ONLINE PARISH NOTES

SUNDAY 31 JANUARY 2016

Jesus in the Synagogue at Nazareth
Polychrome wood ceiling panel, 12th Century
Church of St. Martin, Zillis, Switzerland

FROM THE RECTOR

Hearty thanks to everyone who showed up this past Sunday for the Annual Meeting despite the snow and ice, and also to everyone who supported us with their prayers from home! As explained in a separate blog entry, we had an abbreviated Annual Meeting to approve last year's Minutes and vote in the candidates for the various required positions, and then we adjourned and continued with an excellent lunch. The Reports of the Rector, Wardens, and Treasurer are postponed to a special "Information Session" to he held a week from this Sunday, on February 7th, at Coffee Hour. Please plan on joining us. 

-- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71: 1-6
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Luke 4:21-30

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Information Session – the reports of the Clergy, Wardens, and Treasurer that would have been given at last Sunday's Annual Meeting will now be given at an Information Session to be held next Sunday (February 7) during Coffee Hour. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Altar flowers – today are given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the adoption and baptism of Mason Anthony Butler-Rose, by Bobby Rose and Chris Butler.

Flowers at the Statue of Our Lady – are given to the glory of God and in honor of the Feast of the Purification, by the Society of Mary.

Episcopal Ministry at Brown & RISD (EMBR) – Sunday evening prayer with EMBR resumes this evening at 5:30 pm.

February Year’s Mind – departed parishioners whose anniversaries fall during February will be prayed for at the Requiem Mass tomorrow, Monday 1 February at 6:00 pm, preceded by Evening Prayer at 5:30. If you have any additional names to be remembered, please let Fr. Alexander or Fr. Yost know.

Solemn Mass & Procession for Candlemas – This Tuesday 2 February at 6 pm we will celebrate the feast of The Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple (also known as the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Candlemas), with Solemn Mass and Procession. This will be a joint celebration with Saint John’s, Newport; Fr. Nathan Humphrey will be the preacher. Please mark this important occasion on your calendars and plan on attending.

Society of Mary – will meet this Saturday 6 February for 9 am Morning Prayer, 9:30 Mass, then recitation of the Rosary. Everyone is invited.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper – Our annual pancake supper will be Tuesday 9 February from 5:30 – 7 pm in our Great Hall. Tickets are available at the door. Please let us know if you plan to attend by calling the parish office at 401-421-6702, ext. 1 or via email to office@sstephens.necoxmail.com. All are welcome. Come enjoy a final culinary indulgence before Lent, and join in the burning of last year’s palms to make new ashes for Ash Wednesday.

Ash Wednesday Services (February 10) – Morning Prayer & Blessing of the Ashes will be celebrated at 8 am in the Lady Chapel. (You may receive ashes at this service.) Sung Mass will be celebrated with the Imposition of Ashes at 6 pm in the main church.

Stations of the Cross & Lenten Series – This year’s Lenten Series, entitled “Christianity, War, and Peace: Five Ethical Traditions” will be on Friday evenings in Lent (February 19 & 26, March 4, 11, & 18.) The evening will begin at 6 pm with Stations of the Cross, followed by a light dinner and Fr. Alexander’s talk.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Elizabeth, Nicholas, Robert, Patricia, Nancy, Townsend, Norman, Elva, Ethel, Andrea, Michael, Mark, Sue, Michael, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Deborah, Peter, Harrington, Kate, Davaughn, Bernice, Rob, Ellen-Jean, Robert, Richard, Maureen, Sandy, Stephen, Michael, Thom, Angela, Bobby, Laura, Sally, Rhoda, Ned, Charles, Frederick, Henry, James, and Dianne.

Birthdays this week – Nathan Callanan (February 1), Charles O’Boyle (February 2).

