• From Pastor's Desk
• Evangelism
• Family Ministries
• Fellowship
• Human Concerns
• Music & Worship
• Stewardship
• Women's Ministries
• Other Notes

Portraits have Arrived!
Those of you who had pictures taken but did not order portraits, your free 8 x 10 is here!
Please stop by the photography table in the narthex and pick up your portrait.
If it has not yet arrived, it will shortly. Please check again at the following week’s service.

Family Ministry Gathering
Please join us for a Youth & Family gathering on Saturday, November 14th at 6PM.
We are having a "chili dump" in the SSM Fellowship Hall. Bring the kids, pot of chili to dump together and/or a side dish or dessert to pass.
Come for fun, fellowship and help us plan Family Ministries events for 2010. All are welcome!
Please see hosts Lisa or Troy Lisiecki (414-570-9020)for more information.

Salvation Army Bell Ringing—Youth and Family Day
Saturday, November 28, 2009 From 10am-9pm (1 hour blocks)
Help spread the Christmas Spirit by choosing a 1-hour block of your time to help collect donations for the Salvation Army. Everyone is welcome to join us! You can ring as an individual, family, or bring your friends. If you so desire you can also sign up for one or more hours as you choose. The bell ringing is located inside of Southridge Mall in front of JC Penney.
The sign up sheet is located in the Narthex. If you have any questions, please contact Char Guiliani at 414-801-7349 or minizmom@yahoo.com

“Christmas In A Box”
This years Sunday School Christmas Program will be on
Sunday December 20th 6:30 PM
All parts for “Christmas In a Box” have been assigned and we're almost half way through learning the new music. The children have been working hard during our practices but it would be extremely helpful to also practice at home with the CD that was sent with them on Rally Day. If you have misplaced your CD or didn't receive one please let me know & I will get you a new copy.
Our Saturday morning practices this year begin on December 5th—for the speaking and acting parts only (you should have received a note with the portion of your child's script if they need to attend); December 12th & 19th for all Sunday School students. Rehearsals will begin at 9AM sharp in the sanctuary.
We will meet for warm-ups at 5:45 PM in the Luther Room on Sunday December 20th. (Handchimes will meet at 5:15 in the Sanctuary) As in years past, we ask that children please bring child sized winter hats, mittens, etc. (wrapped in tissue paper as ‘A Gift for the Christ Child') and a dozen cookies—for refreshments after the program. If you would be interested in helping set up the cookie reception after the program please contact me!
The children will be performing during the Sr. Choir Christmas Concert once again this year on Saturday December 12th during the 5PM service. Please have children to church on December 12th at 4:30 for warm-ups in the Luther Room.
If you have any questions or if your child will not be able to attend a rehearsal or either performance please contact me soon as possible. As always thank you for your support in making this year's program great!
God Bless!
Stephanie Gordon

Please call Shelly Rosenstock at 769-7067 if you are interested in becoming a member of the Fellowship Committee.

First Friday Potluck
Join us for a Harvest
Feast of Thanksgiving!
November 6, 6:00 pm
Come join in a Thanksgiving Potluck on the first Friday in November. John and Carol Drover will prepare the turkey and you are asked to bring a side dish: potatoes, cranberries, salad, pie, cake or whatever you like to make during these crisp fall days.
Please sign up on the bulletin board next to the office. A small free will donation will be requested for the bird!
This may be a good time to invite a fellow member, neighbor or friend, especially one who lives alone. Can you bring a joke to share or a story of a memorable Thanksgiving you've celebrated or one you've read about? It's fun to hear each other's stories and laugh together!
ALL ARE WELCOME!

Looking Ahead…
The Holiday Hors d'oeuvre and Dessert Reception will be held on Saturday, December 12th immediately following the Christmas Concert. Look for more details in your December SSM newsletter.
Anyone interested in helping with the reception should call Shelly Rosenstock at 769-7067.

