NURSERY SERVICES

10:30 a.m. Service Each Sunday, Downstairs In The Parish House.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Lesson and communion.

BIBLE STUDIES

Sundays in the Parish House Library

led by Don Block

9:15 AM - 10:00 AM

Monthly Study @ The Sprenkels “First Fridays”

6 - 8 PM Selected Biblical Passages

Next: February 7th

Call Mel or Dave Sprenkel if you are interested, at

412-362-8025.

1122 Portland Street, Highland Park.

Please let us know if you need a ride.

You are invited!

Epiphany

January 19, 2014 Second Sunday after Epiphany The Rev. Nancy (Nano) Chalfant-Walker, Rector

Parish Services

St. Stephen’s Weekly St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Wilkinsburg, PA

Parish Administrator General Office Hours

8:30 AM to 12:30 PM Tues. - Fri.

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

MISSION OF THE MONTH Shepherd’s Heart

FOOD OF THE MONTH Non-perishable foods

Dear Ones, Liturgically, we are now in the season “after Epiphany.” The word Epiphany comes from a Greek word meaning “manifestation” or “showing” or “shining forth” - used especially of the presence of God showing up in a visible way. Jesus, of course, is our Epiphany of God. The season begins with God’s revelation to the gentile Magi who come to worship Jesus as the light of the world. It moves on to reflect on the revelation of Jesus’ identity as the Father’s beloved Son in his baptism. It ends with the account of Jesus’ Transfiguration when his identity as beloved Son is again affirmed. In between, we are once again in “ordinary time” - during which our readings draw us to consider how we are members of Jesus’ Body and as people who are called to imitate him in all that we do should live and act in the world - bringing the light of Christ to all we come in contact with. It surely is fitting that annually we celebrate Martin Luther King’s life during the season of Epiphany. His life was spend in service to his Lord and to his calling to be a witness for truth and justice and peace and mercy. He - and countless other saints - stood up to prejudice and hatred and unjust laws at great cost to themselves. He was a man who, as our Lord asks us all to, sought first the kingdom of God and God’s righteousness. We, here at St. Stephen’s, are called to imitate Christ in all we do. Over the next weeks, consider what it means to be Jesus’ disciples and ask for his strength to follow where he leads. On another note, next week is our annual meeting following the 10:30 service. We will gather to look at the year past and look to the year ahead - not to mention the important work of electing the vestry. Please make every effort to attend. Your sister in Christ, Nancy +

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PARISH STAFF

CLERGY

Rector The Rev. Nancy Chalfant-Walker 412-243-6100

NYOP OFFICE 412-243-6101

Program Dir. Tony Jackson

PARISH STAFF

Music Ministry, Soon Choi

Financial Admin., Pat Woodley Administrator,

Minister Paula V. Cooper Sexton, Greg Gent

ARCHIVIST Archivist & Historian,

Edgar Taylor

WORSHIP SERVICES SUNDAY

8:00 am & 10:30 am

St. Stephen’s Episcopal 600 Pitt Street

Wilkinsburg, PA

Church E-mail: ststephenswilk@verizon.net

Tel: 412-243-6100 Fax: 412-243-6105

Website: www.ststephenswilkinsburg.org

In Our Prayers

Pray for the Church —

In the Anglican Communion: The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby; The Church of Bangladesh and The Most Reverend Paul Sarker ; and The Episcopal Church and Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori.

Our sister churches: Our brothers and sisters in the ACNA Diocese of Pittsburgh; The Christians of Southern Sudan and the Central African Republic.

In the Diocese: The Rt. Rev. Dorsey McConnell; Non-parochial clergy, including the Rev. Todd Brewer, the Rev. Cynthia Bronson Sweigert, the Rev. Dr. Peter Davids, the Rev. Mabel Fanguy, the Rev. Daniel Hall, M.D., the Rev. Paul Johnston, the Rev. Terrence Johnston; and St. James, Episcopal Church, Penn Hills, and The Rev. Eric McIntosh.

In St. Stephen’s: Gisele, Nicole, Matthew and Michele Cresanta-Hoover; Lorrie Curtis; The

Coffee Hour Ministry; NYOP; and The Sanctuary Project.

Pray for the nation and the world – President Barack Obama, Congress, The Men and Women serving in the Armed Forces, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan; for the stewardship of the earth’s resources and a wise response to climate change.

Pray for the local community - Wilkinsburg Community Ministries; Mayor and The Borough Council of Wilkins burg; the end to violent crime; Wilkinsburg School District and Woodland Hills School District; and those who are homeless.

