjoying God’s world. We all left looking forward to another camping trip in the future.

Some members of our choir trying out the perfect acoustics of the chapter house at Worcester Art Museum

Cooking, praying, spiritual tools for life. That, and how to bone a chicken. We've got it all.

My goodness! This is the biggest bowl of whipped cream!

The three kings make their entrance...