ONLINE PARISH NOTES

Sunday 15 February 2015

Contemporary Icon of the Transfiguration

FROM THE RECTOR

In the Revised Common Lectionary, the Gospel for the Last Sunday after the Epiphany is always that of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Although the Transfiguration has its own separate feast, on August 6, there is a compelling logic about keeping at this point in the liturgical calendar as well. The Transfiguration fittingly concludes the Season after the Epiphany because it is the culmination of the Lord's manifestations of his divine glory during his earthly life. In the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, it marks the transition in the narrative between the Lord's Galilean ministry and his final journey to Jerusalem, which the Church symbolically retraces during the Season of Lent. Here, on the mountaintop, we are given an anticipatory glimpse of the glory that shall be revealed in its fullness after we have followed in the Way of the Cross.

On a separate note: yet another major snowstorm is predicted for Saturday and Sunday. Once again, we observe the usual protocols. Mass will be at the scheduled times, doing as much as we can liturgically and musically with those who show up. Parishioners are encouraged to exercise all due prudence and caution, and to avoid taking any unnecessary risks, in deciding whether to come to church. If you make it, we'll be glad to see you; if you don't, we'll understand. If you find it necessary to remain home, use the time for prayer and reading of the appointed lessons and the Collect of the Day. You may also want to make a Spiritual Communion. In this way you will be with us in spirit even if not physically present.

-- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Last Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B
2 Kings 2:1-12, Psalm 50:1-6, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9

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 later in the year (date to be determined). Classes will take place at 9 am on Sundays, between the two Masses, beginning next Sunday 22 February.

George Washington’s Birthday (February 16) – As on all public holidays falling on Monday, Low Mass will be celebrated tomorrow at 9:30 am, preceded by Morning Prayer at 9.

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

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.) Low Mass with Imposition of Ashes will be celebrated at 12 noon. 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, but not March 20) we will offer Evening Prayer at 6 pm, and Stations of the Cross. Come and make this one of your Lenten devotions.

Eucharistic Adoration – This Saturday 21 February, 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. 

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.” 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. Please see the flyer enclosed in the Kalendar for more details.

Quiet Day – On Saturday 28 February, we will offer our annual Lenten Quiet Day, with meditations by The Rev’d Dr. Steven A. Peay, newly elected 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. The suggested donation is $15 per person, payable on the day. Please let the parish office know in advance if you plan to attend; via phone 421-6702, ext. 1 or by email at office@sstephens.necoxmail.com. All are welcome and invited.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

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

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Alan Edward Reniere (15 February 2013), Christopher Dunstan (16 February 1994), Gary Lee Stamps (17 February 1991), James W. Randolph (17 February 1985), Coribel Page Stiles (18 February 1995), John Walker (18 February 2008), and Frederick A. Starks, Sr. (19 February1985).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for pray the Church in Mandalay - (Myanmar): The Rt. Rev’d David Nyi Nyi Naing; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the people and clergy of Church Beyond the Walls.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC S Brazil; SD R Himes; Thurifer D Latimer; Crucifer R Rose, Torches C Sylvia, E Benziger
Lector – T Oakes
Ushers – S Newby, N Gingrich
Coffee Hour – C & T Bledsoe

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Sunday 15 February
Ash Wednesday Acolyte Rehearsal 12 noon

17 February
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper 5:30 pm

Sunday 22 February
Lenten Series 6 pm

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 21 February
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 15 February
LAST 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 Last Sunday after Epiphany, Year 1

Monday 16 February
Feria (G)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Tuesday 17 February
Janani Luwum, Archbishop of Uganda, Martyr, 1977 (R)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 18 February
ASH WEDNESDAY (V)
Morning Prayer and the Blessing of the Ashes 8 am
Low Mass with Imposition of Ashes 12 noon
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Solemn Mass with Imposition of Ashes 6 pm

Thursday 19 February
Thursday after Ash Wednesday (V)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 20 February
Friday after Ash Wednesday (V)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Evening Prayer & Stations of the Cross 6 pm

Saturday 21 February
Saturday after Ash Wednesday (V)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Eucharistic Adoration 10 am

Sunday 22 February
THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT (V)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm


NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (February 22)

The First Sunday of Lent, Year B Genesis 9:8-17, Psalm 25:1-9, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15