PARISH NOTES
Sunday 12 January 2020
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| The Baptism of Christ (c. 1508/1519) by Juan de Flandes (1450-1519). Oil on panel. National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. |
THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
Isaiah 42:1-9
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 3:13-17
THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC
J. S. Bach (1685–1750)—Praeludium in B minor, BWV 544
Gregorio Allegri (1582–1652)—Missa Che fa oggi il mio sol
Richard Massey (1798–1893)—Anglican Chant: Psalm 89:21-30
Morten Lauridsen (b. 1943)—O nata lux
J. S. Bach—Fuga in B minor, BWV 544
A WORD OF WELCOME
Welcome to Saint Stephen’s – S. Stephen’s Church is in the midst of Brown University and serves the communities of the East Side of Providence, North Providence, East Providence, and beyond. It is a parish of the Diocese of Rhode Island in the Episcopal Church in the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Anglo-Catholic tradition informs and shapes our life together. We are a diverse community uniting all sorts and conditions in the worship of Our Lord Jesus Christ and aim to offer up the best we have in liturgy, music, preaching, teaching, fellowship, and service. Visitors and guests are always welcome! If you attend S. Stephen’s on any given Sunday, please join us for Coffee Hour following the 8 am Mass in the Narthex and following the 10 am Mass in the Great Hall upstairs. If you have any questions or special needs before or during the service, please speak to one of the ushers, who will be glad to assist you. We look forward to meeting you!
Joining us with small children? – We are so glad you will be here! Our Sunday School program and nursery are available throughout the program year ten minutes before and during the 10 am Mass, and the ushers will be happy to direct you.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
My S. Stephen’s Ministry: Peter Gibson – I’ve been part of S. Stephen’s since 1977 when I was hired to sing as a soloist at Christmas Midnight Mass, and later as Cantor. I’ve also served as a vestryman and as Assistant Treasurer. Singing in choir, though is my main ministry. But I have to confess, even in my forty-third year as a choirman, that S. Stephen’s has ministered more to me than I to her. When I first began, I was a terrible scoffer: a godless mercenary here only for the music and the money. A wonderful thing happened, though: try as I might to resist, the Holy Spirit was able to grab hold of me because of this place, and I was given the gift of faith restored.
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| Peter Gibson |
Milestone: Randall Family – Alissa and Grant Randall welcomed Juniper Lucia Randall into the world at 4 pm on 13 December. She was born 7 lbs 2 oz in perfect health with an ideal delivery. Her family is happy to have her, a Christmas joy, at home warming our hearts and arms in the harsh winter. Her brother Elliott is adjusting to being a new big brother; any time you see him, feel free to encourage him and give a few pointers. The family thanks S. Stephen's for being a rock of support as they take on this new challenge. Please join us in welcoming Juniper to the church family!
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| Juniper |
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| Juniper and Elliott |
Milestone: Andrew Campbell – Parishioner Andrew Campbell, Dean of the Graduate School at Brown University, was recently selected to serve as the future chair of the board of directors for the Council of Graduate Schools. The full News from Brown article can be found here. Please join us in congratulating Andrew on his professional accomplishment!
Vestry Meeting – The Vestry will conduct its monthly meeting this coming Tuesday, 14 January, at 7 pm in the Parish Library.
The Confession of Saint Peter the Apostle (January 18th) – a major feast day of the church year, will be celebrated next Saturday, 18 January, with Morning Prayer at 9:30 am and Low Mass at 10 am.
Monthly Commemoration of the Departed – whose year’s mind falls during January will be offered next Saturday, 18 January, 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 Nancy Gingrich know. This Mass is sponsored by the Guild of All Souls, St. Stephen Protomartyr Branch: all are welcome and invited to attend!
Annual Meeting – The 182nd Annual Meeting of the parish will take place on 2 February 2020. All are welcome and invited to attend, although only active adult parishioners in good standing may vote. (If you have questions about your status as a parishioner, please ask Jacob Ihnen. According to the canons of the Episcopal Church adults are 16 years old and older.) If you are the chair of a committee or in charge of a ministry, please submit your reports for the prior year to Jacob Ihnen at communications@sstephens.necoxmail.com. Thank you!
