St Stephens Lutheran Church
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** Announcements are usually updated weekly. If they are not, it is due to computer problems or family needs. Thanks for your patience.

Sylvania Weather:

Pray for:

Our schools that they may be safe and secure and provide an environment where truth is taught.

For teachers, principals, maintenance people, and counselors that they may be dedicated to teaching caring for the children in their schools.

For our local public servants, especially our police, firemen, and emergency response teams. May they be safe as they serve the community.

For everyone in our community that each home would experience joy, peace, and a relationship with Christ.

Prayer Page at elca.org

klove radio

Spiritual Gifts:

"A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the church." 1 Corinthians 12:7

Online spiritual gift inventories:
ELCA.org/

www.nisbett.com/sgifts

Newsletter

Children  Are  Welcome  in our worship service. During the summer, the nursery is available for your use during the 8:30 service and is staffed for your convenience during Sunday Morning Study and at the 11:00 service.

The worship service broadcasts into the nursery.

Children’s Clipboards, Crayons, Pencils, Papers inside sanctuary entrance.


We would like to call you by name also, Nametags are available on the credenza.  Request a replacement by leaving a note in the church office.

 

Let everyone know who you are!

"I have called you by name, you are mine...." Isaiah 43:1b


UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES


August 2010


  When on vacation ….

When on vacation, be with us in spirit.
The rest of the summer, be with us in person.


Outdoor Worship

 Revive your spirit & renew friendships

Sunday morning, August 29th, at our

 

outdoor worship service.

 

There will be one service at10:00AM!


THANK YOU to our September Newsletter Helping Hands:

Sally Goetz, Cathy Gustafson, Mary Ann Klimesh, Lia Klimesh,, Ruth Moeller, and  Linda McDonough.

My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”  Psalm 121:2



September 2010

Extending your Education? Scholarship fund applications are available on the table in the narthex. Please  return the applications to the mailbox in the office by September 1.


LABOR DAY September 6

It’s hard not to think about how unemployment has affected many people in our communities and churches. Congregations with unemployed members have a calling to help however they can.

Some churches provide job fairs; some have regular meetings to help unemployed people cope. Some churches provide food and other necessities. Those who can should hire an unemployed brother or sister in Christ at a fair wage. The entire congregation should pray regularly for unemployed people.

Christians who’ve lost their jobs should know they still have work to do. The church always needs volunteers, and unemployed people can serve the Lord and help the church’s mission.

Charles Wesley made every Christian’s “work” clear in his hymn “A Charge to Keep I Have”:

A never-dying soul to save and fit it for the sky,

To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill;

O may it all my powers engage to do my Master’s will!

 Patriot’s DAY

September 11

 

RALLY DAY

September 12

following 2nd service

Lunch ~ Sundaes ~ Games

 

 

MEN of FAITH

September 9, 23

 

Gathering Space

9:45AM

September 12, 19, 26

 

Sunday School 9:45—10:45AM

 

Sunday lessons during 2nd  Service

September 12, 19, 26

 

Nursery care for infants

always available during services & during education hour

 

 

YOUTH

September 12, 26

5th & 6th Grade 7:00PM

 

September 12, 19, 26

7th - 12th Grade

Breakfast Club 9:45AM

Confirmation 7:00PM

Senior High Study 7:00PM

 

 

First Day of Autumn

September 23



MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Christmas Cantata Rehearsals will begin in October.


Save the Date:

Walk to Defeat ALS ( Lou Gehrig's)

on the FLOWER HOSPITAL grounds

Sunday, October 3

12 noon  pre-events  ~  1pm walk

1:45 auction in the Historic Barn

Supplemental funds provided by

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Ruth Moeller, Toledo Event chair, Paul’s Crew


 

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION


RALLY DAY

September 12

Gathering Space 9:45

Breakfast Club (youth) 9:45 SEE YOUTH ZONE

Sunday School (age 4—grade 6) 9:45 SEE KIDZONE


 GATHERING SPACE

When: 9:45—10:45am

Where: Back double Sunday School Room

 What: Christian Education for Adults

(We're Never too Old to Learn)

Our Summer Sunday Study was a success, thanks to the work of Karen Wicker. Thank You Karen!

