Middle Teens Youth Group Leaders Annual Report 2002

It has been our privilege over the past six months to serve our Lord through the leadership of the Middle Teens group. Our goal in this ministry has been twofold: to nurture the Biblical upbringing of the youth of St. Stephen’s church, and to encourage them to reach out to family and friends with God’s word and through a Godly lifestyle.

Our weekly agenda has been as follows: First, we meet in the church for evening worship. Following the worship service, we engage in some type of game or activity to encourage fellowship among the kids. After the game, we begin our evening study. This year, we have been examining the book of Proverbs. We engage the kids in open dialogue about the Bible and application of its principles to their lives. We selected a book entitled “Talk Sheets” by Rick Bundschuh and Tom Finley to assist in this study. The talk sheets have been invaluable in fostering instant discussions about particular readings within the book of Proverbs. The kids take time to formulate written answers to a few questions about a given topic. We then share answers among the group and study the scripture related to the topic. As we discuss the scripture and topic, we engage each young person in reading scripture, sharing individual answers, and asking questions about things that they do not understand. Our attempt is to get them to think for themselves, according to Godly principles, and not just mimic answers that they have heard before or imitate their friends. We have had many good discussions about Biblical precepts and relevant topics.

Two areas that we would like to pursue more actively with the Middle Teens are community outreach and social activities. Over the past year, we have had several personal situations that have put limitations on our time. We had an outreach planned at Christmas, but the weather interrupted our plans. If anyone is able to assist us by organizing and executing some of these activities, we would greatly appreciate it. Please contact us so that we can coordinate the details.

Over the past six months, our group has grown from four young people on our first week to a present count of ten. We are excited that as we encourage the youth to bring their friends, they willingly respond. Please commit to praying for them that God would help them to grow in faith, and would protect them from the ungodly influences that many of them encounter daily. Thank you for your faithful prayers and support.

Respectfully Submitted,
Middle Teens Leaders

Senior Teens Youth Group Leaders Annual Report 2002

Different Dynamics

The transition from the ’01-‘02 to the ’02-’03 academic years brought a dramatic change to the dynamics of the Senior Youth Group. Eight of our kids from ’01-’02 were seniors, and they had formed a large part of the core of our group. Most of them were also very outgoing, always volunteering to pray, read Scripture, and answer questions. With their graduation came a much smaller group, in many ways much easier to manage, but one struggling to find a new identity, not being able to rely on the graduated seniors.

The change has been refreshing. We miss those who graduated a great deal, but are finding that we can probe the Scriptures and discuss issues at a much more intimate level than last year. It has also been rewarding to watch the group grow, both on an individual and corporate basis. We are getting to know the new group very well, and are enjoying meeting with some of them individually. We have also been able to keep in touch with some from the old group, so the resulting balance is one that we have come to appreciate.

Weekly Meetings

We continue to meet on Wednesdays from 7:00 - 8:45pm. Attendance in 2002 remained consistent, and our average was about 8. As alluded to above, this smaller group allows for a much more controlled discussion. The group has shown a consistent desire to grow. Our study topic this academic year is the book of Mark.

Since the birth of our son, we have been bringing him to our weekly meetings. It is a definite challenge to manage a baby and lead discussion at the same time, but he has done well and the kids love him. It is our hope that we provide them with a consistent example of Godly relationships, not only between husband and wife, but between parent and child as well.

Activities

In January we went on a Ski Retreat with Liberty Reformed Presbyterian’s Youth Group. In February we attended Winter Camp. In March we attended the Shepherd Ministries conference. In April the kids served dinner at St. Stephen’s 20th anniversary dinner. In June our seniors graduated. In November we attended an all-diocese lock-in at Havre De Grace, and in December we had a well-attended Christmas party.

Final Thoughts

We want to thank the parents again for their continued support. Many of our kids now drive, but there are still some parents who bring their child every Wednesday and wait patiently until we are finished. We still encourage parents and the congregation to contact us with any questions or comments, positive or negative. We are always looking for ways to reach the kids more effectively, and want to be open to anything you have to say.

We continue to need parents and the church at large to pray for us. Now is a crucial time in our kids’ lives, even if they don’t realize it. Pray that they would be rooted in their faith. Pray for them to have hearts open to love the Lord with all that they are, and pray that they would learn to love truth. We are honored to lead them, and are blessed and humbled by the opportunity to serve them faithfully.

