ONLINE PARISH NOTES

Sunday 19 April 2015

Fra Angelico, c. 1395-1455, Saint Peter Preaching on Pentecost

FROM THE RECTOR

During the Easter Season, the first reading at Mass is taken from the Acts of the Apostles rather than from one of the books of the Old Testament. Saint Luke wrote Acts as a sequel to his Gospel. Dealing with the first generation of the Christian Church, Acts has been described as a history of the Risen and Ascended Christ acting through his Body on earth. It vividly depicts the difference the Resurrection makes in the lives of believers. This Sunday's reading from Acts contains an excerpt from the Apostle Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost. Just fifty days after the crucifixion of Jesus at Passover, Peter, who had three times denied Jesus in fear for his life, now proclaims to the people of Jerusalem that Christ is risen. Both his life and the lives of the other Apostles have been transformed by Christ's Resurrection. So can ours be today as well. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

The Third Sunday of Easter, Year B
Acts 3:12-19,  Psalm 4, 1  John 3:1-7,  Luke 24:36b-48

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Saint Mark the Evangelist (April 25) – a major feast day of the church year, will be celebrated this Saturday with Morning Prayer at 9 am and Low Mass at 9:30 am.

Rector Away – Fr. Alexander will be visiting the United Kingdom from Tuesday April 28th through Wednesday May 13th. During his absence, please contact Fr. Sawicky for any pastoral needs.

Organ Recital – Join us on 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 (Eastertide Suites) 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.

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 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.

Parish Retreat Cancelled – We regret that we’ve had to cancel the retreat scheduled for Friday 24 April through Sunday 26 April at Glastonbury Abbey since the number of people who reserved places by the deadline of Friday 10 April fell far short of the minimum required. We will try again in future years.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Joyce, Nicholas, Patricia, Jonno, Patrick, Townsend, Norman, Andrea, Marion, Sue, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Harrington, Kate, Davaughn, Bernice, Richard, Angela, Sally, Rhoda, Ned, Henry, James, Richard, and Dianne.

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: John Rankin Laird (19 April 1991), Winifred D. Bonner (20 April 1983), Frances Cecilia Jarvis Hall (20 April 1987), King David Stamps (22 April 1985), William Brazil (24 April 1995), Kenneth Raymond (24 April 2010), Hazel G. Wyss (25 April 1991), and Jeannine Firestone Lennihan (25 April 2013); Recently Departed: Edward Winsor, Priest.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church in Nebbi - (Uganda): The Rt. Rev’d Alphonse Watho-kudi; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of San Jorge’s, Central Falls and for the leadership and students of St. George’s School, Newport

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC R Armidon; SD S Brazil; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer R Himes; Torches L Rejto, K Rejto.

Lector – P Pettingell
Ushers – G Ryan, W Dilworth
Coffee Hour – L Latimer, E Hooks

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Sunday 19 April -- Young People's Confirmation Class 9 am

Sunday 26 April -- Young People's Confirmation Class 9 am


EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 25 April -- Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm


LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 19 April
THE THIRD 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 3 Easter, Year 1
Daily Mass Lectionary: Week of 3 Easter

Monday 20 April
Monday in 3 Easter III (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 21 April
Tuesday in 3 Easter (W)
Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, Teacher, 1109
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 22 April

Wednesday in 3 Easter III (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 23 April

Thursday in 3 Easter (W)
George, Martyr, Patron of England, c. 304
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 24 April

Friday in 3 Easter (W)
Mellitus, Bishop of London, first Bishop at Saint Paul’s, 624
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 25 April
SAINT MARK THE EVANGELIST (R)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

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

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (April 26)

The Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year B
Acts 4:5-12,  Psalm 23,  1 John 3:16-24,  John 10:11-18