PARISH NOTES 

Sunday 9 August 2020

Jesus walking on the Sea of Galilee (1590s) by Paul Brill (c. 1553/1554-1626) and Frederik van Valckenborch (1566-1623). Oil on canvas. Museum of John Paul II Collection, Warsaw, Poland.

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS 

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost (Year A)
1 Kings 19:9-18
Psalm 85:8-13
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33

THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC

Erik Satie (1866 – 1925)—Messe des Pauvres: Prière pour le salut de mon âme

Plainchant—Missa XI (Orbis factor)

Paul Dukas (1865 – 1935)—Fanfare

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

The disciples in this Sunday’s Gospel reading find themselves struggling against the wind. It’s not an unexpected storm, nor are they doing something wrong. In fact, Jesus has told them to be in the boat on the lake. Sometimes life brings a headwind and we struggle. There is double good news in today’s story. On the one hand, Jesus is that loving, good shepherd who comes to his disciples in their time of need, willing to calm the wind and the waves. On the other hand, Jesus comes with the power and the authority to do just that. Who is able to do such a thing? None other than the Lord of creation. And so, “those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome Back! – We’re delighted to be able to see you again this Sunday! While we continue to gather again, this privilege brings 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 tomorrow, 9 August, 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!

Welcome Father Straley! –

• First Mass Sunday 16 August – Fr. Straley will celebrate his first mass at S. Stephen's on Sunday the 16th, at which time we will formally celebrate the Feast of the Assumption (transferred). Please join us in person or on Facebook!

• Meet the Rector – Volunteers are needed to host a series of small group gatherings of 5 or so either in person or by Zoom. If you are interested in hosting, please contact Joy or Alison.

Flowers – at the High Altar this Sunday are given by the Altar Guild to the glory of God and in loving memory of C. Jane Latham, loyal parishioner and tireless worker of the Altar Guild.

Vestry Meeting – The Vestry will virtually conduct its monthly meeting this coming Tuesday, 11 August, at 7 pm.

Concerning Pledges and the Sunday Offering – Thank you to all who have been so faithful in maintaining your financial support of S. Stephen’s during this pandemic. As some are able to return to in-person worship while others understandably need to stay home, there are three ways to continue your giving to S. Stephen’s:

• There is an offering plate in the back of the church where you may leave your offering.
• Offerings can be sent to the church office through the mail.
• You can give online by clicking here. Please contact us if you need assistance.

Again, thank you to all who have been so supportive.

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, Jay, Ann, Beth, Sandy, Kiersten, Beverly, Tom, Jill, Bryan, Angela, Bobby, Susan, Beverly, Rhoda, Crystal, and Christopher.

Birthdays this week: Cathy Bledsoe (Wednesday 8/12) and Pat Fuller (Saturday 8/15).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Frances Cecilia Lawton (9 August 1983), J. Thomas Kershaw (14 August 2001), C. Jane Latham (14 August 2016), Myra F. Craven (15 August 1985), Dolly Elliott (15 August 2018), Naomi Lane Babson Grieder (15 August 1985), and Domenic Fasano (15 August 1984).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Province de L'Eglise Anglicane au Rwanda: The Most Rev’d Laurent Mbanda, Archbishop of L'Eglise Episcopal au Rwanda & Bishop of Shyira; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the people and clergy of St. Mary's, Portsmouth; St. Mary's, East Providence; and for the leadership, staff, and students of St. Mary's Home for Children.

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Tuesday 11 August
Vestry Meeting  7 pm

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Saturday 15 August
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 9 August
TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Sung Mass  10 am

Daily Office and Mass Lectionary: Proper 14, Year Two

Monday 10 August
Lawrence, Deacon at Rome, Martyr, 258 (R)
Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

Tuesday 11 August
Claire of Assisi, Founder of the Minoresses (Poor Clares), 1253 (W)
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Wednesday 12 August
FERIA (G)
Hippolytus, Priest, Teacher, Martyr at Rome, 235
Evening Prayer  5:30 pm
Low Mass  6 pm

Thursday 13 August
FERIA (G)
Jeremy Taylor, Bishop of Down and Connor, Teacher, 1667
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Friday 14 August
FERIA (G)
Maximilian Kolbe, Friar, Martyr, 1941
Jonathan Myrick Daniels, Seminarian, Civil Rights Worker, Martyr, 1965
Noonday Prayer  12 noon
Low Mass  12:10 pm

Saturday 15 August
Votive Mass of Mary (Blue)
Morning Prayer  9:30 am
Low Mass  10 am

Sunday 16 August
ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (transferred) (Blue)
Sung Mass 10 am

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (16 August)

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Isaiah 61:10-11
Psalm 34:1-9
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 1:46-55