The Evangel. From the Pastor... Justified by grace, we are a Community of Servants who follow Jesus example by living lives of service to others.

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1 The Evangel Justified by grace, we are a Community of Servants who follow Jesus example by living lives of service to others. St. Stephen Lut h eran Church July 2015 Volume 56, Issue 7 Inside this issue: Congratulations Graduates; Birthdays & Anniversaries; Sunday Narrative Lectionary Readings Upcoming Youth Events from Pastor Laura Synod Sign; Cumberland School Supplies Needed; Kids Hope Mentors Needed; Food Bank News; Hannah s House Seeking Help Community Garden Meeting & Photos Daily Narrative Lectionary Readings From the Pastor... As I write this, I m about to head out to Colorado to enjoy the beauty of the Rocky Mountains, Rocky Mountain National Park, and be stimulated and enriched as a pastor. From June 21 through July 2 I ll be attending the Luther Academy of the Rockies, in Allenspark, Colorado, which is a continuing education event of Wartburg Theological Seminary, one of our ELCA seminaries. The two weeks here is such a gift. This is the fifth time I ve attended the Academy. The theme around which we are gathering is The Promise of the Gospel for the Life of the World: Where Theology Leads to Practice, and the faculty is superb... Professor Martin Lohrmann of Wartburg Seminary, Rev. Jan Schnell Rippentrop the newly appointed Professor of Homiletics at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, and Professor Robert Bob Albers, retired professor from Luther Seminary. Each of them will bring a unique perspective on how our theology leads to practice for the sake of the world. During the past Academies that I ve attended, not only have I been deeply enriched by the faculty, the lectures, and discussions, but also by the networking and conversations I ve had with colleagues from around the ELCA. I ve learned a lot. Been exposed to new ideas and ways of doing things (the Narrative Lectionary that we ve been using the past two years came as a result of attending this Academy), and it s also a time to rest and enjoy the mountains. This event has been life-giving to me. I m really looking forward to going. Thank you for caring enough about St. Stephen s ministry and me as your pastor to provide for this valuable time for continuing education. I hope that your summer is as stimulating, restful and life-giving. Pastor Gary Lay Minister Schedule 7 Worship in the Woods 8 Man is broken. He lives by mending. The grace of God is glue. Eugene O Neill

2 Volume 56, Issue 7 Page 2 Congratulations! College Graduates Erin Fedewa - Master s at Oregon Lauren Fedewa - University of Maryland Eric Wells - Michigan State University Great job! High School Graduates Tessa Cox - Grand Ledge High School JULY Birthdays 1 Lindsey Greiner Missy Bennett 2 Taylor Milnes 6 Richard Kettles 7 Patti Floros 10 Judy Thompson 11 Todd Shonts Jim Dixon 12 Karen Holmes 14 Jan Clark Jerry Armstrong 15 Frieda Harris Jim Seifert 18 Julie Mittan 21 Helen Lyons 24 Harrison Ramsey 25 Ed Evert Pete Helgemo Kristin Seifert 26 Hannah Milnes 27 Cole Bennett 28 Doug Erickson 31 Andy Fritz JULY Anniversaries 8 Jay & Angie Bennett 9 Shane & Julie Mittan 13 Kate & Aaron Yusten 17 Loid & Sandy Hawkins 20 Clarence & Reva Ferguson 22 Larry & Janet Ozanich Sunday Narrative Lectionary Readings July 5: Sunday, Psalm 146, Psalm of Praise July 12: July 19: July 26:

3 Page 3 The Evangel Upcoming Youth Events Pastor Laura Kuntz Vacation Bible School for youth from Calvary, St. Stephen, Friends, and Guests! July 27 th -31 st 5:30-8:15 pm Held at the shelter at Grand Woods Park. For transportation meet at St. Stephen at 5:00 pm. Bus leaves at 5:15 pm and returns at 8:30 pm. If you are able to provide your own transportation please do so we can make sure that kids from the community have a ride to the park. Many volunteers will be needed to help out as well as provide supplies and or donations. Sign up sheets are on a table in the Fellowship Hall. Thank you in advance for your help with this important ministry! What other ways can you support youth ministry in July? PRAY! National Youth Gathering in Detroit: July 15 th - Pray for over 30,000 youth and adult leaders gathering in Detroit July 16 th - Pray for the NWLM Synod as we gather together and share our stories. July 17 th - Pray for our group as we explore and learn July 18 th - Pray for our day of service July 19 th - Pray for the entire gathering as we have our closing worship & return home VBS: Pray for all of the youth, the new faces we will see, and our leaders who are volunteering their time. Before VBS begins visit the Grand Woods Park and take some time to pray where the kids will be spending their time.

