PARISH NOTES

Sunday 30 April 2017

Christ on the Road to Emmaus
Miniature Manuscript Illumination, Vita Christi, Florence, ca. 1320
The Morgan Library, New York

FROM THE RECTOR

This Sunday's Gospel of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus offers a paradigm of the Christian experience of the Risen Christ in the Holy Eucharist. The mysterious stranger accompanies the disciples on the road, explaining the Scriptures. Then his identity is revealed to them in the Breaking of the Bread. At Mass every Sunday and weekday we follow a parallel journey: exploring how the Scriptures illuminate God's saving action in Christ, and then meeting the Risen Christ himself in the Blessed Sacrament. For this we gather, Sunday by Sunday: a gift so great we only cheat ourselves by staying away. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Third Sunday of Easter, Year A
Acts 2:14a,36-41
Psalm 116:1-3, 10-17
1 Peter 1:17-23
Luke 24:13-35

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Society of Mary Annual Mass and Meeting – will take place at All Saints’ Church, Ashmont (Boston), this Saturday 6 May at 11 a.m. The preacher is Fr. F. Washington (Tony) Jarvis. Suggested donation for lunch is $10. For more details, please visit the Society of Mary American Region website at www.somamerica.org. (If anyone is interested in carpooling from S. Stephen’s, please contact Fr. Alexander or Phoebe Pettingell. We will be leaving at approximately 9:30 a.m.)

Commemoration of May Departed – Those on the parish Year’s Mind list whose anniversaries fall during May will be prayed for at the Mass tomorrow evening, Monday 1 May at 6 pm. If you have names of departed family or friends to be remembered, please send them to Fr. Alexander at rector@sstephens.necoxmail.com and come join us if you can.

Dwyer Organ Recital – Next Sunday 7 May at 5:30 pm, Mark Dwyer, Organist & Choirmaster of Church of the Advent in Boston, will perform an organ recital featuring works of J. S. Bach, G. F. Handel, Dietrich Buxtehude, George Thalben-Ball, César Franck, and C. Villiers Stanford. A reception follows in our Great Hall. Please join us for this special musical event. All are welcome.

Confirmations at St. John’s, Newport – We are pleased to announce that Bishop Knisely will be present at our two parishes’ joint celebration of the Feast of the Visitation (6:30 p.m. on Wednesday 31 May) and will be available to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation and/or receive members of other Communions into the Episcopal Church. If you would like to be confirmed or received at this service, please let Fr. Alexander or Fr. Yost know right away so that we can make the necessary preparations.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Townsend, Norman, John, Shannah, Carolyn, Peter, Mark, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Katherine, Sally, John, Ed, Virginia, Kirsten, Beverly, Deborah, Yolanda, Angela, Bobby, Carlos, Rhoda, Ned, William, and James.

Birthdays this week: Robyn Geogan Noble (3 May).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Jane Ann Stiles (30 April 1956), Charles N. Williams, Sr. (3 May 1999), John Herbert Allen (5 May 1991), Robert Hale Ives Goddard (6 May 2003), and Edna Rawlings (6 May 2014); Recently Departed: the Rev’d Charles Thayer.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church of Nandyal (South India): The Rt. Rev’d Eggoni Pushpalalitha; and in the Diocesan Cycle of prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of Church Beyond the Walls.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC Z Painter SD R Noble; Thurifer L Hooks; Crucifer D Malo; Torches C Sylvia, G Benziger
Lector – J Steiny
Ushers – T Oakes, K Benziger
Coffee Hour – Society of Mary

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Sunday 7 May
Dwyer Organ Recital 5:30 pm

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Wednesday 3 May
Food Bank Community Forum 12 - 2 pm

Saturday 6 May
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

30 April
THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER (W)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

Daily Office Lectionary: Easter III, Year One

Daily Mass Lectionary: Easter III

1 May
SAINT PHILIP AND SAINT JAMES, APOSTLES (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass (with Commemoration of May Departed) 6 pm

2 May
Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, Teacher, 373 (W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

3 May
Wednesday in Easter III (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

4 May
Thursday in Easter III (W)
English Saints and Martyrs of the Reformation Era
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

5 May
Friday in Easter III (W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

6 May
Saturday in Easter III (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

7 May
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (W)
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 (7 May)

Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year A
Acts 2:42-47
Psalm 23
1 Peter 2:19-25
John 10:1-10

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PARISH NOTES

Sunday 23 April 2017

The Risen Christ Appears to Doubting Thomas
Newly restored mosaic in Basilica of the Holy Nativity, Bethlehem, c. 1155

