ONLINE PARISH NOTES

Sunday 28 December 2014

Stoning of Saint Stephen
Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493

FROM THE RECTOR

Merry Christmas to one and all! We need to be mindful that Christmas is not one day but a twelve-day liturgical season, extending from December 25, the Feast of the Nativity, to January 5, the Eve of the Feast of the Epiphany. Along the way we have many opportunities to reflect upon the meaning of the season: from the commemoration of our Patron, Saint Stephen, on December 26 (and again for us at the principal Mass on December 28), to the Feasts of Saint John (December 27) and the Holy Innocents (December 28 -- this year transferred to the 29th), to the Holy Name (a.k.a. the Circumcision) of our Lord on New Year's Day. Make a note of the days and times of our liturgical observances and come join us if you can -- this is the real way to celebrate the Christmas Season!  -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

First Sunday after Christmas, Year B – 8 am
Isaiah 61:10—62:3, Psalm 147:13-21, Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7,
John 1:1-18

Saint Stephen, Deacon & Martyr – 10 am
Jeremiah 26:1-9, 12-15, Acts 6:8-7:2a, 51c-60, Matthew 23:34-39

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Holy Innocents (December 28) -- is transferred like most major feasts falling on a Sunday to the first open day of the week, namely tomorrow, Monday 29 December, at the 5:30 pm Evening Prayer and 6 pm Mass.

The Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ – On Thursday 1 January we celebrate this Principal Feast of the Church Year with Morning Prayer at 9 am and Low Mass at 9:30. All practicing Church members should make an effort to attend Mass on this and the other Principal Feasts of the Church Year if they are able.

New Year’s Day Dinner – Once again we will offer our annual New Year’s Day Dinner for those in need, this Thursday 1 January 2015. If you can help, please contact coordinator Sue Brazil at Sueb265@hotmail.com, or the parish office at 421-6702 ext. 1 or office@sstephens.necoxmail.com. We are hoping to put together “Essentials Bags” for our guests, containing toothpaste, toothbrushes, personal soaps, deodorants, tissues, etc. We welcome any and all donations for this purpose, as well as new scarves, mittens, hats and socks. For I was hungry, and you gave me food: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you welcomed me … (Matthew 25:35).

Society of Mary – will meet this Saturday 3 January for 9 am Morning Prayer, 9:30 Mass, then recitation of the Rosary. Breakfast and a program on the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary will follow. Everyone is invited.

The Epiphany – looking ahead, we will be undertaking a joint celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany at St. John's Church in Newport at 6:30 pm on Tuesday 6 January. Fr. Alexander will be the preacher. Please plan on joining us. If you need a ride or are willing to offer a ride to others, please contact Robert Armidon at 571-235-6866 or armidon_72@hotmail.com.

The Nominations Committee – is pleased to announce the following slate of candidates for election at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 25, 2015. Vestry (four-year term)—Nancy Gingrich; Treasurer (one-year term)—Ransom Widmer; Clerk (one-year term)—Phoebe Pettingell; Delegates to Diocesan Convention (one-year term)—John Chamberlin, Frank Pisaturo; Alternates to Diocesan Convention (one-year term)—Sandra Bartlett, Richard Noble. The Rector has also nominated Tom Bledsoe for election as Senior Warden (three-year) term, to succeed Richard Noble whose second term as Senior Warden expires in 2015.

Baptismal Day – Our next “Baptismal Day” is January 11, 2015, the First Sunday after the Epiphany, commemorating the Baptism of Christ, one of the occasions of the liturgical year when we schedule baptisms at the principal Sunday Mass at 10 am; and if there are no baptisms we renew our baptismal vows. If you know anyone who is interested in being baptized, or having a child baptized, please let one of the clergy know immediately.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Maggie, Nicholas, Jonno, Nancy, Patrick, Will, Townsend, Norman, Andrea, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Harrington, Davaughn, Richard, Beverly, Tom, Mabel, Deborah, Stephen, Michael, Richard, Colin, Sandy, Beverly, Angela, Rhoda, Ned, Henry, James, Richard, Lynne, Dianne, Kathleen, and Richard.

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: John Seville Higgins, Bishop (28 December 1992), Detlev Schumann (29 December 1986), and Nancy Jean Donaldson Pettingell (2 January 2010).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for pray the Church in Kushtia - (Bangladesh): The Rt. Rev’d Sunil Mankhin; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of S. Stephen’s, Providence; St. John’s, Barrington; St. John’s, Newport and The Chapel of St. John the Divine, Saunderstown.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC S Brazil; SD R Noble; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer L Bledsoe; Torches DO Latimer, L Hooks
Lector – W Dilworth
Ushers – L Verdelotti, J Steiny
Coffee Hour – L Latimer & E Hooks

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Thursday 1 January
Annual New Year’s Day Dinner 12 – 1:30 pm

Saturday 3 January
Society of Mary (following Mass & Rosary)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 3 January
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 28 December
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am -- FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS (W)
Sung Mass10 am -- SAINT STEPHEN, DEACON & MARTYR (R)

Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Christmastide, Year 1

Monday 29 December
THE HOLY INNOCENTS (Transferred) (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 30 December
Proper for December 30 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 31 December
Proper for December 31
Sylvester, Bishop of Rome, 335 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 1 January
THE HOLY NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (THE CIRCUMCISION) (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Friday 2 January
Proper for January 2
Seraphim of Sarov, Monk, Spiritual Guide, 1833 (W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 3 January
Proper for January 3 (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Holy Rosary 10 am

Sunday 4 January
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS (W)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (January 4)

Second Sunday after Christmas, Year B
Jeremiah 31:7-14, Psalm 84:1-8, Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-19a, Luke 2:41-52

ONLINE PARISH NOTES

Sunday 21 December 2014

John William Waterhouse, Annunciation, 1914

FROM THE RECTOR

The time of Christ's coming draws near. The angel Gabriel is sent to a Virgin in the hill country of Galilee, and the virgin's name is Mary. Join us on the Fourth Sunday of Advent as we continue our spiritual preparations to greet the Christ Child when he comes.
-- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Advent IV, Year B
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26, Romans 16:25-27,
Luke 1:26-38

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Saint Thomas the Apostle (December 21) – a major Holy Day of the Church year, is transferred this year to Monday 22 December, and will be kept with Evening Prayer at 5:30 and Low Mass at 6 pm.

Christmas Decorations – We will decorate the church for Christmas today after the late coffee hour; feel free to join in this festive tradition, even if you haven’t signed on. Many hands make light work, and what wonderful work it is!

Wednesday Afternoon Tea – will not be offered for the next two weeks (December 24 and December 31). We will resume on Wednesday 7 January.

Schedule of Christmas Services – Christmas Eve: (Wednesday, 24 December) Christmas Pageant & Family Mass - 5:30 pm. Solemn Mass of the Nativity -10:30 pm. Christmas Day: (Thursday, 25 December) Morning Prayer 9 am, Low Mass 9:30 am. Please note: the regularly scheduled Wednesday Evening Prayer and Low Mass will not be offered on Christmas Eve.

New Year’s Day Dinner – Once again we offer our annual New Year’s Day Dinner for those in need, on Thursday 1 January 2015. If you can help, please contact coordinator Sue Brazil at Sueb265@hotmail.com, or the parish office at 421-6702 ext. 1 or office@sstephens.necoxmail.com. We are hoping to put together “Essentials Bags” for our guests, containing toothpaste, toothbrushes, personal soaps, deodorants, tissues, etc. We welcome any and all donations for this purpose, as well as new scarves, mittens, hats and socks. For I was hungry, and you gave me food: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you welcomed me… (Matthew 25:35).

