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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  *

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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…]

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…]