PARISH NOTES

Sunday 9 April 2017

Fra Angelico, The Entry into Jerusalem, 1450

FROM THE RECTOR

The drama of Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday with the crowds welcoming Jesus to the Holy City with acclamations of "Hosanna to the Son of David!" Before long, those same crowds are crying out, "Crucify him!" The day's liturgy -- really two liturgies -- invites us to enter into the contemplation of the mighty acts by which our Lord has won for us life and immortality. We welcome our King in the hope that one day he will welcome us as well. -- Fr. John D. Alexander 

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

PALM SUNDAY

Liturgy of the Palms
Matthew 21:1-11
Psalm 118:19-29

Liturgy of the Word
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16 (BCP)
Philippians 2:5-11
Matthew 26:36—11:54

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Bring your bells – Traditionally, bells are rung at the beginning of the Gloria in excelsis at the liturgies of both Maundy Thursday and Easter Vigil. If you have a bell at home, please bring it and join in.

Vigil at the Altar of Repose – There is a signup sheet in the narthex for the Vigil at the Altar of Repose, which begins on Maundy Thursday, 13 April, after the completion of the 7:30 pm Liturgy, and ends at midnight. Come watch with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane.

Good Friday Parking – We’ve arranged for emergency no parking on Good Friday (April 14) on George Street from Hope to Brown Street to allow space for parishioners arriving for Mass. We are providing dashboard signs for you to put in your car so you won’t be ticketed, which are available today in the narthex. You may also get one from an usher on Good Friday.

Easter Vigil Reception – Trays of ready-to-serve savory and sweet treats are needed for the reception following Easter Vigil (15 April) in the Library. If you can prepare something, please contact Cory MacLean at 421-6702, ext.1, or send email to the parish office at office@sstephens.necoxmail.com.

Acolyte Rehearsals for Holy Week and Easter – The schedule of rehearsals is as follows. Acolytes: please check your assignments on the rota and make sure to mark on your calendars the following rehearsal days and times:

    Liturgy                     Date of Service        Rehearsal
    Maundy Thursday      4/13/17                  Mon. 4/10 at 6:30 pm
    Good Friday              4/14/17                  Weds. 4/12 at 6:30 pm
    Easter Vigil               4/15/17                  Sat. 4/15 at 9:00 am
                                                                   (Includes helping set up)
    Easter Day                4/16/17                  Sun. 4/16 at 9:00 am

Confirmations at St. John’s, Newport – We are pleased to announce that Bishop Knisely will be present at our two parish’s joint celebration of the Feast of the Visitation (6:30 p.m. on Wednesday 31 May) and will be available to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation and/or receive members of other Communions into the Episcopal Church. If you would like to be confirmed or received at this service, please let Fr. Alexander or Fr. Yost know right away so that we can make the necessary preparations.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

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

Birthdays this week: Kathleen Lester (11 April), John Chamberlin (12 April), Korrie Elizabeth Hooks (12 April), Fr. John Alexander (14 April), Brian Ehlers (14 April), Rhoda Steinhart (16 April).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Carl Randolph (11 April 1983), Doris Johnson 13 April 2004), Marie Lopez (14 April 1983), Steele Wade Martin, Priest (14 April 2005).

Anglican Cycle of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Diocese of Jerusalem (Jerusalem & Middle East): the Rt. Rev. Suheil Dawani.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC Z Painter SD D Malo; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer S Brazil; Torches V Johnson, K Rejto
Lector – E Alexander
Ushers – N Gingrich, P Barnes, B Lennihan
Coffee Hour – Leana Latimer & Ed Hooks

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Monday 10 April
Acolyte Rehearsal (for Maundy Thursday) 6:30 pm

Wednesday 12 April
Acolyte Rehearsal (for Good Friday) 6:30 pm

Saturday 15 April
Acolyte Rehearsal (for Easter Vigil) 9 am
Orchestra Rehearsal 12:30 pm
Reception (following the 7:30 pm Easter Vigil)

Sunday 16 April
Acolyte Rehearsal (for Easter Day) 9 am

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 15 April
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 9 April
THE SUNDAY OF THE PASSION: PALM SUNDAY (R)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Liturgy of the Palms & Low Mass 8 am
Liturgy of the Palms & Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Passion 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

*EMBR=Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD

Daily Office Lectionary: Holy Week, Year A
Daily Mass Lectionary: Holy Week, Year One

Monday 10 April
MONDAY IN HOLY WEEK (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 11 April
TUESDAY IN HOLY WEEK (R)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 12 April
WEDNESDAY IN HOLY WEEK (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 13 April
MAUNDY THURSDAY (White)
Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Footwashing, Stripping of the Altars, and Procession to the Altar of Repose 7:30 pm

Friday 14 April
GOOD FRIDAY (Black / Violet)
Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion, Solemn Collects, Veneration of the Cross, and Mass of the Presanctified 12 noon

Saturday 15 April
HOLY SATURDAY (Violet / Gold)
Great Vigil of Easter: Lighting of the New Fire, Prophecies, Blessing of the Font, and First Mass of Easter 7:30 pm

Sunday 9 April
SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION: EASTER DAY (Gold)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass and Procession 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (16 April)

Easter Day, Year A

Low Mass 8 am                               Solemn Mass 10 am
Exodus 14:10-31, 15:20-21              Acts 10:34-43
Psalm 114
Romans 6:3-11                                Colossians 3:1-4
Matthew 28:1-10                             Matthew 28:1-10