 SANTA’S HELPERS – Jane Woolsey and LeeAnn Brewitt fill their cars to overflowing with the St. Stephen donations for the The United Way of Tri-County’s 7th annual Hope for the Holidays program, which helps Marlborough families in need by providing children's gifts. SSLC families sponsored 40 children this year, purchasing age-appropriate gifts from children’s lists and filling giant Christmas bags with three presents for each child.
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 The anthem choir of St. Stephen Lutheran Church St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 537 Bolton St., Marlborough is marking the pre-Christmas season of Advent with 6:30 pm services each Wednesday, now through December 20, and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services on December 24 and 25.
For the Wednesday service, which includes Bible study, opportunities for sharing, an informal atmosphere, and communion, the Advent theme is the “Magnificat,” the song Mary sings when she learns she’s going to bear Jesus into the world. “We hear from Jesus’ mother, Mary, how God has come to lift up the lowly and put the mighty in their place,” said Pastor Joseph Graumann. “Preparing for Christmas is nothing short of preparing for a new future where God is born in a stable and all God’s children have a place at the table.” On Sundays, special music will complement the season with “Advent Hymn” by the choir December 10, “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” by the handbell choir, and a piano duet on December 17, and two Advent anthems at 9:30 am on Sunday, December 24. Christmas Eve at St. Stephen Lutheran Church will be traditionally festive, with a family-friendly candlelight service at 6:30 p.m. For those who can’t get enough Christmas music, come a few minutes early for a brief carol sing. During the service, both the handbell and anthem choirs will offer special music. Those who come to the service will also hear the traditional story of the nativity, and can participate in Holy Communion. “Our Candlelight Christmas service celebrates Jesus, the light of the world, becoming one of us, born in Bethlehem, “ Pastor Graumann said. “At the end of the service, we will light candles, symbolizing the light of Christ in each one of us, as we hear the creation story. By marking what happened so long ago, we invite Jesus to be born in us for today.” On Christmas morning, a service of lessons and carols will take place at 9:30 am. For more information about the church, visit www.saintstephenlutheran.com or the church’s Facebook page. Saint Stephen is a member of the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (www.elca.org) . The church is a Reconciling in Christ congregation, inviting people of every gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, ability, marital status, or class. Parishioners come from Marlborough, Hudson, Berlin, Northborough, Southborough, Westborough, Shrewsbury, Sudbury, Stow, and Bolton.  Members of the St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Marlborough, Knit-Wits group with a basket of some of the hand-made items that will be sent to Seafarers International House as Christmas gifts. From left, Elaine Recklet, Marlea Dutt, Melanie Whapham, Norma DuBois, Jane Woolsey, and Jan Conlin. A special blessing took place last Sunday at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Marlborough, as a representative basket of hand knitted hats and scarves, as well as sweatshirts, socks and chocolate bars was placed on the altar, earmarked for Christmastime delivery to Seafarers International House in New York City. The hand-made items were produced by the Knit-Wits, the church’s knitting group, and the additional purchased items were made possible by a Thrivent Action Team grant.
Last Christmas, the knitters produced five sets of items that will be holiday packages; this year, their busy hands made up ten sets. Seafarers International House is an ecumenical mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to seafarers and sojourners, as well as people who are distressed, disadvantaged, and displaced. Seafarers are often isolated and lonely, sometimes without the means to contact family frequently, or purchase needed items while in port. Typical contracts put most at sea for 10 months a year, and they remain a largely forgotten population at the holidays. Their needs include warm clothing, and the Knit-Wits decided seafarers should be the recipients of their efforts, which also includes making prayer shawls and lap blankets for others in need. For more information about the church, visit www.saintstephenlutheran.com or the church’s Facebook page. Saint Stephen is a member of the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (www.elca.org) . The church is a Reconciling in Christ congregation, inviting people of every gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, ability, marital status, or class. Parishioners come from Marlborough, Hudson, Berlin, Northborough, Southborough, Westborough, Shrewsbury, Sudbury, Stow, and Bolton. |
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