ONLINE PARISH NOTES

November 30, 2014

Michelangelo, The Last Judgment
Sistine Chapel, 1536-1541

FROM THE RECTOR

Advent begins a new liturgical year with a wake-up call: Watch! Stay Awake! The theme of this First Sunday of the season is watchfulness. The Lord is coming, but we know neither the day nor the hour. Therefore it is necessary to stay awake at all times. If we have been growing dozy or lax in our Christian observance, now is the opportunity to wake up, pay attention, and recommit ourselves to following the Lord in all the classic disciplines of the Christian life. That way, when he comes, we will not be caught sleeping. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Advent I, Year B
Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Christmas Flower Offering – If you would like to make a Christmas offering of flowers to the church in thanksgiving or in memoriam, please fill out the envelope included with today’s Kalendar, and put it in the offering plate or bring it to the parish office no later than Friday December 19th.

Confirmations – All are warmly invited to the Lady Chapel at 5 pm on Tuesday 2 December 2014, when Bishop Knisely will confirm several members of the EMBR campus community. This will be a great opportunity to show our support for these persons in their life in Christ, and for the campus ministry as a whole. Please come if you can! If you have not already been confirmed, and would like to investigate the possibility, please be in touch with the Rector. Those being confirmed or received are Lynne de Benedette, Jason Connell, Jee Won Park, Frank Pisaturo, Jacqueline Rice, and Elizabeth Rule.

Society of Mary – will meet on Saturday 6 December for 9 am Morning Prayer, 9:30 Mass, then recitation of the Rosary. Breakfast and a program follow. Everyone is invited.

Advent Lessons & Carols – Next Sunday 7 December at 5:30 pm we will offer our annual service of Lessons & Carols. Seasonal readings and musical selections set the stage as we prepare for the coming of the infant Lord. A reception follows in the Great Hall. All are welcome and invited to attend.

Commemoration of December Departed – Those on the parish Year’s Mind list whose anniversaries fall during December will be prayed for at the Mass on Monday 8 December, (The Feast of the Immaculate Conception) at 6 pm. If you have names of departed family or friends to be remembered, please send them to Fr. Alexander at rector@sstephens.necoxmail.com and come join us if you can. The Parish Branch of The Guild of All Souls will meet following Mass for fellowship at a suitable location on Thayer Street. Everyone is welcome and invited to join us.

Nominations Committee – candidates for the following positions need to be elected at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 25, 2015: Vestry – one four-year term (incumbent is eligible for re-election); Treasurer – one year term; Clerk – one year term; Diocesan Convention – two Delegates, two Alternates, one-year term. The Nominations Committee consists of Susan Brazil (Chair), John Chamberlin, Modu Johnson, Erica Medvedev, and Charles Rejto.

Advent Quiet Day – On Saturday 13 December from 9 am to 2:30 pm, we will offer our annual Advent Quiet Day, with addresses by The Rev’d Canon Scott Gunn, Executive Director of Forward Movement Publications in Cincinnati, Ohio. We will begin as usual with Morning Prayer at 9 am, and Mass at 9:30 am followed by a light breakfast. The day will include a simple catered lunch, and we will conclude at 2:30 pm. The donation is $15 per person, payable on the day, which will help cover the cost of both breakfast and lunch. (Assistance is available to anyone for whom this may be a hardship.) So we have an idea of how many to plan for, please RSVP the parish office by Wednesday 10 December, indicating your plans to attend, via email to office@sstephens.necoxmail.com, or by calling Cory MacLean at 421-6702, ext. 1.

Christmas Decorations – This year we hope to engage a group of volunteers to decorate the church between Advent IV (Sunday 21 December) and Christmas Eve (Wednesday 24 December). If you are interested in joining in this festive tradition, please contact the parish office via email to office@sstephens.necoxmail.com or phone at 421-6702, ext. 1.

Christmas Pageant and Family Mass – The Sunday School will be presenting its annual Christmas Eve Pageant at the Family Mass on Wednesday, 24 December at 5:30 pm. Children of all ages are welcome to participate. Please see Alison Huff or Devon Callanan for details.

New Seating Arrangement in Lady Chapel – Starting in Advent, which begins today, we are experimenting with a new arrangement of the seats in the Lady Chapel, in the “collegiate” style of rows of seats facing each other rather than facing forward. We hope this arrangement will enhance our worship in this space; and we will evaluate how well it works over a period of several months.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Maggie, Nicholas, Jonno, Nancy, Patrick, Will, Townsend, Norman, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Harrington, Davaughn, Steven, Richard, Beverly, Deborah, Beverly, Angela, Rhoda, Henry, Jim, James, Richard, Lynne, Dianne, Kathleen, and Richard.

