The Messenger

A weekly e-newsletter of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church

July 28, 2022

New This Week:

Message from the Rector
Prayer List
Joint Meal with St. Cyprian's Menu Change
Weekly Happenings
Monthly Calendar
Worship Volunteer Schedule
August Birthdays & Anniversaries
Rector's Weekly Video
Lectionary Readings

Message from the Rector

By The Rev. Dr. Vincent Joseph Kopp

Dear Good People of St. Stephen’s,

This Sunday, July 31, 2022, we will worship jointly with St. Cyprian’s for the first time in years. The character of our two parishes differ in many respects but we are united in one Faith, one Baptism, and one Lord of all in one Church.

Please plan to join this special service and partake of the fellowship and food that will follow in the St. Stephen’s Parish Hall after the 10:30 AM Holy Eucharist, Rite II in the Sanctuary. Please bring your favorite dessert and/or a side dish to share with others as we reaffirm our connections as children of God.

3. For the Human Family (BCP p. 815)

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In Christ,

Vincent+

Prayer List

PARISHIONERS:

† Mary Branch

† Cissie Bryan

Rives Hicks

† Kelly Holden

Dale Hughes

Lucy Landis Moore

† Pam Martin

† Dick Taylor

Jimmy Winston

NON-PARISHIONERS:

Bert Kemp

Janelle Ramsey

Betty Jo White

Request a Prayer

Prayer Chain

Do you need prayer but would like to keep it confidential? St. Stephen's has a group of dedicated parishioners who will pray for you or your loved ones in time of need. Contact Pam Muller to be added to the Prayer Chain prayer list or click on "Request a Prayer" above.

St. Stephen's is looking for more participants to join this special ministry. Please reach out to Pam if you are interested in joining.

Joint Service & Meal with St. Cyprian's

July 31st at 10:30AM

Please join us for a special worship service and meal with St. Cyprian’s this Sunday, July 31st at 10:30 AM. There's been a slight change in the menu, instead of providing turkey breast, St. Stephen's will provide the fried chicken; St. Cyprian's the mac and cheese. Everyone else is asked to bring a favorite side dish or desert to share.

Weekly Happenings

SUNDAY, JULY 31

Adult Formation Survey Deadline

8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I (Sanctuary)

10:30 a.m. Joint Worship with St. Cyprian's (Sanctuary)

11:30 a.m. Meal and Fellowship (Parish Hall)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3

5:00 p.m. Centering Prayer / Lectio Divina (Parlor)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4

8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer Rite I (Sanctuary)

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7

Youth Formation Survey Deadline

8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I (Sanctuary)

10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II (Sanctuary)

11:30 a.m. Coffee Hour (Parish Hall)

Monthly Calendar

Worship Volunteer Schedule

Adult Formation

Parishioners are invited to fill out a quick Survey to submit ideas for adult formation offerings this fall. We will have a three-part series on Estate Planning, Living Wills/DNR Orders, and Funeral Planning in the second half of August; let us know what additional Bible Study and Adult Education you would like to see at St. Stephen's. The survey will be open through this Sunday, July 31st.

Take the Survey

Youth Formation

Do you have children under 18? We want to know what you’d like your children to learn about Christ, the Church, and Christian life. Please complete the Youth Formation Survey, which will be open through August 7th. Once compiled the results will be discussed in a Family Forum event with a meal on August 9th in the Parish Hall starting at 6:00 PM.

Take the Survey

EPISCOPALOOZA is back in person! This event is for youth grades 6-12 and the adults who work with them. It is taking place Saturday, August 20, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m at Haw River State Park (The Summit). The $20 cost includes lunch, and scholarships are available. It will be a day event full of music, games, worship, and a time to regather and have fun.

ACIM Needs Your Help

ACIM receives generous support from St. Stephen’s. In recent months delivery of meat from WalMart to ACIM to customers has been interrupted. Freezers and the refrigerator truck have gone unused. If you are interested in advocating to correct this situation, please contact Marcia Byrd. She can provide information about ways to help ACIM in a new way.

Volunteers

Want to serve at St. Stephen’s in new and creative ways? Going forward we need volunteers to serve in the following ways:

Acolytes
Altar Guild
Bell Ringers
Greeters
Lay Ministers (certification required)
Photographers
Prayer Chain
Readers of Lessons and Prayers of the People
The Bicentennial Planning Committee
The Creation Care Committee
The Strategic Planning Committee

Please give prayerful consideration of where your highest and greatest gifts meet St. Stephen’s greatest needs.

Volunteer

Godly Play Training

St. Stephen’s is in dialogue with St. John’s, Wake Forest, about Godly Play volunteer refresher training. Our plan is to have Godly Play back in full swing by mid-September. If you are interested in Godly Play Core Training, a class will be offered at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Goldsboro, NC, August 12-14.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

JULY BIRTHDAYS

30 Tom Currin

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

1 Sallie Jackson

17 Frank Folger

20 Hannah Tartamella

20 Rachael Tartamella

23 Betty Jo Hamme

28 Michael Currin

28 Julia Day

30 Richard Moore

31 Tom Evins, Jr.

31 Joe Sciortino

AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES

4 Kenny & June Manning

6 Dave & Julia Day

9 John & Charlotte Watson, Jr.

Join the Birthdays & Anniversaries List

Stewardship Award

The Rectory has been picked by the Oxford Historic Preservation Commission to receive the 2022 Stewardship Award. This award recognizes the work and improvements made in the past year. Thank you to the past and present Jr. Wardens, Joe Sciortino and Bernie Nelson, respectively, and to the Vestry for making this award possible!