St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church Amazing grace, Joyful lives Parish Notes February 15, 2015 Vision Statement St. Stephen’s, an open and loving congregation, will provide a safe and welcoming spiritual home, so all have opportunities to worship God and serve others. Mission Statement St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church invites all people into a joyful and faithful relationship with God by following Jesus, teaching, baptizing, and celebrating the Lord’s presence. We are committed to share God’s love by caring for each other and for the world around us. St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church A member of the ELCA 1001 Olson Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762 Church Office: 916.933.1441 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sslcedh.org Office Hours: Monday thru Thursday 8:00AM–5:00PM Closed for lunch: 12:00-1:30 Friday Closed SERVICE & SUNDAY SCHOOL TIMES Two services every Sunday: 8:30 AM - Traditional Service 10:30 AM - Celebration Service Children’s Sunday School Begins at 10:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall, then moves to the sanctuary at approx. 11:10 AM to join in Communion. Confirmation Class 9:40 - 10:20am Special Office Hours: Please call ahead to ensure staff is in the office from 8-10am & 2-5pm. M-Th: 9:00am - 2:00pm Friday: Closed (or by special appointment) Office Closed Monday, Feb 16 for Presidents Day Spirituality & Aging Series February 18 - March 25 5:00pm Why a series on Spirituality and Aging? In her book “The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully,” Joan Chittister writes, “We’re “old”— translate “useless,” translate “unwanted,” translate “out of place,” translate “incompetent .” We are the over-the-hill gang , our birthday cards say. And we laugh— as well as we can— but, if truth were known, the laugh comes with a stab in the psyche.” Older folks have a wealth of opportunities and precious gifts to share, which are too often overshadowed in current American culture. Come and join us to explore the hidden wealth in our community. February 18 February 25 March 4 March 11 March 18 March 25 Wills, Trusts, and Power of Attorney Ageism Moving Through Limitations Productivity Legacy Living Darefully on the Side of Joy 1001 OLSON LANE | EL DORADO HILLS, CA 95762 | (916) 933-1441 | www.SSLCEDH.org Lunch Bunch! Every Wednesday Bible Study We will be studying: May I have This Dance? It’s a generous invitation to pause, renew, and surrender to a God who has some wonderful new steps to teach us. Noon—2pm Bring an item for the salad bar Child Advocates of El Dorado County (CASA) is a non-profit program helping local abused and neglected kids get into safe, permanent homes. Learn how our volunteer Advocates get as much from giving their time as the kids get from receiving their help. It's an amazing volunteer role and we need more Advocates and donors to support every child court ordered for a CASA Advocate (about 500 annually). Together we can help these kids have much better lives. Hope to see you at our table in the church lobby on Sunday, 2/22nd at either service. We'd greatly appreciate your help or someone you know who's interested. If you can't volunteer, please donate and tell others. Many people just don't know of CASA yet and these local kids needing help in our county. Informational meetings are held the 1st Tuesday of each month in our office (347 Main Street, Placerville) from 5-6pm. For more information, please call Michelle Vien 530-622-9882x208 or go to www.casaeldorado.org. Our county is also in dire need of more foster parents. If you or someone you know is interested, please let Michelle know and she can give you the information. We have 60 kids placed out of our county that need foster homes here before we can find Advocates to serve them. Thank you for helping us spread this important message. Anyone looking to adopt should look locally as there are plenty of babies and kids waiting for a wonderful home. Kathy Hurd/Development Manager/mobile 916.343.1519/casaeldorado.org Take a Stand. Make a Difference. Change a Child's Life . . . Forever. St. Stephen’s members give from their hearts El Dorado County Food Bank: The food basket in the Narthex is delivered to the food bank weekly. You may bring non-perishable items when you come to worship or any time. Soup, cereal, peanut butter and baby food are highly desirable. Find out how much God has given you and from it take what you need; the remainder is needed by others. ~ Augustine Congregation Meeting March 15th Between services Verizon Tower information and Vote Soup Suppers February 18, 25 March 4, 11, 18 & 25 February 18th 7pm Doris Lothrop Gary Franzen George Eide Lynn Rettig Sylvia Reilly 02/04 02/20 02/22 02/22 02/25 No Anniversary’s this month Flowers are provided by: Barbara Peterson Happy Birthday Sylvia! LESSONS Readings: Psalm: Gospel: Next Sunday, Feb. 22 Exodus 20:1-11 Romans 14:5-9 Psalm Isaiah 55:1-5 Matthew 11:28-30 Arleen Gouine Recovering Brady Faulkner Undiagnosed Medical Issues Hans Roebbelen Recovering Lynne Klyse Continued Healing Connie Badal Dialysis complications Frank and Alice LaPinta Physical Healing Pastor Trudy Healing of Lyme Disease Jack Reilly Recuperation and Energy Jim and Judy Bergquam Physical healing Ron Keil Prayers for continued healing Our Values Statement We Value God’s Relationship to Us “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.” 1 John 3:1 We Value the Activities of Spiritual Life Worship. Prayer. Stewardship. Education. Generosity. Witness. Mutual Care. “Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:11 We Value Each Other “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 We Value the World Around Us “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish, but may have eternal life.” John 3:16 “…and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 We Value Forgiveness “So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift at the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23 2014 Council Officers Trudy Franzen - Pastor (916) 835-5092 Bert Terbijhe - President (530) 306-6858 Tina Weinreich - Financial Director (530) 295-8011 Bob Dorr - Vice-President (916) 933-1788 Penny Knudsen - Secretary (916) 941-6433 Council Members Barbara Peterson (916) 984-8210 Dan Stein (916) 941-7585 Chris Klyse (916) 933-1755 Mimi Rettig (916) 673-9963 Steve Wilkie (406) 850-8321 Council Meetings: Council Meetings are second Tuesday of every month. Members are welcome! Next meeting: Tuesday, March 10, at 7:00pm. Church Staff Trudy Franzen - Pastor Arleen Gouine– Church Administrator / Bookkeeper Kim Stein - Church Administrator / Bookkeeper Mariia Pechenova—Church Organist / Pianist