February 22, 2026
We are happy to know that many people new to worship in the Episcopal Church come to St. Stephen’s, and we welcome you!
Throughout the service, the people’s responses are in italics.
Announcements
Prelude
The people stand for the Processional Hymn.
Processional Hymn #148 (Blue Hymnal 1982)
The Penitential Order
Jesus said, “The first commandment is this: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence may be kept. The people stand or kneel.
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.
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
Kyrie
God be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The people sit.
A Reading from Genesis
Then God took the earth creature and settled it in the garden of Eden so that it might cultivate and care for the land. God commanded the earth creature, “You may eat as much as you like from any of the trees of the garden—except the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.”
But the snake was the most cunning of all the animals that God had made. The snake asked the woman, “Did God really tell you not to eat from the trees in the garden?”
The woman answered the snake, “We may eat fruit from all the other trees in the garden. But of the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, ‘Don’t eat it and don’t touch it, or you will die.’”
The snake said to the woman, “Die? You won’t die! God knows well that on the day that you eat it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, knowing good and evil!”
The woman knew that the tree was enticing to the eye, and now saw that the fruit was good to eat — that it was desirable for the knowledge it could give. So she took some of its fruit and ate it. She gave some also to the man beside her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked. So they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 32
Antiphon sung once by the choir and then by the congregation, then repeat as indicated. Plainsong can seem complicated, but it is easy to pick up. If you like, you can sing with the choir on the verses, or just join in on the antiphon. The slashes and accent marks in the text correspond with the accent marks below the notes in the music. The first two notes are only sung on the words that are italicized.
Happÿ are they whose transgréssions are forġïven, *
and whose sin / is pút away!
Happy are they to whom the Lórd imputes ńö guilt, *
and in whose spirit there / is nó guile!
While I held my tongue, my bones wíthered äway, *
because of my groan/ -ing áll day long.
For your hand was heavy upón me dáy änd night; *
my moisture was dried up as in the heat / of súmmer.
Then I acknówledged my sin tö you, *
and did not / concéal my guilt.
I said, “I will confess my transgréssions to thë Lord.” *
Then you forgave me the guilt / of mý sin.
Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in tíme of tröuble; *
when the great waters overflow, they shall / not réach them.
You are my hiding-place; you presérve me from tröuble; *
you surround me with shouts of / delíverance.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the wáy that you shöuld go; *
I will guide / you wíth my eye.
Do not be like horse or mule, which háve no underständing; *
who must be fitted with bit and bridle, or else they will / not stáy near you.”
Great are the tribulations óf the wïcked; *
but mercy embraces those who trust / in thé Lord.
Be glad, you righteous, and rejóice in thë Lord; *
shout for joy, all who / are trúe of heart.
Antiphon.
A Reading from Romans
Therefore, sin entered the world through the first humans, and through sin, death—and in this way death has spread through the whole human race, because all have sinned. Sin existed in the world long before the Law was given, even though it’s not called “sin” when there is no law. Even so, death reigned over all who lived from our first parents until Moses, even though their sin—unlike that of our first parents—was not a matter of breaking a law.
But the gift is not like the offense. For if by the offense of one couple all died, how much more did the grace of God—and the gracious gift of the One Jesus Christ—abound for all! The gift that came to us is not at all like what came through the ones who sinned. In the one case, the sentence followed upon one offense and brought condemnation; in the other, the free gift came after many offenses and brought complete acquittal. If death began its reign through one person because of an offense, so much more will those who receive the overflowing grace and the gift of justice live and reign through the One Jesus Christ.
To sum up, then: just as a single offense brought condemnation to all, a single righteous act brought all acquittal and life. Just as through one person’s disobedience, all became sinners, so through one person’s obedience, all will become just.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
A Prayer to Eve
Kathleen Norris
Mother of fictions
and of irony,
help us to laugh.
Mother of science
and the critical method
keep us humble.
Muse of listeners,
hope of interpreters,
inspire us to act.
Bless our metaphors
that we may eat them.
Help us to know, Eve,
the one thing we must do.
Come with us, Muse of exile,
Mother of the Road.
Gospel Hymn #469
The Gospel
The Holy Gospel of Our Savior Jesus Christ According To Matthew
Glory to You, O Christ.
Then Jesus was led into the desert by the Spirit, to be tempted by the Devil. After fasting for forty days and forty nights, Jesus was hungry. Then the tempter approached and said, “If you are the Only Begotten, command these stones to turn into bread.”
Jesus replied, “Scripture has it, ‘We live not on bread alone but on every utterance that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
Next the Devil took Jesus to the Holy City, set him on the parapet of the Temple and said, “If you are the Only Begotten, throw yourself down. Scripture has it, ‘God will tell the angels to take care of you; with their hands they will support you that you may never stumble on a stone.’ ”
Jesus answered, “Scripture also says, ‘Do not put God to the test.’ ”
The Devil then took Jesus up a very high mountain and displayed all the dominions of the world in their magnificence, promising, “All these I will give you if you fall down and worship me.”
At this, Jesus said to the Devil, “Away with you, Satan! Scripture says, ‘You will worship the Most High God; God alone will you adore.’ ”
At that the Devil left, and angels came and attended Jesus.
The Gospel of Our Savior.
Praise to you, O Christ.
