Reconciled in Christ Welcome Statement
We welcome all who are seeking God’s love and grace. We welcome all because God welcomes all, regardless of race or culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or relationship status. We welcome all without regard to addictions, physical or mental health, imprisonment, socio-economic circumstances, or anything that too often divides us. Our unity is in Christ.”
Approved at the January 2020 Congregational Meeting
Seventh Sunday of Easter – June 1, 2025
We gather on the Seventh Sunday of Easter
June 1- 10am worship
With Pastor Susan Birkelo presiding
It is possible to hear in Jesus’ high priestly prayer, a prayer he offered shortly before his death, the petitions of the ascended Christ for his own throughout history – to our day – and beyond. Jesus prays for us. In holy baptism we become believers in God, have our robes washed in the flood of Christ’s forgiveness, and receive the gift of live forever with all the saints.
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
- June 2-6 Preschool Closed
- Tues. June 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 - Tues. June 3 – Scouts 7:00 pm
- Weds. June 4 – Bible Study 7:30 pm Zoom
- Thurs. June 5 & 19 – Women’s Café Group 6:00 pm Fellowship Hall
- Sun. June 8 – Welcome Mt. Cross staff to worship & bless them for their summer service 10 am Xtra coffee hosts needed, sign up for substantial treats
- Wed. June 11 – Preschool Chapel 10:15 am
- Fri. June 13 – Tex Ronning Memorial Service TBA (family & church members only)
- June 23 – CDC Board 11:15 am
- Thurs. June 26 – Newsletter Collating 2:00 pm
- Sun. June 29 – Summer Kick off BBQ / potluck Bring a friend J
- Plan ahead SAVE THE DATE:
July 26 – Paul Cunningham Memorial 12:00 Noon Scotts Valley Community Center
Sixth Sunday of Easter – May 25, 2025
We gather on the sixth Sunday of Easter
May 25 – 10am worship
Visions abound in the readings for the sixth Sunday of Easter. Paul has a vision about what to do. John has a vision of what will be. Jesus provides visions of peace that surpasses human understanding and power beyond human imagination.
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. May 27 – Scouts 6:15 pm
- Weds. May 28 – Bible Study 7:30 pm Zoom
- May 24 Memorial Day work day at Mt. Cross. Come Saturday 9am. There is a job for all abilities, from construction & trail work to cleaning, painting & organizing. RSVP www.mtcross.org
- Mon. May 26 – CDC Board 11:15 am
- Tues. May 27 – Newsletter Collating 2:00 pm
- Wed. May 28 – Preschool Graduation Chapel 10:15 am
- Tues. June 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 - Thurs. June 5 – Women’s Café Group 6:00 pm Fellowship Hall
- Sun. June 8 – Welcome Mt. Cross staff to worship & bless them for their summer service 10 am
Extra coffee hosts needed, sign up for substantial treats - Sun. June 29 – Summer Kick off BBQ
- Plan ahead SAVE THE DATE:
July 26 – Paul Cunningham Memorial 12:00 Noon Scotts Valley Community Center
Prayer Requests
- For Dorothy & the family of Tex Ronning
- For the family of Ed Valencia
- For Carla Brown – heal broken rib
- For Gerry Daves
- For Tim Oldfield (help find job)
- For Kevin (cancer diagnosis) and his mother Cindy
- For Dawn L. heal depression
- For Joana
- Support James Sheehan as he continues his battle with alcohol and depression
- For Chris
- For Chad Field as he continues cancer treatments
- For Chelsea & her son Logan Preston
- For Cassidy, stroke recovery
- For Isabele Hackman – dangerously sick child
- For John B. cancer treatments
- For Ian
- For Ruth Stiles having a friend in Valley Heaven
- For Levi to be freed of physical and mental burdens
- For Lisa Johnson & grandson health
- For Susan Birkelo family
- For Nancy’s son Jesse & grand son Grey
- For Sam’s sobriety, and his son Joshua
- Ana Cardenas being treated for a brain tumor
- For Keith in his continued recovery
- For Connie Cunningham & family
- Employees of Radiology Medical who lost their jobs
- For Chris Powers continued healing.
- For Gloria
- For Galahad as he navigates new struggles and for the support he needs.
- For James health and for a wheelchair accessible van.
- For the Robe and Volpi families.
- For the Family of George Webber
- For Lew and Bobbie Erickson
- For the Long-Range Planning Task Force: Mark Linder, Steven Hendrickson, Tina Gates, Jeanette Dawson and Doug Hahn.
- For Pastor Jim’s friend Eric as he lives with CLL.
- For Judi and Robert’s son and family and for a resolution to their housing needs.
- For Jeanne’s brother James to find the proper care he needs. For Peace of Mind.
- For Jody, Renny, Iris and Evelyn as they stay in LaCrosse, WI for another year.
- For Nancy and friends at St. Stephen’s Senior Housing: Jane, Annetta, Bentley and Jeannie. Also for James, John, and Elida
- For Joel as his eyesight diminishes.
- For Beau and his family in his recurrence of brain cancer.
- For Dorothy as she struggles with chronic pain.
- For Jeannette’s brother Craig who was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
- For Kyle as he continues to heal.
