Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Good Morning, Saint Stephen’s Church,
Today’s Prayer
Grant, O God, that we may follow the example of your faithful servant Barnabas, who, seeking not his own renown but the wellbeing of your Church, gave generously of his life and substance for the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
– Book of Common Prayer, p.241
Today is the Feast of St. Barnabas.
Although not one of the apostles recorded in the Gospels, Barnabas is often called an apostle because of his close association with the leaders of the early Church, starting with his extensive travels with St. Paul. His original name was Joseph, but the other apostles renamed him Barnabas, a name that means Son of Encouragement. What a wonderful name. Encourage means to give hope, and as a ministry, bringing hope to a hopeless world is doing the work of God.
Barnabas must have had a commanding presence. At Lystra, in Asia Minor, the people mistook Paul and Barnabas to be gods, supposing the gifted speaker Paul to be Mercury, the messenger of the gods, and Barnabas to be Jupiter, the chief of the gods.
Paul and Barnabas parted ways over a dispute about traveling with Mark, who may have been related to Barnabas. Having separated from Paul, Barnabas traveled with Mark to Cyprus. Tradition has it that Barnabas was martyred there at Salamis.
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: 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, Marilyn, Eunice, Ruth, Mary Frances, Vincent, Priscilla, Joe, and all their families.
For Jean – today is her baptismal anniversary!
For all the blessings of this life.
For our dioceses in the Anglican Communion: The Diocese of Madras – The (united) Church of South India.
For all who have died: Alison Gavin and Charles Wylie
For one another.
Something to share
St. Barnabas
“Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand.”–Acts 21:3.
“We sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.”–Acts 27:4.
St. Barnabas, with John his sister’s son,
Set sail for Cyprus; leaving in their wake
That chosen Vessel, who for Jesus’ sake
Proclaimed the Gentiles and the Jews at one.
Divided while united, each must run
His mighty course not hell should overtake;
And pressing toward the mark must own the ache
Of love, and sigh for heaven not yet begun.
For saints in life-long exile yearn to touch
Warm human hands, and commune face to face;
But these we know not ever met again:
Yet once St. Paul at distance overmuch
Just sighted Cyprus; and once more in vain
Neared it and passed;–not there his landing-place.
– Christina Rossetti
News and Updates
Organ Recital – This Sunday, June 12th at 3pm the nationally known organist and composer, Alfred Fedak and his student, Susan Lohnas, will give an organ recital at St. Stephen’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 is featured.
Master Tallis’ Testament from Six Pieces Herbert Howells (1892-1983)
Herbert Howells was one of the greatest English Romantic composers of sacred music. This piece is a tribute to Thomas Tallis (1505-1585), one of the fathers of English choral music. It was written in 1940 and was published as one of Howells’s Six Pieces in 1953. This piece successfully blends sixteenth century modality with twentieth century sensuality. It is a set of variations on the opening theme, each one growing in intensity and complexity to a majestic climax, followed by a peaceful ending.
Tomorrow’s Lessons:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tPPPIPWQt2O5hmPeZiJ8DE5zGjd28jjq/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=109485766909959793279&rtpof=true&sd=true
Hi-Tech Parish Ministry – If you are interested in learning how to live-stream our church services there will be a training after church this morning. Please meet Dan Schuldt directly following the service in the front of the church.
SiCM Summer Meals St. Stephen’s will be serving the summer meals at Central Park June 29 – July 1 and July 5-8. We will need at least 4 volunteers each day, for approximately 2 hours. Sign up to help in the nave extension or contact Richey Woodzell. All volunteers will need to complete a training session, either at the SiCM pantry June 21 or 22 or online.
Lunches for St. Joseph’s Place – Three to four persons meet each month at the SiCM Hub, 837 Albany Street, from 9 to 10 a.m. to make sandwiches and fill lunch bags. If you would like to help even once, contact Richey Woodzell. Thank you to those who have contributed money for this ministry; if you want to contribute, make a check out to St. Stephen’s and mark it “St. Joseph’s lunches.”Service Committee Meeting – On Sunday June 19, after the service, there will be a service committee meeting in one of the classrooms to plan outreach for the next few months.
Thanks,
Richey
Street Soldiers – Please join us after the service this Sunday, June 12, to make bagged lunches and sandwiches for Street Soldiers. We will also be going to Zion Lutheran Church later that afternoon from about 3-5 to help with set up and distribution of food and items. Please see Bethany or email her at office@st-stephens.church if you would like more information or would like to join.
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.