Friday, August 28, 2015

ONLINE PARISH NOTES
30 AUGUST 2015
Contemporary Coptic Icon of Moses the Lawgiver
FROM THE RECTOR

 Our Old Testament reading for this Sunday is from the Book of Deuteronomy. Throughout history, some Christians have been tempted to see a contrast between the wrathful and vengeful God of the Old Testament and the loving Father revealed in the New Testament. But such a contrast is absolutely false; the Church condemned it in the second century as the Marcionite heresy, after the teacher Marcion who was one of its earliest proponents. The God of the Old Testament is one and the same with the God of the New Testament. In the Old Testament, God reveals the Law as his greatest gift to his Chosen People Israel. In the New Testament Jesus interprets this same Law, revealing the true depths of its inner meaning. We see this process at work in the interplay between this Sunday's Old Testament and Gospel readings. Come, join us, as we explore these themes further. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

P.S. The Coptic Christian icon reproduced above depicts Moses the Lawgiver as one of the saints of God. The enlarged face and head in relation to the body and hands is a characteristic feature of Coptic (Egyptian Christian) iconography. In the upper right corner, the name "Moses" is spelled in Greek letters. He holds the two tables of the Law, with the Ten Commandments represented by the first ten characters of the Hebrew alphabet, beginning with "aleph' in the upper left and concluding with "yod" in the bottom right. (In actual Hebrew, however, this would be done more correctly beginning at the upper right and ending at the bottom left.)

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS


ANNOUNCEMENTS

Society of Mary – will meet this Saturday 5 September for 9 am Morning Prayer, 9:30 Mass, and recitation of the Rosary. Everyone is invited.

Move In day for new Brown students - is this Saturday, September 5th, and the Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD will be welcoming them with a table outside the church offering refreshments. We will also have the church open and would appreciate volunteers from the parish to greet visitors. If you can commit some time on Saturday, please sign up in the narthex.

Fall Programs – Our new program year begins on Sunday 13 September with the return of the Schola Cantorum to Solemn Mass at 10 on Sundays and the start of our Sunday School program. Our Parish Programs & Events and Liturgical Music Brochures will be arriving in your mailbox in the near future.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Nicholas, Patricia, Jonno, Nancy, Townsend, Norman, Elva, Ethel, Andrea, Marion, Sue, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Harrington, Kate, Davaughn, Bernice, Ellen-Jean, Richard, Maureen, Sandy, Stephen, Angela, Bobby, Sally, Rhoda, Ned, Henry, James, and Dianne.

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Eleanor Fayerweather (30 August 1992), Robert Thomas McElligott (2 September 1989), and Malcolm Donald Hyman (4 September 2009).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church Sebei (Uganda): The Rt. Rev. Augustine Arapyona Salimo; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. Augustine's, Kingston.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC W Dilworth; SD S Brazil; Thurifer R Armidon; Crucifer Z Painter; Torches K Rejto, L Rejto
Lector – M Johnson
Ushers – T Oakes, R Widmer
Coffee Hour – T & C Bledsoe

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Saturday 5 September
Society of Mary (following Low Mass & Recitation of the Rosary)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 5 September
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 30 August
FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

Daily Office & Mass Lectionary: Proper 17, Year 1

Monday 31 August
Aidan, Bishop of Lindisfarne, Missionary, 651 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 1 September
Giles of Provence, Hermit, c. 710 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 2 September
The Martyrs of Papua New Guinea, 1942 (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 3 September
Phoebe, Companion of Saint Paul, Deaconess, 1st century (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 4 September
Birinus, Bishop of Dorchester, Apostle of Wessex, 650 (W)
Angelus 12 Noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 5 September
Boris & Gleb (Romanus & David), Princes, Martyrs, 1015 (R)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Holy Rosary 10 am

Sunday 6 September
FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (September 6)

Proper 18, Year B
Isaiah 35:4-7a
Psalm 146
James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-18
Mark 7:31-37
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Friday, August 21, 2015

ONLINE PARISH NOTES
23 AUGUST 2015
Contemporary Christ Pantocrator Icon

FROM THE RECTOR

We return to the main church this Sunday for the celebration of the 10 am Sung Mass. The new floor is a vast improvement, and I want to thank to all the members of the congregation who kept up the Sunday worship in the Lady Chapel over the past eight weeks: good sports all! -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Proper 16, Year B
Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Saint Bartholomew the Apostle (August 24th) – a major feast of the church year, will be kept on Monday with Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm and Low Mass at 6 pm.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Nicholas, Patricia, Jonno, Nancy, Townsend, Norman, Elva, Andrea, Marion, Sue, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Harrington, Kate, Davaughn, Bernice, Ellen-Jean, Richard, Maureen, Sandy, Angela, Bobby, Sally, Rhoda, Ned, Henry, James, and Dianne.

