Worship

Dear Beloved Community,

This Sunday, December 12th at 10 am, we will gather to celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent – “Rejoice Sunday”  Advent is a brief, four Sunday, season of the church year where we focus on the preparation for the birth of Christ, Emmanuel, God with us.  We will light 3 candles on our Advent Wreath (lovingly prepared by Barbara Johnston).

The scripture readings focus on the call and message of the one born to prepare the way for Christ – John the Baptist.  The message of repentance is one that is joyful because it is calling humanity to the good news for so many of the hurting and despairing that God’s ways of merciful justice, radical generosity, and vocational integrity are going to come!

Dear Beloved Community,

This Sunday, December 5th at 10 am, we will gather to celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent.  This is a brief four Sunday season of the church year where we focus on the preparation for the birth of Christ, Emmanuel, God with us.  We will light two candles on our Advent Wreath (lovingly prepared by Barbara Johnston).

We welcome Sam Altis – M. Div. Fuller Theological Seminary, as our guest preacher! Sam is the Program Director for our Association of Faith Communities organization that provides emergency services for houseless people in our County. Previously, Sam has served on staff for Lutheran Social Services in Tacoma, WA.

Dear Beloved Community,

This Sunday, November 28^th at 10 am, we will gather to celebrate the First Sunday of Advent.  This is a brief 4 Sunday season of the church year where we focus on the preparation for the birth of Christ, Emmanuel, God with us.  We will light a candle on our  Advent Wreath (lovingly prepared by Barbara Johnston) each Sunday. This will lead our hearts to remember the Good News that we will celebrate at Christmas.

Gathering in-person in our worship space is a joyous occasion for sure! But the risks of the pandemic are lingering as we head into the Fall and Winter, so we are taking precautions  described in further detail below.

Dear Beloved Community,

This Sunday, November 21st at 10 am, we will gather to celebrate “Gratitude Sunday” when we bring our thanks to God in the form of our financial, time and abilities gifts for the coming year.  Please remember to bring the items that you received that help us to remember that all that we have belongs to God, and that these are some tangible ways we will give thanks to God in return.

Gathering in-person in our worship space is a joyous occasion for sure! But the risks of the pandemic are lingering as we head into the Fall and Winter, so we are taking precautions  described in further detail below.

Dear St. Stephen’s Family,

This Sunday, Nov. 14^h at 10 am, we will gather for worship in our sanctuary, as we remember once again that to follow Jesus means to care for the vulnerable and lowly among us, as opposed to seeking greatness and success in the eyes of our world.

Gathering in-person in our worship space is a joyous occasion for sure! But the risks of the pandemic are lingering as we head into the Fall and Winter, so we are taking precautions described below. This Sunday will include taping off spaces that we ask people not to occupy in the pews, in order to ensure adequate physical distancing. We will also not be offering the Coffee Fellowship for the time being. However, all are welcome to gather outside on the patio and greet one another as well as welcome those who are new to this church family.