PARISH NOTES

Sunday 25 February 2018

Abram and Christ
Manuscript Illumination, Kiev Psalter, 1397
Russian National Library, St. Petersburg

FROM THE RECTOR

In the ancient world, a covenant was an agreement in which two (or more) parties solemnly bound themselves to mutual obligations. For example, a king might promise to protect and justly govern a subject people, who would in turn pledge their loyalty, obedience, and tribute. Such a covenant would often be commemorated by a monument or other sign reminding all parties of its terms. This Lent, the Old Testament readings at Mass call our attention to a series of covenants God has made with his people, beginning (last week) with his covenant with Noah (the sign of which is the rainbow), and continuing (this week) with his covenant with Abram and Sarai, the sign of which is the change of their names to Abraham and Sarah. 

Christians believe that God has made a New Covenant with us in the Death and Resurrection of his Son Jesus Christ -- the definitive signs of which are the Church's Sacraments, especially Baptism, at which God forgives our sins, adopts us as his children, and makes us inheritors of his Kingdom. That is God's side of "the Baptismal Covenant." The Season of Lent invites us to reflect on how well we're living into our side of the Covenant by keeping our baptismal vows and promises. Please join us this Sunday as we continue this Lenten journey of self-examination and repentance together. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS 

Second Sunday in Lent, Year B
Psalm 22:22-30
Genesis 17:1-7,15-16
Romans 4:13-25
Mark 8:31-38

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC 

Plainchant—Missa VII (Kyrie Rex splendens)

Orlando Gibbons—O Lord, in thy wrath

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

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

Lenten Series – This year’s Lenten Series will consist of supper and presentation and discussion of the series “Growing a Rule of Life,” developed by the Society of Saint John the Evangelist (SSJE). It will be on Sunday evenings in Lent from 6-8 pm (February 18 & 25, March 4, 11, & 18), followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in the Lady Chapel.

Stations of the Cross – continues this Friday evening. We gather in the Lady Chapel at 6 pm. All are welcome and cordially invited to attend and participate in this moving devotion.

Holy Rosary – as an extra Lenten devotion, the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary will be recited on Saturdays in Lent (except on our Lenten Quiet Day, March 3) following the 10 am Low Mass. All welcome: no prior experience needed!

Episcopal Ministry at Brown & RISD (EMBR) – Sunday evening prayer with EMBR continues this evening in the Lady Chapel at 5:30 pm. Please join us in the Great Hall after for supper and our Lenten series at 6:00 pm.

Lenten Quiet Day – with addresses by Sister Adele Marie, SSM, will be offered this coming Saturday 3 March beginning at 9 am, and concluding with Tea at 2 pm. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. To help us in our preparations, if you plan to attend please RSVP to Susan in the parish office at 401-421-6702, ext. 1, or by email.

Easter Flowers – If you would like to make a flower offering at Easter – in thanksgiving or in memoriam - please fill out the enclosed envelope and either put it in the offering plate or return it to the parish office no later than Friday 23 March. Offerings and their intentions will be acknowledged in the Easter Kalendars.

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, Elizabeth, Rollin, Sue, Norman, Shannah, Sister Carolyn, Lynne, William, Gerald, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Sally, Sandy, John, Ed, Gregory, Virginia, Richard, Colin, Sandy, Kiersten, Beverly, Jonathan, Zac, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Douglas, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Chris, Rhoda, William, and James.

Birthdays this week: Florence Friedman (Tuesday 2/27).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Barbara Albee (26 February 2012), Robert Cartwright (28 February 1992), Jane Graves Raymond (29 February 1998), Flora Hilda Harding (2 March 1994), Alice Hunt (2 March 1998), and Mary Chase (2 March 1992).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for Iglesia Anglicana de la Region Central de America: The Most Rev’d Sturdie Downs, Primate of IARCA & Bishop of Nicaragua; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the people and clergy of St. David’s on-the-Hill, Cranston.

