PARISH NOTES
Sunday 5 August 2018

Finding of the Relics of Saint Stephen
From the Saint Stephen Altarpiece, c. 1385
Tempera and gold leaf on wood
National Art Museum of Catalonia, Barcelona

FROM THE RECTOR

Why relics? The whole business seems to many not only superstitious but also grisly. But the Catholic (including Anglican-Catholic) devotion to relics expresses important theological and spiritual truths. Ours is an incarnational faith. Our heroes and heroines in the faith are not timeless mythical figures but real flesh-bone-and-blood human beings who lived and died at specific times and places in history. We honor their earthly remains to express our love for them and gratitude for their witness. Moreover, their physical presence in our cathedrals, churches, and shrines is a sign of their spiritual presence with us in the Communion of Saints, the fellowship of the living and the dead in Christ. (This is also the point of icons, paintings, statues, and other images.) So, we venerate Saint Stephen's relics on earth not just as an exercise in remembering the past, but also as an act of hope in his present prayers on our behalf, and our future fellowship with him in that realm where all members of Christ's Body shall be gathered and re-united face-to-face. Holy Stephen, Deacon and Protomartyr, pray for us! - Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Finding of the Relics of Saint Stephen

Psalm 31
Jeremiah 26:1-9, 12-15
Acts 6:8-7:2a, 51c-60, 8:1-2
Matthew 23:34-39

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome to S. Stephen’s – especially to our visitors and guests! We’re glad to have you join us. Please join us for Coffee Hour following the 10 a.m. Mass in the Great Hall upstairs. If you have any questions or special needs, please speak to one of the ushers, who will be glad to assist you.

Summer Patronal Festival – This morning we celebrate the feast commemorating the finding of the relics of Saint Stephen in the year 415 by the priest Lucian at a place called Caphar-Gamala (modern Beit Jamal) near Jerusalem. Churches dedicated to Saint Stephen sometimes keep this feast as a second patronal festival in addition to Saint Stephen’s Day on December 26th. Veneration of the relic will take place in the Lady Chapel following the 10 am Mass.

Flowers – at the High Altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Truman C. Bledsoe III by Tom Bledsoe.

Transfiguration Evensong and Benediction – will be offered this evening, 5 August (Eve of the Feast of the Transfiguration), at 5:30 pm. The guest preacher (and officiant at Evensong) will be the Rev. Canon Jeremy Haselock, recently retired Vice Dean and Canon Precentor at Norwich Cathedral in England, and a Chaplain to Her Majesty the Queen. The Schola Cantorum will sing works of Heinrich Schütz, Harvey Burgett, Edward Elgar, and Marcel Dupré. There will be a reception afterwards in the Great Hall. Don’t miss what promises to be a splendid choral service. (It is not too late to sign up to bring food items to the reception; sign-up sheets will be available in the Narthex and Great Hall after both Masses today. Thanks.)

Mass for the Transfiguration – a principal Holy Day of the Church Year, will be offered tomorrow, Monday 6 August, in the Lady Chapel at 6 pm, preceded by Evening Prayer at 5:30. (Please note that owing to this celebration, the August monthly Requiem is postponed one week, to Monday the 13th.)

Wedding – the marriage of Frank Richard Pisaturo II and Nicola Damiano Burgio-Ferrara is now scheduled to take place at S. Stephen's on Saturday 22 September at 10 am, the Rt. Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely, XIII Bishop of Rhode Island officiating.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – This summer, we are joining forces with our fellow Anglo-Catholic parishes of Saint John’s, Newport and All Saints, Ashmont to celebrate this principal Marian feast at 7 pm on Wednesday 15 August. The Mass will be at the Parish of All Saints, 209 Ashmont Street, Dorchester, MA. Website: Allsaints.net. The church is blessed with a spacious parking lot. Please speak to Jacob Ihnen or Fr. Alexander if you need a ride or would be willing to volunteer your services as a driver for other S. Stephen’s parishioners.

Choir Season – resumes on Sunday 30 September. In the meantime, the Sung Mass with Minor Propers sung by the Cantors will resume during the Labor Day weekend on Sunday 2 September. Kudos to everyone for the enthusiastic congregational singing during the summer months!

