03. 26 Dec - St Stephen

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VERSION: 9 April 2002

FESTIVAL OF ST STEPHEN, MARTYR

(26 December)

ST STEPHEN

Stephen was one of the seven deacons ordained by the apostles, and he was the first to die for his faith. Like Christ, he prayed for those who killed him and committed his soul into the hands of God. The celebration of this feast was established very early in the church's life, and it is possible that the commemoration occurs on the actual day of Stephen's martyrdom. Medieval commentators suggest that the three days following Christmas reveal the three faces of martyrdom: Stephen, martyr in deed and in will; John, martyr in will but not in deed; the Innocents, martyrs in deed but not in will. The commemoration of the first Christian martyr on the day after Christmas may seem strange to us, but it can be a good antidote for the tendency to sentimentality about Jesus at this time. (Information from Contemporary Worship 6: The Church Year, Calendar and Lectionary, 1973)

LITURGY

SENTENCES

See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder for suggestions on using a Sentence.

Be faithful until death,

and I will give you the crown of life. (Rev 2:10 NRSV)

OR, use the standard Christmas Sentence in the document 'Christmas season', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

OR, use one of the general Sentences in the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

PRAYER OF THE DAY (COLLECT)

Two collects could be used if observing this festival. After using one of the collects for Christmas Day, use one of these collects for the festival of St Stephen.

EITHER, traditional

Merciful God and Father,

you sent your Son

to become a human being

and to redeem us by his suffering and death.

Lead us to follow him with firm faith,

to rejoice and be strong in suffering,

and with your martyr Stephen

to see you in your glory in the life to come.

We ask this through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR, alternative

Heavenly Father,

when we suffer for the truth

give us the strength to follow the example

of your first martyr St Stephen,

by looking to your Son,

who was crucified,

and praying for those who persecute us.

We ask this through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

FIRST READING

2 Chronicles 24:17-22 The stoning of Zechariah

PSALM

Psalm 17:1-9,15

Antiphon:

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God. (Ps 17:6 NRSV)

SECOND READING

Acts 6:8 - 7:2a,51-60 The stoning of Stephen

ALLELUIA VERSE (Acts 7:56)

Alleluia, alleluia.

Stephen said: 'Look, I see heaven opened

and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!' Alleluia.

Alleluia.

GOSPEL

Matthew 23:34-39 Jerusalem stones the prophets sent by God

(Begin: 'Jesus said:')

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The acclamations may be modified as follows.

Glory to you, O Lord, Light of the world.

This is the gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ, Light of the world.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Call to prayer

St Stephen prayed to the Father as he was dying, and he saw Jesus standing at the Father's right hand ready to receive his prayer. Let us now pray to our Father, trusting that our Lord Jesus is interceding for us.

The regular response, OR:

Let your goodness and love be with us,

as we put our trust in you.

Suggested petitions

Concluding prayer

Father, you gave your faithful witness St Stephen strength to suffer and die on account of his faith. When we experience suffering on account of your word and for your name's sake, strengthen us by your Holy Spirit, so that we may remain faithful. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR

Lord Jesus Christ, eternal Son of God, we praise and thank you that you took the form of a servant. You came as one of us to suffer and die in time, that we might live with you in eternity. Yet even as you sought to bring salvation to all, you were a sign that was spoken against. Give your church throughout the world your peace and joy, so that we boldly confess your saving name. When your name causes us to be abused and rejected, lead us to rejoice that we are your people and to forgive those who persecute us - as you forgave those who crucified you. Keep in our hearts your blessed promise, that as the Holy Spirit enables us to confess you before others, so you will confess us before your Father in heaven.

Lord of the church, uphold and defend your faithful missionaries throughout the world and send more workers into the harvest field, so that all people may hear of your salvation. Encourage and strengthen our brothers and sisters who are persecuted for your name's sake. Guide and bless ______, our general president; ___________, our district president; _______________, our pastor(s), so that the world's redemption through your shed blood may always be proclaimed.

Lord Jesus, you are always gracious and compassionate. Look with mercy on those who suffer in any way. Comfort all who mourn (including the family of _____________) with your victory over death for all who trust in you. If it is your will, bless and heal (_____________ and) all who are sick or injured. Lord of life, defend pregnant women and their unborn children from all harm. Bless the homes of your people throughout the world and make them havens of your blessing and peace. Teach us true humility, so that we may love and serve those who are in need and those who are unloving.

