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What to Expect When You Visit An Episcopal Church

The Episcopal Church strives to live by the message of Christ, in which there are no outcasts and all are welcome. Walking a middle way between Roman Catholicism and Protestant traditions, we are a sacramental and worship-oriented church that promotes thoughtful debate about what God is calling us to do and be, as followers of Christ.

For more information about worship at Episcopal churches, please click here.

The best way to learn about the Episcopal Church is to become a part of it. Come and Grow!

What to Expect at St. Stephen's

As you enter through the red doors - common to Episcopal churches across America, our Ushers will welcome you and provide you with a service bulletin. If you have any questions (Where is the nursery? Where are the restrooms?), the Ushers will be glad to assist you. Please let them know if you could use any assistance.

Passing through the inner doors to the nave, we hope you will notice an atmosphere of worship and reverence. We recognize that each of us leads a busy life and may have just completed a frantic minor miracle in making it to the service at all. The quiet calm before the service begins is an opportunity to re-focus and prepare ourselves for worship.

A few moments before the service begins, the clergy, crucifer, acolytes, and sometimes, choir members gather at the back of the church in anticipation of preliminary announcements and the opening hymn. It can become a little crowded, but do not fear! You are welcome here. You will notice that people sit, stand and kneel at different times in the service. Feel free to join in or not, as you desire or are able.

Worship at St. Stephen's

We think that God calls us into relationship and worship is one of our most central responses to God's invitation. Sunday worship is a gathering in community in a welcoming environment to listen to God's Holy Word in Scripture and in Sermon, to break bread, and to draw closer to God and to each other through prayer and music. Being well fed through our worship, we then go into the world to live the life God calls us to live daily: to seek Christ in all persons, caring especially for society's outcasts.

Children of all ages are welcome at all services at St. Stephen's. We offer Children's Chapel for children age six and under at our 10:30 a.m. service.

Be sure to check our calendar for current information on our services.

What to Expect at Communion

We gather at an open table. At the heart of things, our life centers on our worship of God. At the Eucharist, we make a consistent and risky invitation: all who come to us, no matter where they are on their spiritual journey, can receive the sacramental bread and wine with us. We see the gifts on the altar as God's gifts to us, not our possessions. Ancient tradition teaches that the Eucharist is the meal for baptized church members. We simply say that there is more than one path to baptism and membership, and sometimes that begins in a holy and unrehearsed moment in actual worship.

How to Receive Communion

To receive communion, the Ushers will invite you to come forward to the Altar and take the next available place. You may receive the communion bread from the Priest in open hands. You may then take the bread to your mouth, or, if you wish to receive by intinction (dipping), place the communion bread between the thumb and index finger of your right hand and hold the bread over your open left palm. This signals the Chalice Bearer to allow you to intinct the wafer into the wine. You may also choose to receive the wine directly from the chalice by gently guiding it to your lips as the Chalice Bearer presents it to you.

If you choose not to receive the wine, simply cross your arms across your chest after you have received the wafer. The Sacrament is effectual even when only one of the forms is received. Please return to your pew as soon as the next person has received the wine. Children are welcome to receive both the bread and the wine.

If it is physically difficult for you to come to the Altar, please indicate this to an Usher and the Priest will bring Communion to you where you are seated.

If you, or your child(ren), would like to receive a blessing from a Priest at the Altar, come forward just as you would to receive Communion and cross your arms across your chest, and/or instruct your child(ren) to do the same.

Where Can I Find You?

St. Stephens is located at 1805 West Alabama at Woodhead (southwest corner). Parking lot entrances are on the west side of the church on Alabama and on the south side of the church on Woodhead. Click here for directions & parking info.

Is There a Nursery for My Children?

St. Stephen's provides free nursery care each Sunday from 8:30 AM - 12 PM for children under 3 years of age. Parents usually drop off their children before the service and sometimes pick them up before communion. However, the children can stay at the nursery any time during its normal hours. Parents are always welcome to visit or stay with their children in the nursery as well.

Our nursery has been totally redone and updated, with special emphasis on making it an inviting and safe environment. We are pleased to have Cara Fergusson, a loving and experienced caregiver, in charge of our nursery every Sunday. It is located just down the hall from the church (across from the rector's office) in the same building complex as the church. Please come by to see to see the updated setting (ask an usher if you need directions) or call the church for more information.

Is There Sunday School for My Children?

We have Sunday School for children over three years old at 9 & 11 AM September-May; 10:30 AM June-August each Sunday. For more information on our Sunday School offerings, please click here.

Is There a Worship Service Particularly for Young Children?

Children are welcome at all services at St. Stephen's at any time.

We also know that an hour long service may be too much for young children. We invite young children age six and younger to join us in Children's Chapel during the 10:30 a.m. service.

Children and their families gather as usual for worship during the 10:30a.m. worship service. After the Collect (prayer), the children gather around the Children's Cross in the front of the church and process to the Children's Chapel. They return at the passing of the Peace to join their families for Eucharist. In essence, our young children are engaged in the same liturgy as the adults with a reading from Holy Scripture, a reflection on the reading, songs of praise, and prayers. This is true worship on a child's level. We hope your children will join us.

Is There a Dress Code?

No. We are an eclectic bunch. From shorts to feather boas, you will see it all. That we come is more important to God and us, than what you wear.

How Do I Join St. Stephen's?

Whether you're new or have been visiting for a while, if you've decided you want to declare yourself an "official" member of St. Stephen's, we're ready to welcome you. If you are a confirmed Episcopalian, you may request a Canonical Letter of Transfer from your former parish. Please call the church office and we will send the request for you.

If you are not a Christian yet, you need to be prepared to be baptized. Contact the clergy for conversation and instruction.

If you are not an Episcopalian and wish to become one, you must be confirmed in the Episcopal Church. Please call the church office for additional information.