Saturday, July 25, 2020

PARISH NOTES 
Sunday 26 July 2020

Dream of Solomon (c. 1694-1695) by Luca Giordano (1634-1705). Oil on canvas. Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid, Spain.

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
 

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (Year A)
1 Kings 3:5-12
Psalm 119:129-136
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

W. A. Mozart (1756 – 1791)—Andante, K. 616

Plainchant—Missa VII (Kyrie Rex splendens)

Johann Philipp Kirnberger (1721 – 1783)—Fuga in C-dur


A WORD OF WELCOME 

Welcome to Saint Stephen’s – S. Stephen’s Church is in the midst of Brown University and serves the communities of the East Side of Providence, North Providence, East Providence, and beyond. It is a parish of the Diocese of Rhode Island in the Episcopal Church in the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Anglo-Catholic tradition informs and shapes our life together. We are a diverse community uniting all sorts and conditions in the worship of Our Lord Jesus Christ and aim to offer up the best we have in liturgy, music, preaching, teaching, fellowship, and service.


A WORD FROM FATHER LOCKE

This Sunday ends our three week look at some of Jesus’ parables, all of which speak about the kingdom of heaven. If we were tempted to imagine a glistening marble city with wide streets paved with gold, we’ve been given a very different picture. The kingdom, Jesus suggests, is sown in unlikely places. It can seem small, hidden – even a failure. There is a disconcerting mixture (at least in our perceptions) of good and bad. At the same time, the kingdom is to be deeply desired, with no cost spared to obtain it. Finally, in God’s time and providence, it will produce a wonderful harvest, an amazing catch. And so we continue to pray, “thy kingdom come”.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome Back! – We’re delighted to be able to see you again this Sunday! While we continue to gather again, this privilege comes with it some protocols to keep us all safe. A summary of the safety protocols may be found here.

New Rector Coming Soon – Fr. Benjamin Straley has accepted the call to serve as the next rector of S. Stephen's Church. Please keep Fr. Straley in your prayers, as he prepares to arrive on 15 August. For more information about his call, to read a letter he wrote to the parish, and to view an introduction video, please click here.

Almighty God, Giver of all good gifts, who of thy divine providence hast provided a rector for our church: Give thy grace, we humbly beseech thee, to Father Straley, called to ministry for thy people; and so fill him with the truth of thy doctrine and clothe him with holiness of life, that he may faithfully serve before thee, to the glory of thy great Name, and for the benefit of thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Virtual Offices and Masses – We will continue to offer Virtual Offices and Masses for those who wish to continue to participate safely from home. To access and view the LIVE (and archived) services, please visit the parish Facebook page here (you do not need a FB account to tune in). To access accompanying Daily Office and Low Mass readings and resources (as well as archived services), please visit the parish website sermon page here.

Virtual Coffee Hour – Please join us for our Virtual Sunday Coffee Hour tomorrow, 26 July, at 11:30 am. To attend, please click here. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact Junior Warden Alison Huff via call or text at 401-465-8029 or email (alisonhuff12@gmail.com), or Jacob Ihnen via call or text at 712-348-5848 or email (jacob_ihnen@alumni.brown.edu). Thank you!

Society of Mary – The Society of Mary: Our Lady of Providence Ward will meet this coming Saturday, 1 August, for Holy Rosary following the 10 am Low Mass. All are welcome and invited to participate!

Episcopal Conference Center (ECC) Offerings this Summer – ECC is excited to offer you some (safe, physically distant) opportunities to be at ECC this summer. Details of their limited offerings can be found at their website here.

Concerning Pledges and the Sunday Offering – A key worry in this time of physical distancing is that our inability to fully gather as a church damages our income. We have heard nothing from the public health authorities about the risks of virus transmission through the mail, so feel free to mail your check to the church. Alternatively, it is quite straightforward to give online by clicking here to visit S. Stephen’s online giving page, where you can use the payment portal week by week or set up a recurring direct deposit program with your bank. We are grateful for your generous response to our appeal for pledges in this transition year. Now the challenge is for us to receive and collect these pledges. We don’t know how long this period of physical distancing will have to last. If you are experiencing financial difficulties which hurt your ability to keep a pledge you made before this crisis of the coronavirus, please do not hesitate to let us know. Thank you for your love of S. Stephen’s.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Beverly, Patti, Ethel, Carl, Kade, Sherri, Charles, Sandra, Lola, Ruby, Norman, Diana, Sarah, Shannah, Lynne, Harrington, Joan, Robyn, Phebe, Hunter, Ann, Beth, Sandy, Kiersten, Beverly, Tom, Jill, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Susan, Beverly, Kevin, Rhoda, Crystal, and Christopher.