Lord, you reign with justice over heaven and earth. Give wisdom to our national and state parliaments; and to all who make and administer laws. Protect all who serve in the armed forces of our land, especially those who are far from home, and give them courage to serve honestly.

Saviour of the world, defend us from all calamity. Prepare us for death by opening our eyes to see your salvation as you come to us in the word of forgiveness, in holy baptism, and in your body and blood in the holy supper. Let us live in your blessed peace no matter how the devil and the world rage, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

SEASONAL PREFACE

The preface for Christmas is used at this festival.

It is indeed right and good,

Lord God, holy Father,

that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks to you,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

You have revealed your glorious presence to us

in a new way

through the mystery of the Word made flesh,

so that as we see you in your Son,

we are drawn to love you

whom we cannot see.

And so, with angels and archangels,

and with all the company of heaven,

we adore and praise your glorious name:

COMMUNION INVITATION

Jesus says: 'I am the living bread

that came down from heaven.

The bread that I will give you is my flesh,

which I give so that the world may live.'

(Thanks be to God.)

Come, everything is ready.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

For a post-communion prayer, see the document 'Christmas season', under 'Prayer after communion', in the 'General and seasonal' folder. Alternatively, use the following prayer.

We give thanks to you, Almighty God,

that you have refreshed us through this healing gift;

and we pray that through it you would strengthen our faith,

so that we may rejoice and be strong in suffering,

and with your martyr Stephen

see you in your glory in the life to come.

We ask this through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

SEASONAL BLESSING

This seasonal blessing is used together with (ie before) the usual blessing in the order of service.

(May) Christ the Son of God give you joy and peace by his presence with you; . . .

HYMNS AND SONGS

FOR THE READINGS

Please note:        * =        Modernised version available

      G3, G4 . . . =        Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . .

      GS =        Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH

First reading: 2 Chronicles 24:17-22

-

Second reading: Acts 6:8 - 7:2a,51-60

LHS

AT

TIS

Gospel: Matthew 23:34-39

LHS

AT

-

TIS

Any setting of the Te Deum

PSALM 17:1-9,15

For settings of Psalm 17:1-7,15, see Music Package 3, and for a setting of Psalm 17:1-9, see Music Package 9.

For a version of Psalm 17:1,5,6,8,15, see TIS 6 Lord, hear a cause that is just.

GOOD KING WENCESLAS

The Christmas carol 'Good King Wenceslas' is about something that happened on St Stephen's day, but it is not necessarily appropriate for the service on this day.

OTHER HYMNS

LH 113 and TIS 228 'Crown him with many crowns' may be suitable, noting that the name 'Stephen' means 'crown'.

Hymns from the 'Church militant' and 'Church triumphant' sections of the Lutheran Hymnal may be appropriate (195-214), or 'All hail the power of Jesus' name' (LH 166).

The Church's Year index in Together in Song suggests TIS 224 'All hail the power of Jesus' name' and 562 'I'm not ashamed to own my Lord'.

BY ALL YOUR SAINTS

Horatio Bolton Nelson wrote this hymn which has various middle verses for various minor festival occasions. It may be sung to the tune Nyland (LH 16), or to King's Lynn (LBW 177, 178; LW 193, 194; TIS 249). The first and last verses given below are as they appear in Lutheran Worship and Lutheran Book of Worship; the middle verse is Nelson's original that has been slightly modernised. The first line of verse 1 could be changed to: 'By saints on earth who struggle'.

By all your saints in warfare,

for all your saints at rest,

your holy name, O Jesus,

for evermore be blest!

For you have won the battle

that they might wear the crown;

and now they shine in glory

reflected from your throne.

Praise for the first of martyrs,

who saw you rise and stand

to help in time of torment,

to plead at God's right hand.

Those who in death stay steadfast,

and still their master own,

with ev'ry faithful witness,

will wear the martyr's crown.

Then let us praise the Father,

and worship God the Son,

and sing to God the Spirit,

eternal Three-in-one,

till all the ransomed number

fall down before the throne,

ascribing power and glory,

and praise to God alone.

VISUAL

SYMBOL

The usual symbol for St Stephen is a crown, representing the 'crown of life' and the meaning of his Greek name.