ONLINE PARISH NOTES
Sunday 27 November 2016
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| Tree of Jesse Winchester Psalter, 1150 |
FROM THE RECTOR
The First Sunday of Advent begins a new liturgical year in the Church calendar: an exciting time of new beginnings! It is also a good time to recommit ourselves to the discipline of weekly Mass attendance, especially if we have grown lax with the pressure of so many other preoccupations and worries. Keeping a good Advent is the best way to prepare to celebrate the Christmas Feast. We look forward to making the journey together. -- Fr. John D. Alexander
THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
First Sunday of Advent, Year A
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Advent Lessons & Carols – This evening at 5:30 pm we will offer our annual service of Lessons & Carols. Seasonal readings and musical selections set the stage as we prepare for the coming of the Lord. A reception follows in the Great Hall. All are welcome, invited, and encouraged to attend.
Christmas Flower Offering – If you would like to make a Christmas offering of flowers to the church in thanksgiving or in memoriam, please fill out the envelope included with today’s Kalendar, and put it in the offering plate or bring it to the parish office no later than Tuesday December 20th.
Saint Andrew the Apostle (November 30) – a major feast of the Church year, will be kept on Wednesday with Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm, followed by Low Mass at 6 pm.
Society of Mary – will meet this Saturday 3 December for 9 am Morning Prayer, 9:30 Mass, and recitation of the Rosary. Everyone is invited.
Advent Quiet Day – On Saturday 10 December from 9 am to 2 pm, we will offer our annual Advent Quiet Day, with addresses by The Rev’d Andrew C. Mead, Rector Emeritus, St. Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York City. We will begin as usual with Morning Prayer at 9 am, and Mass at 9:30 am followed by a light breakfast. The day will include a simple catered lunch, and we will conclude at 2 pm. The donation is $15 per person, payable on the day, which will help cover the cost of both breakfast and lunch. (Financial assistance is available if this may cause a hardship; please speak confidentially to one of the clergy.) So we have an idea of how many to plan for, please RSVP the parish office by Friday, December 9, indicating your intention to attend, via email to office@sstephens.necoxmail.com, or by calling Cory MacLean at 421-6702, ext. 1.
Christmas Decorations – This year we hope to engage a group of volunteers to decorate the church between Advent IV (Sunday 18 December) and Christmas Eve (Saturday 24 December). If you are interested in joining in this festive tradition, please contact the parish office via email to office@sstephens.necoxmail.com or phone at 421-6702, ext. 1.
Christmas Pageant and Family Mass – The Sunday School will be presenting its annual Christmas Eve Pageant at the Family Mass on Saturday, 24 December at 5:30 pm. Children of all ages are welcome to participate. Please see Alison Huff for details.
Goodwill Industries – There is a clothing collection box in the Great Hall for the next few weeks on behalf of Goodwill Industries. One of their objectives is helping people in need to find employment, and to that end, they are accepting donations of clothing suitable for job interviews. If you have anything you can contribute, please bring it.
FOR YOUR PRAYERS
Prayers have been requested for: Virginia, Martha, Donald, Townsend, Norman, John, Shannah, Peter, Sister Carolyn, Michael, Richard, Mark, Michael, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Stephanie, Leonard, Harrington, John, Ed, Jan, Richard, Jerry, Joel, Sandra, Emily, Beverly, Yolanda, Angela, Bobby, Sally, Carlos, Loretto, Rhoda, Ned, Michael, Henry, James, Weldon, Dianne, and Elizabeth.
Birthdays this week: Michael D’Alesandre (27 November) and Sandra Bartlett (2 December)
The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Martha Saunders (29 November 1989)
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church of Kano - (Kaduna, Nigeria): The Rt. Rev’d Zakka Nyam; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. Andrew's, Little Compton and the leadership and students of St. Andrew’s School, Barrington.
THE SUNDAY ROTA
Acolytes - MC Z Painter; SD D Malo; Thurifer F Pisaturo; Crucifer L Hooks; Torches V Johnson, R Callanan
Lector – J Steiny
Ushers – P Barnes, E Drew
Coffee Hour – S Brazil, N Gingrich, L Verdelotti
THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S
PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS
Sunday 27 November
Advent Lessons & Carols Reception (following 5:30 pm service)
Saturday 3 December
Society of Mary (following Low Mass & Recitation of the Rosary)
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Sunday 27 November
Episcopal Ministry at Brown/RISD 5:30 pm
Wednesday 30 November
Shakespeare Society 7 pm
Saturday 3 December
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 27 November
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (V)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Advent Lessons & Carols 5:30 pm
Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Advent I, Year One
Monday 28 November
Monday in Advent I (V)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Tuesday 29 November
Tuesday in Advent I (V)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Wednesday 30 November
SAINT ANDREW THE APOSTLE (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Thursday 1 December
Thursday in Advent I (V)
Nicholas Ferrar, Deacon, 1637
Charles de Foucauld, Hermit, 1916
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Friday 2 December
Friday in Advent I (V)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 3 December
Saturday in Advent I (V)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Holy Rosary 10 am
Sunday 4 December
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (V)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (4 December)
Second Sunday of Advent, Year A
Isaiah 11:1-10Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Romans 15:4-13
Matthew 3:1-12
