ONLINE PARISH NOTES
26 April 2015
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| Christ the Good Shepherd 5th Century Mosaic, Ravenna, Italy |
FROM THE RECTOR
By tradition the Fourth Sunday of Easter is Good Shepherd Sunday. The imagery of shepherding runs deep in the Christian tradition. Clergy are considered shepherds; their congregations are their flocks. The Bishop's crosier or staff is a stylized shepherd's crook. The kings of ancient Israel were considered shepherds of the people, after the model of David the shepherd-king. On the Fourth Sunday of Easter each year we consider a selection from the tenth chapter of Saint John's Gospel in which Jesus describes himself as "the Good Shepherd." The defining characteristic of the Good Shepherd is, above all, that he lays down his life for the sheep, unlike the hired servants who run away at the first sign of danger. On Good Shepherd Sunday, then, we rejoice that we have a Shepherd who has laid down his life for us, and taken it up again, that he might bring us, his flock, to everlasting life. -- Fr. John D. Alexander
THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
The Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year B
Acts 4:5-12, Psalm 23, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Feast of Saint Philip and Saint James (1 May) – a major feast day of the church year, will be celebrated this Friday with Angelus at 12 noon and Low Mass at 12:10 pm.
Rector Away – Fr. Alexander will be visiting the United Kingdom beginning this Tuesday, April 28, and will return on Thursday May 14th. During his absence, please contact Fr. Sawicky for any pastoral needs.
Society of Mary – The Society of Mary will meet this Saturday 2 May for 9 am Morning Prayer, 9:30 Mass, then recitation of the Rosary, followed by breakfast. Everyone is invited.
Organ Recital – Join us next Sunday May 3 at 5:30 pm for a recital by international concert organist Rich Spotts (Bucks County, Pennsylvania), playing selections from l'Orgue Mystique of Charles Tournemire, with the Gentlemen of the Schola Cantorum, co-sponsored by the American Guild of Organists, Rhode Island Chapter. A reception follows in our Great Hall.
May Year’s Mind – Departed parishioners whose anniversaries fall during May will be prayed for at the Low Mass next Monday 4 May at 6 pm, preceded by Evening Prayer at 5:30. If you have any additional names to be remembered, please let Fr. Sawicky know.
Volunteer Opportunity – anyone who is good with a sewing machine, and would like to help make dust covers for our Altars, please be in touch with Phoebe Pettingell. We have the fabric all ready; we just need someone to cut them to the proper sizes and hem them.
Ascension Day – On Thursday 14 May, we will keep the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord in the Lady Chapel with Evensong at 5:30 pm and Sung Mass at 6 pm. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Votive Candles – Someone has been extinguishing lighted candles in the votive candle stands in the Lady Chapel and at the S. Stephen Altar. Whoever is doing this: please stop. The candles are intended to burn continuously once people light them for their prayer intentions.
Prayers have been requested for: Joyce, Nicholas, Patricia, Jonno, Townsend, Norman, Andrea, Marion, Sue, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Harrington, Kate, Davaughn, Bernice, Richard, Angela, Sally, Rhoda, Edwin, Henry, James, and Dianne.
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church in New Jersey - (II, The Episcopal Church): The Rt. Rev’d William Stokes; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. Mark's, Warwick, and of Church of the Good Shepherd, Pawtucket.
Please pray also for the Faithful Departed: Recently Departed: Patrick Brown.
THE SUNDAY ROTA
Acolytes - MC R Armidon; SD W Dilworth Thurifer D Latimer; Cr L Bledsoe; Torches C Sylvia, E Benziger.
Rector Away – Fr. Alexander will be visiting the United Kingdom beginning this Tuesday, April 28, and will return on Thursday May 14th. During his absence, please contact Fr. Sawicky for any pastoral needs.
Society of Mary – The Society of Mary will meet this Saturday 2 May for 9 am Morning Prayer, 9:30 Mass, then recitation of the Rosary, followed by breakfast. Everyone is invited.
Organ Recital – Join us next Sunday May 3 at 5:30 pm for a recital by international concert organist Rich Spotts (Bucks County, Pennsylvania), playing selections from l'Orgue Mystique of Charles Tournemire, with the Gentlemen of the Schola Cantorum, co-sponsored by the American Guild of Organists, Rhode Island Chapter. A reception follows in our Great Hall.