FROM THE RECTOR

Easter is not over; it has just begun. Easter Day marks the start of a season of Fifty Days (or, in some reckonings, Forty Days), during which the Church engages in a prolonged meditation on the meaning and significance of Christ's Resurrection. On the Second Sunday of Easter (also known as Low Sunday) the Gospel reading always features the Apostle Thomas, who is absent at the first appearance of the Risen Christ to the disciples, and who disbelieves their report, declaring, "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my fingers in the mark of the nails, I will not believe." A week later, Thomas has the opportunity to do just that, exclaiming "My Lord and my God" when he encounters the Lord. Jesus then proclaims blessed all those who believe without seeing. Please join us this Sunday as we explore the implications of what it means to believe without seeing in our own time and place. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Second Sunday of Easter, Year A
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Psalm 16
1 Peter 1:3-9
John 20:19-31

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Altar Flowers today are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Jeannine Lennihan Firestone, by Bruce and Sharon Lennihan.

Saint Mark the Evangelist (April 25) – a major feast day of the church year, will be celebrated this Tuesday with Angelus at 12 noon and Low Mass at 12:10 pm.-

Society of Mary Annual Mass and Meeting— will take place at All Saints’ Church, Ashmont (Boston), on Saturday 6 May at 11 a.m. The preacher is Fr. F. Washington (Tony) Jarvis. Suggested donation for lunch is $10. For more details, please visit the Society of Mary American Region website at www.somamerica.org. (If anyone is interested in carpooling from S. Stephen’s, please contact Fr. Alexander or Phoebe Pettingell. We will be leaving at approximately 9:30 a.m.)

Dwyer Organ Recital – On Sunday 7 May at 5:30 pm, Mark Dwyer, Organist & Choirmaster of Church of the Advent in Boston, will perform an organ recital featuring works of J. S. Bach, G. F. Handel, Dan Locklair, and C. Villiers Stanford. A reception follows in our Great Hall. Please join us for this special musical event. All are welcome.

Confirmations at St. John’s, Newport – We are pleased to announce that Bishop Knisely will be present at our two parishes’ joint celebration of the Feast of the Visitation (6:30 p.m. on Wednesday 31 May) and will be available to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation and/or receive members of other Communions into the Episcopal Church. If you would like to be confirmed or received at this service, please let Fr. Alexander or Fr. Yost know right away so that we can make the necessary preparations.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Townsend, Norman, John, Shannah, Peter, Mark, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Katherine, Sally, John, Ed, Virginia, Kirsten, Beverly, Deborah, Yolanda, Angela, Bobby, Carlos, Rhoda, Ned, William, and James.

Birthdays this week: Leonard Gaucher (23 April).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: William Brazil (24 April 1995), Kenneth Raymond (24 April 2010), Hazel G. Wyss (25 April 1991), and Jeannine Lennihan Firestone (25 April 2013).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church of Muranga South (Kenya): The Rt. Rev’d Julius Karanu Wa Gicheru; and in the Diocesan Cycle of prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of San Jorge’s, Central Falls and for the leadership and students of St. George’s School, Newport and for the people and clergy of St. Mark’s, Warwick.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC S Brazil SD D Malo; Thurifer J Starks; Crucifer F Pisaturo; Torches K Rejto, l Rejto
Lector – P Martin
Ushers – J Steiny, N Gingrich
Coffee Hour – The Rejto Family

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 29 April
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

23 April
THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER (W)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

Daily Office Lectionary: Week of 2 Easter, Year One
Daily Mass Lectionary: Week of 2 Easter

24 April
Monday in Easter II (W)
Mellitus, Bishop of London, first Bishop at Saint Paul’s, 624
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

25 April
SAINT MARK THE EVANGELIST (R)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

26 April
Wednesday in Easter II (W)
Cletus, Pope and Martyr, c. 89
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

27 April
Thursday in Easter II (W)
Christina Rossetti, Poet, 1895
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

28 April
Friday in Easter II (W)
Peter Chanel, Religious, Missionary in the South Pacific, Martyr, 1841
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

29 April
Saturday in Easter II (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Eucharistic Adoration 10 am

30 April
THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER (W)
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 (30 April)

Third Sunday of Easter, Year A
Acts 2:14a,36-41
Psalm 116:1-3, 10-17
1 Peter 1:17-23
Luke 24:13-35

PARISH NOTES

Sunday 16 April 2017

Ambrosio de Stefano Borgognone, Resurrection (detail), 1510

FROM THE RECTOR

At the heart of the Church’s Easter celebration is the proclamation of good news: “Alleluia, Christ is risen!” “The Lord is risen indeed, alleluia!” The truth of this proclamation changes everything: our attitudes to life and death; our relationships with God, our neighbors, and ourselves. Love’s victory over death and the grave sets us free to give ourselves to God and one another wholeheartedly in Christ’s name. And just as Christ is risen from the dead never to die again, so he offers all of us a share in his eternal life. Come join us Easter Day as we celebrate this joyful hope. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Sunday of the Resurrection: Easter Day

Low Mass 8 am
Exodus 14:10-31, 15:20-21
Psalm 114
Romans 6:3-11
John 20:1-18)

Solemn Mass & Procession 10 am
Acts 10:34-43
Colossians 3:1-4
John 20:1-18)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome to all visitors and guests – we’re glad that you’re here. Please join us for a reception in the library following the Great Vigil Mass (Saturday evening), or after the 10 am Mass (Sunday morning) for coffee and refreshments in the Great Hall upstairs.