We start out our new year on September 12th. Rodney Pearson will be our first facilitator. His topic is going to be “Faith”. Rod Hochstetler Adult Education Ministry


 In our Adult Sunday School we will be discussing the book written by Harvey Cox, "The Future of Faith". As the author states - It is true that for many people "faith" and "belief" are just two words for the same thing. But they are not... we can believe something to be true without it making much difference to us, but we place our faith only in something that is vital for the way we live. Religious people are more interested in ethical guidelines and spiritual disciplines than in doctrines and institutional religion. In Cox's book we will discuss three distinct periods of church history - the Age of Faith, the Age of Belief and the Age of the Spirit.

Look forward to seeing you in our discussion.

Rodney Pearson


ST. STEPHEN BOOK CLUB

Meets  the third Sunday of each month at 7:00PM to discuss a different agreed upon book.  We will meet at the Ziegler's, 7930 Anvil Court. Call Kathy Ziegler, 419-882-0340, for more info or directions.

We’ll  meet again on Sunday, September 19.

We will be reading "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver.


 
Men of Faith All men are invited to join us for coffee, study, & discussion the 2nd & 4th Thursday mornings each month at 6:30am  at Nautica Coffee. We will meet  August 26 & September 9th & 23rd

ST. STEPHEN WOMEN


Joy Club "Just Older Youth"

We meet monthly for lunch.

Occasionally we do a "destination" lunch combined with sightseeing. all women from St. Stephen are invited to join us for food and fellowship. 

No age requirements!

We are always looking for ideas, so contact Kathy Troxel @ 419-885-4393 or katt@buckeye-express.com. 

 

Joy Club

On Tuesday, September 14 Joy Club will meet at Barry Bagel's, corner of Sylvania and Holland-Sylvania at 11:30 for lunch, then we will tour the studio of fabric artist Marcia Derse at 5327 Brookhill Ct, off Ravine Drive between Harroun and Main St. Marcia is the former owner of Reading Railroad in Saxon Square and custom-crafts fabrics in her home studio.

Call Kathy Troxel if you have any questions, 419-250-6002.

Check the bulletin board, Beacon, and your email for future events.


St. Stephen Women- Quarterly

Coffee, Cookies and Conversation

All women of St. Stephen are invited to our quarterly evening of friendship, food and faith! Join us on Monday, September 27th, from 7:00-8:30PM, at Karen Wicker’s home (6137 Secluded Court, Sylvania). We will share a devotional time about autumn and changing seasons of our lives.


 PRAYER 

You, Creator God, are sovereign. Teach us your ways and help us walk in the paths you desire us to follow.

HEALING PRAYERS are offered following each service at the prayer chapel. You may wait for Pr. Jim to join you at the front of the sanctuary.


People in our Prayers

Bill McVicker

Austin Mercer

Jayne Pratt

Gary Tressler &  family on the death of his brother Mark

(Cards and Prayers are welcomed.)


 “Information Chain”

Please keep the office updated with changes to your numbers, so you may be reached; via phone, e-mail, or text, as you requested. If you asked to be notified by e-mail, please list “mail@notify.onecallnow.com” as a contact, so you are sure to receive notices. 


If you have any special prayer needs, you may fill out a prayer slip today (see inside the blue Friendship Registers located at each row of chairs), e-mail your requests to the church at sslcsecretary@bex.net, or call 419-885-1551. You may also leave a message on the church answering machine, when the office is not staffed (do NOT leave confidential requests on the answering machine). For any crisis situations, when you want the entire congregation to join in prayer, While Marilyn Martin is recuperating, you may TEMPORARILY contact Jackie Ritzenthaler to activate the Information Chain at 419 865 4135.


