PARISH NOTES
Sunday 24 December 2017
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| Henry Ossawa Tanner, The Annunciation (1898) Philadelphia Museum of Art |
FROM THE RECTOR
THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR B (10 AM)
Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26
Isaiah 9:2-7
Titus 3:4-7
Luke 2:8-20
CHRISTMAS DAY LOW MASS 10 AM (CHRISTMAS III)
Luke 2:8-20
CHRISTMAS DAY LOW MASS 10 AM (CHRISTMAS III)
Healey Willan—Missa de Sancta Maria Magdalena
SOLEMN MASS OF THE NATIVITY (10:30 PM)
George Malcolm—Missa Ad Praesepe
Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck—Hodie Christus natus est
Harold Darke—In the bleak midwinter
Decorating the Church for Christmas – will take place today, December 24, following the 10 a.m. Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. A light lunch of pizza and salad will be provided in place of Coffee Hour. Many hands will make light work. Please stay after Mass if you can to help out.
Rector and Priest Associate Away – as both Fr. Alexander and Fr. Pearson will be out of town during the coming week, the regularly scheduled weekday Masses will not be offered this Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. See the announcements below for further details. On Tuesday and Friday, Noonday Prayer will be said in the Lady Chapel at 12:00 p.m.
Saint Stephen’s Day (December 26) – as the Prayer Book rubrics allow, we are transferring our patronal festival to the following Sunday (December 31). Join us the morning of New Year’s Eve as we celebrate Stephen, Deacon and Protomartyr.
Saint John’s Day – This Wednesday, December 27, parishioners of S. Stephen’s are encouraged to attend the celebration of the patronal festival at the Church of Saint John the Evangelist, 61 Poplar Street, Newport, RI, at 6:30 pm.
Holy Innocents Day – This Thursday, December 28, we will observe the Holy Innocents, a major feast of the Church year, with Noonday Prayer at 12:00 p.m. and Low Mass at 12:10 p.m.
New Year's Day Dinner – will be held in the Great Hall on Monday 1 January. There will be two sittings, 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. A bus will bring guests from other parts of the city as in past years. Volunteers are asked to contact Susan Brazil. There is also a request for a donation of toiletries for the guests to be distributed to them at the dinner. Please deposit donations in the designated box in the parish office by the afternoon of New Year’s Eve. Thank you in advance for any donation you may make.
Epiphany – will be celebrated at S. Stephen’s on Saturday, January 6 at 11 am. The Mass will be sung by the Choir of St. John the Evangelist, Newport. A reception will follow. Please join us for a grand celebration with our guests from Newport and elsewhere.
Episcopal Visitation – of the Rt. Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely, Bishop of Rhode Island, will take place on Sunday 11 February, the Last Sunday after the Epiphany. Anyone interested in being Confirmed or Received into the Episcopal Church on this happy occasion, please contact Fr. Alexander right away. (There will also be an opportunity for Confirmation at a diocesan-wide service during Eastertide at a date and location to be announced.)
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 makes a difference and is 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.
Prayers have been requested for: Geoff, Norman, Shannah, Sister Carolyn, Lynne, Gerald, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Sally, Sandy, John, Ed, Virginia, Richard, Priscilla, Kiersten, Beverly, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Douglas, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Rhoda, William, and James.
The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: George Wightman Williams (24 December 2004), Frances S. Sloan (26 December 1993), Mary Gowdey (27 December 1992), Albert E. Godfrey (27 December 1993), John Seville Higgins, Bishop (28 December 1992), and Detlev Schumann (29 December 1986).
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Diocese of Yola - (Jos, Nigeria): The Rt. Rev’d Markus Ibrahm; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the people and clergy of S. Stephen's, Providence and of St. John’s, Barrington and of St. John the Evangelist, Newport and of the Chapel of St. John the Divine, Saunderstown.
ADVENT IV (10 AM)
Acolytes – MC J Ihnen; Subdeacon R Noble; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer F Pisaturo; Torches C Sylvia, L Rejto
SOLEMN MASS OF THE NATIVITY (10:30 PM)
Acolytes – MC R Noble; Subdeacon J Ihnen; Thurifer A Alexander; Crucifer L Verdelotti; Torches F Pisaturo, D Callanan
Lector – Phoebe Pettingell
Ushers – Phoebe Pettingell and Simon Newby
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Saturday 30 December
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm (Great Hall)
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 24 December
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (V)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Sung Mass 10:00 am
CHRISTMAS EVE (W)
Carol Service & Family Mass 5:30 pm
Solemn Mass of the Nativity 10:30 pm
Daily Office and Mass Lectionaries: Christmas Week
Monday 25 December
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (W)
Anastasia, Widow and Martyr at Rome, c. 304
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am
Tuesday 26 December
SAINT STEPHEN, DEACON & PROTOMARTYR (R)
Harold Darke—In the bleak midwinter
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| Andrea Mantegna, Adoration of the Shepherds (c. 1450) Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York |
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Decorating the Church for Christmas – will take place today, December 24, following the 10 a.m. Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. A light lunch of pizza and salad will be provided in place of Coffee Hour. Many hands will make light work. Please stay after Mass if you can to help out.
Rector and Priest Associate Away – as both Fr. Alexander and Fr. Pearson will be out of town during the coming week, the regularly scheduled weekday Masses will not be offered this Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. See the announcements below for further details. On Tuesday and Friday, Noonday Prayer will be said in the Lady Chapel at 12:00 p.m.
Saint Stephen’s Day (December 26) – as the Prayer Book rubrics allow, we are transferring our patronal festival to the following Sunday (December 31). Join us the morning of New Year’s Eve as we celebrate Stephen, Deacon and Protomartyr.
