Dear Fellow Congregants of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church: As you may recall, last Sunday, Bishop Curry issued a statement about the situation surrounding I.C.E. and the shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis, which Pastor Joe read right before services. You may also know that St. Stephens recently formed a Social Advocacy Committee. What you may not know is that there has been some recent I.C.E. activity right here in Woodbury and the surrounding area. Also, a local group, Coo

A reflection on Isaiah 7:10-16 Tis the season, really tis, the season, that we are now rushing around doing the last bits of holiday planning. If you’re like me, you’re woefully woefully behind. I always am. By this point, I should just start in August because by the time I think about all I need to do and certainly want to do, it’s really too late. But here we are. We often think, in the lead up to Christmas, that we can plan for every eventuality, prepare the perfect holida

It all started with a tweet. On March 16, 2020, The user @ikaveri posted a picture from Venice, saying, “Here’s an unexpected side effect of the pandemic: the water’s flowing through the canals of Venice is clear for the first time in forever. The fish are visible the swans returned.” The problem: The photo and its sentiment were fake. The upside: a new même was born! At first, people sympathetic to the original poster (OP) started posting other sorta-made-up photos, one o

Some words need no definition to understand their meaning. “Repentance” is not one of those words. Let’s talk about what repentance is not. It’s not beating yourself up with guilt. It’s deprivation or negative self-talk. It’s not a public declaration that you are a lowly worm, unworthy of the dirt you crawl in. It’s not a simple, “Sorry,” and carrying on with your day, either. Repentance, or metanoia , in Greek means a total change of mind. A course correction. A change of di

There’s always something, isn’t there? Whether one is busy shopping for Christmas or recently chipped a tooth, the to-do list of life is endless and exhausting. When we wake up, there is always something new to grab our attention. Thousands of emails. Notifications from an application that you needed to download to order a sandwich. Friendly reminders for a community event. The kids need a ride to practice. Oh, and the SUV is making that weird groaning noise again. Our attent

If you’ve ever been to a doctor’s office or taken the bus, you know what it’s like to wait. God promises us a future where all heaven and earth are healed: where death, hunger, and suffering are no more. Yet, we know that the world hasn’t gotten there yet. This Advent, we ask the question, “What are you waiting for?” What in your life needs fixing? Where do you look for restoration and healing? What is it that might move you to action for the sake of God’s kingdom? Each week,

Mark your calendars! St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church is excited to host our third annual 55+ Health Fair on Saturday, October 18, from...

Sunday, September 7, 2025, marked the first Sunday in the Season of Creation, Rally Day, and our September Sunday Social! It was a time...

We’re turning a new page...literally! Our very first St. Stephen’s Page Turners Book Club meeting is right around the corner, and we...

On Saturday, July 19, 2025, our church family came together for an afternoon of fellowship, food, and generosity at our Back to School...

As June unfolds and we celebrate Pride Month, St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church reaffirms its commitment to being an LGBTQIA+ ally, rooted in the radical love and inclusivity of God.

Are you ready to kick off an exciting year of fun, faith, and fellowship? We are thrilled to invite all kids ages 12-18, along with their...

Lent is nearly here, and with it, an opportunity for reflection and service. As we prepare to enter this sacred season, we want to invite...

With debates raging in the news, I wanted to take the time to reach out and reiterate this church’s support for two groups of people who...

Celebrate the Joy of Christmas at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church As the season of Advent draws near and the spirit of Christmas fills the air, we at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church invite you to join us in celebrating the birth of our Savior. This time of year offers us a wonderful opportunity to come together in worship, reflect on the gift of Jesus Christ, and embrace the joy and hope that the Christmas season brings. Advent Services: Sundays at 9:30AM At St. Stephen's, we che

Saturday, December 6 2PM - 4PM This holiday season, St. Stephen’s is spreading the festive cheer with our fourth annual Christmas fundraiser. We're inviting families, friends, and neighbors to join us for a day of fun, laughter, and community spirit for a cause. Angel Tree gifts for local families FREE Photos with Santa! Santa is making a special stop at St. Stephen’s, and he’s ready to pose for photos with YOU! Bring the whole family and snap some magical moments with Santa,

Dear Friends in Christ, Yesterday, our nation came together to choose its course for the next four years. I’d imagine some of you are...

On October 26, 2024, St. Stephen’s hosted a community forum on Waging Peace, in partnership with LEAM-NJ and the NJ Synod Prison...

This blog is part of a series on our Fall study topic: Waging Peace. On Sunday mornings and in a special event on October 26, St....

On October 5th, St. Stephen’s hosted a Senior Health Fair, welcoming adults aged 55 and older to a day dedicated to enhancing well-being...