- For Miller, Shelby, Ashley, April, Marty, Will and other young adults we know, as they struggle mightily with the world and all its ways that harm them. Bring them to healing and wholeness and grace and new life.
Church office hours are Mon-Fri. 12noon – 5pm.
Thank you for your continued faithfulness in your financial giving back to God through our church. Please remember to either give your offering through the mail, through our website donation option, signing up for monthly electronic giving, or bringing it by the church office during the week.
Flowers for Worship: Please sign up to provide flowers in honor of someone or a special occasion as another way to offer yourself in worship to God. The Flower Chart will be available at worship, or you can call the church office – 476-4700.
Other notes:
- Preschool “Inflation Donations” are being collected at church now. This is to help us not have to increase tuition on the families we serve through our Child Development Center ministry. There are lists on the basket in the back of the church and they will be inserted into the Sunday bulletins and the monthly newsletter. These are items that you can add to your Costco and grocery lists.
- Donations are being collected at church for Socks and Toiletries. These will go towards our work with serving those who take part in our Association of Faith Communities programs for the unhoused, and for the Walnut Avenue Women’s Center respectively.
- A few copies of “White Fragility” are available to borrow. Call the office to inquire. This is a congregation-wide perspective that we are trying to adopt as we seek better understanding about the roots of racism, its consequences, and how our lives can better reflect an anti-racism perspective.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Jim
Fifth Sunday of Easter – May 18, 2025
We gather on the Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 18 – 10am worship
Easter initiates a new day. It anticipates a new heaven and anew earth. The risen Christ is making all things new. In the mystery of holy baptism God has made new people of us. Today Jesus invites us to see everyone in a new light – through the lens of love.
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. May 17 – AFC Gala 6:00 pm Holy Cross Celebrate another year of interfaith action working to end homelessness info@afcsantacruz.org
- Mon. May 19 – Newsletter Deadline
- Mon. May 19 – Embroiders Guild 7:00 pm
- Tues. May 20 – Scouts 6:15 pm
- Weds. May 21 – Preschool Chapel 10:15 am
- Weds. May 21 – Bible Study 7:30 pm Zoom
- May 23-25 Memorial Day work weekend at Mt. Cross. Or just Saturday 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. RSVP www.mtcross.org
- Mon. May 26 – CDC Board 11:15 am
- Tues. May 27 – Newsletter Collating 2:00 pm
- Wed. May 28 – Preschool Graduation Chapel 10:15 am
- Tues. June 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 - Thurs. June 5 – Women’s Café Group 6:00 pm Fellowship Hall
- Sun. June 29 – Summer Kick off BBQ
- Plan ahead SAVE THE DATE:
July 26 – Paul Cunningham Memorial 12:00 Noon Scotts Valley Community Center
Fourth Sunday of Easter – May 11, 2025
We gather on the Fourth Sunday of Easter
May 11 – 10am worship
The gift of new life, of eternal life, is the gift of the risen Christ. It is the promise of Jesus. It was true for Dorcas in Joppa. It was true for those “who have come out of the great ordeal” in the Revelation vision. It is true for us and for all the baptized: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell I the house of the Lord forever.
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. May 13 – Scouts 6:15 pm
- Tues. May 13 – Church Council 6:30 pm
- Weds. May 14 – Preschool Chapel 10:15 am
- Weds. May 14 – Bible Study 7:30 pm Zoom
- Thurs. May 15 – Women’s Café Group 6:00 pm Fellowship Hall
- Sat. May 17 – AFC Gala 6:00 pm Holy Cross Celebrate another year of interfaith action working to end homelessness info@afcsantacruz.org
- Mon. May 19 – Newsletter Deadline
- Mon. May 26 – CDC Board 11:15 am
- Tues. May 27 – Newsletter Collating 2:00 pm
- Wed. May 28 – Preschool Graduation Chapel 10:15 am
- Tues. June 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 - Plan ahead SAVE THE DATE:
May 23-25 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. RSVP before May 15 www.mtcross.org - July 26 – Paul Cunningham Memorial 12:00 Noon Scotts Valley Community Center
Third Sunday of Easter – May 4, 2025
We gather on the Second Sunday of Easter
May 4 – 10am worship
The disciples make a big splash and eat breakfast with the risen Jesus. Wading in the water (remembering baptism) and eating with Jesus (celebrating holy communion) is our weekly encounter with the risen Christ. Jesus asks us again and again: Do you love me? And Jesus invites us, again and again, to follow him, bringing the Easter life 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
- Tues. May 6 – Scouts 6:15 pm
- Tues. May 6 – Trinity Tuesday 6:30 pm local pub (Discretion Brewing Co. 41st Ave. )
1 hour, 1 faith question, 1 drink Info. Kathy Allen 430-6359 - Weds. May 7 – Preschool Chapel 10:15 am
- Weds. May 7 – Bible Study 7:30 pm Zoom
- Thurs. May 8 – MMRR Womens Circle 10:30 am
- Thurs. May 15 – Women’s Café Group 6:00 pm Fellowship Hall
- Mon. May 26 – CDC Board 11:15 am
- Tues. May 27 – Newsletter Collating 2:00 pm
Plan ahead SAVE THE DATE:
May 23-25 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. RSVP before May 15 www.mtcross.org
July 26 – Paul Cunningham Memorial 12:00 Noon Scotts Valley Community Center
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