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Henry Francis Tingley, Jr. (4 February 1984), Mary L. Starks (5 February 1999), and Paul David Ross (6 February 1996). Recently Departed: Janis Donaldson Roihl.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for The Anglican Church of Burundi: The Most Rev’d Bernard Ntahoturi, Archbishop of the Province of Burundi & Bishop of Matana; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for Episcopal Charities and the ministries and agencies they support.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC R Armidon; SD S Brazil; Thurifer J Starks; Crucifer Z Painter; Torches L Hooks, DO Latimer
Lector – RG Noble
Ushers – N Gingrich, T Bledsoe
Coffee Hour – K Vorbeck Williams, T Oakes, P Fuller

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 6 February

Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 31 January

THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass with Holy Baptism 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

Daily Office & Mass Lectionary for Epiphany IV, Year Two

Monday 1 February
Brigid, Abbess of Kildare, 523
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Requiem Mass 6 pm (Black)

Tuesday 2 February
THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am
Solemn Mass with Procession 6 pm

Wednesday 3 February
Anskar, Archbishop of Hamburg, Missionary in Denmark and Sweden, 865 (W)
Blaise, Bishop of Sebaste, Martyr, 316
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 4 February
Gilbert of Sempringham, Founder of the Gilbertine Order, 1189 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 5 February
Agatha, Martyr at Catania, 3rd century (R)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 6 February
The Martyrs of Japan, 1597 (R)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Holy Rosary 10 am

Sunday 7 February
THE LAST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY (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 (February 7)

Last Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12 - 4:2
Luke 9:28-36,(37-43a)

FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION

(CANDLEMAS)

Hans Holbein, Presentation of Christ in the Temple, c. 1501 

On Tuesday 2 February at 6 pm S. Stephen's Church will offer Solemn Mass with Blessing and Lighting of Candles and Solemn Procession for the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple, also known as the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Candlemas.

Music
Nico Muhly (b. 1981) -- Bright Mass with Canons
Thomas Morley (c. 1557--1602) -- Gaude Maria virgo

Preacher
The Rev. Nathan J.A. Humphrey
Vicar, St. John the Evangelist, Newport

All are welcome and cordially invited to attend.

S. Stephen's Church is at 114 George Street, Providence RI 02906. For more information 401-421-6702, or www.sstephens.org

UPDATE ON THE 2016 ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

Photo by Robert Armidon

The Annual Meeting of S. Stephen's Church went ahead as scheduled on Sunday 24 January 2016.

Despite the snow and ice from the previous day, 73 people were in attendance at the 10 am Solemn Mass. Thirty-five came upstairs to the Great Hall for lunch and the meeting. Twenty-four members of the parish were present, providing the necessary quorum for the transaction of business.

After being called to order, the Annual Meeting approved the Minutes from last year and the published slate of Nominees for Junior Warden, Treasurer, Clerk, Vestry members, and Diocesan Convention Delegates and Alternates.

The meeting then adjourned, postponing the remaining items on the agenda (including reports from the Clergy, Wardens, and Treasurer), to an Informational Meeting to be held in two weeks on Sunday 7 February 2016 during Coffee Hour. (Lunch will not be provided, just the usual Coffee Hour refreshments.)

Copies of the Agenda and Reports of today's meeting will be available at Mass (at the back of the church) for the next two weeks.

Thanks to everybody who came to Mass and helped make possible the 2016 Annual Meeting. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Informational Session on the 7th.

-- Fr. John D. Alexander

ONLINE PARISH NOTES
Sunday 24 January 2016

Christ Reads in the Synagogue, Caldarusani Monastery, Romania

FROM THE RECTOR

This Sunday is the Annual Parish Meeting at S. Stephen's: an important opportunity to review and celebrate our life, worship, mission, and ministry together as a parish. Please join us if you're able.
-- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Third Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C
Nehemiah 8: 1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 12: 12-31a
Luke 4:14-21

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle (January 25) – a major feast of the Church year, will be kept on Monday with Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm, followed by Low Mass at 6 pm.