Sunday School and Nursery – We still need volunteers to assume responsibility for organizing Sunday School for the 2018-2019 Program Year (beginning in September). Please speak to Fr. Alexander or one of the Wardens (Tom Bledsoe or Bill Dilworth) if you would like to learn more and / or contribute your time to this crucial aspect of parish life.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Elizabeth, Richard, Norman, John, Shannah, Sister Carolyn, Lynne, William, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Elizabeth, Sandy, John, Phebe, Ed, Gregory, Richard, Colin, Sandy, Kiersten, Beverly, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Betsy, Rhoda, William, James, and Louis. And the Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop.

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Frances Cecilia Lawton (9 August 1983). Recently Departed: Sr. Mary Gabriel, SSM; Stephen P. Cowardin (Priest). Flower Memorials: Truman C. Bledsoe III.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for The Scottish Episcopal Church: The Most Rev’d Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church & Bishop of Moray, Ross & Caithness; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the people and clergy of Church of the Transfiguration, Cranston and of Christ Church, Lincoln and of Christ Church, Westerly.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – Acolyte/MC F Pisaturo; Thurifer J Starks
Lector – W Dilworth
Morning Ushers – Tom Oakes and Nancy Gingrich
Evening Ushers – George Ryan and Phoebe Pettingell
Coffee Hour – Modu Johnson

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 11 August
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm (Great Hall)

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

5 August
FINDING OF THE RELICS OF SAINT STEPHEN (W)
(Transferred from August 3)
Morning Prayer 8:00 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Mass with Hymns 10:00 am

EVE OF THE TRANSFIGURATION
Choral Evensong and Benediction 5:30 pm

Daily Mass and Office Lectionaries: Proper 13, Year Two

Monday 6 August
TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD (W)
Xystus (Sixtus II), Pope and Martyr, 258
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm

Tuesday 7 August
John Mason Neale, Priest, Scholar, Hymn Writer, 1866 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 8 August
Dominic, Friar, Founder of the Order of Preachers, 1221 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm

Thursday 9 August
Herman of Alaska, Missionary, 1837 (W)
Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Nun, Martyr, Patron of Europe, 1942 (R)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Friday 10 August
Lawrence, Deacon at Rome, Martyr, 258 (R)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 11 August
Clare of Assisi, Founder of the Minoresses (Poor Clares), 1253 (W)

Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am

12 August
TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 8:00 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Mass with Hymns 10:00 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (12 August)

Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost – Proper 14, Year B 

Psalm 34:1-8
1 Kings 19:4-8
Ephesians 4:25-5:2
John 6:35, 41-51

PARISH NOTES

Sunday 29 July 2018

Jesus Walking on the Sea, Painted Tiles
Anglican Church of the Savior, Rio Grande, Brazil

FROM THE RECTOR

Within the past twenty years, certain sociologists and psychologists have remarked that we live in a "culture of fear." Our fears, manipulated in myriad ways by the communications media, are often irrational in that they are disproportionate to the actual threats and dangers we face in contemporary life. In the Christian moral tradition, the remedy for fear is the virtue of fortitude (courage, or bravery) - which is ultimately a gift of God's grace. Fear is a spiritual snare or obstacle insofar as it deters us from pursuing the right path; the virtue of fortitude enables us to follow God's will for our lives regardless of the risks and consequences. "[The disciples] saw Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing near to the boat. They were frightened, but he said to them, 'It is I; do not be afraid.'" God gives what God commands. The Lord's presence, the assurance of his love, drives out all fear. - Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Tenth Sunday After Pentecost – Proper 12, Year B
Psalm 145:10-19
2 Kings 4:42-44
Ephesians 3:14-21
John 6:1-21

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome to S. Stephen’s – especially to our visitors and guests! We’re glad to have you join us. Please join us for Coffee Hour following the 10 a.m. Mass in the Great Hall upstairs. If you have any questions or special needs, please speak to one of the ushers, who will be glad to assist you.

Guest Organist – We welcome Patrick Aiken at the organ for the 10 a.m. Mass today. (James Busby returns next Sunday, 5 August.)

Society of Mary – The next meeting will be held this Saturday, August 4, beginning with Holy Rosary following the 10:00 am Mass and a brief meeting (for coffee and bagels) to follow in the Great Hall. All are welcome and invited to join us.

