PARISH NOTES

Sunday 3 December 2017

Jacob de Backer, The Last Judgment c. 1580
Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp, Belgium

FROM THE RECTOR

The Season of Advent begins another Church year with the summons to stay awake to watch and pray for for the coming of the Lord. Joyful hope co-mingles with the need to prepare and be ready. There is no better time to renew Christian commitment, faith, and practice. Plan to join us this Sunday for Mass in the morning, and for Lessons and Carols in the evening. In this way we shall make a good beginning of the new liturgical year now upon us. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

First Sunday of Advent – Year B
Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18
Isaiah 64:1-9
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:24-37

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

Filipe de Magalhães—Missa veni Domine
Healey Willan—Lo, in the time appointed

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Advent Lessons and Carols – This evening, 3 December at 5:30 pm, we will offer our annual service of Lessons & Carols. Seasonal readings and musical selections set the stage as we prepare for the coming of the Lord. A reception will follow in the Great Hall. All are welcome and invited to attend.

Monthly Requiem – for the departed of this parish whose year’s mind falls during December will be offered tomorrow, Monday 4 December at 6:00 pm (preceded by Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm). If you have any names to add to the list of those remembered, please email Fr. Alexander. See GAS announcement below.

Guild of All Souls: St. Stephen, Proto-Martyr – S. Stephen’s celebrates a parish Requiem Mass on the First Monday of most months at the 6:00 pm Mass. Departed members of the parish whose anniversaries fall during the month are remembered in prayer, and anyone may submit additional names of the departed.

The S. Stephen – Advent/Christmas issue of the parish magazine is available for viewing and downloading here. You should also be receiving a physical copy of this issue via mail very soon. If you would like to pick up an extra copy, extra copies will be available in the narthex.

Advent Quiet Day – will be offered on Saturday 9 December from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, with addresses by our own Priest Associate, The Rev’d Michael A. Pearson. We will begin as usual with Morning Prayer at 9:00 am, and Mass at 9:30 am followed by a light breakfast. The day will include a simple catered lunch, and we will conclude at 2 pm. The donation is $15 per person, payable on the day, which will help cover the cost of both breakfast and lunch. (Financial assistance is available if this may cause a hardship; please speak confidentially to Fr. Alexander.) So we have an idea of how many to plan for, please RSVP the parish office by Thursday, December 7, indicating your intention to attend, via email to office@sstephens.necoxmail.com, or by calling Susan Rozzero at 421-6702, ext. 1.

Pledge Cards – If you have not returned your pledge card for 2018, please do so. If you have not received one, they are available from the ushers. Your financial support of S. Stephen’s during the coming year is urgently needed and deeply appreciated.

Nominations Committee – At the Annual Parish Meeting on Sunday, January 28, 2018, the following vacancies must be filled: (a) Two seats on Vestry, four-year terms--outgoing occupants Louis Verdelotti and Danielle Malo are not eligible for re-election; (b) one seat on Vestry three-year term--current occupant Bill Dilworth is eligible for re-election; (c) Senior Warden, three-year term, to be nominated by Rector; (d) Treasurer, one-year term; (e) Clerk, one-year term; (f) two Diocesan Convention Delegates, one-year term; (e) two Diocesan Convention Alternates, one-year term. The members of the Nominations Committee are: Cathy Bledsoe, Susan Brazil (Chair), Bill Dilworth, Nancy Gingrich, and Bobby Rose. Please contact any of them if you have any recommendations for nominations or indeed if you would be interested in standing for election yourself.

Nave Flooring Project – 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, Priscilla, Kiersten, Beverly, Deborah, Angela, Bobby, Douglas, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Rhoda, William, and James.

Birthdays this week: Lisa Elliot (Friday 12/8), Beverly Myers (Saturday 12/9), and Christarie (Precious) Sylvia (Saturday 12/9).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Jimmy Chancy Black (4 December 1992), Homer Shirley (7 December 2013), and Lillian Lynch (9 December 1990).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Diocese of West Buganda - (Uganda): The Rt. Rev’d Henry Katumba-Tamale; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the people and clergy of Church of the Advent, Coventry.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC J Ihnen; Subdeacon F Pisaturo; Thurifer R Noble; Crucifer Z Painter; Torches G Benziger, C Sylvia

Lector – RG Noble

Ushers – Sue Brazil and Nancy Gingrich (Lessons & Carols: Phoebe Pettingell and Bruce Lennihan)

Coffee Hour – Rejto Family

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Monday 4 December
Guild of All Souls 6:00 pm (Lady Chapel)

