Saint Stephen’s Weekly Prayers for the week of April 30, 2023
Good Morning, Saint Stephen’s Church,
REMINDER: If you have not already done so, please fill out this form if you want to be included in our new directory!
Fourth Sunday of Easter
The Collect and Scripture Readings for the fourth Sunday of Easter, Year A
PSALM 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures *
and leads me beside still waters.
3 He revives my soul *
and guides me along right pathways for his Name’s sake.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil; *
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *
you have anointed my head with oil,
and my cup is running over.
6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
FIRST LESSON
Acts 2:42-47
Those who had been baptized devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
SECOND LESSON
1 Peter 2: 19-25
It is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
THIRD LESSON
John 10: 1-10
Jesus said, “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
COLLECT
Oh God whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd to your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Intercessions this Week
Sunday, April 23, 2023
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Episcopal Church
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; Marshall Vang and Sally Heiligman, our supply priests; and Allison de Kanel, our lay reader
Those who are in need of strength and healing: Mary Ann Harrington, Marilyn Causey, Vincent Avila, June Russell, Bill Frank, Chris Holder, the Humphrey Family, Marshall Cohen, Pat Jones, Budd Mazurek, Peter Bent and Joe White
Those who celebrate birthdays this week: Belachew Emaelaf
Those who celebrate baptismal anniversaries this week: Liz Varno
Those who have died: Clinton Williams, Anne Jenny, Katherine Huston, Richard Petter, Taylor Trawick
News and Updates
Music Today
Prelude The King of Love My Shepherd Is Martin
Processional hymn: #448
Musical Offering
Shepherd of My Heart Davis / Purifoy
Office hymn: LEV #104
Recessional hymn: #334
Postlude Postlude Rawsthorne
Current Announcements
Usher: V. Hoshko
Lectors: L. Emaelaf, P. Nelson
Officiant: Allison de Kanel
Celebrant / Officiant Update:
5/7 – Father Marshall Vang
5/14 – Mother Sally Heiligman – Children’s Service
5/21 – Father Marshall Vang
5/28 – Mother Sally Heiligman
New Parish Directory – If you haven’t submitted a contact form for our new directory and would like to be included please do so ASAP. Paper copies are available in the back of the church or see the online form in the weekly emails.
Street Soldiers Lunch Making will take place today following the morning prayer service. Please join us in Begley Hall to help!
The next Children’s Service will be on Mother’s Day, May 14. We are hoping to have a special coffee hour to celebrate mom’s and their kids following the service. If you are willing to bring a snack to share at coffee hour, make the coffee, bring drinks, or help set up/clean up, please sign up in the back of the church. Thanks!
St. Stephen’s is in need of a deputy (and deputy alternates) for the 2023 Albany Diocesan Convention to be held virtually on June 10th. Those deputies who attend this year’s convention in June will also represent St. Stephen’s in the fall for a special convention to elect the next Bishop of Albany. In order to be a deputy, you must be a confirmed Episcopalian in good standing at St. Stephen’s. A new bylaw as of last year states you must have been a member of St. Stephen’s as of January 2022 (last year’s annual meeting). If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Susie Olsen at susieolsen01@gmail.com
All middle school, high school and beyond up to age 20, are invited to St. Stephen’s Youth Group immediately following 9:30 Morning Prayer today. We will meet in the designated Teen Room- last door on the left (across from the Ladies restroom) and discuss/brainstorm the vision for the group and potential activities. All teens are most welcome along with any adults who would like to assist. For questions, contact Susie Olsen at susieolsen01@gmail.com
Donations needed for lunches for St. Joseph’s Place – Once a month a small but dedicated group of volunteers from St. Stephen’s gather at St. Joseph’s Place next door to the SiCM Food Pantry to prepare 30 bagged lunches for the visitors to the drop-in center. St. Joseph’s provides a place where people from the community can gather for conversation, friendship, and spiritual support in a comfortable and safe environment. We are once again asking for donations towards the cost of the lunches. If you would like to contribute, please make checks payable to St. Stephen’s Church with St. Joseph’s on the memo line and give them to Denise Crates or drop them in the collection plate. Thank you!
