In Honor of St. Stephen
12/27/2020
It was 41 years ago (August, 1979) when 3 families (6 adults, 8 children) felt led by God to establish a church. The seed was planted in the inner city of Atlanta and later transplanted to Paulding County.
Fr. Andrew, Kh. Dannie, our children, Dn. Ray, Sh. Cindy, Dn. Ken, Sh. Liz, their children began meeting in our living room in the Grant Park neighborhood. From that living room, we moved into an abandoned service station, then to a two-story house (which was home to a flock of pigeons). For the better part of seven years, this handful of believers experienced a continuing mingling of tears and laughter, pain and comfort, disappointment and hope, doubt and faith. Looking back, it was an intense time of testing. We sometimes faltered, but we never quit.
We learned to depend on each other and to reach out to those depending on us. Without a doubt, those early days in Grant Park served to lay a foundation in our hearts and in the essence of St. Stephen Church, embracing the Incarnation of our Lord, Who came to seek and to save the lost. Even while we struggled to survive, it became clearer that “Christ was in our midst”.
We didn’t know then how the church would look nor how it would be identified, but we realized early on that it needed a name. We asked ourselves: who are we and why are we here? We knew we were committed to worship God and to serve others. Searching the Scriptures and praying for guidance we agreed that we would be named after the Archdeacon Stephen.
Here is what we found. Briefly, from the book of Acts: Soon after the Ascension of Christ and Pentecost, the Apostles realized the need for help in caring for the widows and orphans in the Jerusalem Church. We may assume that this ministry extended, as well, to all those in need among them and around them.
The Apostles asked for seven men who were of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. The people chose and the Apostles appointed the seven. The first among them was Stephen, a young man about 30 years old. We read later (Acts 7:1) that this young man was full of faith and power and did great wonders and signs among the people.
Because of the effectiveness of his ministry, Stephen drew the anger of the Jewish leaders who were “unable to resist the wisdom and spirit by which he spoke”. He was then forced to stand before the Council and faced with false witnesses. Even then, the Council saw not a criminal but “saw his face as the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15). However, neither his countenance nor his words of truth could sway their hateful hearts. Their jealousy, envy and anger ultimately led to the accusation of blasphemy and the judgement of death.
This gentle servant was hustled outside the city by the mob into the Valley of Jehoshaphat (between the city and the Garden of Gethsemane) where he would be brutally stoned. Adding to the horror of his murder, the Church tradition reminds us that Saul of Tarsus (later known as St. Paul the Apostle), who was a relative of Stephen, stood by consenting to his death.
Even as the stones flew and the blood flowed from his wounded head and body, this young servant of Christ gazed into heaven and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and Jesus standing at the right hand of God!” (Acts 7:56). He then knelt down and uttered his final words: “Lord, do not charge them with this sin,” (Acts 7:60). The Church gave up its first martyr on December 27th, about 18 months after our Lord Jesus gave Himself for the life of the world.
The lifeless body of Stephen was thrown out to become food for beasts and birds. On the second day, however, it was recovered by his former teacher, the respected Gamaliel, and his son, Habib. With reverence and tears, they buried Stephen on Gamaliel’s property about two miles outside Jerusalem. St. John Chrysostom asks, “Who would not have wept, seeing the gentle lamb’s dead body battered by stones?”. Again, Church tradition affirms that they both believed in Christ and later received Holy Baptism.
As we became acquainted with this blessed saint some 41 years ago, we began to see how much we could benefit from his witness. We could see more clearly how his character, his conduct, his calling and his courage would serve as an example and pattern for our emerging community and the life of the church beyond us.
The character of Stephen is well established in the early verses of the sixth chapter of Acts (6:3 & 6:8); He was of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom; and was full of grace and power. Being chosen by the thousands of Christians in the Jerusalem church to be one of the seven deacons tells us of the trustworthiness and integrity of his character which his brethren saw in him. We believe that these same qualities of character are fruits of God’s grace and essential to the Church in our time.
The conduct of Stephen is a direct outgrowth of his character. This conduct, also, is very vividly shown in the face of opposition and persecution (6:10, 6:15, 7:55-60). When his enemies rose up against him and argued with him, Stephen spoke with wisdom and Spirit. As they forcibly and falsely brought him to trial his face was like the face of an angel. In the time of death, he looked to God as sovereign, trusted his life in the hands of Jesus, and prayed for and forgave his enemies. In these days of widespread ungodliness and lawlessness, faithful Christians can expect hostility, opposition, and persecution. We believe that such conduct as Stephen showed will be used of God as a witness to Himself.
The calling of Stephen is likewise clearly revealed here in God’s Word (Acts 6:3, 6:8, 7:1-50, 7:51-53). Because of his character and conduct, the Lord used Stephen mightily in ministry. He was called upon to serve tables — that is, be sure that provision for widows and orphans of the church were made each day. He performed great wonders and signs among the people (probably including the healing of the sick and delivering those oppressed by the devil). He spoke out with conviction and prosecuted sin with boldness. We believe that this four-fold calling of providing, performing, proclaiming, and prosecuting will fulfill our Lord’s commission to “go into all the world and make disciples —,”
The courage of St. Stephen certainly laid a foundation for many who would follow in his footsteps as martyrs for Christ. His vision of Jesus standing and welcoming him into the heavenly kingdom provides assurance for all who will stand in the dire and dangerous circumstances in life. Jesus reminds us the “whoever confesses Me before men, I will confess before My Father in Heaven. We will not be forsaken by our Lord even in the face of death. Be strong and courageous as those who have gone before us.
So now, 41 years later, this parish has grown numerically, matured spiritually, expanded our facilities and maintained our witness to those around us. Thanks be to God! But we must never forget the foundation upon which we have built. We have been a family whose strength lies in our love for God, each other and those in need. We have been reverent in our worship of the Holy Trinity and compassionate in our care for our neighbors. We have honored those who have departed this life before us and we have opened our hearts to those yet unborn who would join us along with those whom God would guide our way. To God be the glory; great things He has done!
On this day, why should this parish be so grateful for our patron St. Stephen? He is our protector, our intercessor, our example. He has watched over us and walked with us these many years. He has encouraged us in the difficult times and rejoiced with us in the good times. He has prayed for us constantly. He has been a sure guide to lead us to Christ.
Therefore, in taking the name of St. Stephen for this parish and for those who have chosen to be membered here, we humbly commit ourselves to exemplify the character, the conduct, the calling and the courage he showed. It is our desire as it was his, to “see the heavens opened and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” to welcome us home.
Thank you, St Stephen, on this your day.
“O Stephen, ever pray for us, that He may save our souls”
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