ONLINE PARISH NOTES

Sunday 19 October 2014

S. Stephen's Organist and Choirmaster James Busby

FROM THE RECTOR

One of the pleasures of life at S. Stephen's is our first-rate music program. This Sunday affords us the opportunity to come back to church at 5:30 pm to listen to a recital given by our own Organist and Choirmaster, James Busby. Details of the program are given below. Coming out in force to attend James's recital is one important way of showing our appreciation for all that he does -- including how much we value the enormous contribution he makes to the liturgical and musical life of our parish. It is more than a worthwhile experience in its own right as well. I look forward to seeing good numbers of parishioners both at our morning services this Sunday and at the recital in the evening. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Proper 24, Year A – Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Isaiah 45:1-7, Psalm 96:1-9, (10-13), 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Matthew 22:15-22

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome to all visitors and guests – we’re glad that you’re here. Please join us after the 10 am Mass for coffee and refreshments in the Great Hall, upstairs. Today’s coffee hour is hosted by Tom Oakes, Pat Fuller, and Karen Vorbeck Williams.

Memorial Organ Recital – This evening at 5:30 pm, organist/choirmaster James Busby will play his annual memorial organ recital, featuring Aaron Copland’s Preamble (for a Solemn Occasion), Messe Solemnelle à l’usage de paroisses of François Couperin with plainchant versets sung by the gentlemen of the Schola Cantorum, and Leo Sowerby’s organo-deco masterpiece Symphony in G. A reception follows in our Great Hall. If you have a location where you are willing to post a publicity flyer, please see Cory MacLean.

Saint James of Jerusalem (October 23) – a major Holy Day of the Church year, will be kept this Thursday with the Morning Prayer at 8 am and Low Mass at 8:30.

Stewardship Brunch – Yes, talking about Church finances and money can be fun! To help make it so, we are planning two catered brunches for members (and regular attendees) of the parish following both Sunday morning Masses next Sunday 26 October. It will be an opportunity to sit down, enjoy breakfast in the company of fellow parishioners, and hear a brief presentation on our stewardship goals for 2015. Letters of invitation are being sent to our regular mailing list; but in case you do not receive yours, this is your invitation. Please RSVP by calling the parish office at 401-421-6702 and leaving a message for Cory at extension 1; or by emailing office@sstephen's.necoxmail.com.

All Souls Day – Requiem for the Commemoration of all Faithful Departed will be offered on Monday 3 November at 6 pm, preceded by Evening Prayer in the Lady Chapel at 5:30 pm. If you would like the names of departed loved ones read at the Mass, please legibly fill out the form included in today’s Kalendar, and either give it to an usher or slip it through the office door mail slot before you leave. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, October 29th.

Housing Needed – If anyone has or knows of an apartment or similar accommodation suitable for a single S. Stephen’s parishioner returning to the area after a number of years away, please contact Fr. Alexander.

Episcopal Ministry at Brown / RISD – The Student Group continues its activities for the academic year with Evening Prayer in the Lady Chapel at 5:30 pm followed by supper. All students, undergraduate and graduate, are welcome and invited. For more information, please see Fr. Sawicky.

Wednesday Afternoon Teas – We continue offering tea in the Narthex Wednesday afternoons at 4 pm. This is a great opportunity to open the church to students and passersby, offer hospitality, and enjoy one another’s company. Any parishioners interested in helping out (for example, by bringing baked goods, cookies, or cupcakes) are invited to contact Fr. Sawicky. In any case, drop by, have a cup of tea and say hello! We pack up in time for Evening Prayer at 5:30.

Windows and Floors – you may have noticed the absence of the rugs in the sanctuary, as well as the removal of one of the vent panels in the Ames memorial window on the north wall. These are preliminary steps in two exciting projects now in the works; the repair and refinishing of the sanctuary floor, and the restoration of the stained glass windows along the north aisle of the nave. We’ll keep you posted on further developments.

Brass and silver polishing – We are looking for capable volunteers to polish our brass and silver fixtures and accoutrements. If you are willing to help, please see Fr. Alexander.

Flower Memorial Opportunities – If you would like to order flowers for the High Altar or the statue of our Lady in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving for blessings received, the cost per vase for the High Altar is $80 (both vases $160), and $65 for a vase at the Statue of our Lady. Please send a check to the parish office for the amount, and let Cory MacLean know the intentions for which the flowers are offered.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Nicholas Andrews, Jonno Boyer-Dry, Nancy Bredbeck, Patrick Brown, Will Calverley, Townsend Cass, The Rev. Norman Catir, Hannah Flanagan, Kaitlyn Flanagan, Mary Flanagan, The Rev. Harrington Gordon, Davaughn Hooks, Hugh McNamar, Beverly Myers, Angela Rose, Rhoda Steinhart, The Rev. Henry Turnbull, The Rt. Rev. Thomas Shaw, The Rev. James Verdelotti, Richard Viti, Lynne Walker, Kathleen Werner, and Richard Werner.

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Phyllis Hayden Potterton (20 October 1997) and Megda Dunham Hawkins (20 October 1984); Recently Departed: Pauline Frances Bell

Birthdays this week: David Brooks (October 22nd)

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for The Church in the Province of the West Indies: The Most Rev’d & The Hon. Dr. John Holder, Archbishop of West Indies & Bishop of Barbados; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. Luke's, East Greenwich: Tim Rich and Noel Bailey; and St. Luke's, Pawtucket: Dennis Bucco and Joyce Thorne.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC S Brazil; SD R Himes; Thurifer B Rose; Crucifer L Hooks; Torches DO Latimer, L Rejto

Lector – E Alexander

Ushers – N Gingrich, G Ryan

Coffee Hour – T Oakes, P Fuller, K Vorbeck Williams

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Sunday 19 October
Memorial Organ Recital 5:30 pm (reception following)

Wednesday 22 October
Afternoon Tea 4 pm

Sunday 26 October
Stewardship Brunches (following the 8 and 10 am Masses)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Friday 24 October
Reformed University Fellowship 7 pm

Saturday 25 October

Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 19 October
NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Proper 24, Year Two

Monday 20 October
Feria (G)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 21 October
Feria (G)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 22 October
Feria (G)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 23 October
SAINT JAMES OF JERUSALEM (R)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 24 October
Feria (G)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 25 October
Crispin and Crispinian, Martyrs at Rome, c. 287 (R)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Sunday 26 October
TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

*EMBR = Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (October 26)

Proper 25, Year A – Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18, Psalm 1, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Matthew 22:34-46