Author: admin

Fourth Sunday in Lent
March 15 – 10 am worship

“Lord, I believe”  John 9:38

Baptism is sometimes called enlightenment. The gospel for this Sunday is the story of the man born blinds healed by Christ. “I was bling, now I see,” declares the man. In baptism god opens our eyes to see the truth of who we are: god’s beloved children. As David was anointed kin of Israel, in baptism god anoints our head with oil, and calls us to bear witness to the light of Christ in our daily lives.

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
• March 13-15 – Mt. Cross Women’s Retreat, sign up now.  1 day /Saturday option is still available.  There are 6 of us signed up so far 😊
• March 14 – Embroiders 10 am to 4pm
• March 17 – Newsletter Deadline
• March 17 – Scouts 6:00 pm
• March 18 – 10:15 Preschool Chapel
• March 18 – Soup Supper 6:00 pm (Hosts: Rebecca Wickham & Don Smawley)
                  & TAIZE Prayer Service 7:00 pm
• March 23 – Preschool Board Meeting
• March 29 – Palm Sunday dramatic readers needed
• March 29 – COPA 11:20 – 12:30 discuss current efforts for justice in Santa Cruz & Monterey counties, as well as hopes for future relationships and actions with other churches and organizations.
• 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 7 – 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
• April 18 – Pr. Herb Schmidt Memorial 1:00 Messiah Lutheran, High Street
• May 30 – AFC Shelter Dinner 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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Third Sunday in Lent
March 8 – 10 am worship

“Where do you get that living water?”  John 4:11

In today’s gospel the Samaritan woman asks Jesus for water, an image of our thirst for God.  Jesus offers living water, a sign of God’s grace flowing from the waters of baptism.  The early church used this gospel and those of the next two Sundays to deepen baptismal reflection during the final days of preparation before baptism at Easter.  As we journey to the resurrection feast, Christ comes among us in word, bath, and meal – offering us the life-giving water of God’s mercy and forgiveness.

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
• March 10 – Scouts 6:00 pm
• March 10 – TBD Beatti Choir
• March 10 – Church Council 6:30 pm
• March 11 – 10:15 Preschool Chapel
• March 11 – Soup Supper 6:00 pm (Hosts: Christa & Sam Garcia)
  & Holden Prayer Service 7:00 pm
• March 12 – Circle of Promise 10:30 am
• March 13-15 – Mt. Cross Women’s Retreat, sign up now.  1 day /Saturday option is available.  There are 6 of us signed up so far 😊
• March 14 – Embroiders 10 am to 4pm
• March 17 – Newsletter Deadline
• March 18 – Taize prayer service
• March 23 – Preschool Board Meeting
• 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 7 – 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
• 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  *

[Read more…]

Second Sunday in Lent
March 1 – 10 am worship

“Nicodemus came to Jesus by night”  John 3:2

During Lent we journey with all those around the world who will be baptized at the Easter Viil.  In today’s gospel Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be born of water and spirit. At the font we are given a new birth as children of God.  As God made a covenant with Abraham, in baptism God promises to raise us up with Christ to new life.  From worship we are sent forth to proclaim God’s love for 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:     

• 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
• March 3 – Scouts 6:00 pm
• March 3 – 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
• March 4 – 10:15 Preschool Chapel
• March 4 – Soup Supper 6:00 pm (Hosts: Tina, Doug & Zelma)
  & Holden Prayer Service 7:00 pm
• March 10 – Church Council 6:30 pm
• March 12 – Circle of Promise 10:30 am
• March 14 – Embroiders 10 am to 4pm
• March 13-15 – Mt. Cross Women’s Retreat, sign up now.  1 day /Saturday option is available. 
  There are 6 of us signed up so far 😊
• March 17 – Newsletter Deadline
• March 23 – Preschool Board Meeting
• 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  *

[Read more…]