ONLINE PARISH NOTES
Sunday 28 December 2014
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| 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
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)
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