Easter Egg Hunt – On Easter Sunday (April 16th) there will be an Egg Hunt following the 10 am Mass for young children (pre-K through grade 3). Please meet in the library immediately after the service.

Cappella Artemisia at S. Stephen’s – This week, S. Stephen’s will host Capella Artemisia, an all-female Italian vocal ensemble specializing in singing works written by 17th century Italian nuns. Their concert, “INVINCIBLE!” will be held in our Lady Chapel on Thursday evening 20 April at 7:30 pm, and is the culmination of a conference sponsored by Brown University, entitled “Living in the Choir: Silence, Music, and Play in Early Modern Italian Convents”, which will be held in our Great Hall earlier in the day, from 12:30 to 5 pm. All are welcome and invited to attend.

Eucharistic Adoration – This Saturday 22 April, 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.

Confirmations at St. John’s, Newport – We are pleased to announce that Bishop Knisely will be present at our two parishes’ joint celebration of the Feast of the Visitation (6:30 p.m. on Wednesday 31 May) and will be available to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation and/or receive members of other Communions into the Episcopal Church. If you would like to be confirmed or received at this service, please let Fr. Alexander or Fr. Yost know right away so that we can make the necessary preparations.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Townsend, Norman, John, Shannah, Peter, Mark, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Katherine, Sally, John, Ed, Virginia, Kirsten, Beverly, Deborah, Yolanda, Angela, Bobby, Carlos, Rhoda, Ned, William, and James.

Birthdays this week: Rhoda Steinhart (16 April), Susan Brazil (18 April), Frank Pisaturo (19 April), Barbara Osborne (20 April), Gail Finch (22 April).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Cristine Marie Parrillo (17 April 1989), John Rankin Laird (19 April 1991), Winifred D. Bonner (20 April 1983), Frances Cecilia Jarvis Hall (20 April 1987), King David Stamps (22 April 1985).

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC R Noble SD F Pisaturo; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer K Hooks; Torches R Callanan, G Benziger
Lector – T Oakes
Ushers – T Bledsoe, P Pettingell, G Ryan, B Lennihan
Coffee Hour – T & C Bledsoe

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Saturday 15 April
Reception (following the 7:30 pm Easter Vigil)

Sunday 16 April 

Acolyte Rehearsal (for Easter Day) 9 am

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Thursday 20 April
Cappella Artemisia Symposium 12:30 – 5 pm (Great Hall)
Cappella Artemisia Concert 7:30 pm (Lady Chapel)

Saturday 22 April
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

16 April
SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION: EASTER DAY (Gold)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass and Procession 10 am

Daily Office Lectionary: Easter Week, Year A
Daily Mass Lectionary: Easter Week, Year One

17 April
MONDAY IN EASTER WEEK (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

18 April
TUESDAY IN EASTER WEEK (W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

19 April
WEDNESDAY IN EASTER WEEK (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

20 April
THURSDAY IN EASTER WEEK (W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

21 April
FRIDAY IN EASTER WEEK (W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

22 April
SATURDAY IN EASTER WEEK (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Eucharistic Adoration 10 am

23 April
SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER: LOW SUNDAY (W)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

*EMBR=Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (23 April)

Second Sunday of Easter, Year A
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Psalm 16
1 Peter 1:3-9
John 20:19-31

PARISH NOTES

Sunday 9 April 2017

Fra Angelico, The Entry into Jerusalem, 1450

FROM THE RECTOR

The drama of Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday with the crowds welcoming Jesus to the Holy City with acclamations of "Hosanna to the Son of David!" Before long, those same crowds are crying out, "Crucify him!" The day's liturgy -- really two liturgies -- invites us to enter into the contemplation of the mighty acts by which our Lord has won for us life and immortality. We welcome our King in the hope that one day he will welcome us as well. -- Fr. John D. Alexander 

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

PALM SUNDAY

Liturgy of the Palms
Matthew 21:1-11
Psalm 118:19-29

Liturgy of the Word
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16 (BCP)
Philippians 2:5-11
Matthew 26:36—11:54

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Bring your bells – Traditionally, bells are rung at the beginning of the Gloria in excelsis at the liturgies of both Maundy Thursday and Easter Vigil. If you have a bell at home, please bring it and join in.

