Thursday, June 30, 2016

PARISH NOTES
Sunday 3 July 2016

Russian Icon of the Seventy Apostles

FROM THE RECTOR

In the tenth chapter of Saint Luke's Gospel, our Lord entrusts seventy (some manuscripts say seventy-two) disciples with a share in his mission. They are to go out in pairs ahead of him, to the towns he himself will subsequently visit, preaching the Gospel and healing the sick. They are, as it were, his advance party. Their spectacular success reminds us that Jesus entrusts all the members of his Church with some share in his mission. No-one is so unimportant or insignificant as to have no vital role to play in advancing God's Kingdom. Just as the seventy returned rejoicing, so we gather every Sunday at Mass to worship God and to receive our commission and strength to do the Lord's work in the wider world. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Proper 9, Year C
Isaiah 66:10-14
Psalm 66:1-8
Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Independence Day – as on all federal public holidays, the schedule on Monday 4 July will be Morning Prayer at 9 and Low Mass at 9:30 am, so that those attending these services (or conducting them) may have the rest of the day free.

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

Lourdes Prayer Requests – Fr. Alexander will be making a pilgrimage to Lourdes in France the first week of August. If you have any prayer requests you would like him to offer at the shrine there, please fill out one of the forms on the table in the narthex and return to him by Sunday 10 July.

Special Music Fund Appeal – Thank you to all who have responded to the appeal for the Special Music Fund. At this point we have received more than $2,000. (If you did not receive a contribution card and envelope in the mail, please speak to one of the ushers, or call or email the parish office.) Checks may be made payable to S. Stephen's Church with the notation "Special Music Fund" in the memo line. Our target date for receiving contributions is this Tuesday 5 July; at that point we will begin planning the 2016-2017 program year based on the funds available.

Coffee Hour Contributions – Owing to new diocesan regulations concerning the handling of cash, we are no longer able to receive donations at Coffee Hour for coffee, food, and supplies. The donations basket is no longer available. We thank all those who have contributed to this important ministry. Those who wish to make donations to help defray Coffee Hour expenses are welcome to put a check in the collection plate during Mass, or mail a check to the parish office, with the notation “Coffee Hour” clearly marked in the memo line.

Goodwill Industries – There is a clothing collection box in the Great Hall for the next few weeks on behalf of Goodwill Industries. One of their objectives is helping people in need to find employment, and to that end, they are accepting donations of clothing suitable for job interviews. If you have anything you can contribute, please bring it.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Elizabeth, Townsend, Norman, John, Peter, Michael, Michael, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Stephanie, Harrington, Kate, Richard, Jerry, Joel, Sandra, Yolanda, Angela, Bobby, Sally, Loretto, Rhoda, Ned, Michael, Henry, James, Weldon, Dianne, and Elizabeth.

Birthdays this week: Joyce Ricchi (July 7), Elizabeth Alexander (July 9).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Charles A. Kilvert (4 July 2000), Albert S. Cook (7 July 1998). Recently Departed: The Rt. Rev. Edward Salmon, Richard Ladds, Bernice Howe, and Francis Joseph Geogan.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church of Papua New Guinea: The Rt. Rev’d Clyde Igara, Archbishop of Papua New Guinea & Bishop of Dogura; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for our country, the President of the United States, and all in civil authority, for Congress & Courts of Justice, and for sound government.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC; W Dilworth; Thurifer Z Painter; Crucifer L Hooks; Torches C Sylvia, V Johnson
Lector – T Oakes
Ushers – S Chamberlin, P Pettingell
Coffee Hour – L Latimer & E Hooks

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Saturday 9 July
Society of Mary (following Mass & Recitation of the Rosary)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 9 July
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 3 July
THE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am

Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Proper 9, Year Two

Monday 4 July
INDEPENDENCE DAY (W)
Elizabeth, Queen of Portugal, 1336
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Tuesday 5 July
Votive of the Holy Angels (W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 6 July
Thomas More, Scholar, & John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, Martyrs, 1535 (or June 22) (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 7 July
Palladius, Apostle of Ireland, 5th century (G or W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Friday 8 July
Aquila and Priscilla, Companions of Saint Paul, 1st century (G or R)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 9 July
Votive of the BVM (W or Blue)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Sunday 10 July
THE EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (July 10)

Proper 10, Year C
Deuteronomy 30:9-14
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