Here are a few verses for us to chew on as we begin a new chapter in the history of St Stephens.
 
2Cor 8 3
For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will.

2cor 6 3 
We put no obstacle in anyone’s way so that no fault may be found with our ministry.
 
Eph 4 – 25 – Therefore putting away falsehood, let everyone speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.  Be angry but do not sin… and give no opportunity to the devil. … Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as Is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear.  Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

 Gal 5 25
 If we live by the spirit, let us also walk by the spirit.  Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another.
 

Phil 4 – 4-8

Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.  Let all men know your forbearance.  The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to god.  And the peace of god, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Phil 4 11-12

I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content.  I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want.  I can do all things in him who strengthens me.

 2cor 3: 4-6

Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward god. Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim any things coming from us; our competence is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not in a written code but in the Spirit; for the written code kills, but the Spirit gives life.

 2 cor 5

He puts a little heaven in our hearts so that we’ll never settle for less.  That’s why we live with such good cheer.  You won’t see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet!…

Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing.

 2 cor12:9

Because of the revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations.  Satins angel did his best to get me down; what he did in fact was push me to my knees.  No danger then of walking around high and mighty!  At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it.  Three times I did that, and then he told me,  My grace is enough; it’s all you need.  My strength comes into its own in your weakness.   Once I heard that I was glad to let it happen.  I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift.  It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness.   Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size – abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks.  I just let Christ take over!  And so the weaker I get the stronger I become.

 James 1 12

Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.

Heb 12 1-4

There fore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely,   And let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfector of the faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.   Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary of fainthearted.

 2 Cor 6:3

Well now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped.  Don’t put it off; don’t frustrate God’s work by showing up late, throwing a question mark over everything we’re doing.  Our work as God’s servants gets validated or not in the details.  People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly…. in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we’re beaten up, jailed and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we’re telling the truth, and when God’s showing his power; when we’re doing our best setting things right; when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed; slandered and honored; true to our word though distrusted; ignored by the world but recognized by god; terrifically alive thought rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all.

 2 Cor 4:7-10 

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us.  We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed but not driven to despair; persecuted but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our bodies.

Heb 6 19

We who have fled for refuge may have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.

 1 Peter 5 22

Tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock. …. Clothe yourselves all of you with humility toward one another, for “god opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble.”

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of god that in due time he may exalt you.  Cast all your anxieties on him for he cares about you.  Be sober, be watchful.  Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  Resist him firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world.  And after you have suffered a little while, the god of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you.

Ephesians 1:16-17  (The Message)

God is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the Center of all this Christ rules the church.  The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church.  The Church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with His presence.