Prayer Notes          Betty Lock

      Do you sometimes wonder if prayers really get answered? I know I do from time to time. But they do get answered. One example I can give you relates to Operation Christmas Child (see separate article, page 7). In Madagascar, the customs people were holding the shoe boxes and would not give clearance so they could be distributed to the children. “As evidence of the power of prayer, after all the delays caused by the government, in the end, the Madagascar government actually assisted OCC in removing the storage expenses. The OCC staff, the Madagascar National Leadership Team, and OCC join the volunteers around the world in praising God for His intervention in this situation.”

      Many times, I get impatient for God's answer but I have learned to wait...and to try to wait patiently for the answer. And sometimes, I finally figure out I am asking for My Will instead of God's will. Later, when I look back, I can see that what I wanted probably wasn't the best answer but God, in His wisdom, always has the right answer. Part of my problem is taking time to listen. How about you? Let us set aside some time during our busy days, to just be still and listen.

“Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.”

LET'S PRAY.


2010 PACT

(FKA Pastoral Partners) 

 

Potluck  12:15

September 26


PASTOR IS AVAILABLE for any reason. Although you are welcome to stop in to see him, you may wish to call first to be sure that he is not out on other calls. You may also call to set up a convenient time, or have him stop by to visit you.


 

Praying for the Congregation

Once again, Pastor Jim will be praying for the families in the congregation each week, Monday through Thursday. These families will be specifically prayed for this month. You may call Pastor with any prayer requests, leave a note in his mailbox, or send him an e-mail (revjimw@bex.net), or leave a message on the answering machine (no confidential messages please). The congregation is invited to join Pastor Jim as he prays for each of our families. As new people join our congregation, their names will be added to the list.

 

September 13, 14, 15, 16

Mon Abbey, Rachel & Ken, Grace, Kaitlin, Caleb

Tue  Aldrich, Kathy & Dave, David, Haden, Clara, Sam

Wed Alexander, Carrie & Brad

Thu  Anderson, Phyllis

 

September 20, 21, 22, 23

Mon Ballard, Michelle & Scott, Jalen, Eli

Tue  Bennett, Becky & J Alan, Nathan, Nicholas, Nolan

Wed Boelter, Ervin

Thu  Boldt, Libby & Jim

 

September 27, 28, 29, 30

Mon Bork, Kay & Jim

Tue  Bork, Tom

Wed Brown, Carol

Thu  Brown, Laurie, Ryan, Logan


 2010Wall & Pocket Calendars  are available by the usher’s table. Pick one up for yourself or a friend.


The Coffee Maker  may be used for meetings, activities & events. Please be sure that it has been turned off & cleaned after each use


E-Mails  Call address and phone changes to the church office, 419-885-1551, or e-mail to: sslcsecretary@bex.net & Susan will update our list so we can keep in touch with you.


Look for the Latest issue of our Newsletter

The Vision of St. Stephen,

in the information rack above the usher’s table or visit our website: www.ststephensylvania.org


3rd Quarter 2010 Word In Season are available.

If you would like one for yourself, or a friend, see an usher.


volunteer needed to help maintain the church website.  anyone interested in helping with the church content can contact  john lock.


 SOCIAL OUTREACH 


Anyone interested in this committee may attend our meetings.

Questions: see Kathy Aldrich

Watch the Beacon and bulletin board for opportunities to give and help in our community.


LSS Food Pantry

AUGUST: Crackers Suggestions: Saltines, Graham Crackers

SEPTEMBER: Baked Beans Dried Beans, Rice

Donations may be placed in the white shopping cart in the narthex

How many times can we fill it in August? in September?

HELPFUL HINTS

·    You may bring items other than those listed for current month

·    LSS stores food by basic food groups

·    Families are encouraged to pick food items from each group

·    Normal family size packages are best

·    Special dietary food items also needed (ie: diabetic, vegan)

·    Place items in “Shopping Cart”


NOISY OFFERING

July $101.00

Donation to Lutheran World Hunger Relief.

August $110.00

Designated for LSS Food Pantry.

thrivent is matching up to $500 for the pantry.

