St. Stephen's Episcopal church is a welcoming church located in the historic community of New Harmony, Indiana. Please join us every Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. Our Worship Service is also streamed lived on Facebook at 10:00 a.m. CST
VISIT our FACEBOOK PAGE and watch our Worship Services at:
The church office is open on Mondays 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
and on Wednesdays 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Rev. Mary Bargiel
765-721-3037
mbargiel@me.com
Rev. Mary Bargiel
765-721-3037
mbargiel@me.com
2026 PLEDGE CARDS
are available at the back of the church--
Please fill out your card and turn it into the offering plate
or the church office.
November 14, 2025
This vestry meeting will include approval of the 2026 BUDGET,
and all input is welcome.
If you are interested in participating in our
2nd annual Christmas Eve "Ceremony of Lessons & Carols"
as a singer, musician, or reader, please contact Liz Mumford.
Thank you!
St. Stephen's Church
ANNUAL MEETING
January 18, 2026
Week of November 23 - November 29, 2025
CASTING OUR NET
ST. STEPHEN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
PO Box 173, 512 Granary St. New Harmony, IN 47631 (812) 682-4604
Rev. Mary Bargiel 765-721-3037 mbargiel@me.com
Website: ststephensnewharmony.org
Facebook: New Harmony St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
You may give online by visiting our website or by texting SSNH to 73256
A SAFE PLACE FOR ALL TO LOVE, LEARN, AND LIVE THE WORD OF GOD
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Don’t forget to turn in your 2026 Pledge Cards.
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**LITURGICAL CALENDAR**
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Morning Prayer
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church | New Harmony, Indiana
November 30, 2025 | 10:00 a.m.
First Sunday of Advent
Welcome to worship. Please join in speaking the bolded words.
Prelude Liz & Bish Mumford
Announcements
The service begins with the ringing of the bell; the people stand as able.
All stand as able for the Advent Candle Lighting Service
An Advent Candle Lighting Service
Arranged by Liz Mumford
Prayers adapted by permission from Christianaid.org.uk website
The Officiant says
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3
Officiant
The fall season leaves behind a bareness and shorter, colder-wind days that can make times seem dark. There are many troubles in the world and in our personal lives that, at times, can overwhelm us. We need a light in this season of Advent, we need a Light that brings Hope and Peace and Joy and Love to the world. With the lighting of the candles on our Advent wreath, let us prepare and pray for that Light, and all who seek to light the way out of sickness, poverty, adversity, and darkness.
Officiant or Reader 1: (Sheila White)
From light comes life.
Deep in expectant earth, a seed stretches.
Safe in the womb, a child senses its season turning, and stirs.
It is Advent, something is coming,
People: God of light, may they grow—
the seed, the love, the Child.
Reader 1: (Sheila White) O Lord, hear our song for Hope:
O Come, O Come Emmanuel sing vs. 1, revised H56
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And with your people always dwell
Who mourn in mortal exile here
Until the Lord of Life appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
Reader 2: (Greg White)
Let us pray: As winter days dim and bow to early darkness, you, God of light, set watch in the night sky and beckon the wise to follow.
When hope hangs low in the human heart, you, loving creator, kindle compassion, breathing life into early embers of change and empathy.
A helper lights the first candle.
Reader 2: (Greg White)
We light a candle for Hope, sending prayers high into the inky heavens and dreams deep into the human soul. As Advent dawns, God of all hope, shine your light on the story of the saints who journeyed before us. May the seeds they planted in the world—peace, joy, love—take hold in our hearts and stretch towards the light.
People: We light a candle for Hope. May it light the way.
Reader 2: (Greg White) O Lord, hear our song for Hope:
O Come, O Come Emmanuel sing vs. 2, revised H56
O come, thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
Reader 1: (Sheila White) Our King and Savior now draws
near.
People: Come let us adore him.
Confession of Sin
Dearly beloved, we have come together in the presence of Almighty God our heavenly Father, to set forth his praise, to hear his holy Word, and to ask, for ourselves and on behalf of others, those things that are necessary for our life and our salvation. And so that we may prepare ourselves in heart and mind to worship him, let us kneel in silence, and with penitent and obedient hearts confess our sins, that we may obtain forgiveness by his infinite goodness and mercy.
Silence may be kept; all kneel as able for the confession.
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
The Officiant remains kneeling and says
Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.
The Invitatory & Psalter
All stand as able.
Our King and Savior draweth nigh:
O come, let us adore him.
Officiant and People all sing together
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God:
Come let us adore him.
Venite, said responsively by half verse Psalm 95:1-7
Come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving
and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the caverns of the earth,
and the heights of the hills are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands have molded the dry land.
Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee,
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.
Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!
Psalm 122 Laetatus sum
I was glad when they said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the Lord."
Now our feet are standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is built as a city
that is at unity with itself;
To which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord,
the assembly of Israel,
to praise the Name of the Lord.
For there are the thrones of judgment,
the thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
"May they prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls
and quietness within your towers.
For my brethren and companions' sake,
I pray for your prosperity.
Because of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek to do you good."
At the end of the Psalm, all sing together
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
The Lessons
The people sit for the readings.
A period of silence will follow each reading.
First Reading
A reading from the book of Isaiah. (Isaiah 2:1-5)
The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In days to come
the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
Many peoples shall come and say,
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.’
