PARISH NOTES

Sunday 18 November 2018

Raphael, St. Michael (c. 1504-1505). Louvre, Paris, France.

FROM THE RECTOR

This Sunday’s readings exhort us to trust in God in times of crisis, whether global or personal. The Old Testament prophet Daniel warns that before the end “there shall be a time of trouble, such as there never has been …” Nonetheless, he offers the promise that “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people.” In other words, we are on the side of the angels! In the Gospel, Jesus warns a disciple admiring the Jerusalem Temple buildings that “there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” Then he reassures his disciples: “when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is not yet.” As Christians, we are called to hold fast to God in faith and hope whatever the future may bring. The Epistle to the Hebrews rounds off the picture by reminding us of our need to persevere in corporate worship and fellowship: “let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” In an age of mounting anxiety, we need God, the Church, and one another more than ever. For the future belongs to God and all who remain true to him. – Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

William Albright (1944-1998)— Chichester Mass

Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)— A Hymn of St. Columba

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost—Proper 28, Year B

Psalm 16
Daniel 12:1-3
Hebrews 10:11-14(15-18)19-25
Mark 13:1-8

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome to S. Stephen’s – especially to our visitors and guests! We’re glad to have you with us. Please join us for Coffee Hour following the 10 a.m. Mass in the Great Hall upstairs. If you have any questions or special needs, please speak to one of the ushers, who will be glad to assist you.

Flowers – at the high altar this Sunday are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Susan Rose Jones (November 23, 2012) by Bo Kinloch and Jenny Jones.

Thanksgiving Day (November 22nd) – will follow the public holiday schedule with Morning Prayer at 9:30 am and Low Mass at 10 am.

Stewardship Program – It’s that time of year again! If you are on our email distribution list, you should have received an invitation to make your pledge of financial contributions to S. Stephen’s for 2019, along with information on how to make your pledge online. If you are not currently receiving parish emails, please give Fr. Alexander or Jacob Ihnen your email address. The technologically challenged need not despair: hard-copy pledge forms will be made available to all who prefer to make their pledges the old-fashioned way! To aid the Vestry in planning and approving a parish budget for 2019, our goal is to receive ninety percent of all pledges by December 2nd (the First Sunday of Advent). In the meantime, please consider prayerfully what you can offer; your parish is counting on your support and generosity.

Advent Lessons and Carols – This year marks the one-hundredth anniversary of the first Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in its present form at King’s College, Cambridge, England. Please plan on joining us for our Advent Lessons and Carols, this year on Sunday 2 December at 5:30 pm.

College Ministry – The Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD (EMBR) will not be meeting next Sunday, November 25th, at 5:30 pm for Evening Prayer, as many will still be away for Fall Break.

Community Thanksgiving Dinner – St. Martin's is having their Community Thanksgiving Dinner at their church on Thanksgiving Day at 1 pm. Doors open at noon. All are invited. There is no charge but they will accept a free will offering. Reservations would be helpful. Their number is 401-751-2141.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Elizabeth, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Richard, Norman, John, Shannah, Terri, Sister Carolyn, Lynne, William, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Sandy, John, Phebe, Gregory, Jack, Richard, Ann, Colin, Sandy, Kiersten, John, Beverly, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Rhoda, William, and James.

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

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Alice Esposito (18 November 1994), Florence Ingram (20 November 1998), Stanley Cozzens Bodell (20 November 2010), and Frederick Corcoran (24 November 2007). In whose memory flowers are given: Susan Rose Jones (23 November 2012).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for Bermuda (Extra-Provincial to Canterbury) and the Diocese of Bermuda - (Bermuda): The Rt. Rev’d Nicholas Dill; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the people and clergy of St. Elizabeth’s, Hope Valley.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC R Noble, SD J Ihnen, Thurifer J Starks, Crucifer F Pisaturo, Torches L Verdelotti and TBD
Lector – E Alexander
Ushers – Julia Steiny and Joy D’Ambra
Coffee Hour – Muriel Jobbers and Alison Huff

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Sunday 18 November
Evening Prayer w/ EMBR 5:30 pm (Lady Chapel)

Rector’s Book Discussion Group: Walk in Love, Chapters 24, 25, 26 7:00 pm (Videoconference)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

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

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

18 November
TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer  8 am
Low Mass  8:10 am
Solemn Mass  10 am
Evening Prayer w/ EMBR  5:30 pm

Daily Mass and Office Lectionaries: Proper 28, Year Two

Monday 19 November
Hilda, Abbess of Whitby, 680 (W)
Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

Tuesday 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)
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Wednesday 21 November
The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Blue)
Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

Thursday 22 November
THANKSGIVING DAY (W)
Morning Prayer  9:30 am
Low Mass  10 am

Friday 23 November
Clement, Bishop of Rome, Martyr, c. 100 (R)
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Saturday 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)
Morning Prayer  9:30 am
Low Mass  10 am

25 November
LAST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST: CHRIST THE KING (W)
Morning Prayer  8 am
Low Mass  8:10 am
Solemn Mass  10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (25 November)

Last Sunday after Pentecost: Christ the King—Proper 29, Year B
Psalm 93
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Revelation 1:4b-8
John 18:33-37

Stanley Spencer, Resurrection: The Hill of Zion (1946). Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston, England.