The Nominations Committee – is pleased to announce the following slate of candidates for election at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 25, 2015. Vestry, one four-year term—Nancy Gingrich; Treasurer, one one-year term—Ransom Widmer; Clerk, one one-year term—Phoebe Pettingell; Delegates to Diocesan Convention, two one-year terms—John Chamberlin, Frank Pisaturo; Alternates to Diocesan Convention, two one-year terms—Sandra Bartlett, Richard Noble.

Nomination of Senior Warden – According to the S. Stephen’s parish by-laws, the Rector nominates a candidate or candidates for election as Senior Warden (three-year term) at the Annual Parish Meeting. At Tuesday’s vestry meeting, Fr. Alexander announced that he is nominating Tom Bledsoe to succeed Richard Noble, whose second term as Senior Warden ends in 2015.

Baptismal Day – Our next “Baptismal Day” is January 11, 2015, the First Sunday after the Epiphany, commemorating the Baptism of Christ, one of the occasions of the liturgical year when we schedule baptisms at the principal Sunday Mass at 10 am; and if there are no baptisms we renew our baptismal vows. If you know anyone who is interested in being baptized, or having a child baptized, please let one of the clergy know.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Maggie, Nicholas, Jonno, Nancy, Patrick, Will, Townsend, Norman, Andrea, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Harrington, Davaughn, Richard, Beverly, Tom, Mabel, Deborah, Stephen, Michael, Richard, Colin, Sandy, Beverly, Angela, Rhoda, Ned, Henry, James, Richard, Lynne, Dianne, Kathleen, and Richard.

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Kathleen Herbert Congdon (22 December 2005), George Wightman Williams (24 December 2004), Frances S. Sloan (26 December 1993), Mary Gowdey (27 December 1992), and Albert E. Godfrey (27 December 1993); Recently Departed: Nelson Skinner, SSC, Priest, and Robert C. Crawley, SSC, Bishop

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for pray the Church in Kontagora - (Lokoja, Nigeria): The Rt. Rev’d Jonah Ibrahim; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. Thomas, Greenville and of St. Thomas, Alton.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC S Brazil; SD W Dilworth; Thurifer L Bledsoe; Crucifer L Verdelotti; Torches L Hooks, C Sylvia
Lector – P Pettingell
Ushers – P Pettingell, T Bledsoe
Coffee Hour – K Vorbeck Williams

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Sunday 21 December
Acolyte Rehearsal for Christmas Eve Midnight Mass (9 am)
Church Decorations (following the 10 am coffee hour)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 27 December
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 21 December
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Blue)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am

Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Advent IV, Year 1

Monday 22 December
SAINT THOMAS THE APOSTLE (Transferred) (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 23 December
Proper for December 23 (V)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 24 December
CHRISTMAS EVE (W)
Children’s Pageant and Low Mass 5:30 pm
Solemn Mass of the Nativity 10:30 pm

Thursday 25 December
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Friday 26 December
SAINT STEPHEN, DEACON & MARTYR (R)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 27 December
ST. JOHN, APOSTLE & EVANGELIST (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Sunday 28 December
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am -- FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS (W)
Sung Mass10 am -- SAINT STEPHEN, DEACON & MARTYR (R)

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (December 28)

Christmas I, Year B – 8 am
Isaiah 61:10—62:3, Psalm 147:13-21, Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7, John 1:1-18

Saint Stephen, Deacon & Martyr – 10 am
Jeremiah 26:1-9, 12-15, Acts 6:8-7:2a, 51c-60, Matthew 23:34-39

ONLINE PARISH NOTES

Sunday 14 December 2014

Christ and John the Baptist (Detail of Deesis Mosaic),
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, c. 1261

FROM THE RECTOR

John the Baptist is the subject of countless artistic depictions in every era of Church history. Clearly, the Christian theological and spiritual tradition considers him a central figure in the Gospel narrative of salvation. Yet, in the Church calendar, the appointed Gospel readings focus our attention on John the Baptist only three Sundays each year: the Second and Third Sundays of Advent, and the Sunday after the Epiphany (the Baptism of Christ). It's worth our while to pay close attention to the figure of the Baptist on these Sundays, to learn what he has to teach us.

The Gospels are clear that John the Baptist is not the Messiah but the one sent ahead of the Messiah to announce his coming and prepare his way. As this Sunday's Gospel puts it, "he was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light." The principal way in which John fulfills his mission, as we heard last Sunday, is by preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. That is, he prepares the people of Israel to receive their Messiah by calling them to confess and repent of their sins.

A key component of preparation for the coming of the Lord -- at Christmas, at the end of time, and here and now -- is confessing our sins. We can do this privately, in our own personal prayers. But many people find it an enormous help to confess their sins to a priest and receive counsel and absolution in the context of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. If you would like to make your confession before Christmas, please speak with Fr. Sawicky or me to arrange a day and time. Don't worry if you've never made your confession before. We will be glad to guide and help you in any way we can.
-- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Advent III, Year B
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, Psalm 126, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24,
John 1:6-8, 19-28

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Guest Preacher -- we welcome the Rev'd Canon Scott Gunn, Executive Director of Forward Movement Publications in Cincinnati, Ohio, as our preacher at the 10 am Sunday Mass. Before taking up his current position, Fr. Gunn served several parishes in Rhode Island, including Epiphany, Rumford, and Christ Church, Lincoln.

Stewardship -- The good news is that we have met our goal of increasing both the total number of pledges and the total amount pledged for 2015 by ten percent over the 2014 numbers. Thank you to everyone whose pledges have made this accomplishment possible. It is not too late, however, to make a pledge for 2015 if you have not already done so -- Every little bit counts! It would be most helpful to receive any remaining pledges before the Vestry meeting this Tuesday so the Vestry can set a responsible budget for 2015. The bad news is that we are a little behind where we should be at this time of year on receiving the money pledged for 2014. So, if you are behind on your 2014 pledge, please contribute the remaining amounts before the end of the year if at all possible.

Eucharistic Adoration – On Saturday 20 December, the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament will sponsor approximately an hour of silent prayer and meditation in the Lady Chapel before the Blessed Sacrament, beginning shortly after the end of the 9:30 am Mass, and concluding by 11 am. All are welcome and invited to participate.

Christmas Decorations – This year we hope to engage a group of volunteers to decorate the church between Advent IV (Sunday 21 December) and Christmas Eve (Wednesday 24 December). If you are interested in joining in this festive tradition, please contact the parish office via email to office@sstephens.necoxmail.com or phone at 421-6702, ext. 1.

Christmas Pageant and Family Mass – The Sunday School will be presenting its annual Christmas Eve Pageant at the Family Mass on Wednesday, 24 December at 5:30 pm. Children of all ages are welcome to participate. Please see Alison Huff or Devon Callanan for details.

New Year’s Day Dinner – Once again we will offer our annual New Year’s Day Dinner for those in need, on Thursday 1 January 2015. If you can help, please contact coordinator Sue Brazil at Sueb265@hotmail.com, or contact the parish office at 421-6702 ext. 1 or office@sstephens.necoxmail.com. We welcome new scarves, mittens, hats and socks, as well as personal hygiene products such as soaps and toothbrushes. For I was hungry, and you gave me food: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you welcomed me … Matthew 25:35

Christmas Flower Offering – If you would like to make a Christmas offering of flowers to the church in thanksgiving or in memoriam, please fill out the envelope included with today’s Kalendar, and put it in the offering plate or bring it to the parish office no later than Friday December 19th.

