Wednesday, October 25, 2017

PARISH NOTES
Sunday 29 October 2017

King David
Synagogue Floor Mosaic, 6th Century, Gaza
(The Hebrew letters at top right spell "David")

FROM THE RECTOR

In this Sunday's Gospel, Our Lord answers the question put to him by the Pharisees: "Which is the greatest commandment of all?" His answer is known as the Summary of the Law: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself." In the Christian tradition, growth in the love of God, neighbor, and self is the threefold yardstick by which we measure progress in the spiritual life. Join us this Sunday as we explore the riches of this sublime teaching. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

The Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost – Proper 25, Year A
Leviticus 19:1-2,15-18
Psalm 1
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Matthew 22:34-46

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

Uģis Prauliņš —Missa Rigensis
Thomas Tallis—Verily, verily I say unto you

ANNOUNCEMENTS

All Saints Day (November 1)
– a major Holy Day of the Church year, will be kept Wednesday with Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm and Low Mass at 6:00 pm. (The propers and hymns for All Saints Day will also be used next Sunday, November 5, at both Masses.)

All Souls Day – Mark your calendars for Solemn Requiem Mass this Thursday 2 November at 6 pm for All Faithful Departed featuring the Missa Pro Defunctis of Frei Manuel Cardoso. The form to submit names of those you would like remembered is included in your Kalendar. Please legibly fill out the form, and either give it to an usher or slip it through the office door mail slot before you leave. Please return these forms by this Tuesday, at the latest. (Please note that on Thursday, Noonday Prayer will be said as normal at noon, but Mass will be postponed until the evening.)

Society of Mary
– will meet this Saturday 4 November for 9:30 am Morning Prayer, 10:00 Mass, then recitation of the Rosary. Everyone is welcome and invited.

Daylight Saving Time – ends next Sunday, November 5 at 2:00 am. Remember to set your clocks back one hour.

The S. Stephen – All Saints issue of the parish magazine is available for viewing and downloading here. You should have also received it via mail by this time. If you have not received a copy, extra copies are available in the narthex.

Nave Flooring Project
– We are pleased to announce that over the coming few months the entire tile floor under the pews will be covered over with a layer of birch paneling that will vastly improve the church's appearance and create a smooth surface underfoot. This project will not impact our Sunday worship schedule; but please exercise all due care and avoid any areas that have been cordoned off for this construction.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Norman, Shannah, Sister Carolyn, William, Gerald, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Katherine, Sally, Sandy, John, Ed, Virginia, Richard, Kiersten, Beverly, Deborah, Angela, Bobby, Douglas, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Rhoda, William, and James.

Birthdays this week: Valexja Johnson (Wednesday 11/1) and Charles Rejto (Friday 11/3).

The faithful departed:
Year’s Mind: Heather A. Morgan (31 October 1997). Recently Departed: Michael Blackwood, Robert Greene, Priest, Margaret Sparrow, and the Rev. Dr. Daniel Westberg.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Dioceses of Thoothukudi - Nazareth - (South India): The Rt Revd Samuel Devasahayam Ebenezer Clement and Tirunelveli - (South India): The Rt Revd Jayaraj Christdoss; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for our upcoming Diocesan Convention, for those to be elected or appointed and for the many ministries we will celebrate.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC R Noble; Subdeacon J Ihnen; Thurifer Z Painter; Crucifer F Pisaturo; Torches G Benziger, C Sylvia
Lector – W Dilworth
Ushers – Nancy Gingrich and Susan Brazil
Coffee Hour – Society of Mary

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 4 November
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm (Great Hall)

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 29 October
TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Solemn Mass 10:00 am

Daily Office and Mass Lectionaries: Proper 25, Year One

Monday 30 October
FERIA (G)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm

Tuesday 31 October

FERIA (G)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 1 November
ALL SAINTS DAY (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm

Thursday 2 November

ALL SOULS DAY (Black)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Solemn Requiem Mass 6:00 pm

Friday 3 November
Richard Hooker, Priest, Teacher, 1600 (W)
Martin de Porres, Friar, 1639 (W)
Malachy, Archbishop of Armagh, 1148 (W)

Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 4 November
Charles Borromeo, Archbishop of Milan, 1584 (W)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am
Holy Rosary 10:30 am

Sunday 5 November
SUNDAY AFTER ALL SAINTS DAY (W)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Solemn Mass 10:00 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (5 November)

