Worship:
     Saturday 5:00 pm
     Sunday 8:00 & 10:30 am
     Classes 9:30 am

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Frequently Asked Questions

 The people of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church welcome you to our web site. We hope you will participate in one of our worship services soon. We look forward to greeting you personally, and hope that the answers to these frequently asked questions will help you feel at ease when you visit and give you a better idea of what to expect.

• Our congregation meets in a sanctuary (worship space) with pews. The (preaching) pulpit and Lord’s (communion) Table are located at the front of the church in the area called the chancel. Some newcomers find our sanctuary to be rather simple, but we hope you will feel welcome and comfortable – and please sit wherever you like! Our order of worship is also fairly traditional. We encourage you to take part in any way that is comfortable for you. The best way to learn about our worship practices is to look through a copy of The Book of Common Prayer (BCP), which can typically be found in the pews of every Episcopal Church. An usher will give you a worship bulletin which lists the page numbers in the hymnal and the BCP. The weekly worship bulletin provides complete details of the service making it easy for visitors to follow along. Our service is usually about an hour long with an emphasis on beautiful music, and interesting, biblically based sermons with relevance for modern life. Take your time, ask questions, and participate more fully when you are ready.

• The Episcopal Church is part of the Anglican Communion of Churches throughout the world. The Anglican tradition is a rich and diverse one, dating back almost 500 years. The web site of the Episcopal Church in the USA provides answers to these and other questions at its Visitor's Center. We encourage you to explore some of the many links to Episcopal web sites to learn more about the Episcopal Church. The site of our Diocese, the National Church, and Anglicans Online are good places to start.

• Yes! We welcome children at all St, Stephen’s worship services. We value their presence, their questions, their energy, and their innate sense of God. Our 10:30 a.m. service is designed with children in mind. Younger children are given the opportunity to join their peers (children age 4 through 2nd grade) for Godly Play.   

• We have a fully staffed nursery at all worship services, as well as Sunday School and other church-wide events. An usher or greeter will be pleased to direct you to the Nursery. If you prefer, you are more than welcome to keep your children with you during worship. 

• Children age 4 through 2nd grade experience God through play during the lesson and sermon portion of the service. The Children join their parents for Communion. In this way, young ones learn about worship in both “big church” and “children’s church.” 

•  St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church is located at 2310 North 56^th Street, Phoenix, on the NW corner of Oak Street and 56^th Street,  about a half a mile south of Thomas Road. Look for our special signs for “Visitor Parking” in the parking area on the north side of the property. The Church main entrance is located on the north side of the patio. Greeters at the front door will be pleased to show you in and help you find your way. 

• Holy Communion also is known as Holy Eucharist, The Lord’s Supper, and the Mass. Bread and Wine are the visible signs of the Eucharist; the Body and Blood of Christ, received by faith, become the inward and spiritual signs of grace. Through the Eucharist, we receive the forgiveness of our sins and strengthen our union with Christ and one another

• Everyone is welcome at God's altar. All baptized persons of whatever Christian denomination are welcome to participate in Holy Communion, the family meal of the Church. Persons who have not been baptized are invited to come forward to the altar rail and receive God’s blessing. 

• No. Once you have been baptized with water, in the name of the Trinity, you have been received into the family of Christ (not into a particular denomination) and that act need not be repeated. This is true even if you were an infant when you were baptized. If you wish to make a public, adult affirmation of your faith, you may choose to be confirmed. 

• Baptism is the sacrament signifying that one has become an “official” member of the Body of Christ, known as the Church. Adults are baptized upon confessing Jesus as their Lord and Savior and expressing their intention of following him. Although baptisms always take place in particular congregations, the Episcopal Church recognizes all baptisms performed in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. To find out more about baptism, we encourage you to talk to one of our clergy. Baptized members of the church are encouraged to present their children for baptism at any age. 

• WE gather for a fellowship reception immediately following worship every Saturday and Sunday with refreshments served on the Patio or in Frederickson Hall. Clergy, members, and friends are all present for visiting and/or questions. Please plan to stay for this gathering! We also have Adult Forum classes and fellowship groups for both younger and older adults, as well as children of all ages. 

• When you first come into the entrance of the church, please visit the Visitor’s table just outside the church. This table contains materials with information about our church. Talk to one of our clergy before or after worship. You may also call the church office (480-840-0437) to make an appointment Another way to find out more about St. Stephen’s is to attend our four-week Welcome Class for visitors and newcomers that is held throughout the year. The class is designed to give you an overview of the life of the parish. Contact Christy Dargus for more information.

• If you have been attending St. Stephen’s for a while, have been participating in worship, education opportunities, and other activities, and have decided you would like to become a member, please contact Christy Dargus to complete a membership information form. In addition to the basic name, address and phone information, you will be asked to provide the name of the church in which you were baptized and/or confirmed. St. Stephen’s will submit the transfer request to your former church. You may become a baptized member of St. Stephen’s even if you were not baptized in an Episcopal Church. You will be encouraged to attend a four-week Welcome Class for visitors and newcomers that are held throughout the year.
•   If you are not baptized, contact The Rev. Gregory Fry about the process leading to baptism. If you do choose to become a baptized member, we will encourage you to attend the Practicing the Faith adult confirmation class which meets several times a year.