Birthdays this week: Noah Hayslip (Sunday 7/26), Michael Pearson (Monday 7/27), Rollin Bartlett (Thursday 7/30), and Nancy Gingrich (Friday 7/31).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Helen W. Williams (28 July 1996), Anillo William Esposito (31 July 1985), Esther Lahiff-Naylor (1 August 1989), and Catherine Gladys Washburn (1 August 2011). Recently Departed: Eric Westby.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the team responsible for preparing the Lambeth Conference, which was due to be taking place now – please pray for them as they consider the implications of its postponement in light of the Covid-19 pandemic; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the people and clergy of St. Ann’s by-the-Sea, Block Island.

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Saturday 1 August
Society of Mary  10:45 am (Lady Chapel)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 1 August
Epiphany Soup Kitchen (Meal Pickup Only)  2:30-4:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

* REGATHERING HAS RESUMED FOR IN-PERSON SERVICES ON SUNDAYS (80 PEOPLE TOTAL) AND WEEKDAYS (14 PEOPLE TOTAL)
* ALL ATTENDEES MUST ADHERE TO WRITTEN AND VERBAL PROTOCOLS TO ATTEND


Sunday 26 July
EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Sung Mass  10 am

Daily Office and Mass Lectionary: Proper 12, Year Two

Monday 27 July
FERIA (G)
Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

Tuesday 28 July
FERIA (G)
Samson of Dol, Bishop, Abbot, 565
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Wednesday 29 July
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany (W)
Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

Thursday 30 July
FERIA (G)
William Wilberforce, Social Reformer, 1833
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Friday 31 July
Ignatius of Loyola, Founder of the Society of Jesus, 1556 (W)
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Saturday 1 August
FERIA (G)
Alphonsus Liguori, Teacher, 1787
Morning Prayer  9:30 am
Low Mass  10 am
Holy Rosary  10:45 am

Sunday 2 August
NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Sung Mass  10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (2 August)

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (Year A)
Isaiah 55:1-5
Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:13-21

Saturday, July 18, 2020

PARISH NOTES 
Sunday 19 July 2020

Parable of the Wheat and the Tares (1624) by Abraham Bloemaert (1564-1651). Oil on canvas. Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, MD.

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
 

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (Year A)
Isaiah 44:6-8
Psalm 86:11-17
Romans 8:12-25
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

Charles-Marie Widor (1844 – 1937)—Bach’s Memento: 3. Aria in E-moll

Eugène Gigout (1844 – 1925)—Toccata en Si mineur

A WORD OF WELCOME 

Welcome to Saint Stephen’s – S. Stephen’s Church is in the midst of Brown University and serves the communities of the East Side of Providence, North Providence, East Providence, and beyond. It is a parish of the Diocese of Rhode Island in the Episcopal Church in the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Anglo-Catholic tradition informs and shapes our life together. We are a diverse community uniting all sorts and conditions in the worship of Our Lord Jesus Christ and aim to offer up the best we have in liturgy, music, preaching, teaching, fellowship, and service.


A WORD FROM FATHER LOCKE

Jesus again uses plants and seeds as signs of the Kingdom, this time by way of pointing out the spiritual danger of trying to be pure. In a situation in which weeds are mixed in with the wheat, there are those who are quite prepared – even eager – to decide which is which and to get rid of the bad. Not so fast, says Jesus, that is the work of the angels, not of fallen humanity.

The history of the church is replete with examples of those who decide they are truly faithful and break away to stay pure. Having broken community once, they tend to continue to fracture, each new group being “purer” than the others. The hard work of Christian community is to acknowledge the weediness of others – and ourselves – and to let God do the sorting.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome Back! – We’re delighted to be able to see you again this Sunday! While we continue to gather again, this privilege comes with it some protocols to keep us all safe. A summary of the safety protocols may be found here.

New Rector Announced – Fr. Benjamin Straley has accepted the call to serve as the next rector of S. Stephen's Church. For more information about his call, to read a letter he wrote to the parish, and to view an introduction video, please click here. Please keep Fr. Straley in your prayers, as he prepares to arrive on 15 August.

