A Christmas Message from Rev.Whitney Altopp of St. Stephen's Church

Check Out a Church This Christmas for Hypocrisy Prevention

The Rev.Whitney Altopp (pictured) of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church has observed that many people stay away from church at Christmas because they haven’t been all year.  (Why would I go now when I haven’t gone all year?)  It feels hypocritical to attend only on such major occasions.  Unfortunately, church leadership and regular attendees have been known to affirm this way of thinking.   

“I want to propose that a desire to attend worship might be the Spirit’s invitation to live an authentic life” said Rev. Altopp.  “No one doesn’t have moments of hypocrisy.  And to judge one another is something Jesus warns us against – ‘Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?’  Matthew 7:3.                                                                                    

 “Christian teaching leads us to live an authentic life.  A church is charged to create opportunities for living authentically.  Check out a church this Christmas and see how it can encourage you to live an authentic life, a definite means for preventing hypocrisy.  An authentic life also gives joy, freedom, and peace - life abundant!”       

St. Stephen’s, at 351 Main St., welcomes all to any of its Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. There are three services on Christmas Eve: at 4 (popular among families with young children), 8 (traditional Holy Eucharist) and 11 (Holy Eucharist with Lessons and Carols, preceded by music for reflection at 10:30). On Christmas Day there will be a 10 a.m. service for all ages, with communion, singing and bell ringing to celebrate the birth of Christ. “Kids are invited to come in their pajamas and bring their favorite new gift,” adds Rev. Altopp.