2026
Your Weekly Update
Our weekly newsletter has the scoop on Sunday’s sermon, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and more — from Fall Picnic games to Flat Wesley’s latest adventure!
Read the full newsletter here.
2026
Three Things You Should Know
From nametags that help us know each other by name, to Flat John Wesley’s latest adventures, to rolling up our sleeves for Creation Care Day in Sanctuary Woods — our newsletter has all the details! Plus, get a preview of Sunday’s message from Pastor Chaney on finding strength in life’s cracks and challenges.
Read the newsletter here.
2026
Your Weekly Update
This week at St. Stephen’s, Pastor Paula explores the hymn “Once to Every Soul and Nation” and what it means to be everyday translators of God’s love. We’re in the final stretch of our school supply drive — help us reach our goal of equipping 400+ local kids for the new school year (donations accepted through August 16th!). Plus, join us Wednesday for a family movie night, and don’t miss “Flat Wesley’s” latest adventures as he travels with our church family. One Sunday service continues at 10:00 am through the end of August. We can’t wait to worship with you!
Read the newsletter here.
2026
Three Things You Need to Know
This week at St. Stephen’s: We’re gearing up for our Green Groceries produce distribution this Friday, August 7 (4-6 pm) and could use extra hands — many of our regular volunteers are on vacation! We’re also following Flat John Wesley’s summer adventures, from the Jersey shore to the prayer shawl group. And a quick reminder: please stay alert for email scams impersonating church staff. Your pastors will never ask for money or gift cards via email. This Sunday, Pastor Paula preaches on the hymn “Once to Every Soul and Nation” as we continue our series on the music that sustains us through every season of life.
Read the newsletter here.
2026
Three Things You Need to Know
This week: our youth head to North Carolina to glean crops for families facing hunger, Flat John Wesley keeps making new friends around town, and Pastor Chaney shares five ways grace shapes our lives.
Read the newsletter here.
2026
Your Weekly Update
Beyond Sunday worship, it’s a busy week: VBS was in full swing, “Flat Wesley” is exploring the community, our native plant babies are getting ready for fall planting, and Grace Ministries urgently needs volunteers for this weekend’s distribution event. Plus, our Back-to-School supply drive is underway. Help us equip over 400 local kids for the new school year.
Join us Sunday at 10:00 am — we can’t wait to worship with you!
Read the newsletter here.
2026
Three Things You Need to Know
Our summer of music keeps rolling! Catch Michael Baker’s euphonium concert (with Tammy Lydon on piano!) at Baltimore’s Peale Center on July 25. Free tickets, but reservations are a must, so grab your friends and make a day of it.
Meanwhile, Flat John Wesley is still out there having the time of his life — Independence Hall, Topsail Island, pizza runs and all. Haven’t picked up your own Flat Wesley yet? Grab one this Sunday and join the fun.
And a big thank-you to Martha for a year of dedicated service as Office Manager. As we search for her replacement, we could use a few extra hands in the front office. Can you help?
Read the newsletter here.
2026
Your Weekly Update
This Sunday at 10 am, Pastor Sunu continues our summer sermon series on music with a look at Blessed Assurance, exploring what it means to know, without a doubt, that we are held by God.
It’s a full week ahead: today, volunteers are bagging and distributing fresh produce for local families (4-6 pm, teens welcome), and Saturday brings a hands-on project transforming Sanctuary Woods into a native-plant outdoor worship space (8-10 am). Sunday morning offers adult classes at 9 am, including a look at the UMC’s Social Principles, plus kids’ programming during the 10 am service. And Monday kicks off a full week of Vacation Bible School — nut-free snack donations (juice boxes, applesauce, fruit cups) are needed and can be dropped at the church office.
A big thank you to Weyni Tesfaye for her food truck and hospitality at Pastor Sunu’s Welcome Center reception, and to the Cochran family for including us in fostering Warrior Canine Service dog Merv, who’s now moved on to advanced training. Don’t forget “Flat John Wesley” — he’s already been spotted from Chautauqua, NY to Brookneal, VA this summer. Grab your own cutout Sunday and send us your photos!
Finally, school starts before we know it. St. Stephen’s is collecting supplies through August 16th for over 400 local children and teens, with an Amazon wish list and drop-off boxes available at church.
It’s a season full of music, service, and community. We’d love for you to be part of it. Join us this Sunday at 10 am as we lift our voices together. We hope to see you there.
Read the full newsletter here.
2026
Three Things You Need to Know
Three ways to get involved at St. Stephen’s this week!
VBS starts Monday, July 13! Help us out by donating nut-free snacks for the kids and volunteers all week long.
Join us this Friday, 4-6pm, to help distribute fresh produce to local families in our parking lot. Teens and friends welcome!
Love the outdoors? Join our Workday in the Woods this Saturday, July 11, 8-10am, as we care for Sanctuary Woods together.
Read the full newsletter and sign up to help!
2026
Your Weekly Update
Welcoming new faces, familiar songs 
, and a summer full of service 
This Sunday, we celebrate communion together and welcome our new Associate Pastor, Rev. Sunu Kwon and his wife, Eunkyung Park, with a reception in the Welcome Center. Pastor Chaney will explore how “Bridge Over Troubled Water” speaks to the ways faith carries us through hard times. 
Remember, we’re gathering for one service each Sunday at 10:00 am through the end of August.
There’s plenty happening beyond Sunday morning, too: the office is closed Friday for the July 4th holiday, volunteers are needed to distribute fresh produce and tend the rose garden, and we’re gearing up for Vacation Bible School (July 13–17) — nut-free snack donations welcome!
Don’t forget to pick up your own “Flat John Wesley” for our summer photo challenge, and keep an eye out for our school supply drive kicking off July 5th to support over 400 local children and teens.
Read the full newsletter here.