PARISH NOTES 

Sunday 18 March 2018

The Prophet Jeremiah
Mosaic, Basilica of San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy, 6th Century

FROM THE RECTOR

The Old Testament readings this Lent have taken us through a series of Covenants that God made with his people in ancient times: the Covenant with Noah; the Covenant with Abraham; the Covenant with Moses. Throughout, God remains faithful to his promises even when his people do not. This Sunday, the last before Holy Week, we have the Prophet Jeremiah foretelling a "New Covenant" that God will write on his people's hearts. As Christians, we believe that Jesus Christ is the mediator of this New Covenant, put into effect by his Death and Resurrection, and written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Come join us as we meditate on our hope in God's promises in preparation for Holy Week and Easter. 

-- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS 

Fifth Sunday in Lent, Year B
Psalm 51:1-13
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Hebrews 5:5-10
John 12:20-33

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC 

Plainchant—Missa XV (Dominator Deus)
Thomas Morley (1557-1602)—De profundis clamavi

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Saint Joseph (March 19th) – a major feast day of the church year, will be celebrated on Monday with Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm and Low Mass at 6:00 pm. 

Bring your bells – Traditionally, bells are rung at the beginning of the Gloria in excelsis at the liturgies of both Maundy Thursday and Easter Vigil. If you have a bell at home, please bring it and join in.

Lenten Series – This year’s Lenten Series continues on Sunday evenings from 6 pm to 8 pm with supper and the adult education program “Growing a Rule of Life,” developed by the Society of Saint John the Evangelist (SSJE). Remaining dates are 18 and 25 March. We conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in the Lady Chapel at 8 pm.

Stations of the Cross – concludes this Friday evening 23 March. 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, we are reciting the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary on Saturdays in Lent following the 10 am Low Mass. All welcome: no prior experience needed! (Remaining date: this Saturday 24 March.)

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.

Easter Flowers – If you would like to make a flower offering at Easter – in thanksgiving, in memoriam, or for any other intention - 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.

Holy Week Services – the Triduum Sacrum, (“Sacred Three Days”), culminating in Easter Day, is the holiest time in the Church Year. Please mark the following services in your calendars and make a point of attending:

—Maundy Thursday Liturgy – 29 March 7:30 pm

—Good Friday Liturgy – 30 March 12 pm

—Great Vigil of Easter – 31 March 7:30 pm

Volunteers Needed – As Holy Week approaches, we need to hear from those who are willing and able to assist in the following ways: (1) have feet washed at the Maundy Thursday liturgy; (2) read one of the lessons at the Easter Vigil; (3) help organize and plan the reception following the Easter Vigil. To indicate your interest, please contact Susan Rozzero in the parish office by phone at 401-421-6702, ext. 1; or by email.

Maundy Thursday Watch – a sheet is available in the Narthex to sign up to spend an hour (or half an hour) in prayer before the Altar of Repose following the Maundy Thursday Liturgy. For more information on what is involved, please ask Fr. Alexander or Fr. Pearson.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS 

Prayers have been requested for: Geoff, Rollin, Norman, John, Shannah, Sister Carolyn, Lynne, William, Gerald, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Elizabeth, Sally, Sandy, John, Ed, Gregory, Virginia, Richard, Colin, Sandy, Kiersten, Beverly, Jonathan, Zac, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Douglas, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Rhoda, William, and James.

Birthdays this week: Jon Berberian (Sunday 3/18), Betty Jane Berberian (Wednesday 3/21), Ernest Drew III (Thursday 3/22), Barbara Viti (Thursday 3/22).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Betty Louise Claunch (18 March 1999), Edna Brazil (19 March 2008), Richard A. Mayforth (22 March 1998), Corinne Esther Joslin (23 March 1984), and Virginia Marie Disley (24 March 1990). Recently Departed: Susan Brazil, Fr. LeSeure, Chris Steinhardt.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui: The Most Rev’d Paul Kwong, Archbishop of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui & Bishop of Hong Kong Island; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the people and clergy of Church of the Beloved, Pascoag.

THE SUNDAY ROTA 

Acolytes – MC TBA; Subdeacon F Pisaturo; Thurifer J Starks; Crucifer L Verdelotti; Torches R Noble, J Ihnen

Lector – J Steiny

Ushers – Chris Martel and Patricia Barnes

Coffee Hour – Tom and Cathy

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S 

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS, & MEETINGS

Sunday 18 March 

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

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Friday 23 March
Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) 7:00 pm (Great Hall)

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

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

18 March 

FIFTH 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 V, Year Two

Daily Mass Lectionary – Lent V

19 March
SAINT JOSEPH (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm

20 March
Cuthbert, Bishop of Lindisfarne, Missionary, 687 (W)
Thomas Ken, Bishop of Bath and Wells, 1711
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

21 March
Wednesday in Lent V (V)
Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1556
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

22 March
Thursday in Lent V (V)
James de Koven, Priest, 1879
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 PM

23 March
Friday in Lent V (V)
Gregory the Illuminator, Bishop and Missionary of Armenia, c. 332
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Stations of the Cross 6:00 pm

24 March
Saturday in Lent V (V)
Oscar Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador, Martyr, 1980
Gabriel, Archangel
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am
Holy Rosary 10:30 am

25 March
THE SUNDAY OF THE PASSION: PALM SUNDAY (R)
Low Mass with Liturgy of the Palms 8:00 am
Liturgy of the Palms & Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Passion 10:00 am
Evening Prayer w/ EMBR 5:30 pm
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament 8:00 pm

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (25 March)

Palm Sunday, Year B

Liturgy of the Palms:
Psalm 118:19-29
Mark 11:1-11

Liturgy of the Passion:
Psalm 31:9-16
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Philippians 2:5-11
Mark 14:1-15:47