Thursday, August 25, 2016

PARISH NOTES
Sunday 28 August 2016

Kirill Ulanov, The Hospitality of Abraham
Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ustyushna, Russia, 1689/90

FROM THE RECTOR

The "Old Testament Trinity" of Andrei Rublev (c. 1360 -- c. 1430) is perhaps the best known instance of a theme in Eastern Christian iconography depicting "The Hospitality of Abraham" (Genesis 18:1-15), as in the icon above. Today's reading from the letter to the Hebrews sums up the lesson that faithful readers of the text have long derived from this passage: "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." We do well to take this teaching to heart at a time of increasing fear of strangers and sojourners in our midst. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Proper 17, Year C
Sirach 10:12-18
Psalm 112
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Luke 14:1, 7-14

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Guest Organist – We welcome Jeffrey Mills as guest organist again this morning. James Busby returns next week.

The S. Stephen – The copy deadline for the next issue is Friday 2 September. Anyone interested in submitting something for publication, please send it to Phoebe Pettingell (phoebe1446@aol.com) by that date.

Requiem for Jane Latham – Long-time parishioner Jane Latham died on Sunday 14 August at Hope Hospice in Providence. Her Requiem will be here at S. Stephen’s on Tuesday 20 September at 11 am. The service will be followed by a reception in the Great Hall immediately following the service.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

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

Birthdays this week: Simon Newby (August 29).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Eleanor Fayerweather (30 August 1992) and Robert Thomas McElligott (2 September 1989). Recently Departed: C. Jane Latham.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan & Sudan: The Most Rev’d Dr. Daniel Deng Bul Yak, Archbishop of the Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan & Sudan & Bishop of Juba; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. Augustine’s, Kingston.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC S Brazil; Thurifer R Armidon; Crucifer L Hooks; Torches V Johnson, K Rejto
Lector – E Alexander
Ushers – E Drew, G Ryan
Coffee Hour – Alison Huff

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 3 September
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 28 August
THE FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Proper 17, Year Two

Monday 29 August
Beheading of John the Baptist (G or R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 30 August
Charles Chapman Grafton, Bishop of Fond du Lac, 1912 (G or W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 31 August
Aidan, Bishop of Lindisfarne, Missionary, 651 (G or W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 1 September
Giles of Provence, Hermit, c. 710 (G or W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Friday 2 September
The Martyrs of Papua New Guinea, 1942 (G or R)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 3 September
Phoebe, Companion of Saint Paul, Deaconess, 1st century (G or W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Sunday 4 September
THE FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (September 4)

Proper 18, Year C
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Psalm 1
Philemon 1-21
Luke 14:25-33

Thursday, August 18, 2016

PARISH NOTES
Sunday 21 August 2016

Fra Angelico, "Dance of the Blessed Outside the Heavenly Jerusalem"
Detail from The Last Judgment, c. 1425-1430, San Marco, Florence

FROM THE RECTOR

Freedom of religion is a right we should not take for granted. In many parts of the world, Christians risk their lives, livelihoods, and physical safety simply to gather on the Lord's Day to worship God in Christ and receive the Sacraments under conditions of threat and persecution. One way we can show our solidarity with the Persecuted Church throughout the world is by "not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:25). We best express our gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy by using them well. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Proper 16, Year C
Isaiah 58:9b-14
Psalm 103:1-8
Hebrews 12:18-29
Luke 13:10-17

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Guest Organist – We welcome Jeffrey Mills as guest organist for the next two Sundays, while James Busby is on vacation.

Saint Bartholomew the Apostle (August 24th) – a major feast of the church year, will be kept on Wednesday with Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm and Low Mass at 6 pm.

Eucharistic Adoration
– This Saturday 27 August, 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.

