Welcome to St. Stephen’s!
Office Hours:
Monday – Wednesday: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Click here to schedule an appointment with the Rector.
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Click here to watch an introductory video about our church.
Since our founding more than 200 years ago, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Forest has welcomed people to this sacred place in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains. No matter who you are or where you are on your journey, YOU are welcome here. We invite you to experience for yourself the joy and presence of God’s real and abiding love. If you are looking for a church to call home, we would love to have you with us at St. Stephen’s!
Worship with Us
Sunday Services and Education
8:30am – Holy Eucharist I (spoken)
9:30am – Adult Forum and Bible Study (September through May)
10:30am – Holy Eucharist II (with music and live on YouTube)
Calendar
Recent Sermons
Sermon for Trinity Sunday (May 31, 2026)
Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20 They were gathered on that Galilean mountain, there with Jesus: the 11 remaining disciples (Judas having already died) and perhaps others who’d followed them during the past three years. Aside from the disciples though no others are specifically identified. Considering the many who’d tagged along to witness the highs and the lows…
Sermon for the Third Sunday of Easter (April 19, 2026)
Gospel: Luke 24:13-35 The image you see on the cover of today’s service booklet is by the 18th century artist Arnold Houbraken. Entitled “Meal at Emmaus,” it captures the instant Jesus disappears after breaking the bread in front of his disciples. This etching deeply impacted me when I first saw it several years ago, so…
Sermon for the Second Sunday of Easter (April 12, 2026)
Gospel: John 20:19-31 Those gathered in the house didn’t wait long to see the risen Lord. Earlier that afternoon Mary Magdalene had been there to tell them she’d seen and talked with him and to share his message with them. Now, later that same evening, he himself was with them, sharing his blessing and the…