Nominations Committee – candidates for the following positions need to be elected at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 25, 2015: Vestry – one four-year term (incumbent is eligible for re-election); Treasurer – one year term; Clerk – one year term; Diocesan Convention – two Delegates, two Alternates, one-year term. The Nominations Committee consists of Susan Brazil (Chair), John Chamberlin, Modu Johnson, Erica Medvedev, and Charles Rejto.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Maggie, Nicholas, Jonno, Nancy, Patrick, Will, Townsend, Norman, Andrea, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Harrington, Davaughn, Stephen, Michael, Richard, Colin, Sandy, Beverly, Tom, Mabel, Deborah, Beverly, Angela, Rhoda, Ned, Henry, James, Richard, Lynne, Dianne, Kathleen, and Richard.

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Gerald Franklin Barrow (14 December 2007), Mary B. Trask (15 December 1984), Constance Margaret Maxwell and Dorothy Denison Dunlap (17 December 1986); Recently Departed: Nelson Skinner, SSC (Priest), Robert Crawley, SSC (Bishop).

Birthdays this week: Louise Wells (17 December).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church in Kitgum - (Uganda): The Rt. Rev’d Benjamin Ojwang ; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer please pray for the leadership and people of Church of the Advent, Coventry.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC R Rose; SD S Brazil; Thurifer R Armidon; Crucifer D Callanan; Torches E Benziger, V Johnson
Lector – E Alexander
Ushers – W Dilworth, N Gingrich
Coffee Hour – Society of Mary

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Tuesday 16 December
Vestry 7 pm

Wednesday 17 December
Afternoon Tea 4 pm

Saturday 20 December
Altar Guild Cleanup Day (beginning after 11 am)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 20 December
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 14 December
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Rose)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR * 5:30 pm

* EMBR = Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD

Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Advent III, Year 1

Monday 15 December
Monday in Advent III (V)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 16 December
Tuesday in Advent III (V)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 17 December
Proper for 17 December (V) — O Sapientia
Raising of Lazarus
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 18 December
Proper for 18 December (V) — O Adonai
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 19 December
Proper for 19 December (V) — O Radix Jesse
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 20 December
Proper for 20 December (V) — O Clavis David
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Eucharistic Adoration 10 am

Sunday 21 December
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Blue)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (December 21)

Advent IV, Year B
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26, Romans 16:25-27,
Luke 1:26-38

ONLINE PARISH NOTES

Sunday, December 7, 2014

FROM THE RECTOR

We seem to be hearing a lot this year about the observance of Advent as an opportunity to "slow down," "relax," and "take a breather" in the midst of the pre-Christmas madness of shopping and (premature) holiday festivities. That might be good advice in itself, but it's not what the appointed Scripture readings for Advent are telling us to do. In last week's Gospel, Our Lord solemnly warns us to watch and stay awake, alert and prepared, lest he come suddenly and find us asleep. In this week's Gospel, the crowds go out to John the Baptist in the wilderness to receive his baptism and confess their sins (and not to slow down, relax, or take a breather!). Keeping a good Advent entails disciplines of spiritual preparation for the Coming of the Lord. The time to relax and enjoy ourselves will come -- ideally during the Twelve Days of Christmas! -- but it is not yet. In the meantime, we do well to take advantage of all the opportunities that the Church offers us to keep Advent intentionally and seriously.  -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Advent II, Year B
Isaiah 40:1-11, Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13, 16-18; 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Advent Lessons & Carols – This evening at 5:30 pm we will offer our annual service of Lessons & Carols. Seasonal readings and musical selections set the stage as we prepare for the coming of the infant Lord. A reception follows in the Great Hall. All are welcome and invited to attend. (Father Alexander will have signed copies of Dawn from on High, his book of homilies for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, for sale at the reception.)

Commemoration of December Departed – Those on the parish Year’s Mind list whose anniversaries fall during December will be prayed for at the Mass tomorrow, Monday 8 December (The Feast of the Immaculate Conception), at 6 pm. If you have names of departed family or friends to be remembered, please send them to Fr. Alexander at rector@sstephens.necoxmail.com and come join us if you can. The Parish Branch of The Guild of All Souls will meet following Mass for fellowship at a suitable location on Thayer Street. Everyone is welcome and invited to join us.

Advent Quiet Day – This Saturday 13 December from 9 am to 2:30 pm, we will offer our annual Advent Quiet Day, with addresses by The Rev’d Canon Scott Gunn, Executive Director of Forward Movement Publications in Cincinnati, Ohio. We will begin as usual with Morning Prayer at 9 am, and Mass at 9:30 am followed by a light breakfast. The day will include a simple catered lunch, and we will conclude at 2:30 pm. The donation is $15 per person, payable on the day, which will help cover the cost of both breakfast and lunch. (Assistance is available to anyone for whom this may be a hardship.) So we have an idea of how many to plan for, please RSVP the parish office by Wednesday 10 December, indicating your plans to attend, via email to office@sstephens.necoxmail.com, or by calling Cory MacLean at 421-6702, ext. 1.

Christmas Decorations – This year we hope to engage a group of volunteers to decorate the church between Advent IV (Sunday 21 December) and Christmas Eve (Wednesday 24 December). If you are interested in joining in this festive tradition, please contact the parish office via email to office@sstephens.necoxmail.com or phone at 421-6702, ext. 1.

Christmas Pageant and Family Mass – The Sunday School will be presenting its annual Christmas Eve Pageant at the Family Mass on Wednesday, 24 December at 5:30 pm. Children of all ages are welcome to participate. Please see Alison Huff or Devon Callanan for details.

New Year’s Day Dinner – Once again we will offer our annual New Year’s Day Dinner for those in need, on Thursday 1 January 2015. If you can help, please contact coordinator Sue Brazil at Sueb265@hotmail.com, or contact the parish office at 421-6702 ext. 1 or office@sstephens.necoxmail.com. We welcome new scarves, mittens, hats and socks, as well as personal hygiene products such as soaps and toothbrushes. For I was hungry, and you gave me food: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you welcomed me… Matthew 25:35

Christmas Flower Offering – If you would like to make a Christmas offering of flowers to the church in thanksgiving or in memoriam, please fill out the envelope included with today’s Kalendar, and put it in the offering plate or bring it to the parish office no later than Friday December 19th.

Nominations Committee – candidates for the following positions need to be elected at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 25, 2015: Vestry – one four-year term (incumbent is eligible for re-election); Treasurer – one year term; Clerk – one year term; Diocesan Convention – two Delegates, two Alternates, one-year term. The Nominations Committee consists of Susan Brazil (Chair), John Chamberlin, Modu Johnson, Erica Medvedev, and Charles Rejto.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Maggie, Nicholas, Jonno, Nancy, Patrick, Will, Townsend, Norman, Andrea, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Harrington, Davaughn, Steven, Richard, Beverly, Deborah, Beverly, Angela, Rhoda, Henry, James, Richard, Lynne, Dianne, Kathleen, and Richard.

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Lillian Lynch (9 December 1990), George W. Lockwood (10 December 2001), and Elinor Elizabeth Ripley (10 December 1984), Recently Departed: James Verber, Priest.

