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20th Sunday after Pentecost
October 11 – 10 am worship

“Everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet”   Matthew 22:4

In Isaiah we are given a vision of the great feast to come, when God will wipe away death forever. In Jesus parable about a great banquet, those invited do not come, so the invitation is extended to others. In our liturgy God spreads a table before us. Even amid anxiety and hardship we rejoice in the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. With great joy we feast at the table of the Lord and we go forth to share the wonderful invitation with others hungering and thirsting for the abundant life of God.

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
• Oct. 10 – Embroiders 10 to 4pm
• Oct. 11 – “Holy Conversations” 11:30 am Join a small group and explore where God might be calling us to next! What are our hopes for the future of our ministry? Sign up now
• Oct. 13 – Scouts 6:00 pm
• Oct. 13 – Church Council 6:30 pm
• Oct. 14 – Bible Study 7:30 pm Zoom
• Oct. 15 – Bold Women’s Café (dinner & devotions) 6:00 pm
• Oct. 15 – Lutheran Office of Public Policy “Vote Your Conscience” 7:00 pm ZOOM
                  Explore ballot propositions from a Lutheran Faith perspective. •. Email thelotts@gmail.com to register
• Oct. 18 – “Next Stage” musical guest in 10 am worship
• Oct. 18 – Holy Conversation small groups 11:30 am sign up now
• Oct. 18 – “Faith matters / Who is my neighbor”?  An interfaith dialogue on immigration at Santa Cruz Bible Church 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• October 25 – Reformation / Oktoberfeast  Reader needed
• Oct. 29 – Newsletter Collating 2:00 pm (helpers needed)
• 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.
• Nov. 1 – Holy Conversations 11:30 am sign up now
• Nov. 3 – 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
• Nov. 12 – Circle of Promise 10:30 am  
• Pr. Jim Office hours Wednesdays 10 am to 1:00 pm.
• FLOWER CHART has openings FOR YOUR DEDICATIONS  *

[Read more…]

19th Sunday after Pentecost
October 4 – 10 am worship

“My beloved had a vineyard” Isaiah 5:1

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus tells a vineyard parable, which serves as an image of Israel, the prophets’ mission, and Christ’s death. For Christians, the vineyard also speaks for God’s love poured out I the blood of Christ, given to us for the forgiveness of sin. Grafted onto Christ the vine at baptism, we are nourished with wine and bread so that we may share Christ’s sufferings and know the power of his resurrection.

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
• Oct. 1 & 15 – Bold Women’s Café (dinner & devotions) 6:00 pm
• Oct. 4   – Blessing of the Animals 10 am
• Oct. 6 – Scouts 6:00 pm
• 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. 7 – Bible Study 7:30 pm Zoom
• Oct. 8 – Circle of Promise 10:30 am
• Oct. 10 – Embroiders 10 to 4pm
• Oct. 13 – Church Council 6:30 pm
• Oct. 15 – Lutheran Office of Public Policy “Vote Your Conscience” 7:00 pm ZOOM
• Explore ballot propositions from a Lutheran Faith perspective
• Email thelotts@gmail.com to register
• Oct. 18 – “Next Stage” musical guest in 10 am worship
• October 25 – Reformation / Oktoberfeast 
• Oct. 29 – Newsletter Collating 2:00 pm (helpers needed)
• 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.co 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…]

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…]