PARISH NOTES 

Sunday 28 April 2019 

Peter Paul Rubens, Doubting Thomas (1613-1615)
Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp, Belgium

FROM THE RECTOR

“Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house …” Saint John twice mentions twice the finding of the empty tomb and the appearances of the Risen Lord on “the first day of the week” (20:1, 19). The second recorded appearance, which includes the beloved story of “doubting Thomas,” occurs “eight days later,” which in idiom of the time means a week later, on the following Sunday. The Resurrection of Jesus from the dead is an event that transcends time and history. Nonetheless, from the beginning, we see a recurring pattern of the Risen Lord appearing to the gathered disciples on the first day of the week, thus eventually establishing Sunday (rather than Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath) as the pre-eminent day for Christian worship. Easter Day is the high point of the Christian year; the following Sunday is known by contrast as “Low Sunday.” High or low, however, all Sundays of the year are occasions for the Christian community to assemble for worship and encounter the Risen Jesus present in our midst. – Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS 

Second Sunday of Easter (Year C)
Acts 5:27-32
Revelation 1:4-8
John 20:19-31

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

Healey Willan (1880 – 1968)—Missa de Sancta Maria Magdalena

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome to S. Stephen’s – especially to our visitors and guests! We’re glad to have you with us. If you have any questions or special needs, please speak to one of the ushers, who will be glad to assist you.

Coffee Hour – is being hosted by the Vestry in thanksgiving for the ministry of Phoebe Pettingell, who has served as Sacristan since 2011, and will soon be returning to Wisconsin. Please join us to help say thank you to Phoebe for her dedicated service at S. Stephen’s.

Flowers – at the high altar this Sunday are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Jeannine Lennihan Firestone (April 25, 2013) by Bruce Lennihan.

Saint Mark the Evangelist (April 25th) – a major feast of the church year, is transferred this year to Monday, April 29, with Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm, and Low Mass following at 6 pm.

Saint Philip and Saint James, Apostles (May 1st) – a major feast of the church year, will be kept this Wednesday with Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm, and Low Mass following at 6 pm.

Society of Mary American Region Annual Mass and Meeting – will be here at S. Stephen’s on Saturday 11 May: an opportunity for worship, devotion, food, fellowship, and education! The annual outdoor Marian Procession will take place at the end of the Mass at 11 am (and not on the Sunday). Luncheon and the meeting will follow in the Great Hall. S. Stephen’s is privileged to host this event, which draws SoM members from across the country; and it affords a unique opportunity for parishioners not only to help welcome our visitors but also to learn more about the Society of Mary and its work in the wider Anglican and Episcopal world. We hope that as many parishioners and friends of S. Stephen’s as possible will turn out to help make this event a success. For more details, please see the “Devotional Societies” page on the parish website.

The Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ – a principal feast of the Church calendar, is celebrated on the Thursday forty days after Easter (see Acts 1:3), falling this year on May 30th. Following the precedent set last year, we are planning a joint celebration with the other two East Side parishes (Saint Martin’s and Redeemer) to be hosted here at S. Stephen’s at 7 pm. We hope that you will mark this joyous event on your calendars and plan to attend. More details to follow.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Virginia, Elizabeth, George, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Richard, Beverly, Ethel, Henry, Norman, John, Shannah, Terri, Lynne, Fred-Munro, William, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Sandy, John, Phebe, Jack, Richard, Ann, Colin, Sandy, Kiersten, Beverly, Gail, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Rhoda, William, Roger, and James.

Birthdays this week: Jacob Ihnen (Thursday 5/2) and Robyn Noble (Friday 5/3).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Charles N. Williams, Sr. (3 May 1999) and Sarah Jean Lawton Volante (3 May 2014). Recently Departed: Raymond Haag and Mother Virginia of the All Saints Sisters.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Nippon Sei Ko Kai (The Anglican Communion in Japan): The Most Rev’d Nathaniel Makoto Uematsu, Primate of The Nippon Sei Ko Kai & Bishop of Hokkaido; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the people and clergy of St. Mark's, Warwick and of St. George’s, Central Falls, for the leadership and students of St. George’s School, Newport, and for the Bishop and members of his staff.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC D Malo, Thurifer B Rose, Torches C Sylvia and G Benziger
Lector – RG Noble
Ushers – Ernest Drew and Rhoda Steinhart
Coffee Hour – The Vestry

