Welcome to St. Stephen’s!
Click here to watch an introductory video about our church.
Since its founding more than 200 years ago, the congregation of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Forest has welcomed people to this sacred place in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains. No matter who you are or where you are on your journey, you are welcomed here. We invite you to experience for yourself the joy and presence of God’s real and abiding love. If you are looking for a church to call home, we would love to have you with us at St. Stephen’s!
Red Cross Blood Drive: August 13 (2:00 – 6:00 p.m.)
Community Hymn Sing and Potluck Picnic: August 24 (5:00 – 7:00 p.m.)
Worship with Us
Sunday Services
8:30am – Holy Eucharist I (spoken)
9:30am – Adult Forum and Bible Study (September through May)
10:30am – Holy Eucharist II (with music and live on YouTube)
Calendar
Recent Sermons
Sermon for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (August 3, 2025)
Lectionary Readings: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2: 18-23 / Psalm 49:1-11 / Colossians 3:1-11 / Luke 12:13-21 In today’s four readings we’re repeatedly confronted by some of the worst human tendencies. […]
Sermon for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (July 6, 2025)
Gospel: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 There’s a subtext of vulnerability found in today’s passage from Luke. The 70 sent by Jesus to go out ahead of him are sent with the […]
Sermon for the Third Sunday after Pentecost (June 29, 2025)
Epistle: Galatians 5:1, 13-25; Gospel: Luke 9:51-62 During my pre-seminary life, particularly during my time as a Capitol Hill press secretary, one of the tasks that often presented the greatest […]