Transfiguration Evensong and Benediction – will be offered a week from today, Sunday 5 August (Eve of the Feast of the Transfiguration), at 5:30 pm. The guest preacher (and officiant at Evensong) will be the Rev. Canon Jeremy Haselock, recently retired Vice Dean and Canon Precentor at Norwich Cathedral in England, and a Chaplain to Her Majesty the Queen. The Schola Cantorum will interrupt their summer break to sing works of Heinrich Schütz, Harvey Burgett, Edward Elgar, and Marcel Dupré. Don’t miss what promises to be a splendid choral service.

Evensong Reception – Please sign up on one of the sheets available after Mass today to bring food items to the reception following next Sunday’s Evensong & Benediction. For more information, please call Susan at the Parish Office.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – This summer, we are joining forces with our fellow Anglo-Catholic parishes of Saint John’s, Newport and All Saints, Ashmont to celebrate this principal Marian feast at 7 pm on Wednesday 15 August. The Mass will be at the Parish of All Saints, 209 Ashmont Street, Dorchester, MA. Website: Allsaints.net. The church is blessed with a spacious parking lot. Please speak to Jacob Ihnen or Fr. Alexander if you need a ride or would be willing to volunteer your services as a driver for other S. Stephen’s parishioners.

Choir Season – resumes on Sunday 30 September. In the meantime, the Sung Mass with Minor Propers sung by the Cantors will resume during the Labor Day weekend on Sunday 2 September. Kudos to everyone for the enthusiastic congregational singing during the summer months!

Sunday School and Nursery – We still need volunteers to assume responsibility for organizing Sunday School for the 2018-2019 Program Year (beginning in September). Please speak to Fr. Alexander or one of the Wardens (Tom Bledsoe or Bill Dilworth) if you would like to learn more and / or contribute your time to this crucial aspect of parish life.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Elizabeth, Richard, Norman, John, Shannah, Sister Carolyn, Lynne, William, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Elizabeth, Sandy, John, Phebe, Ed, Gregory, Richard, Colin, Sandy, Kiersten, Beverly, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Betsy, Rhoda, William, James, and Louis.

Birthdays this week: Rollin Bartlett (Monday 7/30) and Nancy Anderson Gingrich (Tuesday 7/31).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Anillo William Esposito (31 July 1985), Esther Lahiff-Naylor (1 August 1989), and Theresa Jarvis (4 August 2011). Recently Departed: Vaughan P. L. Booker (Priest).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for The Province de L'Eglise Anglicane au Rwanda and for the Diocese of Gasabo - (Rwanda): The Rt. Rev’d Onesphore Rwaje; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the people and clergy of Amazing Grace at the ACI.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – Acolyte/MC J Ihnen; Thurifer R Noble
Lector – T Oakes
Ushers – George Ryan and Patricia Barnes
Coffee Hour – Nancy, Louis, and Tom

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Saturday 4 August
Society of Mary 10:30 am (Lady Chapel/Great Hall)
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Monday 30 July
ESK Board Meeting  7:00 pm (Great Hall)

Saturday 4 August
Epiphany Soup Kitchen  2:30 pm (Great Hall)

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

29 July
THE TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 8:00 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Mass with Hymns 10:00 am

Daily Mass and Office Lectionaries: Proper 12, Year Two

Monday 30 July
William Wilberforce, Social Reformer, 1833 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm

Tuesday 31 July
Ignatius of Loyola, Founder of the Society of Jesus, 1556 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 1 August
Alphonsus Liguori, Teacher, 1787 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm

Thursday 2 August
FERIA (G)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Friday 3 August
Nicodemus, 1st century (W)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 4 August
Jean-Baptiste Vianney, Curé d’ Ars, Spiritual Guide, 1859 (W)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am
Holy Rosary 10:30 am

5 August
FINDING OF THE RELICS OF SAINT STEPHEN (W)
(Transferred from August 3)
Morning Prayer 8:00 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Mass with Hymns 10:00 am

EVE OF THE TRANSFIGURATION
Choral Evensong and Benediction 5:30 pm

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (5 August)

Finding of the Relics of Saint Stephen
Psalm 31
Jeremiah 26:1-9, 12-15
Acts 6:8-7:2a, 51c-60, 8:1-2
Matthew 23:34-39

PARISH NOTES

Sunday 22 July 2018

Benjamin West, Christ Healing the Sick (1817)
Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia

FROM THE RECTOR

"As [Jesus] went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things" (Mark 6:34).