Nominations Committee – The following is the list of candidates who have agreed to be nominated for election at the Annual Parish Meeting on 2 February 2020:
Prayers have been requested for: Virginia, Richard, Beverly, Maxcine, Ethel, Carl, Kade, Sherri, Norman, John, Shannah, Terri, Beth, Lynne, Gus, Harrington, Joan, Robyn, Sandy, John, Phebe, Jack, Hunter, Bruce, Richard, Ann, Sandy, Antonio, Emma, Olivia, Raphael, Kiersten, Katie, Beverly, Tom, Gail, Deborah, Tree, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Beverly, Elizabeth, Carlos, Rhoda, William, Crystal, Roger, Christopher, Beth, Sarah, Diana, Ruby, and Lola.
Birthdays this week: Jason Connell (Monday 1/13).
The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Harry Johnson (12 January 2007), Mary Ann Wiggins (12 January 2013), and Florence T. Bustamante (14 January 2019). Recently Departed: Wayne Zoutendam.
Prayer for the Rector Search: Almighty and everlasting God, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift, mercifully hear the supplications of thy servants, and grant unto this parish all things that are needful for its spiritual welfare. Enlighten and guide our search for a priest to serve as our rector, and bring all of us to be of one heart and mind within the fold of thy holy church, to the honor and glory of thy Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Anglican Church of Australia: The Most Rev’d Philip Leslie Freier, Archbishop of Melbourne & Primate of Australia; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the newly baptized, and for all who share in the Baptism of our Lord.
We pray with our brothers and sisters in Australia: Lord of all days and years, and time and eternity, you made this land and have blessed us with its riches and beauty. You are a refuge to all who seek your shelter, our strong defense in trial and tribulation. Send rain we pray to extinguish flames and heal our land. Mercifully protect life and property. Give help and hope to our neighbors assailed by fire. Comfort and provide for those who grieve. Uphold those who suffer loss, give peace and hope to those bewildered and broken-hearted. We thank you for men and women of courage and selflessness. We thank you for brave communities of care and support, we thank you for those who share your comfort and hope, we thank you for those at a distance giving and praying. Lord, you sent your Son so that we would know your power to save, your presence with your people in this world of turmoil, and your promise to renew the whole creation. Turn our hearts to you, that we may have faith for this day and hope for eternity. We ask in Jesus' name. Amen. (A prayer written by the Dean of St Andrew’s Cathedral: The Very Reverend Kanishka Raffel)
Acolytes – MC R Noble, SD J Ihnen, Th J Starks, Cr L Verdelotti
Lector at 8 am – J Leonard
Lector at 10 am – J Steiny
Ushers – Alison Huff and Patricia Barnes
Coffee Hour – Karl and Klara Benziger
PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS
Tuesday 14 January
Vestry Meeting 7 pm (Library)
Saturday 18 January
Guild of All Souls 10 am (Lady Chapel)
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Tuesday 14 January
Al-Anon Meeting 12:10 pm (Great Hall)
Saturday 18 January
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm (Great Hall)
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 12 January
THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY: THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Daily Mass and Office Lectionary: Week of Epiphany I, Year Two
Monday 13 January
Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, 367 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Tuesday 14 January
FERIA (G)
Kentigern (Mungo), Bishop, Missionary in Galloway, Founder of Glasgow, 612
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Wednesday 15 January
FERIA (G)
Paul of Thebes, First Hermit, c. 345
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Thursday 16 January
FERIA (G)
Richard Meux Benson, Monk, Founder of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist, 1915
Charles Gore, Bishop, Teacher, Founder of the Community of the Resurrection, 1932
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 noon
Friday 17 January
Anthony, Abbot in Egypt, 356 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 18 January
THE CONFESSION OF SAINT PETER THE APOSTLE (R)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass with Commemoration of January Departed 10 am
Sunday 19 January
THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY (G)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (19 January)
Second Sunday after the Epiphany (Year A)
Isaiah 49:1-7
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Vestry Meeting – The Vestry will conduct its monthly meeting this coming Tuesday, 14 January, at 7 pm in the Parish Library.
The Confession of Saint Peter the Apostle (January 18th) – a major feast day of the church year, will be celebrated next Saturday, 18 January, with Morning Prayer at 9:30 am and Low Mass at 10 am.
Monthly Commemoration of the Departed – whose year’s mind falls during January will be offered next Saturday, 18 January, 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 Nancy Gingrich know. This Mass is sponsored by the Guild of All Souls, St. Stephen Protomartyr Branch: all are welcome and invited to attend!
Annual Meeting – The 182nd Annual Meeting of the parish will take place on 2 February 2020. All are welcome and invited to attend, although only active adult parishioners in good standing may vote. (If you have questions about your status as a parishioner, please ask Jacob Ihnen. According to the canons of the Episcopal Church adults are 16 years old and older.) If you are the chair of a committee or in charge of a ministry, please submit your reports for the prior year to Jacob Ihnen at communications@sstephens.necoxmail.com. Thank you!