Pray for those who suffer or are in any kind of trouble -

Sally Novak Ben Anne Etienne Janet Haston Bill Garver Sherry Shirley Arlene Liz Mikszan Joel Brown Fran Nancy Shook Judy Pat Woodley Nick Dick Morris Alexander Murph Anita Hoye Jill Harry Blair Lou Nancy Bielicki Janet Mason Michael Romey Walter Scott Alice and David Bragdon Allene Newland Johnny Cowan John Booker Prayers for the sick can be found in the Prayer Book on p.458. You are welcome to call Allene Newland (412-371-7417) to have the Prayer Chain pray with you.

Pray for the departed -

January Birthdays & Anniversaries

Maria Sprenkel - 1/3 · John Booker, Jr. - 1/9 · Richard Moore - 1/11 · Beth Hardie - 1/24

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WEEKLY GROUPS MEETING AT ST. STEPHEN’S

MONDAY—FRIDAY 2:30 TO 6:00 PM NYOP (During the school year) EVERY THIRD TUESDAY—5:30 TO 7:00 PM Pittsburgh Housing Development Associates

EVERY OTHER TUESDAY 6:00 TO 7:30 PM Girl Scouts EVERY WEDNESDAY 7:00 PM Choir Practice in Choir Room EVERY WEDNESDAY: 7:30 P.M. Alcoholic Anonymous (AA)

EVERY THURSDAY 7:30 to 8:30 PM Narcotics Anonymous (NA) EVERY SATURDAY: 10:00 A.M Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

Our Rector’s contact Information: Rev. Nancy (Nano) Chalfant-Walker, 33 Thorn St. Sewickley, PA 15143 Home: 412-741-1281 Cell: 412-716-7364 E-mail: nanojon@gmail.com

Dick Morris Willows of Presbyterian Senior Care 1215 Hulton Rd Oakmont, PA 15139

Sally Novak 822 Wood Street Apt. 45 Wilkinsburg, PA 15221

Betsy Frey Schenley Gardens Rehab Center 3890 Bigelow Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Anne Etienne Country Meadows 3570 Washington Pike Bridgeville, PA 15017

Althea Miller 4931 Nettleton Apt. 2316 Medina, OH 44256

Our Shut Ins

DO YOU WANT TO SPONSOR FLOWERS FOR THE ALTARS?

It’s easy, we are providing several methods to be a sponsor for your convenience. There is a calendar hanging in sanctuary-near Franklin Street door-for you to place the date on the month that you want to sponsor the flowers. You can also make your order by calling or e-mailing the office. After you have made your notification, you would indicate your reason or dedication of the flowers. The high altar flowers are $30.00 and the chapel altar flowers are $20.00. Envelopes are available beneath the calendar to place your payment and your reason or dedication for the flowers. The envelopes can be placed in the offering plate and are due in the office 2 weeks in advance of the service you want the flowers presented. You may take the flowers with you following that particular service.

THE STAFF EXTENDS A WARM THANK-YOU FOR THE LOVELY AND THOUGHTFUL

CHRISTMAS GIFTS!!

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HELP US SPREAD THE NEWS

SERVING YOU TODAY

LAYREADERS: Lessons/Chalice 1: Gerry Dalton Psalm/Prayers/Chalice 2: Cathie Wilkie ALTAR GUILD: Melissa McDonough, Gerry Dalton, Beth Hardie, Joann & Bill Rau, Karen Teulle, Jon Walker, Cathy Ritts

COUNTERS: Beth Hardie, Rege Hickman COFFEE HOUR:

Altar Flowers:

Jan. 19th - Lesson and communion Jan. 26th - Lesson and fun activities in gym Feb. 2nd - Youth Sunday and coffee hour fundraiser for Baby Musa Feb. 9th - Lesson and fun activities in gym Feb. 16th - Lesson and communion Feb. 23rd - Lesson and fun activities in gym March 2nd - Youth Sunday March 9th - Lent: lesson and fun activities in gym March 16th - Lent: lesson and communion

Reading God’s Word

We grow best when we are nourished by a steady diet of God’s word. Reading the Bible daily is an important habit to develop. Scripture is best when it is well chewed over and digested, so one good way to get into the habit of reading the Bible is to take time to read the Sunday readings several times during the week.

Readings for next Sunday: Isaiah 9:1-4

1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Matthew 4:12-23 Psalm 27:1, 5-13

DO YOU HAVE PICTURES OF CHURCH EVENTS/

ACTIVITIES THAT YOU WOULD LOVE TO SHARE?

