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Sunday, April 1: Easter Sunday
Communion
Sunrise Service 7:00 am
Celebration Service
8:30 am
Sunday School 9:40 am
Traditional Worship
11:00 am
Sunday, April 8: Second Sunday of Easter
Special VCI Services
Celebration Service 8:30 am
Sunday School
9:40 am
Traditional Worship 11:00 am
Listen to sermons at: http://www.stsumc.org/listen/
The Evangel
OUR MISSION is to make disciples
of Jesus Christ for the transformation
of the world!
Hello friends, You’ll probably receive this note sometime during Holy Week, when we remember the hardest, ugliest, and darkest story of our faith…and follow that up with the brightest, most beautiful and wonderful thing that has ever happened. It is a lot to process! But it is such a wonderful time of year.
As I mentioned in worship on Sunday, Easter is the reason that anybody shows up to our church building at all. If not for the story of what God has done for us, of the love we get to experience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there would be no reason for our church to fill the sanctuary each Sunday. And the story of the resurrection is one that calls us to do everything we can to spread the love and Good News of Jesus Christ to everyone we can!
I realize I talk and write about this a lot these days, but I honestly believe that our work in the Vibrant Church Initiative (VCI) is one of the ways that we can be resurrection people. Any time people work to listen for God’s guidance and direction and do new things to share the Gospel, that’s something worth celebrating!
In that spirit, I wanted to make sure you were aware of two exciting things coming up in April that are VCI related. The Sunday after Easter (April 8), we will welcome Dr. Jim Bankston to preach a sermon titled Reaching Out. Our entire worship experience will be centered around breaking our hearts open to the people in our community who do not have a church home. Dr. Bankston is a fantastic preacher; he served for many years as the senior pastor at St. Paul’s UMC in Houston, and is the teacher for a year long preaching course that I am currently taking through SMU. I am so excited that he’ll be sharing with us!
The second event is a workshop on April 15 that is designed to help us with the visioning process. We will have a simple lunch and workshop following the late service on April 15. In this three-hour workshop, a consultant will help us to discern how we can best understand and articulate God’s call for our church: our unique values and mission as St. Stephen’s. I encourage everyone to stay! To help us make sure we have enough food, you’re invited to register at http://bit.ly/StSVisionLunch, or by calling the church office.
This is such an exciting time at St. Stephen’s. As many of you know, I am currently teaching our confirmation class. If spending time with youth who are excited to learn about Jesus and what their faith can mean for their lives doesn’t get you excited about the future, I’m not sure what can. I’m so grateful to be celebrating the resurrected King with each and every one of you, and to be doing future-looking work to ensure that St. Stephen’s is in the business of making disciples of Jesus Christ for generations to come. Happy Easter! Christ is risen! Paz, Nathan
A Message from the Pastor
March 30, 2018
Volume 23, No. 7
Nathan wants to meet you!
Give us a call at the office or set up an appointment for yourself at https://calendly.com/revnayte
THE EVANGEL Vol. 23 Issue 7, March 30, 2018 (USPS 019-947) is published bi-weekly free of charge to subscribers by St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, 2003 West 43rd St., Houston, TX 77018-3009. Periodicals postage paid at Houston, TX. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, 2003 West 43rd St., Houston, TX 77018-3009.
Evangel Deadlines
2 Attendance and Contributions at St. Stephen’s:
Publication Date News Deadline April13 Noon, Monday, April 9 April 27 Noon, Monday, April 23 Send articles to [email protected].
8:30 am 11:00 am Sunday School Operating Building Maintenance Missions/ Communion
Other
March 11 42 112 93 $17,583.00 — — $1,188.83
March 18 55 122 107 $9,829.00 $570.00 $55.00 $1,160.07
Mil estones
Welcome to Our New Family Ministries Director!
We have great news to share. As many of you know, we have been searching for several months for a Family Ministries Director for our church. We received several strong applications, but had not yet found the perfect person for the role. Well, our search is over! Last week, an interview team met with finalists for the job, and we decided to hire Steven Fisher as our new full-time Family Ministries Director. Steven is a longtime church member who has been an invaluable volunteer in recent years.
A Family Ministries Director is someone whose job is to ensure excellence in ministry, communication and discipleship for families with school-aged children. The difference between a Family Ministries Director and a more traditional Youth and Children’s Ministry Coordinator is that a Family Ministries Director is more explicitly focused on discipleship and support for entire families, rather than the maintenance of programs. We feel that Steven’s gifts, communication skills and strong passion for Jesus will be a natural fit for this sort of ministry.
I hope you’ll join us in welcoming Steven to our staff—he’ll officially start May 1.
Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe & Tom Leffler on behalf of the St. Stephen’s Staff-Parish Relations Committee
Holy Week Services at St. Stephen’s
Notes from th e Music and W orsh ip Pastor
March 29: Maundy Thursday Worship and Communion at 7:00 p.m. focusing on the Last Supper
March 30: Good Friday Journey to the cross and the tomb through a music-filled Tenebrae service at 7:00 p.m.
Every year during Holy Week, as we journey with Christ to the cross, it seems that we each face our own challenges, or perhaps we become more aware of them. This year, starting off the week with losing my voice is a challenge indeed! I’m putting myself on vocal rest until Thursday, so if I’m not as talkative as usual, please don’t be offended!
This year, we have some very moving and meaningful services planned at 7:00 p.m. on both Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Celebrate Christ’s final meal in the upstairs room on Maundy Thursday with a service of Holy Communion. Then on Good Friday, we will follow Christ from the betrayal of his disciple, Judas, in the garden, through the crucifixion, to his death and burial. Both of these services will focus on our scriptures, and utilize music to help us reflect and open ourselves to the loving acts of our Savior.
Easter Sunday we have a full schedule of services beginning at sunrise on the front steps of the sanctuary at 7:00 a.m., followed by our regularly scheduled worship services. Each service will be filled with joyful songs of our faith and include special music from our choirs, bell choir, band and organist!
Let’s hold each other in prayer through this Holy Week, as we face our own failings and shortcomings in the light of the cross. May God help us all to see again the love and grace we have been given, and help us to receive that love and grace with open hearts. We know the end of the story, as we walk through Holy Week, but it is so important to walk through the valley of despair between the days between celebrations of Palm Sunday and Easter. Let’s remember the cross, and live into the hope of the resurrection of our Lord!
April 1: Easter Sunday Sunrise Service at 7:00 a.m. Praise Celebration Service at 8:30 a.m. Sunday School at 9:40 a.m. Traditional Worship at 11:00 a.m.
A Continental breakfast will be served between all services. You are welcome to bring a flower from your garden for the Flowering of the Cross.
St . S tephen’s UMC —Calend ar of Events 3
Friday, March 30: Good Friday HISD Holiday Church Office Open Until Noon 6:00 am—Men’s Prayer Breakfast (Denny’s @ 34th & Hwy 290) 5:30 pm—Handbell Choir Practice (Room 101) 7:00 pm—Good Friday Tenebrae Service (Sanctuary)
Saturday, March 31: 7:00 am—Garden Angels Dirt Diggers Workday (Work on church flowerbeds.) 8:00 pm—Narcotics Anonymous Support Group (Scout House)
Sunday, April 1: Easter Sunday Communion 7:00 am—Easter Sunrise Service (Outside on front sanctuary steps) 8:30 am—Celebration Service (Sanctuary) 9:40am—Sunday School for Children, Youth and Adults (Education Bldg) 11:00 am—Traditional Worship (Sanctuary) (Continental breakfast served between all services.)
