Author Archives: ststephensmckeesport

Holy Week services

Posted on by

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

Phone trouble fixed

Posted on by
If you left a phone message for us recently, and it wasn’t returned, we are very sorry — we recently switched phone companies and some of the messages were misrouted.
Our phone number has stayed the same (412-664-9379) and we are working to return any phone messages left during the switch. Bear with us, and thanks.

Bishop McConnell on the Rosfeld Verdict

Posted on by

unnamed(1)March 25, 2019

Dear Friends in Christ,

Late Friday night, a jury acquitted former East Pittsburgh police officer Michael Rosfeld of all charges related to his killing of 17-year old Antwon Rose II last summer. Antwon Rose was shot by Officer Rosfeld in the back while attempting to flee. He was found to be unarmed.

Many in our region are frustrated and despondent over this verdict. I am aware that others believe justice was served, given the law as it stands.

Yet, surely, none of us can ignore what the killing of one more unarmed black man by a white police officer says about our ailing society. The incident evokes the memory of many others nationwide that have been documented in recent years. From the moment the trigger was pulled, to the moment of acquittal, we have been on the familiar road of a national agony: a young, relatively inexperienced white officer; a young black man with apparently little reason to believe the police would not harm him if he gave himself up; a state law riddled with implicit bias; and a local jury that could only apply the law.

Continue reading →