Tuesday, September 29, 2015


SAINT MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS


SOLEMN EVENSONG 
AND BENEDICTION

Sunday 4 October 2015
5:30 pm

Reception Following

S. Stephen's Church + 114 George Street + Providence RI 02906

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

ONLINE PARISH NOTES
27 SEPTEMBER 2015

Rogier van der Weyden, "Extreme Unction,"
Detail from The Seven Sacraments Altarpiece, 1445 

FROM THE RECTOR

From this Sunday's Epistle reading from the Letter of James: "Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven" (5:14-15). These verses supply the biblical warrant for the Sacrament of Unction, also known as the Anointing of the Sick, depicted in the Van Der Weyden painting above. In this Sunday's homily we'll explore Christian understandings of (and common misperceptions concerning) sickness, healing, faith, anointing, and prayer for healing. Come join us. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Proper 21, Year B
Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29
Psalm 19:7-14
James 5:13-20
Mark 9:38-50

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Altar Flowers are given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the wedding of Deborah Abel and Mark Barr, celebrated here on Saturday.

Solemn Evensong & Benediction – Next Sunday 4 October at 5:30 pm, we will celebrate the Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels with Solemn Evensong and Benediction. A reception follows in our Great Hall.

Mark Your Calendars – for a parish brunch to take place following the 10 am Mass on Sunday 25 October. More details will be forthcoming soon.

Votive Candles – When lighting them please take great care NOT to drop burned matches or pieces of the lighter sticks into the candle holders. Doing so can create a hazardous condition and damage the glass. If you inadvertently do this, please notify one of the clergy immediately. Thank you for your care and cooperation.

Flower Memorial Opportunities – If you would like to order flowers for the High Altar or the statue of our Lady in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving for blessings received, the cost per vase for the High Altar is $80 (both vases $160), and $65 for a vase at the Statue of our Lady. Please send a check to the parish office for the amount, and let Cory MacLean know the intentions for which the flowers are offered.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Nicholas, Patricia, Jonno, Nancy, Townsend, Norman, Elva, Ethel, Andrea, Marion, Sue, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Deborah, Peter, Harrington, Kate, Davaughn, Bernice, Ondre, Ellen-Jean, Richard, Maureen, Sandy, Richard, Stephen, Angela, Bobby, Sally, Rhoda, Ned, Henry, James, and Dianne.

Birthdays this week – Ransom Widmer (September 27), William Ripley (September 30), and Erica Medvedev (October 1).

Recently Departed – Sister Margaretta Kraft, SHN.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church in Spokane (VIII, The Episcopal Church): The Rt. Rev’d James Waggoner; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. Michael’s Bristol.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC W Dilworth SD D Latimer; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer L Hooks; Torches J Rice, G Benziger
Lector – J Steiny
Ushers – G Ryan, T Bledsoe
Coffee Hour – M Johnson & family

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 3 October
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 27 September
EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

Daily Office & Mass Lectionary: Proper 21, Year 1

Monday 28 September
Wenceslaus, Duke of Bohemia, Martyr, 929 (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 29 September
SAINT MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 30 September
Jerome, Translator of the Scriptures, Teacher, 420 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 1 October
Remigius, Bishop of Rheims, Apostle of the Franks, 533 (W)
Thérèse of Lisieux, Carmelite Nun, Spiritual Writer, 1897

Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 2 October
The Holy Guardian Angels (W)
Angelus 12 Noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 3 October
Feria (G)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Eucharistic Adoration 10 am (until 11 am)
Abel/Barr Wedding 4 pm

Sunday 4 October
FEAST OF THE DEDICATION (W)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Solemn Evensong and Benediction 5:30 pm (reception following)

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (October 4)

Feast of the Dedication
I Kings 8:22-30 OR Genesis 28:10-17 
Psalm 84:1-6 

Friday, September 18, 2015

ONLINE PARISH NOTES
20 SEPTEMBER 2015
"And he took a child, and put him in the midst of them; and taking him in his arms he said to them, 'Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me receives not me but him who sent me.'" Window by Franz Mayer Studios of Munich in the Mausoleum of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles

