PARISH NOTES 

Sunday 8 September 2019

The Bearing of the Cross (1657) by Jacob Jordaens (1593-1678).
Oil on canvas. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS 

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Year C)
Jeremiah 18:1-11
Philemon 1-21
Luke 14:25-33

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC 

J. S. Bach (1685 – 1750)—Fantasia in C-moll, BWV 537

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

J. S. Bach—Fuga in C-moll, BWV 537

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 8 am Mass in the Narthex and 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.

Joining us with small children? – We are so glad you are here! Our Sunday School program and nursery care have been on hiatus for the summer and are picking back up next Sunday, 15 September, but if parents and small children need a break during Mass this Sunday, please feel free to use the nursery. The ushers can direct you.

Community discussions – Please RSVP (or just come!) to one or more of our upcoming group discussions. We're counting on input from all parishioners on what we cherish about S. Stephen's and our shared vision for the future of the parish. See the website for more information or contact Office Assistant Susan Rozzero at office@sstephens.necoxmail.com or (401) 421-6702.

My S. Stephen’s Ministry: Andrew Campbell – Hello. My name is Andrew Campbell and my current ministry to S. Stephen’s is as a member of the Investment Committee. Throughout the New Testament (Acts; Gal.; John; Luke; Cor.;), there is reference to the church’s responsibility in managing its finances for the purpose of supporting the material and spiritual needs of Christians and non-Christians. As parishioners, we all give in support of God’s work and to express thanks in response to God’s grace. My role on the Investment Committee is to support you all in this endeavor by safeguarding your investments in the church. I am proud to be given the opportunity to serve as one of your financial stewards. I share with you all the belief in this life, and the life to come after. For more information, I can be reached via e-mail at agarrettcampbell@gmail.com.

Andrew Campbell

Choir Season – begins next Sunday! We will welcome back the Schola Cantorum at the 10 am Mass for another program year. Copies of the 2019-2020 Liturgical Music Prospectus will be mailed out this week and will be made available in the Narthex and on the Parish website.

The Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8th) – a major feast of the church year, is transferred to Monday, 9th September, with Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm, and Low Mass following at 6 pm.

Holy Cross Day (September 14th) – a major feast of the church year will be kept this coming Saturday with Morning Prayer at 9:30 am, and Low Mass following at 10 am.

Stewardship Program – It’s that time of year again! If you are on our mailing list, you should have received an invitation to make your pledge of financial contributions to S. Stephen’s for 2020, along with a pledge card. If you would like to make your pledge online instead, you can do so by visiting the Give page on the parish website. The goal is to receive most pledges by November 24th. In the meantime, please consider prayerfully what you can offer; S. Stephen’s is counting on your support and generosity in this period of transition.

College Ministry – Welcome to all new and returning students! The Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD (EMBR) kicks off this Sunday, 8 September, with Evening Prayer at 5:30 and dinner and conversation to follow. All undergraduate and graduate students are welcome and invited to attend.

Volunteer for Acolyte Rota – S. Stephen’s has a need for some additional volunteers, aged anywhere from 9 to 99, who would like to be trained to serve as acolytes for the 10:00 am Mass on Sundays and for special services throughout the year. Please speak to Richard Noble, who can arrange for training. Thank you!

Altar Flower Offerings – Please consider making an offering of flowers to help beautify our worship of God in memory of a loved one or in celebration of a special event. Arrangements in the church’s brass vases cost $25 each, for a total of $50. Call or email the office to make the arrangements.

Final Sunday of Bible Study – Please consider this last opportunity to join Fr. Mead and others from the parish with an informative and entertaining study focusing on the Acts of the Apostles. The group meets for the final time this Sunday in the library from 9 until 9:45 am. Thank you to all who have participated!

Unable to get to Mass or want to review a sermon? – Sunday sermons are now available on the parish website in text and audio — check it out! While you are at it, spend a few minutes listening to "Mead's Meanderings,” two minutes of pithy observations made each week by our interim rector about S. Stephen's.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Virginia, Richard, Beverly, Maxcine, Ethel, Carl, Kade, Sherri, Norman, John, Shannah, Terri, Beth, Lynne, Gus, Harrington, Joan, Sandy, John, Phebe, Jack, Hunter, Richard, Priscilla, Ann, Sandy, Antonio, Emma, Olivia, Raphael, Kiersten, Katie, Beverly, Tom, Gail, Deborah, Tree, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Beverly, Carlos, Rhoda, William, Roger, and James.

Birthdays this week: Amanda Malone-Drew (Friday 9/13).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Mary J. Seamans (10 September 1987), Michele Leighton (11 September 2009), James F. Littlefield (13 September 1986), Margaret Chase (13 September 1998), and George R. Finch (13 September 2009).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Province of the Episcopal Church of Sudan: The Most Rev’d Ezekiel Kumir Kondo, Archbishop of the Province of Sudan & Bishop of Khartoum; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the people and clergy of Holy Cross, Middletown and of The Church of the Redeemer, Providence.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes – MC TBD, Thurifer R Noble
Lector – TBD
Ushers – Simon Newby and Patricia Barnes
Coffee Hour – Andrew Savchenko and Rhoda Steinhart

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Sunday 8 September
Bible Study  9 am (Parish Library)

Tuesday 10 September
Vestry Meeting  7 pm (Parish Library)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 14 September
Epiphany Soup Kitchen  2:30 pm (Great Hall)

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 8 September
THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer  8 am
Low Mass  8:10 am
Mass with Hymns  10 am

Daily Office Lectionary: Proper 18, Year One
Daily Mass Lectionary: Proper 18

Monday 9 September
THE BIRTH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (Blue)
Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

Tuesday 10 September
FERIA (G)
Finnian, Abbot of Moville, 589
Alexander Crummell, Priest, 1898
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Wednesday 11 September
FERIA (G)
Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

Thursday 12 September
FERIA (G)
John Henry Hobart, Bishop of New York, 1830
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Friday 13 September
John Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople, Teacher, 407 (W)
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Saturday 14 September
HOLY CROSS DAY (W)
Morning Prayer  9:30 am
Low Mass  10 am

Sunday 15 September
FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Morning Prayer  8 am
Low Mass  8:10 am
Mass with Hymns  10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (15 September)

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Year C)
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-10