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Tuesday 30 April
Vestry  7 pm (Library)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

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

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 28 April
THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER (W)
Morning Prayer  8 am
Low Mass  8:10 am
Sung Mass  10 am
Evening Prayer w/ EMBR  5:30 pm

Daily Office Lectionary: Easter II, Year One
Daily Mass Lectionary: Easter II, Year C

Monday 29 April
SAINT MARK THE EVANGELIST (R) (transferred from 25 April)
Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

Tuesday 30 April
George, Martyr, Patron of England, c. 304 (R) (transferred from 23 April)
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Wednesday 1 May
SAINT PHILIP AND SAINT JAMES, APOSTLES (R)
Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

Thursday 2 May
Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, Teacher, 373 (W)
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Friday 3 May
Friday in Easter II (W)
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Saturday 4 May
Saturday in Easter II (W)
English Saints and Martyrs of the Reformation Era
Morning Prayer  9:30 am
Low Mass  10 am

Sunday 5 May
THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER (W)
Morning Prayer  8 am
Low Mass  8:10 am
Solemn Mass  10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (5 May)

Third Sunday of Easter (Year C)
Acts 9:1-6 (7-20)
Revelation 5:11-14
John 21:1-19

PARISH NOTES 

Sunday 21 April 2019 

Andrea Mantegna, The Resurrection (detail), 1457-1459. Musée des Beaux Arts, Tours, France

FROM THE RECTOR

Concluding his Lenten series on the liturgies of Holy Week, Canon Jeremy Haselock remarked that Christ’s Resurrection “is emphatically not an eleventh-hour reversal of the defeat on Good Friday but the confirmation of a victory already won, the sign and seal of the Father’s acceptance and approval of Christ’s self-offering in his Passion.” The solemn liturgy of Easter Day sums up and fulfills the deepest meaning and purpose of all that has been happening during Holy Week: Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem; his Last Supper with his disciples; his betrayal, arrest, trial, condemnation, suffering, death, and burial; his Sabbath rest in the sepulcher. What God has been doing all along comes into focus on the first day of the week when the spice-bearing women come to the tomb at early dawn. Easter Day, Pascha, is the culmination of the entire Christian year: an opportunity to rejoice in the promise of eternal life in the One who has conquered sin and death on our behalf. Come, join the Paschal celebration! – Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS 

Easter Day (Year C)
8 am Mass
Exodus 14:10-31, 15:20-21
Romans 6:3-11
Luke 24:1-12

10 am Solemn Mass
Acts 10:34-43
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
John 20:1-18

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

Gerre Hancock (1934 – 2012)—Missa Resurrectionis

Francisco Guerrero (1528 – 1599)—Maria Magdalena (Parts 1 & 2)

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.

Easter Egg Hunt – An Easter egg hunt will take place immediately following the 10 am Easter Day mass. Children wishing to participate meet in the Library at the conclusion of mass.

Monthly Commemoration of the Departed – whose year’s mind falls during April will be offered Saturday 27 April at 10 am (preceded by Morning Prayer at 9:30 am). If you have any names to add to those to be remembered, please let Fr. Alexander know. This Mass is sponsored by the Guild of All Souls, St. Stephen Protomartyr Branch: all are welcome and invited to attend!

Society of Mary American Region Annual Mass and Meeting – will be here at S. Stephen’s on Saturday 11 May: an opportunity for worship, devotion, food, fellowship, and education! The annual outdoor Marian Procession will take place at the end of the Mass at 11 am (and not on the Sunday). Luncheon and the meeting will follow in the Great Hall. S. Stephen’s is privileged to host this event, which draws SoM members from across the country; and it affords a unique opportunity for parishioners not only to help welcome our visitors but also to learn more about the Society of Mary and its work in the wider Anglican and Episcopal world. We hope that as many parishioners and friends of S. Stephen’s as possible will turn out to help make this event a success. For more details, please see the “Devotional Societies” page on the parish website.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Elizabeth, George, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Richard, Beverly, Ethel, Henry, Norman, John, Shannah, Terri, Lynne, Fred-Munro, William, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Sandy, John, Phebe, Jack, Richard, Ann, Colin, Sandy, Kiersten, Beverly, Gail, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Rhoda, William, Roger, and James.