FROM THE RECTOR

Apologies for not publishing the online edition of Parish Notes last week. Much is going on at S. Stephen's. The Schola Cantorum is back singing full choral Mass settings and anthems at the 10 am Solemn High Mass. Church School is back in session. The Gospel is preached; the Church's Sacraments are administered. Won't you join us? -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Proper 20, Year B
Jeremiah 11:18-20
Psalm 54
James 3:13--4:3, 7-8
Mark 9:30-37

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist (September 21st) – a major feast of the church year, will be kept tomorrow, Monday, with Evening Prayer at 5:30 and Low Mass at 6 pm.

Eucharistic Adoration – This Saturday 26 September, 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.

Abel/Barr Wedding – This Saturday 26 September at 4 pm, long-time Schola member and soprano soloist Deborah Abel will marry her intended, Mark Barr, here at S. Stephen’s. All are welcome and invited to attend.

Solemn Evensong & Benediction – On Sunday 4 October at 5:30 pm, we will celebrate the Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels with Solemn Evensong and Benediction. A reception follows in our Great Hall.

Votive Candles – when lighting them please take great care NOT to drop burned matches or pieces of the lighter sticks into the candle holders. Doing so can create a hazardous condition and damage the glass. If you inadvertently do this, please notify one of the clergy immediately. Thank you for your care and cooperation.

Flower Memorial Opportunities – If you would like to order flowers for the High Altar or the statue of our Lady in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving for blessings received, the cost per vase for the High Altar is $80 (both vases $160), and $65 for a vase at the Statue of our Lady. Please send a check to the parish office for the amount, and let Cory MacLean know the intentions for which the flowers are offered.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Nicholas, Patricia, Jonno, Nancy, Townsend, Norman, Elva, Ethel, Andrea, Marion, Sue, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Deborah, Peter, Harrington, Kate, Davaughn, Bernice, Ondre, Ellen-Jean, Richard, Maureen, Sandy, Stephen, Angela, Bobby, Sally, Rhoda, Ned, Henry, James, and Dianne.

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Hana Widmer (21 September 2010), June M. Gaudet (23 September 2000), Ernest A. Elderkin (24 September 1991), Ann Marie Starks (25 September 2010), and Donald B. Ward (26 September 1996).

Birthdays this week – Fr. Peter D’Alesandre (September 21st), Dolores Bliss (September 22nd)

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church in Southern Brazil: The Rt. Rev’d Humberto Maiztegue; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leardership and people of Sts. Matthew and Mark, Barrington, and St. Matthew’s, Jamestown.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC R Armidon; SD W Dilworth; Thurifer R Noble; Crucifer D Latimer; Torches Z Painter, C Sylvia
Lector – RG Noble
Ushers – S Newby, K Benziger
Coffee Hour – S Brazil, N Gingrich

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 26 September
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 20 September
SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

Daily Office & Mass Lectionary: Proper 20, Year 1

Monday 21 September
SAINT MATTHEW, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 22 September
Feria (G)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 23 September
Feria (G)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 24 September
Our Lady of Walsingham (Blue)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 25 September
Sergei of Radonezh, Russian Monastic Reformer, Teacher, 1392 (W)
Angelus 12 Noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 26 September
Lancelot Andrewes, Bishop of Winchester, Spiritual Writer, 1626 (W)
Cosmas & Damian, Martyrs at Aegea, c. 287

Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Eucharistic Adoration 10 am (until 11 am)
Abel/Barr Wedding 4 pm

Sunday 27 September
EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (September 27)

Proper 21, Year B
Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29
Psalm 19:7-14
James 5:13-20
Mark 9:38-50

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

ONLINE PARISH NOTES
6 SEPTEMBER 2015


Christ Heals a Deaf Man. 14th Century Byzantine Mosaic
Church of the Holy Saviour, Istanbul

