Saint Stephen’s Weekly Prayers for the week of July 24, 2022
Good Morning, Saint Stephen’s Church,
From Our Prayers of the People
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Church in Wales
Our Leaders: Joseph Biden, President of the United States; Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York State; Gary McCarthy, Mayor of Schenectady
Our Church Leaders: Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury; Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop; Michael G. Smith and Carol Gallagher, Assisting Bishops; and Allison de Kanel, our lay reader
Those who are in need of strength and healing: Mary Ann Harrington, David Humphrey, Marilyn Causey, Eunice Chouffi, Mary Frances Hatfield, Vincent Avila, Priscilla Sprague, and Joe White
Those who celebrate birthdays this week: Brian Riordon, Oto Jones, and George Woodzell
Those who celebrate baptismal anniversaries this week: Bob Voelker
Those who have died: Dorothy Diakoff, Jean Hadley, Daisy Santer, and Barbara Mett
This Week’s Lessons
COLLECT
O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom
nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
FIRST LESSON
Genesis 18:20-32
The Lord said to Abraham, “How great is the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah and how very grave their sin! I must go down and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me; and if not, I will know.”
So the men turned from there, and went toward Sodom, while Abraham remained standing before the Lord. Then Abraham came near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will you then sweep away the place and not forgive it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” And the Lord said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will forgive the whole place for their sake.” Abraham answered, “Let me take it upon myself to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And he said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” Again he spoke to him, “Suppose forty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it.” Then he said, “Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak. Suppose thirty are found there.” He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.” He said, “Let me take it upon myself to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.” Then he said, “Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak just once more. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.”
PSALM 138
1 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with my whole heart; *
before the gods I will sing your praise.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple
and praise your Name, *
because of your love and faithfulness;
3 For you have glorified your Name *
and your word above all things.
4 When I called, you answered me; *
you increased my strength within me.
5 All the kings of the earth will praise you, O Lord, *
when they have heard the words of your mouth.
6 They will sing of the ways of the Lord, *
that great is the glory of the Lord.
7 Though the Lord be high, he cares for the lowly; *
he perceives the haughty from afar.
8 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe; *
you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies;
your right hand shall save me.
9 The Lord will make good his purpose for me; *
O Lord, your love endures for ever;
do not abandon the works of your hands.
SECOND LESSON
Colossians 2:6-19
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision, by putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it. Therefore do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food and drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or sabbaths. These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Do not let anyone disqualify you, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, dwelling on visions, puffed up without cause by a human way of thinking, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows with a growth that is from God.
GOSPEL
Luke 11:1-13
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.” And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs. “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
News and Updates
Music Today
Prelude Reverie Still
Opening Hymn #410
Sequence Hymn #615
Offertory Adagio Bennett
Closing Hymn #711
Postlude Exaltation Mansfield
Lectors
Reader one: Dan Schuldt Reader two: Sam Schuldt
Today we welcome Father Marshall Vang as our clergy.
From the Senior Warden
The Vestry met with Mother Elizabeth on July 10th to discuss the procedure for conducting a search for a new Rector; the Search Committee has begun work on developing and updating St. Stephen’s profile, as well as developing a parish survey; we will keep you informed on our progress.
We have also begun a search for an Interim Rector, with the assistance of the Diocese; in addition, I am currently working on solidifying the Supply Priest roster for the Fall.
It is important during this transition period that all members of the Parish look for ways to contribute by becoming members of the committees and teams that are hard at work each week. I know that for some, giving of your time is difficult due to a number of reasons, but I urge you to think about it.
We will be conducting a Parish Fair in September where the committees/Teams will have sign up sheets for those interested in participating.
The one thing I have learned during my two years as Senior Warden is that many of us receive meaningful benefits from being part of this church family but give little back in return; I know because I am one who has been on the receiving end but gave little back.
Budd Mazurek
Messenger Updates – If you have anything to add to the August messenger please email the office (office@st-stephens.church) with your information by August 1!
Email list –If you do not currently receive our weekly emails and church updates please email the church office so we can add you.
New Ushers Needed – We are looking for new ushers to help us on Sunday mornings. If you are interested please see Vicki Hoshko or Allison de Kanel for more information.
Interested in Live-Streaming – See Dan Schuldt after any service for a quick overview of how to live-stream our services. Only requires a smartphone and a few minutes of time!
Coffee Hour – After a great response last week we have decided to change the format of volunteering for Coffee Hour. We will now have one person sign up to make coffee, and another to clean up after coffee hour. We ask that if possible, parishioners bring a single item / snack to share whenever they are able (i.e. a bag of chips, crackers & cheese, fruit, a baked item, etc.). This will help split take the work of each coffee hour amongst multiple people / families and hopefully make the work easier for everyone. Sign up is on the homepage of our website.
SiCM pantry donations- We are collecting personal care items this month: razors, shaving cream, shampoo, bodywash, soap, toothpaste, lotion, deodorant and toilet paper. Donations of spices and 8-oz reusable bottles (with lids) are always welcome.
From the Senior Warden – Due to the changes regarding the use of Supply Priest in the diocese, our new summer schedule is as follows:
7/31 – Mother Sally Heiligman 8/21 – Father Marshall Vang
8/7 – Father Marshall Vang 8/28 – Mother Sally Heiligman
8/14 – Father Marshall Vang
Altar Flowers are given in remembrance of Ruth Turner.
Reminders
Prayerbook Morning Prayer in Zoom – each morning – contact Becky Holder for the link: becky.holder@gmail.com.
Our office email is: office@st-stephens.church.
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.