Welcome to St. Stephen

Thanks for visiting our web site.  Allow me to tell you a little bit about what makes St. Stephen the special place that it is.

• We are a member congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, simply known as the ELCA.
• Locally we are a partner church of the Minneapolis Area Synod.
• In 2009, we will celebrate 50 years of mission and ministry in Bloomington.
• We are a suburban church of 2500+ baptized members and typically 600+ people who gather at our three worship services on any given Sunday.
• We are socially active, supporting both local and global agencies working towards addressing justice and human needs.
• We have active partnerships with other Lutheran congregations in Argentina, Tanzania, Ft. Totten Indian Reservation in North Dakota and locally with Messiah Lutheran Church of Minneapolis.
• We are proud to have a growing preschool staffed by great teachers.
• We house ministries such as Meals on Wheels and Young Life Capernaum and are growing a relationship with Augsburg College.

Our desire is to be a real and relevant faith community that is reflective, inclusive and welcoming to all.  Central to our mission is our weekly gathering around the "good news" of Jesus Christ, the sacraments of baptism and communion and our joyful response to God's gift of grace in our daily lives.

On Sundays you will find two distinct worship styles and numerous educational and social opportunities for all ages and families.

Wednesday nights are very significant in our week with an evenings meal, music rehearsals, fellowship and educational opportunities galore!

Of course, there are five other days in the week in which a great variety of ministries and activities take place through the many programs housed at St. Stephen.

If you are a Lutheran or if you have never heard of one, please feel welcome to join us sometime.  It is our prayer that you will feel welcomed both personally and spiritually in this place.  We'll save a seat for you!