PARISH NOTES
Sunday 5 March 2017
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| The Temptation of Christ, from the St. Alban's Psalter (Hildsesheim), 1120-1145 |
FROM THE RECTOR
The Season of Lent affords an opportunity to recommit ourselves to the basic spiritual practices of the Christian life: coming to Mass, saying our prayers, studying Scripture and the lives of the Saints, helping those in need. Our Lenten programs at S. Stephen's are designed to provide multiple opportunities for spiritual renewal and enrichment. If you have fallen away, this is your invitation to rejoin us as we undertake the Lenten journey. -- Fr. John D. Alexander
THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
First Sunday in Lent, Year A
Genesis 2:15-17,3:1-7
Psalm 32
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Commemoration of March Departed – Those on the parish Year’s Mind list whose anniversaries fall during March will be prayed for at the Mass tomorrow evening, Monday 6 March 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.
Lenten Series – begins this evening. Join us for Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm, Supper at 6, and the series “Charles Chapman Grafton and the Genesis of America Anglo-Catholicism.” Fr. Alexander will launch the series with a talk entitled “Grafton and Religious Orders.” Each evening will conclude by 8 pm. For future weeks, please let the parish office know if you plan to attend and if you are able to help with set-up, clean-up, and food preparation, by calling 421-6702, ext. 1 or by email. All are welcome and invited to attend.
Stations of the Cross – continues this Friday evening. We gather in the Lady Chapel at 6 pm. All are cordially invited to attend and participate in this moving devotion.
Society of Mary – will meet this Saturday 11 March for 9 am Morning Prayer, 9:30 Mass, and recitation of the Rosary. Everyone is invited.
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 by email. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
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. (Cash is welcome, or please make checks payable to “John D. Alexander” – thanks.)
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.
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: George Ryan (6 March), Bill Dilworth (9 March), and Tom Oakes (11 March).
The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Josephine Garrett Brown (7 March 1989), Hilda Grace Stevens (7 March 1991), Ruth Hannah Godfrey (9 March 1987), Donald S. Chase (11 March 1998), and Frank Chace (11 March 1993). Recently Departed: Sally Hunt Cooper.
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church of Marathwada (North India): The Rt. Rev’d Madhukar Kasab; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for those who are preparing to serve God as ordained ministers in the church.
THE SUNDAY ROTA
Acolytes – MC R Noble SD Z Painter; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer S Brazil; Torches K Rejto, C Sylvia
Lector – E Alexander
Ushers – B Lennihan
Coffee Hour – L Latimer & E Hooks
THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S
PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS
Sunday 5 March
Lenten Series (following 5:30 Evening Prayer and 6 pm dinner)
Saturday 11 March
Society of Mary (following Mass and Recitation of the Rosary)
Sunday 12 March
Lenten Series (following 5:30 Evening Prayer and 6 pm dinner)
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Saturday 11 March
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 5 March
THE FIRST 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 I, Year One
Daily Mass Lectionary: Week of Lent I
Monday 6 March
Monday in I Lent (V)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass (with Commemoration of March Departed) 6 pm
Tuesday 7 March
Tuesday in I Lent (V)
(Perpetua, Felicity, and Companions, Martyrs at Carthage, 202)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Wednesday 8 March
Wednesday in I Lent (V)
(Edward King, Bishop of Lincoln, 1910)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Thursday 9 March
Thursday in I Lent (V)
(Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, c. 394)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Friday 10 March
Friday in I Lent (V)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Stations of the Cross 6 pm
Saturday 11 March
Saturday in I Lent (V)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
Holy Rosary 10 am
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
*EMBR=Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (12 March)
Second Sunday in Lent, Year A
Genesis 12:1-4a
Psalm 121
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
John 3:1-17
