Welcome to St. Stephen’s
Since its founding nearly 200 years ago, the congregation of 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 welcomed 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
8:30am – Holy Eucharist (spoken)
9:30am – Sunday education for all ages
10:30am – Holy Eucharist (with music and live on Facebook)
Calendar
Recent Sermons
Meditation for the Fifth Sunday in Lent (March 26, 2023)
Gospel: John 11:1-45 Why hasn’t He come? Several days ago when Mary and Martha made the decision to send word to Him that their brother was ill, I was sitting with the others, just off to the side. I could hear the urgency in their voices and see the look of fear in their eyes as they pleaded with the one chosen as messenger: “Tell Him his beloved friend is sick. Tell Him it’s not good … not good at all. Tell Him to hurry.” I heard the anguish and pain as they said this, but I also somehow sensed…
Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Lent (March 19, 2023)
Old Testament: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 / Gospel: John 9:1-41 Two hundred seventy-five years ago, a 23-year-old native of London was hired as the first mate aboard a slave ship active in the Triangle Trade route between Africa, the Caribbean, and Europe. Over a period of six years, he made several voyages as first mate and, later, as captain of his own ship. A stroke suffered at age 29 brought an end to his sailing career, but he continued to invest in the slaving operations of a friend and former employer for many more years. Three decades later this man, by…