Nominations Committee – The slate of nominees for election at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 24, 2016 is as follows: three vestry members for four-year terms (expire Annual Meeting of 2020): Patricia Barnes, Bruce Lennihan, and Frank Pisaturo; one vestry member for a two-year term (expires Annual Meeting of 2018): Danielle Latimer; two Diocesan Convention Delegates (one-year term): Richard Noble and Frank Pisaturo; two Diocesan Convention Alternates (one-year term): Cathy Bledsoe and Modu Johnson; Junior Warden (three-year term): Susan Brazil; Clerk of the Vestry (one-year term): Phoebe Pettingell; and Treasurer (one-year term): Ransom Widmer.

Episcopal Ministry at Brown & RISD (EMBR) – Sunday evening prayer with EMBR resumes next Sunday evening (January 31) at 5:30 pm.

Solemn Mass & Procession for Candlemas – On Tuesday 2 February at 6 pm we will celebrate the feast of The Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple (also known as the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Candlemas), with Solemn Mass and Procession. This will be a joint celebration with Saint John’s, Newport; Fr. Nathan Humphrey will be the preacher. Please mark this important occasion on your calendars and plan on attending.

Lent is Coming – and that means that our Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and Ash Wednesday are not far off. Our annual pancake supper will be on Tuesday 9 February from 5:30 – 7 pm. Ash Wednesday services on February 10: Morning Prayer & Blessing of the Ashes at 8 am, with Sung Mass at 6 pm.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Elizabeth, Nicholas, Robert, Patricia, Nancy, Townsend, Norman, Elva, Ethel, Andrea, Michael, Mark, Sue, Michael, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Deborah, Peter, Harrington, Kate, Davaughn, Bernice, Rob, Ellen-Jean, Robert, Richard, Maureen, Sandy, Stephen, Michael, Thom, Angela, Bobby, Laura, Sally, Rhoda, Ned, Charles, Frederick, Henry, James, and Dianne.

Birthdays this week – Thomas Bledsoe (January 30).

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Claire B. Bentley (25 January 1984), L’Marie Blunt (25 January 1994), Sterling C. Poitier (28 January 1996), Florence Matilda Colvin (30 January 1994), Anna Waterman Jackson McCoy (30 January 1985), and Ronald Parks Conner, Priest (30 January 2011).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil: The Most Rev’d Francisco De Assis Da Silva, Primate of Brazil & Bishop of South-Western Brazil; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. Paul’s, North Kingstown; St. Paul’s, Pawtucket; and St. Paul’s, Portsmouth.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC W Dilworth; SD R Noble; Thurifer R Armidon; Crucifer D Latimer; Torches K Rejto, L Rejto
Lector – T Oakes
Ushers – R Viti, J Chamberlain
Coffee Hour – 178th Annual Meeting

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Sunday 24 January
178th Annual Meeting (following the 10 am Mass)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 30 January
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 24 January
THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am

Daily Office & Mass Lectionary for Epiphany III, Year Two

Monday 25 January
THE CONVERSION OF SAINT PAUL THE APOSTLE (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 26 January
Timothy and Titus [and Silas], Companions of Saint Paul (R)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 27 January
Feria (G)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 28 January
Thomas Aquinas, Priest, Doctor, 1274 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 29 January
Andrei Rublev, Monk and Iconographer, 1430 (W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 30 January
Charles, King and Martyr, 1649 (R)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Sunday 31 January
THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY (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 (January 31)

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71: 1-6
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Luke 4:21-30

ONLINE PARISH NOTES

SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016

Duccio Di Buoninsegna, Wedding at Cana, 1308-1311

FROM THE RECTOR

This Sunday we contemplate our Lord's changing water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee, the first of his miracles or "signs," and the third great Epiphany of his identity as the Son of God. Please join us as we celebrate. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Second Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C
Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 36: 5-10
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
John 2:1-11

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 18) – As on all public holidays falling on Monday, Low Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 am, preceded by Morning Prayer at 9; with prayers and readings for The Confession of Saint Peter the Apostle (Saint Peter’s Chair at Rome). This feast begins the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Annual Meeting – Please join us next Sunday, January 24th, after the 10 am Mass for the Annual Meeting of the parish. We need volunteers to bring food and beverages, and someone to manage the food setup. Please contact Junior Warden Susan Brazil, or Cory MacLean in the parish office if you can help. All are welcome and invited to attend, although only active adult parishioners in good standing may vote. (If you have questions about your status as a parishioner, please ask Fr. Alexander. According to the canons of the Episcopal Church adults are 16 years old and older.)