Shepherds perform four characteristic activities for their flocks: gathering, leading, feeding, and protecting. (The list could be elaborated, but let those four activities suffice for the moment.) We don't typically think of shepherds as "teaching" their flocks; yet strangely when Jesus has compassion on the great throng because they are "like sheep without a shepherd," his first response is to "teach them many things." In this context, however, teaching is a subcategory of protecting. The flock needs to be guarded against error and false teaching; this responsibility is one of the most important entrusted to the pastoral office. Bishops and priests are called to guard and protect the flock of Christ's Church with the truth of God's Word. Conversely, without God, without Christ, we are "like sheep without a shepherd" - lost, alone, wandering aimlessly, hungry, thirsty, vulnerable to predators. Our salvation lies in returning to the flock, where Christ gathers, leads, feeds, and protects us. 
- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Ninth Sunday After Pentecost – Proper 11, Year B
Psalm 23
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Ephesians 2:11-22
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome to S. Stephen’s – especially to our visitors and guests! We’re glad to have you join us. Please join us for Coffee Hour following the 10 a.m. Mass in the Great Hall upstairs. If you have any questions or special needs, please speak to one of the ushers, who will be glad to assist you.

Guest Organist – We welcome Jeffrey Mills at the organ for the second and final time this summer while Organist and Choirmaster Dr. James Busby is on a well-deserved vacation. (James is scheduled to return on Sunday 5 August; we wish him safe travels and a relaxing break!)

New Flag – The Episcopal Church flag (6’ x 4’) now installed above the tower door is the generous gift of Janet and Michael D'Alesandre, who "donated the flag to provide an external and recognizable sign of S. Stephen's as an Episcopal parish, and as a reminder of the presence and commitment of S. Stephen's and TEC to the wider community." For a description of the flag’s symbolism, please see this week’s email newsletter.

The Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene (July 22) – a major feast day of the church year, will be celebrated this Monday 23 July with Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm and Low Mass at 6:00 pm.

The Feast of Saint James the Apostle (July 25) – a major feast of the church year, will be celebrated on Wednesday with Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm and Low Mass at 6:00 pm.

New Parish Directory – is available on the church website in the “members’ area.” To enter, click on "Log In" in the upper right corner of the home page and follow the directions to apply for a user account. For reasons of privacy and security, only parishioners and known members of the congregation will receive access. This is a work in progress, to which we plan to add much new content as time goes on. Check back often!

New Prices for Altar Flowers – Arrangements in the church’s brass vases cost $25 each, for a total of $50 (a considerable savings from the $75 per vase we have been charged before now). Please consider making an offering of flowers in thanksgiving or in memoriam to help beautify our worship of God. (Flowers can now be paid for online via our website; see notice following – but please verify with the parish office that your desired date is available.)

Online Giving – We have just updated the parish website to make online donations and pledge payments easier and more convenient. You can now set up repeating payments of your pledge, designate gifts to funds such as Special Music, EMBR, and Flowers, and pay either directly from your bank account or charge to a credit card. You will receive an email receipt for each online gift, and you can enter your pledge number to have the gift included in your mailed hardcopy quarterly statements as well. Go to the parish website (www.sstephens.org) and click on the “Give” button at the top right corner to check it out.

Transfiguration Evensong and Benediction – will be offered on Sunday 5 August (Eve of the Feast of the Transfiguration) at 5:30 pm. The guest preacher (and officiant at Evensong) will be the Rev. Canon Jeremy Haselock, recently retired Vice Dean and Canon Precentor at Norwich Cathedral in England, and a Chaplain to Her Majesty the Queen. The Schola Cantorum will interrupt their summer break to sing works of Heinrich Schütz, Harvey Burgett, and Marcel Dupré. Mark your calendars now and don’t miss what promises to be a splendid choral service.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – This summer, we are joining forces with our fellow Anglo-Catholic parishes of Saint John’s, Newport and All Saints, Ashmont to celebrate this principal Marian feast at 7 pm on Wednesday 15 August. The Mass will be at the Parish of All Saints, 209 Ashmont Street, Dorchester, MA. Website: Allsaints.net. The church is blessed with a spacious parking lot. Please speak to Jacob Ihnen or Fr. Alexander if you need a ride or would be willing to volunteer your services as a driver for other S. Stephen’s parishioners.

