Saint Stephen’s Weekly Prayers for the week of November 6, 2022
Good Morning, Saint Stephen’s Church,
From Our Prayers of the People
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Church of England
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, June Russell, Bill Frank, Chris Holder, and Joe White
Those who celebrate birthdays this week: Stephanie Grimason, Priscilla Sprague, Richard Stefanski
Those who celebrate baptisms this week:Dave Crates, Teddy & Harry Ruscitto
Those who have died: Mae Kippen, William Peake, Helen Cornell, Louville Corkum
This week’s Lessons
COLLECT
Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
FIRST LESSON
Daniel 7:1-3,15-18
In the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head as he lay in bed. Then he wrote down the dream: I, Daniel, saw in my vision by night the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea, and four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another.
As for me, Daniel, my spirit was troubled within me, and the visions of my head terrified me. I approached one of the attendants to ask him the truth concerning all this. So he said that he would disclose to me the interpretation of the matter: “As for these four great beasts, four kings shall arise out of the earth. But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom for ever—for ever and ever.”
PSALM 149
1
Hallelujah!
Sing to the LORD a new song; *
sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful.
2
Let Israel rejoice in his Maker; *
let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3
Let them praise his Name in the dance; *
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
4
For the LORD takes pleasure in his people *
and adorns the poor with victory.
5
Let the faithful rejoice in triumph; *
let them be joyful on their beds.
6
Let the praises of God be in their throat *
and a two-edged sword in their hand;
7
To wreak vengeance on the nations *
and punishment on the peoples;
8
To bind their kings in chains *
and their nobles with links of iron;
9
To inflict on them the judgment decreed; *
this is glory for all his faithful people.
Hallelujah!
SECOND LESSON
Ephesians 1:11-23
In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
GOSPEL
Luke 6:20-31
Jesus looked up at his disciples and said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
“Blessed are you who are hungry now,
for you will be filled.
“Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
“But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
“Woe to you who are full now,
for you will be hungry.
“Woe to you who are laughing now,
for you will mourn and weep.
“Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets
“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
News and Updates
Music Today
Prelude Sine Nomine Fedak
Opening Hymn #287
Sequence Hymn # 558
The Offertory Anthem Fly Away Home Choplin
Closing Hymn #293
Postlude Gloria from “Twelfth Mass” Mozart
Current Announcements
Ushers: Diana and Sal Belardo
Lectors: D Crates, L Emaelaf
Celebrant / Officiant Update:
11/13- Mother Sally Heiligman
11/20-Father Marshall Vang
11/24- 9:30 am – Thanksgiving service-Father Marshall Vang
11/27- Mother Sally Heiligman
Street Soldiers – Please join us in the Parish Hall after the 9:30 service TODAY to help make bagged lunches for Street Soldiers. All are welcome to join.
Every Member Canvass – Pledge cards have been mailed out. Please prayerfully consider making a pledge for the 2023 year. We are asking that pledge cards are returned to the office by 11/20. If you have not received your card in the mail please talk to Bethany or email office@st-stephens.church. Thank you.
November 6! Save the date! Save your change! Time Change Day is TODAY; we are using our Change Day Funds (remember it’s not just coins – a few $5s is change for a ten, two of them changes a twenty…) to support the local service of “Things of my Very Own” which provides help and care to our community’s abused kids. They recently had their facilities ruined by a flood. The money would help rebuild their place.
Coffee Hour – Please consider signing up for coffee hour on the homepage of our website. Many dates are open for the remainder of fall and beginning of winter.
Ongoing Covid and the addition of flu and RSV have us feeling as if pandemic precautions will never end. Due to change in the seasons and longer indoor exposures we invite you to consider masking at church if you feel vulnerable. Masks are available from the ushers if anyone would like to use one. Let’s keep strong and healthy.
All Saints’ Day Altar Flowers
The All Saints Sunday flowers are given to the Glory of God in loving memory of all the faithful departed, the following are remembered by name:
Submitted by – in memory of
Dennie and Tom Bennett – Beloved friends and family
Millie Gittinger – Loved ones
The Taylor & Montorio Families – Henry and Frances Baumis,
Gwen Robbins
Sara & Joe Palko – Palko family members, Cornell family members
Sal & Diana Belardo – Laurel & David Patch, Mary Jane &
Richard Belardo
Marilyn Humphrey – Don Humphrey
Mary Beam Alexander – John W. Beam, Dorothy Ramsey Beam
Evan Love – Cynthia Love
Don & Jean Csaposs – Family and friends
Robert & Shirley Voelker – William & Emilie Vvoelker, Arthur &
Anna Lindstrom
Upcoming Adult Education and Service Opportunities in our area-
| Upcoming Healing Service Speakers |
| Every Tuesday | 10 AM A weekly Healing Service in the Chapel of St. Michael and All Angels. After Communion, prayer teams locate throughout the chapel for ministry. Additional prayer ministry is offered by appointment.Lunches at Christ the King Center  |
 Matters of Life and Death: Legal, Medical, and Spiritual November 12 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM A FREE course in how to plan for serious illness and death. You will learn how to do a power of attorney and health care proxy, plan your funeral, and dispose of your property by will or trust. Participate in person at Church of the Holy Cross (3764 Main St. Warrensburg) or virtually via Zoom. Taught by trusted local professionals· Rev. Colin Belton, Episcopal Priest· Ms. Wendy Bulich, Funeral Director· Rev. Glen Michaels, Attorney & Priest· Ms. Brenda Stevens, Palliative Care Nurse Who should Participate? Anyone who has thought about doing a will or health care proxy or funeral plan but doesn’t know where to start or just can’t seem to “get around to it.” Sponsored by Episcopal Church parishes of the Southern Adirondacks, as a community service to everyone, regardless of religious or non-religious background. YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER so that we have adequate materials and refreshments for those participating – to do so, leave a phone message at 518.394.3314, email theadkmission@gmail.com, or send a message to the Facebook page of the Southern Adirondack Deanery at https://www.facebook.com/SAdirDeanAlbany Art & Advent on Zoom 4 Wednesdays beginning Nov. 30| 8:00 PM Join us this Advent on Zoom when Brynna Carpenter-Nardone, Cathedral Arts and spiritual director, will lead us through art made in response to the Bible lectionary readings to deepen awareness of creative response to liturgy and God’s word. Click the button below to fill out the form to receive the Zoom link for this short weekly meditation beginning at 8PM. Register here:https://www.cathedralofallsaints.org/events/advent-and-art-11/30 Messiah December 6| 7:00 PM Woodrow Bynum leads The Cathedral of All Saints Choir of Men & Boys and The Cathedral Consort in a performance of Handel’s masterpiece, MESSIAH at 7 p.m. on Tuesday 6 December. Reserve your tickets early.https://albanymessiah.bpt.me/ |
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.