ONLINE PARISH NOTES

Sunday 25 January 2015

Hans Speckaert, Conversion of Saint Paul, c. 1570-1577

FROM THE RECTOR

The Annual Parish Meeting of S. Stephen's Church follows the 10 am Solemn High Mass this Sunday -- an important opportunity to take stock of where we've been in the year past and where we're going in the year to come. All parishioners are asked to make an effort to attend. We begin with a luncheon to which everyone is invited. We are planning activities for younger children during the adult part of the meeting. Please join us.  -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Third Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B – 8 am
Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 62:6-14; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20

Conversion of Saint Paul – 10 am
Acts 26:9-21; Galatians 1:11-24; Matthew 10:16-22

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Annual Meeting – Please join us after the 10 am Mass today for the 177th Annual Meeting of the parish. 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.)

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.

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 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.

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, Rhoda, Ned, Henry, Matthew, James, Richard, Lynne, Dianne, Kathleen, and Richard.

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Claire B. Bentley (25 January 1984), L'Marie Blunt (25 January 1994), Sterling C. Poitier (28 January 1996), Florence Matilda Colvin (30 January 1994), Anna Waterman Jackson McCoy (30 January 1985), and Ronald Parks Conner, Priest (30 January 2011).

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 R Armidon; SD W Dilworth; Thurifer J Starks; Crucifer R Noble; Torches R Callanan, L Rejto
Lector – M Johnson
Ushers – B Lennihan, E Drew
Coffee Hour – S Brazil, N Gingrich, MA Mello

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Sunday 25 January
177th Annual Meeting (following the 10 am Mass)

Wednesday 28 January
Afternoon Tea 4 pm

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 31 January
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 25 January
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass – THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY (G) – 8 AM
Solemn Mass – THE CONVERSION OF SAINT PAUL (W) – 10 AM

Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Week of Epiphany 3, Year 1

Monday 26 January
Timothy and Titus [and Silas], Companions of Saint Paul (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 27 January
Feria (G)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 28 January
Thomas Aquinas, Priest, Doctor, 1274 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 29 January
Andrei Rublev, Monk and Iconographer, 1430 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 30 January
Charles, King and Martyr, 1649 (R)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 31 January
John Bosco, Founder of the Salesians, 1888 (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

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

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (February 1)

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