Next meeting is November 3rd at 6:30 p.m. Call Shirley Lieske with questions: 761-0734

CROP WALK UPDATE
This year's Greater Milwaukee CROP Walk on October 11th was a great success! Thank you to everyone who participated by walking, sponsoring a walker or donating food to help those who have to walk everyday just to survive. A preliminary tally shows SSM walkers raised over $1,500! We’ll announce the official total after all pledges are collected.
Walkers for SSM were Pastor Gail, Alexandra Covert, Tracy Covert, Tim Falksen, Stephanie Gordon, Kyle Kriewaldt and friend Marshall, Terry Larson, Karen Miller, Tracy Plicka, Jessica Ramintho, Lauryn Ramintho, Reyna Ramintho, Kelly Sachse, Amanda Salas, Julie Starks, Nick Stawicki and friend Mitch, and Mike Wholean, with fundraising help from Melissa Stevens. We hope you'll consider joining us next year! ?
- Kelly Sachse, Coordinator

LWR SCHOOL KIT UPDATE
Many thanks for putting your faith in action! By the many school supplies and fabrics donated, the hours spent sewing, cutting & pressing, and of course, the Sunday School children’s help in filling the bags... Because of you we were able to send 230 school bags! With each stitch and donation you bring the world closer together. God bless your hearts and hands.
- Shirley Lieske, Human Concerns

Hunger Task Force ‘09
Each month generous members of St. Stephen the Martyr donate food to one of our two food pantries, Bay View or Central City. In September we increase our efforts by donating food and money to the annual CROP Walk. All three of our yearly projects are connected to the Hunger Task Force. The two food pantries we support receive food from the Hunger Task Force and the food and money we collect during Crop Walk goes to the Hunger Task Force.
During the month of November we give part of our Thanksgiving offering to the Hunger Task Force. This organization supports food pantries but goes a step forward in their mission to also advocate for the poor and hungry. Why is the advocacy portion of their mission so important?
It helps to compare hunger to a simple four-legged table. There are four legs on a table and if one leg is not there or slants the table is out of balance and no longer sits upright.
The hunger table has four legs, (1) increased access to education and training, (2) access to affordable and healthy food, (3) federal nutrition programs and (4) emergency food assistance.
As you can see St. Stephen’s is quite committed to one of the legs, emergency food assistance. When we donate to the Hunger Task Force we also help the Hunger Task Force with a second leg advocacy. Many thanks to all who are generous to the poor and hungry.
- Pam Gustafson, SSM Staff of Life Food Pantry

The Hunger Task force offers these statistics:
Many people in Wisconsin who are hungry work jobs that do not allow them to make ends meet. When money is short many skip meals to pay their rent or utilities
The average wage of a Milwaukee Food pantry user is $7.72 per hour
In Wisconsin 11 percent of residents live in poverty
The annual income for a family of four living in poverty is $22,050.
These statistics show why the other three legs of the table need to be discussed and supported by members of St. Stephens. The need is too great to rely on one leg of the hunger table. Education and training gets people out of 7.72 an hour jobs and allows them an income to buy their own food. An increase in training might afford transportation to grocery stores, outside of the inner city corner stores which have little or no healthy fresh produce.
When we support the Hunger Task force we make sure the table legs are balanced and the table is consistently full of healthy food. Thank you for your support of the Hunger Task force through our food drives and through our Thanksgiving offering.

BAY VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER PROJECT BEGINS NOV. 29TH
Once again the Human Concerns Committee will be collecting Christmas gifts for 15 children and 15 older adults to be distributed by the Bay View Community Center. Our hope is to gather three gifts for each person.  There will be a poster in the narthex with cards, each card giving a suggestion for that individual. 
  Just take a card and purchase the item mentioned [or something close to the suggestion] and bring it to church by Sunday, December 13th.  Bay View will pick up the presents on Monday morning, December 14th.
  The gifts do not need to be wrapped, but it very important to securely attach the card with the gift suggestion unto the gift.  This will assure that your gift reaches the correct child or elderly adult.  We have participated in the Bay View gift program for several years and have found that all the recipients are very happy and grateful for their gifts.  Thanks for your continued generosity.   

HOUSE OF CORRECTIONS CHRISTMAS GIFT GIVING
The Human Concerns committee will collect for the House of Corrections gift campaign. This year they have changed the items to the following:

• Playing cards
• Pencils
• Books (new or gently used)
• Envelopes
• Writing paper/theme paper
• Postage Stamps

This collection will start the Sunday before Thanksgiving (November 21 and 22) and will end December 7th. Items should not be wrapped.

Coffee News
Mt. Meru coffee is a great complement to your Thanksgiving meal! We have coffee available for purchase on the table, but if you do not see what you want you may place an order on the sheet provided. Coffee can be ordered on Sunday and is usually delivered by Friday. Each bag whether reg. or decaf, bean or ground, is only $9.00.
Doing Justice Never Tasted So Good!

SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING BULLETIN
We know that there will be more needy people looking to the Salvation Army for food, clothing and shelter this winter. Here at SSM we’re expecting more men, women and children than ever to join our little bell ringing army to help them meet the need. Will you be one of them?
Our kick-off date is: SATURDAY NOVEMBER 28, 10 AM-9 PM (YOUTH & FAMILY DAY)
Contact Char Guiliani to sign up or for more details—see phone # below.
OTHER RESERVED DATES:
SATURDAY DECEMBER 12, 10 AM-9 PM
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 10 AM-9 PM
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 10 AM-9 PM
SATURDAY DECEMBER 19, 10 AM-9 PM
Each day we will be ringing in Southridge Mall at the lower inside entrance to J.C. Penney. We enthusiastically invite anyone to experience the fun and satisfaction of ringing the bell, warmly greeting passersby, and adding to your own Christmas spirit.
Reserve your time(s) now. You can sign up at church or by email. See email addresses below.
You can ring as an individual, couple, family, or other combination, and you can sign up for one or more hours as you choose. For more details, contact any of us, Erin, Char or myself, John Rech, Sr. (546-1576), We’ll be glad to hear from you!
Questions– Call: John Rech, Sr., Schedule Coordinator (414-546-1576)
Erin Arneson (414-281-2987); erina@wi.rr.com or
Char Guiliani (414-801-7349); minizmom@yahoo.com

ELCA GOOD GIFTS—ALTERNATIVE GIFTS FOR GIVING
It’s time to think about Christmas already! If you are thinking about giving “alternative” gifts this year, consider ELCA’s alternative gift program called “Good Gifts.” All of the gifts donated go toward caring for those most in need. For example, for $25, you can give the gift of school materials to a child, making it possible for the child to continue his or her education. For $125, you can provide a Hand Water Pump to a community, ensuring access to safe and clean water.
Catalogs with many more possibilities are available on the table in the narthex. Feel free to take a copy. With a little advance planning, and with the gift cards provided, you can give Christmas gifts in honor of your friends and loved ones to people who have desperate needs.

Next Music & Worship Meeting
Wednesday, November 4th at 6:00 pm

During the month of November, we will be celebrating:
All Saints Day - October 31st and November 1st, the liturgical colors will be white. There will be Holy Communion at all services. This festival commemorates all the baptized people of God who have died in the faith. SSM traditionally has a memorial service involving the lighting of candles on this day.
Christ the King - November 21st and 22nd. The liturgical color for this day is also white. The new church liturgical calendar begins.
Thanksgiving Eve—November 25th
There will be a special Wednesday evening service to celebrate our thankfulness for God’s many blessings, 7 p.m.
Advent begins on the Sunday closest to November 30th, this year that is November 28th and 29th, and continues for four weeks— ending on Christmas Eve. It is a time of waiting and preparation for the arrival of Christ. The liturgical colors are blue, for hope and anticipation.

Decorating the Church for the Holidays
The Music and Worship is looking for volunteers to assist our committee in decorating the sanctuary, narthex, and other areas of SSM during the upcoming season of Advent and Christmas. It may be a one time opportunity for you or maybe more if time permits. Anyone wishing to assist the committee in any way, please contact Sue Jarchow, 526-9785; Cathy Peterson, 325-6628; or Karen Rasmussen, 421-5170.

MUSIC NOTES FROM BILL
Bill Bravener, Director of Music, Associate in Ministry
November has always been one of my favorite months.  I have fond childhood memories of family Thanksgiving dinners at the home of my aunt and uncle.  Gathering together around a table to give thanks - does this sound familiar?  What a blessing that we get to share when we worship.

Also November is the month of my birthday and the birthday of my
honorary niece who was born on my 30th birthday and is turning 30 this month.  I became Uncle Bill to a family of friends who have shared joys and sorrows for over 30 years and who now gather together for Thanksgiving dinner.
 
Thanks be to God for all our blessings.  See you at worship.
- Bill

Next Stewardship Meeting is
November 3rd at 7:00 pm.

