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18th Sunday after Pentecost
September 27 – 10 am worship

“Go and work in the vineyard today”  Matthew 21:28

Jesus parable about two sons who don’t do what they say reveals surprises in the reign of God. In the reading from Ezekiel the people clam the ways of the Lord are unfair, while God offers repentance and mew life. Paul urges us to look to Christ as a model of humility, putting the interests of others above our own. Nourished by the broken bread and shared cup, we offer our lives for the sake of our needy 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
• Sept. 27 – “Next Stage” musical guest in 10 am worship
• Sept. 29 – Scouts 6:00 pm
• Sept. 29 – Newsletter Collating 2:00 pm (helpers needed)
• Sept. 30 – Bible Study 7:30 pm Zoom
• Oct. 1 & 15 – Bold Women’s Café (dinner & devotions) 6:00 pm
• Oct. 4   – Blessing of the Animals 10 am
• Oct. 6 – 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
• Oct. 8 – Circle of Promise 10:30 am
• Oct. 13 – Church Council 6:30 pm
• October 25 – Reformation / Oktoberfeast 
• 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. 
• November 1 – Celebrating All Saints’ Day & Día de los Muertos.  Bring a photo of your departed loved ones, framed or unframed, to display on a remembrance table in the church narthex. Don’t have a physical photo or can’t come in-person to church right now? Email a digital photo by October 28 (or any other questions you may have) to Christa Garcia at christawynekengarcia@gmail.com and she will print and display them for you.
• Pr. Jim Office hours Wednesdays 10 am to 1:00 pm.
• FLOWER CHART has openings FOR YOUR DEDICATIONS  *

[Read more…]

17th Sunday after Pentecost
September 20 – 10 am worship

“Are you envious because I am generous?”  Matthew 20:15

Matthew narrates one of Jesus’ controversial parables in which Jesus says that the reign of God is like that of a landowner who pays his workers the same wage no matter what time of day they began to work. When God changes God’s mind about punishing Nineveh for their evil ways, Jonah is angry. Yet God is gracious and merciful, abounding in steadfast love. In baptism we receive the grace of God that is freely given to all. As Martin Luthera wrote, in the presence of God’s mercy we are all beggars.

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
• Sept. 22 – Scouts 6:00 pm
• Sept. 22 – Newsletter Deadline Noon.  Please consider submitting YOUR “God Story”
• Sept. 23 – Bible Study 7:30 pm Zoom
• Sept. 27 – “Next Stage” musical guest in 10 am worship
• Sept. 29 – Newsletter Collating 2:00 pm (helpers needed)
• Oct. 1 & 15 – Bold Women’s Café (dinner & devotions) 6:00 pm
• Oct. 4   – Blessing of the Animals 10 am
• Oct. 6 – 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
• Oct. 8 – Circle of Promise 10:30 am
• October 25 – Reformation / Oktoberfeast 
• 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. 
• November 1 – Celebrating All Saints’ Day & Día de los Muertos.  Bring a photo of your departed loved ones, framed or unframed, to display on a remembrance table in the church narthex. Don’t have a physical photo or can’t come in-person to church right now? Email a digital photo by October 28 (or any other questions you may have) to Christa Garcia at christawynekengarcia@gmail.com and she will print and display them for you.
• Pr. Jim Office hours Wednesdays 10 am to 1:00 pm.
• FLOWER CHART has openings FOR YOUR DEDICATIONS  *

[Read more…]

16th Sunday after Pentecost
September 13 – 10 am worship

“Lord, how often should I forgive?”  Matthew 18:21

In today’s second reading Paul questions why we judge one another, since we all stand before the judgment of God. Yet we do sin against one another, and Jesus’ challenge that we forgive seventy seven times reveals God’s boundless mercy. When we hear the words of forgiveness in worship and sign ourselves with the cross, we are renewed in baptism to be signs of reconciliation in the 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
• Sept. 11-13 “I am Worthy” SPS Women of the ELCA Retreat San Damiano Center in Danville
• Sept. 13 – El Salvador Sister Parish Presentation 10 am worship
• Sept. 15 – Scouts 6:00 pm
• Sept. 16 – Bible Study 7:30 pm Zoom
• Sept. 17 – Bold Women’s Café (dinner & devotions) 6:00 pm
• Sept. 20 – Boutique & Bake Sale (Circle of Promise)
• Sept. 22 – Newsletter Deadline Noon. Please consider submitting YOUR “God Story”
• Sept. 27 – “Next Stage” musical guests in 10 am worship
• Sept. 29 – Newsletter Collating 2:00 pm (helpers needed)
• Oct. 4   – Blessing of the Animals 10 am
• Oct. 6 – 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
• Oct. 8 – Circle of Promise 10:30 am
• October 25 – Reformation / Oktoberfeast 
• 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. 
• November 1 – Celebrating All Saints’ Day & Día de Muertos. Bring a photo of your departed loved ones, framed or unframed, to display on a remembrance table in the church narthex. Don’t have a physical photo or can’t come in-person to church right now? Email a digital photo by October 28 (or any other questions you may have) to Christa Garcia at christawynekengarcia@gmail.com and she will print and display them for you.
• Pr. Jim Office hours Wednesdays 10 am to 1:00 pm.
• FLOWER CHART has openings FOR YOUR DEDICATIONS  *

[Read more…]

15th Sunday after Pentecost
September 6 – 10 am worship

“I am there among them”  Matthew 18:20

Conflict is a part of relationships and life in community. Jesus’ words in today’s gospel are often used in situations having to do with church discipline. The prophet Ezekiel tells of warning the wicked to tur from their ways, and Paul reminds us that love is the fulfilling of the law. We gather in the name of Christ, assured that he is present among us with gift of peace and reconciliation.

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
• Sept. 3 & 17 – Bold Women’s Café (dinner & devotions) 6:00 pm
• Sept. 6 – Reader needed
• Sept. 8 – Scouts 6:00 pm
• Sept. 9 – 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. 13 – El Salvador Sister Parish Presentation 10 am worship
• Sept. 20 – Boutique & Bake Sale (Circle of Promise)
• Sept. 27 – “Next Stage” musical guests in 10 am worship
• Oct. 4   – Blessing of the Animals
• Oct. 6 – 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. Jim Office hours Wednesdays 10 am to 1:00 pm.
• FLOWER CHART has openings FOR YOUR DEDICATIONS  *

[Read more…]