What to expect on SundaySunday at St. Stephen's
All faiths have a different feel in their worship services. Our worship is based on ancient patterns of prayer, and they might feel unfamiliar at first. This page might help set you at ease when you visit us. Sunday is traditionally when Episcopalians gather for worship. The principal weekly worship service is the Holy Eucharist, also known as the Lord’s Supper, the Divine Liturgy, or Holy Communion. Eucharist is simply the Greek word for 'thanksgiving.' [Learn more about Holy Eucharist] The Rite Two Holy Eucharist Service is at 10:30 am
This is the main worship service of the week. It's attended by the greatest number of people. Music is played on the organ or piano, sometimes with special music, solos or other instruments. St. Stephen's choir sings from September through May and offers special pieces of music called anthems (due to covid restrictions our choir is on hiatus). The whole congregation also sings hymns and joins in with parts of the service (due to covid restrictions congregation is not allowed to sing hymns at this time). The liturgy is Holy Eucharist, which is basically two parts: a service of The Word and a service Thanksgiving at the altar. During the first part, we sing, listen to readings from the Bible, and say some prayers. The second part is communion, when the priest leads the people in a prayer of thanksgiving for Christ's work of salvation, and we receive the bread and wine which we believe are Christ's body and blood. Learn more about the structure of the Holy Eucharist. When you arrive, you will come in the main red doors on the north side of the building, or just follow someone else who's arriving. They'll make sure you get to the right place. The ushers will give you a bulletin containing the service. Again, you may sit wherever you like and feel free to participate at whatever level you feel comfortable. If you'd like to sit and watch and take it all in, that's okay too! Sunday School is provided for children 3 years old through 5th grade, meet at 10:15 in our Holy Spirit Chapel and then to the Sunday School rooms for activities. They join their parents for communion. The Youth Group for 6th - 12th grade meet twice monthly after the 10:30 am service, lunch provided. Ushers will be happy to direct you. Both meet at 10:30 am and join the service at the peace. |
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What to expect on Sunday Frequently Asked Questions What does Episcopalian mean? Can I receive Communion? Who is the Priest? Who is St. Stephen? |
Worship Styles
Episcopalians worship in many different styles, ranging from very formal, ancient, and multi-sensory rites with singing, music, fancy clothes (called vestments), and candles, to informal services with contemporary music. Yet all worship in the Episcopal Church is based in the Book of Common Prayer, which gives worship a familiar feel, no matter where you go.
Liturgy and Ritual
Worship in the Episcopal Church is said to be liturgical, meaning that the structure of our worship and the prayers that we pray don’t change greatly from week to week. This sameness from week to week gives worship a rhythm that becomes comforting and familiar to the worshipers. Our worship also follows patterns that have been used in Christian worship for centuries, and in countless places, so our worship anchors us to an ancient faith.
The first time you join us, this liturgy may be exhilarating, but it might be confusing. We sit and stand and kneel, we sing and say responses, we sing music that you may not recognize. It can take a little while to "settle in" to the rhythms and patterns of our worship, so give yourself permission to simply be with us.
If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact us and ask!
Episcopalians worship in many different styles, ranging from very formal, ancient, and multi-sensory rites with singing, music, fancy clothes (called vestments), and candles, to informal services with contemporary music. Yet all worship in the Episcopal Church is based in the Book of Common Prayer, which gives worship a familiar feel, no matter where you go.
Liturgy and Ritual
Worship in the Episcopal Church is said to be liturgical, meaning that the structure of our worship and the prayers that we pray don’t change greatly from week to week. This sameness from week to week gives worship a rhythm that becomes comforting and familiar to the worshipers. Our worship also follows patterns that have been used in Christian worship for centuries, and in countless places, so our worship anchors us to an ancient faith.
The first time you join us, this liturgy may be exhilarating, but it might be confusing. We sit and stand and kneel, we sing and say responses, we sing music that you may not recognize. It can take a little while to "settle in" to the rhythms and patterns of our worship, so give yourself permission to simply be with us.
If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact us and ask!