WELCOME TO SAINT STEPHEN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
An historic community of faith in Newton, Iowa for more than 150 years.
We’re a small, faithful and growing group of Christians who learn together, support each other and grow in our Faith together We gather here to worship, to sing, and to hear God’s word.
We gather here to offer our needs and our joys before God, and to have them heard. We gather here to be refreshed and renewed, and then go out from this place as living bearers of God’s love.
St. Stephen’s is steeped in history. Our worship is rooted in anglo-catholic tradition, the building is on the National Register of Historic Places (added in 1977), and the church is the oldest church in Jasper County in continual use for worship services. The first worship service in the church building was on April 19, 1874.
A wheelchair is available.
We invite you to worship with us any time.
ALL ARE WELCOME
Church News
Dream it
Church News Dream it
Neighbors Helping Neighbors Summer Project
Summer 2026 Neighbors Helping Neighbors is again focusing on the vulnerable children in our
community. We are collecting school supplies to give to the teachers, who find themselves providing those school supplies which many parents cannot afford to purchase. Teachers, and nurses, at all schools were contacted for suggestions of what they need most.
We will divide donations among the schools and
deliver the week of August 18, before students
return. We can also accept cash donations and will do the shopping for you!
For the teachers *=most needed
pencils*
Kleenex**
poster board
index cards
post-its
expo markers**- black please, thick (not thin) these run out by spring break, the more the better
binders*
glue sticks*
scissors
composition notebooks- these are the ones with the sewn in binding (requested by 6th grade science)
mints (for coughs, cough drops cannot be dispensed)
ear buds
pencil eraser tops
loose leaf paper
expo erasers
crayons
2 pocket folders- in solid colors
disinfecting wipes*
Sheet protectors
Highlighters
Binders
Sticky-notes
For the nurses
granola bars***
peppermints
life savers (sore throats)
bandages
ace bandages
bandaids- all sizes
kitchen sponges and ziploc bags (these make reusable ice packs)
refillable water bottles
Remember to check your drawers and other places for these items that you may have put away because
you don’t use them, the schools can!
Join Isaac Green for breakfast/Bible Study every Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
NEW CAPSTONE CONNECTIONS
Capstone Connections Building. is newly remodeled and now offering laundry
facilities, showers, Substance Misuse Treatment, Connections Mental
Health, Support Groups, and more!
Many personal care and hygiene items will be needed on an ongoing
basis. This is an ongoing mission. Let’s continue our mission work with Connections by keeping
a collection container at the back of the Sanctuary available for donations of the following:
Bath Soap
Shampoo & Conditioner
Dark Colored Towels and Wash Cloths
Combs & Brushes
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Deodorant
Feminine Personal Items
Disposable Razors
Shaving Cream
Cleaning Supplies
Garbage Bags
Plastic Storage Bags
Storage Totes
The second Sunday of each month is Healing Sunday with Steve Halstead. Join him at the altar after worship service
Recommendation: check out “Episcopalians on Facebook”. This is a page full of information and insightfulness. You can post your needs, joys, prayers, whatever to share with fellow Episcopalians. An example is this prayer from Frederick William Schmidt: “In the stillness of this morning, meet us each where we are. Some of us will need focus. Some cry out for strength. Others labor under successive waves of bad news. The list is endless and unknown to anyone of us. The need for hope, vision, gratitude, love mercy. But you know Lord. Be with us now and throughout the day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Merle will be in his office every Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for anyone who wishes to visit with him
Worship Opportunities
M.W.F. Morning Prayer at 9:00 a.m..
Wednesday: 5:15 p.m. Evening Prayer with Issac Green
Saturday Compline at 8:00 p.m.
And of course, all of our services will be on live on Friends of St. Stephen’s, a private group on Facebook
Online Services
Worship Schedule:
Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday Morning Prayer at 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday 5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer
Saturday 8 p.m. Compline
Services on Wednesday will usually be in the Church, other weekday services may well be broadcast from home. You are welcome to join us at the services in church; but all will be broadcast on the Friends of St. Stephen's Facebook page. Ask us to Friend you if you would like to attend.
See What We Have To Offer
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Worship Opportunities
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Programming
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Social Outreach
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Recovery Programs
Lectionary Study - Book Study -
Lectionary Study - Book Study -
Wednesday Lectionary Study is taking a break over the summer but will resume in September.
Book Study will meet at 9:30 a.m., June 9. June’s selection is Green, Fair, and Prosperous: Paths to a Sustainable Iowa by Charles Connerly. At the center of what was once the tallgrass prairie, Iowa has stood out for clearing the land and becoming one of the most productive agricultural states in the nation. But its success is challenged by multiple issues including but not limited to a decline in union representation of meatpacking workers; lack of demographic diversity; the advent of job-replacing mechanization; growing income inequality; negative contributions to and effects of climate change and environmental hazards.
To become green, fair, and prosperous, Connerly argues that Iowa must reckon with its past and the fact that its farm economy continues to pollute waterways, while remaining utterly unprepared for climate change. Iowa must recognize ways in which it can bolster its residents’ standard of living and move away from its demographic tradition of whiteness. For development to be sustainable, society must balance it with environmental protection and social justice. Connerly provides a crucial roadmap for how Iowans can move forward and achieve this balance.