THE SUNDAY ROTA 

Acolytes – MC F Pisaturo; Subdeacon J Ihnen; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer D Malo; Torches V Johnson, R Callanan
Lector – J Steiny
Ushers – Phoebe Pettingell and Karl Benziger
Coffee Hour – Karl and Klara Benziger

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S 

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS, & MEETINGS

Sunday 25 February
Lenten Discussion & Video Series 6:00-8:00 pm (Great Hall)

Saturday 3 March
Lenten Quiet Day 9:00 am-2:00 pm

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Friday 2 March
Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) 6:00 pm (Great Hall)

Saturday 3 March
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm (Great Hall)

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 25 February
THE SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT (LA)
Morning Prayer 8:00 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Solemn Mass 10:00 am
Evening Prayer w/ EMBR 5:30 pm
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament 8:00 pm

Daily Office Lectionary – Lent II, Year Two
Daily Mass Lectionary – Lent II

26 February
Monday in Lent II (V)
Oswald, Archbishop of York, 992
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm

27 February
Tuesday in Lent II (V)
George Herbert, Priest, Poet, 1633
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

28 February
Wednesday in Lent II (V)
Founding of the Society of the Holy Cross (SSC), 1855
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

1 March
David, Bishop of Menevia, Patron of Wales, c. 601 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 PM

2 March
Chad, Bishop of Lichfield, c. 602 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Stations of the Cross 6:00 pm

3 March
Saturday in Lent II (V)
John and Charles Wesley, Priests, 1791, 1788
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am
Noonday Prayer 12 noon

4 March
THE THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT (LA)
Morning Prayer 8:00 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Solemn Mass 10:00 am
Evening Prayer w/ EMBR 5:30 pm
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament 8:00 pm

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (4 March)

Third Sunday in Lent, Year B
Psalm 19
Exodus 20:1-17
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
John 2:13-22

PARISH NOTES 

Sunday 18 February 2018

William Butterfield, Noah Offering Sacrifice (1870)
Mosaic, Chapel of Keble College, Oxford
(Photo: Fr. Lawrence Lew, OP)

FROM THE RECTOR

The season of Lent invites us to renew our commitment to the basic practices of the Christian faith with the goal of repairing our relationships with God, our neighbors, and ourselves. The Solemn Procession accompanying the Great Litany on the First Sunday of Lent fittingly symbolizes our pilgrimage -- through the Lenten Season towards Holy Week and Easter, and through the life of this world towards our heavenly destination. Please join us as we undertake the journey together. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS 

First Sunday in Lent, Year B
Psalm 25:1-9
Genesis 9:8-17
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:9-15

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC 

Plainchant—Missa III (Kyrie Deus sempiterne)

John Blow—Salvator Mundi

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Shrine Flowers – at the Lady Shrine last week were given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Alan Reniere by Brian Ehlers. (We had already printed Parish Notes when we received this flower dedication.)

Presidents Day (February 19) – As on all public holidays falling on Monday, Low Mass will be offered at 10:00 am, preceded by Morning Prayer at 9:30 am.

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

Lenten Series – This year’s Lenten Series will consist of supper and the viewing and discussion of the video series “Growing a Rule of Life,” produced by the Society of Saint John the Evangelist (SSJE). It will be on Sunday evenings in Lent from 6-8 pm (February 18 & 25, March 4, 11, & 18), followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in the Lady Chapel. Click here for an invitation to the series!

Stations of the Cross – will be offered on Fridays in Lent at 6 pm (February 16, 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23).

Holy Rosary – as an extra Lenten devotion, the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary will be recited on Saturdays in Lent (except on our Lenten Quiet Day, March 3) following the 10 am Low Mass. All welcome: no prior experience needed!

Episcopal Ministry at Brown & RISD (EMBR) – Sunday evening prayer with EMBR continues this evening in the Lady Chapel at 5:30 pm. Please join us in the Great Hall after for our Lenten video series at 6:00 pm.

Lenten Quiet Day – with addresses by Sister Adele Marie, SSM, will be offered on Saturday 3 March beginning at 9 am, and concluding with Tea at 2 pm. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. To help us in our preparations, if you plan to attend please RSVP to Susan in the parish office at 401-421-6702, ext. 1, or by email at office@sstephens.necoxmail.com.

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, William, Gerald, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Sally, Sandy, John, Ed, Gregory, Virginia, Richard, Colin, Sandy, Kiersten, Beverly, Jonathan, Zac, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Douglas, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Chris, Rhoda, William, and James.

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: John Walker (18 February 2008), Frederick A. Starks, Sr. (19 February 1985), and Dorothy Belden (23 February 1997).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for The Church of the Province of Central Africa: The Most Rev’d Albert Chama, Archbishop of Central Africa & Bishop of Northern Zambia; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for Episcopal Charities and the ministries and agencies the fund supports.

