What to Expect
At St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, we come from different backgrounds and experiences, but we come together because we’ve found some things that are important to us… real relationships, a caring community, and a place that helps us grow a deeper relationship with God. We hope you will come visit us this Sunday.
St. Stephen’s is known by our cute little white church, but the church is more than a building. It is a group of people who come together to leave some sort of mark on the world around us. Our faith touches everything we do and we’d like to share that with you.
Where should I park?
There is plenty of parking along the street in the front and side streets of the Church.
Where’s the entrance to the church?
The entrance to the church is at 205 East Gresham Street in Indianola. We are about 2 blocks off of Highway 82.
When and where are services?
We worship each Sunday at 11am during most of the year and at 10am during the hot months of summer. Summer comes early in the Mississippi Delta-- note that we move our worship to 10am on Sunday, May 27th!
What are services like?
To first-time non-Episcopalian visitors, our services may seem like a lot of standing, kneeling, sitting, and singing. Feel free to participate as much or as little as you wish. You’ll be given a bulletin when you arrive that will help you follow along. While it may take a few visits to get used to juggling the two books we use during our service, we are here to help you and make you feel comfortable. Everyone who has been baptized in any Christian church is welcome to take communion (or Holy Eucharist, as we say). Or if you’d like to just sit quietly and take it all in, that’s okay, too. Most of all, we want you to feel comfortable and welcomed when you visit us.
What should I wear?
While most people come “dressed for church” in either business casual or more formal attire, we welcome all people regardless of how you may look on a given day. Suits and dresses are optional. An open heart is required.
Must I identify myself as a newcomer?
Because St. Stephen’s is a small church, we usually notice newcomers and are eager to welcome them. While we would love a chance to meet you, however, you can slip into a worship service and quietly exit if that is your preference. Ushers (the people in the front of the church who hand out bulletins) are here to answer any questions you may have and help make you feel at home.
You’ll have the opportunity during the services to sign our guest book, where you can give as little or as much information about yourself as you wish—and let us know of any prayer requests that you have.
What’s available for my children?
Programs for children and youth and regular Sunday school run from August to early May. Nursery care is available for the very young during Sunday School hour and during worship. While children are welcome in church, the tradition of most parents of very young children is to let them play in the nursery with our caring staff for the first 40 minutes of worship, and then bring them to communion at the ending part of the service. For older children, there are always child friendly bulletins and an activity box for them to color available in the front of the church.
Coffee Hour Fellowship Time
We would love a chance to get to know you. Our coffee hour is at 10:30am during most of the year when we worship at 11am. During the summer, coffee hour follows our 10am worship.