King Alfred, King of the West Saxons

King Alfred the Great

King Alfred the Great. From Wikimedia.

O God, who didst raise up King Alfred to serve and minister unto his people: Grant that we, and all our countrymen who bear office in the world, may think lightly of earthly place and honour, and seek rather to do the things that are pleasing . . . → Read More: King Alfred, King of the West Saxons

Saint Crispin and Saint Crispinian, Martyrs

Martyrdom of SS Crispin and Crispinian

Martyrdom of SS Crispin and Crispinian, central panel of tryptich, by Aert van den Bossche (fl. 1490s)

O Lord God, whose Martyrs Crispin and Crispinian laboured with their own hands and suffered all things that the Gospel might not be hindered: Grant us grace that both in deed and endurance we may be . . . → Read More: Saint Crispin and Saint Crispinian, Martyrs

Saint James of Jerusalem

James the Just

James the Just, from the Menologion of Basil II (10th or 11th c.). From Wikipediea.

Grant, we beseech thee, O God, that after the example of thy servant James the Just, brother of our Lord, thy Church may give itself continually to prayer and to the reconciliation of all who are at . . . → Read More: Saint James of Jerusalem

Altar Flowers — Trinity XIX, 2017

Altar Flowers — Trinity XIX, 2017

Altar Flowers — Trinity XIX, 2017

The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

Trinity (celtic knot)

O God, forasmuch as without thee we are not able to please thee: Mercifully grant that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This Week’s Newsletter

new church tower with weathercock-bw

Here is this week’s newsletter: St Stephen’s News XXVIII No 41

Buy a memorial poppy

The armistice that brought an end to “War to End All Wars” was concluded at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. To honor the dead, handmade poppies—simulating the flower that covered so many of the battle fields—were sold to the public. Since then, the poppy has been worn . . . → Read More: Buy a memorial poppy

A year that brings the Curate’s egg to mind

State of the Parish 2016/2017—Part I

Our Parish Meeting takes place between the 9:15 AM and 11:00 AM services on Sunday, October 29th. Here is the first part of the Rector’s State of the Parish Report that will be offered at the meeting. The second part will be published in next week’s newsletter.

Best part . . . → Read More: A year that brings the Curate’s egg to mind

Saint Frideswide

St Frideswide

The Legend of St Frideswide

O God, who didst endue with heavenly grace thy servant Saint Frideswide: Mercifully grant that we, who commemorate her life of charity and holiness, may be fruitful in good works, and attain by thy grace to the reward of the poor in spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. . . . → Read More: Saint Frideswide

Saint Luke

St Luke the Evangelist

St Luke the Evangelist (Icon from the royal gates of the central iconostasis of the Kazan Cathedral in Stt Petersburg), by Vladimir Borovikovsky (1757–1825). From Wikipedia.

Almighty God, who didst inspire thy servant Saint Luke the Physician, to set forth in the Gospel the love and healing power of thy Son: Manifest . . . → Read More: Saint Luke