Birthdays this week: Beverly Myers (9 December), Beverly Ryan (13 December).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for pray the Church in Kinkizi - (Uganda): The Rt. Rev’d Dan Zoreka; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of Emmanuel, Cumberland and Emmanuel, Newport.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC R Noble; SD W Dilworth; Thurifer J Starks; Crucifer R Himes; Torches G Benziger, R Callanan, J Rejto
Lector – J Chamberlin
Ushers – E Drew, K Benziger
Coffee Hour – Sunday School

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Sunday 7 December
Advent Lessons & Carols 5:30 pm (Reception following)

Monday 8 December

Guild of All Souls (following Low Mass)

Wednesday 9 December
Afternoon Tea 4 pm

Saturday 13 December
Advent Quiet Day 9 am – 2:30 pm

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 13 December
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 7 December
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Blue)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Advent Lessons & Carols 5:30 pm

Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Advent II, Year 1

Monday 8 December
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (Blue)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass (with Commemoration of December Departed) 6 pm

Tuesday 9 December
Tuesday in Advent II (V)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 10 December

Wednesday in Advent II (V)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 11 December
Thursday in Advent II (V)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 12 December
Friday in Advent II (V)
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Finnian, Abbot of Clonard, 549
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 13 December
(ADVENT QUIET DAY)
Lucy, Martyr at Syracuse, 304 (R)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Angelus & Noonday Prayer 12:15 pm

Sunday 14 December
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Rose)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

*EMBR = Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD


NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (December 14)

Advent III, Year B
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, Psalm 126, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24,
John 1:6-8, 19-28

ONLINE PARISH NOTES

November 30, 2014

Michelangelo, The Last Judgment
Sistine Chapel, 1536-1541

FROM THE RECTOR

Advent begins a new liturgical year with a wake-up call: Watch! Stay Awake! The theme of this First Sunday of the season is watchfulness. The Lord is coming, but we know neither the day nor the hour. Therefore it is necessary to stay awake at all times. If we have been growing dozy or lax in our Christian observance, now is the opportunity to wake up, pay attention, and recommit ourselves to following the Lord in all the classic disciplines of the Christian life. That way, when he comes, we will not be caught sleeping. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Advent I, Year B
Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Christmas Flower Offering – If you would like to make a Christmas offering of flowers to the church in thanksgiving or in memoriam, please fill out the envelope included with today’s Kalendar, and put it in the offering plate or bring it to the parish office no later than Friday December 19th.

Confirmations – All are warmly invited to the Lady Chapel at 5 pm on Tuesday 2 December 2014, when Bishop Knisely will confirm several members of the EMBR campus community. This will be a great opportunity to show our support for these persons in their life in Christ, and for the campus ministry as a whole. Please come if you can! If you have not already been confirmed, and would like to investigate the possibility, please be in touch with the Rector. Those being confirmed or received are Lynne de Benedette, Jason Connell, Jee Won Park, Frank Pisaturo, Jacqueline Rice, and Elizabeth Rule.

Society of Mary – will meet on Saturday 6 December for 9 am Morning Prayer, 9:30 Mass, then recitation of the Rosary. Breakfast and a program follow. Everyone is invited.

Advent Lessons & Carols – Next Sunday 7 December at 5:30 pm we will offer our annual service of Lessons & Carols. Seasonal readings and musical selections set the stage as we prepare for the coming of the infant Lord. A reception follows in the Great Hall. All are welcome and invited to attend.

Commemoration of December Departed – Those on the parish Year’s Mind list whose anniversaries fall during December will be prayed for at the Mass on Monday 8 December, (The Feast of the Immaculate Conception) at 6 pm. If you have names of departed family or friends to be remembered, please send them to Fr. Alexander at rector@sstephens.necoxmail.com and come join us if you can. The Parish Branch of The Guild of All Souls will meet following Mass for fellowship at a suitable location on Thayer Street. Everyone is welcome and invited to join us.

Nominations Committee – candidates for the following positions need to be elected at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 25, 2015: Vestry – one four-year term (incumbent is eligible for re-election); Treasurer – one year term; Clerk – one year term; Diocesan Convention – two Delegates, two Alternates, one-year term. The Nominations Committee consists of Susan Brazil (Chair), John Chamberlin, Modu Johnson, Erica Medvedev, and Charles Rejto.

Advent Quiet Day – On Saturday 13 December from 9 am to 2:30 pm, we will offer our annual Advent Quiet Day, with addresses by The Rev’d Canon Scott Gunn, Executive Director of Forward Movement Publications in Cincinnati, Ohio. We will begin as usual with Morning Prayer at 9 am, and Mass at 9:30 am followed by a light breakfast. The day will include a simple catered lunch, and we will conclude at 2:30 pm. The donation is $15 per person, payable on the day, which will help cover the cost of both breakfast and lunch. (Assistance is available to anyone for whom this may be a hardship.) So we have an idea of how many to plan for, please RSVP the parish office by Wednesday 10 December, indicating your plans to attend, via email to office@sstephens.necoxmail.com, or by calling Cory MacLean at 421-6702, ext. 1.

Christmas Decorations – This year we hope to engage a group of volunteers to decorate the church between Advent IV (Sunday 21 December) and Christmas Eve (Wednesday 24 December). If you are interested in joining in this festive tradition, please contact the parish office via email to office@sstephens.necoxmail.com or phone at 421-6702, ext. 1.

Christmas Pageant and Family Mass – The Sunday School will be presenting its annual Christmas Eve Pageant at the Family Mass on Wednesday, 24 December at 5:30 pm. Children of all ages are welcome to participate. Please see Alison Huff or Devon Callanan for details.

New Seating Arrangement in Lady Chapel – Starting in Advent, which begins today, we are experimenting with a new arrangement of the seats in the Lady Chapel, in the “collegiate” style of rows of seats facing each other rather than facing forward. We hope this arrangement will enhance our worship in this space; and we will evaluate how well it works over a period of several months.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Maggie, Nicholas, Jonno, Nancy, Patrick, Will, Townsend, Norman, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Harrington, Davaughn, Steven, Richard, Beverly, Deborah, Beverly, Angela, Rhoda, Henry, Jim, James, Richard, Lynne, Dianne, Kathleen, and Richard.

The faithful departed: ­Year’s Mind: Jimmy Chancey Black (4 December 1992); Recently Departed: Hugh McNamar.

Birthdays this week: Cory MacLean (1 December), Sandra Bartlett (2 December).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for pray for Falkland Islands (Extra-Provincial to Canterbury): The Rt. Rev’d Stephen Venner; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. Andrew’s, Little Compton.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC W Dilworth; SD R Noble; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer K Hooks; Torches G Benziger, D Callanan
Lector – J Steiny
Ushers – S Newby, R Viti
Coffee Hour – C & T Bledsoe

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Wednesday 3 December
Afternoon Tea 4 pm

Saturday 6 December
Society of Mary (following Mass & Rosary)

Sunday 7 December
Advent Lessons & Carols 5:30 pm (Reception following)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Friday 5 December
Zefiro Ensemble Advent Concert 8 pm

Saturday 6 December
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm
Brown Madrigal Ensemble Concert 7 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 30 November
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Blue)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Advent I, Year 1

Monday 1 December
ST. ANDREW THE APOSTLE (Transferred) (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 2 December
Tuesday in Advent I (V)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am
EMBR Confirmation 5 pm

Wednesday 3 December
Francis Xavier, Apostle of the Indies, Missionary, 1552 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 4 December
John of Damascus, Monk, Teacher, c. 749 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 5 December
Friday in Advent I (V)
Clement of Alexandria, Priest, Teacher, c. 210
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 6 December
Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, c. 326 (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Holy Rosary 10 am

