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14th Sunday after Pentecost
August 30 – 10 am worship

“Those who lose their life for my sake will find it!”  Matthew 16:25

The prophet Jeremiah speaks of the incurable wound of his suffering yet finds in Go’s words the delight of his heart. When Peter doesn’t grasp Jesus’ words about suffering, Jesus tells the disciples they will find their lives in losing them. Such sacrificial love is described by Paul when he urges us to associate with the lowly and not repay evil with evil. In worship we gather as a community that we might offer ourselves for the sake of our suffering world.

You can also participate in worship through the livestream and recording at www.ststephenslutheran.org. 

There is usually a Children’s Church / Sunday School program planned during worship. Please contact Leslie Lapp 476-4700 for more info. The Family Room is always available adjacent to the sanctuary for little one’s activities if you need it. We love having children in church and all that brings as part of worship!         

Coffee Fellowship:  Please contact our Church Administrator Leslie if you are willing to host. We need you!

 Upcoming Events:     

• Thursdays – Men’s A.A. 7:00 pm Fireside room
• Fridays –  A.A. 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall
• Aug. 30 – Holy Closure of our Preschool during worship 10 am
                   & Scouts homemade donuts for coffee hour!!!
• Sept. 3 & 17 – Bold Women’s Café (dinner & devotions) 6:00 pm
• Sept. 1 – Scouts 6:00 pm
• Sept. 1 – Trinity Tuesday 6:30 pm local pub (Discretion Brewing Co. 41^st Ave. )
  1 hour, 1 faith question, 1 drink  •  Honest conversation & genuine community.
  What do you wonder?  Where do you see God?  • Info. Kathy Allen 430-6359
• Sept. 2 – Bible Study 7:30 pm Zoom
• Sept. 10 – Circle of Promise 10:30 am
• Sept. 11-13 “I am Worthy” SPS Women of the ELCA Retreat San Damiano Center in Danville
• Sept. 20 – Boutique & Bake Sale (Circle of Promise)
• Sept. 27 – “Next Stage” musical guests in 10 am worship
• Oct. 4 – Blessing of the Animals
• October 31 – HOST AFC Shelter Dinners 5:45pm St. Johns Aptos.  Sign up to provide (one of the following)  main course, salad, dessert & breakfast.  St. Stephen’s is responsible for the 5^th Saturday of each month.  We are all worthy of dignity and connection.  Let’s assist them to a better life.  
• Pr. Jim Office hours Wednesdays 10 am to 1:00 pm.

• FLOWER CHART has openings FOR YOUR DEDICATIONS  *

[Read more…]

13th Sunday after Pentecost
August 23 – 10 am worship

“Those who lose their life for my sake will find it!”  Matthew 16:25

In Isaiah the people are advised to look to their spiritual ancestors as the rock from which they were hewn. Jesus declares that the church will be built on the rock of Peter’s bold confession of faith. God’s word of reconciliation and god’s mercy are keys to the church’s mission. Paul urges us to not be conformed to this world but to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice using our individual gifts to build up the boy of Christ. From the table we go forth to offer our spiritual worship through word and deed.

You can also participate in worship through the livestream and recording at www.ststephenslutheran.org. 

There is usually a Children’s Church / Sunday School program planned during worship. Please contact Leslie Lapp 476-4700 for more info. The Family Room is always available adjacent to the sanctuary for little one’s activities if you need it. We love having children in church and all that brings as part of worship!         

Coffee Fellowship:  Please contact our Church Administrator Leslie if you are willing to host. We need you!

Upcoming Events:     

• Thursdays – Men’s A.A. 7:00 pm Fireside room
• Fridays –  A.A. 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall
• August 20 – Bold Women’s Café (dinner & devotions) 6:00 pm
• Aug. 23 – Guest musician Johnathan Bliss
• Aug. 23 – Farewell / Thank You Potluck to honor Pastor Larry
• Aug. 25 – Scouts 6:00 pm
• Aug. 26 – Bible Study 7:30 pm Zoom
• Aug. 26 – Newsletter Deadline NOON :  Your Faith Journey / God Stories are welcome!
• Aug. 26 – Newsletter Collating 2:00 pm (helpers needed)
• Aug. 30 – Holy Closure of our Preschool during worship 10 am
                   & Scouts homemade donuts for coffee hour!!!
• Sept. 1 – Trinity Tuesday 6:30 pm local pub (Discretion Brewing Co. 41^st Ave. )
  1 hour, 1 faith question, 1 drink • Honest conversation & genuine community.
  What do you wonder?  Where do you see God? • Info. Kathy Allen 430-6359
• September – Coffee Hosts & readers needed
• Sept. 11-13 “I am Worthy” SPS Women of the ELCA Retreat San Damiano Center in Danville
• Sept. 13 — El Salvador presentation during 10:00 Worship Service
• Sept. 27 – “Next Stage” musical guests in 10 am worship 
• October 31 – HOST AFC Shelter Dinners 5:45pm St. Johns Aptos.  Sign up to provide (one of the following)  main course, salad, dessert & breakfast.  St. Stephen’s is responsible for the 5^th Saturday of each month.  We are all worthy of dignity and connection.  Let’s assist them to a better life.  
• Pr. Larry loose Office hours Tuesday & Wednesday afternoons 707-372-2958
  While Pastor Jim on Sabbatical May 21 – Aug. 24
• FLOWER CHART has openings FOR YOUR DEDICATIONS  *

