A Note from Pastor

Life changes when you become responsible for someone else. When a child is born, when a family member needs our care, or when someone depends upon us in a new way, our priorities begin to change. We learn to think not only about what we need, but about what someone else needs from us. We become more intentional with our time, our resources, and our choices because we know that others are counting on us. That same truth is at the heart of this year’s stewardship theme: Steadfa

"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." — Matthew 5:16 As the summer winds down and students return to school, this season naturally invites us to reflect on new beginnings. Over this past year, we have experienced many changes, but we have also discovered something important: God has continued to be faithful and to bless us. With those blessings, let us ask ourselves, “How can we be a blessing to oth

A Reflection on the 250th Anniversary of American Independence “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.” This part of the Preamble of the Declaration of Independence, was, and remains, a powerful witness to the resolve, not only to its authors, but to all w

Dear Members and Friends of St. Stephen Martyr, Although I am unable to be with you during this memorable time in your history, my prayers are with you. I send congratulations and best wishes as you begin your next sixty years. I served as your pastor for over thirty years from August, 1968 through July, 1999. (Regarding the new sanctuary expansion) One day in the mid-eighties, we had outgrown our space. It was time to add some classrooms. However, someone had a larger vision

2026 Easter Sermon Series It’s fascinating how many stories there are about Jesus having meals with his disciples after the resurrection. Meals, especially in Jesus’ culture, carried significant meaning and weight. Those meals impacted the disciples in various ways. So too, sharing meals can have a big impact on our relationships. Sure, some meals can be uncomfortable depending on the hosts or the guests, but other meals can deepen friendships by building trust in a more inti

Our final Lenten mid-week service will be on March 25th. This will be an adaptation of the Jewish Passover Seder. Seder is the Hebrew word for “order”. This festival, year after year for thousands of years has followed a very specific order of 15 steps. The Seder is probably the longest-observed yearly ritual in the world. It brings to mind not just the Exodus story but perpetual struggle every person has between slavery and freedom. The story is told not as “they were slaves