ONLINE PARISH NOTES
Sunday 11 January 2015
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| Pietro Perugino, The Baptism of Christ, 1481-1483 |
FROM THE RECTOR
The Baptism of Christ is an Epiphany (or "manifestation") of the Holy Trinity. The Son comes to the River Jordan for Baptism. The Father speaks from heaven. The Holy Spirits descends in the likeness of a dove. The trinitarian structure of this Epiphany signifies that Jesus, the Son of God, does everything in obedience to his Father in heaven, empowered by the Holy Spirit. At our baptism, we are drawn into that same set of relationships: we are adopted as brothers and sisters of Christ, sons and daughters of our Father in heaven, empowered to do God's will by the gift of his Holy Spirit. The baptized life is a life of relationship in and with the three divine Persons of the Holy Trinity. And when, by God's grace, we seek to live that life faithfully, the Father says to us what he said to Jesus at the River Jordan: "Thou art my beloved son [daughter]; with thee I am well pleased." -- Fr. John D. Alexander
THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
First Sunday after the Epiphany: the Baptism of Christ, Year B
Genesis 1:1-5, Psalm 29, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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 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.
Rector Away – Fr. Alexander is attending the Annual Conference of the Society of Christian Ethics in Chicago. He returns Tuesday 13 January. During his absence, please contact Fr. Sawicky for any pastoral needs.
Curate Away – Fr. Sawicky will be away on annual retreat beginning Tuesday January 13. He will return on Friday 23 January. Please keep him in your prayers.
Eucharistic Adoration – This Saturday, 17 January, 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.
Solemn Mass & Procession for Candlemas – On Monday 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 have been 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.
Annual Meeting – Please join us on Sunday, January 25th, after the 10 am Mass for the 177th Annual Meeting of the parish. We need volunteers to bring food and beverages, and someone to manage the food setup. Please contact Cory MacLean in the parish office if you can help. All are welcome and invited to attend, although only active adult parishioners in good standing may vote. (If you have questions about your status as a parishioner, please ask Fr. Alexander. According to the canons of the Episcopal Church adults are 16 years old and older.)
The Nominations Committee – is pleased to announce the following slate of candidates for election at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 25, 2015. Vestry (four-year term)—Nancy Gingrich; Treasurer (one-year term)—Ransom Widmer; Clerk (one-year term)—Phoebe Pettingell; Delegates to Diocesan Convention (one-year term)—John Chamberlin, Frank Pisaturo; Alternates to Diocesan Convention (one-year term)—Sandra Bartlett, Richard Noble. The Rector has also nominated Tom Bledsoe for election as Senior Warden (three-year term), to succeed Richard Noble whose second term as Senior Warden expires in 2015.
FOR YOUR PRAYERS
Prayers have been requested for: Maggie, Nicholas, Evelyn, Jonno, Nancy, Patrick, Will, Townsend, Norman, Andrea, Marion, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Harrington, Davaughn, Richard, Beverly, Mabel, Deborah, Stephen, Michael, Beverly, Angela, Rhoda, Ned, Henry, James, Richard, Lynne, Dianne, Kathleen, and Richard.
The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Harry Johnson (12 January 2007); Recently Departed: Margaret Dean.
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for pray the Church in Langtang - (Jos, Nigeria): The Rt. Rev’d Stanley Fube; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for all the clergy and people of our Diocese.
THE SUNDAY ROTA
Acolytes - MC R Noble; SD B Rose; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer L Hooks; Torches D Callanan, K Rejto
Lector – M Johnson
Ushers – G Ryan, K Benziger
Coffee Hour – Ed Hooks & Leana Latimer
THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S
PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS
Wednesday 14 January
Afternoon Tea 4 pm
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Saturday 17 January
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 11 January
THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY:
THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (W)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Week of Epiphany I, Year One
Monday 12 January
Aelred, Abbott of Rievaulx, 1167 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Tuesday 13 January
Hilary, Bishop of Poiters, 367 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am
Wednesday 14 January
Kentigern (Mungo), Bishop, Missionary in Galloway, Founder of Glasgow, 612 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Thursday 15 January
Paul of Thebes, First Hermit, c. 345 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am
Friday 16 January
Richard Meux Benson, Monk, Founder of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist, 1915 (W)
Charles Gore, Bishop, Teacher, Founder of the Community of the Resurrection, 1932
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 17 January
Anthony, Abbot in Egypt, 356 (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Eucharistic Adoration 10 am
Sunday 18 January
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY (G) – 8 AM
THE CONFESSION OF SAINT PETER (SAINT PETER’S CHAIR AT ROME) (W) – 10 AM
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (January 18)
Second Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B – 8 am
1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20); Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John 1:43-51
Confession of Saint Peter – 10 am
Acts 4:8-13; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Matthew 16:13-19