Saturday 9 December
Advent Quiet Day  9:00 am to 2:00 pm (Lady Chapel/Great Hall)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 9 December 

Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm (Great Hall)

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 3 December
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (V) 

Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Solemn Mass 10:00 am

Daily Office and Mass Lectionaries: Advent I, Year Two

4 December
John of Damascus, Monk, Teacher, c. 749 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass (with commemoration of December Departed) 6:00 pm

5 December

Tuesday in I Advent (V)

Clement of Alexandria, Priest, Teacher, c. 210
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

6 December
Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, c. 326 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm

7 December
Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Teacher, 397 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 PM

8 December
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (Blue)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

9 December
Saturday in I Advent (V)
Morning Prayer 9:00 am  (Please note time change for Advent Quiet Day)
Low Mass 9:30 am

10 December
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (V)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Solemn Mass 10:00 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (10 December)

Second Sunday of Advent – Year B
Psalm 85:1-2,8-13
Isaiah 40:1-11
2 Peter 3:8-15a
Mark 1:1-8

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PARISH NOTES

Sunday 26 November 2017

Christ the Living Vine
Apse Mosaic, Lady Chapel, Westminster Cathedral, London

FROM THE RECTOR

The Last Sunday after Pentecost -- known as the Feast of Christ the King -- marks the end of another liturgical year. We celebrate the risen and ascended Christ's reign over the entire creation, and we anticipate the Last Day when he shall return to be our Judge. The 10 am Mass concludes with a Solemn Te Deum to give thanks for the year now being completed. Do please join us if you can. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Last Sunday After Pentecost: Christ the King – Proper 29, Year A

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

Ephesians 1:15-23

Matthew 25:31-46

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

Luigi Cherubini—Messe Solennelle in C

Orlando Gibbons—O clap your hands

Herbert Howells—Te Deum (Collegium Regale)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Flowers at the High Altar – are given by Fr. John and Elizabeth Alexander to the glory of God and in loving memory of Cuthbert and Mary Morgan.

Saint Andrew the Apostle (November 30) – a major feast of the Church year, will be kept on Thursday with Noonday Prayer at 12:00 noon, followed by Low Mass at 12:10 pm.

Pledge Cards -- please complete and return your pledge card as soon as possible, if you have not done so already. If you have not received one, they are available in the Narthex and from the ushers at Sunday Mass. Your financial support of S. Stephen's during the coming year makes a big difference and is deeply appreciated.

Society of Mary – This month's meeting will be held this Saturday, December 2, beginning with Holy Rosary following the 10:00 am Mass and a brief meeting to follow in the Great Hall. All are welcome and invited to join us.

Advent Lessons and Carols – On Sunday 3 December at 5:30 pm, we will offer our annual service of Lessons & Carols. Seasonal readings and musical selections set the stage as we prepare for the coming of the Lord. A reception will follow in the Great Hall. All are welcome and invited to attend. 

Advent Quiet Day – On Saturday 9 December from 9 am to 2 pm, we will offer our annual Advent Quiet Day, with addresses by our own Priest Associate, The Rev’d Michael A. Pearson. We will begin as usual with Morning Prayer at 9:00 am, and Mass at 9:30 am followed by a light breakfast. The day will include a simple catered lunch, and we will conclude at 2 pm. The donation is $15 per person, payable on the day, which will help cover the cost of both breakfast and lunch. (Financial assistance is available if this may cause a hardship; please speak confidentially to Fr. Alexander.) So we have an idea of how many to plan for, please RSVP the parish office by Thursday, December 7, indicating your intention to attend, via email to office@sstephens.necoxmail.com, or by calling Susan Rozzero at 421-6702, ext. 1.

Nave Flooring Project – 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, Priscilla, Kiersten, Beverly, Deborah, Angela, Bobby, Douglas, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Rhoda, William, and James.

Birthdays this week: Michael D'Alesandre (Monday 11/27), Cory MacLean (Friday 12/1), Sandra Bartlett (Saturday 12/2).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Martha Saunders (29 November 1989); Recently Departed: F. Harriett Dever and Rick Hartley (Priest); Those in whose Memory Flowers are Given: Cuthbert Morgan and Mary Morgan.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Diocese of Wad Medani - (Sudan): The Rt. Rev’d Saman Farajalla Mahdi; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the people and clergy of St. Andrew's, Little Compton and the leadership and students of St. Andrew’s School, Barrington.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC F Pisaturo; Subdeacon Z Painter; Thurifer J Starks; Crucifer L Verdelotti; Torches V Johnson, J Ihnen

