St. Stephen Episcopal Church is very much alive and well, and in this time of COVID-19 pandemic, we pray that you and your family and friends are safe and well.

In an effort to keep everyone safe, we have temporarily suspended in-person worship, but we are streaming Holy Eucharist Rite II on our Facebook page on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. Please join us in prayer from your computer, phone or tablet:

https://www.facebook.com/StStephensMcKeesport

We look forward to celebrating God’s word together soon, in person, as soon as this pandemic subsides.

For most Christians, Holy Week — the seven days leading up to Easter Sunday — is one of the most important weeks in the life of the Church. We hope that you can join us for at least one service.

The observance of Holy Week dates to the 3rd Century, when pilgrims began visiting Jerusalem to see the locations where the Gospels record that He was put on trial, suffered, and died:

Numerous pilgrims to the holy city followed the path of Jesus in his last days. They formed processions, worshipped where Christ suffered and died, and venerated relics. From this beginning evolved the rites we observe today on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. These services provide a liturgical experience of the last days of Jesus’ earthly life, as well as the time and events leading up to his resurrection.

For St. Stephen Episcopal Church, special services will mark Holy Week on Palm, or Passion, Sunday; Holy (Maundy) Thursday; and Good Friday.

• Palm Sunday: 8 a.m. Holy Eucharist and 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with procession of palms
• Maundy (Holy) Thursday: 6:30 p.m. Agape meal, followed by stripping of the altar
• Good Friday: 12 p.m. liturgy; confessions will be heard until 3 p.m.
• Easter Sunday: 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist