PARISH NOTES
Sunday 21 January 2018
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| Jesus calls Simon and Andrew (Can anyone please identify artist, date, and present location?) |
FROM THE RECTOR
In this Sunday's Gospel, after the arrest of John the Baptist, Jesus comes into Galilee and begins his public ministry. His preaching combines a proclamation -- "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand" -- and a summons -- "Repent, and believe in the gospel." To the fishermen Peter and Andrew, James and John, he issues the further call: "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men." Not all are called to the apostolic ministry -- leaving everything behind to follow Jesus as were the original apostles -- but all are called to repent and believe. Join us this Sunday as we explore what follows from believing that the Kingdom of God is at hand. -- Fr. John D. Alexander
THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
Third Sunday after the Epiphany
Psalm 62:6-14
Jonah 3:1-5,10
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Mark 1:14-20
THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC
R. Vaughan Williams—Service of Holy Communion in D minor
William Byrd—Surge, illuminare, Jerusalem
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Parish Living Church Sponsorship – As a sponsor of the bi-weekly independent Episcopal news magazine The Living Church, Saint Stephen’s receives publicity in each issue, an annual write-up describing the parish’s life and work, and ten copies of each issue (which we make available free for the taking in the narthex). The cost of sponsorship, $3,000, is outside the parish budget; we rely entirely on individual contributions to make our contribution to this worthy cause. So, far $1,500 has been pledged. Please consider whether you would be able to make a gift towards the remaining $1,500. Make checks payable to Saint Stephen’s Church with “TLC Sponsorship” in the memo line. Thank you in advance.
The Annual Parish Meeting – is scheduled to take place on Sunday 28 January, following the 10 am Mass. Please sign up on the sheets provided at Coffee Hour and in the Narthex to bring something to the potluck luncheon accompanying this event. Also, those submitting reports to be included in the Annual Meeting Report, please ensure that we receive them in the Parish Office no later than Monday 22 January.
Nominations Committee – has made the following nominations for elections at the Annual Parish Meeting, to be held on next Sunday, 28 January:
(a) Two seats on Vestry, four-year terms: Joy D'Ambra; Bobby Rose;
(b) One seat on Vestry three-year term: Bill Dilworth;
(c) Treasurer, one-year term: George Ryan;
(d) Clerk, one-year term: Phoebe Pettingell;
(e) Two Diocesan Convention Delegates, one-year term: Jacob Ihnen; Frank Pisaturo;
(f) Two Diocesan Convention Alternates, one-year term: Nancy Gingrich; Cathy Bledsoe.
(Please note that Zac Painter has had to withdraw his previous acceptance of the nomination for Treasurer on account of a likely pending move, so our current Treasurer George Ryan has consented to continue serving for the time being.) Sincere thanks to the Nominating Committee for its work!
Blue Heron Concert – On Sunday 4 February at 4 pm, S. Stephen’s will be the venue for another exciting concert by Boston-based vocal ensemble Blue Heron, “Music from the Peterhouse Partbooks.” For more information, and to purchase tickets online, visit www.blueheron.org.
Episcopal Visitation – of the Rt. Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely, XIII Bishop of Rhode Island, will take place on Sunday 11 February, the Last Sunday after the Epiphany. As is customary, the Bishop will celebrate and preach at both Masses, meet with the Vestry, and conduct a question-and-answer session at Coffee Hour. Please plan to be on hand to welcome our Bishop back to S. Stephen’s.
Sincere Thanks – from Ed and Leana Hooks on making their wedding last Sunday such a special and happy occasion.
Nave Flooring Project – 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: Geoff, Norman, Shannah, Sister Carolyn, Lynne, William, Gerald, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Sally, Sandy, John, Ed, Gregory, Virginia, Richard, Colin, Sandy, Kiersten, Beverly, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Douglas, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Chris, Rhoda, William, and James.
Birthdays this week: Danielle Malo (Monday 1/22).
The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Ellsworth E. R. Wallace (21 January 1987), Ruth B. Bodell (21 January 1985), Gordon Bramwell (22 January 2002), Claire B. Bentley (25 January 1984), and L'Marie Blunt (25 January 1994). Recently Departed: Richard Laremore, Priest; Richard Olson.
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church of Bangladesh: The Most Rev’d Paul Shishir Sarker Moderator, Church of Bangladesh & Bishop of Dhaka; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the people and clergy of St. Paul's, North Kingstown and of St. Paul's, Pawtucket and of St. Paul's, Portsmouth.
THE SUNDAY ROTA
Acolytes – MC F Pisaturo; Subdeacon R Noble; Thurifer Z Painter; Crucifer J Ihnen; Torches L Verdelotti, K Rejto
Lector – P Martin
Ushers – Christopher Martel and Karl Benziger
Coffee Hour – Susan, Nancy, and Louis
THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Saturday 27 January
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm (Great Hall)
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 21 January
THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY (G)
Morning Prayer 8:00 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Solemn Mass 10:00 am
Daily Office and Mass Lectionaries: Epiphany III, Year 2
Monday 22 January
Vincent, Deacon of Saragossa and Martyr, 250 (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm
Tuesday 23 January
FERIA (G)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Wednesday 24 January
Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva, 1622 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm
Thursday 25 January
THE CONVERSION OF SAINT PAUL THE APOSTLE (W)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 PM
Friday 26 January
Timothy and Titus [and Silas], Companions of Saint Paul (R)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 27 January
FERIA (G)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am
Sunday 28 January
THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY (G)
Morning Prayer 8:00 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Solemn Mass 10:00 am
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (28 January)
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
Psalm 111
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Mark 1:21-28