[Read more…]

12th Sunday after Pentecost
August 16 – 10 am worship

“Woman, great is your faith!”  Matthew 15:28

In Isaiah we hear that God’ hose shall be a house of prayer for all people and that God will gather the outcasts of Israel. The Canaanite woman in today’s gospel is a gentile, an outsider, who is unflinching in her request that Jesus heal her daughter. As Jesus commends her bold faith, how might our church extend its mission to those on the margins of healing, and justice for those in need.

You can also participate in worship through the livestream and recording at www.ststephenslutheran.org. 

There is usually a Children’s Church / Sunday School program planned during worship. Please contact Leslie Lapp 476-4700 for more info. The Family Room is always available adjacent to the sanctuary for little one’s activities if you need it. We love having children in church and all that brings as part of worship!         

Coffee Fellowship:  Please contact our Church Administrator Leslie if you are willing to host. We need you!

Upcoming Events:     

• Thursdays – Men’s A.A. 7:00 pm Fireside room
• Fridays –  A.A. 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall
• Tuesday & Wednesday afternoons Pr. Larry holds brief office hours
• Aug. 16 – Coffee Host & reader needed
• Aug. 18 – Scouts 6:00 pm
• Aug. 19 – Bible Study 7:30 pm Zoom
• Aug. 19 – Newsletter Deadline NOON :  Your Faith Journey / God Stories are welcome!
• August 20 – Bold Women’s Café (dinner & devotions) 6:00 pm
• Aug. 23 – Guest musician Johnathan Bliss
• Aug. 23 – Farewell / Thank You Potluck to honor Pastor Larry, sign up now
• Aug. 26 – Newsletter Collating 2:00 pm (helpers needed)
• Aug. 30 – Holy Closure of our Preschool during worship 10 am
• & Scouts homemade donuts for coffee hour!!!
• Sept. 1 – Trinity Tuesday 6:30 pm local pub (Discretion Brewing Co. 41^st Ave. )
  1 hour, 1 faith question, 1 drink  •  Honest conversation & genuine community.
  What do you wonder?  Where do you see God?  •  Info. Kathy Allen 430-6359
• October 31 – HOST AFC Shelter Dinners 5:45pm St. Johns Aptos.  Sign up to provide (one of the following)  main course, salad, dessert & breakfast.  St. Stephen’s is responsible for the 5^th Saturday of each month.  We are all worthy of dignity and connection.  Let’s assist them to a better life.  
• Pr. Larry loose Office hours Tuesday & Wednesday afternoons 707-372-2958
  While Pastor Jim on Sabbatical May 21 – Aug. 24
• FLOWER CHART has openings FOR YOUR DEDICATIONS  *

[Read more…]

11th Sunday after Pentecost
August 9 – 10 am worship

“Do not be afraid”  Matthew 14:27

Elijah finds the presence of God not in earthquake, wind, or fire, but in the sound of sheer silence.  When the disciples face a great storm on the sea, they cry out with fear.  Jesus says:  “Take heart, it is I; do not e afraid.”  Amid the storms of life, we gather to seek the calm presence of Christ that soothes our fears.  In comforting words of scripture and in the refreshing bread and cup of the eucharist, God grants us peace and send us forth to be a sign of God’s presence to others.

You can also participate in worship through the livestream and recording at www.ststephenslutheran.org. 

There is usually a Children’s Church / Sunday School program planned during worship. Please contact Leslie Lapp 476-4700 for more info. The Family Room is always available adjacent to the sanctuary for little one’s activities if you need it. We love having children in church and all that brings as part of worship!         

Coffee Fellowship:  Please contact our Church Administrator Leslie if you are willing to host. We need you!

