We will gather on Sunday, February 12th at 10:00 am for worship on the 5th Sunday after Epiphany. You can also participate through the livestream and recording at www.ststephenslutheran.org.
Today’s gospel reading echoes parts of the Ten Commandments as Jesus instructs his followers about how fulfilling the “Letter of the Law” is not why the law was given. Instead we are to fulfill the “Spirit of the Law” when we are reconciled to one another, which results in life and health for the whole community. We are also invited to embrace God’s ways because God has promised that it leads to life lived abundantly and peaceably!
The bulletin and Celebrate scripture readings and prayers are attached, so that you can participate in worship even if you are not able to attend church in-person. Holy Communion will be celebrated, so please have some bread and fruit of the vine ready if you are at home.
Upcoming Gatherings:
Let’s continue to be gracious and merciful with one another as we continue to struggle with a lingering pandemic.
- Masks are still highly encouraged due to our singing in church.
- Physical distancing is still highly encouraged.
- Holy Communion will be offered from Pastor Jim (sanitized hands & masked) at the front of the church. You can remain at your seat and Pastor Jim will bring the elements to you.
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. There are new protocols which include: Serving the coffee (bring your own mug), Having any goodies on small individual plates spread out on a larger table.
Prayers:
- For Dorothy Ronning as she struggles with chronic pain.
- For Beth Stiles and Iva Tracey and our Church Council as they all begin to discern how God’s Spirit is leading us into this new year.
- For the Little One of Brad and Shawn Cramer.
- For Tina’s sister Lisa.
- For Jeannette Dawson’s brother Craig who was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
- For the family of Mark Cronquist, son of Barbara Rice’s longtime friends, as they grief his death and as she goes to minister to them.
- For healing for St. Stephen’s Senior Housing resident James San Miguel.
- For Connie and Paul Cunningham as Paul undergoes treatment for colon cancer.
- For Alessandra, friend of Barbara Rice, as she undergoes knee replacement surgery.
- For Cheryl Curry’s daughter-in-law Erica as she undergoes surgery for breast cancer.
- For Jeannette’s step-sister Janine and her family as they grieve her sons unexpected death at 26 yrs of age.
- For Bob Charves daughter.
- For Mary Smith (friend of Kathy Berens) as she completes treatment for cancer, that she will heal and beat cancer.
- For Judi and Robert Alvarado as Judi she recovers from reverse shoulder replacement surgery Feb. 2.
- For Mt. Cross and the new Interim Executive Director Rev. Jay Burrow (ret. Bishop from Milwaukee, WI)
- For Beth Stiles as she says goodbye to her beloved kitty, Dr. Don, and for her father and mother as their health has declined recently.
- For Kyle Lapp as he heals and prepares for a new direction in a Sober Living Environment (SLE). Thanksgiving for employment.
- For thanksgiving and continued healing for Janet Slay’s grandson Tyler, as he makes his adjustments to living independently.
- 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 now Mon-Fri. 12 noon – 5:00 pm.
Please bring to church (or mail them) the signs of your gratitude and dedication to God through our church, that you were provided with for 2023: A Financial Commitment card and a Time and Abilities sheet. We will offer them to God as our hope and promise for the coming year. 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.
- Habitat for Humanity Lunches. We will be providing Lunches (sandwiches, chips, fruit & cookies) for 10 volunteers. Reply to this email or call the office if you would like to help out. Our next date is Tuesday, February 28th.
- 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
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