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Frequently Asked Question
regarding Worship at St. Stephen's
Last Updated On:
Saturday February 13, 2010 |
What time are your services?
Our Sunday morning services take place every week at 8:15 am
and 10:30 am. |
Do you have adult Bible Class and children's Sunday
School?
Yes, the adult Sunday morning classes and
children's Sunday School classes both go from 9:30 to 10:15 am. |
Who may attend the worship services?
Any person seeking to hear the Word of God. Regardless of your age, race, gender, or social
status. Our congregation's goal is to bring you God's Word. |
How do I find your church?
We are located at10828 N. Huron St. in Northglenn, CO. We are located at the corner of
Kennedy & N. Huron. Directions &
Map |
Where do I park?
We have an ample parking lot located in front of and to the east of the church building.
Handicapped parking spaces are available in the front. |
Can I worship anonymously?
Yes. You will not be asked to publicly introduce yourself or stand up or anything of that
nature. You will, however, be greeted warmly by fellow worshippers eager to welcome you to our
congregation. |
How long are the worship services?
On an average worship services last one hour, give or take ten minutes. The services with Holy
Communion (1st & 3rd Sunday of each month) tend to last just over an hour, while the
non-communion services are usually under one hour. |
Are the sermons long and boring?
No! Our pastor works very hard at delivering concise yet creative messages that are both
illuminating and challenging. Those who worship regularly leave with nuggets of God's word to
nurture them through the week. |
What are the worship services like?
There are two options of styles and forms - Traditional
(Liturgical) and Contemporary (Praise)
services. One thing consistent in all our services is a clear presentation of the Gospel
of Jesus Christ and a true worship of His name. |
How much will it cost me?
Nothing but your time! While we, of course, do receive an offering during the worship, it is
in no way expected or required that a guest contribute to the work of our ministry. |
How will I know what to do?
All of our services are projected on the wall in the front of the church. You will see
the Bible texts, creeds, and the words to the songs. Illustrations are also projected to
illustrate points of the sermon. |
Why are the colors of the cloths on the altar changed for
different seasons and festivals?
The use of varying colors to symbolize the different seasons and festivals of the Church year
for vestments and other liturgical objects is first found in Church orders at Jerusalem in the
12th Century. In recent times, a standard use in the Western Church has been established. The
modern liturgical colors are:
- BLUE. This color is
symbolic of hope and is the preferred color for Advent. Also associated with Mary, the
Mother of our Lord, blue may be used as an alternate color on the festivals of the
Presentation, Annunciation, Visitation, and St. Mary (Rose also may be used for these
festivals.)
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WHITE. Symbolic of victory, joy
and purity this color is used for the seasons of Christmas, Epiphany, and Easter; all feasts
of our Lord; for Trinity Sunday; for all feasts of Mary, of the angels, and of all saints
who were not martyrs; and (on our calendar) of the Presentation of the Augsburg Confession.
Gold, the symbol of glory, is the preferred color for Easter.
- PURPLE. This color is
symbolic both of penitence and royalty. It is used throughout Lent, on Holy Saturday, and is
the alternate color for Advent. Rose may be used on the third Sunday of Advent, the fourth
Sunday of Lent, and as an alternate for the feasts of Mary.
- RED. This color
symbolizes both blood and the fire of the Holy Spirit. It is used on Pentecost, Reformation
(and all other festivals of the Church), and for the festivals of saints who were martyrs.
Scarlet, a deeper shade of red, may be used throughout Holy Week.
- GREEN. This is the,
so-called, neutral color. Symbolic of growth, it is used for the time after Pentecost and
after the Epiphany.
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Why do Lutheran Pastors wear a stole in Christian
worship?
The stole is a liturgical vestment first mentioned in the fourth century. At Rome the stole
was called the "oranum." The Gailican Church called the vestment the stola," and it was this
term introduced to Italy in the eleventh century, which became normative.
The origin of the stole is uncertain, although it most probably is a modification of the
colored band which formed the hem of the toga. The toga was the official and ceremonial dress
of the Roman nobility and the band indicated by color to which rank or office an individual
belonged (much like insignia in the military!). As the Church gradually developed an ordered
clergy in the first and second centuries (Consisting of Bishops, priests, and deacons), these
"bands" were retained in such a way to indicate ecclesiastical rather than civilian office.
Eventually, the bands evolved into a separate garment which was hung about the neck.
Priests/pastors often
"cross" or overlap the stole in the front (in the manner of SL Andrew's cross). Bishops wear
the stole hanging straight down. When the deacon wears the stole, it is worn over the left
shoulder and fastened under the right arm
The stole represents the yoke of Christ which the clergy put on in Ordination. The differing
colors used today mirror the colors of the Church year and have no relationship to
ecclesiastical rank. The stole, then, is THE identifying vestment of the ordain-ed minister
and is properly worn only at celebrations of the Eucharist, when administering the Sacraments,
and very generally when preaching. For other services/rites such as Matins, Vespers, weddings.
etc., the stole is not really a proper vestment.
In spite of popular trends and Church-supply Store
promotions, it is never appropriate for non-ordained persons such as choir members or
confirmands to wear a stole. For, to repeat, the stole is the ordained pastor's symbol of
office - the visible sign of the authority to act in the Church's name by preaching and
teaching the Word arid administering the Holy Sacraments. |
What is the history and meaning of "the Sign of the
Cross?"
The sign of the cross was a very early devotion in the Church, dating from the time of
Terrulliam (A.D. 2001). Originally called "the sign of the Lord, the devotion was used to
begin and close the day, as an encouragement in temptation or trial, and as a means of mutual
recognition in times of persecution. From earliest times, the sign was used in the Baptismal
and confirmation liturgies.
The sign of the cross symbolizes many things: that we worship the Triune God; that we are
redeemed by Christ who died on a cross; and that in Baptism we were "marked by the cross of
Christ forever." In making the sign of the cross we affirm and proclaim who we are and to
whom we belong.
Luther, in the Small Catechism directs, that our morning and evening prayers begin with the
sign of the cross. The sign of the cross may also be made during the Invocation, the
Absolution, at the announcement of the Gospel, at the words "the resurrection of the
dead/body" in the Nicene and Apostles' Creeds, at the words "Blessed is He who comes in
the Name of the Lord," in the Sanctus, at the consecration of the bread and wine, just
before receiving Christ Body and immediately after receiving his Blood, and at the
Benediction.
The sign of the cross is made by drawing the right hand from forehead to breast, and then from
left shoulder to right shoulder, returning to the center afterwards. The words. "In the Name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." usually accompany the sign.
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