Sunday After All Saints Day
Ecclesiasticus 44:1-10,13-14
Psalm 149
Revelation 7:2-4,9-17
Matthew 5:1-12
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Thursday, October 19, 2017

PARISH NOTES
Sunday 22 October 2017

Peter Paul Rubens, The Tribute Money, c. 1612

FROM THE RECTOR

"Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." With these words our Lord sets the agenda for more than twenty centuries of Christian reflection on our obligations in the temporal and spiritual realms. How do our duties to political authority interact with our duties to God? In a time of deep ideological division in our country and communities the question is as urgent as ever. Join us this Sunday as we seek insights from Scripture and Tradition on this thorny issue. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

The Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost – Proper 24, Year A

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

Pierre Certon—Messe Sus le pont d’Avignon
William Byrd—Sing joyfully

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Saint James of Jerusalem (October 23) – a major Holy Day of the Church year, will be kept tomorrow (Monday) with Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm and Low Mass at 6:00 pm.

Saint Simon and Saint Jude (October 28) – a major Holy Day of the Church year, will be kept this Saturday with Morning Prayer at 9:30 am and Low Mass at 10:00 am.

All Souls DayMark your calendars for Solemn Requiem Mass on Thursday 2 November at 6 pm for All Faithful Departed featuring the Missa Pro Defunctis of Frei Manuel Cardoso. The sheets to submit names of those you would like remembered will be available next Sunday.

The S. StephenThe All Saints issue of the parish magazine is now available for viewing and downloading here. The hard copy edition has just been mailed out, and you should be receiving it shortly.

Episcopal Relief and DevelopmentIn the past month we've witnessed the devastating effects of Hurricanes Harvey and Maria on the Gulf Coast, Florida, and the Caribbean, as well as repeated earthquakes in Mexico. Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) aids people and congregations in disaster zones where help is most needed. Please visit their website by following this link to learn how you can help with donations designated for particular areas. Thank you for your care and generosity.

Nave Flooring ProjectWe are pleased to announce that over the coming few months the entire tile floor under the pews will be covered over with a layer of birch paneling that will vastly improve the church's appearance and create a smooth surface underfoot. This project will not impact our Sunday worship schedule; but please exercise all due care and avoid any areas that have been cordoned off for this construction.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Norman, Shannah, Sister Carolyn, William, Gerald, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Katherine, Sally, Sandy, John, Ed, Virginia, Richard, Kiersten, Beverly, Deborah, Angela, Bobby, Douglas, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Rhoda, William, and James.

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Clifton Milner Fidler (28 October 1983). Recently Departed: Michael Blackwood, Zechariah Chafee, Jr., Robert Greene, Priest, Robert Honeysucker, Margaret Sparrow, the Rev. Dr. Daniel Westberg, and all those killed in the wildfires in California.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Diocese of Temotu - (Melanesia): The Rt Revd Leonard Dawea; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for those who serve on the Diocesan Commission on Investments, Commission on Finance, Program & Budget Committee, congregational stewardship committees, treasurers, auditors, bookkeepers and all those who are stewards of the wealth God has entrusted to the church.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

AcolytesMC J Ihnen; Subdeacon Z Painter; Thurifer J Starks; Crucifer F Pisaturo; Torches S Brazil, V Johnson
LectorM Johnson
UshersTom Bledsoe and Simon Newby
Coffee HourKarl and Klara

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S


PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Tuesday 24 October
Vestry Meeting 7:00 pm (Library)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 28 October
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm (Great Hall)

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 22 October
TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Solemn Mass 10:00 am

Daily Office and Mass Lectionaries: Proper 24, Year One

Monday 23 October
SAINT JAMES OF JERUSALEM (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm

Tuesday 24 October
Raphael, Archangel (W)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 25 October
Crispin and Crispinian, Martyrs at Rome, c. 287 (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm 
Low Mass 6:00 pm

Thursday 26 October
Alfred the Great, King of the West Saxons, Scholar, 899 (W) 
Cedd, Abbot, Bishop of the East Saxons, 664 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 PM

Friday 27 October
FERIA (G)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 28 October
SAINT SIMON AND SAINT JUDE (R)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am

Sunday 29 October
TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G) 
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Solemn Mass 10:00 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (29 October)

The Twenty-first Sunday After Pentecost – Proper 25, Year A
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Wednesday, October 11, 2017

PARISH NOTES
Sunday 15 October 2017

The Guest without Wedding Attire
Vincent Adriaenssen, 1595-1675
(Thanks to Ernie Drew for identifying the artist!)

