PARISH NOTES
Sunday 4 December 2016
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| John the Baptist Preaching Giovanni Battista Tiempolo, 1732-1733 |
FROM THE RECTOR
The Second and Third Sundays of Advent bring us face to face with the figure of John the Baptist, one of the most important though perhaps least understood and appreciated figures of the Gospels. He calls us to prepare for the coming of the Lord by confessing and repenting of our sins. This Sunday we explore the continuing relevance and urgency of his message. -- Fr. John D. Alexander
Second Sunday of Advent, Year A
Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Romans 15:4-13
Matthew 3:1-12
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.
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 8) – a major feast of the Church year, will be kept on Thursday with Angelus at 12 noon and Low Mass at 12:10 pm.
Commemoration of December Departed – Those on the parish Year’s Mind list whose anniversaries fall during December will be prayed for at the Mass tomorrow evening, Monday 5 December at 6 pm. If you have names of departed family or friends to be remembered, please send them to Fr. Alexander at rector@sstephens.necoxmail.com and come join us if you can.
Advent Quiet Day – This 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.
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, Weldon, Dianne, and Elizabeth.
Birthdays this week: Lisa Elliot (8 December), Beverly Myers (9 December), and Lynne DeBenedette (10 December).
The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Jimmy Chancy Black (4 December 1992), Homer Shirley (7 December 2013), Lillian Lynch (9 December 1990), George W. Lockwood (10 December 2001), and Elinor Elizabeth Ripley (10 December 1984).
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church of Karnataka North (South India): The Rt. Rev’d Ravikumar J. Niranjan; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of Emmanuel, Cumberland and of Emmanuel, Newport.
Acolytes - MC R Noble; SD W Dilworth; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer F Pisaturo; Torches G Benziger, C Sylvia
Lector – J Chamberlin
Ushers – K Benziger, S Brazil
Coffee Hour – L Latimer, E Hooks
PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS
Saturday 10 December
Advent Quiet Day 9 am-2 pm
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Sunday 4 December
Episcopal Ministry at Brown/RISD 5:30 pm
Friday 9 December
Brown Madrigal Concert 8 pm
Saturday 10 December
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
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
Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Advent II, Year One
Monday 5 December
Monday in Advent II (V)
Clement of Alexandria, Priest, Teacher, c. 210
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass (with Commemoration of December Departed) 6 pm
Tuesday 6 December
Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, c. 326 (W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Wednesday 7 December
Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Teacher, 397 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Thursday 8 December
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (Blue)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Friday 9 December
Friday in Advent II (V)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 10 December
Saturday in Advent II (V)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Angelus & Noonday Prayer 12:15 pm
Sunday 11 December
THIRD 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
Third Sunday of Advent, Year A (11 December)
Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm 146:4-9
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11
Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year A (18 December)
Isaiah 7:10-16
Psalm 80: 1-7, 16-18
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-25
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THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
Second Sunday of Advent, Year A
Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Romans 15:4-13
Matthew 3:1-12
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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.
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 8) – a major feast of the Church year, will be kept on Thursday with Angelus at 12 noon and Low Mass at 12:10 pm.
Commemoration of December Departed – Those on the parish Year’s Mind list whose anniversaries fall during December will be prayed for at the Mass tomorrow evening, Monday 5 December at 6 pm. If you have names of departed family or friends to be remembered, please send them to Fr. Alexander at rector@sstephens.necoxmail.com and come join us if you can.
Advent Quiet Day – This 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.
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, Weldon, Dianne, and Elizabeth.
Birthdays this week: Lisa Elliot (8 December), Beverly Myers (9 December), and Lynne DeBenedette (10 December).
The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Jimmy Chancy Black (4 December 1992), Homer Shirley (7 December 2013), Lillian Lynch (9 December 1990), George W. Lockwood (10 December 2001), and Elinor Elizabeth Ripley (10 December 1984).
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church of Karnataka North (South India): The Rt. Rev’d Ravikumar J. Niranjan; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of Emmanuel, Cumberland and of Emmanuel, Newport.
THE SUNDAY ROTA
Acolytes - MC R Noble; SD W Dilworth; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer F Pisaturo; Torches G Benziger, C Sylvia
Lector – J Chamberlin
Ushers – K Benziger, S Brazil
Coffee Hour – L Latimer, E Hooks
THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S
PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS
Saturday 10 December
Advent Quiet Day 9 am-2 pm
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Sunday 4 December
Episcopal Ministry at Brown/RISD 5:30 pm
Friday 9 December
Brown Madrigal Concert 8 pm
Saturday 10 December
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
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
Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Advent II, Year One
Monday 5 December
Monday in Advent II (V)
Clement of Alexandria, Priest, Teacher, c. 210
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass (with Commemoration of December Departed) 6 pm
Tuesday 6 December
Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, c. 326 (W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Wednesday 7 December
Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Teacher, 397 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Thursday 8 December
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (Blue)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Friday 9 December
Friday in Advent II (V)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 10 December
Saturday in Advent II (V)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Angelus & Noonday Prayer 12:15 pm
Sunday 11 December
THIRD 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
Third Sunday of Advent, Year A (11 December)
Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm 146:4-9
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11
Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year A (18 December)
Isaiah 7:10-16
Psalm 80: 1-7, 16-18
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-25
