About Saint Stephen's Episcopal
Church in Gilroy
We want all of God's children to feel welcome at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Gilroy. Our parish includes people from different social, economic, political, and cultural backgrounds. Although we are a diverse community, we are strongly bound together by our faith, and everyone is welcomed.
St. Stephen's is a church where we get out of our pews to spread the Peace with our neighbors. A defining characteristic of St. Stephen's is its sense of togetherness and commitment to the parish family.
Who We Are
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Gilroy is an open and loving community of diverse people with a strong sense of togetherness and a desire to be faithful witnesses to Christ Jesus and his mission to bring love, justice and forgiveness to a world desperately in need of all three.
By the Grace of God we will continue to live out this mission by serving each other and those in need both within our immediate neighborhood and as far as we can reach.
Our Mission
-
St. Stephen's is an inviting community where all of God's children are welcome and safe. This is particularly true for the very young ones. We believe that children are more than merely the Church of tomorrow, but very much a full and important part of our church family today. Children of all ages are welcome in all services.
Sunday 8am on Zoom —
A service of spiritual Communion.
Sunday 10:30am in the church —
A service Holy Communion with music.
Wednesday 12 Noon in the church -
Healing Service with Holy Communion, prayers for the sick, anointing and lying-on of hands.
It is our Commitment to provide for Spiritual growth and care. -
Wednesday 10:30am —
Bible Study on Zoom and in-person
Sunday 11:45am (approx.) —
Weekly Parish Luncheon is served to everyone in our Fellowship Hall
1st Saturday of Month 9am —
Daughters of the King
3rd Sunday of the Month 12:30pm —
The Vestry (Church governing board) meets in the Family Room and on Zoom. All welcome to attend. -
St. Stephen's has a prayer chain so that all in need receive direct, intentional prayer.
Our Priest and Lay Eucharistic Ministers take communion to those who are unable to come to services.
We are a close and warmly welcoming family in Christ, active in assisting members of the congregation who are in need.
It is our Joy to Grow in Fellowship. -
We believe that “the joy of the Lord is our strength.”
Having good, clean wholesome fun as a church family builds community and strength.
Regular Fellowship Activities Include:
Shrove Sunday Lunch
Maundy Thursday Passover Dinner
Easter Egg Hunt
4th of July Potluck Picnic and Barbecue
Blessing of the Animals Service (St. Francis' day)
Fall Parish Event
Ingathering Festive Meal (the Saturday before Thanksgiving)
Christmas Tea (the first Saturday in December)
It is our Passion to Serve. -
The Resource Center is volunteer run and provides direct support to those in need with a pantry food, clothes closet and mail service. (Open 9:30am-11:30am on Thursdays)
We also support:
Compassion Center
St. Josephs Family Center
Episcopal Relief and Development Agency
United Thank Offering
To invite and make disciples for Christ, and to build the body of Christ by faithfully living, teaching and serving in the power of His Word.
It is Our Call to Worship.
History
The first Episcopal services were held in Gilroy in 1867. St. Stephen's became a Mission of the Diocese in 1875 and a parish in 1948. The present church was built in 1967. We have been a parish in transition from a conservative charismatic emphasis during the period of Episcopal renewal in the 70's to an emerging mainline church with a diverse population today.
Church Description
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church is located in a middle-income neighborhood in Gilroy, about one block from a main business street. The sanctuary is large, seating approximately 200 people. Stained glass windows surround the sanctuary with a large stained glass cross in the wall over the altar. We have a parish hall that accommodates about 150 people, several classrooms, a nursery room, and the Resource Center office. There is a central courtyard of grass and trees with play equipment for the children.
Worship and Religious Education
Sundays: We provide two Sunday services, a Zoom service at 8 A.M. and an in-person service at 10:30 A.M.
Wednesdays: At 10:30am we have Bible Study in-person and on Zoom. At noon, we also have an in-person Healing Service with communion and a laying on of hands.
Spiritual Growth
We have a weekly Bible study on Wednesday mornings and an active Daughters of the King chapter.
Together, we develop a deeper understanding of God’s work in our lives.
Prayer
The parish is active in seeing to the needs of its members. St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Gilroy provides nurturing though prayer and caring.
We have a Prayer Chain and Lay Eucharistic Ministers take communion to those who are unable to come to services.
Music
Music is a developing ministry at St. Stephen's. We also have a newly donated live sound system.
All together with our organist and bell choir we are well equipped to see what God can do with our joyful noise.
Outreach
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Gilroy also provides resources and assistance to those in need in our community, through our Resource Center. The Resource Center is open Thursdays and is staffed by volunteers.
We also support Compassion Center, St. Joseph's Family Center, Episcopal Relief and Development Agency, and The United Thank Offering.