PARISH NOTES
Sunday 2 December 2018
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| Jean Cousin the Younger (1522-1594), The Last Judgment. Louvre, Paris, France |
FROM THE RECTOR
For those relatively new to our liturgical tradition, here are some things to watch out for during our Advent services at S. Stephens: (1) the Advent Wreath stands by the pulpit; one of its four candles is lighted for the first time each Sunday; a fifth candle in the center, known as the “Christ Candle,” is lighted on Christmas Eve; (2) the color of the vestments and Advent candles is violet (symbolizing penitence) or “Sarum Blue” (symbolizing hope); (3) the Gloria in excelsis is omitted from the music of the Mass; (4) flowers are not normally displayed in church during Advent, although greens may be used instead; (5) hymns appropriate to the season are sung, often from the “Advent” section in the Hymnal; motets and anthems are similarly chosen to emphasize the season’s scriptural themes; (6) the principal Sunday Mass begins with a haunting ancient chant known as the “Advent Prose;” (7) a special Blessing for the season is added at the end of Mass, just before the Dismissal; (8) on the third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete or “Rejoice” Sunday, rose vestments (symbolizing joy) are worn, and a rose candle is lighted on the Advent wreath.
All these visual and aural “cues” help comunicate the spiritual themes of the season, along with the Scripture readings and sermons. Advent calls us to prepare, watch, and wait for Christ in hope. The celebration of Christmas is all the more joyful when we have kept a good Advent. Please join us this year on the four Sundays of December as we prepare together for the Coming of the Lord.
– Fr. John D. Alexander
THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC
John Taverner (1490-1545)—Audivi
THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
First Sunday of Advent, Year C
Psalm 25:1-9
Jeremiah 33:14-16
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Luke 21:25-36
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 – We are pleased to report that as of Wednesday, November 28th, we have received 19 pledges for 2019 totaling $52,350. That is a great start, but we still have a way to go. To help the Vestry approve a budget for the coming year, our goal is to receive ninety percent of all pledges by December 2nd (today), so if you have not submitted a pledge form in hard copy or online (at sstephens.org/donate), please do so! We are grateful for all pledges received, no matter how large or small. Please consider prayerfully what you can offer; your parish is counting on your support and generosity.
Advent Lessons and Carols – This year marks the one-hundredth anniversary of the first Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in its present form at King’s College, Cambridge, England. Please plan on joining us for our Advent Lessons and Carols this evening, Sunday 2 December, at 5:30 pm.
Reception – It’s not too late to sign up to bring a food or dessert item for the reception following Advent Lessons and Carols this evening! Sign-up sheets are in the Narthex and Great Hall. Or call Susan at the parish office (401-421-6702) to let her know what you can bring.
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 8th) – a major feast of the church year will be kept this Saturday with Morning Prayer at 9:00 am, and Low Mass following at 9:30 am. (Please note the changed times owing to the Advent Quiet Day.)
Advent Quiet Day – will be this Saturday, 8 December. Please join us for a Day of Quiet and Reflection beginning at 9 am in the Lady Chapel and concluding with Tea at 2 pm. Addresses will be given by Mr. Richard Mammana, the Presiding Bishop's Associate for Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, and Founder-Director of Project Canterbury.
Brown Madrigal Singers Winter Concert – will be this Saturday, 8 December at 7 pm in the Lady Chapel at S. Stephen’s. The Brown Madrigal Singers invite the community to their annual winter concert to hear the exciting variety of a cappella music they have been working on. Doors open at 6:30 pm.
College Ministry – The Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD (EMBR) will be meeting next Sunday 9 December at 5:30 pm for Evening Prayer and open study session, as Reading Period will be in full swing. Beverages, comfort food, and quiet study space will be provided. All members of the Brown Community are most welcome and invited to attend!
Christmas Flower Offering – If you would like to make a Christmas offering of flowers to the church in thanksgiving or in memoriam, please fill out the envelope included with today’s Kalendar, and put it in the offering plate or bring it to the parish office no later than Sunday December 16th.
