The Messenger

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

January 4, 2023 - Happy New Year!

New This Week:

Message from the Rector

By The Rev. Dr. Vincent Joseph Kopp


Dear Good People of St. Stephen’s,


This year, 2023, is a momentous year for St. Stephen’s. On April 9, 1823 the parish was accepted into the Diocese of North Carolina, making St. Stephen's one of the oldest, active, parishes in the diocese today.


From humble beginnings, guided by the grace of God, today’s parish arose—though not before it almost collapsed in the 1830s. Subsequent years of prayerful work, faithful leadership, and financial support have brought it to the present day. Its future now rests in our hands.


In this Bicentennial season, we can remind ourselves that what becomes of St. Stephen’s in the next two hundred years rests not only on what was begun years back, but on what happens in the parish today, tomorrow, this week, and in the next few months.


The work we do now contributes best when it is weighed as part of the parish’s larger story. This should make us feel bold, adventurous, and free to reach beyond established limits. As the expression goes, “Today is Tomorrow's Yesterday.” In other words, what we do today shapes what we and others will be able to do with all the "todays" yet to come.


On a personal note, I want to thank everyone who has sustained the parish during my medical leave. Each of my “todays” during convalescence—some of which were extremely long and difficult—gained purpose and meaning through the hope of returning to St. Stephen’s to be a part of our Bicentennial year. That hope is now realized and so we can press on together to do the work we have been given to do as members of the Communion of Saints.


Let Us Pray:


38. For the Right Use of God's Gifts (BCP, p. 827)


“Almighty God, whose loving hand hath given us all that we possess: Grant us grace that we may honor thee with our substance, and, remembering the account which we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of thy bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”


In Christ,

Vincent+

Thank You Clergy!


We thank the Rev. Dr. Lorraine Ljunggren and the Rev. Jim Melnyk for serving as the supply clergy at St. Stephen's for the last two months while our Rector was away on medical leave. We appreciate all of your hard work and presence. We will miss you!

Prayer List


PARISHIONERS:

Joan Blackwell

† Mary Branch

Rives Hicks

† Kelly Holden

† Leslie Johnson

Lucy Landis Moore

† Dick Taylor

Jimmy Winston


NON-PARISHIONERS:

Mildred Adcock, Lois Brant, Cassie Farrelly, Kina Franzen, Ann Herndon, Jesse Mendiola, Selda Oani, Alex Potapenko, Janelle Ramsey, Art Sellers, Marcia West

Request a Prayer

Notes on the Worship Schedule


Going forward the Third Sunday 5:15 PM Holy Eucharist, Rite II, service will be discontinued. The 8:30 AM Thursday Morning Prayer, Rite I, service will remain suspended indefinitely. In 2023, joint worship services and potluck meals with St. Cyprian’s will be on the Fifth Sundays of January, April, July, and October, unless otherwise notified.

Weekly Happenings


SUNDAY, JANUARY 8 - THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD

LECTIONARY READINGS

Loose Offering to Rector Discretionary Fund

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)

5:00 p.m. EYC Gathering (Parish Hall)


MONDAY, JANUARY 9

OFFICE CLOSED


TUESDAY, JANUARY 10

12:00 p.m. Bicentennial Committee Meeting (Parish Hall)


WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11

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


THURSDAY, JANUARY 12

OFFICE CLOSED


SUNDAY, JANUARY 15

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

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

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

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

Monthly Calendar

Worship Volunteer Schedule

Baptism, Confirmation, Reception & Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows


The Bishop Diocesan’s visit on April 16, 2023 will be the occasion for these sacramental rites. Those persons who seek baptism for a child or themselves; who are interested in making a mature affirmation of their own baptismal vows; or who have previously done so in another denomination and now seek reception into the Episcopal Church, should contact the Rector. Preparations for the appropriate rite will be tailored to suit the circumstances of the person seeking the laying on of hands by the bishop.

Season of Celebration


You will notice a small Zip-Loc bag in your pews on Sunday. Please take time to read the short message in it. Help us to prepare for our bicentennial "Season of Celebration" that begins soon. Thank you so much for helping us achieve a very meaningful time for our church.

Vestry Class of 2025


The election results are in for the Vestry Class of 2025. Please congratulate the following three individuals in joining the Vestry: John Anderson, Nina Cheatham, and Andrew Swanner. Thank you to all of the nominees for volunterring to serve in this important parish ministry!

Thank You!


We thank Jim Branch and Bernard Nelson for serving as Senior Warden and Junior Warden, respectively, this past year. Their term of service ends at the end of December. They have been present almost every week, several times a week, on the parish campus making much needed repairs, addressing various issues, leading meetings, planning events and activities, and so much more; all of your work is greatly appreciated! We look forward to electing leadership for the coming year into these positions from the Vestry soon.

New Office Hours


The Office Hours have changed and now are:


Monday: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM

Tuesday: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM

Wednesday: 9:00 AM-3:00 PM

Thursday: CLOSED

Friday: CLOSED

Saturday: CLOSED

Sunday: CLOSED

January Birthdays

14 Walter Hughes

15 Adley Brewer

16 John Watson

18 Jesse Sullins

18 Anne Winston

19 Kelly Holden

24 Eve Harris

28 Joan Blackwell


January Anniversaries

2 David Smith & Tammy Howard

29 Bernard and Pat Nelson

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

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

Lidiya Potapenko (Parish Office): admin@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:

Monday-Tuesday 9AM-4PM

Wednesday 9AM-3PM

www.ststephensoxford.org

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