The faithful departed: ­Year’s Mind: Jimmy Chancey Black (4 December 1992); Recently Departed: Hugh McNamar.

Birthdays this week: Cory MacLean (1 December), Sandra Bartlett (2 December).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for pray for Falkland Islands (Extra-Provincial to Canterbury): The Rt. Rev’d Stephen Venner; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. Andrew’s, Little Compton.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC W Dilworth; SD R Noble; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer K Hooks; Torches G Benziger, D Callanan
Lector – J Steiny
Ushers – S Newby, R Viti
Coffee Hour – C & T Bledsoe

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Wednesday 3 December
Afternoon Tea 4 pm

Saturday 6 December
Society of Mary (following Mass & Rosary)

Sunday 7 December
Advent Lessons & Carols 5:30 pm (Reception following)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Friday 5 December
Zefiro Ensemble Advent Concert 8 pm

Saturday 6 December
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm
Brown Madrigal Ensemble Concert 7 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 30 November
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Blue)
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: Advent I, Year 1

Monday 1 December
ST. ANDREW THE APOSTLE (Transferred) (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 2 December
Tuesday in Advent I (V)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am
EMBR Confirmation 5 pm

Wednesday 3 December
Francis Xavier, Apostle of the Indies, Missionary, 1552 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 4 December
John of Damascus, Monk, Teacher, c. 749 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 5 December
Friday in Advent I (V)
Clement of Alexandria, Priest, Teacher, c. 210
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 6 December
Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, c. 326 (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Holy Rosary 10 am

Sunday 7 December
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Blue)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Advent Lessons & Carols 5:30 pm


*EMBR = Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD


NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (December 7)

Advent II, Year B
Isaiah 40:1-11, Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13, 16-18; 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8

ONLINE PARISH NOTES

Sunday, November 23, 2014

FROM THE RECTOR

The Feast of Christ the King was instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI in response to the rising tide of secularist and totalitarian ideologies in Europe. Initially observed on the last Sunday in October, it was moved to the last Sunday of the liturgical year in the calendar reform of 1970. Since then, it has been adopted by Anglicans, Lutherans, and many of the Reformed Churches, especially through the Revised Common Lectionary. It is fitting on the last Sunday before a new liturgical year begins, that we should contemplate the figure of Christ in Majesty, who will return on the Last Day to judge both the living and the dead. All earthly loyalties and allegiances are relativized by the absolute loyalty we rightly offer Christ the Universal King. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Proper 29, Year A – Last Sunday after Pentecost: Christ the King
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Psalm 95:1-7a, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Stewardship 2015 – Thank you to everyone who has made a pledge for 2015. Those who have not pledged yet – please help us meet our goals for 2015 by returning your pledge form as soon as possible. Our pledges express our support for the mission of this parish in thanksgiving to God for his many blessings upon us all.

Rector's Book -- Fr. Alexander will be signing copies of his new book published by Forward Movement, Dawn from on High, at both Coffee Hours this morning. Copies are $10 each ($5 off the list price).

Thanksgiving Day Services – Masses for Thanksgiving Day will be offered this Wednesday 26 November at 6 pm (preceded by Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm) and Thursday 27 November at 9:30 am (preceded by Morning Prayer at 9 am). It is fitting to begin our Thanksgiving Day festivities by coming to Mass to give thanks to God for our many blessings.

Advent Lessons & Carols – On Sunday 7 December at 5:30 pm we will offer our annual service of Lessons & Carols. Seasonal readings and musical selections set the stage as we prepare for the coming of the infant Lord. A reception follows in the Great Hall. All are welcome and invited to attend.

Advent Quiet Day – will be held on Saturday 13 December from 9 am to 2:30 pm, with addresses by The Rev’d Canon Scott Gunn, Executive Director of Forward Movement Publications in Cincinnati, Ohio. We will begin as usual with Morning Prayer at 9 am, and Mass at 9:30 am followed by a light breakfast. The day will include a simple catered lunch, and we will conclude at 2:30 pm. The donation is $15 per person, payable on the day, which will help cover the cost of both breakfast and lunch. (Assistance is available to anyone for whom this may be a hardship.) So we have an idea of how many to plan for, please RSVP the parish office by Friday, December 12, indicating your plans to attend, via email to office@sstephens.necoxmail.com, or by calling Cory MacLean at 421-6702, ext. 1.

