Beacon of St. Stephen May 31, 2009 ANNOUNCEMENTS 7800 Erie Street; Sylvania, OH 43560 419-885-1551 e-mail: sslcsecretary@buckeye-express.com website: www.ststephensylvania.org Pr. James W. Wicker Church Office Hours: Monday—Thursday; 9:00 am—1:00 pm 
As we remember the Day of Pentecost, may the same power, love and unity that blessed the first Christians touch us all. We welcome you, and God loves you!
Worship Schedule Our schedule for today is as follows: 8:00am Prayer 8:30am Worship 9:45am Christian Education for Children 11:00am Worship
St. Stephen is an active Christian community seeking to glorify God by serving others. We foster an open and loving environment where people grow closer to Christ and are inspired to share His love with everyone.
Readings for NEXT WEEK, June 7th First Lesson Isaiah 6:1-8 Psalm 29 Second Lesson: Romans 8:12-17 Gospel: John 3:1-17
Our hearts burn with the need and desire to know you, Creator of all. Bless us as we open our souls to you.
LARGE print versions of the service bulletin are available each week. Ask an usher for a copy.
 Children Are Welcome in our worship service, but a staffed nursery is available for your convenience & the worship service broadcasts into the nursery.
Clipboards, Crayons, Pencils and Papers for children are in the sanctuary entrance.
 Volunteers are needed for the infant/toddler nursery. A sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board.
 We would like to call you by name also. Nametags are available on the credenza. Request a replacement by leaving a note in the church office.
Let everyone know who you are!
Music Rehearsals: Enjoy your summer. Scott will advise you of any needed rehearsals.
 Everyone in grades 7-12 is invited to join us the 1st & 3rd Sundays each month at 6:30PM for snacks, study, service, sharing and fun! We will not meet on June 7. Join everyone for the 40th Anniversary Celebration.
 No books to read. No workbook to complete. Absolutely no homework. Attendance at your own schedule. All that is required is a desire to learn and grow in Christian faith. “SURPRISED IN PRAYER”, our adult Sunday School class starts July 12 for an 8 week session. In the meantime, enjoy a Pastor’s Forum on June 14 & 21.
NOTE: Childcare will be available for anyone who wishes to attend the Pastor forums in June and the summer adult education classes.
WEDNESDAY Worship 7:00PM starting June 3 WE ARE OFFERING AN ALTERNATE Worship Service with Communion Join us Wednesday’s when your plans keep you away on Sunday for a fun alternate worship experience.
 Our 40th Anniversay / Building Dedication plans are progressing, and suddenly, next Sunday, June 7th, is our celebration at 4PM. Please join us in celebrating St. Stephen's continued growth & commitment to our community, in sharing of God's love. If you have any past pictures to share, please forward them to Pat Hoehing to be included in our visuals. We are looking forward to a fun time and sharing of fellowship! . . .
Marilyn Scuralli, Council President
People in our Prayers Chuck Estes Dorothy Estes Carol Morgan The family of Carol Winkler, Tracy LaBo’s mother Cards and Prayers are welcomed.
Attention all men of St. Stephen! We are taking a summer break. Look for another great study in the fall.
 Recycle to benefit Ronald McDonald house. Put pull tabs from drinks & soups in an envelope and leave it on the bulletin board.
 ProMedica Hospice needs fabric scraps and pieces and Fiber-fil to make small comfort pillows for their patients. If anyone in the congregation has some fabric they can part with please leave in a bag at church marked "Hospice" and Nancy Pfau will collect. Thank you for assisting ProMedica Hospice with this project.
 2009 Graduation We will be honoring our graduates at the June 7th services. Please let the office know by if you have any names, so that we may include them in the bulletin.
Vacation Bible School 
Camp E.D.G.E. Experience & Discover God Everywhere When: June 15-June 19 Time: 9:00AM to Noon Who: Children ages 3 through 5th grade (Older children welcome to help) Where: Sylvania First United Methodist Church 7000 Erie Street, Sylvania, OH 43560 This year we again are jointly sponsoring VBS with Sylvania United Church of Christ & Sylvania First United Methodist Church. Please register as soon as possible by picking up a form at the church office or online at www.ststephensylvania.org to download a form. If you need help with transportation for your child, please indicate it on the registration form or call Libby Boldt—contact info below. Volunteer opportunities abound. We need teachers for the pre-school group. For any questions or to help (1 or all 5 days ), call Libby Boldt: 419-882-4809/email: lboldt@bex.net
TRADING GRACES – an eBay project designed for a win/win situation. You donate your items that are too good for a garage sale to Lutheran Social Services. In return we issue you an appropriate letter to be used in your taxes. We realize the total profits when these items are sold thru the Charitable Division of eBay called Trading Graces. For pick up and other details, contact Dr. Rev Mark Hill, 419-243-9178, or tradinggraces@lssnwo.org
 You Are Welcome to use the coffee maker for meetings, activities and events, but please be sure that it has been turned off and cleaned after each use.
E-Mails Call the church office, 419-885-1551, with any e-mail address changes or send it to: sslcsecretary@buckeye-express.com and Susan will update our list so we can keep in touch with you.
2nd & 3rd Quarter 2009 Word In Season are available. If you would like it for yourself, or a friend, see an usher.
Look for the Latest issue of our Newsletter,The Vision of St. Stephen,in the information rack above the usher’s table or visit our website: www.ststephensylvania.org.