THE SUNDAY ROTA 

Acolytes – MC F Pisaturo; Subdeacon Z Painter; Thurifer J Starks; Crucifer J Ihnen; Torches L Verdelotti, C Sylvia
Lector – P Pettingell
Ushers – George Ryan and Tom Oakes
Coffee Hour – Ed and Leana Hooks

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S 

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS, & MEETINGS

Sunday 18 February

Lenten Video Series 6:00-8:00 pm (Great Hall)

Tuesday 20 February
Vestry Meeting 7 pm (Library)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 24 February
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm (Great Hall)

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

18 February
THE FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT (LA)
Morning Prayer 8:00 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Solemn Mass with Great Litany 10:00 am
Evening Prayer w/ EMBR 5:30 pm
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament 8:00 pm

Daily Office Lectionary – Lent I, Year Two 

Daily Mass Lectionary – Lent I 

19 February
Monday in Lent I V)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am

20 February
Tuesday in Lent I (V)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

21 February
Wednesday in Lent I (V)
John Henry Newman, Priest, Theologian, 1890
Peter Damian, Monk, Bishop, Teacher, 1072
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

22 February
Thursday in Lent I (V)
The See of Peter the Apostle (Saint Peter’s Chair at Antioch)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 PM

23 February
Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, Martyr, c. 155 (R)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Stations of the Cross 6:00 pm

24 February
SAINT MATTHIAS THE APOSTLE (R)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am
Holy Rosary 10:30 am

25 February
THE SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT (LA)
Morning Prayer 8:00 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Solemn Mass 10:00 am
Evening Prayer w/ EMBR 5:30 pm
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament 8:00 pm

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (25 February)

Second Sunday in Lent, Year B
Psalm 22:22-30
Genesis 17:1-7,15-16
Romans 4:13-25
Mark 8:31-38

PARISH NOTES

Sunday 11 February 2018

Fra Angelico, Transfiguration (1442)
Convent of Saint Mark, Florence

FROM THE RECTOR

To conclude the Season after the Epiphany, the Lectionary gives us a glimpse of the earthly Christ bathed in heavenly light in the episode known as the Transfiguration. The coming season of Lent begins with Jesus tempted by the devil in the wilderness and continues through to his Passion and Death.  But the last word in the Christian life is not the struggle with evil, but rather the vision of God. On the holy mountain, an anticipatory glimpse of the glory to be revealed in Christ's Resurrection and Ascension strengthens the disciples Peter, James, and John for their coming ordeal. Just as the joy of Easter Day makes Lent worthwhile, so the promise of heavenly glory makes the Christian life worthwhile. And, every so often, moments of Transfiguration fortify us for the journey ahead. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Last Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B
Psalm 50:1-6
2 Kings 2:1-12
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Mark 9:2-9

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

Zoltán Kodály (1882-1967) —Missa Brevis
Patrick Hadley (1899-1973) —My song is love unknown

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome to the Rt. Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely – XIII Bishop of Rhode Island, who makes his biennial Episcopal Visitation today (Sunday 11 February). Bishop Knisely will celebrate and preach at both the 8 am and 10 am Masses, meet with the Vestry, and conduct a Forum at Coffee Hour. Please come and help make our Bishop welcome.

Flowers – at the High Altar are given by Phoebe Pettingell to the greater glory of God and in thanksgiving for the Apostolic Succession and for our own Bishop. Flowers at the Shrine of Our Lady are given by Brian Ehlers in loving memory of Alan E. Reniere.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper – Our annual pancake supper hosted by the Sunday School will be this Tuesday 13 February from 5:30 – 7 pm in our Great Hall. Tickets are available at the door. Please let us know if you plan to attend by calling Susan in the parish office at 401-421-6702, ext. 1 or via email to office@sstephens. necoxmail.com. All are welcome. Come enjoy a final culinary indulgence before Lent, and join in the burning of last year’s palms to make new ashes for Ash Wednesday.

Ash Wednesday Services (February 14) – Morning Prayer & Blessing of the Ashes will be celebrated at 8 am in the Lady Chapel. (You may receive ashes at this service.) Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm in the Lady Chapel will precede Solemn Mass with the Imposition of Ashes at 6 pm in the Nave.