Sunday School and Nursery – We still need volunteers to assume responsibility for organizing Sunday School for the 2018-2019 Program Year (beginning in September). Please speak to Fr. Alexander or one of the Wardens (Tom Bledsoe or Bill Dilworth) if you would like to learn more and / or contribute your time to this crucial aspect of parish life.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Elizabeth, Richard, Norman, John, Shannah, Sister Carolyn, Lynne, William, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Elizabeth, Sandy, John, Phebe, Ed, Gregory, Richard, Colin, Sandy, Kiersten, Beverly, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Betsy, Rhoda, William, James, and Louis.

Birthdays this week: Hillary Nicholson (Sunday 7/22), Robert Forrest (Sunday 7/22), Arthur William Bledsoe (Monday 7/23), and Fr. Michael Pearson (Friday 7/27).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Houghton P. Metcalf (22 July 2003) and Helen W. Williams (28 July 1996). Recently Departed: Vaughan P. L. Booker (Priest).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for The Episcopal Church in the Philippines; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the people and clergy of St. James, North Providence and of St. James, Woonsocket and of St. Ann’s by-the-Sea, Block Island.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – Acolyte/MC R Noble; Thurifer F Pisaturo
Lector – J Steiny
Ushers – Joy D’Ambra and Tom Bledsoe
Coffee Hour – Cathy and Tom Bledsoe

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 28 July
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm (Great Hall)

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

22 July
THE NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 8:00 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Mass with Hymns 10:00 am

Daily Mass and Office Lectionaries: Proper 11, Year Two

Monday 23 July
SAINT MARY MAGDALENE (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm

Tuesday 24 July
Thomas à Kempis, Priest, 1471 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 25 July
SAINT JAMES THE APOSTLE (R)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm

Thursday 26 July
Anne and Joachim, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary (W)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Friday 27 July
FERIA (G)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 28 July
Samson of Dol, Bishop, Abbot, 565 (W)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am

29 July
THE TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 8:00 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Mass with Hymns 10:00 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (29 July)

Tenth Sunday After Pentecost – Proper 12, Year B
Psalm 145:10-19
2 Kings 4:42-44
Ephesians 3:14-21
John 6:1-21

PARISH NOTES

Sunday 15 July 2018

Benozzo Gozzoli, Dance of Salome and Beheading of John the Baptist, 1461 or 1462
Tempera on panel, National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

FROM THE RECTOR

This Sunday's Gospel relates the story of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist. Medieval and Renaissance altarpieces and other works of art occasionally depicted John the Baptist side-by-side with Saint Stephen, our Patron.

People sometimes ask why Saint Stephen is called the "Protomartyr" (first martyr) when John the Baptist died before him. It might be more accurate to say that Stephen was the first Christian martyr: first to give his life in explicit witness to Christ within the New Covenant.

This is not to take anything away from John the Baptist, whom the Christian tradition regards as the last of the Old Testament Prophets and Forerunner of the Messiah. He died for his fidelity to the precepts of the Jewish Law, bolding denouncing the sin of King Herod Antipas and "speaking truth to power." John the Baptist has much to teach us.

- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS 

Eighth Sunday After Pentecost – Proper 10, Year B
Psalm 85:8-13
Amos 7:7-15
Ephesians 1:3-14
Mark 6:14-29

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Welcome to S. Stephen’s – especially to our visitors and guests! We’re glad to have you join us. Please join us for Coffee Hour following the 10 a.m. Mass in the Great Hall upstairs. If you have any questions or special needs, please speak to one of the ushers, who will be glad to assist you.

Guest Organist – We welcome Jeffrey Mills at the organ for the first time this summer while Organist and Choirmaster Dr. James Busby is on a well-deserved vacation. (James is scheduled to return on Sunday 5 August; we wish him safe travels and a relaxing break!)

Epiphany Soup Kitchen (ESK) – A reminder that S. Stephen's turn to supply the volunteers for the Soup Kitchen is Saturday 21 July. We have been getting good crowds in the summer. Last year we had over 70 several times during July and August and only once in the last three months have we had less than 50. Our date in July is the third week of the month which should mean a busy day. Please let Bruce Lennihan know if you can help.

New Parish Directory – is available on the church website in the “members’ area.” To enter, click on "Log In" in the upper right corner of the home page and follow the directions to apply for a user account. For reasons of privacy and security, only parishioners and known members of the congregation will receive access. This is a work in progress, to which we plan to add much new content as time goes on. Check back often!

