Sunday, January 7: Epiphany Sunday

Communion Sunday

Celebration Service 8:30 am

Sunday School 9:40 am

Traditional Worship 11:00 am

Sunday, January 14: Second Sunday after the Epiphany

Food Pantry Sunday

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 know God and make God known!

Happy Christmastide, friends! In these closing days of the Christmas season (it ends on January 6th, Epiphany, when the church historically remembers the arrival of the Magi to meet the baby Jesus), I am full of joy and excitement for what 2018 brings for our church. We’ll be doing some new things, restarting some things that took a Christmas break, and continuing to do many of the wonderful things that make us who we are! There’s so much going on, in fact, that I’m going to mostly list upcoming opportunities with the rest of this article. If you’d like something more spiritual, from Wednesday through Saturday, I’ll be posting the readings we shared in our Lessons and Carols service on Dec. 31st on my blog, revnayte.com, one per day. I had a few people ask about them, and thought that was a good place to share them. Okay, on to what’s coming up:

This Sunday (Jan. 7), we will return to our normal 8:30 and 11 a.m. worship schedule. We will be exploring the baptism of Jesus as it’s presented in Mark (1:4-11). Because it is first Sunday, we’ll also be celebrating Communion in both worship services.

The following Sunday (Jan. 14), we’ll have a meeting about Confirmation at 2 p.m. in room 101. If you are the parent, guardian, or grandparent of a student who is in 6th grade or older who has not gone through confirmation, this meeting is for you! We’ll be talking about what we want confirmation to look like, what our schedule might be, and what confirmation even means. Feel free to spread the word about this to friends or other folks in our area!

January 14th we’ll also start a worship series called Radically Free, where we walk through the book of Galatians. The series will run through February 4.

Wednesday, January 17 we will resume the pastor’s bible studies. We’ll meet at 2:30 and 6:30 on Wednesdays throughout the spring. I am so excited to resume studying the scriptures with you!

We have big things happening the weekend of January 28, which will be our consultation weekend for the Vibrant Church Initiative (VCI). We’ll have a special guest preacher in both worship services, and following the 11 o’clock service we’ll receive a slate of prescriptions about things we can do to enrich and enhance our ministry for Christ in our neighborhood. We have been prayerfully and faithfully engaging this process for most of the last year, and are so excited about this step! All weekend long, consultants will be doing interviews with leaders, looking at our facility and our history, and learning about our neighborhood to prepare them to bring us these prescriptions. It’s going to be a great Sunday, and one you don’t want to miss!

Like I said, there’s a lot going on in 2018 to be excited about! If you have any questions (or you just want to talk), never hesitate to reach out! I am so glad to be here with each of you in the midst of all of that God is doing with us, through us, and in us here at St. Stephen’s. Paz,

Nathan

A Message from the Pastor

January 5, 2018

Volume 23, No. 1

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 1, January 5, 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 January 19 Noon-Tuesday, January 16 February 2 Noon-Monday, January 29

Send articles to maryellen@stsumc.org or call the church office.

Mil estones

8:30 am 11:00 am Sunday School Operating Building Missions/ Communion

Other Fundraiser

December 10 64 129 107 $8,575.89 $155.00 $245.00 $2,305.15 —

December 17 58 140 103 $9,039.09 $225.00 — $3,286.86 —

December 24 Christmas Eve

December 31

10:30 am 177

4:30 pm 150

7:00 pm 220

10:30 am 175

$10,243.00

$18,328.00

—

$50.00

$30.00

$600.00

$8,103.50

$2,770.24

—

—

Thank You to the Congregation

Thank you for your prayers, cards, phone calls, meals, love, support, kindnesses and encouragement during our time of stress and bereavement. We truly appreciate all of the love

you have shown and hope that your continued prayers will help our family heal due to the loss of our beloved Earl.

Yours truly,

Annie Brew, for the family of Earl Banks, Jr.

We certainly ended 2017 wonderfully at St. Stephen’s! Thank you to all of the children, parents, and grandparents who participated in the adorable musical “Out Standing in Their Field.” You all were truly outstanding, and I am so grateful to work with such committed and talented families.

