 Five services at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 537 Bolton St., Marlborough, will mark the week leading up to Easter. The Christian Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday on March 25. St. Stephen’s 9:30 am service will start outside, weather permitting, where worshipers will be given palms, and will process into the church.
“Like those in Jerusalem, we raise our palms in adoration of Jesus as he enters the holy city,” noted Pastor Joseph Graumann. The next two services take place on Thursday and Friday, March 29 and 30, both at 6:30 p.m. On March 29, known as Maundy Thursday, “we commemorate Jesus’ last supper with his friends. On Good Friday, we gather around the cross on the day Jesus died to hear how an instrument of death becomes for us the tree of life,” the pastor added. An Easter Vigil will take place at 7:15 pm on Saturday, March 31. As the sun sets, there will be an unveiling of a cross of flowers, marking the new life that springs from it. With Easter morning comes a 9:30 a.m. festival service, celebrating Jesus’ resurrection with Word, Sacrament, and special music from the bell and anthem choirs. “The St. Stephen Anthem Choir will sing G. F. Handel's exuberant setting of Hallelujah, Amen and Lani Smith's rousing Love So Amazing , a setting of the 15th century Latin Hymn O Sons and Daughters,” said Stan Hanson, music director. Handbell musicians will also offer a selection. “The St. Stephen Ringers will play Michael Ryan's jubilant Let Joyful Alleluias Ring!, a piece that weaves together four triumphant Easter hymns.” Hanson will play organ voluntaries that will include music of J.S. Bach and Charles-Marie Widor. Following the service, there will be a potluck brunch. The public is invited to all services as well as the brunch that features spring favorites made by church members and friends. For more information about St. Stephen Lutheran Church, visit www.saintstephenlutheran.com or the church’s Facebook page. Saint Stephen is a member of the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (www.elca.org) The church is a Reconciling in Christ congregation, inviting people of every gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, ability, marital status, or class. Parishioners come from Marlborough, Hudson, Berlin, Northborough, Southborough, Westborough, Shrewsbury, Stow, Sudbury, and Bolton. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is the nation’s largest Lutheran church, with approximately four million members split into 65 synods, or territories, across the United States and the Caribbean.
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 Sam Maston Samuel Maston, the son of Sarah and Glenn Maston of Hudson, has been chosen as one of 12 youth from around the country to serve on the Youth Core Leadership Team of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). Those selected meet regularly to grow in leadership and mission to the church, and plan the Annual Youth Leadership Conference that takes place in November. Each year, six youth are added to the team for the two-year commitment, and six are sent out from the team with their enhanced leadership skills.
Sam travels to Chicago this week, for the first of three required on-site meetings, where he will meet fellow participants as well as the six outgoing members. In addition to the three meetings, team members participate in monthly video conferences. Sam filled out an online application in January. A member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Marlborough, Sam was confirmed last spring and continues to be active as an acolyte, an assisting minister, and a member of the youth group, which engages in both outreach and social activities. He planned and ran the recreation/games phase of the summer Vacation Bible Camp and is currently a member of the committee that is planning an auction of goods and services to benefit the youth group’s June trip to the ELCA National Gathering in Houston. Sam was at a tennis clinic when he got a call and a text to tell him he made the leadership team. “I said sweet! This is awesome.” He said he was “surprised, but I felt pretty good.” He is a sophomore at Hudson High School, enrolled in honors classes. Sam is on the tennis team and plays clarinet in the band as well as for the Claflin Hill Youth Orchestra. He also plays the piano, sometimes offering a selection in church. “Church is a fairly big part of my life,” Sam noted. “I enjoy the church family at St. Stephen and the youth group.” Commenting on the many outreach projects the group engages in, from wrapping sweatshirts for veterans to buying toys for children to going on mission trips, Sam said, “Helping other people feels good.” “Sam is such a blessing to our congregation,” said Pastor Joseph Graumann. “We are so happy that he will be a blessing to the whole church.” There were 33 applicants for the six available spots, noted Molly Beck Dean, Interim Program Director for Youth Ministry for the ELCA. “The six outgoing YCLT members and three adult advisors were the selection group. Everyone read all applications, did some personal praying and discerning, and then we talked about those who stood out.” She said Sam’s “speaking of adaptive leadership, acknowledging that sometimes leaders have to make the tough choices and the importance of making sure everyone feels heard,” were things that stood out in Sam’s application. For more information about St. Stephen Lutheran Church, visit www.saintstephenlutheran.com or the church’s Facebook page. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is the nation’s largest Lutheran church, with approximately four million members split into 65 synods, or territories, across the United States and the Caribbean.  The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin was the February book choice for the St. Stephen Book Club, which met this month at church with Bev Broz and Leeann Brewitt hosting. Lunch was topped by a lively discussion about the novel. The next meeting will take place at Jan and Tom Conlin’s home on March 2, when members will be discussing My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante. New members are always welcome.  Happy Birthday, Pastor Joe! Sunday, February 11 was not only a church day, but the pastor’s birthday, and another occasion for cake!  The Senior Friends recently enjoyed luncheon at the Epicurean Room at Assabet Valley Regional Vocational School in Marlborough. Their meal was prepared by the future chefs in the Culinary Arts program.  Wednesday, February 14 is not only Valentine’s Day around the world, but also Ash Wednesday in Christian churches, and the day Word-Up Wednesday services will resume at 6:30 pm at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 537 Bolton St., Marlborough.
As love is the focus for Valentine’s Day, it is also compatible with Word-Up Wednesday worship, notes St. Stephen Pastor Joseph Graumann. “As society celebrates love with hearts and chocolates, Saint Stephen Lutheran Church also offers a chance to celebrate a very different kind of Love. During Lent, we walk with Jesus to the cross, where God’s love is poured out for all of us. This Ash Wednesday, we begin to look to that cross, to remember our own mortality, and to celebrate the depth of God’s love; love even to death.” Old Testament prophecy, contemporary poetry, easy-to-sing music, and participant Bible study are all part of the service, which more resembles a gathering in the catacombs than a formal service in a cathedral. Valentine’s Day began as a Christian commemoration. “Saint Valentine died for the sake of God’s love,” the pastor added. “He literally loved us all to death. What better way to celebrate Saint Valentine’s Day than to celebrate God’s love to the depth of who we are.” Word-up Wednesday takes place weekly at 6:30 pm; Sunday worship at St. Stephen is at 9:30 am, with Sunday School running concurrently, followed by coffee and fellowship. For more information about the church, visit www.saintstephenlutheran.com or the church’s Facebook page. Saint Stephen is a member of the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (www.elca.org) The church is a Reconciling in Christ congregation, inviting people of every gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, ability, marital status, or class. Parishioners come from Marlborough, Hudson, Berlin, Northborough, Southborough, Westborough, Shrewsbury, Stow, Sudbury, and Bolton. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is the nation’s largest Lutheran church, with approximately four million members split into 65 synods, or territories, across the United States and the Caribbean.  Football fans came out in force for Sunday’s worship service. Perhaps’s the pastor’s hymn choice of “On Eagle’s Wings” impacted the result....  Pastor Joe installed the members of the 2018 Congregation Council on Sunday. From left, they include Frank Dutt, Jane Woolsey, Marlea Dutt, Dave Ross, Harold Greer, Anita Phelan, Elaine Recklet, Barbara Parente, Stan Hanson, and Sarah Maston (not in photo). Harold, Anita, and Stan were welcomed as the new members. Norma DuBois and Ken LaPlante, who completed their terms on council, were thanked for their service. Ann Gibson photo  SSLC hosted about 60 people from area churches involved in the Forward Leadership program on Saturday, February 3, offering space, hospitality, and delicious food. Thanks to Stan and Linda Hanson, Anita Phelan, Barbara Parente, and Brian White for breakfast offerings, including homemade coffee cakes, fruit, and bagels. Kudos to lunch providers Harold Greer, Pastor Joe, Scott and Donna Lambert, Martha Domke, Ann Weston, and Beth and Dan Warner, who all together offered ribs, beef stew, and five different varieties of chili. Special thanks to Scott and Matt Lambert for set-up and Brian Zimmel and Frank Dutt for clean-up. PHOTO: Martha Domke, Barbara Parente, Ann Weston, Anita Phelan, and Harold Greer get ready for the lunch crowd.  SANTA’S HELPERS – Jane Woolsey and LeeAnn Brewitt fill their cars to overflowing with the St. Stephen donations for the The United Way of Tri-County’s 7th annual Hope for the Holidays program, which helps Marlborough families in need by providing children's gifts. SSLC families sponsored 40 children this year, purchasing age-appropriate gifts from children’s lists and filling giant Christmas bags with three presents for each child.