Lector – P Pettingell

Ushers – Patricia Barnes and Tom Oakes

Coffee Hour – Tom and Cathy

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Saturday 2 December

Society of Mary -- following the 10 am Low Mass

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 2 December 

Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm (Great Hall)

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 26 November

LAST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST: CHRIST THE KING (W)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am 

Solemn Mass 10:00 am 

Daily Office and Mass Lectionaries: Proper 29, Year One

Monday 27 November

FERIA (G)

Evening Prayer 5:30 pm

Low Mass 6:00 pm 

Tuesday 28 November

FERIA (G)

Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon

Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 29 November

FERIA (G)

Evening Prayer 5:30 pm 

Low Mass 6:00 pm 

Thursday 30 November

SAINT ANDREW THE APOSTLE (R)

Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon

Low Mass 12:10 PM

Friday 1 December

Nicholas Ferrar, Deacon, 1637 (W)

Charles de Foucauld, Hermit, 1916 (W)

Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon

Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 2 December

FERIA (G)

Morning Prayer 9:30 am

Low Mass 10:00 am

Holy Rosary 10:30 am

Sunday 3 December

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (V)

Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am

Solemn Mass 10:00 am

Advent Lessons & Carols 5:30 pm

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (3 December)

First Sunday of Advent – Year B

Isaiah 64:1-9

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Mark 13:24-37

PARISH NOTES

Sunday 19 November 2017

FROM THE RECTOR

This Sunday marks our ingathering of pledge cards for 2018. If you have received your pledge card in the mail, please remember to complete it and bring it to Mass this Sunday. If you have not received one, plenty will be available at church. And what better Gospel for Stewardship Sunday than the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)? We do well to dispose of our gifts in such a way that when the Lord comes he can say, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master." 

-- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

The Twenty-fourth Sunday After Pentecost – Proper 28, Year A

Amos 5:18-24

Psalm 70

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Matthew 25:14-30

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

Lou Harrison—Mass for St. Cecilia’s Day

Aaron Copland—Have Mercy on Us, O My Lord (Four Motets)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Last Sunday's Altar Flowers – were given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Megda Hawkins, benefactress of the Altar Guild, and Ida Hawkins. We regret the omission of this announcement last week.

Thanksgiving Day Service – Mass for Thanksgiving Day will be offered on Thursday 23 November at 10:00 am (preceded by Morning Prayer at 9:30 am). It is fitting to begin our Thanksgiving Day festivities by coming to Mass to give thanks to God for our many blessings.

Advent Lessons and Carols – On Sunday 3 December at 5:30 pm, we will offer our annual service of Lessons & Carols. Seasonal readings and musical selections set the stage as we prepare for the coming of the Lord. A reception will follow in the Great Hall. All are welcome and invited to attend. 

Nave Flooring Project – 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, Priscilla, Kiersten, Beverly, Deborah, Angela, Bobby, Douglas, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Rhoda, William, and James.

Birthdays this week: Arnold Friedman (Monday 11/20).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Florence Ingram (20 November 1998), Stanley Cozzens Bodell (20 November 2010), and Frederick Corcoran (24 November 2007); Recently Departed: Rick Hartley (Priest).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Diocese of Uyo - (Niger Delta, Nigeria): The Rt Revd Prince Asukwo Antai; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the people and clergy of St. Elizabeth’s, Hope Valley. 

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC R Noble; Subdeacon J Ihnen; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer S Brazil; Torches F Pisaturo, R Callanan

Lector – E Alexander

Ushers – Zac Painter and Julia Steiny

Coffee Hour – Susan, Nancy, and Louis

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 25 November 

Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm (Great Hall)

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 19 November

TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)

Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am 

Solemn Mass 10:00 am 

Daily Office and Mass Lectionaries: Proper 28, Year One

Monday 20 November

Edmund, King of the East Angles, Martyr, 870 (R)

Priscilla Lydia Sellon, Restorer of the Religious Life in the Church of England, 1876 (W)

Evening Prayer 5:30 pm

Low Mass 6:00 pm 

Tuesday 21 November

The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Blue)

Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon

Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 22 November

Cecilia, Martyr at Rome, c. 230 (R) 

Evening Prayer 5:30 pm 

Low Mass 6:00 pm 

Thursday 23 November

THANKSGIVING DAY (W)

Morning Prayer 9:30 am

Low Mass 10:00 am

Friday 24 November

Columbanus, Abbot of Luxeuil and Bobbio, 615 (W)

Marcellinus and Peter, Martyrs at Rome, c. 304 (R)

