Lent
Second Sunday in Lent – March 5, 2023
“O God, our leader and guide, in the waters of baptism you bring us to new birth to live as your children. Strengthen our faith in your promise, that by your Spirit we may lift up your life to all the world.” -Prayer of the Day
We will gather for worship on the 2nd Sunday of Lent, March 5th at 10am. You can also participate through the livestream and recording at www.ststephenslutheran.org.
The bulletin and Celebrate scripture readings and prayers are attached, so that you can participate in worship even if you are not able to attend church in-person. Holy Communion will be celebrated, so please have some bread and fruit of the vine ready if you are at home.
Lent Soup Suppers and Worship – Wednesdays March 8, 15, 22, 29. Soup Supper at 6pm. Come later if you need to! Holden Evening Prayer at 7:15pm.
Let’s continue to be gracious and merciful with one another as we continue to struggle with a lingering pandemic.
- Please stay home if you have any symptoms.
- Masks are optional.
- Holy Communion will be offered from Pastor Jim (sanitized hands & masked) at the front of the church. You can remain at your seat and Pastor Jim will bring the elements to you.
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!
First Sunday in Lent – February 26, 2023
We will gather for worship on the 1st Sunday of Lent, February 26th at 10:00 am. You can also participate through the livestream and recording at www.ststephenslutheran.org.
The bulletin and Celebrate scripture readings and prayers are attached, so that you can participate in worship even if you are not able to attend church in-person. Holy Communion will be celebrated, so please have some bread and fruit of the vine ready if you are at home.
Lent Soup Suppers and Worship – Wednesdays March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29. Soup Supper at 6:00 pm. Worship at 7:15 pm. Please sign up to host a Soup Supper!
Let’s continue to be gracious and merciful with one another as we continue to struggle with a lingering pandemic.
- Please stay home if you have any symptoms.
- Masks are optional.
- Holy Communion will be offered from Pastor Jim (sanitized hands & masked) at the front of the church. You can remain at your seat and Pastor Jim will bring the elements to you.
Ash Wednesday – February 22, 2023
Dear St. Stephen’s Family,
We will gather for Ash Wednesday worship at 11am and 7:15pm.
You can also participate on the livestream at 7:15pm by going to our website www.ststephenslutheran.org. There will be the Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion, so please be prepared with some ashes, bread and fruit of the vine. The bulletin is attached.
I also want to take a moment as we remember our own life and death in God, to lift up the life and witness of a dear former member here who recently claimed her baptismal promises, Gwyn Larsen.
Some of you may have seen her obituary in the Sentinel yesterday. Leslie and I had known that she was dealing with a recurrence of cancer from her family’s Christmas letter. Some of you remember having supported her here when she was first diagnosed and went through treatments.
Gwyn was on the Church Council when I was called as pastor in 1996 and served as a wonderful role model for Leslie and I as we began our family. I had the privilege of getting to know 2 of her children, Chelsea and Peter, very well through our Confirmation program. Her oldest, Zack would visit when home from college. Gwyn was a brilliant light among us in many ways as she was always ready to serve God through our church. She organized the renovation of our Fireside Room right after I began and created a warm and welcoming atmosphere for many church gatherings. She was active in small groups and could be always be counted on to help in whatever was needed. At one point her parents Orlen and Herma Berge came to live in this area and we really enjoyed getting to know them in their latter years. Gwyn’s sister would also visit regularly. Her niece Amy came to visit often and eventually moved here for a while and became a part of our congregation too. Gwyn and her husband Dave decided to move to Oceanside CA to be nearer to Chelsea’s new family just a few years ago. It was a big loss for us and now we feel it even more so. Blessed be the memory of this child of God and may light perpetual shine upon her.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Jim
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