Saint Stephen’s Weekly Prayers for the week of November 20, 2022
Good Morning, Saint Stephen’s Church,
From Our Prayers of the People
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Church of the Province
of the Indian Ocean
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: Joan Csaposs
Those who celebrate baptisms this week: Ronald Michelson
Those who have died: Dorothy Willbur, Porter Dobbins, Thomas Moss, Carol Ras, Jane Gavin
This week’s Lessons
COLLECT
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore al things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
FIRST LESSON
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the LORD. Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your vile doings, says the LORD. Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the LORD. The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: “The LORD is our righteousness.”
PSALM 46
. 1 God is our refuge and strength, *
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, *
and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea;
3 Though its waters rage and foam, *
and though the mountains tremble at its tumult.
4 The Lord of hosts is with us; *
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
5 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, *
the holy habitation of the Most High.
6 God is in the midst of her;
she shall not be overthrown; *
God shall help her at the break of day.
7 The nations make much ado, and the kingdoms are shaken; *
God has spoken, and the earth shall melt away.
8 The Lord of hosts is with us; *
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
9 Come now and look upon the works of the Lord, *
what awesome things he has done on earth.
10 It is he who makes war to cease in all the world; *
he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear,
and burns the shields with fire.
11 “Be still, then, and know that I am God; *
I will be exalted among the nations;
I will be exalted in the earth.”
12 The Lord of hosts is with us; *
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
SECOND LESSON
Colossians 1:11-20
May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
GOSPEL
Luke 23:33-43
When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they
crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
News and Updates
Music Today
Prelude I Call to Thee, Lord Jesus Christ Bach
Opening Hymn #494
Sequence Hymn #483
Offertory Anthem For the Fruit of All Creation Green/Holstein
Closing Hymn #708
Postlude Postlude on ‘Benedicamus Domino’ Visona
Current Announcements
Ushers: Dave Crates
Lectors: Millie Gittinger, Marilyn Humphrey
Celebrant: Father Marshall Vang
Celebrant / Officiant Update:
11/24-9:30 am Thanksgiving service-Father Marshall Vang
11/27- Mother Sally Heiligman
12/4 – Father Marshall Vang
12/11- Mother Sally Heiligman
12/18- Father Marshall Vang
12/24- 5 pm Christmas Eve Service – Father Marshall Vang
12/25 -9:30 am Christmas Day – Mother Sally Heiligman
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.
Coffee Hour – Please consider signing up for coffee hour on the homepage of our website or in the back of the church. Many dates are open for the remainder of fall and beginning of winter.
St. Joseph’s Place – need contributions! St. Stephen’s continues to provide 30 lunches for the guests at St. Joseph’s Place on the last Wednesday of each month. Our next date is November 30 at 9 am. We fund this project by individual donations from St. Stephen’s parishioners, but we have used up the funds contributed so far this year. Please consider making a contribution to St. Stephen’s, marked for St. Joseph’s lunches.
Requests from Street Soldiers Schenectady – drop off donations at Zion Lutheran Church parking lot, Sundays, 3-4 pm.
All Fall and Winter – Winter hats, gloves, mittens, scarves
We are looking for new and gently used and freshly laundered winter hats, gloves, scarves, and mittens. We will be collecting them and sharing them every Sunday all winter.
All Fall and Winter – Socks We are always in need of socks in all sizes. They are one of our most requested items. We are looking for donations of new and gently used socks and winter thicker/wool socks.
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.
Altar Flowers – The harvest arrangement at the altar was given by the Altar Guild in thanksgiving for loved ones and all of God’s blessings.
Thanksgiving Day Lessons:
COLLECT
Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
FIRST LESSON
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
When you have come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, and you possess it, and settle in it, you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from the land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place that the Lord your God will choose as a dwelling for his name. You shall go to the priest who is in office at that time, and say to him, “Today I declare to the Lord your God that I have come into the land that the Lord swore to our ancestors to give us.” When the priest takes the basket from your hand and sets it down before the altar of the Lord your God, you shall make this response before the Lord your God: “A wandering Aramean was my ancestor; he went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien, few in number, and there he became a great nation, mighty and populous. When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, by imposing hard labor on us, we cried to the Lord, the God of our ancestors; the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. The Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders; and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O Lord, have given me.” You shall set it down before the Lord your God and bow down before the Lord your God. Then you, together with the Levites and the aliens who reside among you, shall celebrate with all the bounty that the Lord your God has given to you and to your house.
Psalm 100
1 Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; *
serve the Lord with gladness
and come before his presence with a song.
2 Know this: The Lord himself is God; *
he himself has made us, and we are his;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
3 Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise; *
give thanks to him and call upon his Name.
4 For the Lord is good;
his mercy is everlasting; *
and his faithfulness endures from age to ages.
SECOND LESSON
Philippians 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
GOSPEL
John 6:25-35
When the crowd found Jesus on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, `He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'” Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
Music:
Prelude Simple Gifts arr. Spong
Opening Hymn #290
Sequence Hymn #433
The Offertory Adagio Bennett
Closing Hymn #397
Postlude Now Thank We All Our God Beverst
Lector: Doug Lohnas
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  |
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-11/3 Stations of Advent at Christ the King Tuesday, December 6 at 1pm Led by Fr Bill Hinrichs and Mtr Meaghan Keegan You have probably prayed the Stations of the Cross many times, and even if you haven’t prayed them, you have probably heard of them. Praying the Stations of the Cross, prayerfully accompanying Christ on his way to Calvary, is an ancient devotion – especially popular during Lent – meant to help us grow in our friendship with the Lord. Why not do something similar during Advent? In Advent we pay special attention to three comings of Christ: his first coming in Bethlehem, his final coming at the end of history, and his coming here and now in our hearts through the Church’s liturgical celebrations. Christ’s comings are the fulfillment of God’s promise to redeem the fallen human family. The redemption culminated in Christ’s resurrection from the dead, which happened on the first day of the week, also referred to by theological tradition as the “eighth day” – the day after the Sabbath, which was the seventh day of the ancient Jewish week. With that in mind, we have produced this little booklet with the Eight Stations of Advent. The introduction explains the elements of each Station and how to use them. We sincerely hope that this little devotion will help you live this Advent and Christmas more deeply, peacefully, and meaningfully than ever before. This event is free and open to all. ou may RSVP to let us know you plan to attend by emailing director@ctkcenter.org. For those interested lunch is served at 12 noon in the Welcome Center for $15 per person. To make a reservation visit: CtK (tableagent.com)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/ |
| Advent Taize Service |
| December 9| 6:30 PMSt. Ann’s Church | 37 Division St. Amsterdam An Advent Taize service will be celebrated on Friday, 12/9 at 6:30 pm at St. Ann’s, Amsterdam. A Taizé worship service involves sung and chanted prayers, meditation, a period of silence, liturgical readings, and icons. There is no preaching. The style of prayer practiced at Taizé has attracted many worshipers from around the globe and from many different denominations The prayers consist of “short chants, repeated again and again,” according to an introduction in a Taizé songbook. “The words are sung over many times.” |
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.