Chrysogonus, Martyr at Aquileia, c. 304 (R)

Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 25 November

Catherine of Alexandria, Martyr, 4th century (R)
James O.S. Huntington, Monk, Founder of the Order of the Holy Cross, 1935 (W)

Morning Prayer 9:30 am

Low Mass 10:00 am

Sunday 26 November

LAST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST: CHRIST THE KING (W)

Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am

Solemn Mass 10:00 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (26 November)

The Last Sunday After Pentecost: Christ the King – Proper 29, Year A 

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

Psalm 95:1-7a

Ephesians 1:15-23

Matthew 25:31-46

PARISH NOTES

Sunday 12 November 2017

Fortunio Matania, The Last General Absolution of the Munsters at Rue de Bois (1916)

FROM THE RECTOR

The painting above depicts a Catholic priest on horseback -- notice his violet stole -- giving General Absolution to the soldiers of the Second Battalion of the Royal Munster Fusiliers, an Irish regiment of the British Army, on May 8, 1915, the eve of the Battle of Aubers Ridge in France during World War I. The next day, the battalion suffered the loss of 600 of its 800 men. The painting was commissioned by novelist Jessie Rickard, widow of the battalion's commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Victor Rickard (depicted on horseback at the right) who died in the battle. (For more information on the painting, click here.)

Printed in numerous newspapers, reproductions of the painting were displayed in many homes in Ireland for a time, but then disappeared as political attitudes changed. In the newly-formed Irish Free State, the sacrifices of Irish Catholic soldiers in the British Army during the Great War were systematically ignored and forgotten, while Irish Nationalists who fought and died in the 1916 Easter Rebellion and the subsequent War of Independence were remembered and celebrated. 

The point is that collective human memory can be enormously selective. We are prone to forget what we find unpleasant, painful, or disturbing. For several decades after Vietnam, America tried to forget -- as the currently airing PBS documentary series by Ken Burns makes clear. The goal of Remembrance Sunday, by contrast, is simply to remember. There is no political agenda for or against this or that particular war. The Church's only agenda in this commemoration is prayer: for the dead, and for peace. Please join us.

-- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Proper 27, Year A (at 8 am)

Amos 5:18-24
Psalm 70
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matthew 25:1-13

Remembrance Sunday (at 10 am)
Isaiah 2:1-5
Romans 8:31-39
John 15:9-17

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

Maurice Duruflé—Requiem, Op. 9

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Stewardship Sunday – is next Sunday, November 19th. Pledge cards have been mailed out, and you should be in receipt of them by now. Please bring them to hand in during Mass. (If you have not received a pledge form by then, you may obtain a blank card from one of the ushers on the day.)

Advent Lessons and Carols – On Sunday 3 December at 5:30 pm, we will offer our annual service of Lessons & Carols. Seasonal readings and musical selections set the stage as we prepare for the coming of the Lord. A reception will follow in the Great Hall. All are welcome and invited to attend.

Nave Flooring Project – 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, Priscilla, Kiersten, Beverly, Deborah, Angela, Bobby, Douglas, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Rhoda, William, and James.

Birthdays this week: Karl Benziger (Friday 11/17).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Alison Morgan Henning Stebbins (12 November 2012), Eric Ernest Bernard Hall (16 November 1987), and Alice Esposito (18 November 1994).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Diocese of Ughelli - (Bendel, Nigeria): The Rt Revd Cyril Odutemu; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the people and clergy of St. Martin’s, Providence.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC S Brazil; Subdeacon F Pisaturo; Thurifer Z Painter; Crucifer NONE; Torches L Verdelotti, C Sylvia
Lector – T Oakes
Ushers – George Ryan and Chris Martel
Coffee Hour – Modu and Family

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Monday 13 November
Epiphany Soup Kitchen Board Meeting 7:00 pm (Great Hall)

Saturday 18 November
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm (Great Hall)

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 12 November
TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST / REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am Proper 27, Year A (G)
Solemn Requiem Mass for Remembrance Sunday 10:00 am (Black)

Daily Office and Mass Lectionaries: Proper 27, Year One

Monday 13 November
FERIA (G)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm

Tuesday 14 November
Samuel Seabury, First Anglican Bishop in North America, 1796 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 15 November

Albert the Great, Dominican Friar, Bishop, Teacher, 1280 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm

Thursday 16 November
Margaret, Queen of Scotland, 1093 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 PM

Friday 17 November
Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, 1200 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 18 November
Elizabeth of Hungary, Princess of Thuringia, 1231 (W)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am

Sunday 19 November
TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Solemn Mass 10:00 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (19 November)

