PARISH NOTES 

Sunday 18 February 2018

William Butterfield, Noah Offering Sacrifice (1870)
Mosaic, Chapel of Keble College, Oxford
(Photo: Fr. Lawrence Lew, OP)

FROM THE RECTOR

The season of Lent invites us to renew our commitment to the basic practices of the Christian faith with the goal of repairing our relationships with God, our neighbors, and ourselves. The Solemn Procession accompanying the Great Litany on the First Sunday of Lent fittingly symbolizes our pilgrimage -- through the Lenten Season towards Holy Week and Easter, and through the life of this world towards our heavenly destination. Please join us as we undertake the journey together. -- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS 

First Sunday in Lent, Year B
Psalm 25:1-9
Genesis 9:8-17
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:9-15

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC 

Plainchant—Missa III (Kyrie Deus sempiterne)

John Blow—Salvator Mundi

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Shrine Flowers – at the Lady Shrine last week were given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Alan Reniere by Brian Ehlers. (We had already printed Parish Notes when we received this flower dedication.)

Presidents Day (February 19) – As on all public holidays falling on Monday, Low Mass will be offered at 10:00 am, preceded by Morning Prayer at 9:30 am.

The S. Stephen – the Lent issue of the parish magazine is available for viewing and downloading here. You should have received a physical copy via mail by this time. If you have not received one, extra copies are available in the narthex.

Lenten Series – This year’s Lenten Series will consist of supper and the viewing and discussion of the video series “Growing a Rule of Life,” produced by the Society of Saint John the Evangelist (SSJE). It will be on Sunday evenings in Lent from 6-8 pm (February 18 & 25, March 4, 11, & 18), followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in the Lady Chapel. Click here for an invitation to the series!

Stations of the Cross – will be offered on Fridays in Lent at 6 pm (February 16, 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23).

Holy Rosary – as an extra Lenten devotion, the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary will be recited on Saturdays in Lent (except on our Lenten Quiet Day, March 3) following the 10 am Low Mass. All welcome: no prior experience needed!

Episcopal Ministry at Brown & RISD (EMBR) – Sunday evening prayer with EMBR continues this evening in the Lady Chapel at 5:30 pm. Please join us in the Great Hall after for our Lenten video series at 6:00 pm.

Lenten Quiet Day – with addresses by Sister Adele Marie, SSM, will be offered on Saturday 3 March beginning at 9 am, and concluding with Tea at 2 pm. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. To help us in our preparations, if you plan to attend please RSVP to Susan in the parish office at 401-421-6702, ext. 1, or by email at office@sstephens.necoxmail.com.

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, Jonathan, Zac, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Douglas, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Chris, Rhoda, William, and James.

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: John Walker (18 February 2008), Frederick A. Starks, Sr. (19 February 1985), and Dorothy Belden (23 February 1997).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for The Church of the Province of Central Africa: The Most Rev’d Albert Chama, Archbishop of Central Africa & Bishop of Northern Zambia; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for Episcopal Charities and the ministries and agencies the fund supports.

THE SUNDAY ROTA 

Acolytes – MC F Pisaturo; Subdeacon Z Painter; Thurifer J Starks; Crucifer J Ihnen; Torches L Verdelotti, C Sylvia
Lector – P Pettingell
Ushers – George Ryan and Tom Oakes
Coffee Hour – Ed and Leana Hooks

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S 

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS, & MEETINGS

Sunday 18 February

Lenten Video Series 6:00-8:00 pm (Great Hall)

Tuesday 20 February
Vestry Meeting 7 pm (Library)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 24 February
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm (Great Hall)

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

18 February
THE FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT (LA)
Morning Prayer 8:00 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Solemn Mass with Great Litany 10:00 am
Evening Prayer w/ EMBR 5:30 pm
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament 8:00 pm

Daily Office Lectionary – Lent I, Year Two 

Daily Mass Lectionary – Lent I 

19 February
Monday in Lent I V)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am

20 February
Tuesday in Lent I (V)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

21 February
Wednesday in Lent I (V)
John Henry Newman, Priest, Theologian, 1890
Peter Damian, Monk, Bishop, Teacher, 1072
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

22 February
Thursday in Lent I (V)
The See of Peter the Apostle (Saint Peter’s Chair at Antioch)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 PM

23 February
Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, Martyr, c. 155 (R)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Stations of the Cross 6:00 pm

24 February
SAINT MATTHIAS THE APOSTLE (R)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am
Holy Rosary 10:30 am

25 February
THE SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT (LA)
Morning Prayer 8:00 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Solemn Mass 10:00 am
Evening Prayer w/ EMBR 5:30 pm
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament 8:00 pm

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (25 February)

Second Sunday in Lent, Year B
Psalm 22:22-30
Genesis 17:1-7,15-16
Romans 4:13-25
Mark 8:31-38