Another big thank you goes out to our choirs, band, and of course our wonderful accompanist, Andreea. You all have worked so hard to make this Christmas (and All Saint’s before this) the best one yet. The Christmas Eve services were beautifully done by all of you. I am again so thankful to work with each of you, and I am so thankful for your commitment to sharing the gospel through the music of this church each and every week!

You all may have figured out that I am an optimist, so when I look back at 2017, I remember all of the wonderful

things that happened, but I know that it was a difficult year too. Through those difficulties, we were able to be a

blessing to others, and we found God’s blessings ourselves in the midst of it all. I know that 2018 will be a wonderful year filled with

exciting worship opportunities, fellowship and fun. I am so excited for all that the future holds for us at St. Stephens as we continue to

reach out into our community and share God’s love with everyone around us! Lindsay Smith

Notes from th e Music Pastor

In Memory

We extend our prayers and sympathy to Gloria Sackett and Jeanne Peters, and their family, upon the death of their aunt, Dorothy Frazier, on December 23, 2017. Funeral services were held for Dorothy on December 29 at Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home in Houston, Texas. Our sympathy and prayers are also extended to the Hensley family upon the death of Elizabeth Hensley’s father, John Robinson, on December 30, 2017. Funeral services were held for John on January 4, 2018, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Houston.

Congratulations to St. Stephen’s Outstanding Young and Mature Adults of 2017! The recipients of these awards were announced at the Ministry Celebration Luncheon on Sunday, December 17.

Justin St. Lawrence Ken and Peggy Aldredge

Welcome, Little One!

Congratulations to Milton and Noni Ray upon the arrival of their great-granddaughter, Madison Rae Duckett, on December 24, 2017! Madison’s proud parents are Cameron and Chelsea Duckett.

Outstanding Young and Mature Adults of the Year

St . S tephen’s UMC —Calend ar of Events

Saturday, January 13: 8:00 pm—Narcotics Anonymous Support Group (Scout House)

Sunday, January 14: First Sunday after the Epiphany Food Pantry Sunday 7:30 am—Sonrise (Celebration Service) Choir Practice (Sanctuary) 8:30 am—Celebration Service (Sanctuary) 9:40 am—Sunday School for Children, Youth & Adults (Education Bldg) 11:00 am—Traditional Worship (Sanctuary) 12:00 pm—United Methodist Women Meeting (Fellowship Hall) 12:15 pm—Radical Hospitality Ministry Team Meeting (Room 101) 1:00 pm—Disciple III Bible Study (Room 201) 2:00 pm—Confirmation Planning Meeting (Room 101) 4:30 pm—Cotillion Class (Fellowship Hall)

Monday, January 15: Martin Luther King, Jr., Day Church Office Closed 7:00 pm—Boy Scouts Troop 604 Meeting (Scout House)

Tuesday, January 16: 9:00 am—Johnson Memorial School Classes (Education Building) 9:30 am—Line Dancing Class (Fellowship Hall) 12:00 pm—Deadline to turn in articles for January 19 Evangel 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) 7:30 pm—Sea Scouts Ship 24 Meeting (Scout House)

Wednesday, January 17: 6:00 pm—Men’s Bible Study (Fellowship Hall) 9:00 am—Johnson Memorial School Classes (Education Building) 9:30 am—Hope Mission Group Meeting (Room 112) 9:30 am—Senior Games (Fellowship Hall/Bring a sack lunch.) 9:30 am—Song Play (Room 101) 1:00 pm—Johnson School Stay-N-Play (Library & Fellowship Hall) 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) 6:30 pm—Pastor’s Bible Study (Room 101) 7:00 pm—Education Ministry Team Meeting (Room 112)

Thursday, January 18: 9:00 am—Johnson Memorial School Classes (Education Building) 10:00 am—Prayer Shawl Ministry Meeting (Room 112) 1:00 pm—Johnson School Gymnastics Class (Fellowship Hall) 6:15 pm—Handbell Choir Practice (Room 101) 7:30 pm—Chancel Choir Practice (Choir Room)

