Church guide

Please join us this weekend in celebrating Christ's resurrection. We would love to see you!

Please join us for Holy Week and Easter services! We look forward to seeing you!

Due to unforeseen circumstances, tonight's Lenten Soup Supper and Adult Forum will only be the supper portion. Soup's on, though, so please still come at 6pm for supper and fellowship!

Seven of us are gathered this morning at St. Stephen's watching the live stream of the Consecration of the Rev. Jennifer Reddall as 6th Episcopal Bishop of Arizona. #azbishop6

Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing (Joel 2.12-14). Transformation of the Heart "Rend your hearts and not your clothing." These words of the prophet Joel remind us that God does not want mere ritual sacrifice or surface repentance but a deep transformation of the heart. Redemption is a journey from desolation to deliverance, from death to life. Lent is a time of naming our alienation from God and neighbor, and of prodigal homecomings. The word Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means "spring," a time when shorter, darker days surrender to a coming season of new life. The Lenten journey is one of liberation for all who are oppressed in mind, body, and spirit. It is a time for deep prayer and fasting, for recognizing our mortality, for being freed from the illusion that we are in control of this life. Observing Lent allows us to receive the love and compassion that leads to reconciliation. This season invites us to recognize that we are in bondage to a brokenness that only God can heal, and that God is a Lover who calls the beloved home. Blessings on your Lenten journey, Cathy+

Congratulations to Rev Canon Megan Traquair who was elected this weekend as the eighth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California. Canon Megan was such a huge help to St Stephen's as we went through search process to bring Rev Cathy here! We will miss Canon Megan, but are so excited and happy for her!

St Stephen's is happy to welcome the Reverend Cathy Clark as our new rector! Come worship with us this weekend and meet her. We'd love to see you! Our services are Saturdays at 5pm and Sundays at 9:30am.

See everyone tomorrow at 9am! We look forward to hearing everyone's stories.

Just a reminder, we will only have one service this weekend on Sunday at 9:30am! Join us for Lessons and Carols as we celebrate the 7th Day of Christmas!

Celebrate Christmas with St. Stephen's! May the peace of the Christ child be with you and fill our world. Sunday, Dec. 24 5:00pm - Family Eucharist with Music​ 9:00pm - Eucharist with Traditional Choir Monday, Dec. 25 10:00am - Christmas Day Eucharist 1st Sunday after Christmas Dec. 31st @ 9:30am - Lessons & Carols with Eucharist (This will be the only service this weekend)

Join us for the Longest Night service tonight at 7:00pm. The service on the Longest Night happens on the longest night of the year. The name, "Longest Night", also describes the feeling that a number of us have during this season. In the long, dark winter nights, memories of past experiences and the pain of present experiences and situations can become overwhelming. For some, Christmas Day is the most difficult. For others, Christmas Eve, or New Year's Eve, or the beginning of another lonely year. In this service, we will have time to listen, pray, sing, meditate and we invite to offer our pain to the Christ child. We can be comforted in knowing we are not alone and invite you to come find solace and rest during our longest night service.

Thanksgiving at St. Stephens! Know that everyone is invited to join our Thanksgiving dinner here. There will be turkey (fried), sausage dressing, gluten free dressing, and gluten free gravy. Bring your favorite side dish to share. No dish??? You can help with clean up. Come around 12 noonish, bring your family, bring your friends, bring your appetite.

Share a picture or comment about what you're thankful for in our community!

Bishop Smith presenting, "Why Did the Early Church Grow So Fast and What Can We Learn From It?", after service today. Thank you for being with us today, Bishop Smith and Laura!

This month, as we come back together after a summer of keeping cool, traveling and enjoying life, and start to look towards Autumn, let's celebrate God's abundance by acknowledging and sharing our blessings with one another. Take a picture of your blessings or what represents God's abundance to you, and share it here!

Join us for our New Year Retreat Day! Spots are already filling up, be sure to sign up if you'd like to come. January 14th 10:00am- 3:00pm "Crafting a Personal Rule of Life" Join us for a day of intentional prayer, reflection and thoughtful discussion as we each consider how to craft a realistic rhythm for our lives that nurtures all aspects of self, drawing us closer to God and each other. Registration is limited to 12 participants and a $15.00 registration fee will cover materials and lunch. Please email Christy at [email protected] to reserve your spot, if you do not have access to email, please call the church office 602 840-0437. Registration will close Sunday January 8th.

Support us when you shop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. #StartWithaSmile at smile.amazon.com/ch/86-0182823 and Amazon donates to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church.