Birthdays this week: Leonard Gaucher (Tuesday 4/23).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: King David Stamps (22 April 1985), William Brazil (24 April 1995), Kenneth Raymond (24 April 2010), Hazel G. Wyss (25 April 1991), and Jeannine Lennihan Firestone (25 April 2013). Recently Departed: Raymond Haag.

Anglican Cycle of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Peace of Jerusalem and the People of the Land of the Holy One.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC F Pisaturo, SD J Ihnen, Thurifer J Starks, Crucifer TBD, Torches L Verdelotti and R Noble
Lector – P Pettingell
Ushers – Tom Bledsoe, Alison Huff, Muriel Jobbers, and Bruce Lennihan (counter)
Coffee Hour – Rhoda Steinhart, Andrew Campbell, and Andrew Savchenko

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Sunday 21 April
Acolyte Rehearsal (for Easter Day)  9 am (Nave)

Saturday 27 April
Guild of All Souls  10 am (Lady Chapel)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Friday 26 April
Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) Meeting  4-11 pm (Great Hall)

Saturday 27 April
Epiphany Soup Kitchen  2:30 pm (Great Hall)

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

21 April
THE SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION: EASTER DAY (W)
Morning Prayer  8 am
Low Mass  8:10 am
Solemn Mass of the Resurrection  10 am

Daily Office Lectionary: Easter Week, Year One
Daily Mass Lectionary: Easter Week, Year C

22 April
Monday in Easter Week (W)
Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

23 April
Tuesday in Easter Week (W)
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

24 April
Wednesday in Easter Week (W)
Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

25 April
Thursday in Easter Week (W)
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

26 April
Friday in Easter Week (W)
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

27 April
Saturday in Easter Week (W)
Morning Prayer  9:30 am
Low Mass with Commemoration of April Departed  10 am

28 April
THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER (W)
Morning Prayer  8 am
Low Mass  8:10 am
Sung Mass  10 am
Evening Prayer w/ EMBR  5:30 pm

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (28 April)

Second Sunday of Easter (Year C)
Psalm 150
Acts 5:27-32
Revelation 1:4-8
John 20:19-31

PARISH NOTES 

Sunday 14 April 2019 

Alexander Gibbs, Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the Highest (1883-1884). Saint George’s Church, Belfast, Northern Ireland

FROM THE RECTOR

Most commentaries on the paired liturgies of Palm Sunday – the Liturgy of the Palms and the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion – emphasize the sea-change that occurs somewhere in between them. We begin by celebrating the Lord’s triumphal entry into the holy city, the king arriving to take possession of his rightful capital, and we end by processing out in mournful silence, as the the shouts of “Hosanna in the Highest” have yielded to the cries of “Crucify him!” That emphasis is not inappropriate. But, as Canon Jeremy Haselock reminded us in his Lenten lectures this year, the crucifixion is not a defeat but the beginning of victory; despite outward appearances, the cross is the throne from which Jesus begins to reign as King and to draw all human beings to himself. The fullness and completion of his victory is, of course, made manifest on Easter Day with the finding of the empty tomb and the first appearances of the Risen Lord to the women and disciples. So, we do well to understand the Triumphal Entry on Palm Sunday as anticipating not only the Lord’s Passion and Death, but also to his Easter Victory. Come, join in the celebration! – Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS 

Palm Sunday (Year C)

Liturgy of the Palms:
Luke 19:28-40

Liturgy of the Passion:
Isaiah 50:4-9a 

Philippians 2:5-11 
Luke 22:(14-71)–23:1-49(50-56)

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

Thomas Weelkes (1576 – 1623)—Hosanna to the Son of David

Plainchant—Missa VI (Kyrie Rex genitor)

Antonio Lotti (1667 – 1740)—Crucifixus à 8

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.

Holy Week and Easter – the schedule of services for Holy Week and Easter, including the liturgies of the Triduum Sacrum (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil), is available on the parish website at sstephens.org/holy-week-2019. We hope that all parishioners will note the service dates and times and make every effort to attend.

Passiontide Red High Mass Set – this Palm Sunday we are using for the first time a new set of vestments made for S. Stephen’s by renowned liturgical artist David d’Ambly of Philadelphia. (Passiontide red is more somber than the bright festive red used on Pentecost.) The embroidery on the celebrant’s cope was recycled and restored from one of our old chasubles (sadly worn beyond repair) formerly used at Low Mass; that vestment’s color scheme of blue orphreys against a red background was carried forward into this new High Mass set. Anyone who would like to make a donation to help offset the expense of vestments, please speak to Fr. Alexander – for a suitable donation, memorial tags indicating the donor’s name and / or intention can be sewn into the vestment’s lining.

