Lent

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. 41^st 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 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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We gather on the Fifth Sunday in Lent at 10am for worship

Our God makes all things new. In the first reading God promises it. In the gospel Mary anticipates it, anointing Jesus’ feet with costly perfume in preparation for the day of his burial. In the second reading Paul recalls his transformation from the persecutor Saul into an apostle. In baptism, God’s new person (you!) rises daily from the deadly mire of trespasses and sins.

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: 

• Sign up for Easter Lily dedication before April 11
• Thursdays – Men’s A.A. 7:00 pm Fireside room
• Fridays –  A.A. 7:00 pm (Fireside room this week)
• March 31 – April 11 – Preschool Closed & Kitchen closed for renovation!
• Tues. April 8 – Church Council 6:30 pm
• Wed. April 9 – LAST Lenten Worship 7:00 pm  & 6:00 pm Soupers (Don & Rosie Host)
• April 13 Palm Sunday – dramatic readers needed
• April 17 Maundy Thursday “The Last Supper” 11:00 am & 7:00 pm
  Salad LUNCH hosted by MMRR Circle
• April 18 Good Friday “The Seven Last Words”  11:00 am & 7:00 pm
• Sat. April 19 – 10:00 am Breakfast Set up, helpers needed
• Easter Sun. April 20 –
  • 8:30 Breakfast, helpers needed
  •  10:00 Worship & Children’s time
  • 11:00 Children’s Egg Hunt
• Mon. 28 – CDC Board 11:15 am
• Tues. April 29 – Newsletter Collating 2:00 pm
• Tues. May 6 – 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
• Plan ahead SAVE THE DATE:
  • May 23-26 Memorial Day work weekend at Mt. Cross.  This year, you can stay at camp for free if you are there to work!!!  There is a job for all abilities, from construction & trail work to cleaning & organizing.
  • July 26 – Paul Cunningham Memorial 12:00 Noon Scotts Valley Community Center

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We gather on the Fourth Sunday in Lent at 10am for worship

The psalm sets the tone this day: “Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sin is put away!” Happy are those who have “become the righteousness of God” in the merits of Christ Jesus. Happy are those for whom the forgiveness of God has “rolled away . . . the disgrace” of former times. Happy is the father at the return of his prodigal son. Happy are we that our sins are forgiven for Jesus’ sake. Rejoice!

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: 

• Sign up for Easter Lily dedication now
• Thurs. March 27 & April 3 – 7:00 pm Long Term Meetings“Forming a Vision for Our Future”  Sanctuary
• Thursdays – Men’s A.A. 7:00 pm Fireside room
• Fridays –  A.A. 7:00 pm Fellowship hall
• Sun. March 30 – 11:30 am Long Term Meeting “Forming a Vision for Our Future”  Fireside Room
• March 31 – April 11 – Kitchen & Fellowship Hall closed for renovation!
• Tues. April 1 – 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. April 2 – Lenten Worship 7:00 pm  & 6:00 pm Soupers (Christa & Sam Garcia Host)
• Tues. April 8 – 6:15 pm Knitters Guild Fireside Room
• Tues. April 8 – 6:30 pm Council Family room
• April 7 – 11  Preschool Closed
• April 17 Maundy Thursday “The Last Supper” 11:00 am & 7:00 pm
  • LUNCH hosted by MMRR Circle
• April 18 Good Friday “The Seven Last Words”  11:00 am & 7:00 pm
• Sat. April 19 – 10:00 am Breakfast Set up, helpers needed
• Easter Sun. April 20 –
  • 8:30 Breakfast, helpers needed
  • 10:00 Worship & Children’s time
  • 11:00 Children’s Egg Hunt
• Plan ahead SAVE THE DATE:
  May 23-26 Memorial Day work weekend at Mt. Cross.  This year, you can stay at camp for free if you are there to work!!!  There is a job for all abilities, from construction & trail work to cleaning & organizing.
• July 26 – Paul Cunningham Memorial 12:00 Noon Scotts Valley Community Center

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