St. Stephen's Lutheran Church has been a fixture on East Street Road in Feasterville-Trevose, Bucks County, for more than seventy years. The congregation keeps its identity in three short lines that read like a creed for daily life: Worship God! Proclaim Christ's Love! Feed God's People! Anyone and everyone is welcome into this community of faith.
One Traditional Sunday Service
The church gathers for a single worship service each Sunday at 9:30 AM. It is a traditional service, shaped by the Lutheran heritage the congregation carries. Children worship with their families on the first Sunday of every month and join the Sunday School program the rest of the year, from age three through seventh grade. The Sunday School session runs at 9:30 AM, September through May, and a nursery is available for diaper changes or for little ones who need a quieter space during the service and the school hour.
Worshipping Together by Zoom
For those who cannot attend in person, every Sunday service is also offered on Zoom. Participants join with Meeting ID 770 021 1646 and password 952153. Those without a computer or smartphone can call in at 1-646-558-8656 or 1-301-715-8592. The Meeting ID and dial-in numbers stay the same for every Sunday service. The note from the church is simple: please join, whether from the pew or the living room. Masks are optional for those who come in person, and a broadcast system for the hearing impaired is available on request.
Feed God's People: The Food Bank and Little Free Pantry
Feeding the community is not just a line of the mission statement. It is a weekly, sometimes daily, practice at St. Stephen's. The church operates a Food Bank stocked with non-perishable items, available by appointment by calling 267-261-8672. Donations are always welcome. Just outside, in the church parking lot, sits the Little Free Pantry: a yellow box that stays open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, where neighbors can take what they need and give what they can. The Food Bank committee, chaired by Maria Taylor, also assembles Thanksgiving baskets and runs the church's annual Christmas party, and Social Ministry adds a full Turkey dinner with all the fixings for families in Bucks County.
A Monthly Meal at Hope Lodge
Once a month, a group from St. Stephen's drives to Cheltenham to drive to the AstraZeneca Hope Lodge of the American Cancer Society. There they serve dinner to patients and caretakers who are staying at the Lodge while undergoing care. The volunteers serve in many capacities and enjoy their time together. Anyone who would like to join them can contact Jenn Schneider through the church.
Bell Choir and Adult Choir
Music is woven into the rhythm of the week. The Bell Choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 7:15 PM, and the Adult Choir meets on Thursdays at 7:00 PM. Both choirs welcome new singers and ringers, and Music Director Brit Montoro helps shape the music for Sunday mornings. The Worship and Music committee, chaired by Lois Ann O'Donnell, also invites outside soloists to enrich worship from time to time, plans the church calendar for Communion services, and recruits ushers, greeters, readers, lectors, and Altar Guild members.
Children, Youth, and Young Adults
Christian Education at St. Stephen's is led by Superintendent and Acting Chairperson Tess Pinkerton. Children worship with their families on the first Sunday of the month and attend Sunday School the rest of the school year. Beyond Sunday morning, the Youth Ministry volunteers Ray and Tina Shipley keep a space where kids can socialize in a fun and safe way. For older members of the family, the Young Adult Ministry, chaired by Julie Leinhauser, explores current events and how God shows up in everyday life.
Bible Study, Martha's Circle, and Weekday Rhythms
Bible Study meets on Tuesday mornings from 9:30 to 11:00 AM, September through June. All ages are invited, no experience is necessary, and a Bible can be provided for anyone who needs one. On the second Wednesday of every month at noon, Martha's Circle gathers to assemble food for the ministry of Caring for Friends, supporting homebound neighbors with home-cooked meals. Members bring their own sandwich; coffee, tea, and desserts are provided, and new members are welcome even if they cannot come every month. Contact Tess Pinkerton for details.
Lunch Bunch, Library, and Fellowship
Two long-running groups keep the church's fellowship life full of laughter. The Lunch Bunch, led by Elaine Bohanan, meets on the third Thursday of every month at 11:30 AM with a little entertainment before heading out to a different area restaurant. A couple of times a year the group boards a tour bus for a day trip - past outings have included Lancaster and New York City - and friends and family are always welcome to come along. The church Library hosts a book club every other month on the first Thursday from 11:00 AM to noon, meeting in October, December, February, April, and June. Members bring a brown-bag lunch and discuss books posted on the bulletin board. The Fellowship committee, chaired by Jeannette Daly, plans many of these special occasions and welcomes newcomers.
Missions Beyond the Neighborhood
The Mission Outreach committee, led by Acting Chairperson John Schneider, distributes money from offerings and special contributions to causes beyond the church walls, including A Mother's Home in Cambodia, Christ's Home for Children, Victory Outreach, and Samaritan's Purse shoe box gifts. Social Ministry, chaired by Joyce Pokrywka, supports the American Red Cross blood drive, food vouchers for families in need, and the spring food drive held each May by the local Post Office to restock the Food Pantry.
Leading the Congregation
The Rev. Maeve Schurz serves as pastor of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church. Brit Montoro directs the church's music. Together with a long list of committee chairs - Tess Pinkerton in Christian Education, Maria Taylor in the Food Bank, Joyce Pokrywka in Social Ministry, Lois Ann O'Donnell in Worship and Music, Julie Leinhauser in Young Adult Ministry, John Schneider in Mission Outreach, Jeannette Daly in Fellowship, Elaine Bohanan in the Lunch Bunch, Carol Dunn in both the Finance Committee and the Library, Carol Merchiore in Staff Support, Mark Tiger in Stewardship, Norm Martinsen and Tina Labelle in Property, and Lynn Rhodes as Parish Assistant - they keep the congregation's many ministries running.
Planning a First Visit
St. Stephen's Lutheran Church sits at 65 East Street Road, Feasterville-Trevose, PA 19053, and can be reached by phone at 215-357-8138. The single Sunday worship service begins at 9:30 AM and is described as traditional. The church's monthly newsletter, The Spirit, keeps members up to date on what is coming up, and giving is available online. Visitors who want to read along at home or who cannot make it in person can join the service on Zoom with Meeting ID 770 021 1646 and password 952153, or dial in at 1-646-558-8656 or 1-301-715-8592.