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.

Vigil at the Altar of Repose – There is a signup sheet in the narthex for the Vigil in the Lady Chapel before the Blessed Sacrament, which begins on Maundy Thursday, 18 April, after the completion of the 7:30 pm Liturgy, and ends at midnight. Come watch with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane.

Good Friday Offering – By a venerable tradition, the collection taken at the liturgy on Good Friday is given to support the work of the Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East. This support is vital in the region where Christianity originated but Christians are now a threatened minority. All checks and cash received in the offering on that day will be forwarded to Episcopal Church headquarters for this purpose. Also, you may make a donation for this purpose online via the “Give” page on the parish website. For more information on the Good Friday Offering, please visit: www.episcopalchurch.org/global-partnerships/good-friday-offering

Easter Vigil Reception – Those attending the Easter Eve Great Vigil on Saturday, April 20 are invited to bring a small tray of sweet or savory treats for the reception immediately following. All items should be ready to serve and not require heating, refrigeration or utensils. Please leave items in the library upon arrival for the liturgy.

Easter Flowers – If you would like to make a flower offering at Easter – in thanksgiving or in memoriam - please fill out the flower offering envelope you can find in your Kalendar or available in the Narthex and either place it in the offering plate or return it to the parish office no later than Wednesday 17 April. Flower donations can also be made online through the giving portal on the parish website here.

Easter Egg Hunt – An Easter egg hunt will take place immediately following the 10:00 am Easter Day mass. Children wishing to participate meet in the Library at the conclusion of mass.

Society of Mary American Region Annual Mass and Meeting – will be here at S. Stephen’s on Saturday 11 May: an opportunity for worship, devotion, food, fellowship, and education! The annual outdoor Marian Procession will take place at the end of the Mass at 11 am (and not on the Sunday). Luncheon and the meeting will follow in the Great Hall. S. Stephen’s is privileged to host this event, which draws SoM members from across the country; and it affords a unique opportunity for parishioners not only to help welcome our visitors but also to learn more about the Society of Mary and its work in the wider Anglican and Episcopal world. We hope that as many parishioners and friends of S. Stephen’s as possible will turn out to help make this event a success. For more details, please see the “Devotional Societies” page on the parish website.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS 

Prayers have been requested for: Elizabeth, George, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Richard, Beverly, Ethel, Henry, Norman, John, Shannah, Terri, Lynne, Fred-Munro, William, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Sandy, John, Phebe, Jack, Richard, Ann, Colin, Sandy, Kiersten, Beverly, Gail, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Rhoda, William, Roger, and James.

Birthdays this week: Fr. John Alexander (Sunday 4/14), Brian Ehlers (Sunday 4/14), Rhoda Steinhart (Tuesday 4/16), Francesco Pisaturo (Friday 4/19), and Barbara Osborne (Saturday 4/20).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Marie Lopez (14 April 1983), Steele Wade Martin, Priest (14 April 2005), Cristine Marie Parrillo (17 April 1989), John Rankin Laird (19 April 1991), Winifred D. Bonner (20 April 1983) and Frances Cecilia Jarvis Hall (20 April 1987). Recently Departed: Raymond Haag.

Anglican Cycle of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem & The Middle East: The Most Rev’d Suheil Dawani, Archbishop, Jerusalem & the Middle East & Archbishop in Jerusalem.

THE SUNDAY ROTA 

Acolytes – MC J Ihnen, SD F Pisaturo, Thurifer L Verdelotti, Torches C Sylvia and G Benziger
Lector – T Oakes
Ushers – Simon Newby, George Ryan, and Joy D’Ambra
Coffee Hour – Society of Mary

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S 

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Sunday 14 April
Evening Prayer w/ EMBR  5:30 pm (Lady Chapel)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 20 April
Epiphany Soup Kitchen  2:30 pm (Great Hall)

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

14 April 

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

Daily Office Lectionary: Holy Week, Year One
Daily Mass Lectionary: Holy Week

15 April
Monday in Holy Week (R)
Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

16 April
Tuesday in Holy Week (R)
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

17 April
Wednesday in Holy Week (R)
Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

18 April
Maundy Thursday (W)
Maundy Thursday Liturgy  7:30 pm
Vigil at the Altar of Repose (until midnight)

19 April
Good Friday (Black)
Good Friday Liturgy  12 noon
Confessions following until  3 pm

20 April
Easter Eve (V/W)
Great Vigil of Easter  7:30 pm

21 April
THE SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION: EASTER DAY (W)
Morning Prayer  8 am
Low Mass  8:10 am
Solemn Mass of the Resurrection  10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (21 April)

