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YOU BELONG
TAKE IT STEP BY STEP
Step 1: Consider, pray on and plan your Intention for 2024 to help us maintain a fully supported 2024 budget and sustain our ministry.
Step 2: Turn in your Intention!
SAVE THE STAMP
Bring your completed Intention Card with you to worship starting 11/19/2023;
Drop it off or mail it to the church by the end of the year
Step 3: Choose or Update Your Giving
GIVE ONLINE
If you use Automatic Withdrawals, you will receive a form in the mail.
Use Bill Pay through your bank (they write the check for you!)
To make your offering by mail or in person, please use an offering envelope found in the pews (or we can mail you some!).
BELONG
A word we are drawn to throughout our lives. To belong means we made it, we survived, we are in. Much of what we do is a search to belong in some way. Through Jesus, we already belong, we are his, it’s been promised. That’s the good news!
Like a family, this ministry continues to evolve and grow, both inside and outside our walls, and celebrate the faith we share. Amazing work is being done to create new and thoughtful ways to connect to God, to grow our faith and to walk in God’s hope and love. Together we belong to a great community!
Everything you do for St Stephen’s uplifts this ministry and each gift you bring to the table is received in gratitude and is invested into God’s kingdom. Thank you!
CONNECT WITH ALL AGES
- We strive to strengthen our connections with God for kids of all ages through education, service and worship.
- Faith Formation - contemporary worship, education and fun for the young and the young at heart.
- Youth Education including Wee Wonder, Youth Confirmation and Youth Group,
- Onsite outreach and fellowship with Young Life Northern Dakota County
- Sponsored mission trips, fundraiser activities and service projects where all are invite to participate
- Opportunities to participate in our ministry through music, lay leader roles, fellowship, and other groups and committees that make worship a reflections of God’s love.
A SPACE FOR ALL
Maintaining a space for not just the congregation, but for other groups, non-profits and schools to use in positive ways is a significant part of who we are and how we invite our community. We are a home for:
- Mississippi River Valley Montessori School
- ISD 197 School Age Care
- Young Life, Northern Dakota County
- The Boy Scouts
- Liberating Spirit Church uses our Lounge for their worship services
- House of Life Christian Community
- The general public and members for weddings and memorial services
MISSIONS & OUTREACH
Service is a critical component of our ministry as we strive to impact our community and God’s world through our missions and outreach.
- Why sell it when you can just give it away? Initiatives like The Give-Away occur in the spring and fall and spread joy to all.
- Faithful Connections — Intentional outreach to homebound members who miss church and their friends and appreciate feeling connected
- Complete service projects to express gratitude for all we are blessed with through events such as God’s Work Our Hands,
- Loaves & Fishes and Feed My Starving Children
- Lutheran Mideast Development, where we learn from and share with persons from a variety of cultures and faith.
FINANCIAL FOCUS
All factors of this ministry are supported through your generosity. Our annual budget is based on anticipated giving from the prior year and through Intentions received. However, both our General Offering and Intentions continue to decline. We need to work together to change our present financial trajectory from a shrinking outlook to a thriving, resourceful future.
YOUR OFFERING
Offerings designated to “General Offering” are used to fund the operating expenses and committees of the church. In addition, 10% of your Genera Offerings go toward our external Ministries.
... THE BOTTOM LINE
The 2023 budgeted expenses were $96,000 higher than expected income. You can help close this gap by increasing your giving by 10% each year for the next 3 years! If your family is not currently giving regularly, please consider starting with $10 a month.
If you need some giving envelopes, contact the church office and we can get some out to you pronto so you can mail in your offering. If you’re ready to explore electronic giving, here are a few options we offer:
* Try “Text to Give” by texting to phone#8449072702 and in the message field, add your offering amount. Have a credit card ready for your inspired contribution.
* Download the GIVE PLUS+ mobile app to create an account, sign into your Vanco account or simply choose “Give Now”.
* With GIVEPLUS+ you can give whenever you are inspired to support a mission or need, or you can set up a recurring donation to the general offering.
* Don’t have a Vanco account yet? Visit https://www.ststephenswsp.org/ and select the GIVE ONLINE option at the top to get started.
* Volunteer with us! Share your gifts and talents in thanks to God! St. Stephen’s thrives because of our amazing volunteers and the many shared talents we enjoy.
If you wish to participate in our ministry and help out with some of our goals and missions, we’d love to hear from you! Contact the church and get connected today!
Your support of and participation at St Stephen’s is valued, appreciated and necessary to keep God’s love and message of hope alive. Thanks for all you do! What a blessing you are to God’s amazing world.
Stewardship Ministry Resources
Click on Links below:
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