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S. Stephen's Church
in Providence
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"Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." (Acts 7:56) |
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THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
'Refreshment Sunday'
14 March 20210
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Anthony van Dyck, The Brazen Serpent, 1618-1620, Museo del Prado.
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THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT (YEAR B)
Psalm 122
Click the readings above for links to the RSV
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Organ: Chorale Paraphrase: Attende Domine, Jeanne Demessieux (1921 - 1968)
Entrance: Lent Prose "Attende Domine"
Mass: Missa in simplicitate, Jean Langlais (1907 - 1991)
Psalm 122, Laetatus sum, Tone II
Organ: Suite Brève, Jean Langlais
"Dialogue sur les mixtures"
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Dear Beloved in Christ,
It was good to see so many of you back in S. Stephen’s this past Sunday. In a way, “Refreshment Sunday” seemed to come a week early this year! Of course, this coming Sunday is in fact Refreshment or “Laetare” Sunday – taken from the opening words of the Introit at Mass – “Rejoice, O Jerusalem.” The Lenten purple gives way to Rose, and the somberness of the Lenten season is lifted for a moment.
In England, it is known as “Mothering Sunday,” owing to the texts of the readings at Mass, which speak of Jerusalem as a joyful mother who nourishes her children. Likewise, some years at mass we hear of God providing manna to nourish the Israelites in the wilderness, and the Gospel reading always reminds us of God’s undying love for us, even while we were yet sinners. In Year A, it is the parable of the Prodigal Son – this year, immediately after Jesus hints at his death and how he must be lifted up, he puts it in the context of God’s love: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” As St. John reminds us, “God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.” (1 John 4:16)
This is something we should take to heart as we proceed through the rest of our Lenten journey and approach Holy Week, which will begin with Jesus’ entry into the Holy City. Jesus himself describes his own mothering kind of love towards the faithful as he approaches: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”
We could not possibly stand to go through the events of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday if we did not know deep down that God's love would ultimately triumph – it would simply be unbearable. It was all for love of us – and that same love sustains us, both in simpler, ordinary times, as well as the more difficult and trying times. God’s love feeds and sustains us, and God provides for us as a mother. Nourished by his Word and Sacraments, we are given all we can every truly need – heavenly manna for our journey. And so, as our Collect for this Sunday will have us pray, “Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him … Amen.”
Faithfully,
Fr. Benjamin+
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This Sunday will mark the beginning of Daylight Saving Time (DST.) Please remember to "spring forward" by setting your clocks forward one-hour on Saturday evening to be on time for Sunday's low mass at 8:00 and sung mass at 10:00. |
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Multiple Parish Lenten Study |
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Four historic Anglo-Catholic parishes (St. Stephen's, St. John's Newport, St. Paul's Brooklyn, St. Thomas' in Toronto) are joining forces to offer a special Wednesdays in Lent series at 7 p.m. each week via Zoom. "The Eucharist in a time of Pandemic: Sacramental Theology for when you cannot receive the Sacrament," continues to run on Wednesday evenings until Wednesday, March 24. Please register for the event at this link: once you register, Zoom information will be sent to you.
If you are interested in recordings of the sessions, please e-mail the office.
Wednesday, 17 March
Reformation Response with Fr. Ogburn & Fr. Humphrey
What lasting insights did the English Reformation impart?
Wednesday, 24 March
Anglo-Catholic Synthesis with Fr. Humphrey & Team Faculty
How does Anglo-Catholic theology and practice promise life in the midst of death?
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On second Sundays of the month, there will be a 9:00 Zoom “Children’s Sermon” and check-in with Fr. Benjamin open to school-age children and their parents, available here.
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Volunteers for Sunday Masses |
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We are seeking people to serve as lectors and camera operators during our Sunday masses. If you are interested and are comfortable being socially distanced in the church with others, please write to the office at office@sstephens.necoxmail.com or by phone at 401.421.6702: training is available. Thank you to all who have and continue to fill these positions. |
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The Stations of the Cross devotion will be observed on Friday of Passiontide, March 26th and on Good Friday, April 2nd. The devotion will begin in the Nave at 5:30 on both dates. |
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Our schedule for Holy Week services is printed below. As of now, all services are being offered in person. Additionally, all services will be streamed live except for the Easter Vigil and 8:00 Sunday Low Masses.
PALM SUNDAY
28 March
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Liturgy of the Palms & Sung Mass 10:00 am
MAUNDY THURSDAY
Liturgy of the Lord's Supper, Footwashing,
Procession to the Altar of Repose, Stripping of the Altars,
Watch before the Altar of Repose
1 April | 7:00 pm
GOOD FRIDAY
Liturgy of the Lord's Passion, Solemn Collects,
Veneration of the Cross, Mass of the Presanctified
2 April | 12:00 noon
EASTER VIGIL
Lighting of the New Fire, the Prophesies,
Blessing of the Baptismal Waters, First Mass of Easter
3 April | 7:00 pm
EASTER SUNDAY
4 April
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Sung Mass 10:00 am
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We will be glad to accept donations for flowers which will adorn the altar and sanctuary on Easter. Special envelopes are being provided at in-person worship the next few Sundays and will be included in a parish mailing as well. You may also simply send a check with the names of those being remembered or honored to the parish office. Your gift and the names of those beloved to you will be included in the Kalendar for Easter Day. Please call the office with any question. |
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You can mail your pledge card or weekly/monthly offering to the church office, or pledge online here. Thank you for all the many ways in which you are already supporting S. Stephen’s.
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Prayers have been requested for: Lola Campagna, Ruby Campagna, Rev. Norman Catir, Diana Clarke, Sarah Clarke, Harrington Gordon, Joan Gordon, Barbara Hartford, Rev. Jay C. James, Conrad Johnson, Ann Brooke Mason, Beverly Myers, Rhoda Steinhart, Crystal Sylver, and Christopher Whittingham.
Birthdays this week: Thomas Wells (3/14), Jon Berberien (3/18).
The faithful departed: Recently Departed: Mary M. Henry. Year's mind: Eleanor Retallick (3/15), Betty Louise Claunch (3/18), Edna Brazil (3/19), Tracey Barnes (3/19), Lucy T. Gregory (3/20).
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer: In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Iglesia Anglicana de Chile. In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for Episcopal Charities and the ministries and agencies the fund supports.
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This Week at St. Stephen's |
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EVENTS THIS WEEK
Wednesday 17 March
"The Eucharist in a time of Pandemic: Multi-Parish Lenten Study"
7 pm
Saturday 20 March
Epiphany Soup Kitchen (Meal Pickup Only) 2:30-4 pm
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 14 March
THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Children's Sermon 9:00 am
Sung Mass 10:00 am
Daily Office and Mass Lectionary
Monday 15 March
Monday in the fourth week of Lent
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm
Tuesday 16 March
Tuesday in the fourth week of Lent
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Wednesday 17 March
Patrick, Bishop of Armagh, Patron of Ireland, c. 460
Sung Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Thursday 18 March
Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem, 386
Edward, King and Martyr, 978
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Friday 19 March
SAINT JOSEPH
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 20 March
Cuthbert, Bishop of Lindisfarne, Missionary, 687
Thomas Ken, Bishop of Bath and Wells, 1711
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Requiem Mass, Guild of All Souls 10:00 am
Next Sunday
THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT:
the beginning of Passiontide
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Sung Mass 10:00 am
Zoom Coffee Hour 11:30 am
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