Community

Community Events and Information

Excellence in Parish Ministry Award

“Annually, the Alumni Board of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago confers the seminary’s Distinguished Alumni Awards upon individuals whose commitment to Jesus Christ and partnership in ministry have been exemplary. In this regard, it is my great joy and delight to officially inform you that you have been selected as the recipient of the 2017 Excellence in Parish Ministry Award, which celebrates your work as a rostered leader in a parish setting. I am delighted you were chosen for this honor and look forward to your visit to LSTC in October for the Awards Ceremony.”
– Dr. James Nieman, President
 
Pastor James Lapp recently received this letter and is pleased the seminary has recognized his achievements in ministry. He is looking forward to the Awards Ceremony with joyful anticipation.  Please see the May 2017 Newsletter for more of Pastor Jim’s response.

Dec 18 – Blue Christmas Worship Service, 7:00 pm

St. Stephen’s will be offering a Blue Christmas Service — a time when the “blue” feelings many people experience during the holidays can be acknowledged.

This is not a joyous season for everyone.  Greetings of Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, non-stop shopping, parties, and other traditional ways of celebrating the holidays often contrast sharply with the feelings of people for whom it’s not “the most wonderful time of the year.”  For families suffering from the recent or impending death of loved ones or in crisis due to illness or any other kind of loss, or for those who suffer from Christmas depression or other mental illness, it can be a very isolated and lonely time.

Together we will offer up our pain, sorrow, anxiety, and loneliness to the One whose birth we commemorate — our Lord Jesus Christ.