Members & Friends,
As we begin Holy Week this Sunday, Fr. Dennis hopes we will all mark our calendars not only to attend services on Palm and Easter Sundays but also those of the Holy Triduum (April 21-23). These 3 services are the ancient high holy days that remember the last days of Jesus’ earthly ministry and deepen our experience of Easter:
Maundy Thursday (the night of the Last Supper),
Good Friday (the day of the crucifixion),
Holy Saturday (the day Jesus lay in the tomb).
Here’s what’s happening this week.
2 Farewells, 1 Welcome Back, and 1 Welcome Aboard
This Sunday during 10 a.m. Eucharist we bid farewell to Ed Garren and our Soprano Section Leader, Esther Mae Jones. Our e-blast of 3/31 listed many of Ed’s contributions. For the past five years, Esther has served faithfully in the choir and enhanced the music with her pure, shimmering voice. Esther is moving on to give her full attention to her school program to become a dietician, and to her new position with the Legacy hospital system. We offer Esther our deepest gratitude for her contributions and wish her well!
This Sunday we welcome back David Henderson whose new job takes him to Seattle. David will offer this week’s healing prayers and anointing of oil during Communion. Welcome home, David!
We are pleased to announce that Joshua “Brother Gregory” Kingsley has been selected as St. Stephen’s (StSt) first Artist in Residence (AIR). “Br. Gregory” is Joshua’s given name in the Companions of St Luke Benedictine Order of which he is a member. Br. Gregory is the artistic director of Portland Chamber Music, a 501c3 non-profit corporation that seeks to make art music accessible to all people through performance and education. He is a student at PSU earning a master’s degree in clarinet performance. Look for more special music at StSt from our AIR. Congratulations and Welcome Aboard, Gregory!
This (Palm) Sunday
9 a.m. Adult Inquiry concludes its discussion of Paul's Letter to the Romans. The group does not meet on Easter.
Both 7:45 & 10 a.m. Eucharist begin in the parish hall with a Blessing of the Palms by Fr. Dennis, followed by a procession to the chapel (745) or church (10). At the time for the Gospel lesson, the Passion Narrative will be read (at 7:45) by Mic Fleming, Joyce Lew, Sabin Belknap, Paul and Fr. Dennis, and the congregation; and (at 10) by Br. Gregory & Macie Kingsley, Melissa Arnold, David Henderson, Shirley Kloss, Mic Fleming, Paul and Fr. Dennis, and the congregation.
Fr. Dale Carr is our preacher at 7:45 & 10 a.m. Eucharist. At StSt, we celebrate one message spoken by many voices. That message is that we are all welcome and fed at the Table of the Lord.
Following 10 a.m. Eucharist, Vestry holds its regular monthly meeting in the library.
On the Rota
This week’s worship rotation (745 and 10am) is:
1st Lesson: Mic Fleming and Tom Walker;
Epistle Lesson: Jean Fleming and Sam Ganczaruk;
Intercessory Prayer: Sabin Belknap and David Henderson;
Servers: David Henderson and Melissa Arnold;
10am Sub-Deacon: Bobby Berstler;
10am Healing Prayers: David Henderson;
10am Greeters: Bill Kerr and George Neavoll.
If you’re on the Rota and cannot be here Sunday, please contact us Friday in the parish office.
The Triduum
April 21, Maundy Thursday, 7 p.m. Eucharist includes a foot washing ceremony and stripping of the altar. Br. Gregory’s sermon will invite us to participate in the humbling service of giving and receiving the washing of feet.
During our Maundy Thursday service, Journey Koinonia Catholic Community celebrates a Seder Meal in the parish hall. Journey Catholic worships at StSt every Sunday at 6 p.m. Operation Nightwatch (ONW) will offer outdoor hospitality on the Clay St. sidewalk using their Mobile Unit (motor home). You can help ONW by volunteering to park your car on Clay & 13th to reserve the space for the motor home at 6:45 p.m. Contact Paul at Outreach@stst.org for details.
April 22, Good Friday, 12 p.m. Prayer Service is held in the chapel; and 7 p.m. Taize Service in the church held with Journey Koinonia Community.
April 21, Holy Saturday, 7-9:30 p.m. Easter Vigil begins in darkness and is lit by the new fire and lighting of the Paschal candle, symbolizing Christ as the light of the world and Christ’s living presence with us. The oldest known prayer of the Church, the “Exsultet” dating back to the 1st century, is chanted by Paul. The service is filled with readings and special music, a renewal of our baptismal vows, an Easter sermon by Paul, and our first Easter Eucharist of the season.
