PARISH NOTES
Sunday 19 February 2017

Carl Heinrich Bloch, Sermon on the Mount, 1877

FROM THE RECTOR

This Sunday's readings juxtapose two parallel sayings. In Leviticus, the Lord tells Moses, "Say to all the congregation of the people of Israel, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy." And in the Gospel from Matthew, Jesus says to his disciples, "You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." That may seem quite a challenge: to be like God. The underlying presupposition is that all the principles, rules, and precepts of Jewish and Christian ethics are predicated on the character of God, who alone is completely holy and perfect. To be in relationship with God, to belong to God's people, is to enter on a journey of being remade in God's image so that one comes more and more to reflect God's holiness and perfection in one's own life. This Sunday at the 10 am Mass, we welcome Noah Butler-Rose as he begins that journey in Holy Baptism. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Epiphany 7, Year A
Leviticus 19:1-2,9-18
Psalm 119:33-40
1 Corinthians 3:10-11,16-23
Matthew 5:38-48

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Altar Flowers – today are given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the baptism of Noah Butler-Rose, by parents Christopher Butler and Bobby Rose.

Visit to Christ Church, New Haven – Frank Pisaturo and Fr. Yost have organized a pilgrimage to Christ Church, New Haven, to attend their Compline service. Compline is a prayer office found in our Book of Common Prayer, typically done in the late evening. Christ Church is known for its beautiful sung services held throughout the semester. We plan to travel to New Haven this afternoon by car pool. We will leave S. Stephen's around 5:30pm, leaving ample time for travel. Compline service is at 9pm. If you are interested in joining, and/or assisting with carpooling, please see Frank.

George Washington’s Birthday (February 20) – As on all public holidays falling on Monday, Low Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 am, preceded by Morning Prayer at 9.

Saint Matthias the Apostle (February 24) – a major Holy Day, will be celebrated on Friday with Low Mass at 12:10 pm, preceded by Angelus at noon.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper – Our annual pancake supper will be Tuesday 28 February from 5:30 – 7 pm in our Great Hall. Tickets are available at the door. Please let us know if you plan to attend by calling the parish office at 401-421-6702, ext. 1 or via email to office@sstephens.necoxmail.com. All are welcome. Come enjoy a final culinary indulgence before Lent, and join in the burning of last year’s palms to make new ashes for Ash Wednesday.

Ash Wednesday Services (March 1) – Morning Prayer & Blessing of the Ashes will be celebrated at 8 am in the Lady Chapel. (You may receive ashes at this service.) Sung Mass will be celebrated with the Imposition of Ashes at 6 pm in the main church.

Rector’s Book – After Mass Fr. Alexander will have copies of his recently published book of Lenten weekday homilies, Springtime of the Spirit, for sale at $10 each. (Please make checks payable to “John D. Alexander” – thanks.)

Lenten Series – Plan on joining us on Sunday evenings In Lent for Evening Prayer, Supper, and the series “Charles Chapman Grafton and the Genesis of America Anglo-Catholicism” featuring various distinguished speakers – more details to follow.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Ketti, Townsend, Norman, John, Shannah, Peter, Sister Carolyn, Jeannie, Mark, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Katherine, Sally, John, Ed, Virginia, Richard, Kirsten, Beverly, Deborah, Yolanda, Angela, Bobby, Carlos, Rhoda, Ned, James, and Weldon.

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Frederick A. Starks, Sr. (19 February 1985). Recently Departed: Robert J. C. Brown, Priest, Kenneth Okkers, Priest, and Deacon Timothy Rice.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church of Madi & West Nile (Uganda): The Rt. Rev’d Joel Obetia; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership, staff, and residents of Hallworth House.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC R Noble SD D Malo; Thurifer J Starks; Crucifer L Verdelotti; Torches R Callahan, George Benziger
Lector – T Oakes
Ushers – J Steiny, J Chamberlin
Coffee Hour – Cancelled due to floor renovations

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Tuesday 21 February
Vestry Meeting 7 pm

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 25 February

Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 19 February
THE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY (G)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass with Holy Baptism 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

Daily Office & Mass Lectionary for VII Epiphany (Year One)

Monday 20 February
Feria (G)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Tuesday 21 February
John Henry Newman, Priest, Theologian, 1890 (G or W)
Peter Damian, Monk, Bishop, Teacher, 1072
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 22 February
The See of Peter the Apostle (Saint Peter’s Chair at Antioch) (G or W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 23 February
Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, Martyr, c. 155 (R)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Friday 24 February
SAINT MATTHIAS THE APOSTLE (R)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 25 February
Ethelbert and Bertha, King and Queen of Kent, 616, c. 612 (G or W)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Sunday 26 February
THE LAST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY (G)
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

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (26 February)

Last Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A
Exodus 24:12-18
Psalm 2 or 99
2 Peter 1:16-21
Matthew 17:1-9

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