PARISH NOTES

Sunday 30 July 2017

Saint Matthew as Scribe
Lindisfarne Gospels, c. 700

FROM THE RECTOR

In this Sunday's Gospel our Lord tells his disciples a series of "Parables of the Kingdom," culminating in his intriguing dictum "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the Kingdom of Heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is old and what is new." What is the old and what is the new? Join us this Sunday as we explore what it means to be a "scribe trained for the Kingdom of Heaven."
-- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 12, Year A
1 Kings 3:5-12
Psalm 119:129-136
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33,44-52

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Guest Organist – Please welcome Jeffrey Mills again this morning, as he fills in for James Busby, who is on vacation.

Summer Patronal Festival – on Thursday 3 August at the 12:10 am Low Mass, we will celebrate the Feast of the Finding of the Relics of Saint Stephen. For churches such as our own dedicated to Saint Stephen, this feast sometimes serves as a second patronal festival in addition to Saint Stephen's Day on December 26th. Those who desire to venerate the Relic will have the opportunity to do so following the Mass.

Society of Mary – will meet this Saturday 5 August for 9:30 am Morning Prayer and 10 am Mass, followed by recitation of the Rosary. Everyone is invited.

Sunday Eight O'Clock Service – During the months of July and August, the Sunday 8 o'clock Mass will begin with an abbreviated form of Morning Prayer followed immediately by the Eucharist. (During this period Morning Prayer will not be said at 7:30 a.m.) Please make a note of the change.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Townsend, Norman, Shannah, Sister Carolyn, William, Gerald, Mettie, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Harrington, Joan, Robert, Katherine, Sally, John, Ed, Virginia, Kiersten, Beverly, Deborah, Angela, Bobby, George, Carlos, Rhoda, William, and James.

Birthdays this week: Rollin Bartlett (30 July) and Nancy Anderson Gingrich (31 July).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Anillo William Esposito (31 July 1985); Esther Lahiff-Naylor (1 August 1989), Theresa Jarvis (4 August 2011); Recently Departed: Yolanda Pisaturo.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the church in Pennsylvania, The Rt. Rev. Clifton Daniel; and Pittsburgh, The Rt. Rev. Dorsey W.M. McConnell; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of Amazing Grace at the ACI.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC J Ihnen; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Torches L Hooks, R Noble
Lector – P Martin
Ushers – C Martel, S Brazil
Coffee Hour – E Hooks & L Latimer

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 5 August
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 30 July
EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

Daily Office and Mass Lectionaries: Proper 12, Year One

Monday 31 July
Ignatius of Loyola, Founder of the Society of Jesus, 1556 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 1 August
Alphonsus Liguori, Teacher 1787 (G or W)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 2 August
Feria (G)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass with 6 pm

Thursday 3 August
FINDING OF THE RELICS OF SAINT STEPHEN, 415 (R)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Friday 4 August
Jean-Baptiste Vianney, Cure d'Ars, 1859 (G or W)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 5 August
Oswald, King of Northumbria, Martyr, 642 (G or R)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10 am

Sunday 6 August
TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (W)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (6 August)

The Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ
Exodus 34:29-35
2 Peter 1:13-21
Luke 9:28-36

PARISH NOTES

Sunday 23 July 2017

The Devil Sowing Tares
Attributed to Abraham Bloemaert, 1566-1651

FROM THE RECTOR

Is the Church a society of saints or a hospital for sinners? Based on his reading of this Sunday's Gospel, Saint Augustine of Hippo in the fourth century described it as a "mixed field" of wheat and weeds (or "tares") growing together until the final harvest. Join us this Sunday as we engage this intriguing parable of our Lord. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 11, Year A
Isaiah 44:6-8
Psalm 86:11-17
Romans 8:12-25
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Guest Organist – Please welcome Jeffrey Mills again this morning, as he fills in for James Busby, who is on vacation.

Saint James the Apostle (July 25) – a major feast of the church year, will be kept on Tuesday with Noonday Prayer at 12 noon, and Low Mass at 12:10.

