ONLINE PARISH NOTES

6 SEPTEMBER 2015

Christ Heals a Deaf Man. 14th Century Byzantine Mosaic
Church of the Holy Saviour, Istanbul

FROM THE RECTOR

This Sunday, we have been asked to respond to an initiative of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church seeking nationwide prayers following the racially-motivated murders of nine members of Mother Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina on June 17. (The letter from the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies may be read here.) S. Stephen's was one of the first integrated parishes in the Episcopal Church, and has so remained from the 1850s to the present. Both Sunday Masses will be offered for the intention of racial reconciliation and justice in our country and worldwide, and Prayer #27 "For Social Justice" (BCP 1979, p. 823) will be the concluding Collect at the Prayers of the People. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY'S READINGS

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Labor Day (September 7th) – As on all Federal public holidays, Low Mass tomorrow will be offered at 9:30 am, preceded by Morning Prayer at 9 am. Please note the time change.

September Year’s Mind – Departed parishioners whose anniversaries fall during September will be prayed for at the Mass tomorrow, Monday 7 September at 9:30 am. If you have any additional names to be remembered, please let Fr. Alexander know.

The Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8) – a major Feast Day of the church calendar, will be celebrated this Tuesday with Morning Prayer at 8 am and Low Mass at 8:30.

Society of Mary -- will meet this Saturday, 12 September (not Saturday in the Labor Weekend as was erroneously listed in last week's Parish Notes). Recitation of the Rosary (10 am) will follow regularly scheduled Morning Prayer (9 am) and Mass (9:30 am). Breakfast and a brief meeting will follow.

Fall Programs – Our new program year begins next 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.

Steve’s Poetry Slam – On Sunday 13 September at 3 pm, all are invited to attend the first STEVE’S POETRY SLAM. Attendees are invited to bring and recite a poem or a fragment of a poem of their choice. There will be a time limit of three minutes for each reading with an extra minute to explain the choice. After 45 minutes have elapsed there will extra time allowed for questions and discussion. Tom Oakes will chair the SLAM and requests that all who wish to recite bring a slip of paper to identify themselves. All poems are welcome including “SELFIES”.

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: Alan Peter Maynard, Priest (7 September 2006), Mary J. Seamans (10 September 1987), and Michele Leighton (11 September 2009); Recently Departed: Walt Born.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church in Sialkot (Pakistan): The Rt. Rev’d Samuel Pervaiz; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for a blessing upon all human labor and those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC R Noble; SD W Dilworth; Thurifer D Latimer; Crucifer L Verdelotti; Torches DO Latimer, J Rice
Lector – P Martin
Ushers – B Lennihan, R Viti
Coffee Hour – K Vorbeck Williams, T Oakes, P Fuller

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Saturday 12 September

Society of Mary, 10 am (following 9:30 am Mass)

Sunday 13 September
Steve’s Poetry Slam 3 pm

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 12 September
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

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

Daily Office & Mass Lectionary: Proper 18, Year 1

Monday 7 September
LABOR DAY (G)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass (with prayers for September departed) 9:30 am

Tuesday 8 September
THE BIRTH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (Blue)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 9 September
Charles Fuge Lowder, Priest, Founder of the Society of the Holy Cross, 1880 (W)
Constance, Nun, and Companions, 1878
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 10 September
Finnian, Abbot of Moville, 589 (W)
Alexander Crummell, Priest, 1898
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 11 September
Feria (G)
Angelus 12 Noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 12 September

John Henry Hobart, Bishop of New York,  1830 (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Holy Rosary 10 am

Sunday 13 September
SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (September 13)

Proper 19, Year B
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 116:1-8
James 3:1-12
Mark 8:27-38