Fr. Benjamin Straley

Almighty God, Giver of all good gifts, who of thy divine providence hast provided a rector for our church: Give thy grace, we humbly beseech thee, to Father Straley, called to ministry for thy people; and so fill him with the truth of thy doctrine and clothe him with holiness of life, that he may faithfully serve before thee, to the glory of thy great Name, and for the benefit of thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Virtual Offices and Masses – We will continue to offer Virtual Offices and Masses for those who wish to continue to participate safely from home. To access and view the LIVE (and archived) services, please visit the parish Facebook page here (you do not need a FB account to tune in). To access accompanying Daily Office and Low Mass readings and resources (as well as archived services), please visit the parish website sermon page here.

Virtual Coffee Hour – Please join us for our Virtual Sunday Coffee Hour tomorrow, 19 July, at 11:30 am. To attend, please click here. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact Junior Warden Alison Huff via call or text at 401-465-8029 or email (alisonhuff12@gmail.com), or Jacob Ihnen via call or text at 712-348-5848 or email (jacob_ihnen@alumni.brown.edu). Thank you!

Saint Mary Magdalene (22 July) – a major feast day of the church year, will be celebrated this coming Wednesday with Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm and Low Mass at 6 pm.

Saint James the Apostle (25 July) – a major feast day of the church year, will be celebrated this coming Saturday with Morning Prayer at 9:30 am and Low Mass at 10 am.

Episcopal Conference Center (ECC) Offerings this Summer – ECC is excited to offer you some (safe, physically distant) opportunities to be at ECC this summer. Details of their limited offerings can be found at their website here.

Concerning Pledges and the Sunday Offering – A key worry in this time of physical distancing is that our inability to fully gather as a church damages our income. We have heard nothing from the public health authorities about the risks of virus transmission through the mail, so feel free to mail your check to the church. Alternatively, it is quite straightforward to give online by clicking here to visit S. Stephen’s online giving page, where you can use the payment portal week by week or set up a recurring direct deposit program with your bank. We are grateful for your generous response to our appeal for pledges in this transition year. Now the challenge is for us to receive and collect these pledges. We don’t know how long this period of physical distancing will have to last. If you are experiencing financial difficulties which hurt your ability to keep a pledge you made before this crisis of the coronavirus, please do not hesitate to let us know. Thank you for your love of S. Stephen’s.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Beverly, Patti, Ethel, Carl, Kade, Sherri, Charles, Sandra, Lola, Ruby, Norman, Diana, Sarah, Shannah, Lynne, Harrington, Joan, Robyn, Phebe, Hunter, Ann, Beth, Sandy, Kiersten, Beverly, Tom, Jill, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Susan, Beverly, Kevin, Rhoda, Crystal, and Christopher.

Birthdays this week: Harrington Gordon (Sunday 7/19), Molly Ellis (Tuesday 7/21), Tatjana Johnson (Tuesday 7/21), and William Locke (Thursday 7/23).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Georgia Merrill Wray (20 July 1983), James H. Hurn (20 July 1987), Louis Garland Davis (21 July 2009), Houghton P. Metcalf (22 July 2003), and William Dunbar Stewart (24 July 1988). Recently Departed: Eric Westby.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Episcopal Church in the Philippines: The Most Rev’d Joel Atiwag Pachao, Prime Bishop of the Philippines; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the people and clergy of St. James', North Providence, and St. James’, Woonsocket.

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 25 July
Epiphany Soup Kitchen (Meal Pickup Only)  2:30-4:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

* REGATHERING HAS RESUMED FOR IN-PERSON SERVICES ON SUNDAYS (80 PEOPLE TOTAL) AND WEEKDAYS (14 PEOPLE TOTAL)
* ALL ATTENDEES MUST ADHERE TO WRITTEN AND VERBAL PROTOCOLS TO ATTEND


Sunday 19 July
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Sung Mass  10 am

Daily Office and Mass Lectionary: Proper 11, Year Two

Monday 20 July
FERIA (G)
Margaret of Antioch, Martyr, 4th century
Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

Tuesday 21 July
FERIA (G)
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Wednesday 22 July
SAINT MARY MAGDALENE (W)
Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

Thursday 23 July
FERIA (G)
Bridget of Sweden, Abbess, Patron of Europe, 1373
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Friday 24 July
FERIA (G)
Thomas à Kempis, Priest, 1471
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Saturday 25 July
SAINT JAMES THE APOSTLE (R)
Morning Prayer  9:30 am
Low Mass  10 am

Sunday 26 July
EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Sung Mass  10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (26 July)

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (Year A)
1 Kings 3:5-12
Psalm 119:129-136
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Friday, July 10, 2020

PARISH NOTES 
Sunday 12 July 2020

The Sower (Sower at Sunset) (1888) by Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890). Oil on canvas. Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, Netherlands.