FROM THE RECTOR

This Sunday, we have been asked to respond to an initiative of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church seeking nationwide prayers following the racially-motivated murders of nine members of Mother Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina on June 17. (The letter from the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies may be read here.) S. Stephen's was one of the first integrated parishes in the Episcopal Church, and has so remained from the 1850s to the present. Both Sunday Masses will be offered for the intention of racial reconciliation and justice in our country and worldwide, and Prayer #27 "For Social Justice" (BCP 1979, p. 823) will be the concluding Collect at the Prayers of the People. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY'S READINGS

Proper 18, Year B
Isaiah 35:4-7a
Psalm 146
James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-18
Mark 7:31-37

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Labor Day (September 7th) – As on all Federal public holidays, Low Mass tomorrow will be offered at 9:30 am, preceded by Morning Prayer at 9 am. Please note the time change.

September Year’s Mind – Departed parishioners whose anniversaries fall during September will be prayed for at the Mass tomorrow, Monday 7 September at 9:30 am. If you have any additional names to be remembered, please let Fr. Alexander know.

The Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8) – a major Feast Day of the church calendar, will be celebrated this Tuesday with Morning Prayer at 8 am and Low Mass at 8:30.

Society of Mary -- will meet this Saturday, 12 September (not Saturday in the Labor Weekend as was erroneously listed in last week's Parish Notes). Recitation of the Rosary (10 am) will follow regularly scheduled Morning Prayer (9 am) and Mass (9:30 am). Breakfast and a brief meeting will follow.

Fall Programs – Our new program year begins next Sunday 13 September with the return of the Schola Cantorum to Solemn Mass at 10 on Sundays and the start of our Sunday School program. Our Parish Programs & Events and Liturgical Music Brochures will be arriving in your mailbox in the near future.

Steve’s Poetry Slam – On Sunday 13 September at 3 pm, all are invited to attend the first STEVE’S POETRY SLAM. Attendees are invited to bring and recite a poem or a fragment of a poem of their choice. There will be a time limit of three minutes for each reading with an extra minute to explain the choice. After 45 minutes have elapsed there will extra time allowed for questions and discussion. Tom Oakes will chair the SLAM and requests that all who wish to recite bring a slip of paper to identify themselves. All poems are welcome including “SELFIES”.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Nicholas, Patricia, Jonno, Nancy, Townsend, Norman, Elva, Ethel, Andrea, Marion, Sue, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Harrington, Kate, Davaughn, Bernice, Ellen-Jean, Richard, Maureen, Sandy, Stephen, Angela, Bobby, Sally, Rhoda, Ned, Henry, James, and Dianne.

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Alan Peter Maynard, Priest (7 September 2006), Mary J. Seamans (10 September 1987), and Michele Leighton (11 September 2009); Recently Departed: Walt Born.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church in Sialkot (Pakistan): The Rt. Rev’d Samuel Pervaiz; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for a blessing upon all human labor and those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC R Noble; SD W Dilworth; Thurifer D Latimer; Crucifer L Verdelotti; Torches DO Latimer, J Rice
Lector – P Martin
Ushers – B Lennihan, R Viti
Coffee Hour – K Vorbeck Williams, T Oakes, P Fuller

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Saturday 12 September
Society of Mary, 10 am (following 9:30 am Mass)

Sunday 13 September
Steve’s Poetry Slam 3 pm

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 12 September
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 6 September
FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

Daily Office & Mass Lectionary: Proper 18, Year 1

Monday 7 September
LABOR DAY (G)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass (with prayers for September departed) 9:30 am

Tuesday 8 September
THE BIRTH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (Blue)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 9 September
Charles Fuge Lowder, Priest, Founder of the Society of the Holy Cross, 1880 (W)
Constance, Nun, and Companions, 1878

Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 10 September
Finnian, Abbot of Moville, 589 (W)
Alexander Crummell, Priest, 1898

Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 11 September
Feria (G)
Angelus 12 Noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 12 September
John Henry Hobart, Bishop of New York,  1830 (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Holy Rosary 10 am

Sunday 13 September
SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (September 13)

Proper 19, Year B
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 116:1-8
James 3:1-12
Mark 8:27-38