Christmas Decorations – This year we hope to engage a group of volunteers to decorate the church after the 10 am Mass for Advent IV (Sunday 23 December), in order to have the church decorated for the Blue Heron Concert later that day. If you are interested in joining in this festive tradition, including a pizza lunch, please contact the parish office via email, or phone at 421-6702, ext. 1.
Message from Sunday School Leaders Modu Johnson & Kate Lester – Dear S. Stephen’s Family: The Sunday School is considering performing a skit “Simply Christmas” and possibly a couple of Christmas carols during the Christmas Eve family service. Even though we are faced with time constraints and inconsistencies of member attendance, we believe that we can pull this off with your assistance. If you are able and willing, please join us for a brief meeting after the 10 am mass on this Sunday, December 2, 2018 in the Great Hall. We would greatly appreciate someone with the gift of voice or musical talent, but all other help will be highly welcomed.—With gratitude, Your servants, Modu & Kate.
Blue Heron Concert: Christmas in 15th-Century France & Burgundy – This December, treat yourself to an early evening of the luxurious sounds of the 15th century. Blue Heron, the 2018 Winners of the Gramophone Classical Music Award for Early Music, bring a captivating mix of mysticism and merriment, from the penitential season of Advent through Christmas rejoicing and the festive celebration of New Year’s Day, with music by the greatest French and Flemish musicians of the fifteenth century—Guillaume Du Fay, Johannes Regis, Josquin Desprez, Jacob Obrecht, Antoine Brumel, and others. Doors open at 3:30 pm. For ticket pricing and more information, please visit http://www.blueheron.org/.
Psalm 25:1-9
Jeremiah 33:14-16
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Luke 21:25-36
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 – We are pleased to report that as of Wednesday, November 28th, we have received 19 pledges for 2019 totaling $52,350. That is a great start, but we still have a way to go. To help the Vestry approve a budget for the coming year, our goal is to receive ninety percent of all pledges by December 2nd (today), so if you have not submitted a pledge form in hard copy or online (at sstephens.org/donate), please do so! We are grateful for all pledges received, no matter how large or small. Please consider prayerfully what you can offer; your parish is counting on your support and generosity.
Advent Lessons and Carols – This year marks the one-hundredth anniversary of the first Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in its present form at King’s College, Cambridge, England. Please plan on joining us for our Advent Lessons and Carols this evening, Sunday 2 December, at 5:30 pm.
Reception – It’s not too late to sign up to bring a food or dessert item for the reception following Advent Lessons and Carols this evening! Sign-up sheets are in the Narthex and Great Hall. Or call Susan at the parish office (401-421-6702) to let her know what you can bring.
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 8th) – a major feast of the church year will be kept this Saturday with Morning Prayer at 9:00 am, and Low Mass following at 9:30 am. (Please note the changed times owing to the Advent Quiet Day.)
Advent Quiet Day – will be this Saturday, 8 December. Please join us for a Day of Quiet and Reflection beginning at 9 am in the Lady Chapel and concluding with Tea at 2 pm. Addresses will be given by Mr. Richard Mammana, the Presiding Bishop's Associate for Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, and Founder-Director of Project Canterbury.
Brown Madrigal Singers Winter Concert – will be this Saturday, 8 December at 7 pm in the Lady Chapel at S. Stephen’s. The Brown Madrigal Singers invite the community to their annual winter concert to hear the exciting variety of a cappella music they have been working on. Doors open at 6:30 pm.
College Ministry – The Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD (EMBR) will be meeting next Sunday 9 December at 5:30 pm for Evening Prayer and open study session, as Reading Period will be in full swing. Beverages, comfort food, and quiet study space will be provided. All members of the Brown Community are most welcome and invited to attend!
Christmas Flower Offering – If you would like to make a Christmas offering of flowers to the church in thanksgiving or in memoriam, please fill out the envelope included with today’s Kalendar, and put it in the offering plate or bring it to the parish office no later than Sunday December 16th.
Christmas Decorations – This year we hope to engage a group of volunteers to decorate the church after the 10 am Mass for Advent IV (Sunday 23 December), in order to have the church decorated for the Blue Heron Concert later that day. If you are interested in joining in this festive tradition, including a pizza lunch, please contact the parish office via email, or phone at 421-6702, ext. 1.
