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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.
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Sunday Worship Times |
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Service
|
Description
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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.
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.
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Children's Church
School
Church school meets on Sundays during the church school year from September through May. Our offerings include:
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St. Stephen's Church School Schedule |
|
Age Group |
Meeting Place |
Class Time Period |
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Infants to 2 year olds |
Nursery School in lower level of North Hall |
9:00 to 11:15 |
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Age 3 - Grade 1 |
Nursery School in lower level of North Hall |
9:50 to 10:30 |
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Grades 2-4 |
Top
Floor, North Hall |
9:50 to 10:30
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Grade
5
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Rectors Hall, Main Level, North Hall
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9:50 to 10:30
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Grade
6-8
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South
Hall |
9:50 to 10:30
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Grade
9
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White Elephant Barn
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9:50 to 10:30
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Adult Forum
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Rector's Hall,
North Hall
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9:00
to 9:45 |
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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
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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.
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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.
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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..
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