Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Good Morning, Saint Stephen’s Church,
We continue our life of daily prayer. The Lord be with you!
Today is Fifth Sunday in Easter.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
The Collect for the Day
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Gospel
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John 13:31-35:
At the last supper, when Judas had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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: Oonie, Walker, Gerald, Dan, Mary, Bill, Diana, Jackie, Susan, Adrian, Hugh, Craig, Marilyn, Sylvia, Laura, Angelina.
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 Charline – today is her birthday!
For all the blessings of this life.
For our dioceses in the Anglican Communion: The Scottish Episcopal Church.
For all who have died: Melanie Kidder, Harry Wemple, Gwendolyn Robbins, Grant Towne, and Donald Atkinson.
For one another.
Something to share
‘All Things New’
My Son told me He would make all things new;
How could I have known what that would ensue?
He told me He’d die for a cause that was just
And the suffering He would endure, He said He must.
When He grew from a tiny baby into a child.
With Joseph His Father, much wood they piled,
To make many a frame, a door, a table and chair;
Working together they were quite a pair.
For a time after Joseph passed on we were grieving,
And after some years later, my Jesus was leaving;
It was so hard to see Him go off into the world,
I felt my heart was ripped out and hurled.
He must be about His Father’s business He said;
So many men and women to Heaven would be led.
Within I knew God had designed and planned
That all would all come to pass at my Jesus’ hand.
If only people would listen and heed Him
And realize they desperately need Him;
He wants them to recognize God our Father,
And not feel that salvation is a bother.
The joy that awaits those who obey His Law
Graciously given to those who heed His call
Is unconditionally and everlastingly given
To every soul that is Holy Spirit driven.
When my Son was arrested and tortured, I cried,
‘My sweet and beautiful Jesus they crucified.’
The hole in my heart was mended in three days
As Jesus was resurrected; to God I sang praise.
Praise God with me everyone who loves my Son!
Your precious souls my Jesus has won;
Victory’s with Him now and forevermore.
One day we’ll all Praise God on Heaven’s shore;
Only Him for all eternity we’ll adore,
Where every soul will blessedly soar.
My Son made all things new
Especially
for you
– Carmela Patterson
News and Updates
Our Sunday Eucharist begins at 9:30am.
If you would like to attend the Sunday service from home, just visit: https://www.facebook.com/SaintStephensSchenectady/ at 9:30 am and wait for the live stream to be posted. If there are technical issues with the livestream so that it stops, please try re-entering. Do not wait for it to come back on. It may take a few minutes for the livestream to start again, so please be patient. The live video is automatically recorded, so it will be available for viewing later on in the day or week if you can’t be online at 9:30.
This morning’s bulletin:
This morning’s lessons:
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 – 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 – Due to illness, this must be postponed until June 12th 3pm. Sorry for the inconvenience, but the wait will be worth it! Come , support the music program at our church and hear our organ in its splendor!
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.