PARISH NOTES
Sunday 3 September 2017
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| Contemporary Icon of Jesus and Peter |
FROM THE RECTOR
This Sunday's Gospel features the poignant exchange in which Peter remonstrates with Jesus for predicting that he must go to Jerusalem, suffer many things, be killed and on the third day rise again. Jesus responds harshly: "Get behind me, Satan," making clear that Peter's objection is nothing less than a temptation to abandon his mission. Then speaking to the disciples, Jesus utters his famous saying: "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Preaching about the cost of discipleship is not often recommended as a strategy for evangelism and church growth. Yet the paradox of the Gospel is that we only gain our lives by laying them down in the Lord's service. Join us this Sunday as we explore this mystery of dying and rising in Christ. – Fr. John D. Alexander
THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 17, Year A
Jeremiah 15:15-21
Psalm 26:1-8
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Guest Organist – We welcome Daryl Bichel at the organ again today while James Busby is on vacation.
Public Holiday Schedule – On Labor Day (Monday), we will hold Morning Prayer at 9:30 am, with Low Mass following at 10:00 am.
Monthly Requiem – Due to Labor Day weekend, the Monthly Requiem for the departed of this parish whose year’s mind falls during September will be offered Monday 11 September at 6 pm (preceded by Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm). If you have any names to add to the list of those remembered, please email Fr. Alexander
Hurricane Harvey Relief -- to contribute to the Episcopal Church's relief operations on the Texas / Louisiana Gulf Coast, we are invited to donate directly online via the Episcopal Relief and Development website at http://www.episcopalrelief.org/hurricane-harvey-response. Alternatively, checks may be written payable to "Episcopal Charities Fund of RI" with "Hurricane Harvey Relief" in the memo line and mailed to Episcopal Charities, 275 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02903. Thank you for your generosity in helping those afflicted.
Society of Mary -- This month's meeting has been postponed to this Saturday, September 9, beginning with Holy Rosary following the 10 a.m. Mass and a brief meeting to follow in the Great Hall. All are welcome and invited to join us.
Epiphany Soup Kitchen (ESK) Fundraiser – a gathering to generate publicity for ESK and raise funds towards purchase of a new freezer will be held at the Portuguese-American Social Club, 32 Sheldon Street, Providence, Thursday 28 September from 6 pm to 8 pm. The event includes appetizers and cash bar. Tickets are $20 and are available today from Susan Brazil or Bruce Lennihan.
Sunday Eight O'Clock Service – During the months of July and August, the Sunday 8 o'clock Mass has begun with an abbreviated form of Morning Prayer followed immediately by the Eucharist. Regular attendees of the 8 o'clock Mass are welcome and invited to discuss with the Rector how they have found this change before we set about making it permanent. Fr. Alexander will be glad to hear thoughts about it following the 8 am Masses over the coming several Sundays.
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.
New Lights – Meanwhile, overhead, you may notice new lights shining in the hanging lanterns in the nave. These LED bulbs give increased light at greatly reduced energy usage and cost. We hope they make an improvement.
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.
The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Malcolm Donald Hyman (4 September 2009), Alan Peter Maynard, Priest (7 September 2006); Recently Departed: Phebe Jacobs, Townsend Cass, Russell Langworthy, Jan Wantland, and Stephen Powers, Priest.
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the church in San Diego: The Rt Revd James Mathes, and in San Joaquin: The Rt Revd Chester Talton and The Rt Revd David Rice; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for a blessing upon all human labor and for those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work.
THE SUNDAY ROTA
Acolytes – MC S Brazil; Thurifer J Starks; Torches F Pisaturo, K Retjo
Lector – T Oakes
Ushers – B Lennihan, L Verdelotti
Coffee Hour – The Society of Mary
THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S
PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS, & MEETINGS
Wednesday 6 September
Frank Pisaturo Parish Discernment Team 7 pm (Library)
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Friday 8 September
Reformed University Fellowship 5 pm (Great Hall)
Saturday 9 September
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 3 September
THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am
Monday 4 September
Birinus, Bishop of Dorchester, Apostle of Wessex, 650 (G or W)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 pm
Tuesday 5 September
Boris & Gleb (Romanus & David), Princes, Martyrs, 1015 (G or R)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Wednesday 6 September
FERIA (G)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass with 6 pm
Thursday 7 September
FERIA (G)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Friday 8 September
THE BIRTH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (W or Blue)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 9 September
Charles Fuge Lowder, Priest, Founder of the Society of the Holy Cross, 1880;
Constance, Nun, and Companions, 1878 (G or W)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10 am
Holy Rosary 10:30 am
Sunday 10 September
FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (10 September)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10 am
Holy Rosary 10:30 am
Sunday 10 September
FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (10 September)
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 18, Year A
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