Community Worship: Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady II

Lakeside welcomes Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady II, President of the Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, as Preacher of the Week June 30-July 3. This week’s preacher is supported by the Rev. Dr. T. Mac & Susan Hood. 

Cady will lead the 10:30 a.m. Chautauqua Community Worship Service on Sunday, June 30 in Hoover Auditorium. His sermon is titled “An American Dream,” based on Matthew 11:25-30. His theme for the week is “The State of Church & State.” Please note Faith for Living will not be held on July 4.

Michael Shirtz, the Chautauqua Choir and guest artists from the band Tower Brass will provide musical leadership during the service. Tower Brass will also perform patriotic selections at 6 p.m. that evening at the Steele Memorial Bandstand. Rev. Dr. Charles Yoost, Senior Director of Religious Life & Pastoral Care, will lead the liturgy for the worship service. 

Following the opening prayer, children (ages 5-11) will proceed to Bradley Temple for Children’s Church with Chip Richter. There will be a message by Richter, songs, crafts, lemonade and cookies to share. Preschoolers are welcome if accompanied by an adult.

Cady grew up in Olathe, Kansas. He received his bachelor’s degree at Ohio Wesleyan University, his Ph.D. in practical theology from Princeton Theological Seminary and his Master of Divinity at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois.

He has preached, lectured and taught in seminaries and churches nationally and internationally, from England to Norway to South Africa. Cady has been the keynote speaker for the Rochester Citywide Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. Currently, he serves as the Chair of the Board of Trustees at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School.

His church, Asbury First United Methodist Church, is an LGBTQ-affirming congregation of more than 2,300 members dedicated to outreach and social justice.

Prior to Asbury First, Cady served as the Lead Minister of Kingston United Methodist Church in Kingston, New Jersey — designated during his tenure as a teaching congregation for young adults — and as the Associate Minister of Park Ridge Community Church in Park Ridge, Illinois.

Cady and his wife, Emily, have three children: Ellie, Charlie and Hannah.

Guests are welcome to attend Community Worship free of charge by requesting a complimentary Church Pass between 7:30-10:30 a.m. Sunday; valid until 1 p.m. The pass includes admittance for guests and auto. This pass must be presented to the gate attendant upon departure. If the time allotted is exceeded, the guest(s) will be charged a fee. This pass does not include access to the Grindley Aquatic & Wellness Campus pool. Complimentary passes are available for all worship services and Faith for Living Hour.