St Stephen's Episcopal Church

CLOTHING DONATIONS FOR SPRING OUTREACH
It is time to clear your closets. The Outreach Committee will be having a clothing drive for Wardrobe for Opportunity, Henry Ohlhoff House, and Sophia Project, May 4-June 1. We are looking for good quality men's, women's, and children's clothing. Please follow these guidelines:-

1. Clothes must be CLEAN.
2. All women's clothing must be on hangers.
3. Clothing must be clearly marked either men's, women's, or children's.

Please leave all your items in the bins provided in the Narthex. Call Mindy Bush 925-299-1204 or Roxy Klein 925-299-1245 if you have any questions.

Rossmoor and Moraga Community Choruses and Guest Singers…
will perform here at St. Stephen's on Saturday May 10th at 3:30p.m. Frank Ryken, Director and Steve Cram, Accompanist. The group will sing Rutter's Gloria and selections from Handel's Messiah

MOTHER'S DAY AT ST. STEPHEN'S
Moms have something to look forward to on Sunday, May 11, with our annual Mother's Day Brunch, following the 8 & 10 AM services. Scott Rhoades is Head Chef, and is seeking help with food preparation on Saturday afternoon, May 10 after 3PM. Please contact Scott at 254-4610.

May 11 is also Pentacost AND a Baptism Sunday -- never a dull moment at St. Stephen's!

CHORAL SERVICE AND ACOLYTE SUNDAY
Sunday, May 18, at both the 8 & 10AM services, the parish will be treated to the music of Ralph Vaughn Williams' Five Mystical Songs. In lieu of a sermon, the music will be intermingled with liturgy for a truly joyous service.

Those who enjoy singing are invited to join St Stephen's Choir on Thursdays from 7:30 to 8:15 to prepare Vaughan Williams' delightful, brilliant, exhilarating, and just plain beautiful Five Mystical Songs , which we will sing during worship on Sunday, May 18. We are especially looking for sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses. Come to rehearsals beginning April 10 or contact Bob Adams at church.

Our devoted, hard-working acolytes will be honored at the 10AM service, most notably, those who are graduating from high school this year.

RECEPTION HONORING TREASURED PARISHIONERS
On Sunday, May 18, 4-6PM, Father Larry and Mother Jan welcome all who have been members of St. Stephen's for 39 or more years to a reception at the rectory. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, spirits, and fine fellowship!

If you wish to do so, you are encouraged to bring a written reminiscence of your fondest memory as a member of the St. Stephen’s family.Please rsvp to Brenda in the office.

MEN'S BREAKFAST
Fr. Larry, Mark Sweeney, and Peter Johannson invite you to our first Men's Breakfast on Saturday, May 31 in the Parish Hall, from 8:00 until 9:30. Come join in good food and fellowship with other men of the parish. Please RSVP to the church office, office@ststephensorinda.org or 925 254-3770.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
St. Stephens Habitat for Humanity crew is seeking potential volunteers, no previous experience necessary, for our June 7^th workdate in Alameda or for inclusion in our ongoing volunteer pool. Habitat provides a hands-on approach to community building and is a great way to pick up new building skills! If you think you might be interested, please contact Jack Andrews at AimPasCa@aol.com or 925-254-1649.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST The Youth Group sponsors our Pancake Breakfast after the 8:00a.m. and 10:00a.m. service. On the third Sunday every month (except December) come to the Parish Hall after church and enjoy and great breakfast and fine fellowship for a good cause.

Pancake Breakfast Sunday is May 11.

Contact: Youth Director, Shannon Eng in the office.

ST. STEPHEN’S WISH LIST
We have had some members ask us to provide a “wish list” of things they might be able to give to St. Stephen’s above their yearly pledge. Here are some ideas that we have talked about as “wouldn’t that be nice if we had…” You can also give money to the Wish List and we can do the shopping.

8 card tables/utility tables. $320 for set of 4.
8 rectangle tables (8 foot). $349 for set of 4.
Office chairs. Or have the current chairs reupholstered.
Ice maker for the kitchen. $1,700
20 white & 20 colored table clothes for 6 foot rectangle tables. $28 each
New heater in Outreach room.
New heater in front classrooms.
Bookshelves for Bob Adams Office.

	ESCRIP - an easy way to support St. Stephen's. Get Ready for Summer! 10% Back to Schools Shopping. Click here to read more.
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ENERGYSTAR PLEDGE
St. Stephen's became a group member last year, with a goal of getting 100 parishioners to pledge change one or more cfl bulbs in their home. We are now at 107 parishioners for a total of 588 bulbs, for a savings of:
$45,276 over the life cycle of the bulb
319,284kWh life cycle energy savings
489,798lb. CO2 emissions over the life of the bulb
Equivalent to taking 41 cars off the road for a year
Air pollution reduction equivalent of 59 acres of forest.

Visit www.energystar.gov for all your questions about CFL bulbs and energy saving, and to view our member group progress.