Worship: December 29, 2024, 10:30 a.m.

Today is the First Sunday of Christmas. On this day we have the only recorded incident from Jesus' childhood, his encounter with the teachers of the Law in the Temple. Jesus was the son of observant Jewish parents and would have been taught the story of God's people and the Law by which they were to live. On the cusp of adulthood, he shows himself familiar with God's will and in a disguised way the Son of his heavenly Father.

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Worship on Christmas Day: Wednesday, December 25, 2024, 10:30 am

Rejoice, rejoice, this happy morn! The Christmas Day gospel tells of the eternal Word of God who became flesh. The babe in the manger, born of Mary, is God-with-us, Emmanuel, who adopts our human destiny in order to deliver us from sin, death, and evil. 

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Worship on Christmas Eve: December 24, 2024, 7:30 pm

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(Music will begin before the service)

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Merry Christmas!

Worship on the Fourth Sunday of Advent: December 22, 2024, 10:30 am

On the fourth Sunday of Advent, we focus on the central figure of Mary, the mother of Jesus. She is the exemplar of Advent, the one who is prepared and ready for God's coming and activity in her life. In her readiness to receive the Word of God, the Christ-child comes into the world to save us.

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A Child Is Born!

Celebrate Christmas at St Stephen Lutheran Church!

Services of Holy Communion

with Traditional Christmas Carols

and Special Choral and Instrumental Music

CHRISTMAS EVE

Tuesday, December 24, 7:30 pm

The angels announce the Good News of the Savior's birth

CHRISTMAS DAY

Wednesday, December 25, 10:30 am

The Word of God became flesh and lived among us.

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

Saturday, December 28, 6:30 pm

and Sunday, December 29, 10:30 am

 

NEW YEAR'S EVE

Tuesday, December 31, 7:00 pm

THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD

Saturday, January 4, 6:30 pm

and Sunday, January 5, 10:30 am

The Son of God revealed to the nations

Sermon for the Third Sunday of Advent (Year C)

'We can be happy when our fortunes are favorable. But oftentimes even this doesn’t do enough to make us joyful. We might, even in good times, worry about the future and whether our lives will change for the better or the worse. Our joy cannot be tied to our momentary circumstances, or it will not be lasting. It must be based upon something solid, stable, sure.'

Sermon for Advent 3

Worship on the Third Sunday of Advent: December 15, 2024, 10:30 am

The theme of joy suffuses today's readings from Zephaniah, Isaiah, and Philippians. This is why the Third Sunday of Advent is often called Gaudete Sunday, celebrated with a pink candle amidst the purple or blue. In the Gospel reading, John the Baptist calls the people to true repentance while pointing attention away from himself to the One who is coming. 

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The Second Sunday of Advent: December 8, 2024, 10:30 a.m.

John the Baptist, from the Ghent altarpiece

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the way for your only Son. By his coming give us strength in our conflicts and shed light on our path through the darkness of this world; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

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Worship: December 1, 2024, 10:30 am: The First Sunday of Advent

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Worship November 26, 2024, 7:00 pm: Thanksgiving

'Consider the lilies of the field...'

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Worship November 24, 2024: Christ the King

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Worship: November 17, 2024, 10:30 a.m.

The Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 28B)

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Worship: Sunday, November 10, 2024

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Daily Readings: Sunday, November 10, 2024

And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)

Prayer of the Day

Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people to seek more eagerly the help you offer, that, at the last, they may enjoy the fruit of salvation; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings for Sunday in 25 Pentecost

Daily Readings: Saturday, November 9, 2024

Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Luke 12:32-34)

Prayer of the Day

Lord, when the day of wrath comes we have no hope except in your grace. Make us so to watch for the last days that the consummation of our hope may be the joy of the marriage feast of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings for Saturday in 24 Pentecost

Daily Readings: Friday, November 8, 2024

[Jesus] said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.' (Luke 12:22-23)

Prayer of the Day

Lord, when the day of wrath comes we have no hope except in your grace. Make us so to watch for the last days that the consummation of our hope may be the joy of the marriage feast of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings for Friday in 24 Pentecost

Daily Readings: Thursday, November 7, 2024

'‘I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.' (Luke 12:4-7)

Prayer of the Day

Lord, when the day of wrath comes we have no hope except in your grace. Make us so to watch for the last days that the consummation of our hope may be the joy of the marriage feast of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings for Thursday in 24 Pentecost

Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, November 23!