Nominations Committee – The slate of nominees for election at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 24, 2016 is as follows: three vestry members for four-year terms (expire Annual Meeting of 2020): Patricia Barnes, Bruce Lennihan, and Frank Pisaturo; one vestry member for a two-year term (expires Annual Meeting of 2018): Danielle Latimer; two Diocesan Convention Delegates (one-year term): Richard Noble and Frank Pisaturo; two Diocesan Convention Alternates (one-year term): Cathy Bledsoe and Modu Johnson; Junior Warden (three-year term): Susan Brazil; Clerk of the Vestry (one-year term): Phoebe Pettingell; and Treasurer (one-year term): Ransom Widmer.

Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD (EMBR) – Sunday evening prayer with EMBR will resume next Sunday, January 24, 2016.

Solemn Mass & Procession for Candlemas – On Tuesday 2 February at 6 pm we will celebrate the feast of The Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple (also known as the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Candlemas), with Solemn Mass and Procession. This will be a joint celebration with Saint John’s, Newport; Fr. Nathan Humphrey will be the preacher. A reception will follow. Please mark this important occasion on your calendars and plan on attending.

Lent is Coming – and that means that our Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and Ash Wednesday are not far off. Our annual pancake supper will be on Tuesday 9 February from 5:30 – 7 pm. Ash Wednesday services on February 10: Morning Prayer & Blessing of the Ashes at 8 am, with Sung Mass at 6 pm.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Elizabeth, Nicholas, Robert, Patricia, Nancy, Townsend, Norman, Elva, Ethel, Andrea, Michael, Mark, Sue, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Deborah, Peter, Harrington, Kate, Davaughn, Bernice, Rob, Ellen-Jean, Robert, Richard, Maureen, Sandy, Stephen, Michael, Angela, Bobby, Laura, Sally, Rhoda, Ned, Charles, Frederick, Henry, James, and Dianne.

Birthdays this week – Danielle Latimer (January 22)

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: John Arthur Clark (20 January 2008), Ellsworth E. R. Wallace (21 January 1987), Ruth B. Bodell (21 January 1985), and Gordon Bramwell (22 January 2002); Recently Departed: Laurie Thissell.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church of Bangladesh: The Most Rev’d Paul Shishir Sarker, Moderator, Church of Bangladesh & Bishop of Dhaka; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for our retired bishops George Hunt and Geralyn Wolf.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC S Brazil; SD D Latimer; Thurifer R Armidon; Crucifer W Dilworth; Torches J Rice, R Callanan

Lector – P Pettingell
Ushers – K Benziger, G Ryan
Coffee Hour – Johnson family

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Sunday 24 January

178th Annual Meeting (following the 10 am Mass)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 23 January

Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 17 January

THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am

Daily Office and Mass Lectionary for Epiphany II, Year Two

Monday 18 January

THE CONFESSION OF SAINT PETER THE APOSTLE (SAINT PETER’S CHAIR AT ROME) (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Tuesday 19 January
Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester, 1095 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 20 January
Fabian, Bishop of Rome, Martyr, 250, and Sebastian, Martyr at Rome, c. 288 (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 21 January
Agnes, Martyr at Rome, 304 (R)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 22 January
Vincent, Deacon of Saragossa and Martyr, 250 (R)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 23 January
Feria (G)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Sunday 24 January
THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY (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 (January 24)

Third Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C

Nehemiah 8: 1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 12: 12-31a
Luke 4:14-21

