Worship

Saint Stephen's
Church

Worship

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Our Worship Style

Sunday Worship Times

Church School

Worship Assistants

Our Worship Style

Even if you are a newcomer, you'll probably feel quite comfortable in your first worship service at St. Stephen's. The Episcopal faith is famous for being open-minded, friendly and inclusive. We welcome new thoughts. Even within the same service, you'll see that individual Episcopalian worshipers differ in their responses to the liturgy so there's no reason to feel like an outsider. We follow the Book of Common Prayer, 1979 edition in our liturgy. To learn more about Episcopalian worship and other features of our faith please visit the What to Expect When You Visit page of the Episcopal Church USA site.

Worship Schedule

Adult Worship services at St. Stephen's are held in the church on Sunday at three different times and with different liturgical styles as indicated in the in the Sunday Worship Times table below.

Sunday Worship Times
Service		Description
8:00 AM Holy Eucharist	A simple service, usually with only one hymn and without a choir. Coffee hour on the first Sunday of the month.
10:00 AM Holy Eucharist	A more formal service with organ and choir. The service is followed Coffee and Company in North Hall.

On the first Thursday of the month at 12:00 pm a service is held in Rector's Hall and is followed by a Fellowship luncheon, prepared by the the Senior Ministries Committee. While this service is designed primarily for elderly or otherwise shut-in parishioners and nursing home residents from both St. Stephen's and St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, it is open to all senior citizens. This service runs from September through June.

A short prayer service is held Monday through Friday in the Church.

A Holy Eucharist & Healing service is held Wednesday nights from 7:30pm until 9:00 in Rector’s Hall.

Special services are celebrated on major feasts and holidays in the church calendar. On special occasions these services are announced on the Major Upcoming Events page that is also has a link on the Home page.

Children's Church School

Church school meets on Sundays during the church school year from September through May. Our offerings include:

St. Stephen's Church School Schedule
Age Group	Meeting Place	Class Time Period
Infants to 2 year olds	Nursery School in lower level of North Hall	9:00 to 11:15
Age 3 - Grade 1	Nursery School in lower level of North Hall	9:50 to 10:30
Grades 2-4	Top Floor, North Hall	9:50 to 10:30
Grade 5	Rectors Hall, Main Level, North Hall	9:50 to 10:30
Grade 6-8	South Hall	9:50 to 10:30
Grade 9	White Elephant Barn	9:50 to 10:30
Adult Forum	Rector's Hall, North Hall	9:00 to 9:45

Please click on the links below for the church school schedule and registration form.

For more information refer to the Church Personnel Directory table or contact Libby Sassano, Director of Children's Ministries

Worship Assistants

The worship assistants for the Sunday services are described in the two columns below. There is a link between the heading of each item to a page that gives additional information.

Altar Guild

The Altar Guild is one of the oldest organizations in the Episcopal Church. At St. Stephen’s, the Guild is independent and self-funding, operating under the direction and guidance of our clergy. The members of the Altar Guild prepare the altar and surrounding areas of the church for worship. Guild members enjoy the task of decorating the whole church for Easter and Christmas.

Acolytes

Acolytes are an important part of the worship service. They assist in the service by lighting and carrying candles, torches and the cross, assisting with the offering and the Eucharist, and leading processions.

Lay Readers

Lay readers assist our clergy during Morning Prayer service. Lay readers are non-ordained people who lead the Morning Prayer service from the outset of the service to the point of communion during the 10:00 AM service in the main church.

Lectors

Lectors participate in a very special way during our services by communicating the Good News. All who are called have ample opportunity to serve during their two-year terms. Lectors participate at each of our three Sunday services and at other services throughout the year.

Ministers of Communion

The role of Minister of Communion is to distribute wine during the service. Ministers of Communion are essential participants in the weekly celebration and serve at each of our three Sunday services as well as weddings and funerals, and at other times throughout the year.

Prayers of the People

The Prayer Book of 1549 included a “Prayer for the whole state of Christ’s Church” following the Sanctus. The 1979 Prayer Book restored the Prayers of the People to its historic position after the sermon and Creed and prior to the Peace. A concluding collect, said by the celebrant, ends each of the six forms of the Prayers of the People following the custom of ancient litanies..