PARISH NOTES
Sunday 7 April 2019
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| 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 126Isaiah 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.
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.
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
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)
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
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Luke 19:28-40
Liturgy of the Passion:
Psalm 31:9-16
Isaiah 50:4-9a