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
 

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost (Year A)
Isaiah 55:10-13
Psalm 65:9-14
Romans 8:1-11
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

Percy Whitlock (1903 – 1946)—Five Pieces: II. Folk Tune

Percy Whitlock—Toccata


A WORD OF WELCOME 

Welcome to Saint Stephen’s – S. Stephen’s Church is in the midst of Brown University and serves the communities of the East Side of Providence, North Providence, East Providence, and beyond. It is a parish of the Diocese of Rhode Island in the Episcopal Church in the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Anglo-Catholic tradition informs and shapes our life together. We are a diverse community uniting all sorts and conditions in the worship of Our Lord Jesus Christ and aim to offer up the best we have in liturgy, music, preaching, teaching, fellowship, and service.


A WORD FROM FATHER LOCKE 

Our Gospel reading today gives us two for the price of one – a parable from Jesus, and a reflection on and application of that parable from the early Church.

The parables of Jesus in their purest form were brief word pictures, pointing to a single, often surprising, point. They frequently seem to have come in response to some objection or opposition. In this case, perhaps, “Where is this wonderful Kingdom of God of which you continually speak? We don’t see much evidence of it.” To which Jesus responds that the seeds are being sown, even in unlikely places, and while some will never take, there in fact will be an amazing harvest.

The Church in turn reflected on that story over the decades and applied it to itself. What kind of soil are we, am I caught up in the cares of the world, is the evil one at work in our midst…? Good questions for our own reflection and ongoing spiritual growth. And let us not forget that initial power of the Kingdom, ready to spring up, even in the most unexpected of ways.

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Welcome Back! – We’re delighted to be able to see you again this Sunday! While we continue to gather again, this privilege comes with it some protocols to keep us all safe. A summary of the safety protocols may be found here.

Virtual Offices and Masses – We will continue to offer Virtual Offices and Masses for those who wish to continue to participate safely from home. To access and view the LIVE (and archived) services, please visit the parish Facebook page here (you do not need a FB account to tune in). To access accompanying Daily Office and Low Mass readings and resources (as well as archived services), please visit the parish website sermon page here.

Virtual Coffee Hour – Please join us for our Virtual Sunday Coffee Hour this Sunday, 12 July, at 11:30 am. To attend, please click here. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact Junior Warden Alison Huff via call or text at 401-465-8029 or email (alisonhuff12@gmail.com), or Jacob Ihnen via call or text at 712-348-5848 or email (jacob_ihnen@alumni.brown.edu). Thank you!

Monthly Commemoration of the Departed – whose year’s mind falls during July will be offered in person and virtually this coming Saturday, 18 July, at 10 am (preceded by Morning Prayer at 9:30 am). If you have any names to add to those to be remembered, please let Nancy Gingrich know. This Mass is sponsored by the Guild of All Souls, St. Stephen Protomartyr Branch: all are welcome and invited to attend!

Episcopal Conference Center (ECC) Offerings this Summer – ECC is excited to offer you some (safe, physically distant) opportunities to be at ECC this summer. Details of their limited offerings can be found at their website here.

Concerning Pledges and the Sunday Offering – A key worry in this time of physical distancing is that our inability to fully gather as a church damages our income. We have heard nothing from the public health authorities about the risks of virus transmission through the mail, so feel free to mail your check to the church. Alternatively, it is quite straightforward to give online by clicking here to visit S. Stephen’s online giving page, where you can use the payment portal week by week or set up a recurring direct deposit program with your bank. We are grateful for your generous response to our appeal for pledges in this transition year. Now the challenge is for us to receive and collect these pledges. We don’t know how long this period of physical distancing will have to last. If you are experiencing financial difficulties which hurt your ability to keep a pledge you made before this crisis of the coronavirus, please do not hesitate to let us know. Thank you for your love of S. Stephen’s.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS 

Prayers have been requested for: Beverly, Patti, Ethel, Carl, Kade, Sherri, Charles, Sandra, Lola, Ruby, Norman, Diana, Sarah, Shannah, Lynne, Harrington, Joan, Robyn, Phebe, Hunter, Ann, Beth, Sandy, Kiersten, Beverly, Tom, Jill, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Susan, Beverly, Kevin, Rhoda, Crystal, and Christopher.

