St. Stephen's Weekly Touchstone
 
April 12, 2011
 
The Week Leading up to The Sunday of the Passion: 
Palm Sunday.

Thought of the Week

As I listened to the preacher at the Wednesday service this afternoon articulate the difference between the world and the Peace of God, I was brought to ponder the Collect for Peace that is a part of Evening Prayer in our Book of Common Prayer (pg 123).  In that prayer we ask for "that peace which the world cannot give."  What is that peace?  What is that quietness? 

I believe the answer to these questions begin with release.  For peace, the busyness and business of this world have to be released.  For peace the control and force used to make things happen must be released.  We cannot force peace.  We can only invite it.  Submit to it.  And blessedly be enveloped in it.  I pray for your peace this day and in the days to come.  I pray you may find a moment of release where you can be enveloped.  I invite you to come next week and find a Holy Week ripe with opportunities to be enveloped in the peace of God.

See you in Church!

Fr. Josh

Pictures of the Week

Top: Choir sings a wonderful Anthem last Sunday

Bottom: Sunday School makes Holy Week mural

Photos by Charity Lunder

ST. STEPHEN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Holy Week Services

  

Palm Sunday, April 17th at 10:00 am

Please join us here at St. Stephen's for Palm Sunday as we begin Holy Week.  Remember to bring your Mite Boxes!

 

Maundy Thursday, April 21st at 7:00 pm

Join us on Maundy Thursday in celebration of the institution of the Lord's Supper and for optional foot washing.

 

Good Friday, April 22nd - two services

There will a Community Ecumenical Service at The Armonk United Methodist Church (3 Bedford Road, Armonk) at 12:00 noon.

 

At St. Stephen's we will walk the Stations of the Cross. The service will begin at 7:00 pm.

 

The Great Vigil of Easter, Saturday, April 23rd at 7:00 pm

Join us Saturday night as we light the first light of Easter and proclaim the first proclamation of Resurrection Hope. (no 5:30 service)

 

Easter Sunday, April 24th at 10:00 am 

Come sing Alleluias, hoist a hyacinth, and flower our cross at this family service with special music from our choir.

 

Easter Egg Hunt after the Service

There will be an Easter Egg Hunt immediately following the 10:00 am service.  All children (ages 3rd Grade and younger) are welcome to participate.  We ask all families to donate 1 dozen filled plastic eggs (solid colored eggs only) for every child they have participating in the Easter Egg Hunt.  All donations may be dropped off at the Church office prior to Maundy Thursday, April 21st.  Contact office.ststephens@gmail.com for any questions.

 

Weekly Announcements

 

Mite Boxes:

Please remember to bring your Mite Boxes with you to Church this Sunday.  All monies collected will go to support the Carpenter's Kids in Tanzania.

 

Work Party:

Please come and help clean up around the Church and Churchyard on Saturday April 23rd, from 10am - 2pm.  See Jeffrey Elliot for information.  All are welcome, big and small! 

 

Benefit Concert for Japan 

Sunday April 17th at 7 PM Christ Episcopal Church in Greenwich will be hosting a concert to benefit relief for Japan.  Our Don Gregg will be making introductory remarks.  For more information please contact Christ Church at 203.869.6600.

 

Friendship Suppers:

If you are interested in hosting a Friendship Supper in the future, please contact Laura Johnson at ljohnson6@metlife.com.

 

Vertical Tour of St. John the Divine: 

The Youth Group will be attending a private Vertical Tour of the Cathedral on Saturday, June 4th at 10 am.  We would like to extend an invitation to the congregation as well as friends; you are all welcome to participate.  Please RSVP to office.ststephens@gmail.com by Sunday, May 29th if you plan in joining us.

 

Fr. Josh Paternity Leave: 

Fr. Josh will be out of the office Thursdays and Fridays until May 6 with the exception of Holy Week (April 17-23). As always, Fr. Josh is available for Pastoral Emergencies, please don't hesitate to contact him at the numbers below. 

 Weekly Readings

 

Our first reading of the week will be Isaiah 50:4-9a

See the reading here:  http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=169621394 

 

Our  Gospel reading of the week will be Matthew 26:14-27:66

See the reading here:  http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=169621681

 

Sunday Servers
 

Ushers:  Rich and Trina Fontaine

Acolyte:  Robert Lunder

Chalicist:  Laura Desmarais

Reader:  James Turner

Altar Guild:  Sarah Condon

Coffee Hour:  Gregg

 

 

For any questions or needs, you may contact Father Josh Condon; office - 914-273-3812, Rectory - 914-273-4570, cell - 917-753-1997, or by e-mail: jcondon.ststephens@gmail.com.