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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 THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
24 January 20210
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THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY (Year B)
Click the readings above for links to the RSV
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Organ: Sonata no. 1 in F minor, op. 65, Allegro Moderato e serioso, Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847)
Mass: Messe in F, op. 62 (Missa puerorum), Josef Rheinberger (1839 - 1901)
Psalm 130, De Profundis, Tone IV
Organ: Sonata no. 1 in F minor, op. 65: Allegro assai vivace, Mendelssohn
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Dear beloved in Christ,
On Christmas Eve, we gathered in the darkness of the night in the shortest days of the year to welcome the Light of the World into our midst. Even though Christmas is only 12 Days properly, there is in a way an extended liturgical celebration of Christ as the Light that persists through Epiphany and reaches its conclusion 40 days later on February 2nd, the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. On this occasion, aged Simeon praised God saying that he could finally depart his long life in peace, knowing that he had finally seen the promised Savior, who would be a “Light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”
It became the tradition of the Church on this date to bless candles that would be used in church and in the homes of the faithful in the coming year, and so February 2nd came to be known as “Candlemas” (like Christmas). Some of you will have fond memories of candlelight-filled processions and liturgies from years past at S. Stephen’s. Sadly, we will not be able to gather in-person by that time this year. However, as with Lessons & Carols in December, there are other ways to mark the occasion.
I am asking those of you with smart phones (most of you!) to please take a selfie with a lit candle, or some image of a candle or source of light (creativity has no limits!) from your homes and email them to communications@sstephens.necoxmail.com We will use these images as part of a photo montage that will be part of a video for Candlemas that we will release on February 2nd. (Please submit photos in the next several days – it only takes a second to take a picture!)
As we enter the long final stretch of this pandemic, and the daily death tolls have begun to reach their peak, we need to remember now more than ever what we proclaimed at Christmas: that the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness could not, cannot, and will not overcome it. The Light of Christ shines brighter than any other light, and we are called to manifest that same light in our own lives. As we endure more weeks of physical separation from corporate worship, let us together remember that the Light of Christ shines within each of us, and that we can keep it kindled until we are able to come together once again, and let our Light shine even more brightly together.
God bless you and keep you.
Yours in the Light of our Savior Christ,
Fr. Benjamin +
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The Nominations Committee respectfully submits the following names for election by the church membership at our annual meeting on January 31st, 2021:
Vestry class of 2023 - Karl Benziger, Louis Verdolotti; Vestry class of 2024 - Leana Hooks, Lynne deBenedette; Convention Delegates 2021 - Rhoda Steinhart, Richard Noble; Convention Alternates 2021 - Cathy Bledsoe, Nancy Gingrich. Our By-laws allow for the potential of additional nominations by church members. Please contact Alison Huff at alisonhuff12@gmail.com or 401-576-8029 for more information.
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What is Anglo-Catholicism? |
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S. Stephen’s continues its series of hour-long discussions the next two Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM, in which we explore our theological and liturgical heritage as Anglo-Catholic Episcopalians. In addition to January 27th, and February 3rd,we are asking that folks also hold February 10th as an option for meeting as well.
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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," will begin on Wednesday, February 24 and run for five sessions through Wednesday, March 24.
Wednesday, 24 February
Foundations in Scripture with Fr. D'Angelo & John Lord
What are the Biblical roots of the Eucharist?
Wednesday, 3 March
Patristic Development with Fr. D'Angelo & Fr. Humphrey
How did the Church Fathers interpret the Biblical Witness?
Wednesday, 10 March
Medieval Unfolding with Fr. Straley & Fr. Ogburn
Amidst the Black Death, how was the Eucharist understood and practiced?
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?
Information, including a Zoom link, will be forthcoming. Please contact the office if you have any questions.
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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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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: Patti Barnes, Lola Campagna, Ruby Campagna, the Rev. Norman Catir, Diana Clarke, Sarah Clarke, Grace Deneault, Norman Gibbs Jr., Harrington Gordon, Joan Gordon, James Howley, the Rev. Jay C. James, Conrad Johnson, Ann Brooke Mason, Beverly Myers, Beverly Ryan, Rhoda Steinhart, Crystal Sylver, and Christopher Whittingham.
Birthdays this week: Gary Sturni (1/24), Tom Bledsoe (1/30).
The faithful departed: Recently departed: Stephen Casey, priest. Year's mind: Claire B. Bentley (1/25), L'Marie Blunt (1/25), Sterling C. Poitier (1/28), Doris Christine Smith (1/28), Armando L. Bustamante (1/29), Florence Matilda Colvin (1/30), Anna Waterman Jackson McCoy (1/30), Roland Parks Conner, Priest (1/30).
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer: In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Anglican Church of Bangladesh. In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the St. Paul's, North Kingstown, St. Paul's, Pawtucket, and St. Paul's, Portsmouth.
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This Week at St. Stephen's |
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EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Saturday 30 January
Epiphany Soup Kitchen (Meal Pickup Only) 2:30-4 pm
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 24 January
THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
Sung Mass 10:00 am
Zoom Coffee Hour 11:30 am
Daily Office and Mass Lectionary
Monday 25 January
THE CONVERSION OF SAINT PAUL THE APOSTLE
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm
Tuesday 26 January
Timothy, Titus, and Silas, Companions of Saint Paul
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Wednesday 27 January
Feria
Sung Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Thursday 28 January
Thomas Aquinas, Priest, Doctor, 1274
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Friday 29 January
Andrei Rublev, Monk and Iconographer, 1430
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 30 January
Charles, King and Martyr, 1649
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am
Next Sunday
THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
Sung Mass 10:00 am
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