Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church

Saint Stephen’s Weekly Prayers for the week of January 22, 2023

Good Morning, Saint Stephen’s Church,

Intercessions this Week

Sunday, January 15, 2023

Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Church of North India (United)

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, 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: Marshall Cohen, Carolyn Morin

Those who celebrate baptisms this week: William Fronk

Those who have died: Pierre Bleecker, Jane Tatge, Emilie Voelker, Jesse Dipley, Gladys Wilcox, Josefina Nevius

This week’s Lessons and Prayers

3 Epiphany

The Collect and Scripture Readings for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A

Psalm 27:1, 5-13

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom then shall I fear? *
the Lord is the strength of my life;
of whom then shall I be afraid?

⁵ One thing have I asked of the Lord;
one thing I seek; *
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life;

⁶ To behold the fair beauty of the Lord *
and to seek him in his temple.

⁷ For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; *
he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling
and set me high upon a rock.

⁸ Even now he lifts up my head *
above my enemies round about me.

⁹ Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation
with sounds of great gladness; *
I will sing and make music to the Lord.

¹⁰ Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; *
have mercy on me and answer me.

¹¹ You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.” *
Your face, Lord, will I seek.

¹² Hide not your face from me, *
nor turn away your servant in displeasure.

¹³ You have been my helper;
cast me not away; *
do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.

FIRST LESSON

Isaiah 9:1-4

There will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness– on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.

SECOND LESSON

1 Corinthians 1:10-18

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

THIRD LESSON

Matthew 4:12-23

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles– the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.”From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea– for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

COLLECT

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

News and Updates

Music Today

Prelude Pastorale Haan

Opening Hymn #539

Musical Offering Come, Follow Me Kupferschmid Marina (Boschi) Pero, violin

Musical Offering Take My Yoke Upon You Williams/Nolan

Closing Hymn #550

Postlude March Pontificale Lemmens

Current Announcements

Ushers: V Hoshko, P Nelson

Lectors: R Woodzell, P Nelson

Celebrant / Officiant Update:

1/29-Mother Sally Heiligman

2/5-Father Marshall Vang + lector training following the service

2/12-Mother Sally Heiligman + lector training following the service

2/19-Father Marshall Vang

2/22 @5:30 -Father Marshall Vang- Ash Wednesday

2/26-Mother Sally Heiligman

Today we welcome Marina (Boschi) Pero as our guest violinist. Marina has played the violin since she was six years old. She has performed with the Skidmore College Symphony Orchestra and received a scholarship to play with the Marist College Symphony Orchestra. Marina lives in Niskayuna with her husband Kyle.

Street Soldiers Lunch Making – We will be making lunches for street soldiers after the service TODAY, 1/22. Please consider joining us in the Parish Hall after morning prayer to help!

SICM – During January we will be collecting soup for the Rev. Phil Pantry. The pantry is also in need of disposable diapers (e.g. Pampers) in sizes 3, 4 and 5.

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.