The Messenger

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

October 13, 2022

New This Week:


Message from the Rector

By The Rev. Dr. Vincent Joseph Kopp


Dear Good People of St. Stephen’s,


This Sunday’s gospel for the 19th Sunday after Pentecost begins: “Jesus told his disciples a parable about their need to pray always and not lose heart.”


In the parable that follows, a persistent widow demands justice through petitions that wear down a judge who neither fears God nor respects humanity. To rid himself of the vexatious woman, he yields to her demands and grants her justice.


In this, the widow is like Job who persists in relationship with God even as he suffers immeasurably, until his relationship is “made right” by his humility even as he preserves the integrity of his relationship to God.


If one such as the judge can be made to yield thru persistence—Jesus asks us to consider—how much more readily will God, who loves us, respond to our “always” prayer? The parable’s “take away” lesson is not that the judge is a stand-in for God—he is not—but that God is always ready to do for and with us those things that are best for us.


So it is that when we pray, know that—while all prayers are answered—sometimes the answer is “No.” “No” is not the conclusion, however, it’s the beginning. Let the answer “No” to a prayer strengthen and change you above all. Let your “always” prayer begin there and then persist.


Let Us Pray:


The Collect at the Prayers (BCP, p. 394)


“Almighty God, to whom our needs are known before we ask: Help us to ask only what accords with your will; and those good things which we dare not, or in our blindness cannot ask, grant us for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.”


In Christ,

Vincent+

Prayer List


PARISHIONERS:

† Mary Branch

† Cissie Bryan

Rives Hicks

† Kelly Holden

Vincent Kopp

Lucy Landis Moore

† Pam Martin

† Dick Taylor

Jimmy Winston


NON-PARISHIONERS:

Lene Tarry Cash

Dale Hughes

Bert Kemp

Janelle Ramsey

Courtney Ruth

Betty Jo White

Marshal Wrenn

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, OCTOBER 16

Last day to submit Directory updates

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

9:00 a.m. Directory Photos (Pavilion)

9:15 a.m. Children's Sunday School (Chapel/2nd Floor Classroom)

9:15 a.m. Love is the Way Book Study - Chapters 4 & 5 (Parish Hall)

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

11:30 a.m. Directory Photos (Pavilion)

11:30 a.m. Coffee Hour (Parish Hall)

5:00 p.m. EYC Gathering (Parish Hall)

5:15 p.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II with Pizza afterward (Chapel/Parish Hall)


WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19

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

 

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20

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

6:00 p.m. Strategic Planning Meeting (Parish Hall)


SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23

Last day to purchase lobsters

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

9:15 a.m. Love is the Way Book Study (Parish Hall)

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

11:30 a.m. Directory Photos (Pavilion)

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

5:00 p.m. Evening Prayer/Bible Study (Chapel/Parlor)

Monthly Calendar

Worship Volunteer Schedule

Parish-wide Picnic &

Foyer Kick-Off

October 15th, 5:00 PM


Saturday, October 15th we will have a Parish-wide Picnic and Foyer Kick-Off at the Gabel's, during which time folks will have a chance to sign up for Foyer Groups. All are welcome, including children. Bring a chair, a side, and your own adult beverages; burgers and hotdogs will be provided. We will eat by 6:30 PM. Hope to see you there!

Parish Directory & Photos


The deadline to submit changes for the new directory is this Sunday, October 16th. Please check your information in the email sent or on the proof sheets in the Parish Hall and notify the Office of any updates.


Mary Hicks will be taking photos for the last time this Sunday, October 16th after the 8:00 AM service and after the 10:30 AM service. Don't miss it! Old photos will not be included in the directory to keep the new look consistent.

Children's Sunday School

1st & 3rd Sundays, 9:15 AM


Children’s Sunday School will meet this Sunday, October 16th from 9:15 AM to 10:00 AM in the St. Francis Chapel to start. Initially Sunday School will meet on the 1st and 3rd Sundays until a stable schedule can be established. Our first gathering had eight children!

Love is the Way Book Study

September 18-November 20

Sundays at 9:15 AM


Join us this Sunday, October 16th as we continue to look at Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s book Love is the Way. Even if you don’t have a book, please plan to attend when you can.

Duplicate Bridge Tournament

October 17th, 11:30 AM


The Duplicate Bridge game has been reschedule to Monday, October 17th at 11:30 AM in the Parish Hall. Lunch begins at 11:30 AM sharp.

Bible Study

2nd & 4th Sundays, 5:00 PM


Evening Prayer/Bible Study is offered on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at 5:00 PM in the Chapel/Parlor. In our next session on October 23rd we will look at Job, Chapters 38-42.

Lay Leadership Opportunities


Bible Study, Children's Sunday School, and the Nursery are areas of ministry waiting for Lay Leadership. Please discern if you feel called to serve in one or more of these recurrent programmatic activities. The strength of our parish depends on the participation of our parishioners. Please email rector@ststephensoxford.org to answer the call. 

Lobster Sale

October 29th, 4:00-6:00 PM


The annual Lobster Sale is back! Purchase your 1.5lb lobsters for $25 each, live or cooked. Advance sales only. Contact the Office to purchase yours by October 23rd. Lobsters can be picked up Saturday, October 29th, 4:00-6:00 PM in the church parking lot. If you are interested in selling lobsters, contact Dawn at: 919-482-6083


Also, thank you all for the newspapers! We still need many more. Newspapers can be dropped off in the designated box to the left as you enter the Parish Hall.

Joint Worship with St. Cyprian's

October 30th, 11:00 AM


Its official: St. Stephen’s is invited to St. Cyprian’s on October 30th for Worship at 11:00 AM followed by a Potluck Lunch in their Parish Hall and Grounds. Main courses will be provided; please bring a side or dessert to share.

Lost & Found


We have a kid's rain jacket that was recently found at the church. Please contact the Office with a short description to claim the item.

October Birthdays


4 Lyn Dartt 

5 Jane Reid Dickerson

8 Daisy Manning

9 Dottie Snyder

13 Ann Burke Anderson

13 Samuel Spitler 

13 Marlene Spurr

14 Anna Kathleen Spitler

15 Tammy Howard

24 Dick Taylor

27 Jenny Koinis

30 Chip Hughes

Join the Birthdays & Anniversaries List

Stay Connected


Diocese:

Children & Youth Ministry Calendar '22-'23

Please Note Newsletter

North Carolina Disciple Magazine

Adult Formation Newsletter


Other:

Episcopal News Service

Rector's Weekly Video

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost - October 16, 2022

View the Lectionary Readings

The Rev. Vincent Kopp (Rector): rector@ststephensoxford.org

Lidiya Potapenko (Parish Office): admin@ststephensoxford.org

Jim Branch (Sr. Warden): srwarden@ststephensoxford.org

Bernard Nelson (Jr. Warden): jrwarden@ststephensoxford.org

MISSION STATEMENT: We are dedicated to sharing the Gospel and love of Christ Jesus through service to our Church, community, and world.

919-693-9740  admin@ststephensoxford.org

Office Hours: M-Th 9AM-4PM

www.ststephensoxford.org

// CONNECT WITH US //
Facebook  Instagram  Youtube