Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Good Morning, Saint Stephen’s Church,
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Today’s Prayer
A prayer for those who wait to hear back, to hear results, to hear decisions, to hear what will happen and what the future will hold:
O God, of mercy and mercies, we thank you for how you linger with us in this in-between, how you carry the weight of the question with us, how you love us into peace. Send us your spirit of hope, of trust, for the love of thy only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
– Mihee Kim-Kort
Mihee Kim-Kort is a Presybyterian minister who co-pastors First Presbyterian Church in Annapolis with her husband. Kim-Kort is also a Ph.D. student in Religious Studies at Indiana University and a writer whose work has been featured in publications like TIME, USA Today, On Being, and Sojourners.
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, Marilyn, Eunice, Ruth, Mary Frances, Vincent, Priscilla, Joe, and all their families.
For Frankie – today is his baptismal anniversary!
For Bill – today is his birthday!
For all the blessings of this life.
For our dioceses in the Anglican Communion: The Diocese of Lusaka – The Church of the Province of Central Africa.
For all who have died: Marge Duff, George Ott, Carl Hatlee, Elizabeth McMaho and Joan Oswalt.
For one another.
Something to share
Waiting for God
after Simone Weil
In a distance he looks human
& is forever on his way
Coming nearer
he looks more like a beast
In a way I’m
almost certain
that he is a beast—
he looks oddly familiar
& is forever on his way
Coming nearer
he looks like me
…
Flowering objects
Familiar animals
human forms
these I abandoned on the way
like old clothing
To have come this far
is madness
To go further
is not very far
from home. In mid-day
the pigs & other familiar sounds
are again audible
To have said this much
is madness
is why our history
never got written
In a distance
I look human
& am forever on my way
– Wong May
News and Updates
Next week is Pentecost – Please wear something red to commemorate the coming of the Holy Spirit “in tongues of flame”, and listen carefully as the gospel is read in many different languages! A booklet with next week’s Gospel in a variety of languages can be found in the Nave Extension.
Calling all graduates – Families – if you have a graduate in your family (at any level – preschool all the way through college and beyond), or a child who has received a special honor or award at the end of the year please message Bethany at office@st-stephens.church. This information will be shared in the June messenger.
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.
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.