New Prices for Altar Flowers – Arrangements in the church’s brass vases cost $25 each, for a total of $50 (a considerable savings from the $75 per vase we have been charged before now). Please consider making an offering of flowers in thanksgiving or in memoriam to help beautify our worship of God. (Flowers can now be paid for online via our website; see notice following – but please verify with the parish office that your desired date is available.)

Online Giving – We have just updated the parish website to make online donations and pledge payments easier and more convenient. You can now set up repeating payments of your pledge, designate gifts to funds such as Special Music, EMBR, and Flowers, and pay either directly from your bank account or charge to a credit card. You will receive an email receipt for each online gift, and you can enter your pledge number to have the gift included in your mailed hardcopy quarterly statements as well. Go to the parish website (www.sstephens.org) and click on the “Give” button at the top right corner to check it out.

Transfiguration Evensong and Benediction – will be offered on Sunday 5 August (Eve of the Feast of the Transfiguration) at 5:30 pm. The guest preacher (and officiant at Evensong) will be the Rev. Canon Jeremy Haselock, recently retired Canon Precentor at Norwich Cathedral in England, and a Chaplain to Her Majesty the Queen. The Schola Cantorum will interrupt their summer break to sing works of Heinrich Schütz, Harvey Burgett, and Marcel Dupré. Mark your calendars now and don’t miss what promises to be a splendid choral service.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – This summer, we are joining forces with our fellow Anglo-Catholic parishes of Saint John’s, Newport and All Saints, Ashmont to celebrate this principal Marian feast at 7 pm on Wednesday 15 August. The Mass will be at the Parish of All Saints, 209 Ashmont Street, Dorchester, MA. Website: Allsaints.net. The church is blessed with a spacious parking lot. Please speak to Jacob Ihnen or Fr. Alexander if you need a ride or would be willing to volunteer your services as a driver for other S. Stephen’s parishioners.

Sunday School and Nursery – We still need volunteers to assume responsibility for organizing Sunday School for the 2018-2019 Program Year (beginning in September). Please speak to Fr. Alexander or one of the Wardens (Tom Bledsoe or Bill Dilworth) if you would like to learn more and / or contribute your time to this crucial aspect of parish life.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS 

Prayers have been requested for: Elizabeth, Richard, Norman, John, Shannah, Sister Carolyn, Lynne, William, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Elizabeth, Sandy, John, Phebe, Ed, Gregory, Richard, Colin, Sandy, Kiersten, Beverly, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Betsy, Rhoda, William, James, and Louis.

Birthdays this week: Laura Rejto (Sunday 7/15), Ed Hooks (Monday 7/16), Luke Tessier (Tuesday 7/17), Fr. Harrington Gordon (Thursday 7/19), Molly Elizabeth Bledsoe Ellis (Saturday 7/21), and Tatjana Johnson (Saturday 7/21).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: John Austin MacIntyre, Sr. (16 July 1992), Georgia Merrill Wray (20 July 1983), James H. Hurn (20 July 1987), and Louis Garland Davis (21 July 2009). Recently Departed: John Douglass Ruff.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for The Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea: The Most Rev’d Allan Migi, Archbishop of Papua New Guinea; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the retired clergy of the Diocese.

THE SUNDAY ROTA 

Acolytes – Acolyte/MC J Ihnen; Thurifer J Starks
Lector – P Martin
Ushers – Phoebe Pettingell and Simon Newby
Coffee Hour – Alison Huff and Kate Lester

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S 

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 21 July
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm (Great Hall)

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

15 July
THE EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 8:00 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Mass with Hymns 10:00 am

Daily Mass and Office Lectionaries: Proper 10, Year Two 

Monday 16 July
Osmund, Bishop of Salisbury, 1099 (W)
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Patron of Rhode Island (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm

Tuesday 17 July
FERIA (G)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 18 July
Elizabeth Ferrard, Founder of the Community of Saint Andrew, 1883 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm

Thursday 19 July
Macrina, Deaconess, Teacher, c. 379 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Friday 20 July
Margaret of Antioch, Martyr, 4th century (R)
Bartolomé de las Casas, Bishop of Chiapas, Mexico, 1566 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 21 July
FERIA (G)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am

22 July
THE NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer 8:00 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Mass with Hymns 10:00 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (22 July)

Ninth Sunday After Pentecost – Proper 11, Year B 

Psalm 23
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Ephesians 2:11-22
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56