ONLINE PARISH NOTES

Sunday 8 February 2015

Christ Healing the Mother of Peter's Wife, John Bridges, 1839

FROM THE RECTOR

Since at the time of writing yet another major blizzard is forecast for the weekend, it seems an opportune time to clarify our "snow policy" at S. Stephen's. The policy has two equally important parts.

First, regardless of the weather outside, on Sunday mornings we will open the church's doors and offer public worship for whomever shows up -- servers or no servers, choir or no choir. We do the best we can with the resources available. We are blessed to have Fr. Sawicky living on premises so that we have a priest to say Mass so long as at least one other person shows up. That said, it is always heartening to see the hardy band of intrepid souls who trudge through the snow to come to Sunday Mass under these circumstances.

Second, we urge parishioners not to take any unnecessary risks when outside conditions make travel to and from church hazardous. We urge parishioners to obey all traffic and parking bans that may be put into effect by the civil authority. If in doubt about your ability to get to church safely, stay home. The normal obligation to attend Sunday Mass does not extend to situations where coming to church entails undue risks to personal safety.

If you do stay at home, however, consider using the time that you would have spent at church for prayer. Look up and read the appointed readings, psalm, and Collect for the Sunday. Make a Spiritual Communion. This is not an alternative to coming to Mass on those days when we don't feel like it, but rather on those days when we are prevented by genuine necessity. In this way, we unite ourselves spiritually with our fellow Christians throughout the world who have gathered to offer worship on the Lord's Day even when we are unable to join them physically.

-- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

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

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 immediately if you or someone you know would like to participate. We are considering a class to take place at 9 am on Sundays, before the Solemn High Mass at 10. If you or your children are interested in this class, please let Parish Administrator Cory MacLean know right away if this time will work.

February Year’s Mind – departed parishioners whose anniversaries fall during February will be prayed for at the Mass tomorrow, Monday 9 February at 6:00 pm, preceded by Evening Prayer at 5:30. If you have any additional names to be remembered, please let Fr. Alexander know.

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 $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) we will offer Evening Prayer at 6 pm, and Stations of the Cross. Come and make this one of your Lenten devotions.

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, academic dean at 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.

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: Mildred Dunlop (8 February 1987), Madeline Nason (9 February 1985), Madeline Thatcher Howes (10 February 1986), and Thomas Greene Cure, Priest (13 February 2001); Recently Departed: Carlie Schnabl

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for pray the Church in Maiduguri - (Jos, Nigeria): The Rt. Rev’d Emmanuel Kana Mani; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for Episcopal Charities and the ministries and agencies they support.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC D Latimer; SD R Noble; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer L Bledsoe, Torches L Rejto, K Rejto
Lector – P Pettingell
Ushers – R Widmer, W Dilworth
Coffee Hour – M Johnson & RG Noble

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Wednesday 11 February
Afternoon Tea 4 pm

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 14 February
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

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

Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Week of Epiphany 5, Year 1

Monday 2 February
Feria
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Votive Requiem Mass 6 pm (Black)

Tuesday 10 February
Scholastica, Abbess, c. 543 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 11 February
Our Lady of Lourdes (Blue)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 12 February
Feria (G)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 13 February
Absalom Jones, Priest, 1818 (W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 14 February
Cyril and Methodius, Missionaries to the Slavs, Patrons of Europe, 869, 885 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

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

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (February 15)

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