Pentecost

12th Sunday after Pentecost
August 16 – 10 am worship

“Woman, great is your faith!”  Matthew 15:28

In Isaiah we hear that God’ hose shall be a house of prayer for all people and that God will gather the outcasts of Israel. The Canaanite woman in today’s gospel is a gentile, an outsider, who is unflinching in her request that Jesus heal her daughter. As Jesus commends her bold faith, how might our church extend its mission to those on the margins of healing, and justice for those in need.

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
• Tuesday & Wednesday afternoons Pr. Larry holds brief office hours
• Aug. 16 – Coffee Host & reader needed
• Aug. 18 – Scouts 6:00 pm
• Aug. 19 – Bible Study 7:30 pm Zoom
• Aug. 19 – Newsletter Deadline NOON :  Your Faith Journey / God Stories are welcome!
• August 20 – Bold Women’s Café (dinner & devotions) 6:00 pm
• Aug. 23 – Guest musician Johnathan Bliss
• Aug. 23 – Farewell / Thank You Potluck to honor Pastor Larry, sign up now
• Aug. 26 – Newsletter Collating 2:00 pm (helpers needed)
• Aug. 30 – Holy Closure of our Preschool during worship 10 am
• & Scouts homemade donuts for coffee hour!!!
• Sept. 1 – Trinity Tuesday 6:30 pm local pub (Discretion Brewing Co. 41^st 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
• October 31 – HOST 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.  
• Pr. Larry loose Office hours Tuesday & Wednesday afternoons 707-372-2958
  While Pastor Jim on Sabbatical May 21 – Aug. 24
• FLOWER CHART has openings FOR YOUR DEDICATIONS  *

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11th Sunday after Pentecost
August 9 – 10 am worship

“Do not be afraid”  Matthew 14:27

Elijah finds the presence of God not in earthquake, wind, or fire, but in the sound of sheer silence.  When the disciples face a great storm on the sea, they cry out with fear.  Jesus says:  “Take heart, it is I; do not e afraid.”  Amid the storms of life, we gather to seek the calm presence of Christ that soothes our fears.  In comforting words of scripture and in the refreshing bread and cup of the eucharist, God grants us peace and send us forth to be a sign of God’s presence to others.

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
• Tuesday & Wednesday afternoons Pr. Larry holds brief office hours
• Aug. 16 & 23 – Coffee Host & reader needed
• Aug. 9 – Back to School Blessing (Students / Parents / Educators) 10 am
                          & 
  Christa Wyneken Garcia, our seminarian, will be preaching
• Aug. 9 – After worship come see the preschool items that need a new home.  The price is right.  Yours for a $ donation.
• Aug. 11 – Scouts 6:00 pm
• Aug. 12 – Bible Study 7:30 pm Zoom
• Aug. 19 – Newsletter Deadline NOON :  Your Faith Journey / God Stories are welcome!
• August 20 – Bold Women’s Café (dinner & devotions) 6:00 pm
• Aug. 23 – Guest musician Johnathan Bliss
• Aug. 23 – Farewell / Thank You Potluck to honor Pastor Larry, sign up now
• Aug. 26 – Newsletter Collating 2:00 pm (helpers needed)
• Aug. 30 – Holy Closure of our Preschool during worship 10 am
• Sept. 1 – Trinity Tuesday 6:30 pm local pub (Discretion Brewing Co. 41^st 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
• October 31 – HOST 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.  
• Pr. Larry loose Office hours Tuesday & Wednesday afternoons 707-372-2958
• While Pastor Jim on Sabbatical May 21 – Aug. 24

• FLOWER CHART has openings FOR YOUR DEDICATIONS  *

[Read more…]

10th Sunday after Pentecost
August 2 – 10 am worship

“All ate and were filled”  Matthew 14:20

In today’s first reading God invites all who are hungry or thirsty to receive food and drink without cost.  Jesus feeds the hungry multitude and reveals the abundance of God.  At the eucharistic tale we remember all who are hungry or poor in our world today. As we share the bread of life, we are sent forth to give ourselves away as bread for the hungry.

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
• Tuesday & Wednesday afternoons Pr. Larry holds brief office hours
• Aug. 2 – Worship will likely be without a bulletin ☹.  Parts aren’t available until Monday to fix the printer.  Come with an open mind for a bit of a spiritual adventure.  Hopefully some of you can use the attached bulletin on your phone.
• Aug. 4 – Scouts 6:00 pm
• Aug. 4 – Trinity Tuesday 6:30 pm local pub (Discretion Brewing Co. 41^st 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
• Aug. 5 – Bible Study 7:30 pm Zoom
• August 6 & 20 – Bold Women’s Café (dinner & devotions) 6:00 pm
• Aug. 9 & 16 – Coffee Host & reader needed
• Aug. 9 – Back to School Blessing (Students & Educators) 10 am
• Aug. 9 – After worship come see the preschool items that need a new home.  The price is right.  Yours for a $ donation.
• Aug. 20 – Newsletter Deadline NOON :  Your Faith Journey / God Stories are welcome!
• Aug. 23 – Guest musician Johnathan Bliss
• Aug. 23 – Farewell / Thank You Potluck to honor Pastor Larry
• Aug. 26 – Newsletter Collating 2:00 pm (helpers needed)
• August 29 – HOST 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.  Sign up now
• Aug. 30 – Holy Closure of our Preschool during worship 10 am
• Pr. Larry loose Office hours Tuesday & Wednesday afternoons 707-372-2958
• While Pastor Jim on Sabbatical May 21 – Aug. 24

• FLOWER CHART has openings FOR YOUR DEDICATIONS  *

[Read more…]

8th Sunday after Pentecost
July 19 – 10 am worship

“Gather the wheat into my barn”  Matthew 13:30

It is an age-old question:  Why is there evil in the world?  In the parable of the wheat and the weeds Jesus suggests that both grow together until the harvest.  With Paul, we long for the day when all creation will be set free from bondage and suffering.  Having long for the day when all creation will be set free from bondage and suffering.  Having both weeds and wheat within us, we humbly place our hope in the promises of God, and from the Lord’s table we go forth to bear the fruit of justice 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:     

• Thursdays – Men’s A.A. 7:00 pm Fireside room
• Fridays –  A.A. 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall
• Tuesday & Wednesday afternoons Pr. Larry holds brief office hours
• July 17 – Newsletter Deadline NOON :  Your Faith Journey / God Stories are welcome!
• July 20 – CDC Board 11:15 am
• July 21 – Scouts 6:00 pm
• July 22 – Bible Study 7:30 pm Zoom
• July 26 – Guest musician Johnathan Bliss
• July 26 – No Sunday school
• July 30 – Newsletter Collating 10:30 am (helpers needed)
• Aug. 4 – Trinity Tuesday 6:30 pm local pub (Discretion Brewing Co. 41^st 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
• August 6 & 20 – Bold Women’s Café (dinner & devotions) 6:00 pm
• Aug. 9 – Back to School Blessing (Students & Educators) 10 am
• Aug. 9 & 16 – Coffee Host needed
• Aug. 23 – Farewell / Thank You Potluck to honor Pastor Larry
• August 29 – 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. 30 – Holy Closure of our Preschool during worship 10 am
• Pr. Larry loose Office hours Tuesday & Wednesday afternoons 707-372-2958
• While Pastor Jim on Sabbatical May 21 – Aug. 24
• FLOWER CHART has openings FOR YOUR DEDICATIONS  *

[Read more…]