Focus On . . .

The Gospel of Second Chance

If we are the fig tree, planted in this world to bear fruits reflecting the image of our Creator: compassion, love, patience, peace, forgiveness, understanding, then Jesus is the gardener interceding on our behalf for another chance—giving it his best shot, that we might live in God’s garden. (Luke 13:6-9)

Lent: Words that Last Forever

Our Lenten Journey begins this Wednesday, February 17^th. The season of Lent offers us a time to gather regularly for worship and to wonder together about the power of God’s love working through us.  Opportunities for worship beyond Sunday morning are Wednesdays at noon and at 6:45 pm. “Words that Last Forever!” is the theme for this year.  “Christ had no epitaph. Buried in a borrowed tomb, no words were emblazoned across his grave. Instead, during the final hours of his life, Christ mapped out his way of suffering with seven famous last words—seven final phrases, remembered and recited throughout the ages—tiny touchstones along his way of sorrows. We may find that these last words have a lasting impact, even now, for us.” Come and join us for this journey through Lent!

Wednesday Suppers

A light soup supper will be served on Wednesdays during Lent beginning at 5:30 p.m. in Agape Place. Free-will donations will be accepted and will go towards Bible Camp scholarships.

Lenten Prayers

Throughout the season of Lent, special prayer request slips are available for you to share your prayers, concerns, thanks, and praise—anything large or small! A select group of pray-ers and the pastors will pray with and for you. There is a basket for your requests, or contact the church office.

Haiti

Haiti Health Kits

Please help Lutheran World Relief in its efforts to help the people of Haiti by contributing health kits. There is a box in the narthex labeled, “Health Kits for Haiti.” We will be collecting kits or items for the kits through Ash Wednesday.

Asbestos Abatement

For the Good of the Church . . .

As we prepare for asbestos abatement in the Sunday School area, we are mindful of being good stewards of that which is given to us to care for. Not only do we care for this ministry and the people to and with whom we minister, but also the physical plant itself. This abatement, while somewhat of a surprise, is a great opportunity to address the upkeep of our space and to restore these rooms to serve our ministry today. As we continue to welcome groups from the community into our church, we will have more available space to offer. New lighting, flooring and a fresh coat of paint will do wonders as we journey forward together. If you have any questions about the project, please talk to a Building and Grounds representative.

Cable Access

We’re On The Air

St. Stephen’s worship service is officially on the air! Monona Cable Access, channel 990 is running the 10 a.m. service from the previous week on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. For those who are homebound, we hope this will provide another way to worship with us.

Church Directory

They’re Here!

Pick up your directory in Jubilee Place!

Midwife Kits

Mid-Wife Kit Project

Ready to Pack our Midwife Kits!

In order to complete our goal of 80 Midwife Kits, we could use your help in providing more towels (bath size, thinner type preferred) and baby shirts/Onesies (size newborn or small). These items may be new or used in good condition without stains. Or, cash donations will be used to purchase the items we are missing. Checks should be made to St. Stephen’s; please use designated envelopes near the display.

Special Delivery/Ladies’ Road Trip!

Plans are being finalized for our road trip to the Twin Cities on April 22 & 23 at Luther Seminary and Global Health Ministries. Click here for more details.

Bill Board

Look for the “Bill Board” in the narthex this  morning and feel free to take a “bill” and help us take care of some of our typical summer bills as we head into summer. Thank you for your support.

Good Gifts

Gifts that Give Twice

There are many wonderful gift items available at St. Stephen’s that benefit others. Check it out!

Click here

In The News

“Preparing the Way…” for the ELCA

St. Stephen’s decision to tithe funds raised for our Capital Appeal to the work of the ELCA is drawing attention! The work of our congregation was featured in an ELCA News article this week. Click here to read. Copies are also available. This and other ELCA News stories can be found at www.elca.org/news.

Reuse & Recycle

Food Pantry Needs

The Pantry is in need of 12-16 oz plastic bottles, plastic & paper bags.

Check Out Steve’s List

There are some new items on Steve’s List. Find good, used, FREE things that you need! Or hand on things you no longer need. A great way to keep stuff out of landfills! See the board near Jubilee Place.

Newsletter

Click to download an issue of “For All The Saints”

March, 2010

March Calendar & Volunteer Schedule

Click here for Previous Issues

The Time of Nick

Click here for Sabbatical Notes from Pastor Nick

Dream Board

Sunday, March 7 is the last day of our Dream Board. If you haven’t had a chance to put your dreams for our future ministry together, please put it on the board this morning. We will be gathering and collating the dreams and then sending out a survey by random sample to the congregation in order to be rated and scored. The Ministry Board will be looking at the results of the random sampling and presenting some possibilities this spring for our discussion. As we are on more solid financial footing, we now have the opportunity to vision together about our ministry in this community.

Bold Café

March 16th

Ladies, please join us for Bold Café on Tuesday, March 16 at 7 p.m. We will start by packing our Midwife Kits in Agape, followed by refreshments and fellowship in Fireside. We will not be doing the online study for this month. Bring your Bold Café mug!

Easter Flowers

Order by March 14

If you would like to order Easter flowers to adorn the sanctuary on Easter morning, please fill out the order blank in your bulletin and attach with payment. It can be put into the offering plate or left on the office desk.

Annual Prayer Vigil

Sign Up Now

The Annual Prayer Vigil will be on Holy Saturday, April 3rd in the sanctuary. The vigil will be held from noon Saturday until 5:30 a.m. on Easter   Sunday. Participants sign up for one hour or less of prayer, reading or meditation. There will be   devotional materials available. This presents a marvelous opportunity to reflect on your Lenten journey and the meaning of the cross. Details are on the signup sheet in the narthex. Won’t you give up one hour for our Lord?

Faithful Journey:

Experiencing the Living Stones in the Holy Land

Holy Land Trip, June 2010

The dates for the trip are June 14-26, 2010. Accompanying Pastor Tim on this journey will be his mother Ruth Hansen as the guest lecturer. Ruth has extensive experience leading tours around the world, but especially to the Holy Land, where she has led over two-dozen trips since 1968. Her specialty is archaeology and she will help us understand what we are seeing as we tour sites uncovered from 2000 years ago. However, even more interesting will be the chance to meet some of the living stones who call this land home. As an added bonus to this trip we will be starting in Jordan and have a chance to see the ancient city of Petra and the ruins of Jerash. There are brochures available in the narthex. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Tim. Spaces are beginning to fill up for this opportunity.

World Day of Prayer

March 7th

World Day of Prayer sponsored by Church Women United is being celebrated on March 7 at 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Madison, 518 N. Franklin Ave.-one block south of University Ave. Men, women, & children will be coming   together to pray, to learn, to sing and to celebrate. Nursery care will be provided for infants and pre-schoolers. Christians from 170 countries will celebrate this Annual Day of Prayer which has been prepared by the women of the Cameroon, with the theme: Let Everything That Has Breath Praise God. Members of the Cameroonian community in Madison have been invited to join us. We hope our church will be well represented at this significant ecumenical event.

Members in the Military

Some members of our congregation serving in the military will be sending periodic updates on their experiences overseas. We have setup a site for you to see pictures and letters that they send. Click on the following link to go to this special site:  In The Service

Deployed

Please keep in your prayers people from St. Stephen’s who are deployed in the military.

Dan Williams, Afghanistan