1241 Crawford Drive - Billings, Montana 59102 - (406)-259-5017
Rector
Fr. Jacob Knee
1241 Crwford Drive
Billings, Montana 59102
(406) 259-5017
Holy Eucharist
Saturday at 5 p.m.
Sunday at 8 a.m. & 10:15 a.m.
Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
Welcome to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
We are glad that you have come to worship here with us today. We invite you to share this spiritual home with us in all the ministries and activities here at St. Stephen’s. Our goal is to know Christ and to make Him known in our community.
Sources of Information
The Sunday Church Bulletin provides Order of Service information for the church service as well as the details concerning church activities for the coming week. The bulletin also expresses prayer concerns for individuals, families and the ministries active here at St. Stephen’s.
The Parish Newsletter is published monthly, in print and on the webpage, and provides a wider overview of the activities of the Parish and of the wider mission of the Church. Contact the Church Office for more information or to submit an item for the newsletter.
The Parish Calling Committee is a group of parishioners who contact members of the parish family by telephone when urgent information needs to be communicated, and reminders given concerning important events.
The Parish Web Pages include ministry information about St. Stephen's Parish as well as links to the Diocese of Montana and National Episcopal Church web pages. Found at: http://www.ststephensbillings.org/
The Billings Gazette advertises regular weekly worship times in the Saturday “Faith & Values” section.
Youth Ministries at St. Stephen's Parish
Sunday School - Meets regularly during the School Year. The weekly program begins at 9:00 a.m. each Sunday. The “Godly Play” method of teaching is used for the lessons.
Acolytes - Acolytes assist the clergy at the altar with preparations before and after the Holy Eucharist. Children may begin acolyting as early as the 3rd grade. Acolytes serve on the altar until they graduate or leave home. Acolytes are first trained as torchbearers and within six months to a year they are able to complete all the duties of an acolyte. An educational and instructional booklet has been compiled with information on the duties of an acolyte, various items on the altar and their purpose, and Bible verses that can help them identify these items and their place and meaning in the services. If the acolyte learns the various levels of the booklet, they are allowed to wear different color crosses while serving. If the acolyte learns the entire booklet, St.Stephen’s will purchase a cross for the acolyte to keep. This is a voluntary program and a child can be an acolyte and not learn the contents of the booklet. Typically, an acolyte serves once per month. During the holiday seasons, when there are additional services, an acolyte may be asked to serve more frequently.
Camp Marshall Day Camp - New this year! St Stephen’s outreach to the children of our parish and our community. A well-trained staff will lead campers in activities that are designed to be challenging, fun and appropriate for the age group. Exploring and experienceing the Christian Faith is a central theme. We explore our faith in a variety of ways; music, arts and crafts, worship, and a service project. Our Church is transformed allowing our children to engage in the life of Jesus and the Bible. Camp will be from August 18-22, 2008, from 8 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. It is aimed at children entering grades 2-6. This is a wonderful time of fellowship and joy.
Adult Ministries at St. Stephen's Parish
Episcopal Church Women (ECW) - The ECW membership includes all women of the Church. Your participation is welcome. ECW meets once a month on the second Wednesday at 10a m. in the Guild Room. ECW prepares and serves receptions and assists whenever and wherever they can with various functions of the church. Finances are spent on projects relating to church needs. To raise funds they serve receptions, sell greeting cards from the Washington Cathedral and promote their “Fruit of the Spirit” cookbooks. They keep very busy living their faith and enjoying the fellowship that ECW provides.
ECW provides cookies each Sunday for the coffee time between services. ECW also cleans the kitchen regularly.
Brotherhood of St. Andrew - The Brotherhood of St. Andrew is a ministry of men and boys dedicated to spreading the Kingdom of Christ here on earth by regular daily prayer, study of the Holy Scriptures and a continuous effort to bring others to Christ.
Weekly breakfasts are held at St. Stephen’s Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m. They also cook and serve monthly parish breakfasts between the services.
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Order of St. Luke the Physician (OSL) - The membership is composed of professional people in all phases of medical work, clergy in the ministry of Roman, Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant churches, and lay people from all walks of life. The common denominator is the conviction that the healing ministry of Christ belongs in and to the church today. The Yellowstone Chapter of OSL meets the first Monday of the month at 7p.m. for study and training and on the third Monday of each month for a Eucharistic Healing Service with worship and healing prayers.
Wednesday Women’s Bible Study – A Bible study for women of all ages meets Wednesday mornings from 9:15a.m. to 10:30a.m. in the church library. Children are welcome and child care can be arranged. All are welcome.
St. Stephen’s Altar Guild – St. Stephen’s Altar Guild is comprised of diligent and dedicated members whose function is to prepare the altar for two Eucharistic services on Sunday, one on Wednesday and one on Saturday as well as weddings and funerals. The Altar Guild works directly under the direction and authority of Father Naumann. Church linens are laundered by the members. The guild is responsible for having fresh flowers on the altar Sunday morning. There is a calendar in the fellowship hall where church members may sign up to give flowers for a particular week in memory of a loved one, a birthday, an anniversary or to the Glory of God. The Sanctuary Candle serves the same purpose. The proceeds from the flowers and candle go to the Altar Guild. Twice a year, Christmas and Easter, they gather to polish church vessels and to clean and prepare for the holiday worship services.
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church Choir – Under the direction of Melinda Middleton, the choir is an integral part of the worship life of the church. The choir leads the music in the worship services on Sundays and on special occasions in the church calendar. In addition, the choir also joins the other two church choirs on 13th Street for joint worship and musical presentations. Meeting on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. and Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. for rehearsal and worship preparation, the choir welcomes any who wish to sing and make a joyful noise to the Lord. If you would like to be a part of the music ministry of the church, please come to rehearsal
