Epiphany

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. 41^st 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 5^th 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  *

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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. 41^st 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 5^th 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…]

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 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. 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…]

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…]