Proper 28, Year A
Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18
Psalm 90:1-8, 12
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Matthew 25:14-30

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PARISH NOTES

Sunday 5 November 2017

Contemporary All Saints Icon

FROM THE RECTOR

The Feast of All Saints -- kept on November 1st and the Sunday following -- is not only a celebration of the countless holy men and women who lived and died in Christ in the past and who continue to watch over and intercede for us as we follow in the way that they have gone before us; it also affords us a glimpse into heaven, a glimpse into the future, our future, the eternal future into which Christ calls us. The feast calls our attention to the social dimension of heaven: not just "me and Jesus" but all the Church's members together finding the ultimate fulfillment of all our longings and desires in the direct presence of God the Holy Trinity. Join us this Sunday as we rejoice in the vision of All Saints gathered about the heavenly throne. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

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

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

Tomás Luis de Victoria—Missa O quam gloriosum est regnum
C. Villiers Stanford—Justorum animae

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Monthly Requiem – for the departed of this parish whose year’s mind falls during November will be offered tomorrow, Monday 6 November at 6:00 pm (preceded by Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm). If you have any names to add to the list of those remembered, please email Fr. Alexander. See GAS announcement below.

Guild of All Souls: St. Stephen, Proto-Martyr Branch – S. Stephen’s celebrates a parish Requiem Mass on the First Monday of most months at the 6:00 pm Mass. Departed members of the parish whose anniversaries fall during the month are remembered in prayer, and anyone may submit additional names of the departed.

Veteran’s Day Observed (November 10) – As it is observed as a Federal Holiday on Friday, the Low Mass will be offered at 10:00 am, preceded by Morning Prayer at 9:30 am.

GAS Requiem – The Annual Requiem Mass of the American Branch of the Guild of All Souls will take place at Church of the Resurrection, 119 E 74th St, New York, NY, at 11:00 am on Saturday 11 November 2017. Fr. Alexander will be attending in his capacity as a member of the GAS Council; all interested parishioners are encouraged to attend. If you need or can volunteer a ride, please talk to Fr. Alexander.

Stewardship Sunday – will be November 19th. Parishioners will be receiving pledge cards soon; please bring them to hand in during Mass. (If you have not received a pledge form by then, you may obtain a blank card from one of the ushers on the day.)

Advent Lessons and Carols – On Sunday 3 December at 5:30 pm, we will offer our annual service of Lessons & Carols. Seasonal readings and musical selections set the stage as we prepare for the coming of the Lord. A reception will follow in the Great Hall. All are welcome and invited to attend.

Nave Flooring Project – 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: Albert Ferreira (Sunday 11/5), Leana Latimer (Thursday 11/9), Peter Gibson (Friday 11/10), and Klara Benziger (Saturday 11/11).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Gilbert Jarvis (5 November 1999), Joseph James Bodell, Jr. (5 November 2006), June Littlefield (6 November 1983), Chester Arthur Files (9 November 1987), Lillian A. Crumby (9 November 1997), and Helena Crosslin (11 November 2007).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Diocese of Toungoo - (Myanmar): The Rt Revd Saw Wilme; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the people and clergy of All Saints’, Providence and of All Saints’, Pontiac and for fair and just elections.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC F Pisaturo; Subdeacon R Noble; Thurifer J Starks; Crucifer S Brazil; Torches J Ihnen, G Benziger
Lector – P Martin
Ushers – Bruce Lennihan and Julia Steiny
Coffee Hour – Ed and Leana

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 11 November
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm (Great Hall)

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

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

Daily Office and Mass Lectionaries: Proper 26, Year One

Monday 6 November
Leonard, Hermit, 6th century

William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, Teacher, 1944 

Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Requiem Mass 6:00 pm (Black)

Tuesday 7 November
Willibrord of York, Bishop, Apostle of Frisia, 739 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 8 November
Saints and Martyrs of the Anglican Communion (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm

Thursday 9 November
Margery Kempe, Mystic, c. 1440 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 PM

Friday 10 November
Leo the Great, Bishop of Rome, Teacher, 461 (W)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am

Saturday 11 November
Martin, Bishop of Tours, c. 397 (W)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am

Sunday 12 November
TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST/ REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am (G)
Solemn Requiem Mass 10:00 am (Black)

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (12 November)

Proper 27, Year A (at 8 am)
Amos 5:18-24
Psalm 70
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matthew 25:1-13

Remembrance Sunday (at 10 am)
Isaiah 2:1-5
Romans 8:31-39
John 15:9-17

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