Monday, April 2: Church Office Closed in Observance of Easter Monday 10:00 am—Senior Adult Council Meeting (Room 201) 12:00 pm—Narcotics Anonymous Support Group (Scout House) 7:00 pm—Heights Young Life Meeting (Fellowship Hall) 7:00 pm—Boy Scouts Troop 604 Meeting (Scout House) 8:00 pm—Narcotics Anonymous Support Group (Room 209)
Tuesday, April 3: 9:00 am—Johnson Memorial School Classes (Education Building) 9:30 am—Line Dancing Class (Fellowship Hall) 9:30 am—Ladies’ Bible Study (Room 201) 12:30 pm—Office/Program Staff Meeting (Room 112) 1:00 pm—Johnson School Dance Class (Room 101) 1:00 pm—Johnson School Yoga Class (Room 106) 6:30 pm—GriefShare Grief Support Group Meeting (Room 201) 7:30 pm—Sea Scouts Meeting (Scout House)
Wednesday, April 4: 6:00 am—Men’s Bible Study (Fellowship Hall) 9:00 am—Johnson Memorial School Classes (Education Building) 9:30 am—Senior Activities Day Games & Luncheon (Fellowship Hall) 9:30 am—Song Play (Room 101) 12:00 pm—Narcotics Anonymous Support Group (Scout House) 1:00 pm—Johnson School Stay-N-Play (Fellowship Hall & Library) 1:00 pm—Senior Games Afternoon Session (Fellowship Hall) 2:30 pm—Pastor’s Bible Study (Room 101) 6:00 pm—Girl Scouts Juniors Meeting (Room 113)
Thursday, April 5: 9:00 am—Johnson Memorial School Classes (Education Building) 10:00 am—Prayer Shawl Ministry Meeting (Room 112) 1:00 pm—Johnson School Gymnastics (Fellowship Hall) 6:00 pm—Girl Scouts Daisies Meeting (Room 108) 6:00pm—Johnson School Spring Showcase (Fellowship Hall) 6:15 pm—Handbell Choir Practice (Room 101) 7:30 pm—Chancel Choir Practice (Choir Room) 8:00 pm—Narcotics Anonymous Support Group (Room 209)
Friday, April 6: 6:00 am—Men’s Prayer Breakfast (Denny’s @ 34th & 290) 6:00 pm—Mingle/Fraughton Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Saturday, April 7: Scout Round-Up 11:30 am—Red Hats Luncheon (Simo’s Diner, 5004 N Shepherd) 5:00 pm—Mingle/Fraughton Wedding (Sanctuary) 6:00 pm—Scout Round-Up (Scout House) 8:00 pm—Narcotics Anonymous Support Group (Scout House)
Sunday, April 8: Second Sunday of Easter Special Vibrant Church Initiative Services 7:30 am—Sonrise Choir Practice (Sanctuary) 8:30 am—Celebration Service (Sanctuary) 9:40 am—Sunday School for Children, Youth and Adults (Education Bldg) 9:45 am—Confirmation Class (Youth Sunday School Room) 11:00 am—Traditional Worship (Sanctuary) 12:00 pm—United Methodist Women Meeting (Fellowship Hall) 12:15 pm—Radical Hospitality Ministry Team Meeting (Room 112) 1:00 pm—Disciple III Bible Study (Room 201)
Monday, April 9: 9:45 am—HAPS Exercise Group (Room 101) 10:00 am—The Gathering Place (Fellowship Hall) 12:00 pm—Deadline to turn in articles for April 13 Evangel (Send to [email protected] or call the church office.) 12:00 pm—Narcotics Anonymous Support Group (Scout House) 6:30 pm—Delta Kappa Gamma Meeting (Church Library) 7:00 pm—Heights Young Life Meeting (Fellowship Hall) 7:00 pm—Boy Scouts Troop 604 Meeting (Scout House) 8:00 pm—Narcotics Anonymous Support Group (Room 209)
Tuesday, April 10: 9:00 am—Johnson Memorial School Classes (Education Building) 9:30 am—Line Dancing Class (Fellowship Hall) 12:30 pm—Office/Program Staff Meeting (Room 112) 1:00 pm—Johnson School Dance Class (Room 101) 1:00 pm—Johnson School Yoga Class (Room 106) 6:30 pm—GriefShare Grief Support Meeting (Room 201) 7:00 pm—Finance Committee Meeting (Room 101) 7:30 pm—Sea Scouts Meeting (Scout House)
Wednesday, April 11: Messy Easter Church 6:30 am—Men’s Bible Study (Room 112) 9:00 am—Johnson Memorial School Classes (Education Building) 9:30 am—Senior Games (Room 112/Bring a sack lunch.) 9:30 am—Song Play (Room 101) 10:00 am—Homebound Visitation (Choir Room) 12:00 pm—Narcotics Anonymous Support Group (Scout House) 1:00 pm—Johnson School Stay-N-Play (Fellowship Hall & Library) 1:00 pm—Senior Games Afternoon Session (Room 112) 2:30 pm—Pastor’s Bible Study (Room 101) 5:00 pm—Messy Church (Fellowship Hall) 6:00 pm—Girl Scouts Juniors Meeting (Room 113) 7:00 pm—Education Ministry Team Meeting (Room 112)
Thursday, April 12: 9:00 am—Johnson Memorial School Classes (Education Building) 11:00 am—VIPs Luncheon (Fellowship Hall) 1:00 pm—Johnson School Gymnastics (Fellowship Hall) 5:00 pm—VBS Meeting (Room 101) 6:15 pm—Handbell Choir Practice (Room 101) 7:30 pm—Chancel Choir Practice 8:00 pm—Narcotics Anonymous Support Group (Room 209)
Friday, April 13: 6:00 am—Men’s Prayer Breakfast (Denny’s @ 34th & 290)
Church Office Holy Week Schedule
The church office will be open from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Good Friday, March 30. The office will be closed on April 2 in observance of Easter Monday.
