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Saint Stephen's Church
in Providence
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News and events for the week of Sunday, July 4 |
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The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
& Independence Day
4 July 20210
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Declaration of Independence (1817), John Trumbull (1756-1843),
United States Capitol Rotunda.
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Readings for this Sunday
Click the readings above for links to the RSV
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Organ: Veni Creator Spiritus, Nicolas de Grigny (1672 - 1703)
- En taille à 5 (Plein jeu)
- Fugue à 5
Mass: Missa Sancta Maria Magdelena, Healey Willan (1880 - 1968)
Organ: Veni Creator Spiritus, de Grigny
- Dialogue sur les grands jeux
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Dear beloved in Christ,
Happy Independence Day! I hope you will find time to celebrate our country's declaration of independence, and enjoy a cookout and some fireworks this weekend.
The Episcopal Church occupies an odd place when it comes to the relationship between Church and State. We are the product of the Church of England in the colonies -- as such we had no problem with an officially sanctioned State Church until the Revolution. There was understandably a crisis for many as they felt compelled to choose between the American cause and their oaths to God and King. Many Anglicans ultimately fled to Canada. Some chose to stay, and though their loyalties were tested and conflicted, were a part of rebuilding the newly-named Episcopal Church after the Revolution.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Episcopal Church was without question a church largely of the establishment and the wealthiest Americans, along with the Presbyterian Church. Though there could be no established national church, the Episcopal Church was more than happy to place itself in that position. One only need look to the building of Washington National Cathedral (officially the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the Diocese of Washington) as an example of the mentality of the time. Though it styles itself as a national cathedral and house of prayer for all people, it is in reality an Episcopal Cathedral with Episcopal clergy using Episcopal liturgies. And yet it fulfills a civic role by making itself available for moments of national importance, most recently the funeral of long time Virginia Senator John Warner last week.
Where am I going with all this? Well, I have long concluded that there is no neat and tidy separation of Church and State; in fact that phrase is found nowhere in the Constitution. It only says that there shall be no established religion (i.e. The Church of England). Our Prayer Book even provides for Independence Day as a feast day to be observed, though it cannot take precedence of a Sunday without the permission of the bishop. The readings appointed for Independence Day are poignant reminders of our own origins as strangers and foreigners in search of a homeland, and our duty to be perfect in love and charity with our neighbor. Our country was not perfect at its founding, and we know that it is far from perfect today. As an example, just look above to John Trumbull's famous painting, Declaration of Independence: though it is certainly accurate, its subjects are all white land-owning men. Even then our country was much more than that, and a portrait today intended to show the full range of American values would be one that reflects the diversity of the American experience for all races, genders, and creeds. We are not perfect, nor what we shall yet be; and yet we keep striving, and we continue to make strides: as Christians, we live in hope that the vision of God's reign is one that can also manifest itself in this country that we love. There is no separating that desire into neat categories of Church and State -- it is simply the one world we've been handed. May we continue to strive, and continue to live in hope that the vision of our founders may one day be true for all our citizens, and for all the peoples of the earth.
Yours, in the love of God and country,
Fr. Benjamin +
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Brownstone Restoration Complete! |
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The brownstone restoration around the main entrance into the church is now complete! You may once again enter the Nave through the George Street doors. Thank you for your patience and flexibility during this weeks-long project. |
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Sunday Livestreams in July |
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With apologies for the late notice, please note that we will not be live-streaming the 10:00 Sung Mass on Sundays this month. We will, however, livestream the 8:00 spoken Morning Prayer & Low Mass from the Lady Chapel. We have had a small crew of dedicated folks handling the livestreams every Sunday for over nine months now, and a break is much deserved! Special thanks go out to Tom Bledsoe, Kate Lester, and Julia Steiny for their help with this new ministry in the past year.
It has also been brought to our attention that there was a glitch in broadcasting Mass this past Sunday. It seems that the WiFi signal on our end dropped, creating an interruption and failure. We are very sorry for the inconvenience.
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Summer Weekday Mass Schedule |
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Please be reminded of the new "Summer Schedule" that went into effect last week. Until after Labor Day, September 6, the following weekday schedule is as follows:
Tuesday - Noonday Prayer and Mass
Thursday -- Noonday Prayer and Mass
Saturday -- 9:30 Morning Prayer, 10:00 Mass
- Holy Rosary on First Saturdays of the Month at 10:30
- Monthly Requiem Mass on Third Saturdays of the month
No liturgies will be celebrated or offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
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Prayers for Independence Day |
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Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant, we beseech thee, that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain these liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lord God Almighty, who hast made all the peoples of the earth for thy glory, to serve thee in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with thy gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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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: Charles Calverley, Sandra Calverley, Lola Campagna, Ruby Campagna, Fr. Norman Catir, Diana Clarke, Sarah Clarke, Ernie Drew, Fr. Harrington Gordon, Joan Gordon, Richard Hogarth, Fr. Jay C. James, Conrad Johnson, Jane Malone, Ann Brooke Mason, Beverly Myers, Rhoda Steinhart, and Christopher Whittingham.
Birthdates: Jack Tessier (7/5), Cailyn Ripley-McNamar (7/10).
The faithful departed: Recently Departed: Frank Pisaturo Sr. Year's mind: Albert S. Cook (7/7), Hamilton Webb (7/7), Marian Higgins (7/10), Harold Ellsworth Decker (7/12).
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for The Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea. In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for this nation; the President of the United States, Congress, the courts, and all others in civil authority.
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This Week at S. Stephen's |
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EVENTS THIS WEEK
Saturday 10 July
Epiphany Soup Kitchen (Meal Pickup Only) 2:30-4 pm
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 4 July
SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Sung Mass 10:00 am
Daily Office and Mass Lectionary
Tuesday 6 July
Feria
Thomas More, Scholar, and John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, Martyrs, 1535
Sexburga, Abbess of Ely, 699
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Thursday 8 July
Feria
Aquila and Priscilla, Companions of Saint Paul, 1st century
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 10 July
Feria
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10 am
Next Sunday 11 July
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Sung Mass 10:00 am
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