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Stephen Ministry
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Do You Know Someone Who is Going through a Difficult Time?
Do you have a friend, neighbor, co-worker, or relative who has been struggling with the loss of a loved one, loneliness, cancer, a layoff, relocation, divorce, a spiritual crisis, recuperation, single parenthood, or any of countless other life challenges? Our Stephen Ministers can provide them with the focused care, encouragement, and support they need to make it through the crisis.
A Stephen Minister is...
A child of God who walks beside a person who is hurting;
A congregation member with gifts for care giving, who was carefully selected to serve in this role;
A lay person who has received 50 hours of training in providing emotional and spiritual care;
A caring Christian friend who listens, cares, prays, supports and encourages;
Someone who will “be there” for his or her care receiver, meeting faithfully for about
an hour each week, for as long as there is a need.
Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals in our congregation and community who are experiencing difficulties in their lives. St. John is blessed with an active Stephen Ministry. If you are interested in having a Stephen Minister visit, call the church office, speak with a pastor, or make an email request.
Interested in learning more about the Stephen Ministry? Visit their website!
Cancer Care
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Do you know someone who is battling cancer - a neighbor, friend, a loved one, or perhaps it is you?
Over 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer every year. Having cancer can feel like an unexpected and endless journey. It’s easy to become weary, but having someone to walk the path with you can make the journey easier. St. John has a group of commissioned cancer caregivers who want to walk by your side - whether you are the cancer patient, or if it is a friend, neighbor, family member, etc.Imagine you are feeling afraid, rejected, alone, powerless, ashamed or hopeless. Envision if someone comes to you and says words that no one else has said, does things that no one else has done, and leaves you with courage, strength, dignity and hope for the future - and God's plan. How would that affect you? What if it changed one day? What about 10 days? 100 days? What if it helped you through to see another whole season of life with hope?Is your heart moved with compassion and a desire to help people affected by cancer?
Cancer care ministry is a hope ministry. While it involves prayer, counsel, visits and assistance, it is centered on bringing God's hope to patients and their caregivers, family and friends. This requires an understanding of the impact of cancer, how people react to it and how God has called His people to respond. Above all, it requires us to have within ourselves an unfeigned hope that we can take to those in need.Cancer care ministry requires unique insights, both into the dIsease and into God's Word. The purpose of Our Journey of Hope is to equip you with these insights, and to help you cultivate and carry the hope for which so many are longing.
St. John is excited to introduce Our Journey of Hope, a biblically-based cancer care ministry open to anyone who is ready to make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.I am interested in learning more about Our Journey of Hope - a small group study that will equip and commission me for this special outreach. (Materials are provided free of charge.) Visitation Team
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Spending time with someone is a precious gift, especially when circumstances leave a person in a "lonely place", such as a hospital bed or someone who is unable to leave their home. The Visitation team ensures that those who are hospitalized or homebound see a friendly face from St. John.
Bringing a friendly "hello", casual conversation, or doing a small activity together can make a big difference in the emotional health of someone who is alone.
The St. John Visitation team meets periodically throughout the year. If you are interested in volunteering your time to brighten someone's day, send an email to get started!
Perhaps you, or someone you know, would like to have someone come and visit and spend some time just talking, putting together a puzzle, reading or watching a show together! Send an email request and someone from the Visitation team will set up a time that will work in your daily routine.
Prayer Chain
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PRAYER CHANGES THINGS ...
The St. John Prayer Chain is a group of people linked together by prayer - actively praying for those mentioned in worship and for those who send special "prayer requests" that remain confidential.
This Caring Ministry does not require meetings or any special training - only the loving act of praying for one another. If you are interested in becoming a link in the Prayer Chain, call the church office or send an email - everyone is welcome to be a part of this wonderful ministry!
Do you have a prayer request? We encourage you to offer requests of healing and thanksgiving, guidance and hopefulness. You are welcome to send your prayer request here. There is also a "Prayer Submissions" link on the homepage for easier access in the future.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ~ Philippians 4:6
