ONLINE PARISH NOTES

Sunday 1 February 2015

Mosaic of Christ Pantocrator,
Basilica of Sant' Apollinare nuovo, Ravenna, 521-547.

FROM THE RECTOR

In today's Church and world, the notion of authority has become highly contested. Bumper stickers urge us to "Question authority." And there are perhaps a good number of "authorities" whom we should indeed question in today's world! But what of God's authority? In the Old Testament reading, Moses warns the people of Israel against false prophets who purport to speak in God's name words which God has not commended them to speak (Deuteronomy 18:20). We do well to be wary of those who purport to speak with the authority of God. True authority comes from humble fidelity and obedience to the mind of God. This Sunday's Gospel twice mentions the authority of Jesus: "he taught them as one who had authority ..." (Mark 1:22); and "With authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him" (Mark 1:27). In a world marked by questioning and distrust of authority, Jesus is the one authority on whom we can rely for sure guidance and direction.  -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B
Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Psalm 111, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Altar Flowers today are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Benjamin Keith Byers, by his brother William Dilworth.

Solemn Mass & Procession for Candlemas – Tomorrow evening 2 February at 6 pm, we will celebrate the feast of The Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple (also known as the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Candlemas), with Solemn Mass and Procession. This will be a joint celebration with Saint John’s, Newport; Fr. Nathan Humphrey will be the preacher. A reception will follow. Please mark this important occasion on your calendars and plan on attending.

Crèche – according to an old custom, the Christmas decorations were taken down on Twelfth Night, while the crèche figures remain on display until the Feast of the Presentation (also known as Candlemas) on February 2nd, forty days after Christmas.

Society of Mary – The Society of Mary will meet this Saturday 7 February for 9 am Morning Prayer, 9:30 Mass, then recitation of the Rosary. Breakfast will follow. Everyone is invited.

Confirmation Class – Fr. Alexander is in the process of organizing a class for young people (Middle School or High School age) who would like to be confirmed during Eastertide of this year (date to be determined). Please contact him immediately if you or someone you know would like to participate. The day and time of the class will be determined in consultation with those who are interested.

Pancake Supper – This year’s Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper will be held in the Great Hall on Tuesday 17 February from 5:30 to 7 pm. All are welcome and invited to attend. Bring last year’s palms for burning. Tickets are $6 each and are available at the door. Bring your ashes for burning.

Ash Wednesday Services (February 18) – Morning Prayer & Blessing of the Ashes will be celebrated at 8 am in the Lady Chapel. (You may receive ashes at this service.) Evening Prayer will be said at 5:30 pm in the Lady Chapel and Sung Mass will be celebrated with the Imposition of Ashes at 6 pm in the main church.

The Way of the Cross – On Friday evenings in Lent (February 20 & 27, March 6, 13 & 27) we will offer Evening Prayer at 6 pm followed by Stations of the Cross.

Lenten Series – On the first four Sundays of Lent (February 22, March 1, 8 & 15) at 6 pm, we will offer a series of talks entitled “Science, Religion, and Extraterrestrials” with various speakers. Following Evening Prayer at 5:30, a light dinner will be served at 6 pm. The program will begin at about 6:30 pm and will conclude by 8 pm.

Lenten Quiet Day – On Saturday 28 February, we will offer our annual Lenten Quiet Day, with meditations by The Rev’d Dr. Steven A. Peay, Dean and President of Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Wisconsin. The day begins with Morning Prayer at 9 am, followed by Low Mass and a light breakfast. Silence begins at 10:30 am with Fr. Peay’s first meditation. Following a second meditation we will celebrate Angelus and Noonday Prayer at 12:15, followed by luncheon, a final meditation and tea and discussion at 2 pm. Please let the parish office know in advance if you plan to attend; via phone 421-6702, ext.1 or email office@sstephens.necoxmail.com. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

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

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Henry Francis Tingley, Jr. (4 February 1984), Mary L. Starks (5 February 1999), and Paul David Ross (6 February 1996); Recently Departed: Carlie Schnabl.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for pray the Church in Long Island - (II, The Episcopal Church): The Rt. Rev’d Lawrence Provenzano; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. Paul’s, Pawtucket, St. Paul’s, Portsmouth, and St. Paul’s, North Kingstown.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC B Rose; SD D Latimer; Thurifer L Bledsoe; Crucifer L Verdelotti, Torches V Johnson, C Sylvia
Lector – J Chamberlin
Ushers – J Chamberlin, J Steiny
Coffee Hour – E Hooks & L Latimer

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Sunday 1 February
Candlemas Acolyte Rehearsal (12 noon)

Wednesday 4 February
Afternoon Tea 4 pm

Saturday 7 February
Society of Mary (following 9:30 am Mass and Recitation of the Rosary)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 7 February
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 1 February
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm

Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Week of Epiphany 4, Year 1

Monday 2 February
THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE (W)
Solemn High Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 3 February
Anskar, Archbishop of Hamburg, Missionary in Denmark and Sweden, 865 (W)
Blaise, Bishop of Sebaste, Martyr, 316
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 4 February
Gilbert of Sempringham, Founder of the Gilbertine Order, 1189 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 5 February
Agatha, Martyr at Catania, 3rd century (R)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 6 February
The Martyrs of Japan, 1597 (R)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 7 February
Cornelius the Centurion, 1st century (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Holy Rosary 10 am

Sunday 8 February
FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (February 8)

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B
Isaiah 40:21-31, Psalm 147:1-12, 21c, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39