Sunday 7 December
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Blue)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Advent Lessons & Carols 5:30 pm


*EMBR = Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD


NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (December 7)

Advent II, Year B
Isaiah 40:1-11, Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13, 16-18; 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8

ONLINE PARISH NOTES

Sunday, November 23, 2014

FROM THE RECTOR

The Feast of Christ the King was instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI in response to the rising tide of secularist and totalitarian ideologies in Europe. Initially observed on the last Sunday in October, it was moved to the last Sunday of the liturgical year in the calendar reform of 1970. Since then, it has been adopted by Anglicans, Lutherans, and many of the Reformed Churches, especially through the Revised Common Lectionary. It is fitting on the last Sunday before a new liturgical year begins, that we should contemplate the figure of Christ in Majesty, who will return on the Last Day to judge both the living and the dead. All earthly loyalties and allegiances are relativized by the absolute loyalty we rightly offer Christ the Universal King. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Proper 29, Year A – Last Sunday after Pentecost: Christ the King
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Psalm 95:1-7a, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Stewardship 2015 – Thank you to everyone who has made a pledge for 2015. Those who have not pledged yet – please help us meet our goals for 2015 by returning your pledge form as soon as possible. Our pledges express our support for the mission of this parish in thanksgiving to God for his many blessings upon us all.

Rector's Book -- Fr. Alexander will be signing copies of his new book published by Forward Movement, Dawn from on High, at both Coffee Hours this morning. Copies are $10 each ($5 off the list price).

Thanksgiving Day Services – Masses for Thanksgiving Day will be offered this Wednesday 26 November at 6 pm (preceded by Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm) and Thursday 27 November at 9:30 am (preceded by Morning Prayer at 9 am). It is fitting to begin our Thanksgiving Day festivities by coming to Mass to give thanks to God for our many blessings.

Advent Lessons & Carols – On Sunday 7 December at 5:30 pm we will offer our annual service of Lessons & Carols. Seasonal readings and musical selections set the stage as we prepare for the coming of the infant Lord. A reception follows in the Great Hall. All are welcome and invited to attend.

Advent Quiet Day – will be held on Saturday 13 December from 9 am to 2:30 pm, with addresses by The Rev’d Canon Scott Gunn, Executive Director of Forward Movement Publications in Cincinnati, Ohio. We will begin as usual with Morning Prayer at 9 am, and Mass at 9:30 am followed by a light breakfast. The day will include a simple catered lunch, and we will conclude at 2:30 pm. The donation is $15 per person, payable on the day, which will help cover the cost of both breakfast and lunch. (Assistance is available to anyone for whom this may be a hardship.) So we have an idea of how many to plan for, please RSVP the parish office by Friday, December 12, indicating your plans to attend, via email to office@sstephens.necoxmail.com, or by calling Cory MacLean at 421-6702, ext. 1.

Nominations Committee -- candidates for the following positions need to be elected at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 25, 2015: Vestry -- one four-year term (incumbent is eligible for re-election); Treasurer -- one year term; Clerk -- one year term; Diocesan Convention -- two Delegates, two Alternates, one-year term. The Nominations Committee consists of Susan Brazil (Chair), John Chamberlin, Modu Johnson, Erica Naone, and Charles Rejto.

New Seating Arrangement in Lady Chapel – Starting in Advent (which begins Sunday 30 November) we will be experimenting with a new arrangements of the seats in the Lady Chapel, in the “collegiate” style of rows of seats facing each other rather than facing forward. We hope this arrangement will enhance our worship in this space; and we will evaluate how well it works over a period of several months.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Those for whom Prayers have been Requested: Maggie, Nicholas, Jonno, Nancy, Patrick, Will, Townsend, Norman, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Harrington, Davaughn, Richard, Beverly, Deborah, Beverly, Angela, Rhoda, Henry, Jim, James, Richard, Lynne, Dianne, Kathleen, Richard, and Steven.

The faithful departed: Year's Mind: Frederick Corcoran (24 November 2007) and Martha Saunders (29 November 1989).

Birthdays this week: Michael D’Alesandre (27 November)

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for pray for The Reformed Episcopal Church of Spain (E-P to the Archbishop of Canterbury; The Reformed Episcopal Church of Spain - (Spain): The Rt. Rev’d Carlos López-Lozano; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of Christ Church, Lincoln: Betsy Lesieur; Christ Church Westerly: Christine Purcell; Church of the Redeemer, Providence: Patrick Campbell; and for clergy of the Diocese: Henry Turnbull, James Verber, and Edward Winsor.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC S Brazil; SD R Rose; Thurifers L Bledsoe, L Verdelotti; Crucifer R Himes; Torches DO Latimer, L Rejto
Lector – P Martin

Ushers – R Widmer, B Lennihan
Coffee Hour – Society of Mary

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Wednesday 26 November

Afternoon Tea 4 pm

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 29 November
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 23 November
LAST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST: CHRIST THE KING (W)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Proper 29, Year Two

Monday 24 November
Columbanus, Abbot of Luxeuil and Bobbio, 615 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 25 November
Catherine of Alexandria, Martyr, 4th century (R)
James O.S. Huntington, Monk, Founder of the Order of the Holy Cross, 1935
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 26 November
Eve of Thanksgiving Day (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 27 November
THANKSGIVING DAY (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Friday 28 November

Feria (G)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 29 November
Feria (G)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Sunday 30 November
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Blue) 

Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm


*EMBR = Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD


NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (November 30)

Advent I, Year B
Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37

ONLINE PARISH NOTES

Sunday 16 November 2014

The Widow's Mite, Sant' Appolinare Nuovo, Ravenna (6th cent.)

FROM THE RECTOR

This Sunday is Stewardship Sunday at S. Stephen's. The appointed Gospel reading illustrates the concept of Christian Stewardship well. A man goes on a journey and entrusts substantial sums of money to his servants. When at length he returns, he demands an accounting of what they have done with it. He rewards the two who made good use of what was entrusted to them, but punishes the one who buried it in the ground for safekeeping. Similarly, God has entrusted all our earthly wealth and possessions to us for this life. Today's Gospel suggests that the key to making good use of what has been entrusted to us is the willingness to take risks, to be open and generous, in the confidence that God will take care of all our needs. A key compnent of our Christian calling is to offer back to God, for his Church and its mission in the world, a portion of all that he has given us. We are called to give generously, abundantly, and sacrificially. Will we rise to the challenge?
-- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Proper 28, Year A – Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18, Psalm 90:1-8, (9-11), 12, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Altar Flowers today are given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the life and love of Tyrone Gingrich, by Nancy Gingrich.

Stewardship Sunday – During both Masses today we have the opportunity to bring our pledges forward and put them in the basket to be offered at God’s altar. Additional blank pledge forms are available from the ushers for those who did not receive them. We are grateful for whatever you can pledge. “Every little bit counts.” The results of the Stewardship Campaign so far will be announced at the end of Mass. Please help us make this Stewardship Sunday an occasion when we express our love for God and his Church through the generosity of our pledges.

Thanksgiving Day Services – Masses for Thanksgiving Day will be offered on Wednesday 26 November at 6 pm (preceded by Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm) and Thursday 27 November at 9:30 am (preceded by Morning Prayer at 9 am). It is fitting to begin our Thanksgiving Day festivities by coming to Mass to give thanks to God for our many blessings.

Advent Lessons & Carols – On Sunday 7 December at 5:30 pm we will offer our annual service of Lessons & Carols. Seasonal readings and musical selections set the stage as we prepare for the coming of the infant Lord. A reception follows in the Great Hall. All are welcome and invited to attend.

