PARISH NOTES
Sunday 12 July 2020
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| The Sower (Sower at Sunset) (1888) by Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890). Oil on canvas. Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, Netherlands. |
THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
Isaiah 55:10-13
Psalm 65:9-14
Romans 8:1-11
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC
Percy Whitlock (1903 – 1946)—Five Pieces: II. Folk TunePercy Whitlock—Toccata
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
Our Gospel reading today gives us two for the price of one – a parable from Jesus, and a reflection on and application of that parable from the early Church.
The parables of Jesus in their purest form were brief word pictures, pointing to a single, often surprising, point. They frequently seem to have come in response to some objection or opposition. In this case, perhaps, “Where is this wonderful Kingdom of God of which you continually speak? We don’t see much evidence of it.” To which Jesus responds that the seeds are being sown, even in unlikely places, and while some will never take, there in fact will be an amazing harvest.
The Church in turn reflected on that story over the decades and applied it to itself. What kind of soil are we, am I caught up in the cares of the world, is the evil one at work in our midst…? Good questions for our own reflection and ongoing spiritual growth. And let us not forget that initial power of the Kingdom, ready to spring up, even in the most unexpected of ways.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Welcome Back! – We’re delighted to be able to see you again this Sunday! While we continue to gather again, this privilege comes with it some protocols to keep us all safe. A summary of the safety protocols may be found here.
Virtual Offices and Masses – We will continue to offer Virtual Offices and Masses for those who wish to continue to participate safely from home. 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 this Sunday, 12 July, 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!
Monthly Commemoration of the Departed – whose year’s mind falls during July will be offered in person and virtually this coming Saturday, 18 July, 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!
Episcopal Conference Center (ECC) Offerings this Summer – ECC is excited to offer you some (safe, physically distant) opportunities to be at ECC this summer. Details of their limited offerings can be found at their website here.
Concerning Pledges and the Sunday Offering – A key worry in this time of physical distancing is that our inability to fully 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: Beverly, Patti, Ethel, Carl, Kade, Sherri, Charles, Sandra, Lola, Ruby, Norman, Diana, Sarah, Shannah, Lynne, Harrington, Joan, Robyn, Phebe, Hunter, Ann, Beth, Sandy, Kiersten, Beverly, Tom, Jill, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Susan, Beverly, Kevin, Rhoda, Crystal, and Christopher.
Birthdays this week: Laura Rejto (Wednesday 7/15), Emese Benziger (Thursday 7/16), and Luke Tessier (Friday 7/17).
The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Harold Ellsworth Decker (12 July 2014) and John Austin MacIntyre, Sr. (16 July 1992). Recently Departed: Eric Westby.
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea: The Most Rev’d Allan Migi, Archbishop of Papua New Guinea; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the Congregational Development Commission and those in the Diocese who work to support our congregations.
THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S
PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS
Saturday 18 July
Guild of All Souls 10 am (Lady Chapel)
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Saturday 18 July
Epiphany Soup Kitchen (Meal Pickup Only) 2:30-4:30 pm
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
* REGATHERING HAS RESUMED FOR IN-PERSON SERVICES ON SUNDAYS (80 PEOPLE TOTAL) AND WEEKDAYS (14 PEOPLE TOTAL)
* ALL ATTENDEES MUST ADHERE TO WRITTEN AND VERBAL PROTOCOLS TO ATTEND
Sunday 12 July
SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Sung Mass 10 am
Daily Office and Mass Lectionary: Proper 10, Year Two
Monday 13 July
FERIA (G)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Tuesday 14 July
FERIA (G)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Wednesday 15 July
FERIA (G)
Bonaventure, Friar, Bishop, Teacher, 1274
Swithun, Bishop of Winchester, c. 862
Vladimir of Kiev, first Christian ruler in Russia, 1015
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Thursday 16 July
FERIA (G)
Osmund, Bishop of Salisbury, 1099
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Patron of the State of Rhode Island
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Friday 17 July
FERIA (G)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 18 July
FERIA
Elizabeth Ferrard, Founder of the Community of Saint Andrew, 1883
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Requiem Mass 10 am (Black)
Sunday 19 July
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Sung Mass 10 am
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (19 July)
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (Year A)
Isaiah 44:6-8
Psalm 86:11-17
Romans 8:12-25