If so, can you send them electronically to the church (ststephenswilk@verizon.net). We want to gather pictures that can be placed on one of our future communication medium. Thanks to Don Block, our website has been launched with updated information!! We are working on activating a FB page.

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FOOD FOR BODY

AND SOUL

Scripture and Soup

Our Wednesday evening Bible Study has begun!

NOW until February 26 6:00 – 7:00 pm

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ANNUAL MEETING!

THE ANNUAL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON

SUNDAY, JANUARY 26TH AT NOON

LUNCH WILL BE SERVED

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SEASONS OF THE CHURCH - EPIPHANY TIDE Each of the stained glass windows in the west wall - Pitt St. side of the church building - provide a picture which gives the message and symbols of a particular season of the church year. As one enters the main doors of the church on the right there are the three stained - glass windows depicting the scenes of Advent Tide, Christmas Tide, and Epiphany Tide. To the left in this group of three windows is the message of Epiphany Tide - the three wise men - Magi or Kings - riding on their camels from the East. "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem." (King James Version, Matthew 2:1) The camels are loaded with boxes holding the gifts for the Christ child, gold “symbolizing Christ's immortality and purity”, frankincense “symbolizing prayer and sacrifice”, and myrrh “symbolizing mortality” used later in wrapping his body for the tomb. (Matthew 2: 11)Their camels are moving toward a bright star - the Advent star, its rays shining down on what appears to be a stable. (“Epiphany commemorates Christ’s first manifestation to the gentiles as the promised Messiah, symbolized by the visit of the Wise Men”. Some astronomers have suggested that the star was the bright planet Venus.) The shield beneath this window is this bright star - five pointed - with shining rays. (One interpretation of five is that “it is the number of grace.” ) [This window was given in memory of Minnie Agnes Rowe (1882-1949)] Respectfully submitted, Ed Taylor, St. Stephen's Historian and Archivist

ABSALOM JONES DAY

CELEBRATION

The Rev. Dr. Canon Sandye A. Wilson

Saturday, February 2, 2014 10:00 am-3:00 pm Trinity Cathedral

328 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Questions? Contact Nancy Travis Bolden @ 412-683-8888

or nltbolden@yahoo.com Deadline registration: January 27, 2014

(bulletin inserted)

HELP US SPREAD THE NEWS Page 7

MISSION OF THE MONTH

SHEPHERD’S HEART FELLOWSHIP

As followers of Jesus Christ we are committed to worship in Spirit and in Truth, raising up true worshipers in the church. We feed the hungry, the homeless, the poor, and the addicted, with God's Word and food every weekday morning in our Drop-In Center. The homeless have a place to take showers and wash their clothes. We are a congregation of the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh - One Church of Miraculous Expectation and Missionary Grace. We provide transitional housing for homeless veterans in our Shepherd's Heart Veteran's Home. The second floor of the church provides 15 beds, a kitchen, a living room, showers, and a computer room for those who have served our country.

Martin Luther King Day

Monday, January 20, 2014

St. Stephen’s will be hosting the annual Martin Luther King Day

March and Worship Service. The March for Peace begins at

9:30 at St. Stephen’s.

The Worship Service is at 11:00 AM

THE BELOVED COMMUNITY OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

“The Beloved Community” is a term that was first coined in the early days of the 20th Century by the philosopher-theologian Josiah Royce, who founded the Fellowship of Reconciliation. However, it was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., also a member of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, who popularized the term and invested it with a deeper meaning which has captured the imagination of people of good will all over the world.

For Dr. King, The Beloved Community was not a lofty utopian goal to be confused with the rapturous image of the Peaceable Kingdom, in which lions and lambs coexist in idyllic harmony. Rather, The Beloved Community was for him a realistic, achievable goal that could be attained by a critical mass of people committed to and trained in the philosophy and methods of nonviolence.

Dr. King’s Beloved Community is a global vision, in which all people can share in the wealth of the earth. In the Beloved Community, poverty, hunger and homelessness will not be tolerated because international standards of human decency will not allow it. Racism and all forms of discrimination, bigotry and prejudice will be replaced by an all-inclusive spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood. In the Beloved Community, international disputes will be resolved by peaceful conflict-resolution and reconciliation of adversaries, instead of military power. Love and trust will triumph over fear and hatred. Peace with justice will prevail over war and military conflict.

