ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH
(The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod)
Alma, Kansas
A family united by faith in Christ gathering around God's Word and Sacraments.
To reach out in Christ-like concern and Christ-borne love to each other and to those without Christ!
In This Month's
St. John Witness
DECEMBER WITNESS
Theology for the Day / Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry
What is Stephen Ministry? Congregations equip lay caregivers to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting or are experiencing grief, divorce, cancer, job loss, loneliness, disability, relocation, and other life difficulties. Stephen Ministers serve in a one to one relationship of trust, care, and Christ-like concern. If you think you might benefit from having a Stephen Minister, please call Pastor Grimm, or talk with one of these servants of God. - Don Frank, Charlie Gann, Judy Peddicord, Junior Stuewe, Carol White.
If you would be interested in becoming a Stephen Minister, please contact Pastor Grimm.
Below is more information about the Stephen Series & Stephen MInistry.
- Why is it called the Stephen Series?
Stephen was one of the first laypeople commissioned by the Apostles to provide caring ministry (Acts 6). Series describes the steps a congregation follows to implement the caring ministry system, which is commonly called Stephen Ministry.
- How many congregations are using Stephen Ministry?
More than 11,000 congregations are enrolled, with hundreds more enrolling each year. They represent more than 150 denominations and come from all 50 United States, 10 Canadian provinces, and 24 other countries. Many congregations have had Stephen Ministry going strong for 20 or 30 years—or longer.
- What size congregations are involved?
Stephen Ministry congregations range from fewer than 100 members to more than 10,000. Churches of any size have opportunities to care for hurting people in the congregation and community.
- What are Stephen Ministers?
Stephen Ministers are laypeople who commit to two years of learning, growing, and caring. They receive Christian caregiving training in their congregation and then provide one-to-one Christ-centered care to hurting people. Each Stephen Minister typically has one care receiver at a time and meets with that person once a week.
- What types of caregiving situations are Stephen Ministers used in?
Stephen Ministers provide high-quality, one-to-one Christian care to individuals facing a variety of crises or life challenges—people who are experiencing grief, divorce, cancer, financial difficulties, hospitalization, chronic illness, job loss, disabilities, loneliness, a spiritual crisis, or other life struggles.
In addition to caring for members within the congregation, Stephen Ministers can provide care to nonmembers, reaching out to unchurched people in crisis.
- What are Stephen Leaders?
Stephen Leaders are pastors and lay leaders who direct Stephen Ministry in their congregation. They attend a one-week Leader’s Training Course (LTC) where they learn how to effectively lead their congregation’s Stephen Ministry.
- What is the meaning of the logo?
The Stephen Series logo symbolizes that we are all broken people and that we are only made whole through the cross of Jesus.
Since 1975 nearly a half million Christian men and women from all walks of life have trained and served as Stephen Ministers in their congregations. Most decide to become Stephen Ministers as a way to help hurting people in their congregation and community—but very quickly discover that God gives them amazing blessings in return.
- What do people say about Stephen Ministry?
“My faith has grown, my prayer life has doubled, and I know how to really make a difference in people’s lives. I’d encourage anyone who has the chance to become a Stephen Minister.”
George Lund, Architect Prairie Village, Kansas“Being a Stephen Minister has taught me to rely on God instead of always trying to fix things myself. I’ve learned what to say, how to listen, and what to do during a crisis. It’s a great feeling to provide people with the spiritual care and support they need.”
John Eichelberger, Physician Greenwood, South Carolina“The assertiveness skills I learned through Stephen Ministry gave me the courage and confidence I needed to be a more effective supervisor in my secular job—and to be more assertive in my personal relationships. Thank you for helping me develop these vital skills.”
Elizabeth McMillion, Rehabilitation Counselor Madison, Wisconsin
Theology for Today
The Church's One-Year Lectionary
God gives His people His Word. It is, it was, and it shall be true forever. Prophets, evangelists, and apostles wrote the words God gave them, so that we might have His truth. The Bible is the only source of revelation from which we can teach reliably about God. Lutherans believe that we are saved by Scripture alone, that is, only the Scripture provides infallible resources of faith and Christian living, for the Bible reveals the heart and center of Scripture, Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the World. While we teach and study all the Bible, we read more familiar portions in church each Sunday, and they are chosen to help us review all of Christian doctrine every year.
A lectionary is a book of readings for use in worship, which contain three readings (Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel) and a Psalm for each Sunday and Church Holiday. We have weekly portions of the lectionary printed on our weekly inserts, which include assigned readings, that we may study the Word of God at home each week. Beginning in December, we are changing to use the One-Year Lectionary series, instead of the Three-Year Lectionary, which we have used since 2003. (In 2002 and 2003, St. John was one of the test congregations in our synod for this one-year lectionary. We provided feedback to them about the readings, and several times, we offered ideas that were incorporated into the hymnal that was published in 2007, and is now in our pews.) This change in readings will allow us some new Scripture readings throughout the year, and will reduce some costs of inserts which we use. The information about the one-year series provided by the makers of our hymnal, Lutheran Service Book, and its Lectionary Committee are given below:
The Lectionary Committee included the historic, One-Year Lectionary in the Lutheran Service Book for several important reasons:
oWe are an historic church and acknowledge the value of what has been handed down to us.
We are an historic church and acknowledge the value of what has been handed down to us.oIt is important to recognize the value of repetition. Given the increasing lack of biblical literacy within our society and even within the church, there may be a need in the future for a One-Year Lectionary, with its yearly repetition of key biblical texts.
It is important to recognize the value of repetition. Given the increasing lack of biblical literacy within our society and even within the church, there may be a need in the future for a One-Year Lectionary, with its yearly repetition of key biblical texts.oThe One-Year Lectionary is unique in that there are a number of older resources that support it, including hymns, sermons by Luther and others, etc.
The One-Year Lectionary is unique in that there are a number of older resources that support it, including hymns, sermons by Luther and others, etc.While relatively few of our congregations currently use the One-Year Lectionary, it is included in the hymnal in order to serve both those who still faithfully use it and those who may one day find that their situation could best be served by the repetition inherent in this lectionary.
Revisions to the One-Year Lectionary were very minor. The historic Gospels remain intact. Likewise, all of the historic Epistles are included. In a few cases, however, an alternate Epistle is provided. Since the historic lectionary did not have assigned Old Testament readings, the committee took greater freedom in choosing these texts.
As with the Three-Year Lectionary, the committee attempted to choose Old Testament readings that relate closely to the Holy Gospel. In addition, they attempted to provide a balanced selection of the various genres of Old Testament readings (e.g., prophetic writings, historical narrative).
Full propers have been prepared for the One-Year Lectionary, including a psalm and verse of the day, expanded introits, and hymn suggestions for each Sunday and festival.
https://www.lcms.org/worship/lectionary-series#one-year-lectionary
