PARISH NOTES
Sunday 18 December 2016

Saint Joseph's Dream
Philippe de Champaigne, c. 1642-1643

FROM THE RECTOR

The Gospel at Mass on the Fourth Sunday of Advent always features one of the Annunciation or Visitation stories leading up to the birth of Jesus. This year, Saint Matthew tells the story from the viewpoint of Saint Joseph, who, after learning of Mary's pregnancy, is told in a dream by an angel, "Do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit ..." Joseph is thus invited to place his faith in the virginal conception of Jesus, and instead of divorcing Mary quietly and putting her away as he first intended, to accept that God is acting in a wonderfully new and unexpected way for the world's salvation in and through the Son she will bring into the world. The Church invites us to share that same faith. Will we have the courage and open-mindedness to do so? -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year A
Isaiah 7:10-16
Psalm 80: 1-7, 16-18
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-25

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sunday Evening Prayer with EMBR will meet this evening (12/18) for the last time before winter break. We will resume on Sunday 29 January at 5:30 pm.

Saint Thomas the Apostle (December 21) – a major Holy Day of the Church year, will be kept this Wednesday with Evening Prayer at 5:30 and Low Mass at 6 pm.

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.

The Nominations Committee – has been formed to nominate people for election to the following positions at the Annual Parish Meeting on Sunday 29 January 2017: Clerk (one-year term); Treasurer (one-year term); one Vestry Member (four-year term); two Delegates to Diocesan Convention (one-year term); two Alternate Delegates to Diocesan Convention (one-year term). The members of the Nominations Committee are Susan Brazil (Chair), Cathy Bledsoe, Alison Huff, Nancy Gingrich, Bruce Lennihan, and Frank Pisaturo. Feel free to contact any member of the Committee with your preferences regarding nominations.

Christmas Decorations – This year we will decorate the church for Christmas on Monday 19 December beginning at about 6:30 pm, following Evening Prayer and Low Mass. All are welcome to join in this festive tradition. If you are free, join us as we prepare our church for the coming of the Lord!

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.

New Year’s Day Dinner – Once again we will offer our annual New Year’s DayDinner for those in need on Sunday 1 January 2017. If you can help, please contact the parish office at 421-6702 ext. 1 or send email to office@sstephens.necoxmail.com.

We also welcome – new scarves, mittens, hats and socks, as well as personal hygiene products such as soaps and toothbrushes. Join us in helping those in our community who are struggling. 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: Virginia, Martha, Donald, Townsend, Norman, John, Shannah, Peter, Sister Carolyn, Michael, Richard, Mark, Michael, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Stephanie, Leonard, Harrington, John, Ed, Shane, Jan, Richard, Jerry, Joel, Sandra, Emily, Beverly, Yolanda, Angela, Bobby, Sally, Carlos, Loretto, Rhoda, Ned, Michael, Henry, James, Michael, Peter, Weldon, Dianne, and Elizabeth.

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: George Arthur Stiles (20 December 1997), Kathleen Herbert Congdon (22 December 2005) and George Wightman Williams (24 December 2004).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church of Kilmore; Elphin & Ardagh - (Armagh, Ireland): The Rt. Rev’d Ferran Glenfield; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. Thomas, Greenville, and St. Thomas, Alston.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC W Dilworth; SD D Malo; Thurifer F Pisaturo; Crucifer S Brazil; Torches DO Latimer, V Johnson
Lector – M Johnson
Ushers – L Verdelotti, S Newby
Coffee Hour – T & C Bledsoe

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Monday 19 December

Decorating of the Church for Christmas 6:30 pm

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Sunday 18 December
Episcopal Ministry at Brown/RISD 5:30 pm

Saturday 24 December
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 18 December
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (V)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

EMBR* = Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD

Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Advent IV, Year One

Monday 19 December
Proper for 19 December (V)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 20 December
Proper for 20 December (V)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 21 December
SAINT THOMAS THE APOSTLE (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 22 December
Proper for 22 December (V)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Friday 23 December
Proper for 23 December (V)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 24 December
Proper for December 24 (V)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

CHRISTMAS EVE (W)
Children’s Pageant and Low Mass 5:30 pm
Solemn Mass of the Nativity (In Nocte) 10:30 pm

Sunday 25 December
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (W)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

MASS READINGS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY

Saturday 24 December, 10:30 pm – Christmas Day I (In Nocte)
Isaiah 9: 2-7
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14

Sunday 25 December, 8 am  – Christmas Day II (In Aurora)
Isaiah 62:6-12
Psalm 97
Titus 3:4-7
Luke 2:8-20

Sunday 25 December, 10 am – Christmas Day III (In Dies)
Isaiah 52:7-10;
Psalm 98
Hebrews 1:1-4.(5-12);
John 1:1-14