Nominations Committee – The following is the list of candidates who have agreed to be nominated for election at the Annual Parish Meeting on 2 February 2020:
- One Vestry Member for a one-year term (expires 2021)-Lynne deBenedette
- Clerk of the Vestry (one-year term) – Molly Ellis
- Treasurer (one-year term) – Muriel Jobbers
- Two Diocesan Convention Delegates (one-year term)-Jacob Ihnen, Rhoda Steinhart
- Two Diocesan Convention Alternates (one-year term)-Richard Noble, Cathy Bledsoe
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, Robyn, Sandy, John, Phebe, Jack, Hunter, Bruce, Richard, Ann, Sandy, Antonio, Emma, Olivia, Raphael, Kiersten, Katie, Beverly, Tom, Gail, Deborah, Tree, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Beverly, Elizabeth, Carlos, Rhoda, William, Crystal, Roger, Christopher, Beth, Sarah, Diana, Ruby, and Lola.
Birthdays this week: Jason Connell (Monday 1/13).
The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Harry Johnson (12 January 2007), Mary Ann Wiggins (12 January 2013), and Florence T. Bustamante (14 January 2019). Recently Departed: Wayne Zoutendam.
Prayer for the Rector Search: Almighty and everlasting God, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift, mercifully hear the supplications of thy servants, and grant unto this parish all things that are needful for its spiritual welfare. Enlighten and guide our search for a priest to serve as our rector, and bring all of us to be of one heart and mind within the fold of thy holy church, to the honor and glory of thy Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Anglican Church of Australia: The Most Rev’d Philip Leslie Freier, Archbishop of Melbourne & Primate of Australia; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the newly baptized, and for all who share in the Baptism of our Lord.
We pray with our brothers and sisters in Australia: Lord of all days and years, and time and eternity, you made this land and have blessed us with its riches and beauty. You are a refuge to all who seek your shelter, our strong defense in trial and tribulation. Send rain we pray to extinguish flames and heal our land. Mercifully protect life and property. Give help and hope to our neighbors assailed by fire. Comfort and provide for those who grieve. Uphold those who suffer loss, give peace and hope to those bewildered and broken-hearted. We thank you for men and women of courage and selflessness. We thank you for brave communities of care and support, we thank you for those who share your comfort and hope, we thank you for those at a distance giving and praying. Lord, you sent your Son so that we would know your power to save, your presence with your people in this world of turmoil, and your promise to renew the whole creation. Turn our hearts to you, that we may have faith for this day and hope for eternity. We ask in Jesus' name. Amen. (A prayer written by the Dean of St Andrew’s Cathedral: The Very Reverend Kanishka Raffel)
THE SUNDAY ROTA
Acolytes – MC R Noble, SD J Ihnen, Th J Starks, Cr L Verdelotti
Lector at 8 am – J Leonard
Lector at 10 am – J Steiny
Ushers – Alison Huff and Patricia Barnes
Coffee Hour – Karl and Klara Benziger
THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S
PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS
Tuesday 14 January
Vestry Meeting 7 pm (Library)
Saturday 18 January
Guild of All Souls 10 am (Lady Chapel)
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Tuesday 14 January
Al-Anon Meeting 12:10 pm (Great Hall)
Saturday 18 January
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm (Great Hall)
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 12 January
THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY: THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (W)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Daily Mass and Office Lectionary: Week of Epiphany I, Year Two
Monday 13 January
Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, 367 (W)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Tuesday 14 January
FERIA (G)
Kentigern (Mungo), Bishop, Missionary in Galloway, Founder of Glasgow, 612
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Wednesday 15 January
FERIA (G)
Paul of Thebes, First Hermit, c. 345
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Thursday 16 January
FERIA (G)
Richard Meux Benson, Monk, Founder of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist, 1915
Charles Gore, Bishop, Teacher, Founder of the Community of the Resurrection, 1932
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 noon
Friday 17 January
Anthony, Abbot in Egypt, 356 (W)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 18 January
THE CONFESSION OF SAINT PETER THE APOSTLE (R)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass with Commemoration of January Departed 10 am
Sunday 19 January
THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY (G)
Morning Prayer 8 am
Low Mass 8:10 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (19 January)
Second Sunday after the Epiphany (Year A)
Isaiah 49:1-7
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