ONLINE PARISH NOTES

Sunday 10 January 2016

Pietro Perugino, The Baptism of Christ, c. 1482, Sistine Chapel

FROM THE RECTOR

Originally the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6) commemorated three events together: the visit of the Magi to the newborn Christ; the Baptism of the Lord; and the Wedding Feast of Cana. All three episodes are "epiphanies" -- manifestations or revelations of Jesus as the Son of God. Since 1969, in the calendar of the Western Church the Baptism of the Lord is kept on the First Sunday after the Epiphany and marks the formal end of the Christmas season. It is especially appropriate to administer Holy Baptism on this day; in the absence of actual baptisms, at S. Stephen's we take advantage of the opportunity to renew our Baptismal Vows. Please join us on Sunday as we celebrate this wonderful feast commemorating a great mystery of the faith. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

First Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C
Isaiah 43: 1-7
Psalm 29;
Acts 8 14-17
Luke 3:15-16,21-22

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Eucharistic Adoration – This Saturday 16 January, 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.

Rector Away – Fr. Alexander is away on Sunday 10 January attending the annual Conference of the Society of Christian Ethics in Toronto. He will be back in the parish office on Tuesday. Please pray for his safe travels and return. 

Annual Meeting – Please join us on Sunday, January 24th, after the 10 am Mass for the Annual Meeting of the parish. We need volunteers to bring food and beverages, and someone to manage the food setup. Please contact Cory MacLean in the parish office if you can help. All are welcome and invited to attend, although only active adult parishioners in good standing may vote. (If you have questions about your status as a parishioner, please ask Fr. Alexander. According to the canons of the Episcopal Church adults are 16 years old and older.)

Nominations Committee – The slate of nominees for election at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 24, 2016 is as follows: three vestry members for four-year terms (expire Annual Meeting of 2020): Patricia Barnes, Bruce Lennihan, and Frank Pisaturo; one vestry member for a two-year term (expires Annual Meeting of 2018): Danielle Latimer; two Diocesan Convention Delegates (one-year term): Richard Noble and Frank Pisaturo; two Diocesan Convention Alternates (one-year term): Cathy Bledsoe and Modu Johnson; Junior Warden (three-year term): Susan Brazil; Clerk of the Vestry (one-year term): Phoebe Pettingell; and Treasurer (one-year term): Ransom Widmer.

Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD (EMBR) – Sunday evening prayer with EMBR will resume on January 24, 2016.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

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

Birthdays this week – Joan Gordon (January 11) and Jason Connell (January 13).

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Margaret Ethel Worthington (10 January 1991) and Harry Johnson (12 January 2007); Recently Departed: Laurie Thissell, The Rt. Rev. Donald James Parsons.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Anglican Church of Australia: The Most Revd Philip Leslie Freier, Archbishop of Melbourne & Primate of Australia; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for all the clergy and people of the Diocese.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC R Noble; Thurifer D Latimer; Crucifer L Verdelotti; Torches V Johnson, Z Painter
Lector – RG Noble
Ushers – J Steiny, T Oakes
Coffee Hour – Benziger family

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 16 January

Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 10 January
THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY: THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (W)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am

Daily Mass Lectionary for Epiphany, Year Two

Monday 11 January

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

Tuesday 12 January
Aelred, Abbott of Rievaulx, 1167 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 13 January

Hilary, Bishop of Poiters, 367 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 14 January
Kentigern (Mungo), Bishop, Missionary in Galloway, Founder of Glasgow, 612 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 15 January
Paul of Thebes, First Hermit, c. 345 (W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 16 January
Richard Meux Benson, Monk, Founder of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist, 1915 (W)
Charles Gore, Bishop, Teacher, Founder of the Community of the Resurrection, 1932

Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Eucharistic Adoration 10 am (until 11 am)

Sunday 17 January
THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (January 17)

Second Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C

Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 36: 5-10
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
John 2:1-11

