Mission Statement & History
St. Stephen’s is a welcoming, healing community who worship God in Christ, nurture people growing in faith, serve others with acceptance and love, invite people to share the joy of the spirit.
St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church was founded in 1953 and is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Our denomination is named after Martin Luther (1483-1546), the leader of the Protestant Reformation. The version of the Bible the ELCA uses is the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Leadership
Ministers of St. Stephen’s
Rev. James P. Lapp, Pastor
Leslie Lapp, Church Administrator
Gary Roberts, Director of Music
John Hopping, Custodian
Kathy Berens, Preschool Director
Church Council
Renee Rice, President
Jay Johnston, Vice President
Alyssa Burkhardt, Secretary
Kent Madsen, Treasurer
Shelly Barker, Robert Bartee, Paul Cunningham, Steven Hendrickson, Bill Schraft
Membership Information
Join us!
If you have been attending St. Stephen’s for awhile and have decided that this is where you want to call your church home, you may be asking – “how do I become a member?”
At St. Stephen’s, you becoming a member is more of a reflection that you are making a commitment to know God and to be partner with us to accomplish the work that God is doing through the St. Stephen’s church body (our members).
Our growing family
We want to be a growing church simply because it means that people are discovering what it means to have a relationship with Jesus Christ and discover all He has promised.
If you are ready to become a member, sign up for the next membership class. This class is designed to provide you with more information on knowing God, plus to give you an opportunity to become a member of the St. Stephen’s family.
Questions?
If you have questions, please contact Pastor Jim Lapp at revjim@ststephenslutheran.org or (831) 476-4700.
Ministries
- Mary Martha Women’s Circle
- Book Club
- Women’s Cafe Group
- Habitat for Humanity lunches
- Weekly online Bible Study
- Santa Cruz al Salvador – connecting with communities in El Salvador
- COPA – Communities Organized for relational Power in Action
Lots of opportunities to share your gifts in worship, fellowship, leadership & caring for the church grounds!
Music
Make a Joyful Sound
Your gifts are welcome to enhance our worship experience. We enjoy all styles of music and try to blend them into the services.
The choir is on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional voices in all ranges are invited to join the choir. No audition is required—just show up at 9:30 am Sunday, and music and a place will be found for you. Watch this space for information once in-person
Musical abilities other than vocal are also welcome. Special music during our worship service includes guitars, drums, violin, and flute, as well as the piano and organ. Contact the church office to volunteer (email or 831-476-4700).
Church Musician
Gary Roberts, our Director of Music, is equally adept and comfortable at the keyboard of our Abbot & Sieker 14-rank pipe organ, grand piano, or electronic keyboard.
St. Stephen’s Worship Band
The Worship Band is also on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch for news about getting the band back together!