Sunday services.
Come to church. Join us on Sundays at St Stephens Belrose.
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8AM
Our 8am service follows An Australian Prayer Book (1978) and lasts for approximately 60-70 minutes. We celebrate Holy Communion together every week. Music, consisting of hymns and choruses is led by our organ or piano and often accompanied by our choir. The service is followed by morning tea.
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10AM
Our 10am service follows a contemporary style and lasts for approximately 60-70 minutes. After we sing a song our children leave for creche or Children's Church (school years K-6) that run parallel to our meeting. You are welcome to use our newly renovated creche room. We celebrate Holy Communion once a month. The service is followed by morning tea.
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5PM
The 5pm service is geared for youth and young adults and is less formal than our morning services, with a relaxed feel. Creche is also available for children 0-4yrs old during this service. The service is followed by a light supper, or sometimes a meal which we eat together. You can find us on Facebook here.
Visiting church for the first time?
A first visit to a new church can be intimidating. We hope that when you join us at a service at St Stephens Belrose you feel welcomed and comfortable.
Here’s what to expect.
Parking and welcome
When you arrive at St Stephen’s, you can usually find parking in the carpark behind the building. Otherwise there's plenty of parking on Lockwood Avenue.
The main church entrance is on Lockwood Avenue. If you come in this way you'll be greeted by a couple of people from our welcoming team. They will say hello, and offer to help you to find a seat inside our building. They may also give you a handout with details about the church and what's on that week. (You're also welcome to enter through the back door, which accesses the carpark.)
If you have any questions about the service or facilities (like “where is the creche" or "where is the bathroom?”) please ask the welcoming team.
What happens in a service
All the Sunday services at St Stephens Belrose go for about 60-75 minutes.
You can always expect
group singing
prayer, led by one person from the front
readings from the Bible
a sermon, usually given by the minister, which explains the Bible readings and how they can apply to us today
You might also discover
a short children's talk
sharing Holy Communion (see more information below)
a couple of minutes where everyone is invited to talk to the people around them. Feel free to chat, or not, as you prefer.
announcements about what's going on in the life of the church
news about some of the organisations we support
Your experience will be different depending on what service you come to
8am is a traditional Anglican service. We follow the words to the service using a prayer book, which will be given to you. We share in communion every week.
10am is a more informal all-ages service. There is a children's church at this service too.
5pm is a service focused on youth and young adults - although mums and dads and others go too.
Your children are welcome.
St Stephens is fully compliant with the federal government’s Working With Children Check and the Sydney Anglican Diocese Safe Ministry program.
We welcome young people and families with children to St Stephens Belrose. Please don't feel embarrassed if they are noisy! Our creche room is equipped for young children and has a change table.
We offer a children's church program (Preschool to Year 6) that runs during the 10am service during school terms. This follows an age-appropriate bible curriculum with fun activities. It is planned by our children's minister, and run by safe ministry trained teachers.
Children's church takes place in the preschool room adjoining the church or the creche. A parent is welcome to attend if your child is unsure. Alternatively, children are also welcome to stay in church with their parents if they prefer.
Why do you do an 'offertory'? Do I need to give money?
All church activities and expenses at St Stephens Belrose are funded by the gifts of the congregation members. Learn more about giving here. We provide an opportunity for an 'offertory' during the service. While the last song is being sung, team members come around with a small bag for cash gifts. There is no pressure at all to give during this time. All gifts are voluntary. If you are a visitor please feel free to ignore the offertory collection bags.
About Holy Communion
Holy Communion or 'The Lord's Supper' is a time during the service where we eat a tiny portion of bread and drink a sip of wine (grape juice) from individual cups. This is to remember what Jesus has done for us. Communion takes place once a month at 10am and every week at 8am. Directions are given from the front as to how to take it.
What happens after a service?
After every service, we gather for food, a cuppa and a chat. Tea and coffee are available at the servery near the back door. You're very welcome to join us.
If you would like prayer, please find the minister or the person who led the service. We would be delighted to pray for you.
We'd also love to get to know you. If you have any questions about the service, something you have heard about Jesus, or if you simply want to find out more, please ask. You can take away a newcomers welcome pack with info about the church.
We look forward to meeting you at church, and we hope you’ll come back again.