About St. Stephens Lutheran Church
Founded in 1870, St. Stephens Lutheran Church is a part of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS). To be Lutheran simply means that we accept the scriptural truths that inspired the reformation of the Christian Church in the 16th century and led to a renewed focus on the Gospel.
As a result, we uphold an extravagant and mysterious view of God’s love: that man is saved purely by God’s grace through faith alone, apart from works. We believe that God is so loving and powerful that He is actively working through His Word as well as saving and sustaining sinful men, women and children through His mysterious gifts of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the Universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Isaiah 44:6; Deuteronomy 4:35, 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:6
About Humanity and Sin
God made us in His image, to be like Him in character. We are the crown of God’s creation. Although we have tremendous potential for good, everyone is marred by our nature of rebellion toward God called sin. Sin separates people from God and there is nothing that we can do to restore ourselves in our relationship with God.
Genesis 1:26, 27; Job 10:8-12; Genesis 3; Romans 5:12, 18; Ephesians 2:1-3
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary by miraculous conception, lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days demonstrating His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory where He is the Mediator between God and people, and will return again to earth. He will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
John 1:1-4, 14, 16; Luke 2:1-20; Hebrews 2:14-18; 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22-24; 3:18; Galatians 4:4, 5; 3:13
About Salvation
Salvation is a gift from God to all people. Men and women can never make up for their sin by self-improvement or good works. Only through faith in Jesus Christ through God’s grace can a person be saved from sin’s penalty. When God has begun a saving work in the heart of any person, He gives assurance in His Word that He will continue performing it until the day of His return.
Ephesians 2:16; Romans 8:6-8; Romans 3:23-24; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23; 1 Peter 1:3-4; John 3:17-18; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:3-4
About Eternity
People are created to exist forever. Every person will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is heaven. Heaven and hell are places of eternal existence.
Genesis 2:17, 3:19; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. We believe the Holy Spirit is active among us today, bringing conviction when a person has done wrong and creating the desire for forgiveness in Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He regenerates our hearts and lives. His ongoing work is to guide, instruct, and empower believers to Godly living.
Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Titus 3:5; John 3:5-6
About the Bible
The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is God’s word to all. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. The entire Scriptures are inspired by God, and are infallible and inerrant. They are the unique, full and final authority on all matters of faith and practice, and there are no other writings similarly inspired by God.
2 Timothy 3:16, John 10:35, Romans 3:2; 1 Corinthians 2:13
About Faith and Practice
Scripture is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. We recognize that we cannot bind the conscience of individual members in areas where Scripture is silent. Rather, each believer is to be led in those areas by the Lord, to whom he or she alone is ultimately responsible.
Ephesians 2:20; 2 Thessalonians 2:15
About Creation
God has created all that exists by His almighty Word, in the manner and the space of time recorded in the Scriptures, specifically Genesis 1 and 2. Since no man was around when God created the world, we must rely on His holy and perfect Word as a record of His creative work.
Bible Study
Join us at 11 AM on Sunday following our 9:30 Service, for a rousing conversation about God and His word, and how it pertains to and guides our life.
Sunday Morning Service
We gather at 9:30 in the summer in our outdoor worship center, listening to God’s word, and the birds and nature that compliment it. Starting Labor Day, we meet in our historic sanctuary, filled with light and love. Stay for fellowship with refreshments and of course, coffee!
Women’s Bible Study
Tuesday Morning at 12PM, our women’s group meet for some intimate and educational time with God, and good friends, everyone welcome!