Nominations Committee -- candidates for the following positions need to be elected at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 25, 2015: Vestry -- one four-year term (incumbent is eligible for re-election); Treasurer -- one year term; Clerk -- one year term; Diocesan Convention -- two Delegates, two Alternates, one-year term. The Nominations Committee consists of Susan Brazil (Chair), John Chamberlin, Modu Johnson, Erica Naone, and Charles Rejto.

New Seating Arrangement in Lady Chapel – Starting in Advent (which begins Sunday 30 November) we will be experimenting with a new arrangements of the seats in the Lady Chapel, in the “collegiate” style of rows of seats facing each other rather than facing forward. We hope this arrangement will enhance our worship in this space; and we will evaluate how well it works over a period of several months.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Those for whom Prayers have been Requested: Maggie, Nicholas, Jonno, Nancy, Patrick, Will, Townsend, Norman, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Harrington, Davaughn, Richard, Beverly, Deborah, Beverly, Angela, Rhoda, Henry, Jim, James, Richard, Lynne, Dianne, Kathleen, Richard, and Steven.

The faithful departed: Year's Mind: Frederick Corcoran (24 November 2007) and Martha Saunders (29 November 1989).

Birthdays this week: Michael D’Alesandre (27 November)

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for pray for The Reformed Episcopal Church of Spain (E-P to the Archbishop of Canterbury; The Reformed Episcopal Church of Spain - (Spain): The Rt. Rev’d Carlos López-Lozano; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of Christ Church, Lincoln: Betsy Lesieur; Christ Church Westerly: Christine Purcell; Church of the Redeemer, Providence: Patrick Campbell; and for clergy of the Diocese: Henry Turnbull, James Verber, and Edward Winsor.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC S Brazil; SD R Rose; Thurifers L Bledsoe, L Verdelotti; Crucifer R Himes; Torches DO Latimer, L Rejto
Lector – P Martin

Ushers – R Widmer, B Lennihan
Coffee Hour – Society of Mary

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Wednesday 26 November

Afternoon Tea 4 pm

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 29 November
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 23 November
LAST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST: CHRIST THE KING (W)
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 29, Year Two

Monday 24 November
Columbanus, Abbot of Luxeuil and Bobbio, 615 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 25 November
Catherine of Alexandria, Martyr, 4th century (R)
James O.S. Huntington, Monk, Founder of the Order of the Holy Cross, 1935
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 26 November
Eve of Thanksgiving Day (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 27 November
THANKSGIVING DAY (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Friday 28 November

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

Saturday 29 November
Feria (G)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Sunday 30 November
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Blue) 

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 (November 30)

Advent I, Year B
Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37

ONLINE PARISH NOTES

Sunday 16 November 2014

The Widow's Mite, Sant' Appolinare Nuovo, Ravenna (6th cent.)

FROM THE RECTOR

This Sunday is Stewardship Sunday at S. Stephen's. The appointed Gospel reading illustrates the concept of Christian Stewardship well. A man goes on a journey and entrusts substantial sums of money to his servants. When at length he returns, he demands an accounting of what they have done with it. He rewards the two who made good use of what was entrusted to them, but punishes the one who buried it in the ground for safekeeping. Similarly, God has entrusted all our earthly wealth and possessions to us for this life. Today's Gospel suggests that the key to making good use of what has been entrusted to us is the willingness to take risks, to be open and generous, in the confidence that God will take care of all our needs. A key compnent of our Christian calling is to offer back to God, for his Church and its mission in the world, a portion of all that he has given us. We are called to give generously, abundantly, and sacrificially. Will we rise to the challenge?
-- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Proper 28, Year A – Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18, Psalm 90:1-8, (9-11), 12, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Altar Flowers today are given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the life and love of Tyrone Gingrich, by Nancy Gingrich.

Stewardship Sunday – During both Masses today we have the opportunity to bring our pledges forward and put them in the basket to be offered at God’s altar. Additional blank pledge forms are available from the ushers for those who did not receive them. We are grateful for whatever you can pledge. “Every little bit counts.” The results of the Stewardship Campaign so far will be announced at the end of Mass. Please help us make this Stewardship Sunday an occasion when we express our love for God and his Church through the generosity of our pledges.