New Seating Arrangement in Lady Chapel – Starting in Advent (which begins Sunday 30 November) we will be experimenting with a new arrangements of the seats in the Lady Chapel, in the “collegiate” style of rows of seats facing each other rather than facing forward. We hope this arrangement will enhance our worship in this space; and we will evaluate how well it works over a period of several months.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Nicholas, Jonno, Nancy, Patrick, Will, Townsend, Norman, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Harrington, Davaughn, Richard, Hugh, Beverly, Deborah, Beverly, Angela, Rhoda, Henry, Jim, James, Richard, Lynne, Diane, Kathleen, Richard.

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Eric Ernest Bernard Hall (16 November 1987), Alice Esposito (18 November 1994), Florence Ingram (20 November 1998), and Stanley Cozzens Bodell (20 November 2010); Recently departed: Mark Dyer, Bishop.

Birthdays this week: Karl Benziger (17 November).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for pray for The Lusitanian Church (Extra-Provincial to the Archbishop of Canterbury), Portugal: The Rt. Rev’d José Jorge De Pina Cabral; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. Elizabeth’s, Hope Valley: Richard Schweinsburg and Christine Burton; and for clergy of the Diocese: Gary Lemery, John Cannon, Ashley Peckham, Ann Pelletier, and Marcia Sessions.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC R Rose; SD R Himes; Thurifer L Bledsoe; Crucifer D Callanan; Torches C Sylvia, L Hooks
Lector – M Johnson
Ushers – R Widmer, B Lennihan
Coffee Hour – R G Noble, M Johnson

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Wednesday 19 November
Afternoon Tea 4 pm

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Friday 21 November
Reformed University Fellowship 7 pm

Saturday 22 November
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 16 November
TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Proper 28, Year Two

Monday 17 November
Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, 1200 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 18 November
Elizabeth of Hungary, Princess of Thuringia, 1231 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 19 November
Hilda, Abbess of Whitby, 680 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 20 November
Edmund, King of the East Angles, Martyr, 870 (R)
Priscilla Lydia Sellon, Restorer of the Religious Life in the Church of England, 1876
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 21 November
The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Blue)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 22 November
Cecilia, Martyr at Rome, c. 230 (R)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Sunday 23 November

LAST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST: CHRIST THE KING (W)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

*EMBR = Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD


NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (November 23)

Proper 29, Year A – Last Sunday after Pentecost (Christ the King)
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Psalm 95:1-7a, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46

ONLINE PARISH NOTES

Sunday 9 November 2014

T. Noyes Lewis, The Place of Meeting (At the Time of Communion),
No date, printed shortly after World War I

FROM THE RECTOR

In recent months, I've had some interesting conversations with fellow priests who are military veterans concerning the respective meanings of Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Remembrance Sunday. They rightly point out the error of confusing Memorial Day, when we remember and honor our nation's war dead, and Veterans Day, when we honor and express our gratitude to those who, still living, have served in our nation's armed forces (whether in wartime or peacetime). I am eager to respect and affirm this distinction.

The meaning of Remembrance Sunday can be a bit confusing, because although it is observed on the Sunday closest to Veterans Day (November 11), it is an occasion of prayer for those who have lost their lives in war, including but not limited to those who made the supreme sacrifice serving in our armed forces. Its meaning is thus closer to Memorial Day than to Veterans Day. Our business in the Church is not to make political points, whether pro-military or anti-war, but simply to pray for the fallen while we await in hope the coming of Christ's universal reign of peace.

Remembrance Sunday has come into observance in the past twenty years or so in a number of Episcopal parishes in the United States. It is admittedly an import from Commonwealth countries where it is kept on the Sunday closest to Armistice Day -- the same day as our Veterans' Day but with a slightly different meaning. We might consider Remembrance Sunday a Memorial Day in November; the advantage of keeping it now is that during Memorial Day weekend it would usually be pre-empted by the Sundays of the Easter cycle (Pentecost, Trinity, etc.). It is also another opportunity to pray for the dead during November, the month especially so dedicated in the Catholic tradition.

Isn't it forbidden to celebrate Requiem Masses on Sunday? In most cases, yes, absolutely. But for pastoral reasons Benedict XV (Pope 1914-1922) granted an indult to the Church in countries that had been belligerents in World War I to celebrate one Requiem Mass on Remembrance Sunday in addition to the proper Office and Mass of the Sunday. This custom spread from the Roman Catholic Church in England to Anglo-Catholic parishes in the Church of England, and thence to the rest of the Anglican Communion. I am grateful to Bishop Knisely for his kind permission to observe this custom here at S. Stephen's.

One final note: in the Episcopal Church, November 11 (Veterans Day) is kept as the Feast of Saint Martin of Tours (d. 397). Martin was a soldier before he became a bishop, so he makes a fitting patron saint for veterans. See below for Mass times this Tuesday.

-- Fr. John D. Alexander, Rector

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

8 am -- Proper 27, Year A – Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
Amos 5:18-24, Psalm 70, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 5:1-13

10 am -- Remembrance Sunday
Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 8:31-39, John 15:9-17

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome to all visitors and guests – we’re glad that you’re here. Please join us after the 10 am Mass for coffee and refreshments in the Great Hall, upstairs.

Veterans' Day – As on all Federal public holidays, Low Mass on Tuesday 11 November, will be celebrated at 9:30 am, preceded by Morning Prayer at 9.

Eucharistic Adoration – This Saturday, 15 November, the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament will sponsor approximately an hour of silent prayer and meditation in the Lady Chapel before the Blessed Sacrament, beginning shortly after the end of the 9:30 am Mass, and concluding by 11 am. All are welcome and invited to participate.

Stewardship Sunday – is next Sunday, on November 16. Please bring your pledge forms to complete and give in during Mass. (If you have not received a pledge form you may obtain a blank form from one of the ushers.)

Thanksgiving Day Masses -- will be offered on Wednesday 26 November at 6 pm (preceded by Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm) and Thursday 27 November at 9:30 am (preceded by Morning Prayer at 9 am). It is fitting to begin our Thanksgiving Day festivities by coming to Mass to give thanks to God for our many blessings."

New Seating Arrangement in Lady Chapel – Starting in Advent (which begins Sunday 30 November) we will be experimenting with a new arrangements of the seats in the Lady Chapel, in the “collegiate” style of rows of seats facing each other rather than facing forward. We hope this arrangement will enhance our worship in this space; and we will evaluate how well it works over a period of several months.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Nicholas, Jonno, Nancy, Patrick, Will, Townsend, Norman, Mark, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Harrington, Davaughn, Richard, Hugh, Beverly, Deborah, Beverly, Angela, Rhoda, Henry, Jim, James, Richard, Lynne, Dianne, Kathleen, Richard, and Maggie.

