PARISH NOTES
Sunday 21 June 2020
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| The Last Judgment Polyptych (between 1446 and 1452) by Rogier van der Weyden (1399/1400-1464). Oil on panel. Hospices de Beaune, Beaune, France. |
THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
Jeremiah 20:7-13
Psalm 69:7-19
Romans 6:1b-11
Matthew 10:24-39
THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC
Jonathan Battishill (1738 – 1801)—Voluntary in B flatDr. Maurice Greene (1696 – 1755)—Voluntary in A
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.
A WORD FROM FATHER LOCKE
In an unplanned alignment of the readings for Sunday (the Epistle is its own reading, not intentionally connected to the other two) we are reminded of the way in which our faith in God captures and changes our lives. Jeremiah laments that God has lured him in and now he’s stuck, a “burning fire shut up in my bones” if he tries not to speak the word of God. Paul proclaims we have been baptized into nothing less than the death and resurrection of Jesus, which lets us “walk in newness of life”. Being a disciple, says Jesus in Matthew’s gospel, reprioritizes all relationships and enables us to find true life.
No vague notion here of being a better person because of being a Christian. Rather, following Christ claims our entire life and reorients us in love and sacrifice to God and to others. “Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ saith…”
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Virtual Offices and Masses – To access and view the LIVE (and archived) services, please visit the parish Facebook page here (you do not need a FB account to tune in). To access accompanying Daily Office and Low Mass readings and resources (as well as archived services), please visit the parish website sermon page here.
Virtual Coffee Hour – Please join us for our Virtual Sunday Coffee Hour tomorrow, 21 June, at 11:30 am. To attend, please click here. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact Junior Warden Alison Huff via call or text at 401-465-8029 or email (alisonhuff12@gmail.com), or Jacob Ihnen via call or text at 712-348-5848 or email (jacob_ihnen@alumni.brown.edu). Thank you!
An Update About Easing Restrictions – While the Governor has issued permission for reopening churches to the public, we are intentionally going slowly for safety’s sake, following Bishop Knisely’s counsel. The participants you see at our online Masses may if they wish receive Holy Communion with the Priest/Celebrant. The Interim Rector, Wardens, and Vestry are beginning to make plans for reinstating in-person worship once the state moves to Phase III. A notice will be out soon with the details.
A Blessing for Father’s Day (21 June) – For our fathers, who have given us life and love, that we may show them respect and love, we pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
For fathers who have lost a child through death, that their faith may give them hope, and their family and friends support and console them, we pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
For fathers who have died, that God may bring them into the joy of his kingdom, we pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
God our Father, in your wisdom and love you made all things. Bless these men, that they may be strengthened as Christian fathers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
– taken from the Book of Blessings (1989)
The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist [Patron of the Cathedral and Diocese of Rhode Island] (24 June) – a major feast day of the church year, will be celebrated this coming Wednesday with Virtual Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm and Virtual Low Mass at 6 pm.
Recurring Email Scam – It has been brought to our attention that a common scam has returned where an email sent from someone claiming to be our priest asks for a favor. Please do not respond to this email if you receive it. For more information on this scam and how to report it, please see this article from the Federal Trade Commission.
Concerning Pledges and the Sunday Offering – A key worry in this time of physical distancing is that our inability to gather as a church damages our income. We have heard nothing from the public health authorities about the risks of virus transmission through the mail, so feel free to mail your check to the church. Alternatively, it is quite straightforward to give online by clicking here to visit S. Stephen’s online giving page, where you can use the payment portal week by week or set up a recurring direct deposit program with your bank. We are grateful for your generous response to our appeal for pledges in this transition year. Now the challenge is for us to receive and collect these pledges. We don’t know how long this period of physical distancing will have to last. If you are experiencing financial difficulties which hurt your ability to keep a pledge you made before this crisis of the coronavirus, please do not hesitate to let us know. Thank you for your love of S. Stephen’s.
FOR YOUR PRAYERS
Prayers have been requested for: Virginia, Richard, Beverly, Patti, Eli, Terry, Ethel, Chipper, Donna, Carl, Kade, Sherri, Charles, Sandra, Lola, Ruby, Norman, John, Diana, Sarah, Shannah, Lynne, Gus, Harrington, Joan, Robyn, Sandy, John, Dylan, Phebe, Jack, Hunter, Bruce, Richard, Ann, Beth, Sandy, Nancy, Antonio, Emma, Olivia, Raphael, Kiersten, Katie, Beverly, Tom, Gail, Deborah, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Susan, Beverly, Empy, Carlos, Rhoda, William, Crystal, Roger, Louis, and Christopher.
Anniversary of Ordination to Sacred Diaconate: Fr. Harrington M. Gordon (6/24/55).
Birthdays this week: Betsy Dake (Tuesday 6/23), Julia Steiny (Wednesday 6/24), and Louis Verdelotti (Friday 6/26).
The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Mama Kelly (21 June 2019), Terry Wilkes (22 June 1999), Anna Leocadia Baronie (22 June 1974), Dorothy Van Slyck Eagles (23 June 1997), Alfreida Louise Moore (24 June 1996), Mortimer G. Hitt, Priest (25 June 1994). Recently Departed: Maxine Faith (Troyer) Bontrager (6/7/2020).
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion): The Most Rev’d Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, Metropolitan & Primate of all Nigeria & Bishop of Abuja; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the campers, counselors and staff of the Episcopal Conference Center as they cope with the limited ability to gather this year.
THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Saturday 27 June
Epiphany Soup Kitchen (Meal Pickup Only) 2:30-4:30 pm
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
* ALL IN-PERSON SUNDAY AND WEEKDAY SERVICES LIMITED TO 5 PEOPLE TOTAL
* ALL SERVICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT RESTRICTIONS
Sunday 21 June
THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Virtual Low Mass 10 am
Daily Office and Mass Lectionary: Proper 7, Year Two
Monday 22 June
FERIA (G)
Alban, First Martyr in Britain, c. 304
Paulinus, Bishop of Nola, 431
Thomas More, Scholar, and John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, Martyrs, 1535
Virtual Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Virtual Low Mass 6 pm
Tuesday 23 June
FERIA (G)
Etheldreda, Abbess of Ely, c. 678
Virtual Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Virtual Low Mass 12:10 pm
Wednesday 24 June
THE NATIVITY OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST [PATRON OF THE CATHEDRAL AND DIOCESE OF RHODE ISLAND] (W)
Virtual Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Virtual Low Mass 6 pm
Thursday 25 June
FERIA (G)
Virtual Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Virtual Low Mass 12:10 pm
Friday 26 June
FERIA (G)
John and Paul, Martyrs at Rome, c. 362
Virtual Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Virtual Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 27 June
FERIA (G)
Cyril, Bishop of Alexandria, 444
Virtual Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Virtual Low Mass 10 am
Sunday 28 June
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Virtual Low Mass 10 am
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (28 June)
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (Year A)
Jeremiah 28:5-9
Psalm 89:1-4, 14-17
Romans 6:12-23
