ONLINE PARISH NOTES
Sunday 21 December 2014
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| John William Waterhouse, Annunciation, 1914 |
FROM THE RECTOR
The time of Christ's coming draws near. The angel Gabriel is sent to a Virgin in the hill country of Galilee, and the virgin's name is Mary. Join us on the Fourth Sunday of Advent as we continue our spiritual preparations to greet the Christ Child when he comes.
-- Fr. John D. Alexander
Advent IV, Year B
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26, Romans 16:25-27,
Luke 1:26-38
Saint Thomas the Apostle (December 21) – a major Holy Day of the Church year, is transferred this year to Monday 22 December, and will be kept with Evening Prayer at 5:30 and Low Mass at 6 pm.
Christmas Decorations – We will decorate the church for Christmas today after the late coffee hour; feel free to join in this festive tradition, even if you haven’t signed on. Many hands make light work, and what wonderful work it is!
Wednesday Afternoon Tea – will not be offered for the next two weeks (December 24 and December 31). We will resume on Wednesday 7 January.
Schedule of Christmas Services – Christmas Eve: (Wednesday, 24 December) Christmas Pageant & Family Mass - 5:30 pm. Solemn Mass of the Nativity -10:30 pm. Christmas Day: (Thursday, 25 December) Morning Prayer 9 am, Low Mass 9:30 am. Please note: the regularly scheduled Wednesday Evening Prayer and Low Mass will not be offered on Christmas Eve.
New Year’s Day Dinner – Once again we 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 the parish office at 421-6702 ext. 1 or office@sstephens.necoxmail.com. We are hoping to put together “Essentials Bags” for our guests, containing toothpaste, toothbrushes, personal soaps, deodorants, tissues, etc. We welcome any and all donations for this purpose, as well as new scarves, mittens, hats and socks. 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).
The Nominations Committee – is pleased to announce the following slate of candidates for election at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 25, 2015. Vestry, one four-year term—Nancy Gingrich; Treasurer, one one-year term—Ransom Widmer; Clerk, one one-year term—Phoebe Pettingell; Delegates to Diocesan Convention, two one-year terms—John Chamberlin, Frank Pisaturo; Alternates to Diocesan Convention, two one-year terms—Sandra Bartlett, Richard Noble.
Nomination of Senior Warden – According to the S. Stephen’s parish by-laws, the Rector nominates a candidate or candidates for election as Senior Warden (three-year term) at the Annual Parish Meeting. At Tuesday’s vestry meeting, Fr. Alexander announced that he is nominating Tom Bledsoe to succeed Richard Noble, whose second term as Senior Warden ends in 2015.
Baptismal Day – Our next “Baptismal Day” is January 11, 2015, the First Sunday after the Epiphany, commemorating the Baptism of Christ, one of the occasions of the liturgical year when we schedule baptisms at the principal Sunday Mass at 10 am; and if there are no baptisms we renew our baptismal vows. If you know anyone who is interested in being baptized, or having a child baptized, please let one of the clergy know.
Prayers have been requested for: Maggie, Nicholas, Jonno, Nancy, Patrick, Will, Townsend, Norman, Andrea, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Harrington, Davaughn, Richard, Beverly, Tom, Mabel, Deborah, Stephen, Michael, Richard, Colin, Sandy, Beverly, Angela, Rhoda, Ned, Henry, James, Richard, Lynne, Dianne, Kathleen, and Richard.
The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Kathleen Herbert Congdon (22 December 2005), George Wightman Williams (24 December 2004), Frances S. Sloan (26 December 1993), Mary Gowdey (27 December 1992), and Albert E. Godfrey (27 December 1993); Recently Departed: Nelson Skinner, SSC, Priest, and Robert C. Crawley, SSC, Bishop
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for pray the Church in Kontagora - (Lokoja, Nigeria): The Rt. Rev’d Jonah Ibrahim; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. Thomas, Greenville and of St. Thomas, Alton.
Acolytes - MC S Brazil; SD W Dilworth; Thurifer L Bledsoe; Crucifer L Verdelotti; Torches L Hooks, C Sylvia
Lector – P Pettingell
Ushers – P Pettingell, T Bledsoe
Coffee Hour – K Vorbeck Williams
PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS
Sunday 21 December
Acolyte Rehearsal for Christmas Eve Midnight Mass (9 am)
Church Decorations (following the 10 am coffee hour)
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Saturday 27 December
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 21 December
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Blue)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Advent IV, Year 1
Monday 22 December
SAINT THOMAS THE APOSTLE (Transferred) (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Tuesday 23 December
Proper for December 23 (V)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am
Wednesday 24 December
CHRISTMAS EVE (W)
Children’s Pageant and Low Mass 5:30 pm
Solemn Mass of the Nativity 10:30 pm
Thursday 25 December
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Friday 26 December
SAINT STEPHEN, DEACON & MARTYR (R)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 27 December
ST. JOHN, APOSTLE & EVANGELIST (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Sunday 28 December
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am -- FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS (W)
Sung Mass10 am -- SAINT STEPHEN, DEACON & MARTYR (R)
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (December 28)
Christmas I, Year B – 8 am
Isaiah 61:10—62:3, Psalm 147:13-21, Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7, John 1:1-18
Saint Stephen, Deacon & Martyr – 10 am
Jeremiah 26:1-9, 12-15, Acts 6:8-7:2a, 51c-60, Matthew 23:34-39
-- Fr. John D. Alexander
THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
Advent IV, Year B
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26, Romans 16:25-27,
Luke 1:26-38
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Saint Thomas the Apostle (December 21) – a major Holy Day of the Church year, is transferred this year to Monday 22 December, and will be kept with Evening Prayer at 5:30 and Low Mass at 6 pm.
