1 Corinthians 15:58 : "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES

Vespers: Saturdays
at 6:30 pm

Divine Liturgy: Sundays at 10:30 am

Feastday Liturgies: 10:30 a.m.

Church School:
Following the
Sunday Liturgy

Nursing Home Visitation:
First Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm



Ministries of St. Stephen's:

Updates from the last Council Meeting.

MINISTRIES:  Council Secretary/Treasurer (Cheryl):  Fr. Mark, Cheryl and Carroll Creighton (and perhaps Carrie to learn for her bookstore account) to meet with Leslie Bowyer at the end of May (tentatively on Saturday, May 24th) to transfer over information.  

Church Office Assistant:  Continue to assist Fr. Mark and St. Stephen's with church office duties and responsibilities.  The Intercessor letters & mailings regularly.  Compiling permanent e-files of bulletin icons for every day of the year.  Cards, notes, emails and phone calls as needed (including follow up for members missing and thank you's for donators).  Detailed monthly calendar created.  Any project request by Fr. Mark (such as articles typed and working out various projects).  Seasonal flyers/special occasions, including Chamber of Commerce "welcome" flyer, Ron Moore and other event flyers, etc.  As time allows in the future to start doing the weekly/ special event bulletins.


   Council Expediter (Lois):  To call or email / follow up with Council Members to ensure that our responsibilities are followed through to completion.   Intercessory Prayer Coordinator: Encourage unity and prayer, help us to grow. (Prayers are being answered!)


   Holy Bread Coordinator (Anzhelika):  Is currently making bread along with Presbytera Donna, Elesha Hodges and Hannah Hodges.  She would like to see more of us making the Holy  bread and has encouraged us to view the Prosphora video.  Carroll Creighton has volunteered.  

Eucharist Wine Maker:  Angela's wine is in process and Cheryl South will give wine as well, as needed.  

Webmaster:  Website is going great!  Angela requests that all ministry leaders send her a excerpt/summary of our ministry and a personal picture to be put on the web.  

Prison Ministry Coordinator: Remember to keep to the rules (use the church for a return address and
don't send any pictures of you or your family).  Father Mark suggests not to send money (just prayers, friendship and support), at least not significant sums of money.  The prisoners are appreciative of our letters and prayers.  Anzhelika mentioned various basic needs which are not provided for inmates, such as stamps, soap, shampoo, etc., which makes small monetary gifts appropriate.


   Visitation Coordinator to Sick Members (Dave):   Dave couldn't be at meeting (he is doing his seminars –may God bless them!).


   Children's Religious Ed Coordinator (Presbytera):  Needs to work out the snags on the location/area to teach/minister.  Especially needed when kids of new members come to Church.  Father Mark mentioned perhaps in the near future Shelli could help, or take over (if she wanted).  

Charities Distribution Coordinator:  A wonderful blessing to the families in need with food (with the certificates they cannot purchase alcohol, cigarettes or junk food), & gas (w/"gas only" card).  Note:  if on rare occasions we take money from the charity basket (to help others), make certain to leave a note for Presbytera Donna, so she will know.  Presbytera to keep track of the Charity fund monies and give a basic financial accounting at each council meeting.


   Church Music Director (Elesha):  Practice before Vespers @ 5:00 p.m. going well – prepared for Lenten services.  

Nursing Home Visitation Coordinator:  Going well.   College Fellowship Coordinator:  Not meeting
for the last of this school year.  Will pick up again next fall.  OCF was good for those who came, but was more generally Christian and did not emphasize Orthodoxy.  Built friendships, and some OCF'ers have come to Church.


   Greeter Ministry (Carroll and Sarah):  Most guests are mostly Orthodox visitors.  Cheryl to make cards for them & provide stamps.


Started new guest book.  In the future: those who have attended services with us will have a bulletin &/or a letter/note sent to them.  Father Mark mentioned the practice of Fr Gordon Walker in TN, that every member has their name on their bulletin, and after Church those who weren't there had their bulletin mailed to them.  Visitation Coordinator to Seekers/Visitors:  Going to contact them.  

Interior Cleaning coordinator:  Putting up board for "sign up" to clean church.  Father Mark mentioned what a great job Carroll and Sarah are doing, making sure the cleaning gets done.  Carroll said the bulk of the work was being done by Joshua, and Joshua attributed great help from Daniel and Caleb.
   

Youth Ministers (Joshua and Carrie):  Youth Group meetings (2) went well.  Hanging out and having a "topic of discussion", really active. There will be a spaghetti dinner April 17th to raise funds for summer
church camp.  Working of summer projects.  Father Mark suggested looking into a project to help the millions suffering in Sudan.


   Exterior Grounds Keeping Ministry (Joshua):  With spring coming, will aerate lawn and mulch if needed.  Need to get a quote to have driveway put in.  Check into having the city put up (at our expense) St. Stephen's Orthodox Church direction signs on/off interstate and at major intersections in town (Cheryl to give Josh info).  Need to have the light line buried.  Have to get air conditioner fixed (Presbytera Donna to call).


   Bookstore Ministry (Carrie):  Doing well – all items have prices on them.  We (Carrie) now have a nonprofit credit/debit card from Chase for bookstore.  If we sell an OSB or something over $50, we will have enough in our beginning balance to win an extra $50 from the bank.


   Hospitality Coordinator (Shelli):  Shelli couldn't make it for work reasons (she's attending elsewhere today).  Everyone said what a good job she has been doing.  Has sent out sign up list.

 

1 Corinthians 1:10: "Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. "

3560 Shawnee Road   -  Lima, Ohio 45806    (419) 224-8600