PARISH NOTES

Sunday 6 August 2017

The Transfiguration
Contemporary Coptic Orthodox Icon

FROM THE RECTOR

In The Book of Common Prayer, 1979, when a major feast falls on a Sunday, it is normally transferred to the first open day in the week that follows. The reason is that the celebration of the Lord's Day normally takes precedence over anything else. But the Transfiguration (August 6) is one of the three major feast days that take precedence over a Sunday on which they fall. (The other two are The Holy Name and the Presentation.) These rules may seem arcane but they are the Church's way of telling us that something not-to-be-missed is being commemorated on these days: something more important and exciting than anything else that might be going on.

At the Transfiguration, Jesus takes his disciples Peter, James, and John up on a mountain to pray. There they witness his appearance changed as he shines with the light of divine glory. The Old Testament prophets Moses and Elijah appear with him,  and a voice from heaven proclaims "This is my Son, my Chosen, listen to him!" This revelation of our Lord's divine glory is certainly something exciting, something not to be missed. Please join us as we celebrate this wonderful mystery this Sunday.
-- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

The Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
2 Peter 1:13-21
Luke 9:28-36

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Commemoration of August Departed – Those on the parish Year’s Mind list whose anniversaries fall during August will be prayed for at the Requiem Mass tomorrow evening, Monday 7 August 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.

Assumption – On Tuesday 15 August, we will keep the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with Evensong and Sung Mass commencing at 5:30 pm in our Lady Chapel. All are welcome and invited to attend.

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

Birthdays this week: Catherine Bledsoe (12 August).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Frances Cecilia Lawton (9 August 1983); Recently Departed: Townsend Cass, Mettie Fisher, Yolanda Pisaturo.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the church in Puerto Rico (XI, The Episcopal Church): The Rt. Rev’d Wilfrido Ramos Orench; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of Church of the Transfiguration, Cranston, of Christ Church, Lincoln, and of Christ Church, Westerly.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC S Brazil; Thurifer Z Painter; Torches C Sylvia, L Verdelotti
Lector – T Oakes
Ushers – S Newby, N Gingrich
Coffee Hour – M Johnson & Family

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 5 August
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 6 August

TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (W)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

Monday 7 August
John Mason Neale, Priest, Scholar, Hymn Writer, 1866
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Requiem Mass 6 pm (B)

Tuesday 8 August
Dominic, Friar, Founder of the Order of Preachers, 1221 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 9 August
Herman of Alaska, Missionary, 1837 (G or W)
Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Nun, Martyr, Patron of Europe, 1942
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass with 6 pm

Thursday 10 August
Lawrence, Deacon at Rome, Martyr, 258 (R)

Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Friday 11 August
Clare of Assisi, Founder of the Minoresses (Poor Clares), 1253 (G or W)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 12 August

Hippolytus, Priest, Teacher, Martyr at Rome, 235 (G or R)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10 am

Sunday 13 August
ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (13 August)

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 14, Year A
1 Kings 19:9-18
Psalm 85:8-13
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33

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