Birthdays this week: Laura Rejto (Wednesday 7/15), Emese Benziger (Thursday 7/16), and Luke Tessier (Friday 7/17).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Harold Ellsworth Decker (12 July 2014) and John Austin MacIntyre, Sr. (16 July 1992). Recently Departed: Eric Westby.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea: The Most Rev’d Allan Migi, Archbishop of Papua New Guinea; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the Congregational Development Commission and those in the Diocese who work to support our congregations.

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S 

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Saturday 18 July
Guild of All Souls  10 am (Lady Chapel)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 18 July
Epiphany Soup Kitchen (Meal Pickup Only)  2:30-4:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

* REGATHERING HAS RESUMED FOR IN-PERSON SERVICES ON SUNDAYS (80 PEOPLE TOTAL) AND WEEKDAYS (14 PEOPLE TOTAL)
* ALL ATTENDEES MUST ADHERE TO WRITTEN AND VERBAL PROTOCOLS TO ATTEND


Sunday 12 July
SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Sung Mass  10 am

Daily Office and Mass Lectionary: Proper 10, Year Two

Monday 13 July
FERIA (G)
Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

Tuesday 14 July
FERIA (G)
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Wednesday 15 July
FERIA (G)
Bonaventure, Friar, Bishop, Teacher, 1274
Swithun, Bishop of Winchester, c. 862
Vladimir of Kiev, first Christian ruler in Russia, 1015

Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

Thursday 16 July
FERIA (G)
Osmund, Bishop of Salisbury, 1099
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Patron of the State of Rhode Island

Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Friday 17 July
FERIA (G)
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Saturday 18 July
FERIA
Elizabeth Ferrard, Founder of the Community of Saint Andrew, 1883
Morning Prayer  9:30 am
Low Requiem Mass  10 am (Black)

Sunday 19 July
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Sung Mass  10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (19 July)

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (Year A)
Isaiah 44:6-8
Psalm 86:11-17
Romans 8:12-25 

Saturday, July 4, 2020

PARISH NOTES 
Sunday 5 July 2020

Simon the Cyrenian Compelled to Carry the Cross with Jesus (between 1886 and 1894) by James Tissot (1836-1902). Gouache over graphite on gray wove paper. Brooklyn Museum, NY.

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
 

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (Year A)
Zechariah 9:9-12
Psalm 145:8-14
Romans 7:15-25a
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

J. S. Bach (1685 – 1750)—Sonata No.1 in E-flat Major, BWV 525: I. [Allegro]

J. S. Bach after Johann Ernst (1664 – 1707), Duke of Saxe-Weimar—Concerto No. 1 in G. BWV 592: I. [Allegro]


A WORD OF WELCOME 

Welcome to Saint Stephen’s – S. Stephen’s Church is in the midst of Brown University and serves the communities of the East Side of Providence, North Providence, East Providence, and beyond. It is a parish of the Diocese of Rhode Island in the Episcopal Church in the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Anglo-Catholic tradition informs and shapes our life together. We are a diverse community uniting all sorts and conditions in the worship of Our Lord Jesus Christ and aim to offer up the best we have in liturgy, music, preaching, teaching, fellowship, and service.

A WORD FROM FATHER LOCKE 

Americans are known for their sense of independence, New Englanders in particular for a rugged individualism – live free or die! Jesus reminds us that we in fact are always linked to something; something will direct us, steer us in a certain direction. There is always a yoke. The question then is what will be my yoke, your yoke? What will set us on a particular course? Fear, anger, anxiety, pride…? Jesus offers us his yoke, which, as a yoke of love, is easy, even light. A collect from Morning Prayer says, “to serve you is perfect freedom”. Being yoked to Jesus sets us free and removes that which can so often weigh us down. Perhaps it’s time to lay those burdens down.

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Welcome Back! – We’re delighted to be able to see you again this Sunday! While we can gather again, this privilege comes with it some protocols to keep us all safe. A summary of the safety protocols may be found here.