Requiem for Jane Latham – Long-time parishioner Jane Latham died on Sunday 14 August at Hope Hospice in Providence. Her Requiem will be here at S. Stephen’s on Tuesday 20 September at 11 am. More details will follow.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

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

Birthdays this week: Joel McCoy (August 21), Patty Barnes & Florence Ferreira (August 26).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Edith Woolsey Nutt (22 August 2005), Robert E. Latham (23 August 1999), Thomas Edward Goode (24 August 1991), Florence Thorpe (24 August 1994), and Sheila Kathleen Beresford (26 August 1986). Recently Departed: C. Jane Latham.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Anglican Church of South America: The Most Rev’d Hector Zavala Muñoz, Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Church of South America & Bishop of Chile; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of the Episcopal Service Corps, and the Residents and staff of the Jonathan Daniels House.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC R Noble; 2nd Chalice R Armidon; Thurifer J Starks; Crucifer L Verdelotti; Torches R Callanan, L Rejto
Lector – M Johnson
Ushers – S Newby, J Chamberlin
Coffee Hour – Society of Mary

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 27 August

Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 21 August
THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Proper 16, Year Two

Monday 22 August
Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary (G or Blue)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 23 August
Rose of Lima, Dominican Nun, 1617 (G or W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 24 August
SAINT BARTHOLOMEW THE APOSTLE (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 25 August
Louis, King of France, 1270 (G or W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Friday 26 August
Dominic Barberi, Priest, Religious, Missionary, 1849 (G or W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 27 August
Monica, Mother of Augustine of Hippo, 387 (G or W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Sunday 28 August
THE FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (August 28)

Friday, August 12, 2016

PARISH NOTES
Sunday 14 August 2016

Icon, "Great Cloud of Witnesses"

FROM THE RECTOR

This Sunday's Epistle reminds us that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, cheering us on in our earthly race. The saints in heaven pray for us and rejoice in our perseverance in the Christian life. The fellowship of the Body of Christ is not limited to our visible fellow church members in this life, but comprises all who have completed the race before us. Strengthened by their fellowship, encouraged by their examples, and aided by their prayers, we come Sunday by Sunday to join in worship so that we may persevere in running the race that is set before us in our own day.  -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Proper 15, Year C
Jeremiah 23:23-29
Psalm 82
Hebrews 11:29-12:2
Luke 12:49-56
ANNOUNCEMENTS

Institution of Fr. Nathan Humphrey as Rector of St. John’s, Newport – will take place this afternoon at 4 pm. After several years as a diocesan mission with Fr. Humphrey as Vicar, St. John’s has recently regained parish status and their Vestry has elected Fr. Humphrey as Rector. This is an occasion for celebration. Bishop Knisely will preside at the Institution Mass and the Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold, III, former Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, will preach. Please note that this liturgy will also serve as our two parishes’ joint celebration of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15th). Parishioners and friends of S. Stephen’s are cordially invited to attend.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Ed, Jane, 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: Phoebe Pettingell (August 14), Bruce Lennihan (August 17).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: J. Thomas Kershaw (14 August 2001), Myra F. Craven and Naomi Lane Babson Grieder (15 August 1985), Sybil Moss (16 August 2006), and Frank B. Mauk (20 August 1987).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Anglican Church of Southern Africa; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. Mary's, Portsmouth, of St. Mary's, East Providence, and for the leadership, staff, and students of St. Mary's Home for Children.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC W Dilworth; 2nd Chalice Z Painter; Thurifer R Armidon; Crucifer S Brazil; Torches DO Latimer, L Hooks
Lector – P Pettingell
Ushers – L Verdelotti, P Pettingell
Coffee Hour – L Latimer

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S


Saturday 20 August
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 14 August
THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Proper 15, Year Two

Monday 15 August
ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (Blue)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 16 August
Stephen, King of Hungary, 1038 (G or W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 17 August
Feria (G)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 18 August
Feria (G)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Friday 19 August
Feria (G)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 20 August
Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot, Teacher, 1153 (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Sunday 21 August
THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (August 21)