Worship Sundays @ 8:30 & 11 am Details

  120 W 69th St, New York, NY 10023  ·   (212) 787-2755  ·   Give

Christ & Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church
  • Welcome
  • About
    • Welcome
    • Our Clergy & Staff
    • Our Vestry
    • Art & Architecture
    • Location & Directions
    • eNews Signup
    • Contact Us
  • Worship
    • Sunday Worship
    • How to Get Involved
    • Weekday Worship
    • Prayer Requests
  • Music
    • History of Music
    • Schoenstein & Co. Organ
    • The Choir
    • Concert Rental Program
    • Calendar of Music Events
  • Learn & Inquire
    • Church School & Family Programs
    • Adult Education & Formation
    • Day School
  • Care & Serve
    • Garden Committee
    • Brown Bag Program
    • Rutgers Shelter
    • West Side Campaign Against Hunger
  • The Day School
  • Give

How to Get Involved

Altar Guild & Sacristan

That I may go to the altar of God, to the God of my joy and gladness... Psalm 43:4

The beautiful liturgy of our worship depends on a hidden network of preparation by the clergy, musicians, acolytes, lectors, ushers, and invisible but not the least the Altar Guild.

altar-guild-thumb7_287

Each Sunday, two faithful people, scheduled from our pool of Altar Guild members, show up in the sacristy 45 minutes before each Sunday service and reverently prepare and set out the vessels, linens, and other objects in accordance with our CSS manual and instructions from the priests. Then they join the congregation until after the service when they carry out the post-Eucharistic rituals and everything is put away.

There are, of course, additional tasks to be done on weekdays - linen to be laundered, brass to be polished, by those who have time.

Involvement on the part of individual altar guild members varies, depending on the other obligations we have in our lives. Because we plan our schedule tailored to the needs of each member, serving on the Altar Guild can be the perfect job for a busy person who wishes to contribute directly to our worship. It is a privilege to do so, and a very flexible commitment.

Those interested in serving Christ & Saint Stephen's as Altar Guild members should contact Peggy Thomson or Mother Liles.


Acolyte Corps

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him. 2 Corinthians 2:14

The CSS Acolyte Corps consists of adult and teen acolytes who assist at the altar by acting as crucifers, torch bearers, thurifers and chalice bearers. Through individual and group trainings, and by following instructions in the CSS Acolyte Corps Customary, the worship of Christ & Saint Stephen’s Church is made beautiful, orderly – and fun! The careful attention, sober presence and joyful attitudes of CSS Acolyte Corps bring great dignity and good order to our worship.

If any adult or teen (7th graders and up) are interested in learning more about this essential (and interesting) ministry, please contact Mother Liles.



Lectors Guild

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness... 2 Timothy 3:16

Lectors are assigned scriptural passages and intercessions to be read at the Sunday Eucharist, special liturgies such as Christmas and Holy Week, and certain weekday services. Members of our Lector's Guild are conspicuous by the pious fervor with which they declaim God's holy Word. Those of strong voice, clear diction, and with a desire to share the Scriptures with God's people in worship should contact Kristin Hardwick.


Ushers Guild

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2

Ushers welcome worshippers on Sundays with a smile and a service bulletin. Ushers direct worshippers to Childcare and Church School. Ushers collect the offering each Sunday and direct worshippers to communion.

For more information or to join the Usher's Guild, contact the office at 212-787-2755 ext 0 or email Kristin Hardwick, Executive Assistant to the Rector.


Flower Guild

"The Lord is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar." Psalm 118:27

The Flower Guild's mission is to beautify our parish by arranging and caring for the flowers, plants and floral decorations. The members of the Flower Guild offer their dedication and creativity to the beauty of the worship at Christ & Saint Stephen’s by arranging flowers for Sunday services – and by decorating the church for Easter and Christmas.

During most of the year, Flower Guild members arrange flowers in our antique Victorian brass vases for Sunday services.