Friday, January 19: 6:00 am—Men’s Prayer Breakfast (Denny’s @ W 34th & 290)

Friday, January 5: 6:00 am—Men’s Prayer Breakfast (Denny’s @ W 34th & 290)

Saturday, January 6: 8:00 am—Garden Angels Dirt Diggers Workday (Work on flowerbeds.) 11:30 am—Red Hats Luncheon (Barbeque Inn, 116 West Crosstimbers) 8:00 pm—Narcotics Anonymous Support Group (Scout House)

Sunday, January 7: Epiphany Sunday Communion Sunday 7:30 am—Sonrise (Celebration Service) Choir Practice (Sanctuary) 8:30 am—Celebration Service (Sanctuary) 9:40 am—Sunday School for Children, Youth & Adults (Education Bldg) 11:00 am—Traditional Worship (Sanctuary) 1:00 pm—Disciple III Bible Study (Room 201) 1:00 pm—”When Did God Become a Christian?” Study (Room 112)

Monday, January 8: HISD Students Resume Classes 10:00 am—The Gathering Place (Fellowship Hall) 7:00 pm—Boy Scouts Troop 604 Meeting (Scout House)

Tuesday, January 9: Report Day 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) 7:30 pm—Sea Scouts Ship 24 Meeting (Scout House)

Wednesday, January 10: 6:00 am—Men’s Bible Study (Fellowship Hall) 9:00 am—Johnson Memorial School Classes (Education Building) 9:30 am—Song Play (Room 101) 9:30 am—Senior Games (Fellowship Hall/Bring a sack lunch.) 10:00 am—Homebound Visitation (Choir Room) 1:00 pm—Johnson School Stay-N-Play (Library & Fellowship Hall) 1:00 pm—Senior Games Afternoon Session (Fellowship Hall) 6:00 pm—Girl Scouts Juniors Meeting (Room 113) 6:00 pm—Sonrise Choir Practice (Sanctuary) 7:00 pm—VCI Meeting (Fellowship Hall)

Thursday, January 11: Staff Clean-Up Day 9:00 am—Johnson Memorial School Classes (Education Building) 11:00 am—VIPs Luncheon (Fellowship Hall) 1:00 pm—Johnson School Gymnastics (Fellowship Hall) 6:00 pm—Girl Scouts Daisies Meeting (Room 108) 6:15 pm—Handbell Choir Practice (Room 101) 7:30 pm—Chancel Choir Practice (Choir Room)

Friday, January 12: 6:00am—Men’s Prayer Breakfast (Denny’s @ 34th & 290) 8:15 am—Bus leaves St. Stephen’s for VIPs Trip to Brookwood

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VIPs

The VIPS are a fellowship group at St. Stephen’s for men and women age 50 and better. We welcome you to join us for our monthly luncheon on Thursday, January 11, at 11:00 a.m. in the fellowship hall. A short business meeting will be

followed by entertainment with Cool Freddie E and a catered lunch at noon. The cost is $10 per person. Please RSVP to Barbara Johnson at 713-686-6116.

A trip to the Brookwood Community is planned for Friday, January 12. The bus will leave St. Stephen’s at 8:15 a.m. and return around 2:00 p.m. We’ll tour the facilities and enjoy a delicious lunch in the café, where we’ll be seated in small groups for unlimited menu choices. Your lunch, ordered and paid for individually, will be your only cost for the trip. RSVP to Brenda Paulk at 713-686-8000 to reserve your seat.

The church office will be closed Monday, January 15, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr., Day. The office will be open on Tuesday, January 16, for normal business hours.

