Wednesday, January 11, 2017

PARISH NOTES
Sunday15 January 2017


Fr. Raphael Pfisterer, OSB, Lamb of God surrounded by the four Evangelists 
Detail from mural (1927-1931) at Saint Anselm College, Manchester, New Hampshire

FROM THE RECTOR

This Sunday, we welcome back the Schola Cantorum after a brief break. Those who missed church last week on account of the snow have the opportunity this week at the 10 am Mass not only to come and hear the choir, but also to be present for the Baptism of Elliott Randall, son of Grant and Alissa Randall. Grant joined the Schola Cantorum in 2012, and Elliott played the role of baby Jesus at the pageant last month on Christmas Eve. Please join us for this blessed occasion if you are able. 
-- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Epiphany 2, Year A

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Holy Baptism – Today at the 10 am Solemn Mass we welcome into the Body of Christ Elliott Timothy, son of Grant and Alissa Randall. Grant joined the Schola Cantorum in 2012, and baby Elliott served as our baby Jesus at the 2016 children’s pageant.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 16) – As on all public holidays falling on Monday, Low Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 am, preceded by Morning Prayer at 9.

The Confession of Saint Peter the Apostle (Saint Peter’s Chair at Rome) (January 18) – a major Holy Day, will be celebrated at Low Mass on Wednesday evening at 6 pm, preceded by Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm. This feast begins the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Inauguration Eve Prayers — on Thursday evening 19 January at 6 pm, the Great Litany and Supplication will be offered in the Lady Chapel with special intention for the President-elect and the nation.This traditional Anglican service from the Book of Common Prayer is especially appropriate in times of national division and anxiety. All are welcome to attend and participate.

Eucharistic Adoration – This Saturday 21 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. 

Epiphany Soup Kitchen – Our next opportunity for members of our parish to serve is this Saturday 21 January. If you can help, please contact Bruce Lennihan at michelleisgreat@comcast.net.

Nominations Committee – candidates for the following positions have been nominated for election at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 29, 2017: one vestry member (four-year term): Zachary Painter; two Diocesan Convention Delegates (one-year term): Richard Noble and Frank Pisaturo; two Diocesan Convention Alternates (one-year term): Phoebe Pettingell and John Chamberlin; Clerk of the Vestry (one-year term): Phoebe Pettingell, and Treasurer (one-year term): George Ryan.

Annual Meeting – Please join us on Sunday 29 January, after the 10 am Mass for the 179th Annual Meeting of the parish. 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.) Child care will be available through the luncheon and meeting.

Annual Meeting Luncheon – If you can provide food, beverages, or assistance with clean up for this year’s Annual Meeting, please contact Cory MacLean in the parish office. We are looking for light luncheon fare; sandwiches, salads, desserts, and cold beverages.

Parish Sponsorship of The Living Church — We need some generous individuals to step forward and help fund S. Stephen’s contribution to the fortnightly Episcopal magazine The Living Church for 2017. Published in Milwaukee with a national circulation, The Living Church provides a venue for responsible reporting and serious theological and spiritual reflection on the Church's life and mission in the world today. For an annual contribution of $3,000 we receive mention in each issue as a sponsoring parish, with a write-up in one issue describing our parish’s life and ministry. In addition to this great publicity, we also receive a bundle of copies to distribute in the narthex. Owing to our need to streamline expenses, we can no longer make our contribution from the parish operating budget, and instead are relying on the generosity of parishioners and friends. $2,500 has already been pledged towards our contribution for 2017; we can meet our goal if, say, one more person contributes $500, or two people $250 each, or even five people $100 each. If you are moved to help in this worthwhile endeavor with any amount, please contact Fr. Alexander.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Avis, Virginia, Martha, Donald, Townsend, Norman, John, Shannah, Peter, Sister Carolyn, Michael, Richard, Mark, Michael, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Stephanie, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, John, Ed, Shane, Jan, Richard, Jerry, Joel, Sandra, Emily, Beverly, Yolanda, Angela, Bobby, Sally, Carlos, Loretto, Rhoda, Ned, Michael, James, Michael, Peter, Weldon, Dianne, and Elizabeth.

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: John Arthur Clark (20 January 2008), Ellsworth E. R. Wallace (21 January 1987), and Ruth B. Bodell (21 January 1985). Recently Departed: The Rev. Henry Turnbull.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church of Kyushu - (Japan): The Rt. Rev’d Luke Ken-ichi Muto; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for our retired Bishops, George Hunt and Geralyn Wolf.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC Z Painter; SD W Dilworth; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer L Hooks; Torches E Benziger, R Callanan
Lector – E Alexander
Ushers – TBA
Coffee Hour – Karl & Klara Benziger

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 21 January
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 15 January
THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY (W) 
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass with Holy Baptism 10 am

Daily Office & Mass Lectionary 2 Epiphany (Year One)

Monday 16 January
Richard Meux Benson, Monk, Founder of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist, 1915 (G or W)
Charles Gore, Bishop, Teacher, Founder of the Community of the Resurrection, 1932
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Tuesday 17 January
Anthony, Abbot in Egypt, 356 (W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 18 January
THE CONFESSION OF SAINT PETER THE APOSTLE (W)
(SAINT PETER’S CHAIR AT ROME)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm 

Thursday 19 January
Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester, 1095 (G or W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Great Litany and Supplication  6 pm

Friday 20 January
Fabian, Bishop of Rome, Martyr, 250, and Sebastian, Martyr at Rome, c. 288 (G or R)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 21 January
Agnes, Martyr at Rome, 304 (R)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Eucharistic Adoration 10 am

Sunday 22 January
THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY (G) 
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (22 January)

Epiphany 3, Year A
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