Dr. King’s Beloved Community was not devoid of interpersonal, group or international conflict. Instead he recognized that conflict was an inevitable part of human experience. But he believed that conflicts could be resolved peacefully and adversaries could be reconciled through a mutual, determined commitment to nonviolence. No conflict, he believed, need erupt in violence. And all conflicts in The Beloved Community should end with reconciliation of adversaries cooperating together in a spirit of friendship and goodwill.

As early as 1956, Dr. King spoke of The Beloved Community as the end goal of nonviolent boycotts. As he said in a speech at a victory rally following the announcement of a favorable U.S. Supreme Court Decision desegregating the seats on Montgomery’s busses, “the end is reconciliation; the end is redemption; the end is the creation of the Beloved Community. It is this type of spirit and this type of love that can transform opponents into friends. It is this type of understanding goodwill that will transform the deep gloom of the old age into the exuberant gladness of the new age. It is this love which will bring about miracles in the hearts of men.”

An ardent student of the teachings of Mohandas K. Gandhi, Dr. King was much impressed with the Mahatma’s befriending of his adversaries, most of whom professed profound admiration for Gandhi’s courage and intellect. Dr. King believed that the age-old tradition of hating one’s opponents was not only immoral, but bad strategy which perpetuated the cycle of revenge and retaliation. Only nonviolence, he believed, had the power to break the cycle of retributive violence and create lasting peace through reconciliation.

In a 1957 speech, Birth of A New Nation, Dr. King said, “The aftermath of nonviolence is the creation of the beloved community. The aftermath of nonviolence is redemption. The aftermath of nonviolence is reconciliation. The aftermath of violence is emptiness and bitterness.” A year later, in his first book Stride Toward Freedom, Dr. King reiterated the importance of nonviolence in attaining The Beloved Community. In other words, our ultimate goal is integration, which is genuine inter-group and inter-personal living. Only through nonviolence can this goal be attained, for the aftermath of nonviolence is reconciliation and

the creation of the beloved community.

In his 1959 Sermon on Gandhi, Dr. King elaborated on the after-effects of choosing nonviolence over violence: “The aftermath of nonviolence is the creation of the beloved community, so that when the battle’s over, a new relationship comes into being between the oppressed and the oppressor.” In the same sermon, he contrasted violent versus nonviolent resistance to oppression. “The way of acquiescence leads to moral and spiritual suicide. The way of violence leads to bitterness in the survivors and brutality in the destroyers. But, the way of non-violence leads to redemption and the creation of the beloved community.”

The core value of the quest for Dr. King’s Beloved Community was agape love. Dr. King distinguished between three kinds of love: eros, “a sort of aesthetic or romantic love”; philia, “affection between friends” and agape, which he described as “understanding, redeeming goodwill for all,” an “overflowing love which is purely spontaneous, unmotivated, groundless and creative”…”the love of God operating in the human heart.” He said that “Agape does not begin by discriminating between worthy and unworthy people…It begins by loving others for their sakes” and “makes no distinction between a friend and enemy; it is directed toward both…Agape is love seeking to preserve and create community.”

In his 1963 sermon, Loving Your Enemies, published in his book, Strength to Love, Dr. King addressed the role of unconditional love in struggling for the beloved Community. ‘With every ounce of our energy we must continue to rid this nation of the incubus of segregation. But we shall not in the process relinquish our privilege and our obligation to love. While abhorring segregation, we shall love the segregationist. This is the only way to create the beloved community.”

One expression of agape love in Dr. King’s Beloved Community is justice, not for any one oppressed group, but for all people. As Dr. King often said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” He felt that justice could not be parceled out to individuals or groups, but was the birthright of every human being in the Beloved Community. I have fought too long hard against segregated public accommodations to end up segregating my moral concerns,” he said. “Justice is indivisible."

In a July 13, 1966 article in Christian Century Magazine, Dr. King affirmed the ultimate goal inherent in the quest for the Beloved Community: "I do not think of political power as an end. Neither do I think of economic power as an end. They are ingredients in the objective that we seek in life. And I think that end or that objective is a truly brotherly society, the creation of the beloved community"

In keeping with Dr. King’s teachings, The King Center embraces the conviction that the Beloved Community can be achieved through an unshakable commitment to nonviolence. We urge you to study Dr. King’s six principles and six steps of nonviolence, and make them a way life in your personal relationships, as well as a method for resolving social, economic and political conflicts, reconciling adversaries and advancing social change in your community, nation and world. With your help and God’s blessing, let us resolve to make The Beloved Community a glowing reality in the 21st Century.

The King Center. http://www.thekingcenter.org/ProgServices/Default.aspx