Current Events

Vacation Bible School - Register now!

VBS is a joint project of Saint Stephen Lutheran Church, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, and Epiphany Lutheran Church.

Monday, July 12 through Friday, July 16, 2010 at St. Stephen Lutheran Church.
Light dinner: 5:30-6:00 p.m. Opening and Activities (children and adults): 6:00-7:45 p.m.

The cost is $10 per participant with a $25 maximum per family. Scholarships are available!

Children come to a week of creating, connecting, and coming together at Baobab Blast, God’s Great Get-Together. The baobab is a gigantic tree found in Africa that creates its own ecosystem, and is one of the world’s oldest life forms. A baobab tree’s hollowed-out trunk, leaves, foliage, nectar, fruit, and bark provide basic life needs for many different creatures. The baobab tree serves as a meeting place for people to gather, discuss, and share stories. Under the baobab tree, children will meet Faye the Zebra, Amy the Red Colobus Monkey, Bud the Elephant, Sam the Meerkat, and Jonathan the Giraffe as they are introduced to the stories of Abraham, Joseph, Jesus calling the disciples, the good Samaritan, and Philip and the Ethiopian. The daily themes of Baobab Blast – trust, love, follow, care, and share – connect to the overarching theme - community. Each evening will include music, story, crafts, science, and games.

Adults VBS also involves you! Our VBS adult class has always been well-attended and provocative. This year's topic is "Surprised by Hope". For years Christians have been asking, "If you died tonight, where would you go?" "And what exactly is heaven?"

But what about the life we are now living? Isn't there more to life than just living for the hereafter?

During Vacation Bible School 2010, the adult class will join leading biblical scholar N.T. Wright in his beautifully-made video series, Surprised by Hope - Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church. This new series, released earlier this year, is based on Wright's book Surprised by Hope. During our Bible School week, we will see that what Christians believe about life after death directly affects what we believe about life before death. Christians are people who anticipate the eventual renewal of the whole earth by working for God's kingdom in the wider world now, bringing healing and hope in the present life.

Over the five nights of VBS, Wright will guide us as we consider the following topics:

Hope for the World
The Hope of the Resurrection
The Hope of Heaven
The Hope of Jesus' Second Coming
The Hope of Salvation

Wright is one of the world's top biblical scholars, a prolific author, and presently Bishop of Durham in the Church of England. His excellent video programs have encouraged great discussion in adult VBS in past years. We hope you will be able to join us this year!

Registration: Right-Click here to open and print the registration form or pick one up in the church narthex. Registrations will be taken at the door on the first night of VBS, but it does help us to plan more appropriately if you sign up in advance. Please give registration forms to Mary Ann Summer, Saint Stephen VBS coordinator, or to Pastor Anne.

Rides are available to VBS – if you or your child need a ride, please check this box on your registration form. Another thing: friends are always welcome at VBS!

Fall Holiday Bazaar

The date for the “now annual” holiday bazaar has been set for November 20, which is the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Please mark your calendars. We have a big goal: to raise $4,000 to support the St. Stephen Mission Plan, so it is not too early to start thinking about this … and setting aside those books and gift items to sell!

Sign up for Coffee Hour!

If you take a look at the Coffee Hour chart, you will see many blank spaces. If you don’t want to host, you could contribute cookies or pastries to help make this fellowship after the 10:00 a.m. service happen. Reimbursement is available to assist with costs. Please sign up on the coffee hour chart on the bulletin board, or speak with Adella or Robin.

Other Events Around the Area

Silver Spring Interfaith Housing Coalition Spring Festival “to help end homelessness one family at a time”
Sunday, June 6, 2010 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. (rain or shine) - Free
St. Luke Lutheran Church 9100 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD
Great fun for everyone! Silent Auction Raffle DJ Moon Bounce Crafts Bake Sale

For Youth and Young Adults The Vocation and Education Unit of the ELCA invites youth and young adults to check out information on programs for servant events, social ministry, hunger and justice education, alternative spring break opportunities, and high adventure in the outdoors. These experiences can encourage lifelong learning, enthusiasm and commitment to service, ongoing faith development, self-confidence, and a stronger sense of community among participants. Check out www.elca.org/camps/journeys.

"Chi Rho": Synod servant event It is held in July and the group travels to Neon, Kentucky, to do a variety of projects in that community. Quite a while back, the Pastor's sons attended Chi Rho - it is hard work, but a wonderful way to give back to others. Contact the office at office@sselca.org for registration information.

"Build": Synod servant event "BUILD", a servant event planned by our Synod to Neon, KY, this summer - especially designed for college, grad students, and young adults to age 27. The event will be held this coming June - a great way to serve in a place with many needs.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”

Luke 10:27