Epiphany

The Third Sunday after Epiphany
January 25 –  10 am worship

“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people”  Matthew 4:19

Jesus begins his public ministry by calling fishers to leave their nets and follow him. In Jesus the kingdom of God has come near. We who have walked in darkness have seen a great light. We see this light most profoundly in the cross – as God suffers with us and all who are oppressed by sickness, sin, or evil. LIght dawns for us as we gather around the word, the font, and the holly table. We are then sent to share the good news that others may be “caught” in the net of God’s grace and mercy.

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
• Feb 5 & 19 – Women’s Café Group 6:00 pm 
• Jan. 25 – Annual Meeting after 10 am worship (please bring finger food / snacks to share)
• Jan. 27 – Scouts 6:00 pm
• Jan. 28 – 10:15 Preschool Chapel
• Jan.  28 – 7:30 pm ZOOM  Bible Study 
• Jan. 29  – Newsletter Collating 2:00
• Jan. 31 – AFC Shelter Dinners 5:45pm St. Johns Aptos.  Sign up to provide (one of the following)  main course, salad, dessert & breakfast.  We need 2 people to be present & serve the meal.  We still need: ½ gallon milk and people to serve.
• 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.  Plan ahead:   May 30, Aug. 29, and Oct. 31.
• Feb. 2 – Trinity Tuesday 6:30 pm local pub (Discretion Brewing Co. 41^st Ave. )
  1 hour, 1 faith question, 1 drink    Info. Kathy Allen 430-6359
• Feb. 12 – Womens Circle of Promise 10:30 am

• 2026 FLOWER CHART IS READY FOR YOUR DEDICATIONS  *

[Read more…]

The Second Sunday after Epiphany
January 18 –  10 am worship

“Here is the Lamb of God”  John 1:29

Today’s gospel opens with further reflection on Jesus’ baptism.  He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and the one anointed by the Spirit.  In the liturgy we come and see Christ revealed among us in word and meal.  We go forth to invite other to come and worship the Holy One and to receive the gifts of grace and peace made known among us.

Come Welcome New Members This Sunday:

Steve Gray,  Carole Murray,  Jennifer Swan  &  Patrick Thomas

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.

Other events:

• Thursdays – Men’s A.A. 7:00 pm Fireside room
• Fridays –  A.A. 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall
• Jan. 19 – Newsletter Deadline
• Jan. 20 – Scouts 6:00 pm
• Jan. 21 – Taize Service (prayer silence & meditative song) 6:00 pm
• Jan.  21 – 7:30 pm ZOOM  Bible Study 
• Jan. 22 – Women’s Café Group 6:00 pm 
• Jan. 25 – Annual Meeting after 10 am worship (please bring finger food / snacks to share)
• Jan. 29  – Newsletter Collating 2:00
• Jan. 31 – AFC Shelter Dinners 5:45pm St. Johns Aptos.  Sign up to provide (one of the following)  main course, salad, dessert & breakfast.  We need 2 people to be present & serve the meal.  We still need: 8 servings Vegetables or salad, and ½ gallon milk
• 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.  2026:   May 30, Aug. 29, and Oct. 31.
• Feb. 2 – Trinity Tuesday 6:30 pm local pub (Discretion Brewing Co. 41^st Ave. )
  1 hour, 1 faith question, 1 drink    Info. Kathy Allen 430-6359
• Feb. 12 – Womens Circle of Promise 10:30 am

• 2026 FLOWER CHART IS READY FOR YOUR DEDICATIONS  *

[Read more…]

We gather on the Baptism of Our Lord
January 11 –  10 am worship

“This is my Son, the Beloved” Matthew 3:17

In the waters of the Jordan, Jesus is revealed as the beloved Son of God. Through this great epiphany, Jesus fulfills all righteousness and becomes the servant of God who will bring forth justice and be a light to the nations. In the waters of baptism we too are washed by the Word, anointed by the Spirit, and named Go’s beloved children. Our baptismal mission is to proclaim good news to all who are oppressed or in need of God’s healing.

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: 

Tis the season for Sharing Christmas Joy.      

• 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.