 

Next NOISY OFFERING: September 5

Thank You for your contributions to the noisy offering each month. Social Concerns Committee


Unemployment Resource Center

at

St. Stephen

open every

Tuesday

10AM - 12NOON

 Anyone who is in need of help with

a resume and learning

a good aggressive networking system, can get help at the Resource Center.

The Center is run by Dick Lock, Roger Ritzert, and Chuck Camarote.


RECYCLE to benefit Ronald McDonald house. Put pull tabs from drinks & soups in an envelope and leave it on the bulletin board.


St Paul's Community Center Dinner 

 

Thank You! to the large group of people that made the St. Paul's Community Dinner happen this past Sunday in downtown Toledo. Thanks to all who made monetary donations, provided food, drinks, and paper products. There was more than enough to serve second helpings. The homemade cookies donated by Ruth Moeller, Sue Marvin, Pat Hoehing, Tricia Kunkel, Joan Haddox, & Libby Boldt were a special ending to the meal. It was difficult not to taste test before the dinner started. Helping hands at the center included Dave Aldrich, Sally Goetz, Jim & Libby Boldt, Wendy Staup, Joan Haddox, Amy Silvers, & Sue Kahl. It is a blessing to have this kind of response to a project. Please remember to keep those we had the opportunity to help in your prayers. Again, thank you for your generosity.  Kathy Aldrich - Social Concerns Liaison


 School Supplies for Sylvania Children

St Stephen participated in the Sylvania Area Family Services school supply drive for the 2010-2011 school year. We collected items including pencils, rulers, markers, paper, notebooks, binders and even backpacks to donate to those in need. SAFS held a hotdog picnic on August 12 where identified students in the Sylvania area were given backpacks and then selected supplies specific to their school. After enjoying the dinner and launching the school year, families could leave knowing that their children had the necessary supplies to begin school. Thank you to those that participated in this project and others that the social concerns committee has offered. We feel blessed to be a part of a congregation that is so generous and willing to serve others.

                                                 Social Concerns Committee


Christmas in July:

The collection for personal care items and cleaning supplies was a huge success. St Stephen collected 31 bags of assorted items to send to SAFS. Items that many of us take for granted such as tissues, soaps, shampoo, razors and paper towels are extras to families that are in need. Providing these products enables families to have a sense of pride and feel good about themselves. Thank you to all who participated in this project and a special thanks to Larry Golba for transporting the bags to SAFS. We look forward to participating in programs such as this that give our congregation the opportunity to help our fellow neighbors.


St. Stephen is enrolled in the

Kroger Community Rewards Program.

To enroll you will need a Kroger Plus card and an email address. Once enrolled, every time participants shop at Kroger it means monetary donations will come back to St. Stephen through the Rewards Program. Look for information flyer and take a sheet from the table in the narthex explaining this program and how you can enroll..

Kathy Aldrich, Social Concerns Liaison


OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Recently, I was able to show a short video about Operation Christmas Child and talk a few minutes about the “Gospel opportunities” of OCC in the worship services. Jesus said in Matthew 25:34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, 'come you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me'.”

   When we fill shoe boxes, we are giving children, and their families, the greatest gift....the knowledge of Jesus. The shoe box often meets the needs of those children. In fact, some of the stories of how God uses you to meet those needs is incredible. But by filling the shoe boxes and letting God tell you what to put in them, you have the privilege of sharing the love of Christ”.

   Listen to one child from Kazakhstan: “Greetings, my name is Ruphina I am 14. My nationality is Azerbaijanian and all my life I was told that I and my family are Muslims. When in the middle of March I received invitations for distribution of free gifts, I thought went there or not. Just now I understand that this action was plan of Jesus for my life. And at 1st of April I gathered all my family, little brother Ramil, sisters Ramia, Azada and Sania, Madina, cousins Ruphan, Eldanis and Elsun and took them to receive gifts. It was raining and mood was dismal, but when we came here and there began to show cartoon about Jesus and told about Him, and I began to rejoice inside. The main thing was in front, when I received gift and opened it. There were many small things, but I remembered that I liked one pink shirt, and it is now my love ones. I have not many clothes, but I want to dress, because I am girl. As my leaders said on the next Sunday – Jesus foresaw this gift exactly for me. I thank Him very much! I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior and all my brothers and sisters except the little ones repented. Praise to Jesus! I love Him! Great thanks for my gift and for that ones who organized it for us! Sincerely, Ruphina