Announcing a new fund drive… We have decided to purchase an AED (automated external defibrillator) unit for St Stephens. The fund drive, to cover these expenses, will aim to bring in $2000. In addition to purchasing the defibrillator machine and its accompanying case and equipment, we will need to train volunteers from the congregation in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED use. We hope to train 20 volunteers. There is a sign up at the back of the church.
Schenectady Community Ministries– During May and June please bring in spices and seasonings for the SiCM pantry. You may leave them in the basket in the nave extension.
Altar Flowers are given by Millie Gittinger in memory of loved ones.
| Ongoing adult education opportunities Register here: https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=00155pTYd0mjrXqUDqlSIozIkQ7l3hDahKvNr5mYb1YF8O5dkECdJskoqU-exM9ewgpCJUqBZ4xRP9o8HQE7VSCT6dPvhCtZa5IF5fAT4cRzmE116Gw2lHM8NtGwxQ1jck8HV9pGfwNBw7th2EH3y2edKF2A4iVlIUBlNPbN9yAyWu8edU1TAsmkzTUTR_p77sWARkOmZtzG6RK0agbCGI0wQ==&c=PAjkaBvIkwaYBA_glQaThHuJ28WnrJhAeyPRlFgXg0OofletwRtLqQ==&ch=5UNmDhliX75BW7jABFHZaqqUIOSKtuRPfycrcApqNLAxnFmpKNTtfA==\ 2023 Convention – June 10 Don’t forget to submit your Certificate of Election. The Call to Convention and other important documents can be found by using the link below. https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001dndZ8CyE9XaX2wc-a6fHRIo3IswcYFgUHigErDV90XjVV22O_AZ_5dpxYrP8uxDi9Zas45nPMzeCeoa8dJtd9fwfNIdygLZ2uJgqUgOEyE3Zpyn9CxHhMF_Ag2K9dGaZrm6EJxM5smvzRG2pmYSkpFS2yLRGFo1cug760HCB9GlZhh6l6t4t7g==&c=9tV6qGBnBo0SKHvOMpovsa7Z_lKOjwyOEEQmFPGTee_u0V6ZjY46SA==&ch=CbOhcrrtLLuT2SrXP0FCr52jkh_ercMo2hByIKwV64ZZNJcojGX-oA== June 23-25First Loved Ministries believes that to love people the way Jesus loves people, we have to be loved by Jesus first. So they offer teaching, training, and touchpoints that help people receive love, from God and people, so that we are all able to go out and love God and people, just like Jesus did. Join founder Mark Gordon Fee as he leads you to begin a life-changing journey of experiencing God personally love you on a daily basis. August 25-26God cares about Holiness and He is always working to shape us into being more like His son. Like a potter, He leans into us and leans over us as He molds us into the shape He so desires. Like a patient artisan, He pinches, trims, and squeezes us into the shape He longs to see. Therefore, we must be willing to examine our hearts to name elements in our lives that resist His shaping of us. Attending to our soul is necessary as we seek God’s renewal and transformation in our lives. As we learn to pay attention to our soul we will become more aware of what lies underneath the energy that promotes sin, yet also awakens our longing and desire for more. Join us as we look into our own soul, not to self promote, but rather to promote spiritual formation that reflects more of the life of Christ in our lives.NOTE: While this is a continuation of last year’s retreat, it stands on its own. You do not have to have attended last year for this to be a fruitful retreat for you. September 14-16This conference will explore Hope and Healing in the Name of Jesus, and unpack the wholeness Jesus desires for each of us in these main areas of Healing, Salvation and Deliverance. Join keynote speaker Judith MacNutt, President and Co-founder of Christian Healing Ministries, for this very special 3-day conference. Dive deeply into the love of Jesus and experience His healing, salvation and deliverance; and become equipped to bring that hope and healing to our world. |
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.