FROM THE RECTOR

"The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son ..." The parable in this Sunday's Gospel demonstrates that we are all called to the heavenly wedding banquet. But not all choose to accept the invitation; nor is everyone found worthy to enter. Will we accept the invitation and clothe ourselves in the wedding garments of faith, hope and love? – Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

The Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost – Proper 23, Year A
Isaiah 25:1-9
Psalm 23
Philippians 4:1-9
Matthew 22:1-14

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

Gregorio Allegri—Missa che fa oggi il mio sole
Edward C. Bairstow—I sat down under his shadow

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Saint Luke the Evangelist (October 18) – a major Holy Day of the Church year, will be kept this Wednesday with Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm and Low Mass at 6:00 pm.

Recital for Organ and Soprano – on Sunday 22 October, featuring our own James Busby and a visiting voice artist, Maggie Finnegan. Flyers for the event are in the printed Sunday Kalendars and are also sitting on the table in the narthex. Please take these flyers and distribute them freely.

All Souls Day – Mark your calendars for Solemn Requiem Mass on Thursday 2 November at 6 pm for All Faithful Departed featuring the Missa Pro Defunctis of Frei Manuel Cardoso. The sheets to submit names of those you would like remembered will be available next Sunday.

The S. Stephen -- All Saints issue of the parish magazine is now available online for viewing and downloading here. The hard copy edition will be mailed out within the coming week.

Parish Calendar -- the Programs and Events Calendar for 2017-2018 is now available online for viewing and downloading here. Hard copies will be mailed our soon.

Episcopal Relief and Development – In the past month we've witnessed the devastating effects of Hurricanes Harvey and Maria on the Gulf Coast, Florida, and the Caribbean, as well as repeated earthquakes in Mexico. Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) aids people and congregations in disaster zones where help is most needed. Please visit their website by following this link to learn how you can help with donations designated for particular areas. Thank you for your care and generosity.

Nave Flooring Project – We are pleased to announce that over the coming few months the entire tile floor under the pews will be covered over with a layer of birch paneling that will vastly improve the church's appearance and create a smooth surface underfoot. This project will not impact our Sunday worship schedule; but please exercise all due care and avoid any areas that have been cordoned off for this construction.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

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

Birthdays: Christine Sylvia (Monday 16/10).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: William N. H. Potterton (17 October 1997), Phyllis Hayden Potterton (20 October 1997), and Megda Dunham Hawkins (20 October 1984). Recently Departed: Zechariah Chafee, Jr. and Robert Honeysucker.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Diocese of Swaziland - (Southern Africa): The Rt Revd Ellinah Ntfombi Wamukoya; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the people and clergy of St. Luke's, East Greenwich and of St. Luke's, Pawtucket.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC F Pisaturo; Subdeacon R Noble; Thurifer Z Painter; Crucifer S Brazil; Torches J Ihnen, G Benziger
Lector – J Steiny
Ushers – Karl Benziger and John Chamberlin
Coffee Hour – The Rejto Family

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Tuesday 17 October
Vestry (Library)

Wednesday 18 October
Frank Pisaturo Parish Discernment Team 7:00 pm (Library)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Monday 16 October
Epiphany Soup Kitchen Board Meeting 7:00 pm (Great Hall)

Saturday 21 October
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm (Great Hall)

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 15 October
NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Solemn Mass 10:00 am

Daily Office and Mass Lectionaries: Proper 23, Year One

Monday 16 October
Gall, Hermit, 670 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm

Tuesday 17 October
Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, Martyr, c. 107 (R)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 18 October
SAINT LUKE THE EVANGELIST (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm

Thursday 19 October
Frideswide, Abbess, Patron of the city and University of Oxford, c. 735 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 PM

Friday 20 October
FERIA (G)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 21 October
FERIA (G)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am

Sunday 22 October
TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Solemn Mass 10:00 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (22 October)

The Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost – Proper 24, Year A
Isaiah 45:1-7
Psalm 96:1-9
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew 22:15-2
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Thursday, October 5, 2017