Message from Sunday School Leaders Modu Johnson & Kate Lester – Dear S. Stephen’s Family: The Sunday School is considering performing a skit “Simply Christmas” and possibly a couple of Christmas carols during the Christmas Eve family service. Even though we are faced with time constraints and inconsistencies of member attendance, we believe that we can pull this off with your assistance. If you are able and willing, please join us for a brief meeting after the 10 am mass on this Sunday, December 2, 2018 in the Great Hall. We would greatly appreciate someone with the gift of voice or musical talent, but all other help will be highly welcomed.—With gratitude, Your servants, Modu & Kate.
Blue Heron Concert: Christmas in 15th-Century France & Burgundy – This December, treat yourself to an early evening of the luxurious sounds of the 15th century. Blue Heron, the 2018 Winners of the Gramophone Classical Music Award for Early Music, bring a captivating mix of mysticism and merriment, from the penitential season of Advent through Christmas rejoicing and the festive celebration of New Year’s Day, with music by the greatest French and Flemish musicians of the fifteenth century—Guillaume Du Fay, Johannes Regis, Josquin Desprez, Jacob Obrecht, Antoine Brumel, and others. Doors open at 3:30 pm. For ticket pricing and more information, please visit http://www.blueheron.org/.
FOR YOUR PRAYERS
Prayers have been requested for: Elizabeth, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Richard, Norman, John, Shannah, Terri, Sister Carolyn, Lynne, William, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Sandy, John, Phebe, Gregory, Jack, Richard, Ann, Colin, Sandy, Kiersten, Beverly, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Rhoda, William, Roger, and James.
Birthdays this week: Sandra Bartlett (Sunday 12/2) and Lisa Elliot (Saturday 12/8).
The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Jimmy Chancy Black (4 December 1992) and Homer Clifton Shirley III (7 December 2013). Recently Departed: President George Herbert Walker Bush, the Rev. Dr. Judith Mitchell, and John Mulvey.
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for The Reformed Episcopal Church of Spain (E-P to the Archbishop of Canterbury) and the Diocese of The Reformed Episcopal Church of Spain - (Spain): The Rt. Rev’d Carlos López-Lozano; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the people and clergy of Church of the Advent, Coventry.
THE SUNDAY ROTA
Acolytes – MC F Pisaturo, SD R Noble, Thurifer L Verdelotti, Crucifer R Noble, Torches J Ihnen and F Pisaturo.
Lector – E Alexander
Ushers at 10 am – Alison Huff and Tom Bledsoe
Ushers at 5:30 pm – Nancy Gingrich and Bruce Lennihan
Coffee Hour – Leana Hooks and Family
THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S
PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS
Sunday 2 December
Advent Lessons & Carols 5:30 pm (Nave)
Saturday 8 December
Advent Quiet Day 9 am-2 pm (Lady Chapel/Great Hall)
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Friday 7 December
Last RUF Meeting of the Fall 4-11 pm (Great Hall)
Saturday 8 December
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm (Great Hall)
Brown Madrigal Singers Winter Concert 7 pm (Lady Chapel)
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
2 December
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Sarum Blue)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Advent Lessons & Carols 5:30 pm
Daily Mass and Office Lectionaries: Week of Advent I, Year One
Monday 3 December
Francis Xavier, Apostle of the Indies, Missionary, 1552 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Tuesday 4 December
John of Damascus, Monk, Teacher, c. 749 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Wednesday 5 December
Clement of Alexandria, Priest, Teacher, c. 210 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Thursday 6 December
Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, c. 326 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Friday 7 December
Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Teacher, 397 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 8 December
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (Marian Blue)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
(Please note changed service times due to Advent Quiet Day)
9 December
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Sarum Blue)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer w/ EMBR 5:30 pm
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (9 December)
Second Sunday of Advent, Year C
Malachi 3:1-4
Philippians 1:3-11
Luke 3:1-6
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 8 December
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (Marian Blue)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am
(Please note changed service times due to Advent Quiet Day)
9 December
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Sarum Blue)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer w/ EMBR 5:30 pm
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (9 December)
Second Sunday of Advent, Year C
Malachi 3:1-4
Philippians 1:3-11
Luke 3:1-6