Saint John’s Day – This Wednesday, December 27, parishioners of S. Stephen’s are encouraged to attend the celebration of the patronal festival at the Church of Saint John the Evangelist, 61 Poplar Street, Newport, RI, at 6:30 pm.
Holy Innocents Day – This Thursday, December 28, we will observe the Holy Innocents, a major feast of the Church year, with Noonday Prayer at 12:00 p.m. and Low Mass at 12:10 p.m.
New Year's Day Dinner – will be held in the Great Hall on Monday 1 January. There will be two sittings, 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. A bus will bring guests from other parts of the city as in past years. Volunteers are asked to contact Susan Brazil. There is also a request for a donation of toiletries for the guests to be distributed to them at the dinner. Please deposit donations in the designated box in the parish office by the afternoon of New Year’s Eve. Thank you in advance for any donation you may make.
Epiphany – will be celebrated at S. Stephen’s on Saturday, January 6 at 11 am. The Mass will be sung by the Choir of St. John the Evangelist, Newport. A reception will follow. Please join us for a grand celebration with our guests from Newport and elsewhere.
Episcopal Visitation – of the Rt. Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely, Bishop of Rhode Island, will take place on Sunday 11 February, the Last Sunday after the Epiphany. Anyone interested in being Confirmed or Received into the Episcopal Church on this happy occasion, please contact Fr. Alexander right away. (There will also be an opportunity for Confirmation at a diocesan-wide service during Eastertide at a date and location to be announced.)
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 makes a difference and is 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: Geoff, Norman, Shannah, Sister Carolyn, Lynne, Gerald, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Sally, Sandy, John, Ed, Virginia, Richard, Priscilla, Kiersten, Beverly, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Douglas, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Rhoda, William, and James.
Birthdays this week: Katherine Rejto (Wednesday 12/27).
The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: George Wightman Williams (24 December 2004), Frances S. Sloan (26 December 1993), Mary Gowdey (27 December 1992), Albert E. Godfrey (27 December 1993), John Seville Higgins, Bishop (28 December 1992), and Detlev Schumann (29 December 1986).
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Diocese of Yola - (Jos, Nigeria): The Rt. Rev’d Markus Ibrahm; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the people and clergy of S. Stephen's, Providence and of St. John’s, Barrington and of St. John the Evangelist, Newport and of the Chapel of St. John the Divine, Saunderstown.
THE SUNDAY ROTA
ADVENT IV (10 AM)
Acolytes – MC J Ihnen; Subdeacon R Noble; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer F Pisaturo; Torches C Sylvia, L Rejto
Lector – W Dilworth
Ushers – Tom Bledsoe and Julia Steiny
Coffee Hour – is replaced by decorating the church for Christmas and will include a light luncheon for those participating.
Ushers – Tom Bledsoe and Julia Steiny
Coffee Hour – is replaced by decorating the church for Christmas and will include a light luncheon for those participating.
CAROL SERVICE & FAMILY MASS (5:30 PM)
Acolytes – MC J Ihnen; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer R Noble; Torches Sr. Kristina Frances, C Mulvey
Lectors – TBA
Ushers – TBA
Acolytes – MC J Ihnen; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer R Noble; Torches Sr. Kristina Frances, C Mulvey
Lectors – TBA
Ushers – TBA
SOLEMN MASS OF THE NATIVITY (10:30 PM)
Acolytes – MC R Noble; Subdeacon J Ihnen; Thurifer A Alexander; Crucifer L Verdelotti; Torches F Pisaturo, D Callanan
Lector – Phoebe Pettingell
Ushers – Phoebe Pettingell and Simon Newby
THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S
Saturday 30 December
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm (Great Hall)
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 24 December
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (V)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Sung Mass 10:00 am
CHRISTMAS EVE (W)
Carol Service & Family Mass 5:30 pm
Solemn Mass of the Nativity 10:30 pm
Daily Office and Mass Lectionaries: Christmas Week
Monday 25 December
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (W)
Anastasia, Widow and Martyr at Rome, c. 304
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am
Tuesday 26 December
SAINT STEPHEN, DEACON & PROTOMARTYR (R)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Wednesday 27 December
SAINT JOHN, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST (W)
(Mass of Patronal Feast at St. John's, Newport, at 6:30 pm)
Thursday 28 December
THE HOLY INNOCENTS (R)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 PM
Friday 29 December
Proper for December 29
Wednesday 27 December
SAINT JOHN, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST (W)
(Mass of Patronal Feast at St. John's, Newport, at 6:30 pm)
Thursday 28 December
THE HOLY INNOCENTS (R)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 PM
Friday 29 December
Proper for December 29
Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr, 1170 (R)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Saturday 30 December
Proper for December 30 (W)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am
Sunday 31 December
SAINT STEPHEN, DEACON AND PROTOMARTYR (Transferred from December 26) (R)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Solemn Mass 10:00 am
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (31 December)
Saint Stephen, Deacon and Protomartyr
Psalm 31
Jeremiah 26:1-9,12-15
Acts 6:8--7:2a,51c-60
Matthew 23:34-39
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Saturday 30 December
Proper for December 30 (W)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am
Sunday 31 December
SAINT STEPHEN, DEACON AND PROTOMARTYR (Transferred from December 26) (R)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Solemn Mass 10:00 am
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (31 December)
Saint Stephen, Deacon and Protomartyr
Psalm 31
Jeremiah 26:1-9,12-15
Acts 6:8--7:2a,51c-60
Matthew 23:34-39