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Robert E. Latham (23 August 1999), Thomas Edward Goode (24 August 1991), Florence Thorpe (24 August 1994), and Sheila Kathleen Beresford (26 August 1986).

Birthdays this week: Patricia Barnes (26 August), Simon Newby (29 August).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church in San Diego (VIII, The Episcopal Church): The Rt. Rev’d James Mathes; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Episcopal Service Corps members and staff of the Jonathan Daniels House.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC R Noble; SD R Armidon; Thurifer D Latimer; Crucifer S Brazil; Torches R Callanan, V Johnson
Lector – W Dilworth
Ushers – S Newby, S Brazil
Coffee Hour – The Rejto/Elliot Family

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Thursday 27 August
Armidon Parish Discernment Team Meeting 7 pm

Sunday 30 August
Rice Parish Discernment Team Meeting (following the 10 am Coffee Hour)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 29 August
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 23 August
THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

Daily Office & Mass Lectionary: Proper 16, Year 1

Monday 24 August
SAINT BARTHOLOMEW THE APOSTLE (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 25 August
Louis, King of France, 1270 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 26 August
Dominic Barberi, Priest, Religious, Missionary, 1849 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 27 August
Monica, Mother of Augustine of Hippo, 387 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 28 August
Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, Teacher, 430 (W)
Angelus 12 Noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 29 August
Beheading of John the Baptist (R)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Sunday 30 August
FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (August 30)

Proper 17, Year B
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Psalm 15 
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Thursday, August 13, 2015

ONLINE PARISH NOTES
16 AUGUST 2015
'I am the Living Bread which came down from heaven."

FROM THE RECTOR

The work on the sanctuary floor is almost complete -- and it looks beautiful! We are planning on having the 10 am Mass in the Lady Chapel this coming Sunday, August 16th, for the last time this summer. Some have enjoyed the summer Masses in the Lady Chapel; others will be relieved to get back into the "main church." Either way, the Gospel is preached and the Sacraments are administered. I look forward to seeing you there this Sunday. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Proper 15, Year B
Proverbs 9:1-6
Psalm 34:9-14
Ephesians 5:15-20
John 6:51-58

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sunday Mass in Lady Chapel – The Sunday 10 am Mass continues in the Lady Chapel. The work is scheduled to be completed this coming week, with a return to the main church next Sunday, 23 August.

When Receiving Communion – in the Lady Chapel at the 10 am Mass during the summer, please leave a space open to the left of the altar rail on the left, so that those who have received may exit and return to their chairs via the nave aisle. Feel free to stand to receive either at the altar rail or in the space between if kneeling presents a problem.

Eucharistic Adoration – originally scheduled for the third Saturday, August 15, will take place instead this Saturday 22 August. 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.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Stephen, Nicholas, Patricia, Jonno, Nancy, Townsend, Norman, Elva, Ethel, Andrea, Marion, Sue, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Harrington, Kate, Davaughn, Bernice, Ellen-Jean, Richard, Sandy, Angela, Bobby, Sally, Rhoda, Ned, Henry, James, and Dianne.

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Sybil Moss (16 August 2006), Frank B. Mauk (20 August 1987), Edith Woolsey Nutt (22 August 2005).

