PARISH NOTES
Sunday 25 February 2018
 |
| Abram and Christ Manuscript Illumination, Kiev Psalter, 1397 Russian National Library, St. Petersburg |
FROM THE RECTOR
In the ancient world, a covenant was an agreement in which two (or more) parties solemnly bound themselves to mutual obligations. For example, a king might promise to protect and justly govern a subject people, who would in turn pledge their loyalty, obedience, and tribute. Such a covenant would often be commemorated by a monument or other sign reminding all parties of its terms. This Lent, the Old Testament readings at Mass call our attention to a series of covenants God has made with his people, beginning (last week) with his covenant with Noah (the sign of which is the rainbow), and continuing (this week) with his covenant with Abram and Sarai, the sign of which is the change of their names to Abraham and Sarah.
Christians believe that God has made a New Covenant with us in the Death and Resurrection of his Son Jesus Christ -- the definitive signs of which are the Church's Sacraments, especially Baptism, at which God forgives our sins, adopts us as his children, and makes us inheritors of his Kingdom. That is God's side of "the Baptismal Covenant." The Season of Lent invites us to reflect on how well we're living into our side of the Covenant by keeping our baptismal vows and promises. Please join us this Sunday as we continue this Lenten journey of self-examination and repentance together. -- Fr. John D. Alexander
THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
Psalm 22:22-30
Genesis 17:1-7,15-16
Romans 4:13-25
Mark 8:31-38
THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC
Plainchant—Missa VII (Kyrie Rex splendens)
Orlando Gibbons—O Lord, in thy wrath
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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 a physical copy, extra copies are available in the narthex.
Lenten Series – This year’s Lenten Series will consist of supper and presentation and discussion of the series “Growing a Rule of Life,” developed 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.
Stations of the Cross – continues this Friday evening. We gather in the Lady Chapel at 6 pm. All are welcome and cordially invited to attend and participate in this moving devotion.
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 supper and our Lenten series at 6:00 pm.
Lenten Quiet Day – with addresses by Sister Adele Marie, SSM, will be offered this coming 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.
Easter Flowers – If you would like to make a flower offering at Easter – in thanksgiving or in memoriam - please fill out the enclosed envelope and either put it in the offering plate or return it to the parish office no later than Friday 23 March. Offerings and their intentions will be acknowledged in the Easter Kalendars.
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, Elizabeth, Rollin, Sue, 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.
Birthdays this week: Florence Friedman (Tuesday 2/27).
The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Barbara Albee (26 February 2012), Robert Cartwright (28 February 1992), Jane Graves Raymond (29 February 1998), Flora Hilda Harding (2 March 1994), Alice Hunt (2 March 1998), and Mary Chase (2 March 1992).
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for Iglesia Anglicana de la Region Central de America: The Most Rev’d Sturdie Downs, Primate of IARCA & Bishop of Nicaragua; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the people and clergy of St. David’s on-the-Hill, Cranston.
THE SUNDAY ROTA
Acolytes – MC F Pisaturo; Subdeacon J Ihnen; Thurifer L Verdelotti; Crucifer D Malo; Torches V Johnson, R Callanan
Lector – J Steiny
Ushers – Phoebe Pettingell and Karl Benziger
Coffee Hour – Karl and Klara Benziger
THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S
PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS, & MEETINGS
Sunday 25 February
Lenten Discussion & Video Series 6:00-8:00 pm (Great Hall)
Saturday 3 March
Lenten Quiet Day 9:00 am-2:00 pm
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Friday 2 March
Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) 6:00 pm (Great Hall)
Saturday 3 March
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm (Great Hall)
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 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
Daily Office Lectionary – Lent II, Year Two
Daily Mass Lectionary – Lent II
26 February
Monday in Lent II (V)
Oswald, Archbishop of York, 992
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm
27 February
Tuesday in Lent II (V)
George Herbert, Priest, Poet, 1633
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
28 February
Wednesday in Lent II (V)
Founding of the Society of the Holy Cross (SSC), 1855
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
1 March
David, Bishop of Menevia, Patron of Wales, c. 601 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 PM
2 March
Chad, Bishop of Lichfield, c. 602 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Stations of the Cross 6:00 pm
3 March
Saturday in Lent II (V)
John and Charles Wesley, Priests, 1791, 1788
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
4 March
THE THIRD 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 (4 March)
Third Sunday in Lent, Year B
Psalm 19
Exodus 20:1-17
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
John 2:13-22
