First Sunday of Advent – December 1, 2024

We gather on the First Sunday of Advent at 10am.

Advent is about the “coming days”.  God’s people have always lived in great expectation, but that expectation finds specific, repeated enunciation in the texts appointed for these four weeks.  The ancients anticipated a “righteous Branch to spring up for David.”  The Thessalonians awaited “the coming of our Lord Jesus with all the saints.“  Jesus’ contemporaries hoped for the time “to stand before the Son of Man.”  With them we eagerly await the coming days:  another Christmas celebration, a second coming, and the advent of Christ in word and supper.

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

  • Now – Dec. 8  Angel gift tree
  • Tues. Dec. 3 – Trinity Tuesday 6:30 pm local pub (Discretion Brewing Co. 41st Ave. )
    1 hour, 1 faith question, 1 drink    Info. Kathy Allen 430-6359
  • Sun. Dec. 8 – MMRR Bake Sale & Christmas Pageant (need congregation participants!)
  • Tues. Dec. 10 – Church Council 6:30 pm
  • Thurs. Dec. 12 – MMRR Womens circle 10:30 am
  • Mon. Dec. 16 –  Women’s Café Group 6:00 pm
  • Sun. Dec. 22 – Christmas Potluck 11 am
  • Tues. Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve worship 7:00 pm
  • Thursdays – Men’s A.A. 7:00 pm
  • Fridays –  A.A. 7:00 pm
[Read more…]

Christ the King Sunday – November 24, 2024

We gather on Christ the King Sunday at 10am.

Even after Israel had experienced the vagaries of kings, the people still longed for a true king to set things right.  He would have the king’s title of Anointed One (Messiah); he would be the “one like a human being” (son of Man) given dominion in Daniel’s vision.  Jesus is given these titles, even though he is nothing like an earthly king.  His authority comes from the truth to which he bears witness, and those who recognize the truth voluntarily listen to him.  We look forward to the day he is given dominion, knowing his victory will be the nonviolent victory of love.

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

  • Now – Dec. 8  Angel gift tree
  • Sun. Nov. 24 – Consecration Sunday & Thanksgiving Potluck and children’s Turkey trot
  • Nov. 25 – 29  Preschool Closed
  • Mon. Nov. 25 –  Women’s Café Group 6:00 pm
  • Tues. Nov. 26 – Newsletter Collating 2:00 pm.
  • Wed. Nov. 27 – Bible Study  11 am & 7:30 pm
  • Tues. Dec. 3 – New Trinity Tuesday 6:30 pm local pub (Discretion Brewing Co. 41st Ave. )
    1 hour, 1 faith question, 1 drink    Info. Kathy Allen 430-6359
  • Sun. Dec. 8 – MMRR Bake Sale & Christmas Pageant (need congregation participants!)
  • Tues. Dec. 10 – Church Council 6:30 pm
  • Thurs. Dec. 12 – MMRR Womens circle 10:30 am
  • Thursdays – Men’s A.A. 7:00 pm
  • Fridays –  A.A. 7:00 pm
[Read more…]

Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost – November 17, 2024

We gather on Sunday at 10am.

November begins with All Saints Day and ends in  or near Advent, when we anticipate Christ’s coming again.  It is fitting, then, that the readings today tell of the final resurrection and the end time.  In the turmoil of hope, fear, and disbelief that these predictions provoke in us, Hebrews sounds a note of confident trust.  Christ makes a way for us where there is no way, and we walk it confidently, our hearts and bodies washed in baptismal water, trusting the one who has promised forgiveness.  The more we see the last day approaching, the more important it is to meet together to provoke one another to love.

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

  • Now – Dec. 8  Angel gift tree
  • Mon. Nov. 18 – Choir rehearsal & dinner 4:30 pm Fellowship hall
  • Tue. Nov. 19 – NL deadline
  • Wed. Nov. 20 – Bible Study  11 am & 7:30 pm
  • Sun. Nov. 24 – Consecration Sunday & Thanksgiving Potluck and Turkey trot
  • Mon. Nov. 25 –  Women’s Café Group 6:00 pm
  • Tues. Nov. 26 – Newsletter Collating 2:00 pm.
  • Tues. Dec. 3 – New Trinity Tuesday 6:30 pm local pub (Discretion Brewing Co. 41st Ave. )
    1 hour, 1 faith question, 1 drink    Info. Kathy Allen 430-6359
  • Sun. Dec. 8 – MMRR Bake Sale & Christmas Pageant
  • Tues. Dec. 10 – Church Council 6:30 pm
  • Thurs. Dec. 12 – MMRR Womens circle 10:30 am
  • Thursdays – Men’s A.A. 7:00 pm
  • Fridays –  A.A. 7:00 pm
[Read more…]

All Saints Sunday – November 3, 2024

Remember Daylight Savings Time Ends Sunday: “Fall Back”

We gather on All Saints Sunday at 10am.

Of all three years of the lectionary cycle, this year’s All Saints readings have the most tears.  Isaiah and Revelation look forward to the day when God will wipe away all tears; in John’s gospel, Jesus weeps along with Mary and all the gathered mourners before he demonstrates his power over death.  On All Saints Day we celebrate the victory won for all the faithful dead, but we grieve for our beloved dead as well, knowing that God honors our tears.  We bring our grief to the table and find there a foretaste of Isaiah’s feast to come.

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

  • Tues. Nov. 5 – New Trinity Tuesday 6:30 pm local pub (Discretion Brewing Co. 41st Ave. )
    • 1 hour, 1 faith question, 1 drink                   Info. Kathy Allen 430-6359
  • Nov. 6 – Bible Study  11 am & 7:30 pm
  • Tues. Nov. 12 – Church Council 6:30 pm
  • Thurs. Nov. 14 – MMRR Womens circle 10:30 am
  • Sun. Nov. 24 – Consecration Sunday & Thanksgiving Potluck and Turkey trot
  • Mon. Nov. 25 –  Women’s Café Group 6:00 pm
  • Thursdays – Men’s A.A. 7:00 pm
  • Fridays –  A.A. 7:00 pm
[Read more…]