Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Good Morning Saint Stephen’s Church,
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Today’s Prayer
Wherefore do I believe and declare that all that which hath been said either in writing or by the mouths of men since ever the world began hath in no wise described the true nature of the divine goodness, but is as the half of a millet seed compared with the whole world.
– Angela of Foligno
Angela of Foligno was a fourteenth century member of the Third Order of Saint Francis, which allows those who are married or cannot live within the community of a monastery or convent to commit to Franciscan practices. Her writings, which involved mystical revelations, became so prominent that some refer to her as “Mistress of Theologians.” Angela had a vision at age 40 of Francis of Assisi which led her to a greater level of religious devotion; she then became a part of the Third Order of St. Francis following the death of her husband and children. Many others came to Angela for guidance on their spiritual lives, and she eventually formed a community of women in the Third Order to share in common life together. She is recognized as a saint in the Roman Catholic church.
From Our Prayers of the People
For the special needs and concerns of our congregation.
We remember people throughout the world: in places of war and strife, especially refugees and all victims of violence and oppression.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus around the world: for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, and for those administering the vaccination, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For all essential workers: for police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
For all historical acts of injustice and oppression: especially those perpetrated against native, Black, Hispanic and various Asian Americans in this abundant land, that we may recognize racism in ourselves, in our church, in our society, and the times we have failed to take action.
For a reverence for the earth as God’s own creation: that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to God’s honor and glory, and for wisdom, guidance, and persistence as we face the challenges of climate change and work for the flourishing and health of all the earth.
For those on the Parish Prayer Chain: Robin, Jackie, Waid, Dan, Hugh, Debby, Irene, Jeanne, Theresa, Josh, Amy, Greg, Craig, Donald, Gerald, Skip, Dennis, Sonny, Don.
For those who are homebound: Joan, Janet and Marilyn.
For our Government Leaders: Joseph Biden, President of the United States; Andrew Cuomo, Governor of New York State; Gary McCarthy, Mayor of Schenectady.
For our Church Leaders: Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop; James and Dennie, our priests; Pat, our deacon emeritus and Allison, our Lay Reader.
For those who are imprisoned: those particularly vulnerable at this time, especially the women in the Schenectady County Jail.
For Members who request our prayers for strength and healing: Eunice, Vincent, Priscilla, Ruth, Cindi, Mary Frances, Debbie, Joe.
For all the blessings of this life.
For our dioceses in the Anglican Communion: The Diocese of Busoga – The Church of the Province of Uganda.
For all who have died: Melanie, Harry, Gwendolyn, Grant, Donald, John.
For one another.
Something to share
A Dozen Secrets from God
A baby giggles, on average, 400 times a day.
I can help you add sand to your hourglass.
Church has gotten me wrong.
Think of me more as the cutest thing possible,
as if your all-time favorite dogs time-traveled and had a puppy,
and raising me gently is your only job.
I am the one exclamation point hidden in your encyclopedia.
In my next universe, hummingbirds will sound like thumb pianos.
I am that fountain you didn’t have to visit
at the hilltop castle garden, and you probably won’t be back,
but you remember it more clearly than if you had thrown coins in.
Caution: low flying owls, and expectations.
Count how often each year you let rain fall on your face.
When your dog is listening to you, he’s not frustrated.
He doesn’t wish he knew what you are saying. You sound to him
the way birds sound to you. You’re simply chirping.
The stars are just glints shining through a blurry lens;
I am the big thing shining behind.
And you, you are wine for the eyes.
-Tina Kelley
News and Updates
Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting its partner Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA) in responding to needs created by the current COVID-19 crisis in India. CASA is conducting COVID-19 educational awareness campaigns and supplying personal protective equipment and hygiene kits to rural communities.
Please pray for all those in India and in other places affected by COVID-19. Donations to Episcopal Relief & Development’s COVID-19 Pandemic Response fund will support the organization’s continued emergency response efforts in India and other communities worldwide.
www.episcopalrelief.org/what-you-can-do/give/donate-now/individual-donation/
Reminders
If you have an update/news, a prayer or poem or something inspirational you would like us to share with the congregation, please send it to us. Please also send us any prayer requests. We will incorporate these into the Morning Prayers as best we can: james.ross.mcd@gmail.com.
Prayerbook Morning Prayer in Zoom – each weekday & Saturday morning. Join us for an inter-active service of Morning Prayer at 9 am. Time to bring your prayer concerns will be provided. (contact Becky for the link: becky.holder@gmail.com).
If you need a prayerbook, and are not in a position to purchase one, please contact me: james.ross.mcd@gmail.com. I will make sure you have your own Book of Common Prayer.
Our church campus is only partially open due to the current pandemic. Please see our website for further information: https://st-stephens.church/. Most parish meetings and gatherings are canceled or postponed until further notice.
Our office email is: office@st-stephens.church.
We continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html and the NY Department of Public Health https://www.health.ny.gov/ for information, updates, and guidance
Be careful what you read online. There are reports of false information circulating in an attempt to create fear and confusion. It is critical to discern what and how something is said, as well as what is not said. And, God forbid, always remember – any online or texted-based solicitation from me for money is A SCAM. Do not reply to such messages. Delete them.
Our goal is for all of us to stay in touch and connected in this time of isolation and transition.
Share this news, and spread some love, not the virus!
Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be at your back,
May the sun shine upon your face,
the rains fall soft upon soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of God’s hand.
Be of good courage. We are in this together, and we will be together again soon. God bless you and may God be with us in the days ahead.