Other events:

• Thursdays – Men’s A.A. 7:00 pm Fireside room
• Fridays –  A.A. 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall
• Jan. 10 – Embroiders guild 10 to 4pm Fireside room
• Jan. 11 – No Sunday School
• Jan. 13 – Scouts 6:00 pm
• Jan. 13 (corrected date) – Church Council 6:30 pm
• Jan. 14 – 7:30 pm ZOOM Bible Study 
• Jan. 16 – Annual Reports DUE
• Jan. 19 – Newsletter Deadline
• Jan. 21 – Taize Service (prayer silence & meditative song) 6:00 pm
• Jan. 22 – Women’s Café Group 6:00 pm 
• Jan. 25 – Annual Meeting after 10 am worship (please bring finger food / snacks to share)
• Jan. 29 (corrected date) – Newsletter Collating 2:00
• Jan. 31 – AFC Shelter Dinners 5:45pm St. Johns Aptos.  Sign up to provide (one of the following)  main course, salad, dessert & breakfast.  We need 2 people to be present & serve the meal.  We still need: 8 servings Vegetables or salad, and ½ gallon milk
• 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.  2026:   May 30, Aug. 29, and Oct. 31.
• Feb. 2 – Trinity Tuesday 6:30 pm local pub (Discretion Brewing Co. 41^st Ave. )
  1 hour, 1 faith question, 1 drink    Info. Kathy Allen 430-6359
• Feb. 12 – Womens Circle of Promise 10:30 am

• 2026 FLOWER CHART IS READY FOR YOUR DEDICATIONS  *

[Read more…]

We gather on the Seventh Sunday after Epiphany at 10am for worship

Mercy.  Mercy.  Mercy.  Joseph lives it in Egypt.  Jesus preaches it in the gospel.  The Spirit guides us into merciful lives with the power of forgiveness to reconcile what is fractured and divided.  Such merciful living is the baptismal blessing of having put on Christ.  It is the gift of the life giving Sprit.  It is a reflection of God’s glory revealed in 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: 

• Mon. Feb 24 – CDC board 11:15 am
• Wed. Feb. 26 – Bible Study 11 am & 7:30 pm
• Thurs. Feb. 27 – NL collating 2:00 pm
• Sat. March 1 -10:30 am Kitchen cupboard clean out with MMRR
• Sun. March 2 – MMRR kitchen sale 11:00 after church! 
  As we prepare for the Kitchen Upgrade, it’s a time to evaluate items in the kitchen cupboards that are not needed and others that would love to move into your kitchen😁!! Plan to go directly to the Fellowship Hall after church to see items that you can’t live without. Such deals on all items.
• Tues. March 4 – Trinity Tuesday 6:30 pm local pub (Discretion Brewing Co. 41^st Ave. )
  1 hour, 1 faith question, 1 drink    Info. Kathy Allen 430-6359
• Wed. March 5 – Ash Wednesday worship 7:00 pm
• Wed. March 12 – Lenten Worship 7:00 pm  & 6:00 pm Soupers (sign up, or no Soup!)
• Sat. April 19 – 10:00 am Breakfast Set up
• Easter Sun. April 20 – 9:00 Breakfast, helpers needed
• Thursdays – Men’s A.A. 7:00 pm
• Fridays –  A.A. 7:00 pm

[Read more…]

We gather on the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany at 10am for worship

Blessings and curses abound on the sixth Sunday after Epiphany.  We would do well to listen closely to whom the “blessed ares” and the “woe tos” are directed and to find our place in the crowd among those who desire to touch Jesus.  The risen Christ stands among us in the mystery of the holy supper with an invitation to live in him, and offers power to heal us all.

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: 

• No Sunday School this week
• Wed. Feb. 19 – Bible Study 11 am & 7:30 pm
• Thurs. Feb. 20 – Women’s Café Group 6:00 pm fellowship hall
• Fri. Feb. 21 – NL deadline 12 Noon!
• Mon. Feb 24 – CDC board 11:15 am
• Thurs. Feb. 27 – NL collating 2:00 pm
• Tues. March 4 – Trinity Tuesday 6:30 pm local pub (Discretion Brewing Co. 41^st Ave.)
  1 hour, 1 faith question, 1 drink    Info. Kathy Allen 430-6359
• Wed. March 5 – Ash Wednesday worship 7:00 pm
• Wed. March 12 – Lenten Worship 7:00 pm  & 6:00 pm Soupers (sign up to help)
• Thursdays – Men’s A.A. 7:00 pm
• Fridays –  A.A. 7:00 pm

[Read more…]