The Messenger

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

August 11, 2022

New This Week:

Message from the Rector
Weekly Happenings
Monthly Calendar
Worship Volunteer Schedule
Parish Brunch - August 14th
Lobster Sale
August Birthdays & Anniversaries
Thanks to Church Life
Rector's Weekly Video
Lectionary Readings

Message from the Rector

By The Rev. Dr. Vincent Joseph Kopp

Dear Good People of St. Stephen’s,

Where does Scripture fit into your life?

Is there a passage or phrase that comes up out of nowhere and fills your mind and heart on occasion?

If so, take that passage as your anchor. Use it as the point to base your exploration of its origins, context, and meaning. Where did it come from? What comes before and after it in the Bible? What is God trying to tell me in this word, phrase, or entire chapter? Once you have done this you have begun your own Bible study.

Let your curiosity guide you. It will take you to surprising places — some comfortable, some not so much. But always remember Christ’s words as you move forward: “Be not afraid, little flock, for it is the Father’s pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)

Let Us Pray:

57. For Guidance

Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

In Christ,

Vincent+

Prayer List

PARISHIONERS:

† Mary Branch

† Cissie Bryan

Rives Hicks

† Kelly Holden

Lucy Landis Moore

† Pam Martin

† Dick Taylor

Jimmy Winston

NON-PARISHIONERS:

Dale Hughes

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.

Weekly Happenings

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14

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

9:00 a.m. Godly Play Training III (St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Goldsboro, NC)

9:15 a.m. Estate Planning - Death, Be Not Proud, Part I (Parish Hall)

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

11:30 a.m. Parish Brunch (Parish Hall)

MONDAY, AUGUST 15

4:45 p.m. Executive Committee Meeting (Parlor)

5:30 p.m. Vestry Meeting (Parish Hall)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17

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

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18

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

6:00 p.m-7:30 p.m. Strategic Planning Meeting (Parlor)

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20

8:30 a.m. Oxford Soccer Club Youth Registration (Parish Hall)

10:00 a.m. Episcopalpalooza (Haw River State Park)

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21

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

9:15 a.m. "Living Wills/DNR Orders" - Death, Be Not Proud, Part II (Parish Hall)

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

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

Monthly Calendar

Worship Volunteer Schedule

Godly Play Training

August 12, 13, & 14

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.

Parish Brunch

August 14th

11:30am

Church Life is putting on a Parish Brunch after the 10:30 AM service this Sunday, August 14th, in the Parish Hall. Casseroles will be provided and parishioners are encouraged to bring a side dish to share. We hope to see you there!

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.

Lobster Sale

The annual Lobster Sale is back and will take place mid-October (exact date TBD). Church Life will use newspapers to wrap the lobsters, so start saving your Oxford Ledgers and bring them to the Parish Hall in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more updates here soon.

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

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

Volunteer

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.

"Death, Be Not Proud"

August 14, 21, & 28

9:15am

Our three-part series on practical matters related to the end of life begins this Sunday, August 14th, with “Estate Planning” by Jason Spain, Esq. On August 21st John Anderson, MD will discuss “Living Wills/DNR Orders.” The series concludes on August 28th with the Rev. Dr. Vincent Joseph Kopp covering “Planning a Burial Service.” All sessions will be in the Parish Hall between services, from 9:15 AM to 10:00 AM.

August Birthdays & Anniversaries

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

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!

Thanks to the Church Life Committee

On Sunday, July 31st, St. Cyprian’s and St. Stephen’s joined together in worship, and afterward for a feast. Thanks to everyone who contributed sides and desserts to supplement the main courses. The setting for our feast was the Parish Hall, which was beautified by bright tablecloths, flowers at every table, and appealing arrangements of food. All of these preparations were handled expertly and selflessly by the Church Life Committee. Members cooked in advance, came on Saturday and early Sunday morning to set up, and stayed late on Sunday to clean up and restore order. During the feast, aproned servers moved about to replenish and remove platters, plates, glasses and cups. Please thank our Church Life Committee members for again being the hands and feet of Christ at the Parish table.