Dear St. Stephen’s church family,

Although I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink; instead I hope to come to you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. -2 John 12

This very relevant bible verse was used in a presentation I attended this week, about the future of church in a post pandemic world. Seeing one another face to face is not quite on the horizon, but it will come, and in the mean time, may you experience the joy of Christ as we continue in this Easter season.

The link to tomorrow’s sermon is found on this website. The readings are: Acts 10:44-48, Psalm 98, I John 5:1-6 and John 15:9-17

Happy Mother’s Day tomorrow!

May we be grateful for all who have accompanied us on life’s journey, given us life and nurtured us. Thank you for the gift of motherhood, its joys and sorrows and its blessings. My dear mother in law said (and I have told many of you this!) ‘if I didn’t make the mistakes I did make, I would have made others.’ I find this a helpful reminder that we are not able to be perfect in this life, that forgiveness is necessary, in all of our relationships, including those between mothers and children, no matter the age. I am grateful for my own mother and for all of the women who have been a part of my life. I am also grateful for my children and for the many children and youth in our parish family.

The Rev. John and Tigist G-K graduated from Theological College this past Friday.

We give thanks for the many ways that God has blessed Tigist and John as they studied and worked so hard to achieve their goals. St. Stephen’s, thank you for being a part of this journey, and continuing to be.

A big thank you goes out to Nathan Groat

and his company, Student Lawn Pros:  https://www.studentlawnpros.com/

Nathan donated aerating the lawn, edging and fertilizing. Thanks for your generosity and hard work, Nathan! We appreciate it! 

Bea’s funeral service

will be held at St. Stephen’s on Saturday, May 15^th, at 1:30, for family only. We will be putting it on zoom, however, and I will send the invite this week if you would like to attend virtually. Your screen will not be seen, it will simply be possible for you to see and hear what is being said and participate in prayer and in Spirit. We continue to pray for the family as they go through this difficult time together, trusting in God’s goodness and grace.

The next publication of the parish newsletter, the Scroll

is coming soon! Submissions are being accepted with a deadline of May 27^th. 

Parish Cycle of Prayer:

Monday: for Rev. John  and family as he seeks God’s guidance in his life and ministry

Tuesday: for Tigist, as she seeks God’s guidance in her life and ministry

Wednesday: for all who are nearing the end of life’s journey, for those in palliative care and those in hospice, that they may trust in the Lord, their Shepherd, and be not afraid.

Thursday: Julie and Skeeter with Luke, Ben and Josh and family

Friday: Thyatira and family

To forgive the incessant provocations of daily life – to keep on forgiving the bossy mother-in-law, the bullying husband, the nagging wife, the selfish daughter, the deceitful son – how can we do it? Only, I think, by remembering where we stand, by meaning our words when we say in our prayers each night, “Forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” We are offered forgiveness on no other terms. To refuse it is to refuse God’s mercy for ourselves. There is no hint of exceptions and God means what he says. C. S. Lewis

In Christ’s love, and joy,

Amy <><