Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Good Morning, Saint Stephen’s Church,
We continue our life of daily prayer. The Lord be with you!
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.
For people throughout the world: in places of war and strife, and for all victims of violence and oppression.
For the Presidents of Russia and Ukraine, that wisdom and courage may prevail in the cause of peace.
For the people of Ukraine, the people of Russia, and for all who affected by violence and war;
For those who have taken up arms, whether aggressively or defensively, that a spirit of peace may reign in their hearts and in their lands.
For our allies around the world in harm’s way: for those who are still trying to leave Afghanistan and the Ukraine; may God be with them and their families.
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 vaccinations, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
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 recognize 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: Liz, Kathy, Maggie, Reena, Jim, Bruce, Chris, Audrey, June, Caleb, Josh T, Pat J., Daniel, Doris, Camellia, Beverly.
For our Government Leaders: Joseph Biden, President of the United States; Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York State; Gary McCarthy, Mayor of Schenectady.
For our Church Leaders: Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop; Michael G. Smith and Carol Gallagher, Assisting Bishops; 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: Mary Ann, David, Janet, Marilyn, Eunice, Ruth, Mary Frances, Vincent, Priscilla, Joe, and all their families.
For all the blessings of this life.
For our dioceses in the Anglican Communion: The Diocese of Litoral Ecuador – The Episcopal Church (IX (9) Province).
For all who have died: Melanie Kidder, Harry Wemple, Gwendolyn Robbins, Grant Towne, and Donald Atkinson.
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
Lessons for Tomorrow:
Hi-Tech Parish Ministry – If you are interested in learning how to live-stream our church services there will be a training after church on the 22nd. Please meet Dan Schuldt directly following the service in the front of the church.
Confirmation – Bp. Michael Smith will hold a regional confirmation service at All Saints’ Cathedral this morning at 10am. A group of six people from St. Stephen’s will be confirmed and others will attend. All from St. Stephen’s are invited to attend. Come and support our confirmands!
A special Coffee Hour to honor the confirmands will be given on Sunday, May 22nd in Begley Hall after church. All are invited!
Organ Recital – Tomorrow at 3pm the nationally known organist and composer, Alfred Fedak and his student, Susan Lohnas, will give an organ recital at St. tephen’s. Come, support the music program at our church and hear our organ in its splendor!
A variety of music will be played for the recital. In Daily Prayers every few days a brief description one of those pieces will be featured.
Epilogue from Hommage à Frescobaldi Jean Langlais (1907-1991)
Jean Langlais was a remarkable French composer who was blind from the age of two. He studied at the Paris National Institute for the Young Blind and the Paris National Conservatory of Music. He was a professor for forty years at the National Institute for the Young Blind and was the organist at Sainte-Clotilde in Paris for 42 years.
Hommage à Frescobaldi is a set of eight pieces for organ published in 1951. In these compositions, Langlais expressed his impression of Frescobaldi’s music through various elements of style and structure. Epilogue, the last piece in the collection, is the only one that incorporates an actual theme written by Frescobaldi – in this case the Canzon dopo l’Epistola. Epilogue is played on the pedals only, except for a few chords at the end of the piece. At times, three or four different notes are played simultaneously, using two feet!
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 Daily Prayers as best we can: james.ross.mcd@gmail.com.
Prayerbook Morning Prayer in Zoom – each morning. Join Dennie and me 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.
Masks are optional for all gatherings at the church.
Our office email is: office@st-stephens.church.
Our goal is for all of us to stay in touch and connected.
Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be at your back,
May the sun shine upon your face,
he rains fall soft upon soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his 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.