Newport Fast Ferry Trip – the Society of Mary is sponsoring a day’s excursion to Newport on the Fast Ferry this Saturday 29 July, departing Providence at 9:30 am, and departing Newport for the return trip to Providence at 5 pm. During our time in Newport we will attend at organ recital at St. John’s Church at 11:45 am. Then we’re on our own for lunch, sightseeing, and shopping for the afternoon. All are welcome and invited to join us: please make your reservations and pay for your tickets directly at www.seastreak.com.

Sunday Eight O'Clock Service – During the months of July and August, the Sunday 8 o'clock Mass will begin with an abbreviated form of Morning Prayer followed immediately by the Eucharist. (During this period Morning Prayer will not be said at 7:30 a.m.) Please make a note of the change.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

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

Birthdays this week: Arthur Bledsoe (23 July). Birthdays last week: Ed Hooks (16 July), Luke Tessier (17 July), Fr. Harrington Gordon (19 July), Molly Bledsoe and Tatjana Johnson (21 July).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Helen W. Williams (28 July 1996); Recently Departed: Yolanda Pisaturo.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the church in Osun North East (Ibadan, Nigeria): The Rt. Rev’d Humphery Olumakaiye; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for rthe leadership and people of St. James, North Providence, St. James, Woonsocket, and St.Ann’s by-the-Sea, Block Island

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC Z Painter; Thurifer R Noble; Torches J Ihnen, L Rejto
Lector – P Pettingell
Ushers – P Barnes, L Verdelotti
Coffee Hour – N Gingrich, S Brazil

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 29 July
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 23 July
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

Monday 24 July
Thomas à Kempis, Priest, 1471 (G or W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 25 July
SAINT JAMES THE APOSTLE (R)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 26 July
Anne and Joachim, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass with 6 pm

Thursday 27 July
Feria (G)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Friday 28 July
Samson of Dol, Bishop, Abbot, 565 (G or W)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 29 July
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany (W)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10 am

Sunday 30 July
EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (30 July)

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost  – Proper 12, Year A
1 Kings 3:5-12
Psalm 119:129-136
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33,44-52

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PARISH NOTES

Sunday 16 July 2017

Vincent Van Gogh, The Sower, 1888

FROM THE RECTOR

This Sunday's Gospel comprises the delightful Parable of the Sower. As Jesus interprets the parable, the seed sown is the Word of God; the types of ground on which it falls are the hearers who receive and respond to God's Word in different ways. The "good soil" is the one who "hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case, a hundredfold, in another sixty, and another thirty." Hearing, understanding, bearing fruit -- that is the threefold challenge of this Gospel parable for us today. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 10, Year A
Isaiah 55:10-13
Psalm 65:(1-8) 9-14
Romans 8:1-11
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene (July 22) – a major feast day of the church year, will be celebrated this Saturday with Morning Prayer at 9:30 am and Low Mass at 10 am.

Newport Fast Ferry Trip — the Society of Mary is sponsoring a day’s excursion to Newport on the Fast Ferry on Saturday 29 July, departing Providence at 9:30 am, and departing Newport for the return trip to Providence at 5 pm. During our time in Newport we will attend at organ recital at St. John’s Church at 11:45 am. Then we’re on our own for lunch, sightseeing, and shopping for the afternoon. All are welcome and invited to join us: please make your reservations and pay for your tickets directly at www.seastreak.com.

Sunday Eight O'Clock Service – During the months of July and August, the Sunday 8 o'clock Mass will begin with an abbreviated form of Morning Prayer followed immediately by the Eucharist. (During this period Morning Prayer will not be said at 7:30 a.m.) Please make a note of the change.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

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

Birthdays this week: Jason Ashley (16 July) and Modu Johnson (20 July).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: John Austin MacIntyre, Sr. (16 July 1992), Georgia Merrill Wray. (20 July 1983), James H. Hurn (20 July 1987), Louis Garland Davis (21 July 2009), and Houghton P. Metcalf (22 July 2003).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the church in Ontario (Ontario, Canada): The Rt. Rev’d George Lindsey Russell Bruce; Coadjutor Bishop (Ontario, Canada): The Rt. Rev’d Michael Oulton; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for retired clergy of the Diocese.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC R Noble; Thurifer J Ihnen; Torches Z Painter, L Verdelotti
Lector – J Steiny
Ushers – P Pettingell, J Steiny
Coffee Hour – Rejto/Elliot Family