   This is printed exactly as Ruphina wrote the letter. Isn't it amazing what a simple shoe box filled with small gifts can mean to the life of a child and her family? You probably noticed that the shoe boxes were distributed in April. The shoe boxes are delivered whenever the country is willing to let OCC volunteers in to do the distribution. So the shoe boxes are not all delivered in December, but throughout the year.  Thank you for filling shoe boxes and providing the opportunities for the Gospel moments.

   Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see the sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of brothers of mine, you did it for me.'”


There are a number of shoe boxes next to the play pen display for OCC. Please take one (or more) and start filling it. We will have a shoe box packing party on Sunday, October 10 following the second service. We’ll have a light lunch and then wrap, fill, and mark shoe boxes. When we are done we’ll share in Oktober Fest by toasting each other with a root beer float!! Please come and share in the fun! If you have shoe boxes filled and ready, bring them in on that day. If you are buying items for shoe boxes, you may bring them in at any time and put them in the play pen.

Betty Lock;  OCC volunteer


Check the web for volunteer opportunities within our area. Toledo has need for food pantry helpers, receptionists in Perrysburg, and our resource centers offer a variety of challenging positions both short and long term. www.lssnwo.org


Save the Date:

Walk to Defeat ALS ( Lou Gehrig's)

on the FLOWER HOSPITAL grounds

Sunday, October 3

12 noon  pre-events  ~  1pm walk

1:45 auction in the Historic Barn

Supplemental funds provided by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Ruth Moeller, Toledo Event chair, Paul’s Crew

www.alsaohio.org



 

FINANCE


General Fund: Monthly Operating Expenses.

 

Building Fund:designating offerings for future  " Building Growth"

 Futures Needs Fund: anyone interested in designating offerings for future needs of the church, ex Tables, Chairs, etc.

 

Note: designate outside the envelope and in memo area of check, the fund to apply donation

An Offertory Prayer

Loving Creator, you have generously and graciously given us blessing after blessing, gift after gift, kindness after kindness. Your steadfast love and amazing grace abound in our lives. You are awesome, and we are hum-bled and deeply grateful.

Now we give our tokens of love and appreciation to you. First, we offer our grateful hearts, minds and souls. Receive our praise and thanksgiving. We also offer the gifts of our labor, our monetary offerings, and our pledge of talent, time and service.

Help us be dedicated servants for you in our daily lives so we may be more worthy of the life you have given us. In Jesus’ name. Amen


The ‘Simply Giving’ Program  

 As we return from our summer vacations this is a good time to think about enrolling in our Simply Giving program here at St. Stephen.  It only takes a few minutes to complete the application, and you don’t ever need to think about writing that weekly/monthly check to the church again.  It is a convenient and easy way to support the needs of St. Stephen whether or not you are in worship.  See Sally Goetz to enroll and put one more thing to do out of your mind.

Sally Goetz, Program Coordinator


As of August 16 we have collected $4000.66 for our Acoustics Fund You may still make a contribution to our Acoustics Fund. Mark your check “Acoustic Funding” in the memo area.  Look for additional opportunities in the fall and contribute as you can in the meantime.

 EVANGELISM

 

In my recent “Introduction to Religious Studies” class at Lourdes, I was introduced to a number of religions that were new to me. I had certainly heard of Buddhism and Hinduism, but was never really interested in learning any details about their beliefs. Learning that Hindus believe the ultimate reality is that there is no reality at all just boggled my mind. Suddenly, the Trinity seemed simple to understand! Throughout the course, I had the opportunity to visit various houses of worship, and I kept finding myself comparing them to St. Stephen and thinking “there’s no place like home!"

