Sunday Service
Church on Sunday morning is a team effort. The clergy and Altar Guild, Readers and Acolytes, Ushers and Greeters, Hospitality and Choir, Sunday School volunteers and Nursery workers: all of them give time and talent to give thanks and praise to God, and to grow in faith and in the knowledge and love of God in Christ. Below find basic information about some of those ministries. Please reach out below to join or for more information.
1
Acolytes
Acolytes are young people who assist clergy and lay ministers in conducting the liturgy. Carrying sacred items in procession, and assisting with Holy Communion, Acolytes learn the pattern of worship and share in leadership.
2
Altar Guild
The St. Stephen’s Altar Guild is a group of dedicated parishioners who prepare the altar and sanctuary for every worship service, and care for and maintain the worship vessels and vestments of the parish. It is a ministry that is prayerful, careful, and joyful. The Altar Guild helps all of us to worship God, “in the beauty of holiness.”
The Flower Guild, a subset of the Altar Guild, is responsible for purchasing and arranging flowers for the altar each Sunday, selecting flowers that reflect the liturgical calendar and enhance the worship experience of the congregation. Flower Guild members decorate the church for Christmas, Holy Week and Easter.
3
Bouquet Ministry
Established in the early days of the pandemic, members of the St. Stephen’s community have been engaged in a ministry of distributing altar flower bouquets to parishioners. At the conclusion of the 10am Eucharist, the altar arrangement is divided into bouquets which are given to parishioners during coffee hour or taken by volunteers to members’ homes.
4
Choir
Under the guidance of Michael Langham, our Director of Music, the choir sings at our 10am service on Sundays from September to June, leading the congregation in hymns and canticles, and singing anthems and other music to glorify the Lord in worship. The choir includes both trained section leaders and community volunteers, and rehearses every Thursday evening during choir season. Throughout the year, the choir also leads music at special services and feast days.
5
Sunday Readers
Lay ministers read scripture lessons and lead prayers at both the 8am and 10am services. Please email the church using the link below if you are interested in reading at services.
6
Hospitality
Every Sunday at both the 8am and 10am service, teams of people who like to cook and provide make sure that coffee hour is a welcoming time for guests and regulars alike.
Following each service on Sunday, snacks and coffee in the Parish Hall encourage members to linger and chat. Members of the 8am congregation take turns providing a treat for their group. For the after-10am crowd, a Hospitality Team offers a selection of sweet and savory snacks to pair with the coffee and tea. At St Stephen’s, food and fellowship combine to make coffee hour the perfect time to welcome visitors and catch up with good friends.