Summer book selection is "Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy" by Donald Kraybil. Discussion details will be forthcoming.

Thanks to Kate Munro for sharing highlights of her Peace Corp. experience in Kazakhstan last Sunday during Sunday’s Great Conversation. Thanks to Sarah Loan for sharing highlights of her J3 experience in Japan this Sunday! WOW! What experiences!

The Hospitality committee is seeking a volunteer to plan the progressive dinner for July. If we don’t get a volunteer we will have to cancel the event for this year. We have a couple of thoughts on this and would like your input. Instead of doing a progressive dinner to member’s homes, would it be feasible to join with other churches and have for example: hors d’oeuvre @ St. Stephen’s Salads @ Temple Judah Main dish @ St. Fred’s Dessert @ wherever, etc. We could use this as a Ecumenical gathering. OR We could make it a Lutheran event... hors d’oeuvre @ St. Stephen’s Salads @ Seeds of Faith Main dish @ Our Saviors Dessert @ First Lutheran THESE ARE JUST IDEAS – NO ONE HAS BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT THIS! There’s lots of potential to utilize your skills. Do we have any volunteers?

SAVE THE DATE! St. Stephen’s family bike ride will be held Sunday, June 28th. Call Ev Petersen with any questions or to volunteer to help.

Beginning June 4th Music Worship Team will rehearse on Thursday nights @ 6:30. If you have questions please contact Lisa Marner.

SO YOU CAN PLAN AHEAD!!! Ewalu’s annual Fall Festival and Quilt Auction will be held on Sunday, Sept. 20th. Put it on your calendar now and save the date!

MORE PLANNING AHEAD!! Based on the success of last year’s event, the Hospitality committee as been encouraged to have another Auction and Potluck this fall. We are in process of setting a date in October. If you would like to serve on this committee please contact Marilyn Loan. The committee will set the date and determine the charity to be served by this year’s event. Start thinking about something you can donate with the work of your hands!

Please take time to give some feedback on small groups. We would like to have a strong sense of possible groups to be offered by June 1st, so we can print Small Group brochures and begin organizing. Please either fill out the survey and place it in the SMALL GROUPS BOX in the narthex, or send it via email to either: Joan Millen – jmfmillen@hotmail.com or Karen Johns – karen0102@msn.com

Sign up to join the fun and fellowship of the SAINT STEPHEN’S SLUGGERS! Anyone 16 years or older are welcome. Games are played on Mondays beginning May 4th through August 10th at Noelridge Park. Contact Rob or Jen Steffen for additional information: rsteffen10@gmail.com or 363-1710.

QUARTERS in our offering plate continue to be given to fight world hunger. For information regarding what your quarters can do go to ELCA.org - You will find examples of what your gifts to the World Hunger Appeal can provide.

This summer our worship times will be 8:00 and 10:00. We will have a fellowship hour between services. We will begin this schedule Memorial Weekend and continue through Labor Day Weekend. We will pass around another sign up sheet this coming Sunday for those who would like to volunteer. If you want to volunteer and cannot attend worship on Sunday, Judy and Kenn Nye are the “go to” persons for this opportunity to serve.

June 28th – Biking event – Ev Petersen
July – Progressive Dinner – here’s an opportunity for you!
August – Movie @ the Bijou in Mt. Vernon
Sept. 13th – Church Picnic in conjunction with Rally Sunday - Tim Hehr
October – Nature walk and Potluck/Auction – more opportunities for you!
November – first weekend in Nov. - Wine tour – Brenda Moore
December – Cocoa & Carols – Cathy Gullickson
January – 2010 – Games and Goodies – yet one more opportunity to serve!