PARISH NOTES

Sunday 23 July 2017

The Devil Sowing Tares
Attributed to Abraham Bloemaert, 1566-1651

FROM THE RECTOR

Is the Church a society of saints or a hospital for sinners? Based on his reading of this Sunday's Gospel, Saint Augustine of Hippo in the fourth century described it as a "mixed field" of wheat and weeds (or "tares") growing together until the final harvest. Join us this Sunday as we engage this intriguing parable of our Lord. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 11, Year A
Isaiah 44:6-8
Psalm 86:11-17
Romans 8:12-25
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Guest Organist – Please welcome Jeffrey Mills again this morning, as he fills in for James Busby, who is on vacation.

Saint James the Apostle (July 25) – a major feast of the church year, will be kept on Tuesday with Noonday Prayer at 12 noon, and Low Mass at 12:10.

Newport Fast Ferry Trip – the Society of Mary is sponsoring a day’s excursion to Newport on the Fast Ferry this Saturday 29 July, departing Providence at 9:30 am, and departing Newport for the return trip to Providence at 5 pm. During our time in Newport we will attend at organ recital at St. John’s Church at 11:45 am. Then we’re on our own for lunch, sightseeing, and shopping for the afternoon. All are welcome and invited to join us: please make your reservations and pay for your tickets directly at www.seastreak.com.

Sunday Eight O'Clock Service – During the months of July and August, the Sunday 8 o'clock Mass will begin with an abbreviated form of Morning Prayer followed immediately by the Eucharist. (During this period Morning Prayer will not be said at 7:30 a.m.) Please make a note of the change.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

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

Birthdays this week: Arthur Bledsoe (23 July). Birthdays last week: Ed Hooks (16 July), Luke Tessier (17 July), Fr. Harrington Gordon (19 July), Molly Bledsoe and Tatjana Johnson (21 July).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Helen W. Williams (28 July 1996); Recently Departed: Yolanda Pisaturo.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the church in Osun North East (Ibadan, Nigeria): The Rt. Rev’d Humphery Olumakaiye; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for rthe leadership and people of St. James, North Providence, St. James, Woonsocket, and St.Ann’s by-the-Sea, Block Island

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC Z Painter; Thurifer R Noble; Torches J Ihnen, L Rejto
Lector – P Pettingell
Ushers – P Barnes, L Verdelotti
Coffee Hour – N Gingrich, S Brazil

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 29 July
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 23 July
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

Monday 24 July
Thomas à Kempis, Priest, 1471 (G or W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 25 July
SAINT JAMES THE APOSTLE (R)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 26 July
Anne and Joachim, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass with 6 pm

Thursday 27 July
Feria (G)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Friday 28 July
Samson of Dol, Bishop, Abbot, 565 (G or W)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 29 July
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany (W)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10 am

Sunday 30 July
EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (30 July)

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost  – Proper 12, Year A
1 Kings 3:5-12
Psalm 119:129-136
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33,44-52

-->