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 22 July
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 16 July
SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

Daily Office and Mass Lectionaries: Proper 10, Year One

Monday 17 July
Feria (G)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 18 July
Elizabeth Ferrard, Founder of the Community of Saint Andrew, 1883 (G or W)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 19 July
Macrina, Deaconess, Teacher, c. 379 (G or W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass with 6 pm

Thursday 20 July
Margaret of Antioch, Martyr, 4th century (G or R)
Bartolomé de las Casas, Bishop of Chiapas, Mexico, 1566
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Friday 21 July
Feria (G)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 22 July
SAINT MARY MAGDALENE (W)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10 am

Sunday 23 July
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (23 July)

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost  – Proper 11, Year A
Wisdom 12:13,16-19 or Isaiah 44:6-8
Psalm 86:11-17
Romans 8:12-25
Matthew 13:24-30,36-43

PARISH NOTES

Sunday 9 July 2017

"Yet Wisdom is justified by her deeds ..." (Matt. 11:19)
Kiev Icon of Holy Wisdom, c. 1812

FROM THE RECTOR

For many of us, perhaps, the summer represents a time of eagerly anticipated and well deserved rest. This Sunday's Gospel reminds us that our Lord is the source and goal of all true rest: "Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, and you will find rest for your souls. ..." Join us for this Sunday for Mass, where the sabbath rest of the People of God anticipates the eternal rest promised us in heaven. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 9, Year A
Zechariah 9:9-12
Psalm 145:8-15
Romans 7:15-25a
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Newport Fast Ferry Trip — the Society of Mary is sponsoring a day’s excursion to Newport on the Fast Ferry on Saturday 29 July, departing Providence at 9:30 am, and departing Newport for the return trip to Providence at 5 pm. During our time in Newport we will attend at organ recital at St. John’s Church at 11:45 am. Then we’re on our own for lunch, sightseeing, and shopping for the afternoon. All are welcome and invited to join us: please make your reservations and pay for your tickets directly at www.seastreak.com.

Sunday Eight O'Clock Service – During the months of July and August, the Sunday 8 o'clock Mass will begin with an abbreviated form of Morning Prayer followed immediately by the Eucharist. (During this period Morning Prayer will not be said at 7:30 a.m.) Please make a note of the change.

Change to Daily Mass Schedule – Effective Saturday 1 July, the schedule for Saturday and federal Public Holidays has shifted back a half hour to Morning Prayer at 9:30 am and Mass at 10 am. Please make a note of the change.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

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

Birthdays this week: Elizabeth Alexander (9 July) and Laura Rejto (15 July).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Marion Higgins (10 July 2000), and Hamilton Webb (11 July 2011); Recently Departed: Elizabeth Martins.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the church in Okinawa (Japan): The Rt. Rev’d David Eisho Uehara; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Congregational Development Commission and those in the diocese who work to support our congregations.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC Z Painter; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Torches L Hooks, J Ihnen
Lector – T Oakes
Ushers – B Lennihan, G Ryan
Coffee Hour – K Vorbeck Williams, T Oakes, and P Fuller

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 15 July
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 9 July
FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

Daily Office and Mass Lectionaries: Proper 9, Year One

Monday 10 July
Feria (G)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 11 July
Benedict of Nursia, Abbot, Father of Western Monasticism, Patron of Europe, c. 550 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 12 July
Feria (G)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass with 6 pm

Thursday 13 July
Feria (G)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Friday 14 July
Feria (G)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 15 July
Bonaventure, Friar, Bishop, Teacher, 1274 (G or W)
Swithun, Bishop of Winchester, c. 862
Vladimir of Kiev, first Christian ruler in Russia, 1015
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10 am

Sunday 16 July
SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (16 July)

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 10, Year A
Isaiah 55:10-13
Psalm 65:(1-8) 9-14
Romans 8:1-11
Matthew 13:1-9,18-23

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