Sunday is the Second Sunday after Pentecost. We enter into Ordinary Time, and the liturgical color is Green. You may notice that there is no “frontal” on the altar this Season. It is not for any liturgical, theological or spiritual reason. The altar is remarkably beautiful … so we wanted people to be able to appreciate the fine design and craft. Let us give thanks to those who designed, build and carved the altar, and thanks to their teachers, their teachers’ teachers….
Last week we included the citations for the readings for the following Sunday. This week we are including the actual readings, at the bottom. When you get to them … Sit back. Breathe. Read slowly. Breathe. Some may be familiar, some new. Some may be familiar but also seem new. Perhaps you want to spend some moments or minutes repeating or praying with a verse.
Special Prayers for this Sunday, (Adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, page 823)
For those in the Armed Forces of our Country: Almighty God, we remember this day all the men and women who have died in the service of our country. We commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence. And we pray for your healing for all who suffer in mind, body or spirit from injuries sustained in their service.
For those who suffer for the sake of Conscience: O God our Father, whose Son forgave his enemies while he was suffering shame and death: Strengthen those who suffer for the sake of conscience; when they are accused, save them from speaking in hate; when they are rejected, save them from bitterness; when they are imprisoned, save them from despair; and to us your servants, give grace to respect their witness and to discern the truth, that our society may be cleansed and strengthened. This we ask for the sake of Jesus
RURAL AND MIGRANT MINISTRY
MAY 15TH – JUNE 1ST MARCH FOR JUSTICE FOR FARMWORKERS
Over 100 men, women and children have been marching with Rural and Migrant Ministry since May 15th. Along the way they have been joined by many others who have marched for hours or days. Episcopal Parishes along the route have provided food, drinks, places to sleep, showers and especially support, encouragement and prayer. All report this to be a profoundly moving event. People of all colors, faiths, ages, ability, socioeconomic class and immigrant status are making this trek from Long Island to Albany to bring awareness to the plight of farmworkers in our nation and in New York State. Please keep the marchers and this Gospel witness in your prayers. Please visit the website to learn more. http://ruralmigrantministry.org
CALLING ALL GRADUATES: Are you or a family member graduating from any school or program? If so, we would love to include you in the Prayers of the People!! Please e-mail or call the office (admin@goodshepherdny.org 914-248-5631)
BAPTISM next Sunday! Hannah Grace Schulze, daughter of Michelle Flury Schulze and Bob Schulze, and granddaughter of Arlene Flury, will be baptized on Sunday, June 5th.
EPISCOPAL CHARITIES SUNDAY The parish raised $315. THANKS to all.
SUMMER CHURCH SCHOOL: Volunteers Needed! During the summer, we have Craft Church School during the 10 am service. You don’t have to be an artist or craftsperson – just an adult who likes kids and is willing try – you will succeed! Sign up in the breezeway.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL AND SUMMER CAMP – August 26, 27 and 28 for Children and teens – usually the teens want to be counselors. -Further info in the Breezeway
From the Diocese – you are invited to write for the Episcopal New Yorker!
Summer 2016 Mission Issue
Seeking Your Written Contributions and Photo Submissions
Copy Deadline, Monday June 27
~Why do it?
~How to do it successfully?
~What works well?
~What are the challenges?
The Episcopal New Yorker is looking for articles that not only describe what your congregation/organization or its members have done in the way of mission, but reflect on why it is important to you/them as Christians, and what its benefits are for everyone involved.
We also welcome more general reflections on the role and nature of mission in our lives as followers of Jesus Christ.
Main Emphasis: Mission beyond Your Own Community
• Mission Trips
• Missionaries
• Overseas
• Within the United States
• Within the Diocese of New York Secondary Emphasis: Mission within Your Own Community
• Long term, ongoing programs
• Shorter term projects
Photo submissions are welcome. Please include captions and the name of the photographer.
Important! Please consult with the editor before beginning to write.
Article lengths: 450 or 900 words (approximately).
Copy Deadline: Monday, June 27, end of day. Editor: Nicholas Richardson
nrichardson@dioceseny.org 212 316 7520
ORGAN CONCERT MONDAY, JUNE 13th, 7:30 PM St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Bedford, New YorkAn Early Summer Organ Concert ,performed by George Chittenden, Director of Music, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Denedin, New Zealand, To raise funds for renovating the organ at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Armonk Tickets $50, including a reception following the concert, tickets and info: 914-273-3812
READINGS for May 29, 2016 Proper 4 Second Sunday After Pentecost
1 Kings 8:22-23 ,41-43 Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands to heaven. He said, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart. “Likewise when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a distant land because of your name — for they shall hear of your great name, your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm– when a foreigner comes and prays toward this house, then hear in heaven your dwelling place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and so that they may know that your name has been invoked on this house that I have built.”
Psalm 96:1-9
1 Sing to the Lord a new song; *
sing to the Lord, all the whole earth.
2 Sing to the Lord and bless his Name; *
proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations *
and his wonders among all peoples.
4 For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; *
he is more to be feared than all gods.
5 As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; *
but it is the Lord who made the heavens.
6 Oh, the majesty and magnificence of his presence! *
Oh, the power and the splendor of his sanctuary!
7 Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples; *
ascribe to the Lord honor and power.
8 Ascribe to the Lord the honor due his Name; *
bring offerings and come into his courts.
9 Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; *
let the whole earth tremble before him.
Galatians 1:1-12 Paul an apostle– sent neither by human commission nor from human authorities, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead– and all the members of God’s family who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel– not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed! Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ. For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel: Luke 7:1-10 After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us.” And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, `Go,’ and he goes, and to another, `Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, `Do this,’ and the slave does it.” When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.