4 Page 4 The Evangel The NWLM Synod recently installed a sign near the road to identify their Lansing Administrative offices. We are happy to have them call our church their home! Cumberland School Supplied Needed Margaret Sheffer It's hard to believe, but it's that time of year again when we begin to think of school supplies for September. Cumberland is most in need of large boxes of tissue, hand sanitizer, socks, and composition notebooks (the ones with the black and white marbled covers). There is a box in the Fellowship Hall in which you can place your donations. Thank you for supporting this important ministry at St. Stephen. Kids Hope Mentors Needed Margaret Sheffer, Director We are in need of people who are willing to mentor a student at Cumberland Elementary. If you can't commit to being a mentor full time, we are in need of people willing to substitute when one of the mentors has to be absent. Summer is the perfect time to be trained; training will be held at your convenience. Please consider becoming a mentor and making a difference in the life of a child. You can contact Margaret Sheffer at or sheffer.1283@yahoo.com. Food Bank News Claudia Cameron, Food Bank Volunteer Thanksgiving was the message of Sunday's sermon (6/28/15) and we were asked what we are thankful for. First and foremost I'm thankful for the way God's love shines through my St. Stephen family who have graciously shared many blessings with our food pantry. And, secondly I've some exciting "good news" to share with you. Together with the willingness of VALULAND and "udder" perseverance on my part, we now have a MILK PROGRAM! Clients receive a voucher for a free gallon of milk at VALULAND, payable by the food bank treasury--thanks to you. Yesterday's trial run was a real bell ringer for the seventeen families we served. Everyone was "mooing" with happiness; no more dry cereal! Hannah s House Seeking Part-time Help Hannah's House is seeking a part-time House Manager. Work hours are from 6:00 PM Friday through 6:00 PM Sunday every other weekend. The preferred candidate will be a mature, Christian woman who can act as a mother and mentor to the women who live at Hannah s House. It is imperative that she has a wealth of compassion for vulnerable, pregnant women and small babies, while maintaining a spirit of accountability. She is required to cook one meal during the shift (Rachel Ray not required) and attend to light housekeeping chores not already assigned to the residents. It is preferred she have her own car and insurance with a good driving record. This position is ministerial in nature, not high-paying, so it would be helpful if the candidate is looking to do ministry or mission work. Please send a cover letter and resume to hannahshouselansing@gmail.com, or mail to P.O. Box 14013, Lansing, MI

5 Volume 56, Issue 7 Page 5 Garden Meeting If you have a garden plot, please plan to attend our next garden meeting on Saturday, July 18, at 10:00 am. We will be weeding, turning the compost, and will identify the need for harvest of vegetables as they are ready. As you can see from the photos below, the garden is flourishing!

6 Volume 56, Issue 7 Page 6 DAILY NARRATIVE LECTIONARY READINGS for July Wednesday, Psalm 34, Psalm of Thanksgiving Thursday, Psalm 57, Psalm of Thanksgiving Friday, Psalm 66, Psalm of Thanksgiving Saturday, Psalm 116, Psalm of Thanksgiving Sunday, Psalm 146, Psalm of Praise Monday, Psalm 33, Psalm of Praise Tuesday, Psalm 47, Psalm of Praise Wednesday, Psalm 65, Psalm of Praise Thursday, Psalm 103, Psalm of Praise Friday, Psalm 114, Psalm of Praise Saturday, Psalm 149, Psalm of Praise * Remainder of readings to follow not available at time of publishing. The Narrative Lectionary readings will also be listed in each Sunday s announcements, posted on the St. Stephen website ( and found in the online version of The Evangel.

7 Page 7 The Evangel LAY MINISTER SCHEDULE FOR JULY Council Meeting Tuesday, July 21 7:00 pm St. Stephen Lutheran Church 2900 North Waverly Road, Lansing, MI Phone: Fax: office@ststephenonline.org Website: StStephenOnline.org Traditional Worship: Sundays at 8:30 am Sunday School Class: Sundays at 9:45 am (Sept May) Contemporary Worship: Sundays at 11:00 am Church Office Hours: Monday Friday, 9:00 am 1:00 pm Staff Members Gary A. Bunge, Pastor Laura Kuntz, Children/Youth/Young Adult Pastor Renee Dixon, Office Manager Rebecca Bossenbroek, Director of Worship Council Members Jay Bennett, President Rebecca Bossenbroek, Recording Secretary Brian Yusten, Treasurer Don Sheffer, Facility Development Team Leader Bob Cameron, Financial Development Margie Bauer, Leadership Development Team Leader Cindy Jenks, WELCOME Ministry Development Leanne Roman, NOURISH Ministry Development Sarah Holland, SERVE Ministry Development garybunge@sbcglobal.net PastorLauraK@gmail.com office@ststephenonline.org rebeccabossenbroek@comcast.net jayb118@gmail.com rebeccabossenbroek@comcast.net brianyusten@yahoo.com sheffer.1283@yahoo.com cameronw6216@sbcglobal.net mtpbauer@sbcglobal.net nanajenks@gmail.com andyroman@hotmail.com saraha.holland@gmail.com JULY 5 JULY 12 JULY 29 JULY 26 ALTAR FLOWERS Diane Singletary Community Garden ASSISTING MINISTERS 9:30am Brian Yusten Miriam Bunge (Mike Borta, ) USHERS 9:30am Dave Lyons Kristine Ranger Robert Schelter (Terry Greiner, ) ALTAR CARE (Claudia Cameron, ) COFFEE HOUR Robert & Naida Schelter for the entire month. Sponsored by Faith Care Group (Margie Bauer) for entire month.

8 St. Step hen Lut her an Chur ch 2900 N. Waverly Rd. Lansing, MI Phone: Fax: Website: StStephenOnline.org DATED MATERIAL OR CURRENT OCCUPANT Worship in the Woods There will be a joint morning worship with Calvary Lutheran Church at 10:00 am on Sunday, July 26 at Grand Woods Park. A picnic will follow the service. More details will be announced soon.