 

We, at St. Stephen, are blessed beyond measure and we should want to shout it from the mountain tops! But even when we feel that in our hearts, it is not always easy to put it into words. When we have un-churched or under-churched friends it can be difficult to invite them to church because we don’t want to ‘force’ our faith upon them. We don’t always know how to respond when they list excuses as to why they won’t go to church with you. You will hear more about them in the weeks to come, but Pastor Jim recently purchased some booklets to help us invite those friends to church.

 

This booklet addresses the most popular excuses for not attending church:

It’s my only day to sleep in…     I can worship God anywhere…          …. etc.

This booklet takes these excuses and, respectfully, explains why God wants us to attend worship and the benefits of doing so. These booklets will be available for you to give to those friends who have may have left the church, or who may have never visited a church before. So, when the booklets come in, take a few and invite a friend to church, because there really is no place like St. Stephen—no place like home.

LUTHERAN/SYNOD/THRIVENT

 Lutheran Ministries Media, Inc.

3225 Crescent Avenue | Fort Wayne, IN 46805

“Worship for Shut-Ins”

Visit Lutheran Ministries Media, Inc.

See the schedule list on the bulletin board, call the office for a copy,

visit www.worshipforshutins.org or call: 260-471-5683.

 


 
Lutheran Village at Wolf Creek

 SEPTEMBER 2010 Events

See Bulletin Board for events and information.

ø  ø  ø  ø  ø  ø  ø  ø

Other helpful information can be found on the Synod website at www.nwos-elca.org. 


 

Walking,

 Worshiping & Witnessing

Sunday, October 3, 2010 

·  attend  CROP Walk 1:00PM-Ottawa or Pearson Park

Join with members of the Toledo community to raise awareness and  resources to battle hunger and its causes.

People of all ages and abilities can collect sponsors and then walk, run or roll their way through the park to raise money for hunger concerns both local and global.

 

·  gather @ Hope, Toledo for Worship & Witness 3:00 - 6:00PM

Experience a new vision of “being Church” as we eat, worship & learn.

Pr. Tom Schaeffer of our new  Threshold mission in Toledo will be present to share the vision of the church which is  shaping their ministry.

Other helpful information can be found on the Synod website at

www.nwos-elca.org.  

Lutheran World Relief is accepting donations on behalf of the Pakistan floods.  You  may  make  a  monetary donation online at lwr.org, by phone at 800-597-5972; or by mail at PO Box 17061 Baltimore, MD 21298-9832, USA.

In addition, those wishing to donate to LWR’s quilt and kit ministries may visit lwr.org/beinvolved or contact LWR by phone, or e-mail at lwr@lwr.org, for more information


 


 

Learn more about Thrivent Financial for Lutherans at: www.thrivent.com.


Steve’s Funny's

 “The One whose throne is in heaven sits laughing.”   Psalm  2:4


Daffy-nitions

Committee: “A group of people who individually can do nothing, but as a group decide that nothing can be done.”

—Author unknown

Signs & Wonders

Sign outside Struthers (OH) Presbyterian Church:

“Honk if you love Jesus –

Text while driving if you’d like to meet Him!”

—via Maria White; Struthers, OH

 

Sign outside Church of Christ, Winter Park, FL:

“In labors of love, every day is pay day.”

—Bobbe Lyon; Maitland, FL

 

Sign outside Church of God, N. St. Paul, MN:

“Are you wrinkled with burdens?

Come on into the church for a facelift.”

—via Duane Zweirs; N. St. Paul, MN

 

From Master Writings…

“It is requisite for the relaxation of the mind that we make use, from time to time, of playful deeds and jokes.”                 —Thomas Aquinas; via Fr. Charlie Urnick

“I have heard, but have not proven, that it was Luther who compared the church to Noah’s Ark by saying, “If it weren’t for the storm outside, you couldn’t stand the stench inside.”  Eric W. Gritsch, the author of The Wit of Martin Luther 



FUN & MISCELLANEOUS INFO


WHO AM I?