In Ou r Prayers
In the Mil itary Allen Troth
Prayer C oncerns
4
In the Hospital
Legend Oaks Willowbrook—Barbara Johnson (rehab)
Mission and Volunteer Opportunities
Communion Offering for April
Our Communion offering throughout the month of April will help fund a UM ARMY Mixed Age Youth Camp this summer, open to youth in the sixth through twelfth grades. UM ARMY (United Methodist Action Reach-Out Mission by Youth) is a week-long work camp that involves working on individuals’ homes, including yard work, painting, carpentry and other simple home repairs. Your prayers and generous contributions help make it possible for our youth and adults to participate in this ministry and show God’s love through action.
Hope Mission Group News
Members of the Hope Mission Group visited Wesley Community Center during their monthly meeting on March 21. They played bingo with the seniors, enjoyed a bowl of gumbo for lunch and had a tour of the center. In a Facebook post the following day, Wesley Center shared that they thoroughly enjoyed their visit from the lovely ladies of St. Stephen’s!
This year, Wesley Community Center will be the recipient of our Communion offering in May.
The Hope Mission Group meets each month on the third Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in Room 112. Women of all ages are welcome!
Volunteer for Vacation Bible School!
Our AMPED VBS needs volunteers to make this ministry a successful outreach to the children and families of our community! We already have over 75 children registered, and with almost 3 months left till VBS week, we are especially in need of teachers and helpers for the preschool classes. This year, volunteer registration is available online at www.stsumc.org/summercamps/ For more information, or for help registering online, please email [email protected].
VBS training will be held on Sunday, May 20, at 5:00 p.m. The nursery will be available during the training for volunteers with young children, and will also be available during VBS for volunteers with children under age 3 (and 3 yr-olds who are not yet fully potty-trained).
Ed & Claytie Abrahams, John & Dorothy Artz, Chappie Ashburn, Ruth Austin, Ray & Carolyn Belk, Anita Bishop and daughters, Sandy Bonnin, Kathy Bruns, Phyllis Briggs, Nancy Buck, Effygene Bull, David Burnette, Patrick Burns, Jr., John Butler, Sr., Chappie Collins, Earl & Gloria Collins, Katreena Collins, Marilyn Compton, Shereka Curtis, Elizabeth Dennard, Kelly Dickinson, Tana Dionne, Charlotte Dorton, Gerald Dupree, Jennifer Dylan, Allen Ebelt, Cameron Elliott, the Emerson family, Earl & Irene Fallen, Jon Fallen, Jackie Finch, Gene Freeman, Penny Gadmer, Bill and Mildred Gandin, Louise Glaze, Betty Gleason, Laura Green, Elsie Haley, John Harlow, Dorothy Haschke, Kathy and Steve Heath, Ryan Hegesfeld, Susan Henderson, Elizabeth Hickerson, Edison Hicks, Ann Hill, Dorrie Jackson, Cathy Johnson, Thelma Jones, Dennis Killian, Doris King, Lee Kruse, Walter Kunz, Betty Lane, Angus & Virginia Lewis, Lavon Mahon, Bonnie Maple, Marsha Massey, Michelle Maurizi, Frances Mayberry, Will Mayer, Janet McGowan, Henry and Sara McKinley, Ed Mills, Andy Nguyen, Fred Orrell, Stacey Osceola, John Parent, Gary & Dian Parker, Jody Parker, Jean Parks, Doris Parr, Gloria Powell, Ky and Anna Ruth Putnam, Milton & Noni Ray, Caroline Reaves, Betty Roberts, Rogers & Jane Roberts, Gail Roth, Kathleen Saathoff, Aaron Self, Stephanie Skinner, Donna Schmidt, Barbara Smith, Lura Smith, Toni Smith, Billy Stephens, Jen Stoker, Carol Stone, Ruth Stone, Hazel Swearingen & family, Danny Thomason, Hazel Thompson, Pamela Thompson, Pete Trevino, Marisha Turner, Rosalie Turner, Ronnie Vance, Carmen S. Velez, Bitsy Vilven, Martha Wachel, Geary Ward, Virginia Wells, Gwen West, Marianne West, Margaret White (hospice), Paul Wieting, the Wilson family, Gracie Winkel, George Wood, Gay Woods, Julia Woodhull, Barbara Wright, Carol Yip Choy
THE PRAYER CONNECTION is a ministry that is at the heart of the church - caring for each other in sorrow and in joy. Please help us minister and reach out to you and our faith community more effectively. Please let us know when and how God answers.