Birthdays this week: Bruce Lennihan (17 August), Joel McCoy (21 August).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church in Ruvuma (Tanzania): The Rt. Rev’d Dr. Maternus Kapinga; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. Mary's, Portsmouth and of St. Mary's, East Providence; and for the leadership, staff and students of St. Mary’s Home for Children.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Server – R Armidon
Lector – E Alexander
Ushers – N Gingrich, J Steiny
Coffee Hour – Society of Mary

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 22 August
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 16 August
TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am (Lady Chapel)

Daily Office & Mass Lectionary: Proper 15, Year 1

Monday 17 August
Feria (G)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 18 August
Feria (G)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 19 August
Feria (G)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 20 August
Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot, Teacher, 1153 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 21 August
Jane Frances de Chantal, Founder of the Order of the Visitation, 1641 (W)
Abraham of Smolensk, Abbot, 1221
Angelus 12 Noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 22 August
Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary (B)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Eucharistic Adoration 10 am (until 11 am)

Sunday 23 August
THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am (Lady Chapel)

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (August 23)

Proper 16, Year B
Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18 
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Thursday, August 6, 2015

ONLINE PARISH NOTES
9 AUGUST 2015
Icon: The Living Bread

FROM THE RECTOR

It has been gratifying to see the good attendance during the summer months so far at S. Stephen's. The 10 am Mass in the Lady Chapel has been going well. The work on the sanctuary and choir floor is going according to schedule, and we're hoping to be back in the main church by Sunday 23 August. This Sunday's Gospel reminds us that regardless of where we celebrate the Eucharist, Jesus is the Living Bread. We come to Mass to encounter him, to receive his life. Please join us.
-- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Proper 14, Year B
1 Kings 19:4-8
Psalm 34:1-8
Ephesians 4:25-5:2
John 6:35, 41-51

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sunday Mass in Lady Chapel – The Sunday 10 am Mass continues to be offered in the Lady Chapel. The work is scheduled to be completed sometime this month.

When Receiving Communion – in the Lady Chapel at the 10 am Mass during the summer, please leave a space open to the left of the altar rail on the left, so that those who have received may exit and return to their chairs via the nave aisle. Feel free to stand to receive either at the altar rail or in the space between if kneeling presents a problem.

Eucharistic Adoration – Originally scheduled for the third Saturday, August 15, will take place instead on Saturday 22 August at 10 am.

Assumption – This Saturday 15 August at 11 am, we will keep the Feast of the Assumption with Sung Mass at 11 am in our Lady Chapel. Fr. Nathan Humphrey, vicar of St. John’s, will preach. All are welcome and invited to attend. (Morning Prayer will be offered as usual at 9 am; the 9:30 am Mass is postponed to 11.)

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Nicholas, Patricia, Jonno, Nancy, Townsend, Norman, Elva, Ethel, Andrea, Marion, Sue, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Harrington, Kate, Davaughn, Bernice, Ellen-Jean, Richard, Sandy, Angela, Bobby, Sally, Rhoda, Ned, Henry, James, and Dianne.

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Frances Cecilia Lawton (9 August 1983), J. Thomas Kershaw (14 August 2001), Myra F. Craven (15 August 1985), Naomi Lane Babson Grieder (15 August 1985); Recently Departed: Lane Davenport (Priest)

Birthdays this week: Russell Langworthy (9 August), Cathy Bledsoe (12 August), Phoebe Pettingell (14 August).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church in Rochester USA (II, The Episcopal Church): The Rt. Rev’d Dr. Prince Singh; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of the Church of the Transfiguration, Cranston, of Christ Church, Lincoln, and of Christ Church, Westerly.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Server – W Dillworth
Lector – P Pettingell
Ushers – P Pettingell, J Chamberlin
Coffee Hour – L Latimer & E Hooks

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Thursday 13 August
Armidon Parish Discernment Team 7 pm

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 15 August
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 9 August
ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am (Lady Chapel)

Daily Office & Mass Lectionary: Proper 14, Year 1

Monday 10 August
Lawrence, Deacon at Rome, Martyr, 258 (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 11 August
Clare of Assisi, Founder of the Minoresses (Poor Clares), 1253 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 12 August
Hippolytus, Priest, Teacher, Martyr at Rome, 235 (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 13 August
Jeremy Taylor, Bishop of Down and Connor, Teacher, 1667 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 14 August
Maximilian Kolbe, Friar, Martyr, 1941 (R)
Jonathan Myrick Daniels, Seminarian, Civil Rights Worker, Martyr, 1965
Angelus 12 Noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 15 August
ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (B)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Sung Mass 11 am

Sunday 16 August
TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am (Lady Chapel)

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (August 16)

Proper 15, Year B
Proverbs 9:1-6
Psalm 34:9-14
Ephesians 5:15-20
John 6:51-58
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