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Chester Arthur Files (9 November 1987), Lillian A. Crumby (9 November 1997), Helena Crosslin (11 November 2007), and Alison Morgan Henning Stebbins (12 November 2012)

Birthdays this week: Leana Latimer (9 November), Peter Gibson (10 November), Klara Benziger and Jane Latham (11 November)

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for pray for Bermuda (Extra-Provincial to Canterbury) Bermuda - (Bermuda): The Rt. Rev’d Nicholas Dill; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. Martin’s, Providence; and for clergy widows of the Diocese: Alison Almeida, Phyllis Dickson-Boyd, Elfriede Knowles and widowers Christopher North and Harold McShane.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC R Armidon; SD W Dilworth; Thurifer R Noble; Crucifer D Callanan; Torches E Benziger, DO Latimer
Lector – T Johnson
Ushers – S Brazil, L Verdelotti
Coffee Hour – TBA

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS 

Sunday 9 November

Student Group Supper and Meeting -- following 5:30 pm Evening Prayer 

Wednesday 12 November
Afternoon Tea 4 pm

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Friday 14 November

Reformed University Fellowship 7 pm

Saturday 15 November
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 9 November
TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G) – 8 AM
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY (Black) – 10 AM
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Requiem Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

Daily Office and Weekday Mass Lectionaries -- Proper 27, Year Two

Monday 10 November
Leo the Great, Bishop of Rome, Teacher, 461 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 11 November
VETERANS DAY
Martin, Bishop of Tours, c. 397 (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Wednesday 12 November
Josaphat Kunsevich, Archbishop of Polotsk, Martyr, 1623 (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 13 November
Feria (G)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 14 November
Samuel Seabury, First Anglican Bishop in North America, 1796 (W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 15 November
Albert the Great, Dominican Friar, Bishop, Teacher, 1280 (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Eucharistic Adoration 10 am

Sunday 16 November
TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm


*EMBR = Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD


NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (November 16)

Proper 28, Year A – Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18, Psalm 90:1-8, (9-11), 12, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30

ONLINE PARISH NOTES

Sunday 2 November 2014

FROM THE RECTOR

The beginning of November brings us to the annual commemorations of All Saints and All Souls. Here we celebrate the mystery of our faith known as the Communion of Saints. Even though death has separated us from those who have gone before us in the Church, nonetheless we have the assurance that they are alive in Christ. Some have displayed such exemplary holiness in their earthly lives that we may be certain that they are in heaven with God. These are "the Saints" in "the Church Triumphant" whose lives and witness we celebrate on All Saints' Day. Others have died with some considerable way to go in the way of further growth, purification, and sanctification before they will be ready to see God face to face. These are "the Holy Souls" in "the Church Expectant" for whom we pray on All Souls' Day, during the month of November, and throughout the year. In the "Church Militant" here on earth, we pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory; and we ask the prayers of the Saints in Heaven both for them and for us. The Church exists in three dimensions -- Militant, Expectant, and Triumphant -- yet in Christ all are bound together in one great fellowship of prayer, the Communion of Saints.

-- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

8 am -- Proper 26, Year A – Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost

Micah 3:5-12, Psalm 43, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12

10 am -- Sunday after All Saints Day
Revelation 7:9-17, I John 3:1-3, Matthew 5:1-12

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome to all visitors and guests – we’re glad that you’re here. Please join us after the 10 am Mass for coffee and refreshments in the Great Hall, upstairs. Today’s coffee hour is hosted by Karl and Klara Benziger.

All Souls Day – Requiem for the Commemoration of all Faithful Departed will be kept tomorrow, Monday 3 November at 6 pm, preceded by Evening Prayer in the Lady Chapel at 5:30 pm. The parish branch of the Guild of All Souls will meet following the Mass for fellowship at the English Cellar Alehouse at 156 Angell Street. Everyone is welcome and invited to join us.

Guild of All Souls Annual Requiem – the American Region of the Guild of All Souls will hold its annual Requiem this Saturday, November 8, at the Church of the Advent, Boston. Solemn Requiem Mass will be offered at 11 am (Victoria's Missa Pro Defunctis), followed by luncheon. Everyone is welcome – you do not need to be a member of the Guild of All Souls to attend. If you plan to attend, however, please let Bill Dilworth know today so that we can give the Church of the Advent an accurate count for the luncheon.

Stewardship Sunday -- is two weeks from today, November 16. Please bring your pledge forms to complete and give in during Mass. (If you did not receive a pledge form -- either at the Stewardship Brunch last week or in the mail -- please obtain a blank form from one of the ushers.)

Episcopal Ministry at Brown / RISD – The Student Group continues its activities for the academic year with Evening Prayer in the Lady Chapel at 5:30 pm followed by supper. All students, undergraduate and graduate, are welcome and invited. For more information, please see Fr. Sawicky.

New Seating Arrangement in Lady Chapel – Starting in Advent (which begins Sunday 30 November) we will be experimenting with a new arrangements of the seats in the Lady Chapel, in the “collegiate” style of rows of seats facing each other rather than facing forward. We hope this arrangement will enhance our worship in this space; and we will evaluate how well it works over a period of several months.

Wednesday Afternoon Teas – We continue offering tea in the Narthex Wednesday afternoons at 4 pm. This is a great opportunity to open the church to students and passersby, offer hospitality, and enjoy one another’s company. Any parishioners interested in helping out (for example, by bringing baked goods, cookies, or cupcakes) are invited to contact Fr. Sawicky. In any case, drop by, have a cup of tea and say hello! We pack up in time for Evening Prayer at 5:30.

Windows and Floors – you may have noticed the absence of the rugs in the sanctuary, as well as the removal of one of the vent panels in the Ames memorial window on the north wall. These are preliminary steps in two exciting projects now in the works; the repair and refinishing of the sanctuary floor, and the restoration of the stained glass windows along the north aisle of the nave. We’ll keep you posted on further developments.

Brass and silver polishing – We are looking for capable volunteers to polish our brass and silver fixtures and accoutrements. If you are willing to help, please see Fr. Alexander.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Nicholas, Jonno, Nancy, Patrick, Will, Townsend, Norman, Mark, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Harrington, Davaughn, Richard, Hugh, Beverly, Deborah, Beverly, Angela, Rhoda, Henry, Thomas, Jim, James, Richard, Lynne, Kathleen, and Richard.

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Gilbert Jarvis (5 November 1999), Joseph James Bodell, Jr. (5 November 2006), and June Littlefield (6 November 1983)

Birthdays this week: Andrew Alexander (4 November), Albert Ferreira (5 November), Devan Latimer (6 November), Charles Calverley (8 November)

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for Iglesia Episcopal de Cuba - (Cuba): The Rt. Rev’d Griselda Delgado Del Carpio, Suffragan Bishop of Cuba - (Cuba): The Rt Revd Ulises Prendes; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of All Saints’, Providence: David Ames; and All Saints’, Warwick: Philip Devens. We pray for all elected officials and those who will be elected in the United States and for those that serve in the Armed Forces of our Country.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC R Noble; SD R Rose; Thurifer J Starks; Crucifer D Callanan; Torches K Rejto, R Callanan

Lector – R G Noble

Ushers – T Bledsoe, K Benziger

Coffee Hour – K & K Benziger

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Monday 3 November
Guild of All Souls Meeting (following the 6 pm Requiem Mass)

Wednesday 5 November
Afternoon Tea 4 pm

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Wednesday 5 November
Shakespearean Society Hors d’ouevres and Reading 7:30 pm (Black tie if you have it)
Contact Richard Noble at 401-831-6126

Friday 7 November
Reformed University Fellowship 7 pm

Saturday 8 November
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 2 November
TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G) – 8 am
SUNDAY AFTER ALL SAINTS DAY (W) – 10 am
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Proper 26, Year Two

Monday 3 November
COMMEMORATION OF ALL FAITHFUL DEPARTED: ALL SOULS DAY (Transferred) (Black)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Sung Requiem Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 4 November
Charles Borromeo, Archbishop of Milan, 1584 (W) 

 Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 5 November

Feria (G)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 6 November
Leonard, Hermit, 6th century (W)
William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, Teacher, 1944
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 7 November
Willibrord of York, Bishop, Apostle of Frisia, 739 (W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 8 November
Saints and Martyrs of the Anglican Communion (R)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Sunday 9 November
TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G) – 8 AM
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY (W) – 10 AM
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Requiem Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm


*EMBR = Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD


NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (November 9)

8 am -- Proper 27, Year A – Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
Amos 5:18-24, Psalm 70, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 5:1-13

10 am -- Remembrance Sunday
Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 8:31-39, John 15:9-17

ONLINE PARISH NOTES

Sunday 26 October 2014

The Lord said to my Lord ... (Psalm 110:1, quoted in Matthew 22:44)

FROM THE RECTOR

What is stewardship? From a Christian perspective, it is simply the recognition that we are not the absolute owners of anything we possess. All belongs to God, who has entrusted various portions of his bounty into our care during our earthly lives. We are ultimately accountable to God for our use and disposition of the time, treasure, and talent that he has given us. We are stewards. 

