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