The people sit for the Homily.
The Homily
Presentation and Examination of the Candidates
The Bishop says
The Candidates will now be presented.
Presenters
I present these persons for Confirmation.
or I present this person who desires to reaffirm his baptismal vows.
The Bishop asks the candidates
Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil?
I do.
Do you renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?
I do, and with God’s grace I will follow him as my Savior and Lord.
After all have been presented, the Bishop addresses the congregation, saying
Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ?
We will.
Let us join with those who are committing themselves to Christ and renew our own baptismal covenant.
The Baptismal Covenant
Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
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.
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
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.
Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
I will, with God’s help.
Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
I will, with God’s help.
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
I will, with God’s help.
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
I will, with God’s help.
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
I will, with God’s help.
Prayers for the Candidates
The Bishop then says to the congregation
Let us now pray for these persons who have renewed their commitment to Christ.
The intercessor reads the prayer and the people speak the responses.
Deliver them, O Lord, from the way of sin and death.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Open their hearts to your grace and truth.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Fill them with your holy and life-giving Spirit.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Keep them in the faith and communion of your holy Church.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Teach them to love others in the power of the Spirit.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Send them into the world in witness to your love.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Bring them to the fullness of your peace and glory.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Then the Bishop says
Almighty God, we thank you that by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ you have overcome sin and brought us to yourself, and that by the sealing of your Holy Spirit you have bound us to your service. Renew in these your servants the covenant you made with them at their Baptism. Send them forth in the power of that Spirit to perform the service you set before them; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Bishop lays hands upon each confirmand and says
Strengthen, O Lord, your servant N. with your Holy Spirit; empower them for your service; and sustain them all the days of their life. Amen.
or this
Defend, O Lord, your servant N. with your heavenly grace, that they may continue yours for ever, and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more, until they come to your everlasting kingdom. Amen.
The Bishop then lays hands upon those seeking to reaffirm their vows and says
N., may the Holy Spirit, who has begun a good work in you, direct and uphold you in the service of Christ and his kingdom. Amen.
The Bishop concludes with this prayer
Almighty and everliving God, let your fatherly hand ever be over these your servants; let your Holy Spirit ever be with them; and so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of your Word, that they may serve you in this life, and dwell with you in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Please stand for the peace.
The Peace
The peace of God be with you.
And also with you.
Offertory Anthem: Lord Jesus, Think on Me
Text: Synesius of Cyrene (c. 370-414); Trans. A. W. Chatfield, 1876. Music: Daman’s Psalmes, 1579; Arr. Georgiann H. toole
Lord Jesus, think on me,
and purge away my sin.
From earth-born passions set me free,
and make me pure within.
Lord Jesus, think on me,
amid the battle’s strife.
In all my pain and misery
be thou my health and life.
Lord Jesus, think on me,
nor let me go astray.
Through darkness and perplexity
point thou the heavenly way.
Lord Jesus, think on me,
that, when this life is past,
I may eternal brightness see,
and share thy joy at last.
Doxology
As the offering plates are brought forward, we sing…
Praise God from whom all blessing flow, Praise God all creatures here below, Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
The Holy Eucharist
Please stand.
It is truly right, and good and joyful, to give you thanks, all holy God, source of life and fountain of mercy. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who was tempted in every way as we are, yet did not sin. By his grace we are able to triumph over every evil, and to live no longer for ourselves alone, but for him who died for us and rose again. Therefore, joining with Angels and Archangels and with the faithful of every generation, we lift our voices with all creation as we sing:
The Sanctus
Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of the universe and giver of life. You formed us in your own image and called us to dwell in your infinite love. You gave the world into our care that we might be your faithful stewards and show forth your bountiful grace. But we failed to honor your image in one another and in ourselves; we would not see your goodness in the world around us; and so we violated your creation, abused one another, and rejected your love. Yet you never ceased to care for us, and prepared the way of salvation for all people.
Through Abraham and Sarah you called us into covenant with you. You delivered us from slavery, sustained us in the wilderness, and raised up prophets to renew your promise of salvation. Then, in the fullness of time, you sent your eternal Word, made mortal flesh in Jesus. Born into the human family, and dwelling among us, he revealed your glory. Giving himself freely to death on the cross, he triumphed over evil, opening the way of freedom and life.
On the night before he died for us, Our Savior Jesus Christ took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his friends, and said: “Take, eat: This is my Body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said: “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Celebrant and People
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
Remembering his death and resurrection, we now present to you from your creation this bread and this wine. By your Holy Spirit may they be for us the Body and Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. Grant that we who share these gifts may be filled with the Holy Spirit and live as Christ’s Body in the world. Bring us into the everlasting heritage of your daughters and sons, that with Stephen & Hilda and all your saints, past, present, and yet to come, we may praise your Name for ever.
Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. AMEN.
Now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say:
Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast.
Fraction Anthem
The Celebrant offers the gifts to the people, saying
The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
The people are invited to come forward for communion.
Communion Hymn #LEVAS 178 Sweet hour of prayer
Postcommunion Prayer
Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Holy and Gracious God, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Savior. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Blessing
Grant, most merciful God, to your faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Christ our Savior. Amen.
Closing Hymn #143 The glory of these forty days
Dismissal
Let us go forth in the name of Christ
Thanks be to God.