PARISH NOTES
Sunday 6 September 2020
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| Saint Paul Writing His Epistles (between c. 1618 and c. 1620) by Valentin de Boulogne (1591-1632). Oil on canvas. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX. |
THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
Ezekiel 33:7-11
Psalm 119:33-40
Romans 13:8-14
Matthew 18:15-20
THIS SUNDAY’S MUSIC
J. S. Bach (1685 – 1750)—Sonata IV in E-moll, BWV 528: 2. Andante Plainchant—Missa IX (Cum Jubilo)
J. S. Bach—Allabreve in D, BWV 589
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 BENJAMIN
Instead of reflecting on this Sunday’s Gospel reading, I’d like to look ahead to the following day, which is Labor Day.
One of the delightful things about our Book of Common Prayer is the rich variety of collects and prayers it provides for all sorts of occasions in both our personal, church, and national life. It is truly an “American” Prayer Book. It even provides a collect for Labor Day, found on pages 210 or 261.
Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
While many of us will be enjoying a day off and the official “last day of summer,” for many the ability to find work and support their families has been a considerable strain and uncertainty these past several months. I ask that you take the time to lift up in prayer all those in our city, state, and country that are currently seeking meaningful employment, as well as give thanks for all those whose labor makes our lives and economy possible, particularly in these times: for doctors, nurses, health care workers, utility company workers, trash collectors, reporters, teachers, bus drivers, janitorial staff, road repair crews … I could go on and on.
May we continue to labor for the common good of all, and remember that all we have ultimately comes from God, to whom we return the sum of our life and labor in every Eucharistic celebration. May we always remember to build upon the foundation that is Christ, the true cornerstone.
Blessings,
Fr. Benjamin+
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Welcome Back! – We’re delighted to be able to see you again this coming 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 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 Update – There will be no Coffee Hour this Sunday, as it is a holiday weekend. Further, the new schedule of virtual coffee hour will be every other Sunday. Therefore, please join us for Virtual Sunday Coffee Hour next Sunday, 13 September, at 11:30 am. (Please note there will be a new link next Sunday and this will remain the link for coffee hour going forward.) If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact Fr. Benjamin Straley at rector@sstephens.necoxmail.com. Thank you!
College Ministry – Welcome to all new and returning students! The Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD (EMBR) is still preparing for this Fall and will kick off soon. Once we resume our programming, all undergraduate and graduate students will be most welcome and invited to attend.
Labor Day (7 September) – as on all Federal Public Holidays, Low Mass this coming Monday will be offered at 10 am, preceded by Morning Prayer at 9:30 am.
The Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary (8 September) – a major feast of the church year, will be kept this coming Tuesday with Noonday Prayer at 12 pm, followed by Low Mass at 12:10 pm.
Vestry Meeting – The Vestry will virtually conduct its monthly meeting this coming Tuesday, 8 September, at 7 pm.
Meet the Rector! – Please join us for one of our upcoming small group Zoom meetings with Father Benjamin! The next meetings are scheduled for Wednesday 9/9 at 2 pm and Monday 9/14 at 7 pm. Contact Alison Huff at 401-465-8029 or alisonhuff12@gmail.com to join either event or to host one of your own!
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.
FOR YOUR PRAYERS
The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Alan Peter Maynard, Priest (7 September 2006), Mary J. Seamans (10 September 1987), and Michele Leighton (11 September 2009). Recently Departed: Steven Peay, Priest.
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Anglican Church of Southern Africa: The Most Rev’d Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Capetown and Primate of Southern Africa; in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for a blessing upon all human labor and for those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work.
THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S
PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS
Tuesday 8 September
Vestry Meeting 7 pm
Wednesday 9 September
Meet the Rector Small Group Meeting 2 pm
EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Saturday 12 September
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 6 September
FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Sung Mass 10 am
Daily Office and Mass Lectionary: Proper 18, Year Two
Monday 7 September
FERIA (G)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10 am
Tuesday 8 September
THE BIRTH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (Blue)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Wednesday 9 September
Constance, Nun, and Companions, 1878 (R)
Charles Fuge Lowder, Priest, Founder of the Society of the Holy Cross, 1880
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Thursday 10 September
FERIA (G)
Finnian, Abbot of Moville, 589
Alexander Crummell, Priest, 1898
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Friday 11 September
FERIA (G)
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 12 September
John Henry Hobart, Bishop of New York, 1830 (W)
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10 am
Sunday 13 September
FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (G)
Sung Mass 10 am
NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (13 September)
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Year A)
Genesis 50:15-21
Psalm 103:8-13
Romans 14:1-12
Matthew 18:21-35
