Adult Ministries at St. Stephen
Adult Ministries at St. Stephen
Saints Alive
Saints Alive is an eight month program for senior church members of St. Stephen on the fourth Thursday of Jan – May, Sept., Oct. & Nov. at 11:30 a.m. in the Eastminster Room of the Education Building. We share a meal before our guest speaker gives a program. We have musical and topical guest speakers ranging from mission outposts to local historical to photography to anything. There are also 4 – 6 excursions through the year to see Art or Historical Exhibits or see the Bluebonnet Festival. Join us on Thursdays and our trip days.
Sunday School Classes
Sunday School is a gathering of all ages for a Continental Breakfast in Parish Hall (South Education Building), from 9:25 – 9:45 a.m. All classes offer coffee during Sunday School! Classes last from 9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Introduction to Being Presbyterian (for New Members or Inquirers into Church Membership) -
One to two times a year, the Inquirers or “intro” class is offered at the church for those newly joined in our congregation or for those interested in finding out more about our denomination and particularly, St. Stephen’s church history. Typically the classes run during the Sunday School hour, 9:45 – 10:30 a.m. (post breakfast in Parish Hall at 9:30 – 9:45 a.m.) for about 6 weeks. Topics for this class include:
What it means to be a Christian;
What it means to be a Presbyterian;
Unique and exciting aspects of being a member of St. Stephen;
Baptism of Adults and Children;
Essential Tenets of Presbyterianism.
Faith & Family Adult Class – resides in the Bethelehem B&B Classroom, formerly, a children’s classroom. This class offers the opportunity to discuss parenting of young children influenced by Christian values of the Presbyterian Church. Classmates regularly get together during the year for fellowship meal including children. Lots of fellowship, discussion, and rearing shared!
Starbucks Adult Class -
Starbucks is designed for those who wish to create community with the other adults study and discuss varying view points of biblical and spiritual topics with lots of discussion; those with questions are most encouraged to voice them here. Meeting in a casual environment, upstairs in the middle of the second floor, you’ll find the Starbucks Class, Room 215 – across from the Godly Play (children in K & 1st grade) room.
Northminster Adult Class –
The Northminster Class is designed for thinkers and analysts and those with current yearnings for questions and answers. The class studies in depth the theology and history of Biblical passages, plus also hosts current issues, scholarly topics, scientific theories and postulates, and global ideas. If you like in-depth Bible Study and occasional other topics, this is the class for you. Meeting in a lecture type environment, this class is held in the Northminster Room, above the church office (north entrance, north stairs) at the top of the stairs.
Fisher Adult Class –
This Fisher Class offers a weekly Bible Study lesson from the Bible Discovery curriculum, “The Present Word”. In the largest Adult Class room, the Bible Study setting, hosts teachers who revel in the Good News of Christ and it’s impact on our faith. This class likes to highlight joys and concerns of church members and class members. Meeting in the Eastminster Room on the first floor of the Education Building, all are invited to join in.
Other Adult Groups within the Church Programs
Knitting Guild
The Knitting Guild is a recent start up group with many women knitting caps or scarves or lap blankets for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, those who are chronically ill, or others in need. They have given out many a scarf or blanket to dozens of recipients and intend to keep up this mission of caring for a long time! They meet on Tuesday afternoons.
Docent Guild -
The Docent Guild offers knowledgeable tours of the church facilities including information about the architecture, the appointments and furnishings of the buildings, and the meaning of the religious symbolism found throughout St. Stephen Presbyterian Church. Tours of the sanctuary are offered at 12:00 noon on the fourth Sunday of each month, as well as by appointment.
Each Sessional Committee also has functioning volunteer cabinets that work to enhance the work of the church including:
Worship Committee– oversees the sanctity of the worship of the weekly church services and the special liturgical services through the year.
Christian Education Committee – oversees the Children and Youth programs of the church, the Sunday School Classes for all ages, Vacation Bible School, Music Day Camp, assists with promoting special Children and Youth Services throughout the year, and Christmas on the Hill.
Fellowship Committee – oversees community building in the church by sponsoring special dinners, special gatherings, supporting meals for special worship services, and Dinners for 8 groups.
Property & Grounds Committee – oversees the church buildings and grounds and maintains them and works to beautify and fix any broken systems.
Finance Committee – oversees the church budget and manages the accounts of the church body.
Membership Committee – oversees the new members coming into the church family and communicates with visitors about our church.
Mission Committee – oversees the many mission projects and groups of the church as we work to “exhibit Christ’s love into the world.”
Nominations Committee – oversees the recruitment of Elders, Deacons, Trustees of the church and helps setting up training for officers.
Stewardship Committee – oversees the Time and Talent of the church and encourages participation in the Stewardship Campaign which supports the church budget.
Mission Focused Groups –
Please visit the Mission page to see ways that you can get involved in Mission at St. Stephen.