Martin Luther King, Jr., Day

In Ou r Prayers

In the Mil itary Dirk Ray Jr., Allen Troth

Prayer C oncerns

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In the Hospital

M. D. Anderson-TX Medical Center—Bonnie Anker-Goli Brookdale Willowbrook—Caroline Reaves (rehab) Memorial Hermann-Memorial City—Elizabeth Huebner Memorial Hermann University Place—Bill Gandin (rehab)

Food Pantry Sunday

The second Sunday of the month, January through October, is designated as Food Pantry Sunday at St. Stephen’s. January 14 will be our first Food Pantry Sunday of 2018. Please bring donations of non-perishable food to the basket in the Narthex (sanctuary foyer) marked MANNA (Ministry Assistance of the Near Northwest Alliance). The food will be delivered to MANNA’s food pantry to be given to needy families in our area.

Volunteer Opportunity at Star of Hope

St. Stephen’s has been invited to host another “Snacks and Goodnight” evening at Star of Hope’s Women and Family Shelter on Wednesday, January 17, from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. Volunteers have a wonderful time visiting with clients as they provide and serve an evening snack. We will meet at the church at 6:30 and caravan to the event, located at the Cornerstone Community at 2575 Reed Road. Five to six volunteers are needed. If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact Jonathan Lowe at jonathan.david.lowe@gmail.com or 314-680-4534.

Mission and Volunteer Opportunities

Ed & Claytie Abrahams, John & Dorothy Artz, Chappie Ashburn, Ruth Austin, Robert Baldwin, the family of Earl Banks, Ray & Carolyn Belk, Anita Bishop, Bob Bolding, Sandy Bonnin, Nolan Brewer, Phyllis Briggs, Nancy Buck, Effygene Bull, Patrick Burns, Jr., John Butler, Sr., Chappie Collins, Earl & Gloria Collins, Katreena Collins, Marilyn Compton, Dorothy Cox, Shereka Curtis, Elizabeth Dennard, Kelly Dickinson, Charlotte Dorton, Gerald Dupree, Jennifer Dylan, Allen Ebelt, Cameron Elliott, Paul & Will Ellis, the Emerson family, Earl & Irene Fallen, Jon Fallen, Jackie Finch, Gene Freeman, Penny Gadmer, Mildred Gandin, Louise Glaze, Betty Gleason, Laura Green, Charles Gregory, the family of Linda Guggia, Elsie Haley, John Harlow, Dorothy Haschke, Ryan Hegesfeld, Lola Hensley, Elizabeth Hickerson, Liz Hill, Ann Hill, Elizabeth Huebner, Nancy Hunt, Thelma Jones, Lee Kruse, Walter Kunz, Angus & Virginia Lewis, Lavon Mahon, Bonnie Maple, Michelle Maurizi, Frances Mayberry, Will Mayer, Janet McGowan, Henry and Sara McKinley, Ed Mills, Donna Murray, John Parent, Gary & Dian Parker, Jody Parker, Jean Parks, Doris Parr, Brenda Paulk, Margie Perron, Gloria Powell, Ky and Anna Ruth Putnam, Milton & Noni Ray, Betty Roberts, Rogers & Jane Roberts, Parker Robertson, the family of John Robinson, Kathleen Saathoff, Aaron Self, Stephanie Skinner, Donna Schmidt, Barbara Smith, Lura Smith, Billy Stephens, Jen Stoker, Carol Stone, Terry Sullivan, Hazel Swearingen & family, Danny Thomason, Hazel Thompson, Pete Trevino, Rosalie Turner, Ronnie Vance, Carmen S. Velez, Loree Vernon & family upon the death of her sister, June Suddarth; Bitsy Vilven, Martha Wachel, Virginia Wells, Gwen West, Margaret White (hospice), Paul Wieting, the Wilson family, Gracie Winkel, George Wood, Gay Woods, Julia Woodhull, 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.

Thank You for Helping Our Neighbors in Need this Christmas!

Project Warmth collected a total of 427 items for Star of Hope this year, including hats, gloves, mittens, socks, boots, scarves, hood caps and headbands! Thank you to all who donated.

Susan Barcus

St. Stephen’s Librarian

This year’s Christmas Food Basket Project for Stevens Elementary was a great success! We were able to help more than 40 families in the local area. A big thank you for the generous donations and the volunteers who helped sort, pack and distribute the food boxes. Your kindness made an impact to our community.

