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Altar Guild Throughout the church year, the Altar Guild is responsible for the care and preparation of the altar, linens, priests' and servers' vestments, brass, candles and flowers. Currently we have 5 active members. Ideally, the guild operates with a different team for each Sunday of the month. Each week's team prepares for the Sunday services (8:30 and 11:00), weekday services (when needed), and any weddings or funerals that occur that week. Each team tries to work around its members work schedules or other commitments. We realize everyone leads busy lives, so we do try to be flexible. Also, new members work with experienced members to learn what to do and how to do it. We try to utilize everyone's abilities and talents to accomplish the duties of the Altar Guild. Being on the Altar Guild is an important commitment, one that gives you the opportunity to be an integral part of the worship at St. Stephen's, not to mention the wonderful fellowship we share in getting to know each other and working together. Please consider becoming a member. We would love to have you join us in this rewarding ministry! For more information, contact Mary Goodman: (H) 334-742-0142; (O) 334-844-3936; (C) 334-444-5773  The Altar (from Sacred Signs by Romano Guardini) The altar occupies the holiest spot in the church. The church has itself been set apart from the world of human work, and the altar is elevated above the rest of the church in a spot as remote and separate as the sanctuary of the soul. The solid base it is set on is like the human will that knows that God has instituted man for His worship and is determined to perform that worship faithfully. The table of the altar that rests upon this base stands open and accessible for the presentation of sacrifice. It is not a dark recess where the actions may be dimly glimpsed, but uncurtained, unscreened, a level surface in plain sight, placed, as the heart's altar should be placed, open in the sight of God without proviso or reservation. The two altars, one without and the one within, belong inseparably together. The visible altar at the heart of the church is but the external representation of the altar at the center of the human breast, which is God's temple, of which the church with its walls and arches is but the expression and figure. |