 

Daily Readings: Wednesday, November 6

Prayer of the Day

Lord, when the day of wrath comes we have no hope except in your grace. Make us so to watch for the last days that the consummation of our hope may be the joy of the marriage feast of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings for Wednesday in 24 Pentecost

Daily Readings: November 5, 2024

Prayer of the Day

Lord, when the day of wrath comes we have no hope except in your grace. Make us so to watch for the last days that the consummation of our hope may be the joy of the marriage feast of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings for Tuesday in 24 Pentecost

Sermon: November 3, 2024 (All Saints)

The Raising of Lazarus, Vincent Van Gogh

'In his grief and in his action, Jesus is God-with-us, by his tears proclaiming God’s solidarity with those in bondage to sin and death and by his word of command mending what had been broken, restoring what had been lost.'

Read the whole thing.

Daily Readings: November 4, 2024

Prayer of the Day

Lord, when the day of wrath comes we have no hope except in your grace. Make us so to watch for the last days that the consummation of our hope may be the joy of the marriage feast of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Readings for Monday in 24 Pentecost

Worship: November 3, 2024, 10:30 a.m.

The Raising of Lazarus, Vincent Van Gogh

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Daily Readings: Sunday, November 3, 2024

Readings for the Eucharistic Service:

Today is the 24th Sunday after Pentecost.

Prayer of the Day for 24 Pentecost:

Lord, when the day of wrath comes, we have no hope except in your grace. Make us so to watch for the last days that the consummation of our hope may be the joy of the marriage feast of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.   

Many congregations observe All Saints Day on this day.

Prayer of the Day for All Saints Day:

Almighty God, whose people are knit together in one holy Church, the body of Christ our Lord: Grant us grace to follow your blessed saints in lives of faith and commitment, and to know the inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who love you; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.   

Readings for Sunday in 24 Pentecost

Daily Readings: Saturday, November 2, 2024

Today the Church remembers all the faithful departed.

Prayer of the Day

With reverence and affection we remember before you, O everlasting God, all our departed friends and relatives. Keep us in union with them here through faith and love toward you, that hereafter we may enter into your presence and be numbered with those who serve you and look upon your face in glory everlasting, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.    

Readings for Saturday in 23 Pentecost

Daily Readings: Friday, November 1, 2024

Today the Church observes the Feast of All Saints.

Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, whose people are knit together in one holy Church, the body of Christ our Lord: Grant us grace to follow your blessed saints in lives of faith and commitment, and to know the inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who love you; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.   

Readings for Friday in 23 Pentecost

Daily Readings: Thursday, October 31, 2024

Today the Lutheran Churches observe Reformation Day.

Luther communes the Elector John Frederick

Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, gracious Lord, pour out your Holy Spirit upon your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your Word, protect and comfort them against all temptations, defend them against all enemies, and bestow on the Church your saving peace; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Readings for Thursday in 23 Pentecost

Daily Readings: Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Prayer of the Day

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.   

Readings for Wednesday in 23 Pentecost

Sermon: Reformation Sunday, October 27, 2024

'Having diagnosed the disease and described the cure, Jesus’ prescription of the remedy makes sense: Continue in my word, and thus be my disciples, and know the truth. What is discipleship? Continuing to hear and believe and growing into the word that makes us free. In the second century, St Ignatius called the Eucharist, which we receive at the Lord’s altar, ‘the medicine of immortality;’ but I think we could apply the same term to the Word of God. It is by continuing to drink of the medicine of immortality, hearing the Word and receiving the Sacrament in faith, that we are healed.'

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Daily Readings: Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Prayer of the Day

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.   

Readings for the Tuesday of 23 Pentecost

Daily Readings October 28, 2024

On this day the Church remembers with thanksgiving Saints Simon and Jude, apostles of Jesus Christ.

Prayer of the Day

O God, we thank you for the glorious company of the apostles and, especially on this day, for Simon and Jude. We pray that, as they were faithful and zealous in their mission, so we may with ardent devotion make known the love and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 

Readings for the Monday of 23 Pentecost

Worship October 27, 2024, 10:30 a.m.