As members of the Church, moreover, we have been entrusted with the care of our parish: from the upkeep of its buildings to seeing that it has the resources necessary to fulfill its mission of proclaiming the Gospel in worship and music, in preaching and teaching, in outreach and service.

It is a mistake to think of stewardship in oppositional terms as a zero-sum game between "us" and "them" in which some entity alien to ourselves ("the Church") tries to squeeze our hard-earned money from our wallets, and we decide how much we can afford to part with. We are the Church. Christian stewardship is simply what happens when a parish community takes collective financial responsibility for its shared mission and ministry.

A key component of this taking of responsibility is acquainting ourselves with the parish's financial situation: its blessings, challenges, and opportunities. The purpose of this Sunday's stewardship brunches is to share some facts and figures that will help clarify our financial situation so that we can make the most responsible decisions possible with respect to our collective stewardship of all that God has entrusted into our care in this life. I look forward to seeing you there.
-- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Proper 25, Year A – Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
Leviticus 19:1-2,15-18, Psalm 1, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Matthew 22:34-46

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome to all visitors and guests – we’re glad that you’re here. We will not have our customary coffee hours today, but please join us for one of our Stewardship Brunches following the 8 or 10 am Mass this morning. It is an opportunity to sit down, enjoy breakfast in the company of fellow parishioners, and hear a brief presentation on our stewardship goals for 2015.

Altar Flowers today are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Megda Dunham Hawkins by the Altar Guild.

Saint Simon and Saint Jude (October 28) – a major Holy Day of the Church year, will be kept this Tuesday with Morning Prayer at 8 am and Low Mass at 8:30.

All Saints Day (November 1) – a principal Holy Day of the Church year, will be kept this Saturday with Morning Prayer at 9 am and Low Mass at 9:30 am, as well as at the 10 am Solemn Mass next Sunday (November 2).

Society of Mary -- will meet for Holy Rosary this Saturday, November 1, following Mass for All Saints Day in the Lady Chapel. Coffee and a meeting will follow in the Great Hall.

Daylight Saving Time ends this coming Sunday, November 2, at 2:00 am. Please remember to set your clocks back one hour to avoid being an hour early for Church!

All Souls Day – Requiem for the Commemoration of all Faithful Departed will be kept on Monday 3 November at 6 pm, preceded by Evening Prayer in the Lady Chapel at 5:30 pm. If you would like the names of departed loved ones read at the Mass, please legibly fill out the form included in today’s Kalendar, and either give it to an usher or slip it through the office door mail slot before you leave. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, October 29th.

Housing Needed – If anyone has or knows of an apartment or similar accommodation suitable for a single S. Stephen’s parishioner returning to the area after a number of years away, please contact Fr. Alexander.

Episcopal Ministry at Brown / RISD – The Student Group continues its activities for the academic year with Evening Prayer in the Lady Chapel at 5:30 pm followed by supper. All students, undergraduate and graduate, are welcome and invited. For more information, please see Fr. Sawicky.

New Seating Arrangement in Lady Chapel – Starting in Advent (which begins Sunday 30 November) we will be experimenting with a new arrangements of the seats in the Lady Chapel, in the “collegiate” style of rows of seats facing each other rather than facing forward. We hope this arrangement will enhance our worship in this space; and we will evaluate how well it works over a period of several months.

Wednesday Afternoon Teas – We continue offering tea in the Narthex Wednesday afternoons at 4 pm. This is a great opportunity to open the church to students and passersby, offer hospitality, and enjoy one another’s company. Any parishioners interested in helping out (for example, by bringing baked goods, cookies, or cupcakes) are invited to contact Fr. Sawicky. In any case, drop by, have a cup of tea and say hello! We pack up in time for Evening Prayer at 5:30.

Windows and Floors – you may have noticed the absence of the rugs in the sanctuary, as well as the removal of one of the vent panels in the Ames memorial window on the north wall. These are preliminary steps in two exciting projects now in the works; the repair and refinishing of the sanctuary floor, and the restoration of the stained glass windows along the north aisle of the nave. We’ll keep you posted on further developments.

Brass and silver polishing – We are looking for capable volunteers to polish our brass and silver fixtures and accoutrements. If you are willing to help, please see Fr. Alexander.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Nicholas, Jonno, Nancy, Patrick, Will, Townsend, Norman, Mark, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Harrington, Davaughn, Richard, Hugh, Beverly, Deborah, Beverly, Angela, Rhoda, Henry, Jim, James, Richard, Lynne, Kathleen, and Richard.

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Clifton Milner Fidler (28 October 1983) and Heather A. Morgan (31 October 1997); Recently departed: John Andrew, Priest; Gary Fertig, Priest; Thomas Shaw, Bishop.

Birthdays this week: James Alexander (October 30th).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for The Church of Ceylon (E-P to the Archbishop of Canterbury) Colombo - (Ceylon): The Rt. Rev’d Dhiloraj Ranjit Canagasabey Kurunagala - (Ceylon), The Rt. Rev’d Greg Shantha Kumar Francis; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for clergy widows of the Diocese: Juanita Juhr, Karen Robbins-Taylor, Marie Robinson, Gloria Phillips and widower, Daniel Harvey.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC W Dilworth; SD S Brazil; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer L Bledsoe; Torches V Johnson, G Benziger

Lector – P Pettingell

Ushers – S Brazil, T Oakes

Coffee Hour – Stewardship Brunches following the 8 and 10 am Masses

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS 

Sunday 26 October

Stewardship Brunches (following the 8 and 10 am Masses)

Wednesday 29 October

Afternoon Tea 4 pm

Saturday 1 November
Society of Mary 10 am (following Morning Prayer at 9 and Mass at 9:30)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Friday 31 October
Reformed University Fellowship 7 pm

Saturday 1 November

Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE 

Sunday 26 October
TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Proper 25, Year Two

Monday 27 October
Feria (G)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 28 October
SAINT SIMON AND SAINT JUDE (R)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 29 October
James Hannington, Bishop, and Companions, Martyrs, 1885 (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 30 October
Feria (G)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 31 October
Feria (G)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 1 November
ALL SAINTS DAY (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Holy Rosary 10 am

Sunday 2 November
TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G) – 8 am
SUNDAY AFTER ALL SAINTS DAY (W) – 10 am
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

*EMBR = Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (November 2)

8 am – Proper 26, Year A – Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost
Micah 3:5-12, Psalm 43, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Matthew 23:1-12

10 am – Sunday after All Saints Day
Revelation 7:9-17; I John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12