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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 Sixth Sunday of Easter
9 May 20210
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Madonna and Child with Saint Martina and Saint Agnes, (1597/1599),
"El Greco" (1541 - 1614), National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC.
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While Brownstone restoration is ongoing for the area surrounding our front entrance doors, the doors will be wrapped in protective plastic and inaccessible. Please plan to enter the church through the Guild House doors. Thank you for your cooperation. |
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Readings for this Sunday
Psalm 66
Click the readings above for links to the RSV
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Organ: Pastorale by René Rabey (1878 - 1958)
Mass: Messe in C (Windhaager Messe) by Anton Bruckner (1824 – 1896)
Psalm 33 "Exultate, justi" Tone III
Organ: Esquisses Byzantines, X. "Tu es Petra," by Henri Mulet (1878 - 1967)
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Dear beloved in Christ,
Somehow, we are already approaching the Sixth Sunday of Easter, and Ascension Day, marking 40 days since Easter, is fast approaching. You may well be asking yourself, “Where has the time gone?” Before we know it, we will be celebrating Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, and Corpus Christi, and then the long expanse of summer and the liturgical season of “after Pentecost” will stretch out before us – the long “growing season.”
Many of us have (unless we are avid gardeners) lost touch with the rhythms and cycles of agrarian life which were so important in the lives of our scriptural and spiritual forebears. The sixth week of Easter brings with it the traditional Rogation Days – days on the church calendar in which rogation processions might be formed, and priest and people would go around blessing the fields and the land, that they might prosper and yield an abundant harvest. Our organist and choirmaster, James Busby, has selected two hymns this week for Mass that similarly ask God’s blessing upon the natural order and our agricultural endeavors.
While our parish is in a distinctly urban setting, let us pray for all those in our region who will plant and harvest; for fair weather, gentle rains, and abundant sunshine. Let us pray for industry and commerce; for those who will sail or work upon our extensive coastline to reap the bounty of the ocean; for livestock and for all animals, fish, and fowl. May we be good stewards of the creation which God has given to us, and of which we are a part.
Secondly, but no less important, this Thursday marks Ascension Day – a principal feast day of the Church. Forty days after his Resurrection, Jesus ascended bodily into heaven in sight of his disciples, who then waited for the promised Holy Spirit to descend upon them. He ascended that he might fill all things, and he goes where he has prepared a place for us to likewise ascend and dwell with him one day.
We have in the past had a special mass for Ascension Day. That will not be the case this year for a variety of reasons. But I do ask that if it is within your ability to attend Noon Mass that day; and if that is not possible, to stop at some point during your day on Thursday and give thanks for our Lord’s Ascension as you pray the following prayer:
“Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things: Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his Church on earth, even to the end of the ages; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.”
Yours in the love of our Risen, Ascended, and Glorified Lord,
Fr. Benjamin +
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Feeling Called to the Altar? |
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There was some initial activity around increasing the number of servers in the rota for daily mass before we closed to in-person worship again in the winter.
Now that many of our parishioners are vaccinated, it is time again to put out the call for volunteers to serve at daily mass. This would involve at most an hour to an hour and a half out of your week, as you help set up before the mass, assist as a reader, and then help with brief clean up afterward.
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Fr. Benjamin is improving and continuing recover from a broken leg at home. Alison Huff, our Junior Warden, is coordinating meal delivery for Fr. Benjamin. Any who are interested may sign up at this link, or contact Alison at alisonhuff12@gmail.com or 401-465-8029. Thank you to all who have expressed support for Fr. Benjamin at this difficult time.
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New Book Discussion Group - Mondays in May |
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On the next three Monday evenings of May (10, 17, 24), Fr. Benjamin will be leading a book discussion over Zoom. The book is by the late Rachel Held Evans, “Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again.” If the Bible isn’t a science book or an instruction manual, then what is it? What do people mean when they say the Bible is inspired? When Rachel Held Evans found herself asking these questions, she began a quest to better understand what the Bible is and how it is meant to be read. What she discovered changed her—and it will change you too.
Drawing on the best in recent scholarship and using her well-honed literary expertise, Evans examines some of our favorite Bible stories and possible interpretations, retelling them through memoir, original poetry, short stories, soliloquies, and even a short screenplay. Undaunted by the Bible’s most difficult passages, Evans wrestles through the process of doubting, imagining, and debating Scripture’s mysteries. The Bible, she discovers, is not a static work but is a living, breathing, captivating, and confounding book that is able to equip us to join God’s loving and redemptive work in the world.
Those interested may purchase the book online, or else the church will provide you with a copy. We will cover two chapters each week: this week, we examine chapters three and four. If you are interested, please email Fr. Benjamin (rector@sstephens.necoxmail.com) or the office (office@sstephens.necoxmail.com). This book study will be offered again in the autumn for those unable to join at this time.
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A Reminder about Masks
and COVID Protocols
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Even as we rejoice that so many of us are receiving or have received the COVID vaccine, we must still wear masks in worship and maintain six feet between family/household groups.
Masks must be worn and must be kept in their proper position above the nose. For the benefit of those in attendance and viewing online, the small calculated risk is made allowing someone leading worship to remove their mask when speaking or reading (i.e. the Celebrant, Preacher, or Lector). The Choir are also permitted to remove their masks while singing as long as they are inside the Rood Screen, where they are still to maintain appropriate distancing.
Additionally, while at Easter we knew it would be hard to stifle singing, we ask that you use any hymns sung at Mass as devotional texts and allow the choir to carry the singing.
We've come a long way since the beginning of this pandemic a little over a year ago, and ask for your continued patience and perseverance. We will continue to evaluate and respond to any changes or new information as they come our way, and will communicate that to you accordingly.
Faithfully,
The Rector & Wardens
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On second Sundays of the month, there is 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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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: Richard Budlong, 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, Fr. Benjamin, and Christopher Whittingham.
Birthdays this week: Beth Shirley (5/15).
The faithful departed: Recently departed: Elizabeth Pennington.
Year's mind: Estelle "Peg" Duncanson (5/10).
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Anglican Church of Kenya. In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for La Iglesia de la Ascension/The Church of the Ascension, Cranston, and the Church of the Ascension, Wakefield.
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This Week at St. Stephen's |
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EVENTS THIS WEEK
Monday 10 May
"Inspired" Book Group Discussion (on Zoom) 7 pm
Tuesday 11 May
Vestry Meeting (on Zoom) 7 pm
Saturday 15 May
Epiphany Soup Kitchen (Meal Pickup Only) 2:30-4 pm
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 9 May
THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Children's Sermon 9:00 am
Sung Mass 10:00 am
Daily Office and Mass Lectionary
Monday 10 May
Feria
Damien of Molokai, Priest, Missionary, 1889
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm
Tuesday 11 May
Feria
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Wednesday 12 May
Feria
Sung Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm
Thursday 13 May
Feria
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Friday 14 May
Feria
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 15 May
Feria
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Requiem Mass 10:00 am
Next Sunday
THE SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Sung Mass 10:00 am
Zoom Coffee Hour 11:30 am
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