ONLINE PARISH NOTES
Sunday 22 February 2015
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| Contemporary Icon of Noah's Ark |
FROM THE RECTOR
The readings for the first Sunday in Lent in Year B develop the image of Baptism. The Gospel from Mark recounts the Baptism of Christ as the precursor to his forty days in the wilderness. The Old Testament reading tells the story of Noah and the Ark. And the reading from the First Letter of Peter explicitly links the Deluge -- "through which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water" -- to Christian Baptism. The background is that Lent originated in the early Church as a time of preparation for Baptism at Easter. The Catechumens (or Baptismal Candidates) entered their most intensive time of fasting, prayer, and instruction on the First Sunday of Lent, and the whole congregation joined in fasting and prayer with them, that they might persevere in their intention. For those of us who are baptized, Lent is a time of recalling and re-appropriating the disciplines of the Baptized life, culminating in the Renewal of Baptismal Vows at the Easter Vigil. Remembering Noah, then, this Sunday we recommit ourselves to this momentous journey. -- Fr. John D. Alexander
THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
The First Sunday of Lent, Year B
Genesis 9:8-17, Psalm 25:1-9, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15
Confirmation Class – Fr. Alexander begins confirmation class today at 9 am 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.
Lenten Series – This evening at 6 pm, we will offer the first in our series of talks entitled “Science, Religion, and Extraterrestrials.” Tonight’s speaker is John Hart, Professor of Christian Ethics at Boston University, who will speak on “Hynek, Hawking, and Hart: Close Encounters of the Cosmic Kind.” John is the author of six books, including Sacramental Commons: Christian Ecological Ethics (2006), Cosmic Commons: Spirit, Science, & Space (2013), and Encountering ETI: Aliens in Avatar and the Americas (2014); he is also a member of the NASA Astrobiology Institute’s Astrobiology and Society Focus Group. 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.
The Way of the Cross – On Friday evenings in Lent (February 27, March 6, 13 & 27, but not March 20) we offer Evening Prayer at 6 pm, followed by Stations of the Cross. Come and make this one of your Lenten devotions.
Lenten Quiet Day – This 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. 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 email office@sstephens.necoxmail.com. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Stations of the Cross & Stabat Mater – On Sunday 22 March at 5:30 pm, the Fifth Sunday of Lent, we will offer Choral Stations of the Cross, featuring the Schola Cantorum singing Orlande de Lassus’s Stabat Mater à 8 voci. Please note the date and plan to join us.
Easter Flowers – If you would like to make a flower offering at Easter – in thanksgiving or in memoriam - please fill out the enclosed envelope and either put it in the offering plate or return it to the parish office no later than Wednesday 25 March.
Prayers have been requested for: Maggie, Nicholas, Evelyn, Jonno, Nancy, Patrick, Townsend, Norman, Andrea, Marion, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Harrington, John, 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: Year’s mind: Robert Cartwright (18 February 1992).
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for pray the Church in Maseno North - (Kenya): The Rt. Rev,d Simon Oketch Maseno; South - (Kenya): The Rt. Rev’d Francis Abiero; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership, staff and residents of Hallworth House.
Acolytes - MC R Noble; SD W Dilworth; Thurifer R Armidon; Crucifer D Callanan, Torches K Rejto, G Benziger
Lector – P Martin
Ushers – L Verdelotti, S Brazil
Coffee Hour – K & K Benziger
PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS
Sunday 22 February
Lenten Series (Speaker: John Hart) 6 pm
Tuesday 24 February
Vestry Meeting 7 pm
Wednesday 25 February
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Confirmation Class – Fr. Alexander begins confirmation class today at 9 am 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.
Lenten Series – This evening at 6 pm, we will offer the first in our series of talks entitled “Science, Religion, and Extraterrestrials.” Tonight’s speaker is John Hart, Professor of Christian Ethics at Boston University, who will speak on “Hynek, Hawking, and Hart: Close Encounters of the Cosmic Kind.” John is the author of six books, including Sacramental Commons: Christian Ecological Ethics (2006), Cosmic Commons: Spirit, Science, & Space (2013), and Encountering ETI: Aliens in Avatar and the Americas (2014); he is also a member of the NASA Astrobiology Institute’s Astrobiology and Society Focus Group. 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.
