Calendar & Events

 Life Together This Week

Adult Education Opportunities
Sunday Adult Forum
United Methodists: March 4 & 11
Learn from an expert on the UMC, our own Edward Johnson! On Sundays near the celebration of John and Charles Wesley, Edward will be leading two adult forums helping us to know about our full communion partner. Join him at 9:10 a.m. on March 4 and 11.

Wednesday Morning Bible Study
As we dive into 1 Peter this week, spend some time reading through the first and second chapters. What is the context in which this letter was written? What do you find in here that you can relate to? What are the hard verses or themes that seem difficult? Then join us on Wednesday morning at 9:00 a.m. in the Agape Annex, and let’s search together.

Spirituals
In honor of African-American History Month, we will be singing a spiritual every week in worship. Please join Rebecca Redmann on Feb. 26 at 9:10 am in Library to explore the significance of Spirituals in the tradition of sacred song. Topics may include a brief history, coded or subversive messages embodied in the performance of certain examples, as well as issues of performance practice.

Trinity Class
Five of us gathered to watch a very engaging lecture from Prof. Steve Paulson of Luther Seminary. There are four more weeks of this webcast class on the Trinity, and you are welcome to join us Monday evenings 7:00-9:00 p.m. through February 27.

Lenten Book Study
7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays Following Worship
Copies are available of Making Sense of the Cross, by a great Luther Seminary preaching professor. A very easy and helpful read, we will discuss one chapter each Wednesday, or you can read on your own. Books cost $12.

New Member Class
Interested in learning more about Lutheran Christianity and St. Stephen’s? A new member class continues on February 19 at 9:10 a.m. in the library.

Lent: Getting Ready
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday
This year, Ash Wednesday is February 22. Throughout Lent, worship will be at noon and 6:45 pm each Wednesday, and the rest of the season we will focus on Jonah.

Lent Soup Suppers
Each Wednesday in Lent, 5:30 to 6:30, there are soup suppers that give us a chance to gather together and to raise funds for youth summer experiences. Please see sign-up sheets for ways to contribute.

Lenten Devotions
Booklets are available with daily Bible readings, plus reflections and prayers written by sisters and brothers from St. Stephen’s.

Lenten Book Study
Copies are available of Making Sense of the Cross, by a great Luther Seminary preaching professor. A very easy and helpful read, we will discuss one chapter each Wednesday, or you can read on your own. Books cost $12.

Other Devotions
Two other great ways to guide your faith during Lent are available online. The Lutheran Office for Public Policy in WI (with Pastor Nick) has put together an advocacy guide for the season http://bit.ly/LOPPWLentenCalendar2012. You might also like to focus on creation care with a carbon fast www.macucc.org/carbonfast.

Lutherdale Bible Camp Registration
David Box, a program manager from Lutherdale Bible Camp will be with us February 19 at 9:10 a.m. in Agape Annex. Come and learn about the camp and start to register for this summer. For those who register next week, there are discounts!

Church Office Hours
Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

FOR MORE DETAILS
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact our office at 608-222-1241.

Click here to email for more information.

Click here for
St. Stephen's Newsletter


Upcoming Meetings
Ministry Board:  January 19 at 6:00 p.m.
St. Stephen's Foundation: January 29 after Annual Meeting

St. Stephen's Lenten Devotional Booklet
Click here to download the bookelt.
This is a collection of daily Bible readings, reflections and prayers written by sisters and brothers from St. Stephen’s.



Prayer Vigil
Monday Evening, February 20
Gather with us at 5:30 for our monthly Prayer Vigil for Peace and Justice in the Middle East.

Holden Village Update
New Dates
The new dates for the Holden Village trip will be Aug. 12-20. There is still a window for you to join the group traveling. $300 is due by February 29. Total cost is about $750. Talk to Pastor Nick.

Women’s Spiritual Formation, Thursday
Be still and know. On Thursday, Feb. 23, at 4 p.m. we will gather to be still. “But I can do that at home,” you say. Yes, but sometimes it is hard to carve out the time or the self-discipline. Our book also tells us that practices that can be done alone take on new power when done in a group. Please join us if you would like to try listening in a new way. For more info, contact Nancy Morris at 298-7657.

Little Dresses Work Day
Saturday, February 25
Let’s continue the great work we started at our women’s retreat. We will gather in Agape Annex on Saturday, February 25 at 9 a.m. for a morning of sewing, drinking coffee and make some more little dresses. Bring your sewing machine (if you have one) and a treat to share with coffee. Non-sewers and those who did not attend the retreat are also welcome; there are lots of tasks that don’t require sewing skills, and instruction will be provided. For those of you who would like to make little dresses at home, take an instruction sheet from the green folder on the bulletin board.

Family Friendship Brunch
February 26 at 11:15 a.m.
Please join us in the Fireside Room for a Family Friendships Brunch on Feb. 26 at 11:15 following the 10 a.m. worship service. Family Friendships is for families with children who are age (0-3). Our goal is simple...to get to know each other! Our hope is to create a network of family friendships for support as well as fun. For more info, please contact Becky Mitchell, Jane Dohler or Nancy Morris.

Scholarships
Applications Available
The St. Stephen’s Foundation is pleased to offer scholarships for any post-secondary students. Scholarship applications are due in the Church Office by Monday, April 30. When you log out an application form, be sure to leave your name/phone number/date taken next to the appropriate number on the check-out form.

Dig Deeper into Sunday Gospel Readings
God's Word Alive! Sundays at 10:30 a.m.
30 Minute Bible Study for All
Join us for Bible Study on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. in Agape. This 30-minute study is a blend of discussion and experience that is adult-enriching while offering child-friendly. Studies are based on the Gospel reading of the day. We look forward to seeing you!