Friday, November 24, 2017

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

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