Vigil at the Altar of Repose – There is a signup sheet in the narthex for the Vigil at the Altar of Repose, which begins on Maundy Thursday, 13 April, after the completion of the 7:30 pm Liturgy, and ends at midnight. Come watch with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane.

Good Friday Parking – We’ve arranged for emergency no parking on Good Friday (April 14) on George Street from Hope to Brown Street to allow space for parishioners arriving for Mass. We are providing dashboard signs for you to put in your car so you won’t be ticketed, which are available today in the narthex. You may also get one from an usher on Good Friday.

Easter Vigil Reception – Trays of ready-to-serve savory and sweet treats are needed for the reception following Easter Vigil (15 April) in the Library. If you can prepare something, please contact Cory MacLean at 421-6702, ext.1, or send email to the parish office at office@sstephens.necoxmail.com.

Acolyte Rehearsals for Holy Week and Easter – The schedule of rehearsals is as follows. Acolytes: please check your assignments on the rota and make sure to mark on your calendars the following rehearsal days and times:

    Liturgy                     Date of Service        Rehearsal
    Maundy Thursday      4/13/17                  Mon. 4/10 at 6:30 pm
    Good Friday              4/14/17                  Weds. 4/12 at 6:30 pm
    Easter Vigil               4/15/17                  Sat. 4/15 at 9:00 am
                                                                   (Includes helping set up)
    Easter Day                4/16/17                  Sun. 4/16 at 9:00 am

Confirmations at St. John’s, Newport – We are pleased to announce that Bishop Knisely will be present at our two parish’s joint celebration of the Feast of the Visitation (6:30 p.m. on Wednesday 31 May) and will be available to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation and/or receive members of other Communions into the Episcopal Church. If you would like to be confirmed or received at this service, please let Fr. Alexander or Fr. Yost know right away so that we can make the necessary preparations.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Townsend, Norman, John, Shannah, Peter, Mark, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Katherine, Sally, John, Ed, Virginia, Kirsten, Beverly, Deborah, Yolanda, Angela, Bobby, Carlos, Rhoda, Ned, William, and James.

Birthdays this week: Kathleen Lester (11 April), John Chamberlin (12 April), Korrie Elizabeth Hooks (12 April), Fr. John Alexander (14 April), Brian Ehlers (14 April), Rhoda Steinhart (16 April).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Carl Randolph (11 April 1983), Doris Johnson 13 April 2004), Marie Lopez (14 April 1983), Steele Wade Martin, Priest (14 April 2005).

Anglican Cycle of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Diocese of Jerusalem (Jerusalem & Middle East): the Rt. Rev. Suheil Dawani.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC Z Painter SD D Malo; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer S Brazil; Torches V Johnson, K Rejto
Lector – E Alexander
Ushers – N Gingrich, P Barnes, B Lennihan
Coffee Hour – Leana Latimer & Ed Hooks

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Monday 10 April
Acolyte Rehearsal (for Maundy Thursday) 6:30 pm

Wednesday 12 April
Acolyte Rehearsal (for Good Friday) 6:30 pm

Saturday 15 April
Acolyte Rehearsal (for Easter Vigil) 9 am
Orchestra Rehearsal 12:30 pm
Reception (following the 7:30 pm Easter Vigil)

Sunday 16 April
Acolyte Rehearsal (for Easter Day) 9 am

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 15 April
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 9 April
THE SUNDAY OF THE PASSION: PALM SUNDAY (R)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Liturgy of the Palms & Low Mass 8 am
Liturgy of the Palms & Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Passion 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

*EMBR=Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD

Daily Office Lectionary: Holy Week, Year A
Daily Mass Lectionary: Holy Week, Year One

Monday 10 April
MONDAY IN HOLY WEEK (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 11 April
TUESDAY IN HOLY WEEK (R)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 12 April
WEDNESDAY IN HOLY WEEK (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 13 April
MAUNDY THURSDAY (White)
Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Footwashing, Stripping of the Altars, and Procession to the Altar of Repose 7:30 pm

Friday 14 April
GOOD FRIDAY (Black / Violet)
Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion, Solemn Collects, Veneration of the Cross, and Mass of the Presanctified 12 noon

Saturday 15 April
HOLY SATURDAY (Violet / Gold)
Great Vigil of Easter: Lighting of the New Fire, Prophecies, Blessing of the Font, and First Mass of Easter 7:30 pm

Sunday 9 April
SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION: EASTER DAY (Gold)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass and Procession 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (16 April)

Easter Day, Year A

Low Mass 8 am                               Solemn Mass 10 am
Exodus 14:10-31, 15:20-21              Acts 10:34-43
Psalm 114
Romans 6:3-11                                Colossians 3:1-4
Matthew 28:1-10                             Matthew 28:1-10