Easter Day (Year C)
8 am Mass
Exodus 14:10-31, 15:20-21
Romans 6:3-11
Luke 24:1-12

10 am Solemn Mass
Acts 10:34-43
1 Corinthians 15:19-26 

John 20:1-18

PARISH NOTES 

Sunday 7 April 2019 

Peter Paul Rubens, Jesus in the House of Simon the Pharisee (1618-1620)
Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia

FROM THE RECTOR

We’re coming round the final bend of Lent and entering the home stretch leading to Palm Sunday and Holy Week. In this Sunday’s Gospel, set “six days before the Passover,” Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus’ feet from “a pound of costly ointment of pure nard” and wipes them with her hair. For this loving action, Judas Iscariot criticizes her, complaining that the ointment was “not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” Jesus rebukes him: “Let her keep it for the day of my burial.” Apart from this ominous reference to his impending death, the point to note is the extravagant generosity of Mary’s gesture. As we finish up our Lenten commitments, as we plan our attendance at the liturgies of Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter, we do well to put into practice a similar generosity of our time and attention to the Lord. – Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS 

Fifth Sunday in Lent (Year C)

Psalm 126
Isaiah 43:16-21
Philippians 3:4b-14
John 12:1-8

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

Plainchant—Missa X (Alme Pater)

Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643-1704)—De profundis

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.

Fish Fry – This Friday 12 April we conclude our Ecumenical Stations of the Cross (see announcement below) with a Fish Fry in the Great Hall starting at 6:30 pm. Co-sponsored by the Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD (EMBR), S. Stephen’s Church, the Brown-RISD Catholic Community (BRCC), and Reformed University Fellowship (RUF), this event affords a unique opportunity to support and get to know some of the students engaged in Christian activity in and around S. Stephen’s. Congregational music will be provided by the RUF praise team. All are most cordially welcome and invited to attend!

Ecumenical Stations – This year, the Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD (EMBR) has teamed up with the Brown-RISD Catholic Community (BRCC) to offer Stations of the Cross at S. Stephen’s at 6 pm on Fridays in Lent. The turnout has been encouraging, and we have had the opportunity to experience this moving devotion as practiced in both the Roman Catholic and Anglican traditions. Final sessions this Lent are Fridays April 5th and 12th at 6 pm. This is a great opportunity to experience this moving devotion anew or indeed for the first time! The April 12th Stations will be followed by a Fish Fry (see announcement above) at 6:30 pm in the Great Hall.

Lent Supper and Lecture Series – takes place on the Sundays in Lent, concluding tonight, April 7—a great opportunity for food, fellowship, intellectual stimulation, and spiritual enrichment. The evening begins with a pot luck supper at 6 pm: all participants are asked to bring a food item to share – such as bread, cheese, soup, casserole, pasta, or salad. The program starts at approximately 7 pm, featuring the Rev. Canon Jeremy Matthew Haselock on “The Sacrament of Easter: An Introduction to the Liturgy of Lent, Holy Week, and Easter.” Each evening concludes with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 8 pm in the Lady Chapel. All are cordially invited to attend all or any part of the evening.

Sorrowful Mysteries – Another opportunity for regular Lenten devotion is recitation of the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary on Saturday mornings at 10:30 am (following 10 am Mass and 9:30 am Morning Prayer) through April 13th. These devotions are sponsored by the Our Lady of Providence Ward of the Society of Mary. All are welcome; no prior experience needed!

Holy Week and Easter – the schedule of services for Holy Week and Easter, including the liturgies of the Triduum Sacrum (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil), is available on the parish website at sstephens.org/holy-week-2019. We hope that all parishioners will note the service dates and times and make every effort to attend.

Vigil at the Altar of Repose – There is a signup sheet in the narthex for the Vigil in the Lady Chapel before the Blessed Sacrament, which begins on Maundy Thursday, 18 April, after the completion of the 7:30 pm Liturgy, and ends at midnight. Come watch with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane.

