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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 AFTER THE EPIPHANY
31 January 20210
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Jesus Casting Out a Demon in the Synagogue at Capernaum (detail) Manuscript Illumination, Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, c. 1412-1416, Musée Condé, Chantilly, France
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THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY (Year B)
Click the readings above for links to the RSV
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Organ: Voluntary for ye duble organ, Henry Purcell (1659 - 1695)
Mass: Mass for Three Voices, William Byrd (1543 - 1623)
Psalm 111, Confitebor Tibi, Tone IV
Organ: Voluntary in A, Dr. Maurice Greene (1696 - 1755)
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I am looking forward to seeing many of you over Zoom this Sunday for our Annual Meeting at 12:00 noon, following our livestreamed 10:00 Mass. Despite the challenges of the past year (owing to the pandemic), much good is still happening, and there are great signs of hope that the future ahead is bright, though it may be difficult to see and appreciate that right now.
I will not say more than that right now, because what remains to be said will be said at the Annual Meeting in my address, which I hope you will make an effort to be a part of. We will record the Annual Meeting for those who are not able to participate or can only dial in.
What I will say here is that I think that the next two months may be the most difficult of this pandemic for many of us. As I talk to many of you, I hear your frustrations, and I know we are all collectively ready for this to end, so that we can get back to “business as usual.” Please continue to check in on one another, and do not ever hesitate to call or email me if I have not been in touch with you. Also know that as soon as it is reasonably safe to open our doors to in-person worship once more, we will do so quickly. You are all in my prayers continually.
Faithfully,
Fr. Benjamin +
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Year-End Giving Statements |
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Many of you will have received your 2020 year-end giving statements in the mail recently. It has come to our attention that there are some inaccuracies or discrepancies in some parishioners’ statements. As you will recall, our bookkeeper Lorraine Slaney passed away unexpectedly in August just before the Rector’s arrival. Her passing, along with the departure of Jacob Ihnen in early October left some gaps as we worked to find their successors, and it is possible any errors in your statements are a result of those disruptions. We apologize for any inaccuracies, and urge you to contact the office or Fr. Benjamin if you feel anything has not been recorded accurately. We will work quickly to provide an accurate statement to you that reflects the full amount. Thank you for your gracious understanding. |
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Annual Reports were mailed last week. An updated digital copy can be found on our My St. Stephen's section of our website.
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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We are still collecting photos for our Candelmas video project. We ask those of you with smart phones 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 by Monday at 9 a.m. 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.
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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: Nate Callanan (2/1), Chuck O' Boyle (2/2), William Kinloch (2/4).
The faithful departed: Recently departed: Stephen Casey, priest. Year's mind: Mary L. Starks (2/5).
Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer: In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil. In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for seminaries and schools for deacons.
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This Week at St. Stephen's |
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EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S
Wednesday 3 February
"What is Anglo-Catholicism?" series 7:00 pm
Saturday 6 February
Epiphany Soup Kitchen (Meal Pickup Only) 2:30-4 pm
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 31 January
THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
Sung Mass 10:00 am
Zoom Coffee Hour 11:30 am
Daily Office and Mass Lectionary
Monday 1 February
Brigid, Abbess of Kildare, 523
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm
Tuesday 2 February
THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Wednesday 3 February
Anskar, Archbishop of Hamburg, Missionary in Denmark and Sweden, 865
Blaise, bishop of Sebaste, martyr, 316
Sung Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Thursday 4 February
Feria
Gilbert of Sempringham, Founder of the Gilbertine Order, 1189
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Friday 5 February
Feria
Agatha, Martyr at Catania, 3rd century
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 6 February
The Martyrs of Japan, 1597
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am
Holy Rosary 10:45 am
Next Sunday
THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
Sung Mass 10:00 am
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