PARISH NOTES

Sunday 24 September 2017

The Prophet Jonah Asleep under the Vine
Detail of Manuscript Illumination
Menologion of Basil II, Eleventh Century

FROM THE RECTOR

God's generosity can be outrageous, even scandalous. That's how the prophet Jonah sees things in this Sunday's Old Testament reading when God forgives the inhabitants of Nineveh and spares them destruction for their sins. The workers who have toiled all day in the vineyard in this Sunday's Gospel similarly grumble at their employer's generosity to those who worked only part of the day. These readings explore the balance between God's justice and God's mercy, and warn us against envy at God's blessings bestowed on others. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 20, Year A
Jonah 3:10-4:11
Psalm 145:1-8
Philippians 1:21-30
Matthew 20:1-16

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Choir Season – begins on Sunday 1 October with the Feast of the Dedication. Brochures listing the music of the 2017-2018 Choir Season were mailed out this past week. Extra copies are available in the narthex. Please take and distribute them freely.

Recital for Organ and Voice – On Sunday 22 October, there will be a recital for organ and voice featuring our own James Busby and a visiting voice artist, Maggie Finnegan. Flyers for the event are included in this Sunday’s Kalendar. Please take these flyers and distribute them freely.

Hurricane Harvey and Irma Relief – to contribute to the Episcopal Church's relief operations on the Texas/Louisiana Gulf Coast and in Florida, we are invited to donate directly online via the Episcopal Relief and Development by following this link. Alternatively, checks may be written payable to "Episcopal Charities Fund of RI" with "Hurricane Harvey Relief" or “Hurricane Irma 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.

Mexico Earthquake Relief – Episcopal Relief & Development has reached out to church partners after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake rocked the central part of Mexico on Tuesday, September 19, causing major damage and destruction. This is the second major earthquake to hit Mexico this month. Donations to the International Disaster Response Fund will help Episcopal Relief & Development support people impacted by these two earthquakes in Mexico. You can donate by following this link.

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.

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, Shannah, Sister Carolyn, William, Gerald, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Robert, Katherine, Sally, Sandy, John, Ed, Virginia, Richard, Kiersten, Beverly, Deborah, Angela, Bobby, Douglas, Beverly, Carlos, Rhoda, William, and James.

Birthdays: William Ripley (Saturday 9/30)

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Ernest A. Elderkin (24 September 1991), Ann Marie Starks (25 September 2010), and Donald B. Ward (26 September 1996); Recently Departed: Derek Hall.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Diocese of Southeast Florida: The Rt Revd Peter David Eaton; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the people and clergy of St. Michael's, Bristol.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC R Noble; Thurifer Z Painter; Torches K Retjo, G Benziger
Lector – J Steiny
Ushers – Frank Pisaturo and Louis Verdelotti
Coffee Hour – Ed, Leana, and Family

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 30 September
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 24 September

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Sung Mass 10:00 am

Monday 25 September
Sergei of Radonezh, Russian Monastic Reformer, Teacher, 1392 (G or W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm

Tuesday 26 September
Lancelot Andrewes, Bishop of Winchester, Spiritual Writer, 1626 (G or W)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 27 September
Vincent de Paul, Founder of the Congregation of the Mission (Lazarists), 1660 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm

Thursday 28 September
Wenceslaus, Duke of Bohemia, Martyr, 929 (G or R)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 PM

Friday 29 September
SAINT MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS (W)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 30 September
Jerome, Translator of the Scriptures, Teacher, 420 (W)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am

Sunday 1 October
THE FEAST OF THE DEDICATION (W)
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Solemn High Mass 10:00 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (1 October)

The Feast of the Dedication
1 Kings 8:22-30
Psalm 84:1-6
1 Peter 2:1-5, 9
Matthew 21:12-16

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