 

This lady and her son and husband usually attend the second service. She had helped out in our church office and has been a Sunday School teacher. She is a para-professional at Sylvania Franciscan Academy and is a volunteer fund raiser there. She and her husband met at previous place of employment ,where he still works.

? ? ?

Bible Quiz

The 12 men in Jesus’ inner circle of followers had a variety of backgrounds, but most of their occupations are unknown. Which combination of jobs listed below correctly matches two of Jesus’ disciples?

A. Fisherman and Doctor
B. Fisherman and Tax Collector
C. Carpenter and Tax Collector
D. Fisherman and Farmer
 

Answers: below


Does anyone have a picture of the 2010 confirmation class with Pastor? Or even pictures of the 2 confirmands will do.

Please contact Pat Hoehing.


 

Technology Team volunteers interested in joining, reviewing & prioritizing future technology requirements for our services and building needs and other opportunities, including recording the 11AM service, managing the website, video taping certain services or portions, and implementing the use of the overhead projector into the service, may contact a member of the Technology Team.  We meet about once a month to review our progress and required next steps. 

Dave Davis, Jeremy Hopkins, John Lock



 

Scott Ballard’s latest CD

Country for the Masses

Is available from Scott for $15.


THANK YOU CORNER


  

 Thank You to

Thank You to our July/August Newsletter Helping Hands

Cathy Gustafson, Pat Hoehing, Sally Goetz, Ruth Moeller, Jean Doebler, Mary Ann Klimesh, Carol Ellis.


Pastor Ponderings 

The signs that summer is almost over are creeping up on us. The days are growing shorter and Labor Day—the unofficial end of summer—is right around the corner. School buses and student traffic are once again extending our commute.  Of course, the number one sign that summer will soon be over—our parking lot will be crawling with Highland parents! We are resigning ourselves to the fact that summer has passed, whether or not we have made full use of its opportunities.

 

Here at church, things have hardly slowed during the summer.  Ministry has continued—thanks to so many of you!  We have had a wonderful turnout for Wednesday evening Vespers. The love of Christ was extended to many folks over the summer through our worship, through our adult Sunday study on the Invitations of Christ. Our ministries of caring for Lutheran Social Services and Sylvania Area Family services have not slowed. The list could go on and on!  Christ’s work in the world did not take a vacation, even though we may have.

 

Now we are rolling again!  Of course, we cannot do ministry without you!  I hope you are prayerfully considering what God is calling you to do in His ministry at Saint Stephen.  Not one of us is capable of doing everything, but each one of us is capable of doing something! This is true whether we are talking about teaching, assisting with worship, serving our agencies and individuals, or keeping the grounds and building running.

 

September 12th is Rally Day, with hotdogs and sundaes and the blessing of the back packs. September is also the time to consider our commitment to the mission of St. Stephen when we sign our covenants for the coming year. We have also revamped our children’s Christian education to include Sunday lesson time during the 11:00 service as well as youth and confirmation programs on Sunday evenings.

 

I challenge you to continue growing as a child of God by taking advantage of the opportunities that we offer here at St. Stephen.  This fall, please take the opportunity to join fellow workers in God’s kingdom as we seek to grow in grace. In early September we will make available a ministry booklet which will contain most of the opportunities for growing, fun, worship and fellowship that will be offered this coming year. Please pick one up for yourself and take an extra to give to a friend or family member.

 

Living daily in God’s grace,


PASTOR IS AVAILABLE for any reason. Although you are welcome to stop in to see him, you may wish to call first to be sure that he is not out on other calls. You may also call to set up a convenient time, or have him stop by to visit you.



BIBLE QUIZ: Answer: B (Matthew 4:18;10:3)

WHO AM I? Tracy LaBo

NOTICE: Items left in the church office will be discarded  after 2 weeks, unless otherwise advised. If you have left something, and cannot retrieve it right away, please call the church office and make arrangements to pick it up.


 

ANSWERS:
St. Stephen Lutheran Church
7800 Erie Street
Sylvania, Ohio 43560
419-885-1551
A Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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