PARISH NOTES
Sunday 4 November 2018
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| Icon of All Saints (19th century). Agiou Pavlou Monastery, Mount Athos, Greece |
FROM THE RECTOR
In the past week, we have witnessed horrifying manifestations of evil abroad in the world: letter bombs sent through the mail to public figures; eleven Jewish worshipers murdered at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Such crimes of hatred confront us with the depths of depravity to which the human spirit can sink, especially in conditions of social tension and political dislocation.
As Christians we have a moral obligation to repudiate all forms of political violence and scapegoating of minorities; and anti-Semitism in particular. As Pope John Paul II rightly said, the Jews are our elder brothers and sisters in faith; through them we have inherited God’s promises to Abraham and his descendants. Christ, Our Lady, and the Apostles were all observant Jews. In a time of mounting anti-Semitism in our country, we are called to stand in solidarity with our Jewish neighbors.
All Saints and All Souls come this year at an opportune time. The Solemnity of All Saints reminds us that despite the evil in the world, God’s Spirit still moves among his people to inspire goodness and heroism. Think of the first responders who came to the aid of those under attack. Think of the way that community organizations in Pittsburgh, including the local Islamic Center, have rallied around to support the people of the Squirrel Hill neighborhood.
The Holy Spirit’s work is not confined to the Church but, as Christians, we rely on our Saints to show us that lives of holiness in Christ remain possible for each one of us. On the Sunday after All Saints Day (November 4), we shall be administering Holy Baptism to Tayo Heuser and recommitting ourselves with her to our Baptismal Promises, which invite us to become saints, holy ones of God.
All Souls Day in turn bids us pray not only for those whom we love but see no longer, but for All the Faithful Departed. Those who lost their lives in the Tree of Life Synagogue were martyrs who witnessed to their faith even unto death. The All Souls Sung Requiem Mass (at 7 pm on November 2) will be offered with special intention that, along with all the Faithful Departed, they may rest in peace and rise in glory. – Fr. John D. Alexander
THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC
Edgar Bainton (1880-1956)— And I saw a new heaven
THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Welcome to S. Stephen’s – especially to our visitors and guests! We’re glad to have you with 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.
Stewardship Program – It’s that time of year again! If you are on our email distribution list, you will soon be receiving an invitation to make your pledge of financial contributions to S. Stephen’s for 2019. Please keep an eye out for this email, which will contain information on how to make your pledge online. If you are not currently receiving parish emails, please give Fr. Alexander or Jacob Ihnen your email address. The technologically challenged need not despair: hard-copy pledge forms will be made available to all who prefer to make their pledges the old-fashioned way! To aid the Vestry in planning and approving a parish budget for 2019, our goal is to receive ninety percent of all pledges by November 18th (the Sunday before Thanksgiving) In the meantime, please consider prayerfully what you can offer; your parish is counting on your support and generosity.
Volunteer for Acolyte Rota – Fr. Alexander is seeking parishioners young and old who would like to be trained as servers for the 10:00 am Mass on Sundays and for special services throughout the year. Please get in touch with him if you are willing or know someone else who would be. Thank you!
College Ministry – The Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD (EMBR) will be meeting next Sunday, November 11th, at 5:30 pm for Evening Prayer with dinner to follow. All undergraduate and graduate students are most welcome and invited to attend!
Volunteer for Acolyte Rota – Fr. Alexander is seeking parishioners young and old who would like to be trained as servers for the 10:00 am Mass on Sundays and for special services throughout the year. Please get in touch with him if you are willing or know someone else who would be. Thank you!
College Ministry – The Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD (EMBR) will be meeting next Sunday, November 11th, at 5:30 pm for Evening Prayer with dinner to follow. All undergraduate and graduate students are most welcome and invited to attend!
FOR YOUR PRAYERS
Prayers have been requested for: Elizabeth, Richard, Norman, John, Shannah, Sister Carolyn, Lynne, William, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Sandy, John, Phebe, Gregory, Jack, Richard, Colin, Sandy, Kiersten, Beverly, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Rhoda, William, and James.
Birthdays this week: Andrew Alexander (Sunday 11/4), Albert Ferreira (Monday 11/5), Charles Calverley (Thursday 11/8), Leana Hooks (Friday 11/9), and Peter Gibson (Saturday 11/10).
The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Gilbert Jarvis (5 November 1999), Joseph James Bodell, Jr. (5 November 2006), June Littlefield (6 November 1983), Chester Arthur Files (9 November 1987), and Lillian A. Crumby (9 November 1997). Recently Departed: Patricia Herlihy.
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for The Church of Ceylon (E-P to the Archbishop of Canterbury), the Diocese of Colombo - (Ceylon): The Rt. Rev’d Dhiloraj Ranjit Canagasabey, and the Diocese of Kurunegala - (Ceylon): The Rt. Rev’d Keerthisiri Fernando; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the people and clergy of All Saints', Providence and of All Saints', Pontiac and for fair and just elections.
THE SUNDAY ROTA
Acolytes – MC J Ihnen, SD F Pisaturo, Thurifer J Starks, Crucifer W Dilworth, Torches K Rejto and G Benziger
Lector – T Oakes
Ushers – Bobby Rose and Joy D'Ambra
Coffee Hour – Leana Hooks
THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S
PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS
Sunday 4 November
Evening Prayer w/ EMBR 5:30 pm (Lady Chapel)
Rector's Book Discussion Group: Walk in Love Chapters 21, 22, 23 (Videoconference)
Tuesday 6 November
Budget Committee Meeting 6:30 pm (Library)
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Friday 9 November
RUF Meeting 4:00-11:00 pm (Great Hall)
Saturday 10 November
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm (Great Hall)
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
4 November
THE SUNDAY AFTER ALL SAINTS DAY (W)
Morning Prayer 8:00 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Solemn Mass & Procession with Holy Baptism 10:00 am
Evening Prayer w/ EMBR 5:30 pm
Daily Mass and Office Lectionaries: Proper 26, Year Two
Monday 5 November
FERIA (G)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm
Tuesday 6 November
Leonard, Hermit, 6th century (W)
William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, Teacher, 1944 (W)
William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, Teacher, 1944 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Wednesday 7 November
Willibrord of York, Bishop, Apostle of Frisia, 739 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm
Thursday 8 November
Saints and Martyrs of the Anglican Communion (W)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Friday 9 November
Margery Kempe, Mystic, c. 1440 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12:00 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 10 November
Leo the Great, Bishop of Rome, Teacher, 461 (W)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am
11 November
Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Morning Prayer 8:00 am
Low Mass 8:10 am (Green)
Solemn Requiem Mass for Remembrance Sunday 10:00 am (Black)
Evening Prayer w/ EMBR 5:30 pm
Low Mass 8:10 am (Green)
Solemn Requiem Mass for Remembrance Sunday 10:00 am (Black)
Evening Prayer w/ EMBR 5:30 pm
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (11 November)
Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost—Proper 27, Year B (8 am)
Psalm 146:4-9
1 Kings 17:8-16
Hebrews 9:24-28
Mark 12:38-44
Remembrance Sunday (10 am)
Isaiah 2:1-5
Romans 8:31-39
John 15:9-17
Psalm 146:4-9
1 Kings 17:8-16
Hebrews 9:24-28
Mark 12:38-44
Remembrance Sunday (10 am)
Isaiah 2:1-5
Romans 8:31-39
John 15:9-17