Thanks!!

Barbara Lowe 2017 Project Coordinator

Please see page 5 for more on St. Stephen’s Christmas ministries and our wonderful volunteers!

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Child ren and You th News

Johnson Memorial School News

A big thank you goes to all of you who helped make so many Garden Oaks Montessori Magnet School children, parents and staff so happy! Everything worked out so well thanks to you. The children’s mothers were so delighted and excited to have Christmas presents to put under the tree this year. Many had tears of joy in their eyes. One family had lost everything in a trailer fire; another had lost her husband, and her house was flooded during Harvey. You are truly Christmas Angels!

Patricia Williams, Missions Ministry Team

St. Stephen’s welcomed 2 new Girl Scout troops this fall that are now meeting regularly in our Education Building. Pictured above is a group of Juniors (grades 4-5) led by Amber Branum and Yvette Lugo. The group not pictured is a Daisies troop (grades K-1) led by Renee Duran.

The Christmas season was full of joyful celebrations for everyone in our preschool throughout December. Following our Christmas Around the World lessons on Dec 7, Pajama Day was enjoyed by JMS students and staff alike on Dec 13 when Santa came to visit. We also had the joy of listening to the bell choir perform on Dec 14, following the JMS students’ singing performance for the VIPS. Kudos to Music teacher Brenda Paulk for getting everyone ready for this performance along with our favorite nativity play on the last day of our semester, Dec 21. Our first day back to school is Tuesday, January 9. On behalf of our JMS staff, Happy New Year to all of you!

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 jms@stsumc.org

Melissa Soto Nursery Coordinator

Anita Cabrera, Brittany Hietpas, Adriana Montes, Rachel Montes

Nursery Staff

Rev. Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe Senior Pastor nathan@stsumc.org

Mary Jessie Accounting Manager mary@stsumc.org

Mary Ellen King Executive Secretary maryellen@stsumc.org

Administrative Staff

Program Staff

Rev. Lindsay Smith Pastor of Music and Worship lindsay@stsumc.org

Save these Dates!

Fun4Seniors Luncheon

January 26-28: VCI Consultation Weekend (See Pastor’s article on page 1 for details.)

February 4: Super Bowl Chili Cook-Off Lunch (following the 11 am service)

February 10: Dessert Extravaganza (2-4 pm in the Fellowship Hall)

February 14: Ash Wednesday (Worship in the sanctuary at 7 pm)

March 19: AARP Defensive Driving Class (9 am-1 pm in the Fellowship Hall; Call Florence Bowman at 713-682-4513 to register.) March 25: Palm Sunday

April 1: Easter Sunday

Adults age 50+ are invited to attend a “Snow Cool” Luncheon, sponsored by Harris County Precinct 4’s Senior Adult Program, Monday, January 22, at 11:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall. Ben’s Chuck Wagon will cater the meal which will include roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, dessert

and iced tea. The cost is $10 per person and includes live entertainment. Register online with Precinct 4 at www.hcp4.net/sap/events or call 281-893-3726. Please make your check payable to Fun4Seniors and mail to Precinct 4 at 1731 Hugh Rd, Houston, TX 77067, within 1 week of making your reservation.

Messy Church

Does your family want to experience worshipping God and learning about Jesus in a fun, engaging way? Join us for Messy Church, Wednesday, January 31, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall! We will tell stories, do crafts, eat food and worship God in a way based on creativity, hospitality and celebration that everyone can enjoy. This event is fun for people of all ages!

Communion Offering for January

Our Communion offering for the month of January will go to the Harriet and Joe Foster Family YMCA, located here in northwest Houston at 1234 West 34th Street. The YMCA of Greater Houston has been responding to the needs of individuals and families in the greater Houston community for more than 125 years, with programs and facilities for health and fitness, aquatics, camping, childcare, community development, sports, teen programs, after-school programs, a summer food program and more. The

Foster Family YMCA strives to turn away no one because of an inability to pay. Please support this organization dedicated to helping people grow strong in spirit, mind and body with your prayers and generous contributions.