SUPPLEMENTARY SHEET FOR SUNDAY 26 DECEMBER 2010
IF THE FEAST OF ST STEPHEN IS CELEBRATED
Introduction
The Church honours Stephen as the first martyr. Today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles
gives an account of Stephen’s death, during which he commends his spirit to Jesus, just as Jesus
commended his life to the Father, and forgave those who took his life.
Sentence
The Most High does not live in houses made with hands, as the prophet says, ‘Heaven is my throne, and
the earth is my footstool, says the Lord’.
Acts 7:48-49
or
Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the
right hand of God. The they cast him out of the city and stoned him.
Acts 7:55,58
Collect
We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of Stephen, the first martyr, who prayed for
his persecutors, and looked to him who was crucified, your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen
Reading Introductions
2 Chronicles 24:17-22. 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah make up a fourth century BC retelling of the
history of Israel as an example of what the kingdom under God was called to be, but often failed to live
up to.
Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-60. In Acts Luke traces the expansion of the church from Jerusalem. The willingness of
Stephen and others to criticise Jewish traditions caused trouble and led to Stephen’s execution.
First Sunday after Christmas – Year A
(Feast of St Stephen)
Matthew 10:17-22. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus’ teaching is gathered in five blocks. In the second of
these, in chapter 10, he instructs the disciples about the nature of discipleship and their mission and
of the cost of that.
Alleluia, Alleluia
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; the Lord God is our light
Alleluia!
Post Communion Prayer
Merciful Lord, we thank you for the signs of your mercy revealed in birth and death:.save us by the
coming of your Son and give us joy in honouring Stephen first martyr of the new Israel; through Jesus
Christ our Lord.
The Blessing:
May Christ the Son of God, born of Mary, fill you with his grace to trust his promises and obey his will;
and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with
you always.
Copyright
Introduction, St Peter’s Cathedral
Collect, A Prayer Book for Australia 1996
Reading Introductions, Ken Booth
Alleluia Verse, The Sunday Missal
Post Communion Sentence Church House Publishin 1997
First Sunday after Christmas – Year A
(Feast of St Stephen)