Christmas Decorations – We will decorate the church for Christmas today after the late coffee hour; feel free to join in this festive tradition, even if you haven’t signed on. Many hands make light work, and what wonderful work it is!
Wednesday Afternoon Tea – will not be offered for the next two weeks (December 24 and December 31). We will resume on Wednesday 7 January.
Schedule of Christmas Services – Christmas Eve: (Wednesday, 24 December) Christmas Pageant & Family Mass - 5:30 pm. Solemn Mass of the Nativity -10:30 pm. Christmas Day: (Thursday, 25 December) Morning Prayer 9 am, Low Mass 9:30 am. Please note: the regularly scheduled Wednesday Evening Prayer and Low Mass will not be offered on Christmas Eve.
New Year’s Day Dinner – Once again we 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 the parish office at 421-6702 ext. 1 or office@sstephens.necoxmail.com. We are hoping to put together “Essentials Bags” for our guests, containing toothpaste, toothbrushes, personal soaps, deodorants, tissues, etc. We welcome any and all donations for this purpose, as well as new scarves, mittens, hats and socks. 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).
The Nominations Committee – is pleased to announce the following slate of candidates for election at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 25, 2015. Vestry, one four-year term—Nancy Gingrich; Treasurer, one one-year term—Ransom Widmer; Clerk, one one-year term—Phoebe Pettingell; Delegates to Diocesan Convention, two one-year terms—John Chamberlin, Frank Pisaturo; Alternates to Diocesan Convention, two one-year terms—Sandra Bartlett, Richard Noble.
Nomination of Senior Warden – According to the S. Stephen’s parish by-laws, the Rector nominates a candidate or candidates for election as Senior Warden (three-year term) at the Annual Parish Meeting. At Tuesday’s vestry meeting, Fr. Alexander announced that he is nominating Tom Bledsoe to succeed Richard Noble, whose second term as Senior Warden ends in 2015.
Baptismal Day – Our next “Baptismal Day” is January 11, 2015, the First Sunday after the Epiphany, commemorating the Baptism of Christ, one of the occasions of the liturgical year when we schedule baptisms at the principal Sunday Mass at 10 am; and if there are no baptisms we renew our baptismal vows. If you know anyone who is interested in being baptized, or having a child baptized, please let one of the clergy know.
FOR YOUR PRAYERS
Prayers have been requested for: Maggie, Nicholas, Jonno, Nancy, Patrick, Will, Townsend, Norman, Andrea, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Harrington, Davaughn, Richard, Beverly, Tom, Mabel, Deborah, Stephen, Michael, Richard, Colin, Sandy, Beverly, Angela, Rhoda, Ned, Henry, James, Richard, Lynne, Dianne, Kathleen, and Richard.
The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Kathleen Herbert Congdon (22 December 2005), George Wightman Williams (24 December 2004), Frances S. Sloan (26 December 1993), Mary Gowdey (27 December 1992), and Albert E. Godfrey (27 December 1993); Recently Departed: Nelson Skinner, SSC, Priest, and Robert C. Crawley, SSC, Bishop
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for pray the Church in Kontagora - (Lokoja, Nigeria): The Rt. Rev’d Jonah Ibrahim; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. Thomas, Greenville and of St. Thomas, Alton.
THE SUNDAY ROTA
Acolytes - MC S Brazil; SD W Dilworth; Thurifer L Bledsoe; Crucifer L Verdelotti; Torches L Hooks, C Sylvia
Lector – P Pettingell
Ushers – P Pettingell, T Bledsoe
Coffee Hour – K Vorbeck Williams
THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S
PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS
Sunday 21 December
Acolyte Rehearsal for Christmas Eve Midnight Mass (9 am)
Church Decorations (following the 10 am coffee hour)
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Saturday 27 December
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 21 December
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Blue)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Advent IV, Year 1
Monday 22 December
SAINT THOMAS THE APOSTLE (Transferred) (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Tuesday 23 December
Proper for December 23 (V)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am
Wednesday 24 December
CHRISTMAS EVE (W)
Children’s Pageant and Low Mass 5:30 pm
Solemn Mass of the Nativity 10:30 pm
Thursday 25 December
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Friday 26 December
SAINT STEPHEN, DEACON & MARTYR (R)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 27 December
ST. JOHN, APOSTLE & EVANGELIST (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Sunday 28 December
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am -- FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS (W)
Sung Mass10 am -- SAINT STEPHEN, DEACON & MARTYR (R)
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (December 28)
Christmas I, Year B – 8 am
Isaiah 61:10—62:3, Psalm 147:13-21, Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7, John 1:1-18
Saint Stephen, Deacon & Martyr – 10 am
Jeremiah 26:1-9, 12-15, Acts 6:8-7:2a, 51c-60, Matthew 23:34-39
