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Saint Stephen's Church
in Providence
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News and events for the
week of August 7
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THE NINTH SUNDAY
AFTER PENTECOST
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SUNG MASS
Missa de Sancta Maria Magdalena
Healey Willan (1880–1968)
VOLUNTARIES
There is a Happy Land, arr. George Shearing (1919-2011)
Toccata on “Lobe den Herren”
Hans Friedrich Micheelson (1902-1973)
*We are pleased to welcome Richard Spicer
to the organ bench this week*
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Dear Friends,
I apologize that the e-news is a day late going out. I had wanted to still write a "blurb" while away, and I simply didn't have access to a strong enough WiFi signal the past few days.
Instead of looking ahead to tomorrow's Gospel reading, I want to continue to reflect on the lesson from this past Sunday. In my homily, I focused more on the actual aspect of monetary or material wealth, and of how the we are to remember (unlike the rich man in the parable) that all we have is ultimately a gift from God.
Of course, there are all sorts of ways in which we are blessed with abundance -- an abundance that we are called to share with others, knowing that it is, in the end, a gift from God.
I've been away this week so that I could take part in honoring one of my principal mentors, Dr. Marilyn Keiser, as she retires after 37 years as Director of Music at Trinity Episcopal Church in Bloomington, Indiana. (I was a music student and church musician before seminary and becoming a priest.) The Rev. Charlie Dupree, now Rector of St. Paul's in Richmond, Virginia, preached the most wonderful sermon celebrating Marilyn and the countless ways in which she has continually and selflessly offered her gifts to her students and the Church. Marilyn's witness and ministry over the last 50-plus years has without question shaped both the Episcopal Church, as well as a whole generation of pastoral church musicians. Her life has been an example of how we are called to offer our gifts at all times, giving glory to God, because she knows that he is the source of all her gifts to begin with.
My prayer and hope for each and everyone of us is that we may live our lives in such a way. May we offer to God, and to others, the gifts given to us. There are times when the way that we are called to offer our gifts may intersect with our unique skill set or our highly specialized doctoral dissertation -- but there are also times when offering our gifts may simply be wiping down a counter in the soup kitchen, or offering a listening ear to someone in need.
Whatever it is, offer it -- offer it all times. The world needs you.
Faithfully,
Fr. Benjamin +
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Join fast-rising Ensemble Altera on Saturday, August 20th at 8:00PM at St. Paul’s Cambridge, MA, or on Sunday, August 21st at 3:00PM at Blessed Sacrament Church in Providence, for The Lamb's Journey, a concert depicting the narrative of Christ’s life. Featuring music from the Renaissance through today, the program will follow four distinct and fascinating chapters: Invocation, Passion, Resurrection, and Adoration. Alongside timeless favorites by Gibbons, Lotti, Scheidt, Howells, Barber, and Bruckner the program includes the very best of the 20th and 21st centuries by Poulenc, Messiaen, Leighton, Lukaszewski, and Esenvalds. It will also feature three world premiere performances of works written for Altera – a real treat for all audiences. All executed with the uncompromising passion and precision for which Altera has quickly become known. This is an evening not to be missed! For more information or for tickets, visit www.ensemblealtera.com/tickets. |
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Soup Kitchen Volunteers Needed |
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After months of serving meals at the door “to-go” only due to the Pandemic, Epiphany Soup Kitchen is ready to begin sit down meals on Saturdays, beginning after Labor Day. The Soup Kitchen has a good cross section of college students, but there are times when they are not available such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, exam time and summers. The need is six to eight volunteers each week. Epiphany Soup Kitchen reports that they have not had the same response from churches that used to participate each week before the pandemic, so please prayerfully consider joining them in serving those in our community who are food insecure. For more information, please reach out to Bruce Lennihan at michelleisgreat@comcast.net. |
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A Quick Note About
Live-streams
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As was mentioned a few weeks ago, the only liturgy that will be live-streamed going forward is the Sunday 8 AM Low Mass. However, you may have noticed it his been absent from Facebook the last several weeks!
In these warm summer days, the fans we are using to keep the Lady Chapel cool are making just enough noise to make it difficult to hear the Celebrant clearly. When it cools off a bit we will resume the 8 AM Sunday live-streams. We apologize for any inconvenience.
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A Collect for the
Good Use of Leisure
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O God, in the course of this busy life, give us times of refreshment and peace; and grant that we may so use our leisure to rebuild our bodies and renew our minds, that our spirits may be opened to the goodness of your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP p. 825)
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This Coming Week at S. Stephen's |
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Sunday 7 August
The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am
Coffee & Lemonade 11:15
Tuesday 9 August
Dominic, Priest & Friar, 1221
(trans. from 8 August)
Noonday Prayer & Low Mass 12:00
Thursday 11 August
Clare, Abbess at Assisi, 1253
Noonday Prayer & Low Mass 12:00
Saturday 13 August
Jeremy Taylor,
Bishop of Down, Connor, and Dromore, 1667
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10:00 am
Next Sunday 14 August
THE ASSUMPTION OF THE
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Sung Mass 10 am
Coffee & Lemonade 11:15
The Rector is Celebrant & Preacher
at both Sunday masses
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Prayers have been requested for: James Broccoli, Jacqueline Butler, Charles and Sandra Calverley, Fr. Norman Catir, Trudy Egan, Davidson Garrett, Fr. Harrington Gordon, Fr. Scott Gunn, Andrew Oliver, Daniel Oliver, Bryan Ripley, Rhoda Steinhart, Fr. Allan Warren, and Christopher Whittingham.
Birthdays this week: Cathy Bledsoe (8/12).
The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: J. Thomas Kershaw (8/14), C. Jane Latham (8/14).
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we are asked to pray for The Church in the Province of the West Indies (08/07); The Diocese of Mbeere – The Anglican Church of Kenya (08/08); The Diocese of Mbhashe – The Anglican Church of Southern Africa (08/09); The Diocese of Mbujimayi – Province de L’Eglise Anglicane Du Congo (08/10); The Diocese of Meath & Kildare – The Church of Ireland (Dublin Province) (08/11); Diocese of Medak – The (united) Church of South India (08/12); The Diocese of Wad Medani – Province of the Episcopal Church of Sudan (08/13). In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Bishop (who is currently at the Lambeth Conference) and members of Diocesan Staff.
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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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