ONLINE PARISH NOTES
SUNDAY 20 DECEMBER 2015
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| Visitation, Philippe de Champaigne, 1602-1674 |
FROM THE RECTOR
The preparation for the birth of the Savior intensifies. Having received the Angels's message that she is to be the mother of the Messiah, Mary travels to Judah to visit her cousin Elizabeth, already six months' pregnant with the future John the Baptist. The encounter between the two women highlights the grace of God at work in their lives for the salvation of the whole world. Come to Mass this Sunday and join in this time of joyful hope and anticipation. -- Fr. John D. Alexander
THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
Advent IV, Year C
Micah 5:2-5a
Canticle 3 or 15, or Psalm 80:1-7;
Hebrews 10:5-10;
Luke 1:39-45(46-56)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pageant Rehearsal – Please note that the pageant dress rehearsal will take place today following the 10 am Solemn Mass from roughly 11:30 to 1:30. Lunch will be provided.
Blue Heron Concert – Today at 4 pm, Blue Heron, Boston’s premier Renaissance choir, will perform their concert entitled Christmas in Medieval England here at S. Stephen’s Church. For tickets and information, visit their website at www.blueheronchoir.org.
Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD (EMBR) – Sunday evening prayer with EMBR has concluded for the semester, and will resume on January 27, 2016.
Saint Thomas the Apostle (December 21) – a major Holy Day of the Church year, will be kept this Monday with Evening Prayer at 5:30 and Low Mass at 6 pm.
Schedule of Christmas Services – Christmas Eve: (Thursday, 24 December) Christmas Pageant & Family Mass - 5:30 pm; Solemn Mass of the Nativity -10:30 pm. Christmas Day: (Friday, 25 December) Morning Prayer 9 am, Low Mass 9:30 am. Please note that on the morning of December 24th (Thursday) Morning Prayer and Low Mass will be offered at the usual times.
Nominations Committee – candidates for the following positions need to be elected at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 24, 2016: three vestry members for four-year terms (expire Annual Meeting of 2020), one vestry member for a two-year term (expires Annual Meeting of 2018), two Diocesan Convention Delegates (one-year term), two Diocesan Convention Alternates (one-year term), Junior Warden (four-year term), Clerk of the Vestry (one-year term), and Treasurer (one-year term). The Nominations Committee consists of Sue Brazil (Chair), Bill Dilworth, Nancy Gingrich, Richard Noble, and Patricia Barnes. Please speak to one of them if you have any suggestions for nominations.
Christmas Decorations – On Tuesday 22 December at 6 pm, we’ll be decorating the church for Christmas. You’re welcome to come help even if you haven’t signed on! There’s much to do. Many hands make light work!
New Year’s Day Dinner – Once again we will offer our annual New Year’s Day Dinner for those in need, on Friday 1 January 2016. If you can help, please email coordinator Sue Brazil, or email the parish office or call 421-6702 ext. 1. We welcome new scarves, mittens, hats and socks, as well as personal hygiene products such as soaps and toothbrushes. For I was hungry, and you gave me food: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you welcomed me… (Matthew 25:35)
FOR YOUR PRAYERS
Prayers have been requested for: Nicholas, Robert, Patricia, Nancy, Townsend, Norman, Elva, Ethel, Andrea, Michael, Mark, Sue, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Deborah, Peter, Harrington, Kate, Davaughn, Bernice, Rob, Ellen-Jean, Robert, Richard, Maureen, Sandy, Donald, Stephen, Angela, Bobby, Laura, Sally, Rhoda, Ned, Charles, Frederick, Henry, James, and Dianne.
The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Kathleen Herbert Congdon (22 December 2005), George Wightman Williams (25 December 2004), and Frances S. Sloan (26 December 1993). Recently Departed: Truman Bledsoe III.
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Diocese of Yewa (form. Egbado) (Lagos, Nigeria): The Rt. Rev’d Michael Adebayo Oluwarohunbi; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. Thomas, Greenville and St. Thomas, Alton.
THE SUNDAY ROTA
Acolytes - MC S Brazil SD D Latimer; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer R Armidon; Torches DO Latimer, L Rejto
Lector – P Martin
Ushers – E Drew, P Pettingell
Coffee Hour – E Hooks & L Latimer
THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S
PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS
Sunday 20 December
Pageant Rehearsal (following the 10 am Mass – 1:30 pm)
Tuesday 22 December
Church Decorating 6 pm
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Sunday 20 December
Blue Heron in concert 4 pm
Saturday 26 December
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 20 December
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (V)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Daily Office & Mass Lectionary: Advent 4, Year Two
Monday 21 December
SAINT THOMAS THE APOSTLE (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Tuesday 22 December
Proper for 22 December (V)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am
Wednesday 23 December
Proper for 23 December (V)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Thursday 24 December
Proper for 24 December (V)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am
CHRISTMAS EVE (W)
Children’s Pageant and Low Mass 5:30 pm
Solemn Mass of the Nativity 10:30 pm
Friday 25 December
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Saturday 26 December
SAINT STEPHEN, DEACON & MARTYR (R)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Sunday 27 December
SAINT STEPHEN, DEACON & MARTYR (Transferred) (R)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (December 27)
Saint Stephen, Deacon & Martyr (Transferred), Year C
Jeremiah 26:1-9, 12-15;
Psalm 31:1-5
Acts 6:8--7:2a, 51c-60
Matthew 23:34-39
