St Stephen's Episcopal Church

ST. STEPHEN'S WELCOMES PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE
People with varied interests and backgrounds can all find a connection here, whether through our Children's, Music, Outreach, Pastoral Care, Creation Care, or Faith Formation programs, to name a few.

We hope our website answers your questions about how we grow our faith, how we worship, and how we live out God's calling, but the best way to explore our faith community is to visit a worship service. Please see Worship Services Schedule to the right to find a time that works for you.

For more information, please contact the our Parish Administrator, Brenda Free, or Fr. Larry, Rev. Mary, Mo. Jan or Fr. Tom in the Church Office at (925) 254-3770. We look forward to welcoming you to the St. Stephen's community.

CHECK OUT THE HAPPENINGS PAGE!

EPIPHANY SERVICE ~ HOUSE BLESSING
Join us Sunday, January 11^th for a very special Epiphany Service. Epiphany is the day we celebrate the visit of the three kings to the Christ Child. This is a time for us to celebrate the journey and faith that led the three kings to follow the star to the home of the Baby Jesus. This story has inspired the tradition as a time to bless our own homes as we begin this new season of light.

After our Church Service on Sunday we will gather in the Parish Hall to make our own House Blessing Kits. These kits will be a way for you to bless your home for the New Year and open all of our homes to the light of Christ. This will be an activity and celebration for the whole parish. Epiphany Cake included!

MAKE YOUR 2009 PLEDGE BY CREDIT CARD TODAY.
To make your 2009 pledge please click the "Pledge by Credit Card" link above after January 1st 2009 unless you are going to prepay your 2009 pledge in 2008. Even if you pledge by credit card, please send in your pledge card.
If you are not paying by credit card you can just send in your pledge card to the church office. If you would like to make another type of gift you can do that on the eGiving page.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PARISH
Plan to attend the annual parish meeting on Sunday, January 25 at 11:45 (following the 10:00 service). We will elect vestry members and deanery/diocesan delegates, celebrate the past year, and look forward to the next. Father Larry will present Rector’s awards, and for the first time in several years, present one of our members with the Christie Award for outstanding service to St. Stephen’s. Don’t miss it!

YOUTH MISSION TRIP KICK OFF PARTY!

CONFIRMATION CLASSES BEGIN IN JANUARY

LECTIO DIVINA BEGINS AGAIN!

Lectio Divina "Holy Reading" Bible study will begin again on Monday January 12 at 10:00 a.m. in the Bride's Room Same time, same place as in the fall. All are welcome! Contact Mo. Jan for more information jan@ststephensorinda.org

Pancake Breakfast

MISSION TRIP FUND-RAISER
It’s a New Year! Clean out your Closets! Just don’t throw your stuff away. The youth will be holding a Garage Sale in the Spring to help with the costs of their mission trip to Mexico.
More info to follow soon; Right now: SAVE YOUR STUFF!

ST. STEPHEN'S MEN'S FELLOWSHIP

ALL NEW MEMBERS AND VISITORS
Be sure to save the date for the Newcomers/Visitors Dinner, to be held in your honor. It's a fun event sponsored by St. Stephen's vestry and clergy. All that is needed to make the evening perfect is your attendance! Good food, conversation, fellowship and child care too!
Sunday, February 8, 2009 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Please RSVP to the church office.

LOAVES & FISHES

BAPTISMS
The next Baptism is scheduled for February 22nd during the 10:00a.m. Sunday service. Contact the Parish Administrator

eSCRIP
eScrip is a hassle-free way for you to support programs at St. Stephen's. By signing up for eScrip, participating merchants contribute a percentage of your purchases to St. Stephen’s. Sign up for eScrip today. Click here.

FORWARD DAY BY DAY. The November/December/January copy of Forward Day by Day has arrived and is available in the Narthex and Church office. The cost of this Daily Prayer and Meditation booklet is $1.00

AN ABUNDANT WORLD

WOMAN'S RETREAT AT ST. DOROTHY’S REST
March 13-15. To confirm your reservation please send in a deposit of $100 by February 15th.

DEDICATING SUNDAY FLOWERS IN CHURCH
Have you ever wondered how we get such beautiful flowers at St. Stephen's on Sundays? They are paid for by parishioners, who dedicate flowers to commemorate a special occasion such as an anniversary, a baptism, a birthday, a graduation, or in memory of departed loved ones. The flowers are purchased and arranged by the very talented women of our Flower Guild, a part of the St. Stephen’s Altar Guild. Dedications are recognized in the Sunday bulletin. The cost is $50 for the flowers. If you would like to dedicate flowers for your special occasion or memorial, please fill out the pink envelope in the pew this morning put your check/cash in the envelope and drop it in the plate. For more information contact Brenda in the office at 254-3770 x10 or Carol Miller at 283-6973.