Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Alpha and Omega window

The “Alpha and Omega” window, located where the original entrance to the church was located, was donated to St. Stephen’s when Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Lisbon, ND closed in the 1990s. This window was added when the new front addition to the church was built in 1998. The plaque for the memorial garden is now located beneath this window.   

"Tree of Life" window

As we prepare for the installation of our second stained glass window in the nave, it’s good to take a look at some of the other windows at St. Stephen’s. The “Tree of Life” window in the Narthex was dedicated on June 19, 2005 in memory of Fr. James Hauan (1930-2002), who was Rector of St. Stephen’s from 1975-1981. 


Monday, June 27, 2016

The week of June 27

Join us this week at St. Stephen’s

Wednesday June 29  
6:00 p.m. – Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie, celebrant/ preacher
Supper at a local restaurant follows

7:00 p.m. – Installation of Pr. Joe Larson of St. Mark’s at Lutheran Social Services.

Friday July 1
Fr. Jamie’s day off

Sunday July 3  – 7 Pentecost
11:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie, celebrant/preacher
Coffee Hour following



Thursday, June 23, 2016

Leo's BBQ

Thank you to Leo and Martha for another rousing success of a BBQ at their home this evening. The turn-out was great, the food was wonderful and the conversation definitely flowed. Thank you again, Leo and Martha. 











Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Requiem Mass




We celebrated a beautiful Requiem Mass tonight for Linda McGuire, with burial in memorial garden following.


Sunday, June 19, 2016

The week of June 20 at St. Stephen's

Join us this week at St. Stephen’s

Wednesday June 22  
6:00 p.m. – Requiem Eucharist for Linda McGuire
Committal of ashes following in the Memorial Garden
Fr. Jamie, celebrant/ preacher
Supper at a local restaurant follows

Thursday June 23  
5:00 - 7:00 p.m. – BBQ at Leo Wilking’s

7:00 p.m. - Vestry meeting

Friday June 24
Fr. Jamie’s day off

Sunday June 26  – 6 Pentecost
11:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist

Coffee Hour following

Monday, June 13, 2016

In the wake of the Pulse Nightclub massacre in Orlando

As I write this, the news has just come out of 50 people filled at Pulse, a gay nightclub in downtown Orlando, Florida.  It is devastating news to hear. Not only are we reeling with news of violence of more gun violence, we are also reeling because of more violence against GLBTQ people.

We, as Christians, find ourselves struggling with news like this. For me, personally, I find myself simply closing up and retreating into a kind of shocked silence. I know it is neither healthy behavior, nor is it helpful. But it is an honest reaction. When I heard the news of the shooting, I was preparing for our Sunday morning celebration of Holy  Eucharist, at which we dedicated our new window of the Good Samaritan. In that service, I preached about Jesus’ commandment to love—love God, love our neighbor, love ourselves. It is hard to find love in our hearts when we are reeling with shock and pain over concentrated violence. But love, we must do, even in the face of such agony.

For me, prayer is the one consolation I have in moments like this. And the prayer I find myself drawn to in moments like this is the Great Litany, found in the Book of Common Prayer. If you have never read (or prayed) this incredible prayer, please do consider turning to page 148 in the BCP and looking at it. One special section of the Litany is called “The Supplication” (BCP p. 152), which can be prayed “especially in times of war, or of national anxiety, or of disaster.”

It was the Supplication I found myself praying in the wake of the Pulse mass murder. Sometimes, in the midst of tragedies like this, my own words in prayer simply do not suffice. That is why I continue to be so grateful for the Book of Common Prayer.

As we continue to process the horrible violence that surrounds, as we struggle to make sense of the murder of innocent people, as we struggle with continued violence against GLBTQ people, I ask you to pray, of course, for the souls of those who have died, pray for the turning of  the hearts of our enemies and pray for peace. I also do invite you to pray the Supplication:
V.     From our enemies defend us, O Christ;
R.     Graciously behold our afflictions.
V.     With pity behold the sorrows of our hearts;
R.     Mercifully forgive the sins of thy people. 

V.     Favorably with mercy hear our prayers;
R.     O Son of David, have mercy upon us.
V.     Both now and ever vouchsafe to hear us, O Christ;
R.     Graciously hear us, O Christ; graciously hear us, O Lord
         Christ. 

Prayers for the soul of Jane Smith

The prayers of St. Stephen’s are requested for the repose of the soul of Jane Smith, mother of Bishop Michael Smith, who has died. Please also keep Bishop Smith and his family in your prayers at this time.
Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord and may Light perpetual shine upon her.
The notice from the Diocese follows:
Dear Diocesan Family,
Bishop Michael and his family received the very sad news last evening that his mother, Jane Smith of Purcell, Oklahoma has died. He and his three siblings are heading to Oklahoma this week, but will wait for a funeral service until later this summer when the extended family can gather.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, the Purcell Senior Center of the Chickasaw Nation, or the charity of your choice.
May Jane, through the mercy of God, rest in peace and rise in glory!

Sunday, June 12, 2016

The week of June 13

Join us this week at St. Stephen’s

Monday June 13  
Ambassador deadline

Wednesday June 15  
6:00 p.m. – Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie, celebrant/ preacher
Supper at a local restaurant follows

Friday June 17
Fr. Jamie’s day off

Sunday June 19  – 5 Pentecost
11:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie, celebrant/preacher

Coffee Hour following

Orlando Shooting Vigil tonight at First UCC in Moorhead

There will be a candlelight community vigil in response to the Orlando shooting tonight at First Congregational United Church of Christ, Moorhead, 7pm. 

Window Dedication and Blessing












Leo Wilking

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Window Dedication and Blessing

Join us this Sunday, June 12th for the Dedication & Blessing of our new
Good Samaritan window
In memory of Leo and Virginia Wilking     Holy Eucharist 11:00 a.m.


Monday, June 6, 2016

The week of June 6

Join us this week at St. Stephen’s

Wednesday June 8  
6:00 p.m. – Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie, celebrant/ preacher
Supper at a local restaurant follows

Friday June 10
Fr. Jamie’s day off

Sunday June 12  – 4 Pentecost
11:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
Dedication of the stained glass window
Fr. Jamie, celebrant/preacher

Coffee Hour following

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

We welcomed former members John and Cheryl Kurki (who moved to Pennsylvania last year) back to St. Stephen’s for Wednesday evening Mass, followed by supper at India Palace. Several  of us were bummed we were unable to get to Sierra McLawhorn’s concern at Moorhead High this evening