Welcome!

Welcome to St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, ELCA

Edited 3/29/20

We at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church take the health and well-being of our congregational family very seriously. With the growing concerns related to COVID-19 Coronavirus and the recommendations from the Governor as well as Bishop Smith and the NC Synod, we will be canceling all Worship services through the end of April.

Meals on Wheels will continue as well as our administrative and janitorial services at the church.

As always, please contact the church office or Pastor Bolick if you have any questions, concerns, or needs.

A MESSAGE TO OUR CHURCH FAMILY

Good Morning Children of God, may we pray?

Oh Lord, where would I be if you were gone? Where would any of us be? If we awakened in the morning and the first thing we learned was that you were no longer. What if we bowed and began our prayers, and you had left a message for us; "CLOSED - NO LONGER IN BUSINESS - YOU MUST FIND A NEW PROVIDER". My gosh; God it made me feel strange while I wrote that just now. What if someone

like Mary Magdalene said; "He is gone, they have taken Him away, and we don't know where He is"?

If we remain where we are, at that place and continue in our faith will you return to us?

Well, of course you will be there; for you have said that you will always be with us in and through our faith.

That gets an Alleluia whether Lenten season or not. So remain in faith sisters and brothers, continuing to seek our Jesus through our prayers. HE will be here for us, never beyond our grasp - our sight. Thank You Jesus. Amen

Psalm 20:1-2 May the Lord answers you in times of trouble. May the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from his Temple and support you from Mount Zion.

Remaining in Psalms take a moment to read Psalm 118:5-9; 119:143-144

Just now as I wrote this many of you were preparing to watch today’s message from Pastor Leonard. He continues to serve Saint Stephen’s from afar just as God instructed him and we are a better community for it. My words to you at this time are to be patient and be prepared. Have patience while you are bound to your easy chair. Enjoy some quiet time and meditate on your relationships with family and friends and with Jesus. Through this time of meditations you can fill your heart with love and appreciation for all the things in your meditative thoughts. This time is a time of preparation. You have become

prepared for conversation with Jesus. Thank him for All the good things you have just meditated on. All these good gifts have come to you from Jesus; Everything!

Now you can share your hopes for the times to come. Share these thoughts with Jesus and ask for Him to ponder your hopes and if they are in one with His plans, to make them come into being. Now turn to some specific needs that you may have come up with during your meditation. Ask your brother Jesus for the things that you want. Ask, knowing that Jesus is going to give freely to you, that which is good for you. He knows the desires and needs for your life and; filtering them through His plan they will be provided to you. Next be in thanksgiving once again with Jesus. Thank Him for listening and spending this time with you. Make an appointment with Him to come back for another conversation soon. Set an exact time and return for that appointment. Jesus will be waiting to talk with you again as He is anytime you open that door to your heart and invite him inside. Amen

From a Nam Brother.

Everybody bow your heads... Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you as humbly as I know how. I confess my sins, known and unknown. Lord you know I'm not perfect, and I fall short every day of my life. I just want to take time out to say thank you for your mercy and your grace. Thank you for my health, my family, my friends, the roof over my head, food on my table, and everything I have. Please bless our President and our country and bring us through this crisis. We know you are the great Healer. In the precious name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

No matter what it looks like He still blesses me!!
 

Love and Blessings,

Gene Frye, Church Council President
March 29, 2020

A Message to the Faithful of St. Stephen's

Dear St. Stephen’s Family,

I want to take this time to reach out to you and wish you well. You can be assured that you are not alone in these harsh times. Although you might be getting cabin fever and feeling alone, you are not. I am praying for you daily and lifting you to God’s loving care. If you find that you are in need for something call the church office. We will find a way to assist you. Stay in touch with your friends by telephone, text, or email. Just take time to share of yourself. Most of all, pray without ceasing. Anytime you think of someone or something, STOP at that moment and talk with God. 

Here are a few scriptures that offer encouragement for you to refer to.

Love and Blessings,

Gene Frye, Church Council President
March 21, 2020

Psalm 55:22

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.  

II Thessalonians 2:16-17

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.

Zephaniah 3:177

The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.