PARISH NOTES
Sunday 12 March 2017
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| Patriarch Abraham Wall or ceiling panel, provenance unknown |
FROM THE RECTOR
This Sunday's readings emphasize the theme of faith and belief. At the Lord's Word, Abram goes out from his own country, trusting in God's promise that he will be the ancestor of a great nation in whom all the nations of the earth will be blessed. Paul comments, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." And Jesus himself declares: "God gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." The life of the Church is a journey of faith that we undertake together, in love for God and one another, and with hope in God's promise of eternal life for those who believe. Come walk with us on the journey. -- Fr. John D. Alexander
THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
Lent 2, Year A
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Lenten Series – Our Lenten Series continues today with Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm, Supper at 6, and the series “Charles Chapman Grafton and the Genesis of America Anglo-Catholicism.” Tonight we are joined by Canon Matthew Payne, Historiographer of the Diocese of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, who will give a talk entitled “Grafton and Fond du Lac: Catholicity, Prayer, Will Power, and Money.” Each evening will conclude by 8 pm. For future weeks, please let the parish office know if you plan to attend by calling 421-6702, ext. 1 or sending email to office@sstephens.necoxmail.com. If you are able to help with set-up, clean-up, and food preparation, please fill in the sign-up forms available at each evening. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Stations of the Cross – continues this Friday evening. We gather in the Lady Chapel at 6 pm. All are welcome and cordially invited to attend and participate in this moving devotion.
Lenten Quiet Day – On Saturday 18 March, we will offer our annual Lenten Quiet Day, with meditations by The Rev. Steve Rice, Rector of Saint Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The day begins with Morning Prayer at 9 am, followed by Low Mass and a light breakfast. Silence begins at 10:30 am with Fr. Rice’s first meditation. Following a second meditation we will celebrate Angelus and Noonday Prayer at 12:15, followed by luncheon, a final meditation and tea and discussion at 2 pm. The suggested donation is $15 per person, payable on the day. Please let the parish office know in advance if you plan to attend; via phone 421-6702, ext. 1 or email office@sstephens.necoxmail.com. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Easter Flowers – If you would like to make a flower offering at Easter – in thanksgiving or in memoriam - please fill out the enclosed envelope and either put it in the offering plate or return it to the parish office no later than Tuesday 4 April.
The Annunciation (March 25) – On Saturday morning, March 25th we will offer Sung Mass for the Feast of the Annunciation at 11 am. (Please note that Morning Prayer will be said at 9 am as usual, but 9:30 Low Mass will be replaced by the 11 am service.)
FOR YOUR PRAYERS
Prayers have been requested for: Townsend, Norman, John, Shannah, Peter, 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.
Birthdays this week: Jon Berberian (18 March).
The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: George Freemont Bliven (13 March 1983), Elizabeth Grinnell Allen (13 March 1985), Eleanor Retallick (15 March 2009), and Betty Louise Claunch (18 March 1990).
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church of Maseno South (Kenya): The Rt. Rev’d Francis Abiero; Maseno West (Kenya): The Rt. Rev’d Joseph Wasonga; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for clergy widows and widowers of the Diocese.
THE SUNDAY ROTA
Acolytes – MC D Malo SD F Pisaturo; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer S Brazil;
Torches V Johnson, L Rejto
Lector – J Steiny
Ushers – TBA
Coffee Hour – K & K Benziger
THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S
PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS
Sunday 12 March
Lenten Series (following 5:30 Evening Prayer and 6 pm dinner)
Tuesday 14 March
Vestry Meeting 7 pm
Saturday 18 March
Lenten Quiet Day – 9 am to 2 pm
Sunday 18 March
Lenten Series (following 5:30 Evening Prayer and 6 pm dinner)
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Saturday 18 March
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 12 March
THE SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT (V)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm
Daily Office Lectionary: Week of Lent II, Year One
Daily Mass Lectionary: Week of Lent II
Monday 13 March
Monday in II Lent (V)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Tuesday 14 March
Tuesday in II Lent (V)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Wednesday 15 March
Wednesday in II Lent (V)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Thursday 16 March
Thursday in II Lent (V)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Friday 17 March
Friday in II Lent (V)
(Patrick, Bishop of Armagh, Patron of Ireland, c. 460)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Stations of the Cross 6 pm
Saturday 18 March
Saturday in II Lent (V)
(Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem, 386)
(Edward, King and Martyr, 978)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Angelus & Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Sunday 19 March
THE THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT (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
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (19 March)
Lent 3, Year A