The Way of the Cross – On Friday evenings in Lent (February 27, March 6, 13 & 27, but not March 20) we offer Evening Prayer at 6 pm, followed by Stations of the Cross. Come and make this one of your Lenten devotions.
Lenten Quiet Day – This 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. 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 email office@sstephens.necoxmail.com. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Stations of the Cross & Stabat Mater – On Sunday 22 March at 5:30 pm, the Fifth Sunday of Lent, we will offer Choral Stations of the Cross, featuring the Schola Cantorum singing Orlande de Lassus’s Stabat Mater à 8 voci. Please note the date and plan to join us.
Easter Flowers – If you would like to make a flower offering at Easter – in thanksgiving or in memoriam - please fill out the enclosed envelope and either put it in the offering plate or return it to the parish office no later than Wednesday 25 March.
FOR YOUR PRAYERS
Prayers have been requested for: Maggie, Nicholas, Evelyn, Jonno, Nancy, Patrick, Townsend, Norman, Andrea, Marion, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Harrington, John, 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: Year’s mind: Robert Cartwright (18 February 1992).
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for pray the Church in Maseno North - (Kenya): The Rt. Rev,d Simon Oketch Maseno; South - (Kenya): The Rt. Rev’d Francis Abiero; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership, staff and residents of Hallworth House.
THE SUNDAY ROTA
Acolytes - MC R Noble; SD W Dilworth; Thurifer R Armidon; Crucifer D Callanan, Torches K Rejto, G Benziger
Lector – P Martin
Ushers – L Verdelotti, S Brazil
Coffee Hour – K & K Benziger
THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S
PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS
Sunday 22 February
Lenten Series (Speaker: John Hart) 6 pm
Tuesday 24 February
Vestry Meeting 7 pm
Wednesday 25 February
Afternoon Tea 4 pm
Saturday 28 February
Lenten Quiet Day 9 am – 2 pm
Sunday 1 March
Lenten Series (Speaker: The Rt. Rev. Nicholas Knisely) 6 pm
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Saturday 28 February
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 22 February
THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT (V)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass (with Great Litany in Procession) 10 am
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Compline 9 pm
Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Week of Lent 1, Year 1
Monday 23 February
Monday in I Lent (V)
(Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, Martyr, c. 155)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Tuesday 24 February
SAINT MATTHIAS THE APOSTLE (R)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am
Lenten Quiet Day 9 am – 2 pm
Sunday 1 March
Lenten Series (Speaker: The Rt. Rev. Nicholas Knisely) 6 pm
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Saturday 28 February
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 22 February
THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT (V)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass (with Great Litany in Procession) 10 am
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Compline 9 pm
Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Week of Lent 1, Year 1
Monday 23 February
Monday in I Lent (V)
(Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, Martyr, c. 155)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Tuesday 24 February
SAINT MATTHIAS THE APOSTLE (R)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am
Wednesday 25 February
Wednesday in I Lent (V)
(Ethelbert and Bertha, King and Queen of Kent, 616, c. 612)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
(Ethelbert and Bertha, King and Queen of Kent, 616, c. 612)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Thursday 26 February
Thursday in I Lent (V)
(Oswald, Archbishop of York, 992)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am
Friday 27 February
Friday in I Lent (V)
(George Herbert, Priest, Poet, 1633)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Evening Prayer & Stations of the Cross 6 pm
Saturday 28 February
Saturday in I Lent (V)
(Founding of the Society of the Holy Cross, 1855)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Angelus & Noonday Prayer 12:15 pm
(Oswald, Archbishop of York, 992)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am
Friday 27 February
Friday in I Lent (V)
(George Herbert, Priest, Poet, 1633)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Evening Prayer & Stations of the Cross 6 pm
Saturday 28 February
Saturday in I Lent (V)
(Founding of the Society of the Holy Cross, 1855)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Angelus & Noonday Prayer 12:15 pm
Sunday 1 March
THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT (V)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Compline 9 pm
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (March 1)
The Second Sunday of Lent, Year B
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Psalm 22:22-30, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Compline 9 pm
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (March 1)
The Second Sunday of Lent, Year B
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Psalm 22:22-30, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38