 Upcoming Events:     

• Thursdays – Men’s A.A. 7:00 pm Fireside room
• Fridays –  A.A. 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall
• Tuesday & Wednesday afternoons Pr. Larry holds brief office hours
• Aug. 16 & 23 – Coffee Host & reader needed
• Aug. 9 – Back to School Blessing (Students / Parents / Educators) 10 am
                          & 
  Christa Wyneken Garcia, our seminarian, will be preaching
• Aug. 9 – After worship come see the preschool items that need a new home.  The price is right.  Yours for a $ donation.
• Aug. 11 – Scouts 6:00 pm
• Aug. 12 – Bible Study 7:30 pm Zoom
• Aug. 19 – Newsletter Deadline NOON :  Your Faith Journey / God Stories are welcome!
• August 20 – Bold Women’s Café (dinner & devotions) 6:00 pm
• Aug. 23 – Guest musician Johnathan Bliss
• Aug. 23 – Farewell / Thank You Potluck to honor Pastor Larry, sign up now
• Aug. 26 – Newsletter Collating 2:00 pm (helpers needed)
• Aug. 30 – Holy Closure of our Preschool during worship 10 am
• Sept. 1 – Trinity Tuesday 6:30 pm local pub (Discretion Brewing Co. 41^st Ave. )  
  1 hour, 1 faith question, 1 drink  •  Honest conversation & genuine community. 
  What do you wonder?  Where do you see God?  •  Info. Kathy Allen 430-6359
• October 31 – HOST AFC Shelter Dinners 5:45pm St. Johns Aptos.  Sign up to provide (one of the following)  main course, salad, dessert & breakfast.  St. Stephen’s is responsible for the 5^th Saturday of each month.  We are all worthy of dignity and connection.  Let’s assist them to a better life.  
• Pr. Larry loose Office hours Tuesday & Wednesday afternoons 707-372-2958
• While Pastor Jim on Sabbatical May 21 – Aug. 24

• FLOWER CHART has openings FOR YOUR DEDICATIONS  *

[Read more…]

10th Sunday after Pentecost
August 2 – 10 am worship

“All ate and were filled”  Matthew 14:20

In today’s first reading God invites all who are hungry or thirsty to receive food and drink without cost.  Jesus feeds the hungry multitude and reveals the abundance of God.  At the eucharistic tale we remember all who are hungry or poor in our world today. As we share the bread of life, we are sent forth to give ourselves away as bread for the hungry.

You can also participate in worship through the livestream and recording at www.ststephenslutheran.org. 

There is usually a Children’s Church / Sunday School program planned during worship. Please contact Leslie Lapp 476-4700 for more info. The Family Room is always available adjacent to the sanctuary for little one’s activities if you need it. We love having children in church and all that brings as part of worship!         

Coffee Fellowship:  Please contact our Church Administrator Leslie if you are willing to host. We need you!

Upcoming Events:     

• Thursdays – Men’s A.A. 7:00 pm Fireside room
• Fridays –  A.A. 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall
• Tuesday & Wednesday afternoons Pr. Larry holds brief office hours
• Aug. 2 – Worship will likely be without a bulletin ☹.  Parts aren’t available until Monday to fix the printer.  Come with an open mind for a bit of a spiritual adventure.  Hopefully some of you can use the attached bulletin on your phone.
• Aug. 4 – Scouts 6:00 pm
• Aug. 4 – Trinity Tuesday 6:30 pm local pub (Discretion Brewing Co. 41^st Ave. )  
  1 hour, 1 faith question, 1 drink  •  Honest conversation & genuine community.
  What do you wonder?  Where do you see God?  •  Info. Kathy Allen 430-6359
• Aug. 5 – Bible Study 7:30 pm Zoom
• August 6 & 20 – Bold Women’s Café (dinner & devotions) 6:00 pm
• Aug. 9 & 16 – Coffee Host & reader needed
• Aug. 9 – Back to School Blessing (Students & Educators) 10 am
• Aug. 9 – After worship come see the preschool items that need a new home.  The price is right.  Yours for a $ donation.
• Aug. 20 – Newsletter Deadline NOON :  Your Faith Journey / God Stories are welcome!
• Aug. 23 – Guest musician Johnathan Bliss
• Aug. 23 – Farewell / Thank You Potluck to honor Pastor Larry
• Aug. 26 – Newsletter Collating 2:00 pm (helpers needed)
• August 29 – HOST AFC Shelter Dinners 5:45pm St. Johns Aptos.  Sign up to provide (one of the following)  main course, salad, dessert & breakfast.  St. Stephen’s is responsible for the 5^th Saturday of each month.  We are all worthy of dignity and connection.  Let’s assist them to a better life.  Sign up now
• Aug. 30 – Holy Closure of our Preschool during worship 10 am
• Pr. Larry loose Office hours Tuesday & Wednesday afternoons 707-372-2958
• While Pastor Jim on Sabbatical May 21 – Aug. 24

• FLOWER CHART has openings FOR YOUR DEDICATIONS  *

[Read more…]