PARISH NOTES
Sunday 8 October 2017

Parable of the Wicked Tenants
Codex Aureus Epternacensis, c. 1035-1040
(Click on image for full size view)

FROM THE RECTOR

Vines and vineyards figure prominently in this Sunday's readings (and Offertory Anthem). In the Old Testament, a vineyard typically symbolizes Israel; in the New Testament it typical signifies the Church, the Body of Christ. The test of whether the vineyard is fulfilling its true purpose is the kind of fruit it bears. We are the Lord's vine, the Lord's vineyard; the good fruit we bear consists of actions and deeds worthy of our calling. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

The Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost – Proper 22, Year A
Isaiah 5:1-7
Psalm 80:7-14
Philippians 3:4b-14
Matthew 21:33-46

THIS SUNDAY'S MUSIC

C. Villiers Stanford – Communion Service in F
Heinrich Schütz – Ich bin ein rechter Weinstock

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Columbus Day -- As Monday 9 October is a Federal Public Holiday, our services will follow the Saturday and Holiday schedule of Morning Prayer at 9:30 am, and Low Mass at 10 am.

ESK Board Meeting – On Monday 16 October, the Epiphany Soup Kitchen Board will meet at 7:00 pm in the Great Hall.

Recital for Organ and Voice – On Sunday 22 October, there will be a recital for organ and voice featuring our own James Busby and a visiting voice artist, Maggie Finnegan. Flyers for the event will be placed in the printed Kalendars for Sunday and are also sitting on the table in the narthex. Please take these flyers and distribute them freely.

Episcopal Relief and Development – In the past month we've witnessed the devastating effects of Hurricanes Harvey and Maria on the Gulf Coast, Florida, and the Caribbean, as well as repeated earthquakes in Mexico. Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) aids people and congregations in disaster zones where help is most needed. Please visit their website by following this link to learn how you can help with donations designated for particular areas. Thank you for your care and generosity.

Nave Flooring Project – We are pleased to announce that over the coming few months the entire tile floor under the pews will be covered over with a layer of birch paneling that will vastly improve the church's appearance and create a smooth surface underfoot. This project will not impact our Sunday worship schedule; but please exercise all due care and avoid any areas that have been cordoned off for this construction.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

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

Birthdays: Jimmy Starks (Tuesday 10/10) and Deborah Abel (Wednesday 10/11).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Lester Wilkinson (9 October 1983), Elizabeth A. Olsen (10 October 1999), James K. Walker (11 October 2008), and David W. Marsland (14 October 1993). Recently Departed: All those killed in the shooting in Las Vegas.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Diocese of St. Albans - (Canterbury, England): The Rt Revd Alan Smith, St. Albans - Bedford - (Canterbury, England): The Rt Revd Richard Atkinson, and St. Albans - Hertford - (Canterbury, England): The Rt Revd Michael Beasley; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the members and ministries of the Episcopal Church Women.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC S Brazil; Subdeacon F Pisaturo; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer J Ihnen; Torches R Callanan, V Johnson
Lector – P Pettingell
Ushers – Julia Steiny and Tom Oakes
Coffee Hour – Tom and Cathy

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS


Tuesday 10 October
Frank Pisaturo Parish Discernment Team Meeting 7:00 pm

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Friday 13 October
Reformed University Fellowship 5:00 pm-10:00 pm

Saturday 14 October
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 8 October
EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Solemn Mass 10:00 am

Daily Office and Mass Lectionaries: Proper 22, Year One

Monday 9 October
Denys, Bishop of Paris, and Companions, Martyrs, c. 258 (R)
Robert Grosseteste, Bishop of Lincoln, 1253 (W)

Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10 am

Tuesday 10 October
Paulinus, Bishop of York, Missionary, 644 (W) 
Thomas Traherne, Poet, Spiritual Writer, 1674 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 11 October
Ethelburga, Abbess of Barking, 675 (W)
James the Deacon, Companion of Paulinus, 7th century (W)

Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm

Thursday 12 October

Wilfrid of Ripon, Bishop, Missionary, 709 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 PM

Friday 13 October

Edward the Confessor, King of England, 1066 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 14 October
Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky, Bishop, Translator of the Scriptures (W)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am

Sunday 15 October

NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Solemn Mass 10:00 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (8 October)

The Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost – Proper 23, Year A
Isaiah 25:1-9
Psalm 23
Philippians 4:1-9
Matthew 22:1-14
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