Announcements
Virtual Church Office Hours
(Effective 8/31/2020 until further notice)
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Monday - Friday
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SSCC INTENTIONS AND COMMITMENTS
“I AM COMMITTED”
Dear SSCC Family,
As we come to the time that we celebrate SSCC Church Anniversary, I am asking all of us to take time to examine where we are as we continue through the uncharted waters of our present world. I am asking us to be particular and specific in our actions that we are willing to commit to in order for our world to be all the more enriched by our being a part of it! One of the Scriptural guideposts I have used in constructing this effort is the following:
PSALM 119:57-60 NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV)
57 You are my portion, Lord;
I have promised to obey your words.
58 I have sought your face with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 I have considered my ways
and have turned my steps to your statutes.
60 I will hasten and not delay
to obey your commands.
Writing/creating an intention/action statement can take the following form:
I, (your name)___________, am committed to (cause/group/concept)___________ by (action/activity)_______ (time frame)____.
Example: ‘I, Jane Doe, am committed to eliminating hunger in the greater Lansing area by volunteering 2 hours per week at the Food Bank beginning October 1, 2020.’
I would like you to consider this effort a corporate one…for all of us that call SSCC our spiritual home. Please set aside a time for meditation/pray and to begin the task of creating/writing your intentions and commitments. I would like to see us make a collection of these (if you are comfortable sharing). You can share as many or as few as you like. They would all be placed together in a binder. I would also ask that we revisit them regularly as individuals/families and to do so corporately every 3 months. Another guiding Scripture for this is:
Hebrews 10:24-25 New International Version
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
I sincerely believe that we are being called to a higher place of responsibility and action. There is no doubt that we are to be co-workers with God’s help, in the maintenance and upkeep of creation. Please review the entire 2nd chapter of the book of James for a reminder of the importance of living out our faith through the works we do to the glory of God.
After you have created your commitment statements pray for the Holy Spirit to help you meet, keep and complete each one.
Please contact me with any questions or concerns.
Let’s look forward to all that God will do as we set our intentions on Holy Work!
Rev. Sameerah L. Shareef
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Sustaining Presence Ministry of SSCC
Dear SSCC family,
I am asking us to consider a stretch in the Benevolence that our church engages in. I am asking that we consider being a Sustaining Presence in the lives of family in our community. I believe that we can continue what we have been doing and extend ourselves in new ways.
The proposal is this. We will partner with an area agency to connect with a family that is in need. We will support this family beginning in the holiday season this year, 2020, by purchasing gifts for them such as Thanksgiving food basket and Christmas gifts for them. We would follow this up by becoming a Sustaining Presence in their life by supplying a financial stipend monthly that would be directed towards necessary expenses, such as rent, utilities, food. This would either be directly paid to a vendor (such as landlord or utility company) or given in the form of a gift card for needed items. (i.e. Meijer or Kroger card or Target or Kohls gift card) The amount of sustaining support will depend on our budget of course, yet it will be a consistent amount. Considering the following example:
SSCC partners with a local shelter and “adopts” a family. The family has 4 members, mother, father. Son and daughter. We will begin collecting donations of money toward holiday time now. (August 2020)
We will supply the family with a Thanksgiving food basket for a Thanksgiving meal. (This could also be a gift card to local food store and family could purchase their meal).
In December, we would purchase gifts for the family, according to what they may have requested and available funds.
Beginning in January 2021, we would provide a support gift monthly, such as $100 per month toward the family’s utility bill. We would present a check directly to the utility company for this amount and would pay this same amount monthly for the entire year of 2021.
I am asking that we continue to give our regular tithes and offerings and in addition to that, to give a little extra to cover this new initiative.
I look forward to hearing your feedback on this proposal. Please email or call with any questions or comments.
BE BLESSED!
Rev. Sameerah
To View The 33rd Anniversary Worship Service,
Click HERE!
"Friends & Family" Video by Dr. Eugene Cain
1. Reflections (Song: Glory). It is largely a reflective look back of some of the church members who have passed on, but their spirits are still with us.
2. Joy (Song: Smile). It recognizes the many many smiling faces that greet one upon entering the church. We are a Happy Church!
3. Praise ( Song: Every Praise). This segment recognizes members and visitors giving continuous praise and honor to God, whether the praise is exemplified in song, dance, prayer, meditation, acts of kindness, etc.
4. Power and Influence of St. Stephens Community Church through its 33 years existence (Song: My God Is Awesome) . Through the works and talents of its membership St. Stephen’s Church continuously bear the torch of Love, Diversity, Sharing, & Social justice in greater Lansing and around the world…Thanks to our worship of an Awesome God.
To View The Video, Click HERE!