Stations of the Cross & Lenten Series – This year’s Lenten Series will consist of supper and viewing and discussion of the video series “Growing a Rule of Life,” produced by the Society of Saint John the Evangelist (SSJE). It will be on Sunday evenings in Lent from 6-8 pm (February 18 & 25, March 4, 11, & 18). Stations of the Cross will be conducted on Fridays in Lent at 6 pm (February 16, 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23).

Parish Magazine – The Lent 2018 issue of The S. Stephen is in the mail, and is available for viewing and downloading here.

Special Birthday – Felicitations to long-time parishioner Elizabeth (Betty) Schumann, who celebrates her 100th birthday this Tuesday! (For security and privacy reasons we are not publishing her address but if you would like to send a card, please bring it to the church and we will be happy to deliver it for you.)

Episcopal Ministry at Brown & RISD (EMBR) – Sunday evening prayer with EMBR resumes this evening in the Lady Chapel at 5:30 pm. Discussion will follow. Please bring some ideas of how we might grow in Christ together this semester and be an extension of his mercies to the greater Providence area.

Parish Living Church Sponsorship – As a sponsor of the bi-weekly independent Episcopal news magazine The Living Church, Saint Stephen’s receives publicity in each issue, an annual write-up describing the parish’s life and work, and ten copies of each issue (which we make available free for the taking in the narthex). The cost of sponsorship, $3,000, is outside the parish budget; we rely entirely on individual contributions to make our contribution to this worthy cause. So, far $1,500 has been pledged. Please consider whether you would be able to make a gift towards the remaining $1,500. Make checks payable to Saint Stephen’s Church with “TLC Sponsorship” in the memo line. Thank you in advance.

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, William, Gerald, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Sally, Sandy, John, Ed, Gregory, Virginia, Richard, Colin, Sandy, Kiersten, Beverly, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Douglas, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Chris, Rhoda, William, and James.

Birthdays this week: Alison Huff (Monday 2/12), Elizabeth Schumann (Tuesday 2/13), M.P. Schneider (Wednesday 2/14), and Lucas Christopher Bledsoe (Saturday 2/17).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Thomas Greene Cure, Priest (13 February 2001), Alan Edward Reniere (15 February 2013), Christopher Dunstan (16 February 1994), Gary Lee Stamps (17 February 1991), and James W. Randolph (17 February 1985).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for The Anglican Church of Canada: The Most Rev’d Frederick Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for our retired Bishops, George Hunt and Geralyn Wolf and for all retired clergy of our Diocese.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC F Pisaturo; Subdeacon J Ihnen; Thurifer Z Painter; Crucifer S Brazil; Torches G Benziger, D Malo
Lector – T Oakes
Ushers – Tom Bledsoe and Simon Newby
Coffee Hour – Society of Mary

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS, & MEETINGS

Tuesday 13 February
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper 5:30 pm (Great Hall)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Friday 16 February
Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) 7:00 pm (Great Hall)

Saturday 17 February
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm (Great Hall)

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 11 February
THE LAST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY (W)
Morning Prayer 8:00 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Solemn Pontifical Mass 10:00 am
Evening Prayer w/ EMBR 5:30 pm

Daily Office Lectionary – Week of Last Sunday after Epiphany, Year Two

Daily Mass Lectionary – Week of Last Sunday after Epiphany, Year Two, and Lenten Weekdays following Ash Wednesday

Monday 12 February
FERIA (G)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm

Tuesday 13 February
Absalom Jones, Priest, 1818 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 14 February
ASH WEDNESDAY (LA)
Morning Prayer & Blessing of the Ashes 8 am
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Solemn Mass with Imposition of Ashes 6 pm

Thursday 15 February
Thursday after Ash Wednesday (LA)
Sigfrid, Bishop, Apostle of Sweden, 1045
Thomas Bray, Priest, Missionary, Founder of the SPCK, 1730
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 PM

Friday 16 February
Friday after Ash Wednesday (LA)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 17 February
Saturday after Ash Wednesday (LA)
Janani Luwum, Archbishop of Uganda, Martyr, 1977
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am

Sunday 18 February
THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT (LA)
Morning Prayer 8:00 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Solemn Mass 10:00 am
Evening Prayer w/ EMBR 5:30 pm

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (18 February)

The First Sunday of Lent, Year B
Psalm 25:1-9
Genesis 9:8-17
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:9-15

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