May Year’s Mind – Departed parishioners whose anniversaries fall during May will be prayed for at the Low Mass next Monday 4 May at 6 pm, preceded by Evening Prayer at 5:30. If you have any additional names to be remembered, please let Fr. Sawicky know.
Volunteer Opportunity – anyone who is good with a sewing machine, and would like to help make dust covers for our Altars, please be in touch with Phoebe Pettingell. We have the fabric all ready; we just need someone to cut them to the proper sizes and hem them.
Ascension Day – On Thursday 14 May, we will keep the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord in the Lady Chapel with Evensong at 5:30 pm and Sung Mass at 6 pm. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Votive Candles – Someone has been extinguishing lighted candles in the votive candle stands in the Lady Chapel and at the S. Stephen Altar. Whoever is doing this: please stop. The candles are intended to burn continuously once people light them for their prayer intentions.
FOR YOUR PRAYERS
Prayers have been requested for: Joyce, Nicholas, Patricia, Jonno, Townsend, Norman, Andrea, Marion, Sue, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Harrington, Kate, Davaughn, Bernice, Richard, Angela, Sally, Rhoda, Edwin, Henry, James, and Dianne.
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church in New Jersey - (II, The Episcopal Church): The Rt. Rev’d William Stokes; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. Mark's, Warwick, and of Church of the Good Shepherd, Pawtucket.
Please pray also for the Faithful Departed: Recently Departed: Patrick Brown.
THE SUNDAY ROTA
Acolytes - MC R Armidon; SD W Dilworth Thurifer D Latimer; Cr L Bledsoe; Torches C Sylvia, E Benziger.
Lector – T Oakes
Ushers – N Gingrich, S Newby
Coffee Hour – The Rejto / Elliot Family
Ushers – N Gingrich, S Newby
Coffee Hour – The Rejto / Elliot Family
THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S
PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS
Sunday 26 April
Young People's Confirmation Class 9 am
Saturday 2 May
Society of Mary (following Mass and Recitation of the Rosary)
Sunday 3 May
Sunday 3 May
Young People’s Confirmation Class 9 am
Organ Recital – Richard Spotts 5:30 pm (reception following)
Organ Recital – Richard Spotts 5:30 pm (reception following)
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Saturday 2 May
Saturday 2 May
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 26 April
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 26 April
THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (W)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Daily Office Lectionary: Week of 4 Easter, Year 1
Daily Mass Lectionary: week of 4 Easter
Monday 27 April
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Daily Office Lectionary: Week of 4 Easter, Year 1
Daily Mass Lectionary: week of 4 Easter
Monday 27 April
Monday in 4 Easter (W)
Christina Rossetti, Poet, 1895
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Tuesday 28 April
Christina Rossetti, Poet, 1895
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Tuesday 28 April
Tuesday in 4 Easter (W)
Peter Chanel, Religious, Missionary in the South Pacific, Martyr, 1841
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am
Wednesday 29 April
Peter Chanel, Religious, Missionary in the South Pacific, Martyr, 1841
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am
Wednesday 29 April
Wednesday in 4 Easter (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Thursday 30 April
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Thursday 30 April
Thursday in 4 Easter (W)
Catherine of Siena, Mystic, Teacher, Patron of Europe, 1380
Holy Abbots of Cluny, 10th—11th centuries
Catherine of Siena, Mystic, Teacher, Patron of Europe, 1380
Holy Abbots of Cluny, 10th—11th centuries
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am
Friday 1 May
Low Mass 8:30 am
Friday 1 May
SAINT PHILIP AND SAINT JAMES, APOSTLES (R)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 2 May
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 2 May
Saturday in 4 Easter (W)
Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, Teacher, 373
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Holy Rosary 10 am
Sunday 3 May
Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, Teacher, 373
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Holy Rosary 10 am
Sunday 3 May
THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (W)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
NEXT SUNDAY’S READINGS
The Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year B (RCL)
Acts 8:26-40 Psalm 22:24-30 1 John 4:7-21 John 15:1-8
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
NEXT SUNDAY’S READINGS
The Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year B (RCL)
Acts 8:26-40 Psalm 22:24-30 1 John 4:7-21 John 15:1-8
