First Sunday in Lent – February 22, 2026

First Sunday in Lent
 February 22 – 10 am worship

“Nicodemus came to Jesus by night”  John 3:2

Today’s gospel tells of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. His forty-days fast becomes the basis of our Lenten pilgrimage. In the early church Let was a time of intense preparation for those to be baptized at the Easter vigil. This catechetical focus on the meaning of faith is at the heart of our Lenten journey to the baptismal waters of Easter. Hungry for God’s mercy, we receive the bread of life to nourish us for the days ahead.

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:     

  • Order Easter Lilies now, sign up in narthex
  • Thursdays – Men’s A.A. 7:00 pm Fireside room
  • Fridays –  A.A. 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall
  • Feb. 24 – Scouts 6:00 pm
  • Feb. 25 – 10:15 Preschool Chapel
  • Feb. 25 – Soup Supper 6:00 pm (Hosts: Connie & Jeanette)
                     & TAIZE Lent Worship 7:00 pm
  • Feb. 26 – Newsletter Collating 1:00 (helpers needed)
  • March 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
  • March 10 – Church Council 6:30 pm
  • March 13-15 – Mt. Cross Women’s Retreat, sign up now.  1 day /Saturday option is available.
  • April 4 – Easter Breakfast setup 10 am
  • April 5 – Easter Sunday Celebration.  Pancakes at 9:00 & worship at 10.  Plan ahead to invite a friend.
  • April 18 – Pr. Herb Schmidt Memorial 1:00 Messiah Lutheran, High Street
  • May 30 – 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 5th Saturday of each month.  We are all worthy of dignity and connection.  Let’s assist them to a better life.  Plan ahead:    Aug. 29, and Oct. 31.
  • 2026 FLOWER CHART IS READY FOR YOUR DEDICATIONS  *
[Read more…]

Transfiguration of Our Lord – February 15, 2026

Transfiguration of Our Lord
February 15 – 10 am worship

“Jesus was transfigured before them”  Matthew 17:2

Today’s festival is a bridge between the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany cycle that comes to a close today and the lent-Easter cycle that begins in several days. On a high mountain Jesus is revealed as God’s beloved Son, echoing the words at his baptism. This vision of glory sustains us as Jesus faces his impending death in Jerusalem. We turn this week to Ash Wednesday and our yearly baptismal journey from Lent to Easter. Some churches put aside the alleluia at the conclusion of today’s liturgy. This word of joy will be omitted during the penitential season of lent and will be sung again at Easter.

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:     

  • Order Easter Lilies now, sign up in narthex
  • Thursdays – Men’s A.A. 7:00 pm Fireside room
  • Fridays –  A.A. 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall
  • Feb. 17 – Scouts 6:00 pm
  • Feb. 18 – 10:15 Preschool Chapel
  • Feb. 18 – ASH Wednesday Worship 11:00 am & 7:00 pm
  • Feb. 20 – Newsletter Deadline
  • Feb. 25 – Soup Supper 6:00 pm 
  • & TAIZE Lent Worship 7:00 pm
  • Feb. 26 – Newsletter Collating 2:00
  • March 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
  • March 13-15 – Mt. Cross Women’s Retreat, sign up now.  1 day /Saturday option is available.
  • April 4 – Easter Breakfast setup 10 am
  • April 5 – Easter Sunday Celebration.  Pancakes at 9:00 & worship at 10.  Plan ahead to invite a friend.
  • May 30 – 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 5th Saturday of each month.  We are all worthy of dignity and connection.  Let’s assist them to a better life.  Plan ahead:    Aug. 29, and Oct. 31.
  • 2026 FLOWER CHART IS READY FOR YOUR DEDICATIONS  *
[Read more…]

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany – February 8, 2026

The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
February 8 –  10 am worship

“A city built on a hill cannot be hid”  Matthew 5:14

Light shines in the darkness for the upright, the psalmist sings.  Isaiah declares that when we loose the bonds of injustice and share or bread with the hungry, the light breaks forth like the dawn.  In another passage from the Semon on the Mount, Jesus, the light of the world, calls his followers to let the light of their good works shine before others.  Through baptism we are sent into the world to shine with the light of Christ.

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:     

  • Order Easter Lilies now, sign up in narthex
  • Thursdays – Men’s A.A. 7:00 pm Fireside room
  • Fridays –  A.A. 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall
  • Feb. 10 – Scouts 6:00 pm
  • Feb. 10 – Church Council 6:30 pm
  • Feb. 11 – 10:15 Preschool Chapel
  • Feb. 11 – 7:30 pm ZOOM  Bible Study 
  • Feb. 12 – Womens Circle of Promise 10:30 am
  • Feb. 18 – ASH Wednesday Worship 11:00 am & 7:00 pm
  • Feb. 20 – Newsletter Deadline
  • Feb. 25 – Soup Supper 6:00 pm Lent Worship 7:00 pm
  • Feb. 26 – Newsletter Collating 2:00
  • March 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
  • March 13-15 – Mt. Cross Women’s Retreat, sign up now.  1 day /Saturday option is available.
  • April 5 – Easter Sunday Celebration.  Pancakes at 9:00 & worship at 10.  Plan ahead to invite a friend.
  • May 30 – 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 5th Saturday of each month.  We are all worthy of dignity and connection.  Let’s assist them to a better life.  Plan ahead:    Aug. 29, and Oct. 31.
  • 2026 FLOWER CHART IS READY FOR YOUR DEDICATIONS  *
[Read more…]

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany – February 1, 2026

The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
February 1 –  10 am worship

“Blessed are the peacemakers”  Matthew 5:9

Who are the blessed ones of God?  For Micah, they are those who do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.  For Paul, they are the ones who find wisdom in the weakness of the cross.  For Jesus, they are the poor the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peace makers, those who mourn, and those who hunger for righteousness.  In baptism we find our blessed identity and calling in this countercultural way of living and serving..

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:     

  • A member has an urgent request:  Her niece & family are losing their house.  It’s a scary time for them. They have a 30 foot trailer to live in and need a space to park.  They can pay for the space and electric hookup.  Do you know of any such space? Please call the office with any leads.
  • Thursdays – Men’s A.A. 7:00 pm Fireside room
  • Fridays –  A.A. 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall
  • Jan. 31 – 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 5th Saturday of each month.  We are all worthy of dignity and connection.  Let’s assist them to a better life.  Plan ahead:   May 30, Aug. 29, and Oct. 31.
  • Feb. 2 – Trinity Tuesday 6:30 pm local pub (Discretion Brewing Co. 41st Ave. )
    1 hour, 1 faith question, 1 drink    Info. Kathy Allen 430-6359
  • Feb. 3 – Scouts 6:00 pm
  • Feb. 4 – 10:15 Preschool Chapel
  • Feb. 4 – 7:30 pm ZOOM  Bible Study 
  • Feb 5  – Women’s Café Group 6:00 pm 
  • Feb. 10 – Church Council 6:30 pm
  • Feb. 12 – Womens Circle of Promise 10:30 am
  • Feb. 18 – ASH Wednesday Worship 11:00 am & 7:00 pm
  • Feb. 20 – Newsletter Deadline
  • Feb. 25 – Soup Supper 6:00 pm Lent Worship 7:00 pm
  • Feb. 26 – Newsletter Collating 2:00
  • 2026 FLOWER CHART IS READY FOR YOUR DEDICATIONS  *
[Read more…]