In His Grace,
Senior Teens Leaders

SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT REPORT 2004

I present my twenty-second annual Sunday School report for St. Stephen’s with joy and thanksgiving for the privilege of serving as Sunday School Superintendent and teacher. I am thankful for our dedicated and faithful teachers who encourage our young people and adults to study and learn more about their Savior.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Attendance continued to be very good with an average weekly attendance of 85, excluding July and August.

The Sunday School classes and number of students per class are as follows:

Three adult Sunday School classes were offered: Parenting; C. S. Lewis – selective writings; and “The Case for Christ” by Lee Strobel. Thanks to the volunteers to take care of cribbery during the Sunday School hour. Total current enrollment is 110, including teachers and students.

Nursery through junior classes begin in the sanctuary at 9:30 a.m. for a time of music. After music time, they return to their classes, and the primary and junior classes rotate for their catechism and lesson. We continue with public recitation and rewards three times a year with a special reward offered to any student who recites the entire catechism by memory.

Cribbery and Nursery

A cribbery for ages newborn through 2 years was available during the worship hour. It was staffed by one or more of the 15 adult and teen volunteers.

The Nursery (ages 2-3) and Kindergarten (ages 4-5) classes had a structured church time program led by various adult volunteers on a bi-weekly schedule.

Musical Programs

The children in Nursery through the Junior High departments presented an Easter program, “Easter Rainbow”, and “The Nativity Presentation” at Christmas. These programs were a joy and blessing to all who participated and to all who attended.

Vacation Bible School

Our 21st year of Vacation Bible School was held July 6-9, with closing exercises on the afternoon of July 9. The theme was “God’s Champions – Equipped to follow Jesus.”

Average daily attendance was 60, with 27 teachers and helpers.

The missionary carnival was held July 7. The boys and girls enjoyed eating lunch and playing games, which raised $222 for our missionary in West Germany.

In closing, I thank God for the privilege and the opportunity to serve Him through teaching and through the office of Sunday School Superintendent. To God be the Glory!

Respectfully Submitted,
Sunday School Superintendent

WOMEN OF THE CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT 2002

All women who are members of St. Stephen’s Church are invited to become members of the Women of the Church. We manage many of the charitable, social, and functional activities in the parish as we participate in the spiritual life of the church under the leadership and guidance of our Pastor. We offer opportunities for fellowship, service, and the study of God’s Word.

This year we purchased 12 tables and 100 chairs for the church and academy. We maintain a prayer chain for urgent prayer needs of the church family. We provide dinners for our sisters when they are unable to prepare meals for their families due to serious illness or surgery and for our new moms as they adjust to their new arrival. We prepare lunches for the poor through Escape ministries and offer manicures at Sykesville Continuum Care Center. We financially support Escape Ministries, Alpha Pregnancy Center, Campus Crusade, and St. Stephen’s Classical Christian Academy. The monies the congregation donates to the Women of the Church as well as proceeds from fund raising activities are used for these outreaches.

We continue to meet in our Esther and Eve Circles. Both circles met in January, February, April, May, October and November (weather permitting). The WOC met collectively in March, June, September and December. We met one Sunday evening each month for Bible study. Our WOC annual picnic was held in June and our WOC Christmas party was held in December at our members’ homes. In February, we attended the Women’s Reapers and Wares meeting in Pennsylvania.

Food and fellowship remain an important part of our church family life. During Lent we shared homemade soups and breads on Wednesday nights. In a Lenten Lecture Series, we learned about the “Covenant Family” from the Reverend Kevin Skogen with an “Italian pot luck dinner” on Saturday night and desserts on Sunday night. The Parish Council and the WOC held St. Stephen’s 20th Anniversary Celebration with dinner, a short program and games. Our annual Mother-Daughter Banquet was served by men in the church. In June, we held our Annual Church Picnic at Hollow Brook Farm. In August, we hosted a potluck luncheon for our Congregational Meeting.

In the early part of May, we had our Mother-Daughter Banquet. A few weeks later, 25 ladies met at Middle Creek Manor for our bi-annual retreat where we all thought about the joy of hospitality in the Christian home. A Yard Sale was held in June with the proceeds going to our missionary in Germany.

We concluded the year with our Thanksgiving and Christmas outreaches. We delivered food baskets to four families at Thanksgiving and gifts along with food baskets were delivered to two of these families at Christmas.

I thank you for the opportunity to serve as President of the Women of the Church.

Respectfully Submitted,
Women of the Church President