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