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Happy National Candy Corn Day! 🍬🌽 Just like candy corn has its perfect layers, God’s blessings come in layers, too, as reminders of His goodness and provision. “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse… see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.” — Malachi 3:10 (NRSVUE) Today’s treat-sized reminder: When we give to God with grateful hearts, He pours out blessings that are sweeter than any candy corn! 🍯✨ #NationalCandyCornDay #Malachi310 #SweetBlessings #TrustingTheGiver #FaithAndFun
Halfway through the week—pause and breathe. 💛 God’s still opening the floodgates, even in the small moments. What blessing have you noticed today? #FaithfulMidweek #Malachi310
Sometimes even the grown-ups mix things up! 😅 During children’s time, we accidentally shared a verse from Micah 3:10 instead of Malachi 3:10—a minor prophet mix-up that gave us a major reminder! 💡 While Malachi 3:10 teaches us about trusting God with what we give, Micah’s words remind us of something just as important—God wants our hearts to be honest, fair, and kind in everything we do. ❤️ So even though we landed in the wrong book, the message still fits: Whether we’re giving, helping, or speaking, God calls us to do it with love and integrity. 🙌
🍁 Our Fall Festival was a blast! Families enjoyed games, candy, raffles, delicious treats from the food truck, and even a special guest reader. Thank you to everyone who joined in the fun and fellowship! 🎃❤️ 📸 Want to see more moments from the day? Check out the full photo album on our Facebook page!
Today is National Make a Difference Day — a perfect reminder that faith isn’t just something we talk about on Sundays, it’s something we live out every day. 🙌 In 2 Timothy 4:1–5, Paul challenges us to stay steady, be ready, and keep sharing God’s love in every season. That’s what making a difference looks like — showing up with kindness, speaking hope, serving others, and letting the Spirit work through us in ordinary moments that matter. ✨ Whether it’s lending a hand, offering a prayer, or encouraging someone who’s struggling, you never know how your small act might become someone else’s big reminder of God’s love. 💬 Drop a comment and tell us one way you’re making (or plan to make) a difference today! #MakeADifferenceDay #FaithInAction #2Timothy4 #StrongInSpirit #ServeWithLove
💜 Meet the Member: Jessica Fulenwider Jessica first started visiting St. Stephen in 2008 when she and Blake would come home from college — and by 2013, she knew this was the place she belonged. “I joined when I realized the message of the church helped answer the questions I had about faith,” Jessica shares. “I love that we’re inclusive and that we stand up for those who need us. Our outreach and social justice committees really work hard to make a difference.” 💛 Jessica now serves on our Worship Committee and Communications Committee, and she’s a helping hand at PRIDE events and with our youth and children’s ministries. Her favorite verse is “God is within her, she will not fall.” — Psalm 46:5 💪 A fun fact? Jessica loves to bake! Bundt cakes, cake balls, cookies, or anything made with her sourdough starter “Dough-Lila” always bring her joy (and makes the house smell amazing!). 🍰 #MeetTheMember #StStephenUMC #FaithInAction #InclusiveChurch #ChurchFamily #StrongInSpirit
It’s only Wednesday… and maybe this week has already thrown a few curveballs your way. Our verse from Sunday, 2 Timothy 4:1–5, reminds us to stay steady, keep the faith, and lean on the Spirit no matter what season we’re in. 💛 How are you staying strong in the Spirit this week? Maybe it’s taking a deep breath before reacting, showing kindness when it’s hard, or finding a quiet moment to pray. Drop a comment below ⬇️ and share what’s helping you stay grounded this week — you never know who might need the encouragement. 🙌 #MidweekCheckIn #StrongInSpirit #2Timothy4 #FaithInAction
Happy National Color Day! 🌈 Just like every color adds something special to a masterpiece, each of us brings something unique and needed to God’s work in the world. In 2 Timothy 4:1–5, Paul reminds us to be ready — to teach, encourage, and live out our faith “in season and out of season.” That means showing up with love, grace, and courage no matter what life looks like around us. So today, as we celebrate color — the bright, the bold, and even the subtle shades — let’s thank God for the variety of gifts, voices, and callings that make our faith community so beautiful. 💛 💬 Drop your favorite color below and tell us what it reminds you of in your faith journey! #NationalColorDay #2Timothy4 #StrongInSpirit #FaithInAction #GodsMasterpiece
During Children’s Time, we talked about contradictions and how two things can be true at once. Just like Matthew McConaughey’s “Just Because” reminds us, you can be brave and still be scared, strong and still need help, joyful and still have hard days. In 2 Timothy 4, Paul reminds us to keep teaching, keep encouraging, and stay steady in faith, even when life feels confusing or full of opposites. It was a beautiful reminder that God’s Spirit helps us hold all those “just becauses” and keeps us grounded in love.
Hey Church Family, This weekend is packed with purpose and heart! Saturday at 11 AM, we’ll gather at St. Stephen to celebrate the life of Patty Zima—a beautiful soul whose kindness and faith touched so many. Saturday, Day of Action! Serving at Sharing Life meet at Teddi and the Youth at 9 am at Sharing Life-3795 Emporium Cir, Mesquite, TX ✊ No Kings Rally in downtown Dallas, or find a rally near your home. Want to travel together? Meet Anice at the Lawnview DART Station at 11:15 AM to ride the train downtown. 🌈 Later that day, at 5 PM, join us at Oak Lawn & Cedar Springs in Dallas for One City, Many Colors—a celebration of unity, love, and justice. (I’ll be there!) Sunday at 10:50 AM, our laity will lead an inspiring worship service themed “Strong in the Spirit.” It’s a reminder that God’s goodness still moves in and through us—especially in challenging times. Come for the remembrance. Go to serve through action. Be lifted by the Spirit. You are loved! Pastor Randall