The Messenger

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

June 30, 2022

In this Issue:

Message from the Rector
Prayer List
Prayer Chain
New AED at St. Stephen's
Weekly Happenings
Worship Volunteer Schedule
Monthly Calendar
Adult Formation Survey
Volunteers Needed
July 9th Thrift Shop Day
Kerr Lake Worship Sign-Up
July 31st Joint Service with St. Cyprian's
Social Media
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Stay Connected
Rector's Weekly Video
Lectionary Readings
New Parish Emails

Message from the Rector

By The Rev. Dr. Vincent Joseph Kopp

Dear Good People of St. Stephen’s,

As Independence Day approaches let us rejoice in what is good, fair, and equitable in our land.

Let us also reflect on the uniqueness of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America as a witness to religious freedom and liberty in a time when anything “English” was viewed with suspicion in our nation.

Here I refer you to The Preface, first published in 1789, in the Book of Common Prayer (BCP, p9)

“…But when in the course of Divine Providence, these American States became independent with respect to civil government, their ecclesiastical independence was necessarily included; and the different religious denominations of Christians in these States were left at full and equal liberty to model and organize their respective Churches, and forms of worship, and discipline, in such manner as they might judge most convenient for their future prosperity; consistently with the constitution and laws of their country….”

With Scotland’s help, the Episcopal Church in America reformed the liturgy without assents to the King’s authority. The resultant liturgy was a declaration of dependence on Christ, not worldly powers, above all.

America’s freedom from England, then, once declared; and the liberty of its citizens, hard won, are legacies other nations of the world have sought to secure for themselves ever since.

We give thanks for these and those who secured them for us at the beginning of our nation.

Let Us Pray:

“The Collect for Independence Day July 4 (BCP, p242)

Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”

In Christ,

Vincent+

Prayer List

† Mary Branch

Cissie Bryan

Kelly Holden

Pam Martin

Dick Taylor

PARISHIONERS:

Rives Hicks

Lucy Landis Moore

Jimmy Winston

NON-PARISHIONERS:

Hodges & Harris Families

Bert Kempt

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.

New AED at St. Stephen's

St. Stephen's has a new HeartSine Samaritan 450P AED, located next to a fire extinguisher near the Parish Hall door closest to the back entrance to the church. Early use of an AED or Automatic External Defibrillator improves out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates.

While easy to use it is intimidating to think about doing so. To learn more, follow this link: HeartSine SAM 450P AED

We thank Joe Sciortino for his hard work and talent in building the white box that houses the new AED.

Weekly Happenings

SUNDAY, JULY 3

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)

MONDAY, JULY 4 - INDEPENDENCE DAY

Office Closed

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6

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

THURSDAY, JULY 7

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

SATURDAY, JULY 9

9:00 a.m.-12:00 pm. Thrift Shop Day (The Community Church Ministry Thrift Shop)

SUNDAY, JULY 10

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

11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II with Potluck Lunch afterward (Henderson Point at Kerr Lake)

Monthly Calendar

Worship Volunteer Schedule

Adult Formation

As we make plans for Bible Study and Adult Christian Education offerings at St. Stephen's in the fall, parishioners are encouraged to fill out a quick Survey for offering ideas and scheduling availability. Some thematic programs are in the works, but the best ideas will come from you!

Take the Survey

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

Thrift Shop Day

Saturday, July 9th

9:00AM-12:00PM

Saturday, July 9th is St. Stephen's Volunteer Day at the Community Church Ministry Thrift Shop. We will have five parishioners helping at the shop that day and all proceeds from sales just this day will go to St. Stephen's. Parishioners are encouraged to stop by to say hello to the volunteers and purchase items between 9:00AM and 12:00PM.

Helpers that day: Susan Foster, Jenny Koinis, Jerry Broyal, Marcia Byrd and Laurel Sciortino

The shop receives a variety of donations, including antiques and collectibles. They have jewelry, children’s items/games, a large book section, and many other items.

CCM Thrift Shop is located at: 108 Critcher Rd., Oxford (off SE Industry Drive)

Directions: From town on Hillsboro St., continue straight onto Williamsboro St (across from Revlon), turn right onto SE Industry Drive, go 250 feet and make a left onto Critcher Road. CCM Thrift Shop is on the right.

Worship & Potluck at Kerr Lake

July 10th at 11AM

Please join us on July 10th for Worship and a Potluck Lunch gathering at Henderson Point on Kerr Lake. Worship will commence at 11:00AM with lunch afterward.

Church Life will provide meat choices; everyone else is asked to bring a side dish. In order to prepare for lunch without over-purchasing, please let us know if you are coming and the number of people who will be present with you on this Sign-Up Genius Form.

If you do not wish to use the Sign-Up Genius but will be coming, please call the Church Office at 919-693-9740 and let us know you will be coming and the # in your party. We need to have a HEAD COUNT by 12:00 NOON, Thursday, July 7th.

If you are interested in carpooling or following someone, meet in the St. Stephen's parking lot at 10:15AM (and let us know on the Sign-Up Genius Form, or by calling the Church Office, by July 7th).

Swimming, fishing (license required), and (we hope) a boat excursion are recreational options. Dress is casual and insect and sun protection is suggested.

Please Note: the 8:00AM Holy Eucharist, Rite I, will be celebrated as usual in the Sanctuary.

St. Cyprian's Joint Service

July 31st at 10:30AM

St. Stephen's welcomes St. Cyprian's for Holy Eucharist, Rite II, on July 31st at 10:30AM. We will have a lunch afterward in the Parish Hall; Church Life will provide the main course and folks are encouraged to bring a side dish.

Social Media

Thank you for being active on St. Stephen's social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube)! We are seeing major improvements in activity levels and it is helping us reach out to and connect with others!