Easter Vigil Reception – Those attending the Easter Eve Great Vigil on Saturday, April 20 are encouraged to bring a small tray of sweet or savory treats for the reception immediately following. All items should be ready to serve and not require heating, refrigeration or utensils. Please leave items in the library upon arrival for the mass.

Easter Flowers – If you would like to make a flower offering at Easter – in thanksgiving or in memoriam - please fill out the flower offering envelope you can find in your Kalendar or available in the Narthex and either place it in the offering plate or return it to the parish office no later than Wednesday 17 April. Flower donations can also be made online through the giving portal on the parish website here.

Easter Egg Hunt – An Easter egg hunt will take place immediately following the 10:00am Easter Day mass. Children wishing to participate meet in the Library at the conclusion of mass.

Society of Mary American Region Annual Mass and Meeting – will be here at S. Stephen’s on Saturday 11 May: an opportunity for worship, devotion, food, fellowship, and education! The annual outdoor Marian Procession will take place at the end of the Mass at 11 am (and not on the Sunday). Luncheon and the meeting will follow in the Great Hall. S. Stephen’s is privileged to host this event, which draws SoM members from across the country; and it affords a unique opportunity for parishioners not only to help welcome our visitors but also to learn more about the Society of Mary and its work in the wider Anglican and Episcopal world. We hope that as many parishioners and friends of S. Stephen’s as possible will turn out to help make this event a success. For more details, please see the “Devotional Societies” page on the parish website.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS 

Prayers have been requested for: Elizabeth, George, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Richard, Beverly, Ethel, Henry, Norman, John, Shannah, Terri, Lynne, Fred-Munro, William, Gus, Leonard, Harrington, Joan, Sandy, John, Phebe, Jack, Richard, Ann, Colin, Sandy, Kiersten, Beverly, Gail, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Beverly, Allora, Carlos, Rhoda, William, Roger, and James.

Birthdays this week: Kathleen Lester (Thursday 4/11).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Paul Joseph Conley (8 April 2000), Carl Randolph (11 April 1983), and Doris Johnson (13 April 2004). Recently Departed: Theodora Shaw.

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Church of Ireland: The Most Rev’d Richard Lionel Clarke, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland and Metropolitan; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the people and clergy of Church of the Beloved, Pascoag.

THE SUNDAY ROTA 

Acolytes – MC R Noble, SD B Rose, Thurifer J Starks, Torches L Verdelotti and J Ihnen
Lector – P Martin
Ushers – Rhoda Steinhart and Patricia Barnes
Coffee Hour – Nancy Gingrich, Tom Oakes, and Louis Verdelotti

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Sunday 7 April
Lenten Supper and Lecture Series  6-8:30 pm (Great Hall/Lady Chapel)

Friday 12 April
Fish Fry  6:30 pm (Great Hall)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 13 April
Epiphany Soup Kitchen  2:30 pm (Great Hall)

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

7 April
THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT (V)
Morning Prayer  8 am
Low Mass  8:10 am
Solemn Mass  10 am
Evening Prayer w/ EMBR  5:30 pm
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament  8 pm

Daily Office Lectionary: Week of Lent V, Year One
Daily Mass Lectionary: Week of Lent V

8 April
Monday in Lent V (V)
William Augustus Muhlenberg, Priest, 1877
Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

9 April
Tuesday in Lent V (V)
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Pastor, Teacher, Martyr, 1945
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

10 April
Wednesday in Lent V (V)
William Law, Priest, Spiritual Writer, 1761
Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

11 April
Thursday in Lent V (V)
George Augustus Selwyn, first Bishop of New Zealand, 1878
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

12 April
Friday in Lent V (V)
Zeno, Bishop of Verona, Martyr, 371
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm
Ecumenical Stations of the Cross  6 pm

13 April
Saturday in Lent V (V)
Morning Prayer  9:30 am
Low Mass  10 am
Holy Rosary  10:30 pm

14 April
THE SUNDAY OF THE PASSION: PALM SUNDAY (R)
Morning Prayer  8 am
Low Mass  8:10 am
Solemn Mass  10 am
Evening Prayer w/ EMBR  5:30 pm

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (14 April)

Palm Sunday (Year C)

Liturgy of the Palms:
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Luke 19:28-40

Liturgy of the Passion:
Psalm 31:9-16
Isaiah 50:4-9a 

Philippians 2:5-11 
Luke 22:(14-71)–23:1-49(50-56)