“Walk safely and stay within the yellow lines!” is a familiar safety message found in many of our work places. Just the other day, I read this message while being cautioned by a safety manager during a factory “walk-through.” These painted yellow lines further emphasized the need to walk safely by including precisely spaced yellow footprints –size 10-D no doubt. Following this warning to walk safely and follow the footprints I could not help but reflect on our congregation’s 2010 continuing stewardship theme, “Walk With Jesus”.
Reflecting on the fact that while Jesus’ footprints are not outlined in bright yellow paint, as Christians we know his footprints are there for us to follow. We know that Jesus outlined a safe path for us to follow. No. We do not need yellow painted footprints as a guide. Our guidance comes from the Bible we read, from Pastor Gail’s spiritual guidance, from the fellowship of our congregation, music and worship, spiritual joy and so much more. It comes from continuing participation as good stewards here at St. Stephen the Martyr. How then can we walk safely with Jesus?
To support and sustain a safe journey requires sharing of our treasures of time, talent and money. We need only to listen to Jesus and follow what he says. Jesus also sends us safety messages and cautions on our “walk-though” journey on earth toward the promise of eternal life. Jesus cautions that how we spend our money determines what sort of people we become. We cannot buy our way to heaven. We cannot earn it. Additionally, Jesus cautions, “To whom much is given much is expected.”
Thankfully, a majority of our congregation has already returned a “Walk With Jesus” pledge card for 2010. As a gentle reminder for those who did not return their pledge, please consider doing so now to help ensure a safe financial path for 2010.
Jesus loves you!
Walk. Listen. Give.

Walk with Jesus.
- Your Stewardship Committee

PIECE MAKERS QUILTERS
There will be no quilting during the months of November & December.  Quilting resumes on January 18, 2010.

SSM Craft & BAKE SALE
Mark Saturday & Sunday, December 5 & 6 as the dates of the Loose Ends 2009 Bake & Craft Sale! We will have yummy baked goods & varied & interesting crafts for sale.  Plan now to stop & shop.
Proceeds from this event will be donated to various service projects of the ladies of the Loose Ends group, Women of the ELCA.

- Carole Ropel, SSM Women’s Ministries, Acting Coordinator, Women of the ELCA

JOIN US ON NOVEMBER 14, FOR THE PROGRAM ENTITLED:
“SLIGHTLY BAD GIRLS OF THE BIBLE”
When: Saturday, November 14, 2009 Time: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Place: Whitnall Park Lutheran Church, 5847 Lilac Lane, Hales Corners WI 53130
8:30 a.m. – Registration
9 a.m. – Litany Program
9:30 a.m. – Program: “Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible” - Pr. Pam Kerschner, Zion Luth, Racine
12 noon – Luncheon
Cost: includes Registration and Luncheon - $8; Registration only - $2
Registration Deadline: November 5, 2009
This program is the Fall Cluster Meeting for the Women of the ELCA that includes Clusters 3 and 4, as well as the Coalition Clusters 1 and 2. Complete the Registration Form posted on the kiosk under Women of the ELCA and mail it and your check to:
- Jan Fox, 4120 Carnaby Lane, New Berlin, WI 53151

ATTENTION ALL BAKERS AND CRAFTERS
The Loose Ends Craft and Bake Sale is coming up on December 5th & 6th.
We would be MOST appreciative if you would make a donation to the sale by baking some of your favorite cookies, breads or other treats. Please place your name on the sign up outside the church office, so we know you will be contributing.
If you have crafts you have made and would be willing to donate some of them to this year’s sale, please notify Carole Ropel at 262-523-4130. Crafters are asked to have their donations to the church by Dec. 4th or 5th.
All baked goods should be brought to the church Saturday, December 5th, or early on December 6th.
A big thank you from Loose Ends for all your contributions!

Memorial Committee—Next Meeting—December 12
The committee met and reviewed several projects that are in progress. The Giving Brochures that are in the kiosk in the Narthex have been updated. Please stop and take a new one with you for future giving ideas.
We now have a Large Print hymnal available to anyone with vision issues. Please let Lynda in the office know if you need to use it for services, so she can prepare the pages needed in advance.
Additional hymnals have been purchased to fill in the left side pews which were not fully stocked. Members may purchase a book and have a memorial book plate placed in the front cover. This is a perfect way to commemorate a special occasion or to cherish a dear friend’s memory.
The next project is to fund the purchase of new choir music folders, the present set is worn and patched. We are also working on the purchase of a projection screen for the large gathering room.
We meet again on December 12th, if you have suggestions for us, contact any of the members of the committee by then. We are: Sandy Petricek, Pastor Gail, Dick Kroll, Marge Muroni, Shirley Rau, Carol Birk, Karen Hoffman and me…
- Faith O’Connell

FLU & PNEUMONIA SHOTS
The Aurora Visiting Nurse Association will be offering flu & pneumonia shots shots at SSM on November 15th in the Fellowship Hall.
VNA will bill Medicare & Medicaid, just bring your cards with you. They will not bill private insurance companies, but will give a statement to send to your insurance company.
Cost: Flu shot: $30.00
Pneumonia shot: $45.00
Blood pressure checks will be done also. Please Note: No one under 9 yrs. will be able to get a flu vaccination. Questions: contact Rae Bauman @ 817-8502