Thanksgiving Day Services – Masses for Thanksgiving Day will be offered on Wednesday 26 November at 6 pm (preceded by Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm) and Thursday 27 November at 9:30 am (preceded by Morning Prayer at 9 am). It is fitting to begin our Thanksgiving Day festivities by coming to Mass to give thanks to God for our many blessings.

Advent Lessons & Carols – On Sunday 7 December at 5:30 pm we will offer our annual service of Lessons & Carols. Seasonal readings and musical selections set the stage as we prepare for the coming of the infant Lord. A reception follows in the Great Hall. All are welcome and invited to attend.

New Seating Arrangement in Lady Chapel – Starting in Advent (which begins Sunday 30 November) we will be experimenting with a new arrangements of the seats in the Lady Chapel, in the “collegiate” style of rows of seats facing each other rather than facing forward. We hope this arrangement will enhance our worship in this space; and we will evaluate how well it works over a period of several months.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Nicholas, Jonno, Nancy, Patrick, Will, Townsend, Norman, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Harrington, Davaughn, Richard, Hugh, Beverly, Deborah, Beverly, Angela, Rhoda, Henry, Jim, James, Richard, Lynne, Diane, Kathleen, Richard.

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Eric Ernest Bernard Hall (16 November 1987), Alice Esposito (18 November 1994), Florence Ingram (20 November 1998), and Stanley Cozzens Bodell (20 November 2010); Recently departed: Mark Dyer, Bishop.

Birthdays this week: Karl Benziger (17 November).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for pray for The Lusitanian Church (Extra-Provincial to the Archbishop of Canterbury), Portugal: The Rt. Rev’d José Jorge De Pina Cabral; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. Elizabeth’s, Hope Valley: Richard Schweinsburg and Christine Burton; and for clergy of the Diocese: Gary Lemery, John Cannon, Ashley Peckham, Ann Pelletier, and Marcia Sessions.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC R Rose; SD R Himes; Thurifer L Bledsoe; Crucifer D Callanan; Torches C Sylvia, L Hooks
Lector – M Johnson
Ushers – R Widmer, B Lennihan
Coffee Hour – R G Noble, M Johnson

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Wednesday 19 November
Afternoon Tea 4 pm

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Friday 21 November
Reformed University Fellowship 7 pm

Saturday 22 November
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 16 November
TWENTY-THIRD 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 28, Year Two

Monday 17 November
Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, 1200 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 18 November
Elizabeth of Hungary, Princess of Thuringia, 1231 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

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

Thursday 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
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 21 November
The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Blue)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 22 November
Cecilia, Martyr at Rome, c. 230 (R)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Sunday 23 November

LAST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST: CHRIST THE KING (W)
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 (November 23)

Proper 29, Year A – Last Sunday after Pentecost (Christ the King)
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Psalm 95:1-7a, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 25:31-46

ONLINE PARISH NOTES

Sunday 9 November 2014

T. Noyes Lewis, The Place of Meeting (At the Time of Communion),
No date, printed shortly after World War I

FROM THE RECTOR

In recent months, I've had some interesting conversations with fellow priests who are military veterans concerning the respective meanings of Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Remembrance Sunday. They rightly point out the error of confusing Memorial Day, when we remember and honor our nation's war dead, and Veterans Day, when we honor and express our gratitude to those who, still living, have served in our nation's armed forces (whether in wartime or peacetime). I am eager to respect and affirm this distinction.

The meaning of Remembrance Sunday can be a bit confusing, because although it is observed on the Sunday closest to Veterans Day (November 11), it is an occasion of prayer for those who have lost their lives in war, including but not limited to those who made the supreme sacrifice serving in our armed forces. Its meaning is thus closer to Memorial Day than to Veterans Day. Our business in the Church is not to make political points, whether pro-military or anti-war, but simply to pray for the fallen while we await in hope the coming of Christ's universal reign of peace.

Remembrance Sunday has come into observance in the past twenty years or so in a number of Episcopal parishes in the United States. It is admittedly an import from Commonwealth countries where it is kept on the Sunday closest to Armistice Day -- the same day as our Veterans' Day but with a slightly different meaning. We might consider Remembrance Sunday a Memorial Day in November; the advantage of keeping it now is that during Memorial Day weekend it would usually be pre-empted by the Sundays of the Easter cycle (Pentecost, Trinity, etc.). It is also another opportunity to pray for the dead during November, the month especially so dedicated in the Catholic tradition.

