Blended Traditional Worship
Saturdays at 6:00PM
Sundays at 11:00AM
Blended worship services primarily utilize the new Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnal for liturgies and music. Each service contains: a confession and forgiveness, reading of scripture, historic creeds, formal prayers, and communion. The service is lead primarily by the organ; the Sanctuary Choir sings weekly at the 11:00am service. Though the service relies on the historic Lutheran tradition of worship, the service is a blending of traditional and contemporary music and is very uplifting, upbeat, and inspirational.
The atmosphere at the Saturday evening service is more relaxed, but is the same format as the blended Sunday service. It also provides an alternative time for those people who do not wish to or are unable to attend on Sundays.
Church Bells: At the beginning of each blended service the Church Bell is rung 10 times. Seven times represents the days that have elapsed since we last gathered for worship and three times to symbolize the Holy Trinity (Father, Son & Holy Spirit).
Communion: Holy Communion is celebrated every weekend, as well as at Festival Services. Everyone is welcome to come forward and receive communion. We say that the "Gifts of God are FREE!" and we mean it! At St. Stephen all our children can partake of communion at any age. During the service, those who wish to partake of Holy Communion come forward to receive the bread (wafer) and the wine. Even if you would prefer not to participate in communion, we would like to invite you to come forward to receive a blessing.
Nursery: Our nursery is open for all families with infants and toddlers, up to age 4, during the 9:30am and 11:00am service. To make parents feel more comfortable leaving children with our loving attendants, a vibrating pager is available for parents to take into worship, in case our attendants need to reach them.
Contemporary Worship
Sundays at 9:30AM
The Contemporary Service is led by the Celebration Praise Team. The service still utilizes the historic pattern of Lutheran worship (Gathering, Word, Meal, and Sending) while utilizing contemporary language and music. The praise team uses several vocalists and a variety of
instruments to lead worshipers in familiar, up beat songs. Additionally, visual media is integrated into the service in order to assist the congregation and enhance the worship experience. These elements combine together to create a worship service that is relaxed, but still wonderfully energized and spiritually uplifting.
Communion: Holy Communion is celebrated every weekend. At the Contemporary service Holy Communion is done by intinction (dipping the wafer into the wine). Everyone is welcome to come forward and receive communion. We say that the "Gifts of God are FREE!" and we mean it! At St. Stephen all our children can partake of communion at any age. During the service, those who wish to partake of Holy Communion come forward to receive the bread (wafer) and the wine. Even if you would prefer not to participate in communion, we would like to invite you to come forward to receive a blessing.
Nursery: Our nursery is open for all families with infants and toddlers up to age 4, during the 9:30am and 11:00am service. To make parents feel more comfortable leaving children with our loving attendants, a vibrating pager is available for parents to take into worship, in case our attendants need to reach them.