Pentecost

Day of Pentecost – May 24, 2026

Day of Pentecost
May 24 – 10 am worship

“Receive the Holy Spirit” John 20:22

Pentecost derives its name from the Jewish festival celebrating the harvest and the giving of the law on Mount Sinai fifty days after Passover. Fifty days after Easter, we celebrate the Holy Spirit as God’s presence within and among us. In Acts the Spirit arrives in rushing wind and flame, bringing Go’s presence to all people. Paul reminds us that though we each have different capacities, we are unified in the Spirit that equips us with these gifts. Jesus breathes the Hoy Spirit on his disciples, empowering them to forgive sin. We celebrate that we too are given the breath of the Holy Spirit and sent out to proclaim god’s redeeming love to all the world.

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:     

  • Thursdays – Men’s A.A. 7:00 pm Fireside room
  • Fridays –  A.A. 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall
  • May 22-25 – Mt. Cross Memorial day weekend events:  Volunteer Projects, BBQ & Bingo Night.  Sign up today   https://www.mtcross.org/retreats    (Most of us are planning for Saturday 23rd)
  • May 26 – Scouts 6:00 pm
  • May 27 – 10:15 Preschool Chapel 
  • May 27 – Bible Study 7:30 pm Zoom
  • May 27 – Newsletter Collating 2:00 pm
  • May 30 – AFC Shelter Dinners 5:45pm St. Johns Aptos.  Sign up to provide (one of the following):  main course, salad, dessert & breakfast.  We still need vegetables.
    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.
  • June 2 – Trinity Tuesday 6:30 pm local pub (Discretion Brewing Co. 41st Ave. )
    1 hour, 1 faith question, 1 drink • Honest conversation & genuine community.
    What do you wonder?  Where do you see God? • Info. Kathy Allen 430-6359
  • June 7 – Meet Mt. Cross Staff & kick off summer BBQ
  • May 21 – Aug. 24 Pastor Jim on Sabbatical
  • 2026 FLOWER CHART IS READY FOR YOUR DEDICATIONS  *
[Read more…]

Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost – November 16, 2025

We gather on the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost
November 16 –  10am worship

“Not one stone will be left upon another”  Luke 21:6

The end is near.  There is no doubt about it.  The warnings are dire.  The tone of today’s texts is ominous.  But the baptized know how to live in the meantime.  The baptized are strengthened for the living of these days in word and sacrament.  The baptized rally around the invitation of the apostle:  “Do not be weary in doing what is right.”

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.  See sign ups:

  • St. Nicks for Seniors surprises in their shoes. (To learn of the tradition see www.stnicholascenter.org)   Ideas:  slipper sox, tea bags, chocolate coins, note pads, inspirational stuff. Due December 1st.
  • Angel Tree    “Adopt a Family” Volunteer Center.  Return children’s gifts by December 7.
  • ELCA Good Gifts & God’s Global Barnyard   creative meaningful ways to support better lives. www.goodgifts@elca.org   

Other events:

  • Thursdays – Men’s A.A. 7:00 pm Fireside room
  • Fridays –  A.A. 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall
  • Tues. Nov. 18 – Scouts 6:00 pm
  • Wed. Nov. 19 – Preschool Chapel 10:15 am
  • Wed. Nov. 19 – Newsletter Deadline
  • Wed. Nov. 19 – Dec. 17th at 7:30 pm ZOOM New six week Matthew Bible Study “The Gospel of Promised Blessings” by Dr. Matthew Skinner  book available $12.50 on line, or with Christa for $14 christawynekengarcia@gmail.com
  • Thurs. Nov.  20 – Women’s Café Group 6:00 pm Fellowship Hall
  • Sun. Nov. 23 – Stewardship Sunday & Children’s turkey trot & Thanksgiving Potluck (turkey provided 😊)
  • Nov. 24 – Dec. 3 – El Salvador delegation
  • Wed. Nov. 26 – Newsletter Collating 2:00 pm helpers needed
  • Nov. 29 – 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.  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.  2026:  Jan. 31, May 30, Aug. 29, and Oct. 31.
  • Tues. Dec. 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
  • Sun. Dec. 7 –  Christmas Pageant
  • Thurs. Dec. 11 – MMRR Circle 10:30 am
  • Sun. Dec. 14 – MMRR Holiday Bake Sale
[Read more…]

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost – October 19, 2025

We gather on the 19th Sunday after Pentecost
October 19 –  10am worship

“Will not God grant justice?” Luke 18:7

Pray always. Do not lose heart. This is Christ’s encouragement in the gospel today. Wrestle with the word. Remember your baptism again and again. Come regularly to Christ’s table. Persistnce in our every encounter with the divine will be blessed.

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: 

  • Thursdays – Men’s A.A. 7:00 pm Fireside room
  • Fridays –  A.A. 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall
  •  Sat. Oct. 18 – COPA Civic Academy “Workforce Housing” ballot discussion 3:00 pm
    Peace United Church, High Street
  • Tues. Oct. 21 – Scouts 6:00 pm
  • Wed. Oct. 22 – NO Preschool Chapel 10:15 am
  • Weds. Oct. 22 – NO Bible Study 7:30 pm Zoom
  • Fri. Oct. 24 – Newsletter Deadline 
  • Sun. Oct. 26 – Reformation / Oktober Feast :  invite your friends
  • Thurs. Oct. 30 – Newsletter Collating 2:00 pm
  • Tues. Nov. 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
  • Wed. Nov. 4 – “American Agitators” documentary screening, discussion and free dinner 4:30 pm Samper Hall Cabrillo
  • Thurs. Nov. 6 & 20 – Women’s Café Group 6:00 pm Fellowship Hall
  • Thurs. Nov.. 13 – MMRR Circle 10:30 am
  • Sun. Nov. 23 – Stewardship Sunday & Thanksgiving Potluck
[Read more…]

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost – September 28, 2025

We gather on the 16th Sunday after Pentecost
New Member Sunday

 September 28 –  10am worship

“At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus” Luke 16:20

Consideration of and care for those in need (especially those “at our gate,” visible to us, of whom we are aware) is an essential component of good stewardship. It is in the sharing of wealth that we avoid the snare of wealth. It is the one whom death could not hold – who comes to us risen from the dead – who can free us from the death grip of greed.

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: 

  • Thursdays – Men’s A.A. 7:00 pm Fireside room
  • Fridays –  A.A. 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall
  • Tues. Sept. 30 – Scouts 6:00 pm
  • Wed. Oct. 1 – Preschool Chapel 10:15 am
  • Weds. Oct. 1 – Bible Study 7:30 pm Zoom
  • Thurs. Oct. 2 & 16 – Women’s Café Group 6:00 pm Fellowship Hall
  • Sat. Oct. 4 – Property Work Day 
  • Sun. Oct. 5 – Blessing of the Animals
  • Tues. Oct. 7  – Trinity Tuesday 6:30 pm local pub (Discretion Brewing Co. 41st Ave. )
    1 hour, 1 faith question, 1 drink    Info. Kathy Allen 430-6359
  • Sun. Oct. 26 – Reformation / Oktober Feast :  invite your friends
[Read more…]