Author Archives: ststephensmckeesport

Holy week schedule

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“From early times Christians have observed the week before Easter as a time of special devotion … They formed processions, worshipped where Christ suffered and died, and venerated relics.

“From this beginning evolved the rites we observe on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. These services provide a liturgical experience of the last days of Jesus’ earthly life, as well as the time and events leading up to his resurrection.” (source)

Everyone from the Mon Valley area is invited to celebrate Holy Week with us at St. Stephen’s, including visitors, travelers, former parishioners and those without a church. In addition, all baptized Christians are welcome to receive Communion in the Episcopal Church.

Maundy Thursday (March 29): Agape meal at 6:30 p.m., with service and stripping of the altar to follow

Good Friday (March 30): Liturgy at 12 noon; private confessions will be heard after the service, until 3 p.m.

Easter Sunday (April 1): Rite I service at 8 a.m., Rite II service at 10 a.m.

Info session planned on diocese property settlement

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The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh will sponsor an informational gathering at 7 p.m. March 22 to discuss the recently announced agreement between the diocese and eight churches in the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh.
 
The event will be at Church of the Redeemer, 5700 Forbes Avenue in Squirrel Hill.
 
Bishop Dorsey McConnell and diocesan chancellor, Andy Roman, will be present to answer questions.
 
More information on the agreement is available here.
 

“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Or McKeesport?

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Sermon for the Second Sunday after Epiphany
The Rev. Brandon Mozingo, deacon-in-charge, St. Stephen’s

Readings:

  • 1 Samuel 3:1-20
  • Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
  • 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
  • John 1:43-51

If you’ve read or watched or listened to the news in the past few days, you have no doubt heard about President Trump calling El Salvador, Haiti, and the continent of Africa “dirtholes.” Well… the word wasn’t “dirtholes.” It was a different kind of “hole.” But, it’s not a word I feel comfortable saying from the pulpit. I won’t say it from the pulpit because the word is base and vulgar, and it only serves to separate and disconnect people.

But, here’s what I also won’t do from the pulpit. I won’t preach a political sermon which would also only serve to separate and disconnect this community. And I won’t preach a sermon which is little more than an attacking polemic against a single person’s actions.

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