Isn't it forbidden to celebrate Requiem Masses on Sunday? In most cases, yes, absolutely. But for pastoral reasons Benedict XV (Pope 1914-1922) granted an indult to the Church in countries that had been belligerents in World War I to celebrate one Requiem Mass on Remembrance Sunday in addition to the proper Office and Mass of the Sunday. This custom spread from the Roman Catholic Church in England to Anglo-Catholic parishes in the Church of England, and thence to the rest of the Anglican Communion. I am grateful to Bishop Knisely for his kind permission to observe this custom here at S. Stephen's.

One final note: in the Episcopal Church, November 11 (Veterans Day) is kept as the Feast of Saint Martin of Tours (d. 397). Martin was a soldier before he became a bishop, so he makes a fitting patron saint for veterans. See below for Mass times this Tuesday.

-- Fr. John D. Alexander, Rector

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

8 am -- Proper 27, Year A – Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
Amos 5:18-24, Psalm 70, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 5:1-13

10 am -- Remembrance Sunday
Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 8:31-39, John 15:9-17

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.

Veterans' Day – As on all Federal public holidays, Low Mass on Tuesday 11 November, will be celebrated at 9:30 am, preceded by Morning Prayer at 9.

Eucharistic Adoration – This Saturday, 15 November, the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament will sponsor approximately an hour of silent prayer and meditation in the Lady Chapel before the Blessed Sacrament, beginning shortly after the end of the 9:30 am Mass, and concluding by 11 am. All are welcome and invited to participate.

Stewardship Sunday – is next Sunday, on November 16. Please bring your pledge forms to complete and give in during Mass. (If you have not received a pledge form you may obtain a blank form from one of the ushers.)

Thanksgiving Day Masses -- will be offered on Wednesday 26 November at 6 pm (preceded by Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm) and Thursday 27 November at 9:30 am (preceded by Morning Prayer at 9 am). It is fitting to begin our Thanksgiving Day festivities by coming to Mass to give thanks to God for our many blessings."

New Seating Arrangement in Lady Chapel – Starting in Advent (which begins Sunday 30 November) we will be experimenting with a new arrangements of the seats in the Lady Chapel, in the “collegiate” style of rows of seats facing each other rather than facing forward. We hope this arrangement will enhance our worship in this space; and we will evaluate how well it works over a period of several months.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Nicholas, Jonno, Nancy, Patrick, Will, Townsend, Norman, Mark, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Harrington, Davaughn, Richard, Hugh, Beverly, Deborah, Beverly, Angela, Rhoda, Henry, Jim, James, Richard, Lynne, Dianne, Kathleen, Richard, and Maggie.

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Chester Arthur Files (9 November 1987), Lillian A. Crumby (9 November 1997), Helena Crosslin (11 November 2007), and Alison Morgan Henning Stebbins (12 November 2012)

Birthdays this week: Leana Latimer (9 November), Peter Gibson (10 November), Klara Benziger and Jane Latham (11 November)

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for pray for Bermuda (Extra-Provincial to Canterbury) Bermuda - (Bermuda): The Rt. Rev’d Nicholas Dill; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. Martin’s, Providence; and for clergy widows of the Diocese: Alison Almeida, Phyllis Dickson-Boyd, Elfriede Knowles and widowers Christopher North and Harold McShane.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC R Armidon; SD W Dilworth; Thurifer R Noble; Crucifer D Callanan; Torches E Benziger, DO Latimer
Lector – T Johnson
Ushers – S Brazil, L Verdelotti
Coffee Hour – TBA

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS 

Sunday 9 November

Student Group Supper and Meeting -- following 5:30 pm Evening Prayer 

Wednesday 12 November
Afternoon Tea 4 pm

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Friday 14 November

Reformed University Fellowship 7 pm

Saturday 15 November
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 9 November
TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G) – 8 AM
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY (Black) – 10 AM
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Requiem Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

Daily Office and Weekday Mass Lectionaries -- Proper 27, Year Two

Monday 10 November
Leo the Great, Bishop of Rome, Teacher, 461 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 11 November
VETERANS DAY
Martin, Bishop of Tours, c. 397 (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Wednesday 12 November
Josaphat Kunsevich, Archbishop of Polotsk, Martyr, 1623 (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 13 November
Feria (G)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 14 November
Samuel Seabury, First Anglican Bishop in North America, 1796 (W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 15 November
Albert the Great, Dominican Friar, Bishop, Teacher, 1280 (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Eucharistic Adoration 10 am

Sunday 16 November
TWENTY-THIRD 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 (November 16)

Proper 28, Year A – Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18, Psalm 90:1-8, (9-11), 12, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30