PARISH NOTES 

Sunday 28 April 2019 

Peter Paul Rubens, Doubting Thomas (1613-1615)
Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp, Belgium

FROM THE RECTOR

“Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house …” Saint John twice mentions twice the finding of the empty tomb and the appearances of the Risen Lord on “the first day of the week” (20:1, 19). The second recorded appearance, which includes the beloved story of “doubting Thomas,” occurs “eight days later,” which in idiom of the time means a week later, on the following Sunday. The Resurrection of Jesus from the dead is an event that transcends time and history. Nonetheless, from the beginning, we see a recurring pattern of the Risen Lord appearing to the gathered disciples on the first day of the week, thus eventually establishing Sunday (rather than Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath) as the pre-eminent day for Christian worship. Easter Day is the high point of the Christian year; the following Sunday is known by contrast as “Low Sunday.” High or low, however, all Sundays of the year are occasions for the Christian community to assemble for worship and encounter the Risen Jesus present in our midst. – Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS 

Second Sunday of Easter (Year C)
Acts 5:27-32
Revelation 1:4-8
John 20:19-31

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

Healey Willan (1880 – 1968)—Missa de Sancta Maria Magdalena

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome to S. Stephen’s – especially to our visitors and guests! We’re glad to have you with us. If you have any questions or special needs, please speak to one of the ushers, who will be glad to assist you.

Coffee Hour – is being hosted by the Vestry in thanksgiving for the ministry of Phoebe Pettingell, who has served as Sacristan since 2011, and will soon be returning to Wisconsin. Please join us to help say thank you to Phoebe for her dedicated service at S. Stephen’s.

Flowers – at the high altar this Sunday are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Jeannine Lennihan Firestone (April 25, 2013) by Bruce Lennihan.

Saint Mark the Evangelist (April 25th) – a major feast of the church year, is transferred this year to Monday, April 29, with Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm, and Low Mass following at 6 pm.

Saint Philip and Saint James, Apostles (May 1st) – a major feast of the church year, will be kept this Wednesday with Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm, and Low Mass following at 6 pm.

Society of Mary American Region Annual Mass and Meeting – will be here at S. Stephen’s on Saturday 11 May: an opportunity for worship, devotion, food, fellowship, and education! The annual outdoor Marian Procession will take place at the end of the Mass at 11 am (and not on the Sunday). Luncheon and the meeting will follow in the Great Hall. S. Stephen’s is privileged to host this event, which draws SoM members from across the country; and it affords a unique opportunity for parishioners not only to help welcome our visitors but also to learn more about the Society of Mary and its work in the wider Anglican and Episcopal world. We hope that as many parishioners and friends of S. Stephen’s as possible will turn out to help make this event a success. For more details, please see the “Devotional Societies” page on the parish website.

The Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ – a principal feast of the Church calendar, is celebrated on the Thursday forty days after Easter (see Acts 1:3), falling this year on May 30th. Following the precedent set last year, we are planning a joint celebration with the other two East Side parishes (Saint Martin’s and Redeemer) to be hosted here at S. Stephen’s at 7 pm. We hope that you will mark this joyous event on your calendars and plan to attend. More details to follow.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Virginia, Elizabeth, George, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Richard, Beverly, Ethel, Henry, Norman, John, Shannah, Terri, Lynne, Fred-Munro, William, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Sandy, John, Phebe, Jack, Richard, Ann, Colin, Sandy, Kiersten, Beverly, Gail, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Rhoda, William, Roger, and James.

Birthdays this week: Jacob Ihnen (Thursday 5/2) and Robyn Noble (Friday 5/3).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Charles N. Williams, Sr. (3 May 1999) and Sarah Jean Lawton Volante (3 May 2014). Recently Departed: Raymond Haag and Mother Virginia of the All Saints Sisters.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Nippon Sei Ko Kai (The Anglican Communion in Japan): The Most Rev’d Nathaniel Makoto Uematsu, Primate of The Nippon Sei Ko Kai & Bishop of Hokkaido; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the people and clergy of St. Mark's, Warwick and of St. George’s, Central Falls, for the leadership and students of St. George’s School, Newport, and for the Bishop and members of his staff.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC D Malo, Thurifer B Rose, Torches C Sylvia and G Benziger
Lector – RG Noble
Ushers – Ernest Drew and Rhoda Steinhart
Coffee Hour – The Vestry

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Tuesday 30 April
Vestry  7 pm (Library)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 4 May
Epiphany Soup Kitchen  2:30 pm (Great Hall)

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 28 April
THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER (W)
Morning Prayer  8 am
Low Mass  8:10 am
Sung Mass  10 am
Evening Prayer w/ EMBR  5:30 pm

Daily Office Lectionary: Easter II, Year One
Daily Mass Lectionary: Easter II, Year C

Monday 29 April
SAINT MARK THE EVANGELIST (R) (transferred from 25 April)
Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

Tuesday 30 April
George, Martyr, Patron of England, c. 304 (R) (transferred from 23 April)
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Wednesday 1 May
SAINT PHILIP AND SAINT JAMES, APOSTLES (R)
Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

Thursday 2 May
Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, Teacher, 373 (W)
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Friday 3 May
Friday in Easter II (W)
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Saturday 4 May
Saturday in Easter II (W)
English Saints and Martyrs of the Reformation Era
Morning Prayer  9:30 am
Low Mass  10 am

Sunday 5 May
THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER (W)
Morning Prayer  8 am
Low Mass  8:10 am
Solemn Mass  10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (5 May)

Third Sunday of Easter (Year C)
Acts 9:1-6 (7-20)
Revelation 5:11-14
John 21:1-19