Our worship for this Sunday will focus on the theme of Thanksgiving and will be followed by a festive brunch hosted by our vestry as we honor all our volunteers from this year. Please plan to join us!
Our first worship of the Advent season will feature a visit from jolly old St. Nic. We’ll learn about his story and the true origins of Santa Claus.
Join us for our Advent Retreat on Saturday, December 7th from 8:30-12:30 with breakfast and lunch provided. This event is open to all and free (donations accepted)
Find a place for sadness in the midst of a season of cheer with music and meditations to honor loss and grief. Please invite those who might benefit from acknowledging darkness at this time of year.
Designed to include families with children, but a welcome place for all. Enjoy the Christmas story presented by our children, prayer, communion, and lots of Christmas carols. Join us in person or online via zoom using our Sunday morning link.
Our traditional service features incense, beautiful music from our organist and choir, and concludes with a candlelit singing of Silent Night. Join us online or via zoom using our Sunday morning link.
A simple worship to honor the birth of our savior. You are invited to come in your pajamas for this casual but festive celebration!
Learn about the saints and celebrate all the wonderful people who have come before us, are a part of our community now, and will be in the future. Following worship, learn about the various ministries of our church and see where God might be calling you to next.
Halloween fun at St. Stephen’s.. Children from our church and community are invited to join us for trick or treating from car to car in a safe environment.
Join us as we welcome back our choir and begin a new program year.
Bring your backpacks to church for a special blessing as the new school year begins, An ice cream social follows the worship.
Organ Concert and Choir Fundraiser
This will be a don’t miss summer event, so get it on your calendars now! Our new Director of Music and Administration, (and concert organist), will perform an organ concert featuring many of our most beloved patriotic songs and tunes. The Canterbury Choir will also be a part of singing in the concert, and in addition, the audience will also have the opportunity to sing along in some of our nation’s most treasured patriotic music. After the concert we’ll enjoy a reception with good old-fashioned hot dogs and goodies. This concert is open to the public so bring your friends and family. A free-will offering will be taken, as a fundraiser to the Canterbury Choir and the music program. You can let us know you're planning to attend here.
Compassion Camp: What Every Living Thing Needs
Join us for a fun filled week of camp for ages 3-12 with music, arts, and activities. Kids will explore a different theme each day related to creation (food, water, shelter, etc) through songs, crafts, games, and poetry. Meals and snacks provided. Cost is $5 Register here
Emerging Worship
Sunday, May 19th at 4:00pm
Join us for an informal worship service featuring Spanish music and guitar, interactive prayer stations, discussion, and communion. Help us continue to discern what worship might best serve our wider community.
Pentecost Sunday, May 19 at 10:00am
New Members and Potluck
Celebrate the birth of the Church and the gift of the Holy Spirit. We will also welcome new
Members to our congregation and enjoy a potluck after church, with foods representing our diverse cultures and heritages.
Join us for a screening of the “Philadelphia 11”, a documentary about the first women ordained into the Episcopal tradition 50 years ago! The movie will be followed by a panel discussion with women from across the last 50 years of ordination, with a light reception to follow. The event is free and open to the public. Free-will offerings are welcome and appreciated. Registration is appreciated but not required.
A special worship to celebrate of the members of our congregation who are turning 13 years of age this year. Come join us in celebrating the gifts God has given these young people as they move from childhood into adulthood.
An informal worship service featuring simple music and communion. Those who are wanting to learn Spanish will also have a chance for lessons and conversation following supper. If you are able, please bring a donation to support migrant families who are part of our church.
This class is designed for adults who are interested in learning more about the Episcopal church. We will learn about the church’s history, tradition, liturgy, and polity and prepare for confirmation on May 18th. Register here.
We begin our Lenten season with the imposition of ashes. Join us for this important day as we begin our season of repentance.
Shrove Tuesday Celebration
Tuesday, February 13th 5:30-6:30pm
Get one last celebration in before the season of Lent. Enjoy breakfast for dinner from our Men’s Group. If you would like to pick up pancakes to go, please email the church office with the number of meals and estimated time of pick up.
As part of this celebration, we will burn some palm branches from last year to make ashes. We’ll share our plans for lent and get rid of whatever is holding us back as we begin our Lenten practice the next day. You can join the celebration via zoom @5:30pm
Ashes for Ash Wednesday Self Immolation distributed at 11 am
Reflect on St. Stephen’s ministry in the past year and make plans for the year to come. We will elect three new Vestry members. Because we will need to be sure we have a quorum for the meeting, please be on time.
God’s Work Our Hands clip art found on Pixy.org; used under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0; https://pixy.org/759170/
We’ll celebrate the end of the Christmas season with a visit from the three wise men. Join us for king’s cake and de-greening the church after worship
Sadly, after seven years serving St. Stephen’s, Gwen will be retiring at the end of this calendar year. Please join us in celebrating her ministry with a send off during worship and a festive coffee hour following church. If you would like to contribute towards a farewell gift from the congregation, please note Gwen in your donation memo.
Join us for a special holiday themed youth group fellowship night- open to all ages. We’ll have games and crafts a time to hang out and connect, as well as supper. All are welcome!
Help prepare and decorate St. Stephen’s Aurora for Advent and the Christmas Season! We will have holiday treats, singing carols, greening the church, and more!
A special worship to pray for healing for ourselves, the ones we love, and our world, as well as a time to remember our veterans.
A sung evensong celebrating All Souls and remembering those who have died. Bring pictures or memorabilia of your loved ones to share as part of the worship. After the worship we will have a potluck. Consider bringing a dish that reminds you of a loved one.
Help us in serving lunch to those who are staying at Ronald McDonald house while their children receive medical care at the hospital. We need 5-6 volunteers to serve for two 3 hours shifts 2-5pm and 5-8pm to help with meal preparation, serving, and clean up. For more information or to sign up contact Mary Jane Seese.
