ONLINE PARISH NOTES

Sunday 14 December 2014

Christ and John the Baptist (Detail of Deesis Mosaic),
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, c. 1261

FROM THE RECTOR

John the Baptist is the subject of countless artistic depictions in every era of Church history. Clearly, the Christian theological and spiritual tradition considers him a central figure in the Gospel narrative of salvation. Yet, in the Church calendar, the appointed Gospel readings focus our attention on John the Baptist only three Sundays each year: the Second and Third Sundays of Advent, and the Sunday after the Epiphany (the Baptism of Christ). It's worth our while to pay close attention to the figure of the Baptist on these Sundays, to learn what he has to teach us.

The Gospels are clear that John the Baptist is not the Messiah but the one sent ahead of the Messiah to announce his coming and prepare his way. As this Sunday's Gospel puts it, "he was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light." The principal way in which John fulfills his mission, as we heard last Sunday, is by preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. That is, he prepares the people of Israel to receive their Messiah by calling them to confess and repent of their sins.

A key component of preparation for the coming of the Lord -- at Christmas, at the end of time, and here and now -- is confessing our sins. We can do this privately, in our own personal prayers. But many people find it an enormous help to confess their sins to a priest and receive counsel and absolution in the context of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. If you would like to make your confession before Christmas, please speak with Fr. Sawicky or me to arrange a day and time. Don't worry if you've never made your confession before. We will be glad to guide and help you in any way we can.
-- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Advent III, Year B
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, Psalm 126, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24,
John 1:6-8, 19-28

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Guest Preacher -- we welcome the Rev'd Canon Scott Gunn, Executive Director of Forward Movement Publications in Cincinnati, Ohio, as our preacher at the 10 am Sunday Mass. Before taking up his current position, Fr. Gunn served several parishes in Rhode Island, including Epiphany, Rumford, and Christ Church, Lincoln.

Stewardship -- The good news is that we have met our goal of increasing both the total number of pledges and the total amount pledged for 2015 by ten percent over the 2014 numbers. Thank you to everyone whose pledges have made this accomplishment possible. It is not too late, however, to make a pledge for 2015 if you have not already done so -- Every little bit counts! It would be most helpful to receive any remaining pledges before the Vestry meeting this Tuesday so the Vestry can set a responsible budget for 2015. The bad news is that we are a little behind where we should be at this time of year on receiving the money pledged for 2014. So, if you are behind on your 2014 pledge, please contribute the remaining amounts before the end of the year if at all possible.

Eucharistic Adoration – On Saturday 20 December, 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.

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 Year’s Day Dinner – Once again we will offer our annual New Year’s Day Dinner for those in need, on Thursday 1 January 2015. If you can help, please contact coordinator Sue Brazil at Sueb265@hotmail.com, or contact the parish office at 421-6702 ext. 1 or office@sstephens.necoxmail.com. We welcome new scarves, mittens, hats and socks, as well as personal hygiene products such as soaps and toothbrushes. For I was hungry, and you gave me food: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you welcomed me … Matthew 25:35

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.

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.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Maggie, Nicholas, Jonno, Nancy, Patrick, Will, Townsend, Norman, Andrea, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Harrington, Davaughn, Stephen, Michael, Richard, Colin, Sandy, Beverly, Tom, Mabel, Deborah, Beverly, Angela, Rhoda, Ned, Henry, James, Richard, Lynne, Dianne, Kathleen, and Richard.

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Gerald Franklin Barrow (14 December 2007), Mary B. Trask (15 December 1984), Constance Margaret Maxwell and Dorothy Denison Dunlap (17 December 1986); Recently Departed: Nelson Skinner, SSC (Priest), Robert Crawley, SSC (Bishop).

Birthdays this week: Louise Wells (17 December).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church in Kitgum - (Uganda): The Rt. Rev’d Benjamin Ojwang ; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer please pray for the leadership and people of Church of the Advent, Coventry.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC R Rose; SD S Brazil; Thurifer R Armidon; Crucifer D Callanan; Torches E Benziger, V Johnson
Lector – E Alexander
Ushers – W Dilworth, N Gingrich
Coffee Hour – Society of Mary

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Tuesday 16 December
Vestry 7 pm

Wednesday 17 December
Afternoon Tea 4 pm

Saturday 20 December
Altar Guild Cleanup Day (beginning after 11 am)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 20 December
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 14 December
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Rose)
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

Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Advent III, Year 1

Monday 15 December
Monday in Advent III (V)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 16 December
Tuesday in Advent III (V)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 17 December
Proper for 17 December (V) — O Sapientia
Raising of Lazarus
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 18 December
Proper for 18 December (V) — O Adonai
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 19 December
Proper for 19 December (V) — O Radix Jesse
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 20 December
Proper for 20 December (V) — O Clavis David
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Eucharistic Adoration 10 am

Sunday 21 December
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Blue)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (December 21)

Advent IV, Year B
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26, Romans 16:25-27,
Luke 1:26-38