5 Child ren, You th and F amil y News
Photo Gallery
It’s Time to Register for Summer Camps!
Lakeview Summer Camp (open to students in 3rd grade and higher) - June 10-15 UM ARMY Mixed Age (open to students currently in 6th-12th grade) - June 24-30 Fine Arts Camp (open to students entering Kindergarten through sixth grade) - July 8-12
Register for camps online by visiting www.stsumc.org/summercamps/
Scout Round Up
Boy Scouts Troop 604 is excited about the completion of improvements to the Scout House, and are inviting everyone to a Scout Round Up on Saturday, April 7, from 6:00-8:30 p.m. This evening of fun, fellowship, entertainment and great barbeque will include awards, prizes, stories and a series of auctions. Proceeds will help send Boy Scouts to summer camp. Tickets are $20 each and seating is limited. The Troop is asking that tickets be purchased in advance so they will know how much food to prepare. Tickets can be ordered and paid for electronically through Zelle by emailing [email protected]. You can also purchase tickets by calling Ed Sherwood, Scoutmaster, at 832-677-5129, or by contacting an active member of Troop 604.
Messy Church
Join us for Messy Easter Church on Wednesday, April 11, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. We’ll begin with dinner and fellowship, then have some messy fun with cool activities and crafts, ending with a short worship service. Messy Church is for all ages, so bring the family! Invite your neighbors to come, too.
Confirmation Class Easter Egg Hunt at Oak Forest Park
Children and youth of all ages participated in the triumphal procession at the beginning of services on Palm Sunday, March 25!
See lots more photos on our Facebook page: facebook.com/ststephenshoustontx
Amped Vacation Bible School!
We’re AMPED for VBS! Registration is now open. Children age 3 through those entering the 5th grade next school year are welcome to attend our “AMPED” Vacation Bible School, June 18-22, where kids learn that God wants us to live our lives FULLY ALIVE because we can believe that what He says is TRUE! Register for VBS online at www.stsumc.org/summercamps/ If you have questions, please email [email protected].
2003 West 43rd Street Houston, Texas 77018 Phone: (713) 686-8241 Fax: (713) 686-8427 www.stsumc.org
Visit us on Facebook: facebook.com/ststephenshoustontx St. Stephen’s United Methodist Women Young Energetic Adults
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
PERIODICA L
PAID
HOUSTON, TX
Andrea Muţ Organist Candice Croker Director, Johnson Memorial School [email protected]
Melissa Soto Nursery Coordinator
Ariel Burton, Anita Cabrera, Brittany Hietpas, Adriana Montes, Rachel Montes — Nursery Staff
Rev. Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe Senior Pastor [email protected]
Mary Jessie Accounting Manager [email protected]
Mary Ellen King Executive Secretary [email protected]
Administrative Staff
Program Staff
Rev. Lindsay Smith Pastor of Music and Worship [email protected]
Cru isin’ for Ch rist 2018 Winners!
Here are the winners in our 2018 Cruisin’ for Christ Car Show held on March 17:
Kids’ Choice: 1st Place - 1971 Volkswagen Super Beetle Owner - Alisha Gaitan 2nd Place - 1929 Ford Coupe Model A Owner - Gerald Longoria 3rd Place - 1957 Ford Thunderbird Owner - Greg Rich
Sponsors’ Choice: 1st Place - 1917 Ford Model T Owner - John Thompson 2nd Place - 1965 Shelby AC Cobra Owner - Jeff McConnell 3rd Place - 1966 Ford Custom Owner - Gregory Hall
Pastor’s Choice: 1st Place - 1965 Ford Thunderbird Owner - Ken Moore 2nd Place - 1973 MG B Owner - Dwight Dawson 3rd Place - 1985 Chevy Corvette Owner - Roger Cudd
Money Bag: 1st Place - 1940 Packard Club Sedan Owner - Richard Williams 2nd Place - 2004 Ford Thunderbird Owner - John Harlow 3rd Place - 1967 Ford GTFB Mustang Owner - Ruben Benavides See lots more photos of the Car Show and other events at St. Stephens UMC on our Facebook page!
First Place Kids’ Choice First Place Pastor’s Choice
First Place Money Bag
