Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church

January Messenger:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iFnmpDQFCPSEejkmTY3Ch62baoTIPqFs/view?usp=sharing

Saint Stephen’s Weekly Prayers for the week of January 8, 2023

Good Morning, Saint Stephen’s Church,

Prayers of the People

For people who are sad this holiday season, that they may find comfort; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the people of Ukraine and Russia, that they find peace this holiday season; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the President, Joe Biden, and other political leaders, and for our church leaders, that they continue to do a good job leading us this year; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For Schenectady and Niskayuna, for every city and community, and for those who live in them; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the good earth which God has given us, and for the wisdom and will to conserve it; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the people in our country and around the world who have had natural disasters, especially the people in Buffalo, may they receive the help they need to survive; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For all of the animals who are in shelters or on the streets, that they may find a loving home; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For those who travel on land, on water, in the air, and through outer space; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For teachers and students, keep them safe from violence; let us pray to the lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the poor and the oppressed, for the unemployed and the destitute, for prisoners and captives, and for all who remember and care for them; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the elderly and ill, for the widowed and orphans, and for the sick and the suffering; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For people who have passed away that we hold in our hearts, may they rest with Jesus in peace; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Written and / or compiled by Sammy & Maddie Schuldt, and Harry Ruscitto.

Additional Intercessions this Week

Sunday, January 8, 2023

Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Church of the Province of Myanmar (Burma)

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: Peter Klepeis, Lisa McDonald, Laura Fronk, Jane Vinehout

Those who celebrate baptisms this week: Madeleine Schuldt, Richard Stefanski

Those who have died: Helen Oyer, Dave Stevens, Richard Causey

This week’s Lessons and Prayers

The Epiphany of Our Lord

The Collect and Scripture Readings for Epiphany Sunday,

Year A

COLLECT

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

FIRST LESSON

Isaiah 60:1-6

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.

PSALM 72:1-7,10-14

¹ Give the King your justice, O God, *

and your righteousness to the King’s Son;

² That he may rule your people righteously *

and the poor with justice;

³ That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, *

and the little hills bring righteousness.

⁴ He shall defend the needy among the people; *

he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor.

⁵ He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, *

from one generation to another.

⁶ He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, *

like showers that water the earth.

⁷ In his time shall the righteous flourish; *

there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall

be no more.

¹⁰ The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute, *

and the kings of Arabia and Saba offer gifts.

¹¹ All kings shall bow down before him, *

and all the nations do him service.

¹² For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, *

and the oppressed who has no helper.

¹³ He shall have pity on the lowly and poor; *

he shall preserve the lives of the needy.

¹⁴ He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, *

and dear shall their blood be in his sight.

SECOND LESSON

Ephesians 3:1-12

This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles– for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.

GOSPEL

Matthew 2:1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel. ‘”Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

News and Updates

Music Today

Prelude Procession of the Magi Fish

Opening Hymn #119

Children’s Song Drummer Boy

Djembe-Tim Olsen, Percussion- William Olsen, Bass- Pierce Olsen

Offertory Hymn # 128

Closing Hymn #135

Postlude We are Marching in the Light of God S. African/Behnke

Current Announcements

Greeters: Maddie Schuldt and Harry Ruscitto

Ushers: Pierce and William Olsen

Acolyte: Frankie Ruscitto

Lectors: Teddy Ruscitto and Kiely Olsen

Celebrant: Mother Sally Heiligman

Celebrant / Officiant Update:

1/15-Father Marshall Vang – Annual Meeting following the service

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 today (office@st-stephens.church). Save the date – our annual meeting will take place on January 15, 2023 in the parish hall.

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.