Saint Stephen’s Weekly Prayers for the week of January 1, 2023
Good Morning, Saint Stephen’s Church,
From Our Prayers of the People
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: La Iglesia Anglicana de Mexico (The Anglican Church of Mexico)
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,Sal Belardo, Samantha Humphrey & the Humphrey Family, and Joe White
Those who celebrate birthdays this week: Emma Klepeis, Jamie Cooke, William Ranslow, Robert Bailey, Dennie Bennett, Pierce Olsen
Those who celebrate baptisms this week: Chris Morin, Shirley Gretz
Those who have died: Sondra Grady, Stewart Vanda, Dawn Schlansker, Betty McCullough
This week’s Lessons and Prayers
The Holy Name
The Collect and Lessons Appointed for Use on the Feast of The Holy Name
COLLECT
Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
FIRST LESSON
Numbers 6:22-27
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them, The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.
PSALM 8
1 O Lord our Governor, *
how exalted is your Name in all the world!
2 Out of the mouths of infants and children *
your majesty is praised above the heavens
3 You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries, *
to quell the enemy and the avenger.
4 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, *
the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,
5 What is man that you should be mindful of him? *
the son of man that you should seek him out?
6 You have made him but little lower than the angels; *
you adorn him with glory and honor;
7 You give him mastery over the works of your hands; *
you put all things under his feet:
8 All sheep and oxen, *
even the wild beasts of the field,
9 The birds of the air, the fish of the sea, *
and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea.
10 O Lord our Governor, *
how exalted is your Name in all the world!
SECOND LESSON
Philippians 2:5-11
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death– even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
GOSPEL
Luke 2:15-21
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
News and Updates
Music Today
Prelude I Wonder as I Wander Lasky
Opening Hymn #93
Sequence Hymn # 109
Offertory Anthem Were You There on That Christmas Night? Sleeth
Closing Hymn #87
Postlude Go, Tell It on the Mountain Manz
Current Announcements
Celebrant / Officiant Update:
1/8 – Mother Sally Heiligman – Children’s service
1/15-Father Marshall Vang
1/22-Mother Sally Heiligman
1/29-Allison de Kanel – Morning Prayer
Current Announcements
Lectors: C Jones & P. Nelson Celebrant: Father Marshall Vang
Celebrant / Officiant Update:
1/8 – Mother Sally Heiligman – Children’s Service
1/15-Father Marshall Vang
1/22-Mother Sally Heiligman
1/29-Allison de Kanel – Morning Prayer
Annual Report and Annual Meeting – If you have an article for the annual report please email it to Bethany by January 8 at the latest (office@st-stephens.church). Save the date – our annual meeting will take place on January 15, 2023 in the parish hall.
Advent Outreach – During Advent we collected money for UNICEF to support the children of Ukraine. Our goal was to raise $1,000 by Christmas. To date we have raised $1,300! You may make final contributions by check or cash in the offering plate or in the box in the nave extension. Make checks out to St. Stephen’s Church, marked for UNICEF. Your donation will help UNICEF ensure that Ukraine’s children have access to safe water, nutrition, health care, education and protection. We also raised $125 for Street Soldiers. Thanks to everyone who donated.
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.
Please join us in praying for Samantha Humphrey’s safe return and for the Humphrey family during this difficult time.
Christmas Altar Flowers also given by Evan Love.
Ongoing adult education opportunities 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  |
 Cathedral In Bloom January 13-15, 2023 Cathedral in Bloom, the area’s premier flower show, is back! Enjoy the glory of the architecture of The Cathedral of All Saints combined with the talents of the some of the Capital Region’s and northeast’s floral artists. Regardless of the weather outside, it will be Spring inside the Cathedral! Dozens of floral displays, workshops and presentations will be offered by floral professionals. Guided and self- tours, a cafe, and a flower market will welcome you, along with organ recitals with music inspired by flowers. Special tickets for a Champagne Gala on Friday Evening and a Saturday Afternoon Tea are available and must be purchased days in advance. New in 2023 is a ticket for admission to all three days of the event, and a raffle. General and Senior Admission tickets are good for only one of any of the three days of the event and may be purchased at the door. Children under ten will be admitted for free. Tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Questions: bloom@cathedralofallsaints.org |
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.