Tuesday, January 5, 2016

ONLINE PARISH NOTES
Sunday 10 January 2016
Pietro Perugino, The Baptism of Christ, c. 1482, Sistine Chapel

FROM THE RECTOR

Originally the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6) commemorated three events together: the visit of the Magi to the newborn Christ; the Baptism of the Lord; and the Wedding Feast of Cana. All three episodes are "epiphanies" -- manifestations or revelations of Jesus as the Son of God. Since 1969, in the calendar of the Western Church the Baptism of the Lord is kept on the First Sunday after the Epiphany and marks the formal end of the Christmas season. It is especially appropriate to administer Holy Baptism on this day; in the absence of actual baptisms, at S. Stephen's we take advantage of the opportunity to renew our Baptismal Vows. Please join us on Sunday as we celebrate this wonderful feast commemorating a great mystery of the faith. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

First Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C
Isaiah 43: 1-7
Psalm 29;
Acts 8 14-17
Luke 3:15-16,21-22

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Eucharistic Adoration – This Saturday 16 January, 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, and concluding by 11 am. All are welcome and invited to participate.

Rector Away – Fr. Alexander is away on Sunday 10 January attending the annual Conference of the Society of Christian Ethics in Toronto. He will be back in the parish office on Tuesday. Please pray for his safe travels and return. 

Annual Meeting – Please join us on Sunday, January 24th, after the 10 am Mass for the Annual Meeting of the parish. We need volunteers to bring food and beverages, and someone to manage the food setup. Please contact Cory MacLean in the parish office if you can help. All are welcome and invited to attend, although only active adult parishioners in good standing may vote. (If you have questions about your status as a parishioner, please ask Fr. Alexander. According to the canons of the Episcopal Church adults are 16 years old and older.)

Nominations Committee – The slate of nominees for election at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 24, 2016 is as follows: three vestry members for four-year terms (expire Annual Meeting of 2020): Patricia Barnes, Bruce Lennihan, 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.

Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD (EMBR) – Sunday evening prayer with EMBR will resume on January 24, 2016.

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, Stephen, Angela, Bobby, Laura, Sally, Rhoda, Ned, Charles, Frederick, Henry, James, and Dianne.

Birthdays this week – Joan Gordon (January 11) and Jason Connell (January 13).

The faithful departed: Year’s mind: Margaret Ethel Worthington (10 January 1991) and Harry Johnson (12 January 2007); Recently Departed: Laurie Thissell, The Rt. Rev. Donald James Parsons.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Anglican Church of Australia: The Most Revd Philip Leslie Freier, Archbishop of Melbourne & Primate of Australia; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for all the clergy and people of the Diocese.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC R Noble; Thurifer D Latimer; Crucifer L Verdelotti; Torches V Johnson, Z Painter
Lector – RG Noble
Ushers – J Steiny, T Oakes
Coffee Hour – Benziger family

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 16 January
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 10 January
THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY: THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (W)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am

Daily Mass Lectionary for Epiphany, Year Two
Monday 11 January
Feria (G)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 12 January
Aelred, Abbott of Rievaulx, 1167 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Wednesday 13 January
Hilary, Bishop of Poiters, 367 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 14 January
Kentigern (Mungo), Bishop, Missionary in Galloway, Founder of Glasgow, 612 (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:30 am

Friday 15 January
Paul of Thebes, First Hermit, c. 345 (W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 16 January
Richard Meux Benson, Monk, Founder of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist, 1915 (W)
Charles Gore, Bishop, Teacher, Founder of the Community of the Resurrection, 1932
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Eucharistic Adoration 10 am (until 11 am)

Sunday 17 January
THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (January 17)

Second Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C
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