Classes in flower arranging for new Guild members are held throughout the year.

Flower Guild members pull out all the stops on Easter and Christmas when our church is filled with greenery, lilies, and other beautiful flowers. These special feast days require many hands – for those with busy schedules, being a twice-yearly Flower Guild member might be just right. Please consider helping make our worship beautiful by joining the CSS Flower Guild.

Contact the office for more information at 212-787-2755 ext 0 or email Kristin Hardwick, Executive Assistant to the Rector.


Share this page: How to Get Involved
How to Get Involved Altar Guild & Sacristan Acolyte Corps Lectors Guild Ushers Guild Flower Guild

Upcoming Services

Sunday Evening Prayer (Zoom)
Sunday, Feb 05, 2023, 5:00 PM
Details »

Communion in the Garden
Wednesday, Feb 08, 2023, 12:15 PM
Details »

Sunday Evening Prayer (Zoom)
Sunday, Feb 12, 2023, 5:00 PM
Details »

Communion in the Garden
Wednesday, Feb 15, 2023, 12:15 PM
Details »

Sunday Evening Prayer (Zoom)
Sunday, Feb 19, 2023, 5:00 PM
Details »

Communion in the Garden
Wednesday, Feb 22, 2023, 12:15 PM
Details »

Sunday Evening Prayer (Zoom)
Sunday, Feb 26, 2023, 5:00 PM
Details »

Communion in the Garden
Wednesday, Mar 01, 2023, 12:15 PM
Details »

Sunday Evening Prayer (Zoom)
Sunday, Mar 05, 2023, 5:00 PM
Details »

Communion in the Garden
Wednesday, Mar 08, 2023, 12:15 PM
Details »

© 2023 Christ & Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church
120 W 69th St · New York, NY 10023
(212) 787-2755
Privacy Policy · Powered by Membership Vision

  View Entire Post

Service Times

Sunday Worship

  • 8:30 am The Holy Eucharist (spoken service)
  • 11:00 am The Holy Eucharist (choir & hymns)
  • 5:00 p.m. Evening Prayer on Zoom

Wednesday

  • 12:15 pm Communion in the Garden

Location

Christ & Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church
120 W 69th St
New York, NY 10023

Contact Us
(212) 787-2755

Newsletter Signup

The worship of God is at the very heart of our life together...

Every Sunday we offer inspiring worship with beautiful sacred music. In all we do, we offer the best we have, we experience the mystery of God, hear and wrestle with God's word, share Christ's presence in the sacrament, and feel God's love in our community, and leave strengthened to live and serve in the world. Please join us for worship, fellowship, outreach and education. You'll receive a warm welcome from all of us at Christ & St. Stephen’s. We look forward to seeing you.


Read More
Give Make a Pledge Stewardship Flower Dedications Planned Giving

For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. 1 Chronicles 29:14b

Give Online

Please consider becoming a pledging member of Christ & Saint Stephen's Church.

Make a Pledge

Stewardship is about being grateful, responsible stewards of the gifts we receive from God. The tradition of giving back to God and to the church comes from the Biblical practice of “tithing,” which means to give back a tenth of our earnings to God.

The Episcopal Church sees stewardship as more than simply contributing money to the church; it’s about reaching out to build relationships from a perspective of abundance instead of scarcity.

Stewardship Keeps Our Doors Open!

Learn More

Providing flowers for our Sunday worship is a way to remember a loved one, give thanks for a blessing, or honor someone important in your life. Make your flower dedication any Sunday except the Sundays in Lent (when we have no flowers in the church), the Christmas services or Easter Day. To secure a particular Sunday for your flower dedication, call the office at 212-787-2755 ext. 0 or send an e-mail request to Kristin at [email protected].

The standard donation is $45. Please send your check to the parish office (attention: Kristin) two weeks prior to the selected date including the dedication information for the Sunday bulletin.