WORSHIP TIMES: Saturday 5:30 p.m. Sunday 10:30 a.m. | ONLINE GIVING
At South Shore, we feel that it's our responsibility to make it easy for you to come to church. We want you to be able to experience the great music, thought-provoking messages, friendly people and relaxed atmosphere that are a part of South Shore. And we know that your first time at a church, any church, brings up some questions.
The music of at South Shore Community Church is an expression of our joy and devotion to the Savior. It is also an expression of the times in which the congregation has come to age. Most music sets are carried by a guitar-based band comprised of electric lead, bass, acoustic, synthesizer or electric piano, 2 or 3 percussionists and vocals.
If you grew up listening to a stereo rather than a radio, you will like the music style at South Shore.
We hope to have the opportunity for the South Shore family to welcome your family next weekend. We have activities for all age groups and provide an opportunity for each family member to experience God through the Bible and other people just like you....
You don't have to believe in God to go to church. You don't have to know anything about God or the Bible to go to church. You don't have to clean up, dress up, or "get your act together" before you arrive. Come as you are.
Each weekend we worship God and learn about Christ. Many in attendance are just checking out this church thing to see what it is about. Some turned away from church in the past and are just trying to find out if they should give God another try. Some are at the end of what they know to do and are just hoping that God still cares. Others celebrate what God has done for them.
It doesn't matter where you are on your spiritual journey or if you haven't even started it yet. You are welcome at South Shore, just as you are, with all the baggage of your life and with all of your questions. We would love to explore with you. Hope to see you this Saturday night or Sunday morning.
If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. (1 Timothy 4:6)
The South Shore Community Church Statement of Faith summarizes our beliefs as a church. While our style of worship, approaches to evangelism, methods of discipleship, and avenues of ministry may seem innovative, our faith is rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ who is "the same yesterday, and today, and forever." Therefore, the sole authority for our theology, faith, and practice is Jesus Christ whose will is revealed in the Bible.
To continue, please go to our Beliefs and Values page under the About SSCC menu.
South Shore has a Security Team of individuals who have been trained and equipped to secure our campus during both our Saturday night and Sunday morning services.
If you're visiting, we hope that our service is a gift to you. If South Shore is not your home church or if you are just "kicking tires," we prefer that you not contribute any money to our offering. Our offering time allows those who call South Shore home to give back to God a portion of the financial blessings He has given to them. We will not make you wear a visitor badge, stand up to be introduced, or singled out in any way. We want you to remain as anonymous as you desire so that you can stay well within your comfort zone. Regardless of your choice to remain stealth or become more visible, we encourage you to visit our church over several weeks to see what's going on at South Shore.
Pastor Steve is a native New Yorker, born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in the New York City suburb of Long Island. He joined South Shore's staff in March of 2008 through a merger with South Shore. Steve was the Lead Pastor of Gateway Community Church, the church which built and operated in our current facilities for 52 years. At the time of the merger, Pastor Steve took on the role of Pastor of Spiritual Development. Since that time, he has also assumed responsibility for Education and Technology. Steve is one of our Teaching pastors and preaches occasionally.
Education:
Pastor Steve has a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He is a two time graduate of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School with a Master of Divinity Degree (1987) and a Master of Theology Degree in Practical Theology (1988).
Ministry Experience and Current Responsibilities:
Pastor Steve served as the Lead Pastor of the Bethel Evangelical Free Church of Staten Island, NY from 1989-2001. Pastor Steve was ordained by the Evangelical Free Church of America during that time. Steve then accepted the call to serve the Evangelical Free Church of Sarasota in July of 2001, which was renamed Gateway Community Church in 2003. He served Gateway until the merger with South Shore in March of 2006. Pastor Steve also served as the Chairman of the Board of the Salt and Sea Homeless Mission in Coney Island, NY, and also served on the Ordination Council of the Eastern District of the Evangelical Free Church. At South Shore, Pastor Steve is the person to speak with if you are seeking to take the next step in your spiritual growth. At South Shore, we call this your "Spiritual Pathway."
Hobbies and Interests:
Pastor Steve was an avid skier from age 14 until moving to Florida (where the skiing stinks!) He loves hiking, biking and word puzzles. He also loves anything with wires, both high voltage and low voltage. He is an avid computer user and enjoys doing structure wiring. Steve generates a birds nest of wires in any room he spends considerable time in! Pastor Steve also enjoys maintaining close contact with his extended family in Norway and Finland and is proud of his Scandinavian heritage. He is a major-league fish fanatic whose favorite food is smoked eel. Steve is well known for eating "bait" for lunch.
Cindy and Steve were married in April of 1994. Cindy has a bachelor's degree from Adelphi University in Long Island, NY in Business and Marketing. Cindy is a stay at home mom who enjoys volunteering in our Children's Ministry and in Erik and Deanna's schools. She enjoys a variety of crafts and is highly creative. Cindy loves spending time at the beach and doing number puzzles. She also loves cooking and baking and is deeply committed to serving her family sacrificially. Recently, Cindy has taken to reading wholesome fiction novels. She has also become involved in our Women's Ministry mentoring program and enjoys pouring into another woman's life.
Erik was born in Staten Island in 1997. He will almost always be seen at church carrying a football. Erik loves history and is a master at trivia. Like most boys of his age, he loves video games. He also shares the family's passion for long walks. Erik is definitely a night owl. We've told him that there are two sixes on the clock. He doesn't believe us!
Deanna was also born in Staten Island (1999). She was two when we moved to Florida and does not share her parents' New Yawk accent. Deanna loves playing the piano and has recently started to write and sing her own music. A year ago an elderly lady in our church taught Deanna to knit. Just as Erik will rarely be seen at church without his football, Deanna will not be seen without her knitting needles. She loves the beach, long walks and board games.