PARISH PROFILE
August 21, 2010 — During our Rector Search we developed a Parish Profile including pictures which can be found on this page.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CLICK THE PARISH PROFILE LINK BELOW. It is an Adobe PDF file.
If it does not open, please visit http://www.adobe.com for a free download of this software.
St. Stephen’s Mission Statement:
In response to God’s love, St. Stephen’s invites and welcomes all to
GATHER in worship,
GROW in faith, and
SERVE as stewards of God’s creation.
Gather, Grow, Serve
Today St. Stephen’s is a parish of nearly 400 people ranging in age from infancy to 93+ years. For many of us, being at St. Stephen’s is like being part of a big family. We see our church as an open, friendly and welcoming place, and our worship services are times when we gather to worship God together, much as a family. When we share the Peace of God, we customarily leave our pews to greet one another en masse. We are always happy to meet and greet visitors and newcomers and to welcome them in our midst as part of our parish and our community.
Worship
We offer three services each week at St. Stephen’s. Two worship services are held on Sundays at 8:00 a.m and 10:15 a.m., a service also takes place on Saturdays at 5 p.m. All services are Holy Eucharist Rite II.
5:00 p.m. Saturday and 8:00 a.m. Sunday services are generally offered without hymns. It is a gentle and meditative way to begin or end the week. Lay Eucharistic Ministers (chalice bearers) assist the Rector during the service and at the altar.
The worship service at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday is the family Eucharist Rite II with participation by the St. Stephen’s choir accompanied by organ, piano, guitar and other instruments. Our music program flourishes under the directorship of Carolyn Jess; this service offers a blend of contemporary and traditional Christian music and often features guest performers. While all families with children are welcome at any of St. Stephen’s services, many generally attend this service. Children who attend Sunday School join the service at the time of the exchange of the Peace, to share the Eucharist with their parents. Childcare in our nursery is available starting at 9:00 a.m. so all adults can attend Adult Education classes from 9-10, as well as during this service; parents are welcome to use the nursery for as much or as little of this service as they wish. Lay readers (lectors), Acolytes, and Lay Eucharistic Ministers (chalice bearers) assist the Rector and the Deacons during the service and at the altar. Many times, the Healing Team is present to assist any in need of prayers for healing, for themselves or for others, at the Healing Station during this service.
Seasonally, we offer an Evening Prayer service on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. The Evening Prayer is led by lay people on a rotating basis as we affirm the ministry of all of the baptized in the church. “Upcoming Events” can be found on our Home Page, Announcements page, This Week page or in or your service bulletin available at every service for seasonally scheduled Wednesday evening prayer services.
During the summer months – June through August – the Sunday services are combined into a single 9:00 a.m. Eucharist with music. The Saturday Eucharist at 5:00 p.m. remains in the service schedule throughout the year.
The Holy Eucharist
At St. Stephen’s, all who attend any service are welcome to take communion. Those not desiring to partake in the sacrament are welcome, if they choose, to come to the altar rail for a blessing by the priest during communion.
Education for All Ages
St. Stephen’s offers education for all parishioners who seek it. Education opportunities include: Sunday School, Adult Education Programs, Children and Youth Programs, Unique Educational Events, St. Stephen’s Library, Recommended Reading, Guidelines for Reading Scripture, and Montessori Preschool. For a comprehensive overview of educational programs, please visit our Learning page. From here you can click on the specific program link to learn more.
Programs
St. Stephen’s has a wide range of parish and community programs. Outreach is a very important part of our church life. Our programs include an annual Basketball Camp for children, the Giving Garden, the dinner Table Ministry at Holy Trinity Church, an annual Rummage Sale with proceeds designated for charitable organizations, a monthly youth group gathering, and an annual Wine Tasting and Auction to name a few. Please visit our Programs page for more information.
In addition, St. Stephen’s is host to many community programs at the church during the week, throughout the year, including Girl Scout troops, AA, South Side Newcomers, and Kinderchor Children’s Choir.