ONLINE PARISH NOTES

SUNDAY 27 DECEMBER 2015

FROM THE RECTOR

Interestingly enough, both Fr. Yost and I have significant prior experience in churches dedicated to Saint Stephen: he served a St. Stephen's Church in Texas; I was sponsored for ordination from a St. Stephen's Church in Pennsylvania. One of the advantages (and disadvantages) of belonging to a church so dedicated is that our patronal festival falls on December 26, the day after Christmas Day, so many people have the day off, but it is also difficult to organize anything much in the way of a grand celebration. The Prayer Book rubrics do permit us to transfer the feast to Sunday, however, which affords the opportunity for more parishioners and friends to mark the occasion. It is especially fitting to make an extra effort to come to Mass this Sunday on our name day. We hope to see you there. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Saint Stephen, Deacon & Martyr (Transferred)
Jeremiah 26:1-9, 12-15;
Psalm 31:1-5
Acts 6:8--7:2a, 51c-60
Matthew 23:34-39

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Poinsettias – Any remaining poinsettias will be removed from the nave after Epiphany, so please feel free to take one from the baptismal font or table after the 10 Mass today to take to someone who is sick or housebound.

Saint John the Evangelist – a major feast of the Church year, will be kept on Monday with Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm and Mass at 6 pm.

The Holy Innocents – a major feast of the Church year, will be kept on Tuesday with Morning Prayer at 8 am and Mass at 8:30 am.

The Holy Name – On Friday 1 January we celebrate this Principal Feast of the Church Year with Morning Prayer at 9 am and Low Mass at 9:30. All practicing Church members should make an effort to attend Mass on this and the other Principal Feasts of the Church Year if they are able.

New Year’s Day Dinner – Once again we will offer our annual New Year’s Day Dinner for those in need, this coming 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)

Society of Mary – will meet this Saturday 2 January for 9 am Morning Prayer, 9:30 Mass, then recitation of the Rosary. Everyone is invited.

Episcopal Ministry at Brown / RISD (EMBR) – Sunday evening prayer with EMBR will resume on January 27, 2016.

The Nominations Committee – has announced the following slate of nominees for election at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 24, 2016: three vestry members for four-year terms (expire Annual Meeting of 2020): Patricia Barnes, Charles O’Boyle, and Frank Pisaturo; one vestry member for a two-year term (expires Annual Meeting of 2018): Danielle Latimer; two Diocesan Convention Delegates (one-year term): Richard Noble and Frank Pisaturo; two Diocesan Convention Alternates (one-year term): Cathy Bledsoe and Modu Johnson; Junior Warden (three-year term): Susan Brazil; Clerk of the Vestry (one-year term): Phoebe Pettingell; and Treasurer (one-year term): Ransom Widmer.

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: Mary Gowdey (27 December 1992), Albert E. Godfrey (27 December 1993), John Seville Higgins (Bishop) (28 December 1992), Detlev Schumann (29 December 1986), and Nancy Jean Donaldson Pettingell (2 January 2010).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Diocese of Zaki-Biam (Abuja, Nigeria): The Rt. Rev’d Benjamin Vager; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. Stephen’s, Providence and of St. John’s, Barrington and of St. John the Evangelist, Newport, and of the Chapel of St. John the Divine, Saunderstown.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC R Armidon SD W Dilworth; Thurifer J Starks; Crucifer L Verdelotti; Torches C Sylvia, L Hooks
Lector – J Chamberlin
Ushers – J Steiny, G Ryan
Coffee Hour – N Gingrich, S Brazil

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Friday 1 January
New Year’s Day Dinner 12 noon

Saturday 2 January
Society of Mary (following Mass and Recitation of the Rosary)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 2 January
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 27 December
SAINT STEPHEN, DEACON & MARTYR (Transferred) (R)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

Daily Office Lectionary: Christmastide, Year Two

Daily Mass Lectionary: Christmastide

Monday 28 December
SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 29 December
THE HOLY INNOCENTS (R)
Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr, 1170
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 30 December
Proper for 30 December (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 31 December
Proper for 31 December (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 1 January
HOLY NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (W)
(THE CIRCUMCISION)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Saturday 2 January
Proper for January 2 (W)
Seraphim of Sarov, Monk, Spiritual Guide, 1833
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Holy Rosary 10 am

Sunday 3 January
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS (W)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (January 3)

Christmas II, Year C
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Psalm 84 or 84:1-8
Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19a
Luke 2:41-52