PARISH NOTES

Sunday 20 August 2017

Jesus and the Canaanite Woman
Serbian fresco, 14th century

FROM THE RECTOR

This Sunday's Gospel (from Saint Matthew) features the Canaanite woman from the region of Tyre and Sidon who approaches Jesus seeking healing for her daughter. While many things can be said about this story, it is clear that Matthew holds up this woman as a model of perseverance in prayer. She persists in asking Jesus for what she needs in the face of his initial silence and then his apparent rudeness in refusing her request. In this way she challenges us to remain faithful in worship and prayer, confident that God always grants us what we truly need in the end. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 15, Year A
Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
Psalm 67
Romans 11:1-2a,29-32
Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Saint Bartholomew the Apostle (August 24th) – a major feast of the church year, will be kept on Thursday with Noonday Prayer at 12 pm, followed by Low Mass.

A Gentle Reminder on Building Security – If you are working at the Church or Guild House in any capacity, please be sure to shut all windows and turn off all lights, fans, and other appliances in the areas where you have been working before you leave, and check to make sure doors are locked and firmly latched as you depart.

Sunday Eight O'Clock Service – During the months of July and August, the Sunday 8 o'clock Mass begins 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.

Nave Flooring Project – We are pleased to announce that over the coming few months the entire tile floor under the pews will be covered over with a layer of birch paneling that will vastly improve the church's appearance and create a smooth surface underfoot. This project will not impact our Sunday worship schedule; but please exercise all due care and avoid any areas that have been cordoned off for this construction.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

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

Birthdays this week: Crystal Malone-Drew & Joel McCoy (21 August), and Patricia Barnes (26 August).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Frank B. Mauk (20 August 1987), Edith Woolsey Nutt (22 August 2005), Robert E. Latham (23 August 1999), Phoebe Robertson (23 August 2016), Thomas Edward Goode (24 August 1991), Florence Thorpe (24 August 1994), and Sheila Kathleen Beresford (26 August 1986); Recently Departed: Townsend Cass.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the church in Rochester (USA) (II, The Episcopal Church): The Rt. Rev’d Prince Singh; Rochester (Canterbury, England) The Rt. Rev’d James Langstaff; and Rochester (Canterbury, England); and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for For the Commission on Ministry and members of our diocese who walk with those discerning the ministries to which God calls them.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC J Ihnen; Thurifer F Pisaturo; Torches V Johnson, C Sylvia
Lector – M Johnson
Ushers – T Bledsoe, S Newby
Coffee Hour – S Brazil, N Gingrich

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Wednesday 23 August
Frank Pisaturo Parish Discernment Committee 7 pm (Library)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 26 August
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 20 August
ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

Monday 21 August
Jane Frances de Chantal, Founder of the Order of the Visitation, 1641 (G or W)
Abraham of Smolensk, Abbot, 1221
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Tuesday 22 August
Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary (G or Blue)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 23 August
Rose of Lima, Dominican Nun, 1617 (G or W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass with 6 pm

Thursday 24 August
SAINT BARTHOLOMEW THE APOSTLE (R)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Friday 25 August
Louis, King of France, 1270 (G or W)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 26 August
Dominic Barberi, Priest, Religious, Missionary, 1849 (G or W)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10 am

Sunday 27 August
TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (27 August)

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 16, Year A
Isaiah 51:1-6
Psalm 138
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20