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Worship October 20, 2024, 10:30 a.m.

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The Holy Communion on the Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost: October 13, 2024, 10:30 a.m.

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Sermon, October 6, 2024

'A sermon is not just theology, but it must include theology, for our theology determines our outlook upon many things. To give an example, if we think that Jesus of Nazareth was merely a wise man whose words give insight and perspective into the character of God, we may decide that in some cases we know better than he; we can take him or leave him. But if we believe with the letter to the Hebrews that he creates with his Father and the Spirit and that he is God-become-human to make us his brothers and sisters, then we cannot take or leave him. We may not always fully understand his word, but we must think about it, talk about it, wrestle with it, seek to live according to it.'

Read it all.

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The Holy Communion on the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost: October 6, 2024, 10:30 a.m.

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The Holy Communion on the Festival of St Michael and All Angels: September 29, 2024, 10:30 a.m.

 

Ye watchers and ye holy ones,

Bright seraphs, cherubim and thrones,

Raise the glad strain! Alleluia!

Cry out, dominions, princedoms, powers,

Virtues, archangels, angel choirs: 

Alleluia!

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The Holy Communion on the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 22, 2024, 10:30 a.m.

 

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Evening Prayer for the Feast of St Matthew (transferred): September 19, 7 p.m.

 

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The Holy Communion on the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost: September 15, 2024, 10:30 a.m.

 

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Evening Prayer for Holy Cross Day: Thursday, Sept 12, 7 p.m.

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The Holy Communion on the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

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The Holy Communion on the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

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Evening Prayer, St. Bartholomew, Apostle: August 26, 2024, 7 p.m.

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The Holy Communion on the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost: August 25, 2024, 9:30 a.m.

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The Holy Communion on the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost: August 18, 2024, 9:30 a.m.

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Evening Prayer for St. Mary, Mother of Our Lord: Thursday, August 15, 7:00 p.m.

'O higher than the cherubim,

More glorious than the seraphim,

Lead their praises! Alleluia!

Thou bearer of the eternal Word,

Most gracious, magnify the Lord!

Alleluia!'

LBW 175, Stanza 2

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The Holy Communion on the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost: August 11, 2024, 9:30 a.m.

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The Holy Communion on the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost: August 4, 2024, 9:30 a.m.

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Service of the Word: The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, July 28, 2024, 9:30 a.m.

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Evening Prayer, Thursday, July 25, 7 pm: St James the Elder, Apostle

James and his brother John were the sons of Zebedee, fishermen by trade before their call from Jesus. He was the first of the twelve apostles to be martyred, and his death is the only one recorded in scripture (Acts 12:1-2).

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Evening Prayer, July 22, 7 pm: St Mary Magdalene

From Our Church Speaks

'According to the Gospels, "the Holy myrrh-bearer and equal of the Apostles, Mary Magdalene," as her title in the Eastern Church describes her, is the primary witness of the fundamental facts of the Christian proclamation: she saw the death of Jesus, she saw his burial, she saw his first resurrection appearance... Her witness contrasts to that of the apostles, who, at Jesus' crucifixion "all deserted him and fled" (Matt 26:56). Mary of Magdala, remarkable for her devotion and courage, was praised by Eaton Stannard Barrett (1786-1820) in her poem Woman (Part 1, lines 143-44),

'She, while Apostles shrank, could dangers brave,

Last at His cross and earliest at His grave.'

- Philip Pfatteicher, New Festivals and Commemorations

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The Holy Communion on the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost: July 21, 2024, 9:30 a.m.

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The Holy Communion on the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost: July 14, 2024, 9:30 a.m.

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The Holy Communion on the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost: July 7, 2024, 9:30 a.m.

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The Holy Communion on the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost: June 30, 2023, 9:30 a.m.

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Evening Prayer: The Nativity of St. John the Baptist, June 24, 7 p.m.

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The Holy Communion on the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost: June 23, 2024, 9:30 a.m.

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The Holy Communion on the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost: June 16, 2024, 9:30 a.m.

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