ONLINE PARISH NOTES

Sunday 3 January 2016

Duccio di Buoninsegna, Disputation with the Doctors, 1308-1311

FROM THE RECTOR

Happy New Year! Sunday 3 January is the tenth day of Christmas, and the Church continues its celebration of the Lord's Incarnation. Please join us. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Christmas II, Year C
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Psalm 84 or 84:1-8
Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19a
Luke 2:41-52

ANNOUNCEMENTS

January Year’s Mind – departed parishioners whose anniversaries fall during January will be prayed for at the Mass tomorrow, Monday 4 January at 6:00 pm, preceded by Evening Prayer at 5:30. If you have any additional names to be remembered, please let Fr. Alexander or Fr. Yost know.

The Epiphany – this Wednesday, January 6, 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.

Annual Meeting – Please join us on Sunday, January 24th, after the 10 am Mass for the Annual Meeting of the parish. We need volunteers to bring food and beverages, and someone to manage the food setup. Please contact Cory MacLean in the parish office if you can help. All are welcome and invited to attend, although only active adult parishioners in good standing may vote. (If you have questions about your status as a parishioner, please ask Fr. Alexander. According to the canons of the Episcopal Church adults are 16 years old and older.)

Nominations Committee – Charles O'Boyle has withdrawn from the slate of Nominees for Vestry announced last week, and the Nominating Committee has nominated Bruce Lennihan in his place. The slate of nominees for election at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 24, 2016 is now as follows: three vestry members for four-year terms (expire Annual Meeting of 2020): Patricia Barnes, Bruce Lennihan, and Frank Pisaturo; one vestry member for a two-year term (expires Annual Meeting of 2018): Danielle Latimer; two Diocesan Convention Delegates (one-year term): Richard Noble and Frank Pisaturo; two Diocesan Convention Alternates (one-year term): Cathy Bledsoe and Modu Johnson; Junior Warden (three-year term): Susan Brazil; Clerk of the Vestry (one-year term): Phoebe Pettingell; and Treasurer (one-year term): Ransom Widmer.

EMBR – Sunday evening prayer with EMBR has concluded for the semester, and will resume on January 27, 2016.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Nicholas, Robert, Patricia, Nancy, Townsend, Norman, Elva, Ethel, Andrea, Michael, Mark, Sue, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Deborah, Peter, Harrington, Kate, Davaughn, Bernice, Rob, Ellen-Jean, Robert, Richard, Maureen, Sandy, Donald, Stephen, Angela, Bobby, Laura, Sally, Rhoda, Ned, Charles, Frederick, Henry, James, and Dianne.

Birthdays this week – Philip Noble (January 5) and Katherine Hayslip (January 6).

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Marian Dunlop (6 January 2000), Chester Arthur Files Jr. (8 January 2013) and John Francis Hall (9 January 1990); Recently Departed: Laurie Thissell.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand & Polynesia: The Most Rev’d William Brown Turei Pihopa o Aotearora and Primate and Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand & Polynesia; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of please pray for the leadership and people of the Church of the Epiphany, East Providence.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC D Latimer SD S Brazil; Thurifer W Dilworth; Crucifer L Hooks; Torches K Rejto, Z Painter
Lector – J Steiny
Ushers – B Lennihan, T Bledsoe
Coffee Hour – Rejto/Elliot family

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 9 January
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 3 January
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS (W)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am

Daily Mass Lectionary for Christmas/Epiphany

Monday 4 January
Proper for January 4 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm (with Commemoration of January Departed)

Tuesday 5 January
Proper for January 5 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 6 January
THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (W)

(High Mass at St. John the Evangelist, Newport 6:30 pm)

Thursday 7 January
Proper for January 7 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am

Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 8 January
Proper for January 8 (W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 9 January
Proper for January 9 (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Sunday 10 January
THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY: THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (W)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (January 10)

First Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C
Isaiah 43: 1-7
Psalm 29;
Acts 8 14-17
Luke 3:15-16,21-22