Check the Bulletin Board for opportunities to help clean the building in preparation for the June 7th dedication and 40th anniversary celebration. You may also contact Betty Lock.
Tentative Cleaning schedule for church: June 1-June 3-June 4 - 9AM to ?? as members are available. June 6: any last minute touch up for Sunday's worship and supper. June 1 - windows cleaned June 2,3,5 - carpets cleaned
Church Beautification Project Everyone is invited to participate in beautifying the church grounds by purchasing and planting flowers. You may plant the flowers as your schedule allows. Diagrams of areas available are on the bulletin board and front doorway. Any questions can be directed to Richard Cutler.
PRAYER For any special prayer needs you have, you may e-mail the church at sslcsecretary@buckeye-express.com, fill out a prayer card, call or leave a message on the church answering machine, 419-885-1551. For any crisis situations, when you want the entire congregation to join in prayer, you may contact Marilyn Martin at 419-865-3632 to activate the Prayer Chain. For prayer slips and details, see the inside of the blue Friendship Registers, located at each row of chairs.
LSS  May: Canned Meat June: Canned Fruit The need continues to be great. Remember to bring in your items…
 Next NOISY OFFERING
June 7 Our noisy offering from March, April and May was matched by $300 from Thrivent Financial for a total of $824.50, as a way to help St. Paul's Community Center with the purchase of their new commercial stove/ovens. Bring in your coins to help erase World Hunger.
 Toledo's 22nd Annual Interfaith Blood Drive Saturday & Sunday, June 20 & 21 9:30AM - 3:00PM Grace Lutheran Church, 4441 Monroe Street, BLOOD DONORS, VOLUNTEERS, BAKERS There are sheets posted on the bulletin board where you can indicate your desire to help in any or all of these areas.
 Check Your Calendar and then sign up on the Bulletin Board for the times best for you to assist in the various areas of our services. You may call Debbie Lock for Lay Assistant or Acolyte and Cathy Gustafson for Greeters/Ushers. Any slots not signed up for will be assigned as in the past.
REMINDER: If you are unable to serve on your day, please get a replacement and call the church office with the updated information.
Congratulate our confirmands at the 9:45 reception Clara Aldrich Haden Aldrich Jimmy Dietz Thank you to the West Lucas County Branch of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for providing supplemental funds for the reception.
Celebrant: Pr. Jim Wicke Music: Scott Ballard Counter: Ken Marvin
SERVING TODAY:Council: 8:30 Rod Hochstetler 11:00 Bob Rieck Lay Assistant: 8:30 Nancy Pfau 11:00 Bill Markin Acolyte: 8:30 Tim Estes 11:00 McKenzie Tressler Altar Preparation: 8:30 Linda McDonough 11:00 Ruth Moeller Greeters: 8:30 P&R Pearson 11:00 L&L Golba Ushers: 8:30 P&R Pearson 11:00 S&K Marvin
SERVING NEXT WEEK:Council: 8:30 Carol Taylor 11:00 John Lock Lay Assistant: 8:30 Nancy Pfau 11:00 Adrian Soli Acolyte: 8:30 Julia Dietz 11:00 Austin Mercer Altar Preparation: 8:30 P&R Pearson 11:00 R&J Liaros Greeters: 8:30 C&S Murphy 11:00 P&R Cutler Ushers: 8:30 C&S Murphy 11:00 N&B Rieck
June Counter: Tom Pfau
Usher/Greeter Volunteers needed for 7:00PM Wednesday Services
Song Leaders: Cathy Gustafson, Marilyn Scuralli, Kathy Ziegler, Sally Goetz
Sunday: PENTECOST 8:00am Prayer 8:30am Worship Service 9:45am Christian Education for Children 9:45am Reception for Confirmands 11:00am Worship Service Monday: 9:30am Staff Meeting Tuesday: 10:00 am Employment Resource Center Wednesday: 7:00 pm Wednesday Worship Sunday: TRINITY SUNDAY 8:00am Prayer 8:30am Worship Service & Receive New Members 9:45am Christian Education for Children 9:45am Reception for New Members 11:00am Worship Service & Receive New Members 4:00pm Dedication Service & 40th Anniversary Celebration
General Fund : Monthly Operating Expenses Building Fund : designated for future "Building Growth" Futures Needs Fund for designating offerings for future needs of the church, ex: Tables, Chairs, etc.
 Have you considered participating in our Simply Giving program here at St. Stephen? It is designed to help you conveniently, consistently and joyfully give financial gifts to our congregation’s ministry. By participating in the program, you can use electronic funds transfer to give your weekly, semi-monthly or monthly offering. Enrollment is simple. I will be happy to help.Sally; Sally Goetz, Program Coordinator ; slg1935@bex.net
GIFTS (Last Week) General: $1877.00 Future Needs: $0.00Building Fund: $155.00 Other Designated Giving: $844.50Designate the fund you are donating to on both the outside of envelope & memo area of check.
2009 Altar Flower Calendar has available dates for Memorials, Remembrances, or Celebrations.
More Information & Opportunities on the Bulletin Board
Council Liaisons Christian Education: Rod Hochstetler Evangelism: Beth Thomsen Finance: Carol Taylor Prayer: Shawn Murphy Property: John Lock Social Outreach: Nancy Kubiak Stewardship: Bob Rieck Staff Support/Worship & Music: Marilyn Scuralli Youth & Family: Pr. Jim
| 