Virtual Offices and Masses – We will continue to offer Virtual Offices and Masses for those who wish to continue to participate safely from home. To access and view the LIVE (and archived) services, please visit the parish Facebook page here (you do not need a FB account to tune in). To access accompanying Daily Office and Low Mass readings and resources (as well as archived services), please visit the parish website sermon page here.

Virtual Coffee Hour – Please join us for our Virtual Sunday Coffee Hour tomorrow, 5 July, at 11:30 am. To attend, please click here. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact Junior Warden Alison Huff via call or text at 401-465-8029 or email (alisonhuff12@gmail.com), or Jacob Ihnen via call or text at 712-348-5848 or email (jacob_ihnen@alumni.brown.edu). Thank you!

Society of Mary – The Society of Mary: Our Lady of Providence Ward will meet this coming Saturday, 11 July, beginning with Holy Rosary following the 10 am Low Mass and a brief meeting. All are welcome and invited to participate!

Episcopal Conference Center (ECC) Offerings this Summer – ECC is excited to offer you some (safe, physically distant) opportunities to be at ECC this summer. Details of their limited offerings can be found at their website here.

Concerning Pledges and the Sunday Offering – A key worry in this time of physical distancing is that our inability to fully gather as a church damages our income. We have heard nothing from the public health authorities about the risks of virus transmission through the mail, so feel free to mail your check to the church. Alternatively, it is quite straightforward to give online by clicking here to visit S. Stephen’s online giving page, where you can use the payment portal week by week or set up a recurring direct deposit program with your bank. We are grateful for your generous response to our appeal for pledges in this transition year. Now the challenge is for us to receive and collect these pledges. We don’t know how long this period of physical distancing will have to last. If you are experiencing financial difficulties which hurt your ability to keep a pledge you made before this crisis of the coronavirus, please do not hesitate to let us know. Thank you for your love of S. Stephen’s.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS 

Prayers have been requested for: Beverly, Patti, Ethel, Carl, Kade, Sherri, Charles, Sandra, Lola, Ruby, Norman, Diana, Sarah, Shannah, Lynne, Harrington, Joan, Robyn, Phebe, Hunter, Ann, Beth, Sandy, Kiersten, Beverly, Tom, Jill, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Susan, Beverly, Rhoda, Crystal, and Christopher.

Anniversary of Ordination to Sacred Priesthood: Fr. William Locke (7/9/94).

Birthdays this week: Jack Tessier (Sunday 7/5) and Cailyn Ripley-McNamar (Friday 7/10).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Albert S. Cook (7 July 1998), Hamilton Webb (7 July 2011), and Marian Higgins (10 July 2000).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the United Church of Pakistan: The Most Rev’d Humphrey Peters, Bishop of Peshawar & Moderator of the Church of Pakistan; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the people and clergy of Amazing Grace at the ACI.

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S 

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS


Saturday 11 July
Society of Mary  10:45 am (Lady Chapel and Great Hall)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 11 July
Epiphany Soup Kitchen (Meal Pickup Only)  2:30-4:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

* REGATHERING HAS RESUMED FOR IN-PERSON SERVICES ON SUNDAYS (80 PEOPLE TOTAL) AND WEEKDAYS (14 PEOPLE TOTAL)
* ALL ATTENDEES MUST ADHERE TO WRITTEN AND VERBAL PROTOCOLS TO ATTEND


Sunday 5 July
FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Sung Mass  10 am

Daily Office and Mass Lectionary: Proper 9, Year Two

Monday 6 July
FERIA (G)
Sexburga, Abbess of Ely, 699
Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

Tuesday 7 July
FERIA (G)
Palladius, Apostle of Ireland, 5th century
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Wednesday 8 July
FERIA (G)
Aquila and Priscilla, Companions of Saint Paul, 1st century
Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

Thursday 9 July
FERIA (G)
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Friday 10 July
FERIA (G)
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Saturday 11 July
Benedict of Nursia, Abbot, Father of Western Monasticism, Patron of Europe, c. 550 (W)
Morning Prayer  9:30 am
Low Mass  10 am
Holy Rosary  10:30 am

Sunday 12 July
SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Sung Mass  10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (12 July)

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost (Year A)
Isaiah 55:10-13
Psalm 65:9-14
Romans 8:1-11