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,
and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.
O house of Jacob,
come, let us walk
in the light of the Lord!
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Silence may follow.
Canticle 4 The Song of Zechariah Luke 1:68-79
Benedictus Dominus Deus
The canticle is read responsively by half verse; all stand as able.
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he hath visited and redeemed his people;
And hath raised up a mighty salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets,
which have been since the world began:
That we should be saved from our enemies,
and from the hand of all that hate us;
To perform the mercy promised to our forefathers,
and to remember his holy covenant;
To perform the oath which he sware to our forefather Abraham,
that he would give us,
That we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies
might serve him without fear,
In holiness and righteousness before him,
all the days of our life.
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest,
for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people
for the remission of their sins,
Through the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us; to give light to them that sit in darkness
And in the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Second Reading
The people sit.
A Reading from the book of Romans. (Romans 13:11-14)
You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Silence may follow.
Canticle 3 The Song of Mary Luke 1:46-55
Magnificat
The canticle is read responsively by half verse; all stand as able.
My soul doth magnify the Lord,
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
For he hath regarded
the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold from henceforth
all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me,
and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him
throughout all generations.
He hath showed strength with his arm;
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat,
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filed the hungry with good things,
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel,
as he promised to our forefathers,
Abraham and his seed for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Gospel Reading
The people are seated.
A Reading from the gospel of Matthew.
(Matthew 24:36-44)
Jesus said to the disciples, “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Homily Sheila White
The Apostles’ Creed
The people stand as able for the creed.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Offertory
The people are seated.
Let us with gladness present the offering and oblations of our life and labor to the Lord.
Offertory Anthem Liz & Bish Mumford
During the offertory (or at your own convenience), please consider giving to St. Stephens at the following link: https://onrealm.org/StStephensEpisc/-/give/now or by texting
SSNH to 73256 and following the prompts. All donations go toward sustaining our church operations and our ministries.
The people stand.
Doxology Hymnal 380 v. 3
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Prayers
The people stand or kneel as able for the prayers.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
The Suffrages
Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance;
Govern and uphold them, now and always.
Day by day we bless you;
We praise your Name for ever.
Lord, keep us from all sin today;
Have mercy upon us, Lord, have mercy.
Lord, show us your love and mercy;
For we put our trust in you.
In you, Lord, is our hope;
And we shall never hope in vain.
The Collects
The Collect for Grace
O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day: Depend us in the same with thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that we, being ordered by thy governance, may do always what is righteous in thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Collect for the Renewal of Life
O God, the King eternal, who dividest the day from the night and turnest the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep thy law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done thy will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when the night cometh, rejoice to give thee thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Collect for Peace
O God, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom: Defend us, thy humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in thy defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Prayers of the People: Intercessions
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
Silence.
The leader and people pray responsively.
For all people in their daily life and work;
For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
For this community, the nation, and the world;
For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.
For the just and proper use of your creation;
For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For the peace and unity of the Church of God;
For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.
For Sean Rowe, our Presiding Bishop, and Jennifer, our Bishop; and all bishops and other ministers;
For all who serve God in his Church.
For the special needs and concerns of this congregation.
Silence
The People may add their own petitions
Hear us, Lord;
For your mercy is great.
We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.
Silence
The People may add their own thanksgivings
We will exalt you, O God our King;
And praise your Name for ever and ever.
We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom.
Silence
The People may add their own petitions
Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;
Who put their trust in you.
We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.
Silence may be kept
Leader and People
Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;
in your compassion forgive us our sins,
known and unknown,
things done and left undone;
and so uphold us by your Spirit
that we may live and serve you in newness of life,
to the honor and glory of your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, who didst stretch out thine arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of thy saving embrace: So clothe us in thy Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know thee to the knowledge and love of thee; for the honor of thy Name. Amen.
The General Thanksgiving
Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks
for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made.
We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies,
that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication unto thee, and hast promised through thy well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name thou wilt be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.
Rejoice! rejoice, believers H68
Rejoice! rejoice, believers,
and let your lights appear!
The evening is advancing,
and darker night is near.
The Bridegroom is arising,
and soon he will draw nigh;
up, watch in expectation!
at midnight comes the cry.
See that your lamps are burning,
replenish them with oil;
look now for your salvation,
the end of sin and toil.
The marriage-feast is waiting,
the gates wide open stand;
rise up, ye heirs of glory,
the Bridegroom is at hand!
Our hope and expectation,
O Jesus, now appear;
arise, thou Sun so longed for,
above this darkened sphere!
With hearts and hands uplifted,
we plead, O Lord, to see
the day of earth’s redemption,
and ever be with thee!
The Dismissal
Let us go forth in the name of Christ
Thanks be to God.
May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Romans 15:13
Postlude Liz & Bish Mumford
Announcements
Thanks to those serving!
Advent Reader 1, Sheila White
Advent Reader 2, Greg White
Altar Guild, Peggy Meyer
Greeter, Robin Davis
Facebook Greeter,
Tech Coordinator, Carol Stratton
Officiant, Carol Stratton
Lector, Rita Davis
Intercessor, Liz Mumford
Music, Liz & Bish Mumford
Homilist, Sheila White
Offertory, Gloria, Doxology, Sanctus, & Communion Anthem
used with permission © Windelm Music.