 The anthem choir of St. Stephen Lutheran Church St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 537 Bolton St., Marlborough is marking the pre-Christmas season of Advent with 6:30 pm services each Wednesday, now through December 20, and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services on December 24 and 25.
For the Wednesday service, which includes Bible study, opportunities for sharing, an informal atmosphere, and communion, the Advent theme is the “Magnificat,” the song Mary sings when she learns she’s going to bear Jesus into the world. “We hear from Jesus’ mother, Mary, how God has come to lift up the lowly and put the mighty in their place,” said Pastor Joseph Graumann. “Preparing for Christmas is nothing short of preparing for a new future where God is born in a stable and all God’s children have a place at the table.” On Sundays, special music will complement the season with “Advent Hymn” by the choir December 10, “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” by the handbell choir, and a piano duet on December 17, and two Advent anthems at 9:30 am on Sunday, December 24. Christmas Eve at St. Stephen Lutheran Church will be traditionally festive, with a family-friendly candlelight service at 6:30 p.m. For those who can’t get enough Christmas music, come a few minutes early for a brief carol sing. During the service, both the handbell and anthem choirs will offer special music. Those who come to the service will also hear the traditional story of the nativity, and can participate in Holy Communion. “Our Candlelight Christmas service celebrates Jesus, the light of the world, becoming one of us, born in Bethlehem, “ Pastor Graumann said. “At the end of the service, we will light candles, symbolizing the light of Christ in each one of us, as we hear the creation story. By marking what happened so long ago, we invite Jesus to be born in us for today.” On Christmas morning, a service of lessons and carols will take place at 9:30 am. For more information about the church, visit www.saintstephenlutheran.com or the church’s Facebook page. Saint Stephen is a member of the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (www.elca.org) . The church is a Reconciling in Christ congregation, inviting people of every gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, ability, marital status, or class. Parishioners come from Marlborough, Hudson, Berlin, Northborough, Southborough, Westborough, Shrewsbury, Sudbury, Stow, and Bolton.  Members of the St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Marlborough, Knit-Wits group with a basket of some of the hand-made items that will be sent to Seafarers International House as Christmas gifts. From left, Elaine Recklet, Marlea Dutt, Melanie Whapham, Norma DuBois, Jane Woolsey, and Jan Conlin. A special blessing took place last Sunday at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Marlborough, as a representative basket of hand knitted hats and scarves, as well as sweatshirts, socks and chocolate bars was placed on the altar, earmarked for Christmastime delivery to Seafarers International House in New York City. The hand-made items were produced by the Knit-Wits, the church’s knitting group, and the additional purchased items were made possible by a Thrivent Action Team grant.
Last Christmas, the knitters produced five sets of items that will be holiday packages; this year, their busy hands made up ten sets. Seafarers International House is an ecumenical mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to seafarers and sojourners, as well as people who are distressed, disadvantaged, and displaced. Seafarers are often isolated and lonely, sometimes without the means to contact family frequently, or purchase needed items while in port. Typical contracts put most at sea for 10 months a year, and they remain a largely forgotten population at the holidays. Their needs include warm clothing, and the Knit-Wits decided seafarers should be the recipients of their efforts, which also includes making prayer shawls and lap blankets for others in need. For more information about the church, visit www.saintstephenlutheran.com or the church’s Facebook page. Saint Stephen is a member of the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (www.elca.org) . The church is a Reconciling in Christ congregation, inviting people of every gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, ability, marital status, or class. Parishioners come from Marlborough, Hudson, Berlin, Northborough, Southborough, Westborough, Shrewsbury, Sudbury, Stow, and Bolton. |
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