On Easter Sunday, our celebration of the resurrection continues with 7:45 & 10 a.m, Eucharist. Fr. Dennis is our preacher. Paul is working with a parents’ group to have Easter activities for the children, including an Egg Hunt!
This Saturday, April 17, is a full house!
At 7:30 a.m., we open the doors for another StSt Table Saturday Breakfast in the parish hall. Coffee and conversation is available until breakfast is served at 9 a.m. To volunteer to help us serve or offer a friendly ear of companionship to a guest at our Table, contact Paul at Outreach@stst.org.
At 8 a.m., the Brazilian Consulate will be in the chapel to meet expatriates from Brazil who need to communicate with the Brazilian government regarding issues like Visas. When StSt Table concludes, the Consulate will move into the parish hall until 5 p.m. (The Consulate is also in the hall this Friday, 8am-5pm.)
At 9 a.m., Mary Lynn Parodi and her music students will be rehearsing in the church until 1 p.m. for a concert at StSt on Sunday, May 1 at 3 p.m. We are very please Ms. Parody has chosen StSt as the site for this concert where 120 parents and students are expected to attend.
At 10 a.m., Bobby Berstler and those helping to set up for palms for Sunday meet in the Handel Room. After 1 p.m., the group can move to the church.
In the afternoon, Br. Gregory is meeting in the church with newcomers Jenny Wang and her sons, Otto and Maddock, to be our Palm Sunday torch bearers. Welcome, Jenny, Otto and Maddock!
Paul will be at StSt on Saturday to help ensure every group feels welcome in our busy space! If you’d like to help extend the hospitality, contact him at Outreach@stst.org.
This Wednesday, April 20, 2pm
Operation Nightwatch (ONW) invites those who are available to join them in remembering those who died experiencing homelessness on the streets of Portland this past year. ONW Chaplain, Rev. Roger Fuchs, leads the service at The Downtown Chapel (601 W. Burnside) at 2pm. Email Paul if you’d like to be part of a StSt group to show our support.
Let us all work to have a blessed and meaningful Holy Week.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
This Week at St Stephen's
Thank You’s
Larry Bishop is helping us get our St Stephen’s (StSt) Table food supplies better organized in the Handel Room, with shelves he’s moved from the basement. If you see Larry at Tuesday Chili or Saturday Breakfast, you might take a look and add your word of thanks. Thanks also go to Mary Komachi for organizing! A word to Matt and the Choir, please be kind about the “work in process” state of your part of the shared space. Thanks!
A big Thank You goes to Roberta Taussig for her keen eye this week placing our order at the Food Bank for StSt Table. Roberta found a case of eggs for Sat. Breakfast – that’s a case, not a dozen – for $1.25, and 31 lbs of chicken for Saturday lunch for less than $3. Wow, $4.25! Thanks, Roberta.
This Sunday
9 a.m. Adult Inquiry continues its discussion of Paul's Letter to the Romans, led by Mic & Jean Fleming.
Cynthia Reynolds is our invited preacher at 7:45 & 10 a.m. Eucharist.
Cynthia is a member of our Communion in the Park (CiP) board and active participant in the leadership of our weekly non-denominational outdoor service at 1pm for the un-housed and housed together. Cynthia posts CiP on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=157994437554080. She is considering a call to ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church.
At St Stephen’s, we celebrate one message spoken by many voices. That message is that we are all welcome and fed at God's Table.
On the Rota
The “Rota” is our Episcopal word for the “rotation” or schedule of who’s serving where and when.
This week’s worship Rota (745 and 10am) is:
Larry Bishop is helping us get our St Stephen’s (StSt) Table food supplies better organized in the Handel Room, with shelves he’s moved from the basement. If you see Larry at Tuesday Chili or Saturday Breakfast, you might take a look and add your word of thanks. Thanks also go to Mary Komachi for organizing! A word to Matt and the Choir, please be kind about the “work in process” state of your part of the shared space. Thanks!
A big Thank You goes to Roberta Taussig for her keen eye this week placing our order at the Food Bank for StSt Table. Roberta found a case of eggs for Sat. Breakfast – that’s a case, not a dozen – for $1.25, and 31 lbs of chicken for Saturday lunch for less than $3. Wow, $4.25! Thanks, Roberta.
This Sunday
9 a.m. Adult Inquiry continues its discussion of Paul's Letter to the Romans, led by Mic & Jean Fleming.
Cynthia Reynolds is our invited preacher at 7:45 & 10 a.m. Eucharist.
Cynthia is a member of our Communion in the Park (CiP) board and active participant in the leadership of our weekly non-denominational outdoor service at 1pm for the un-housed and housed together. Cynthia posts CiP on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=157994437554080. She is considering a call to ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church.
At St Stephen’s, we celebrate one message spoken by many voices. That message is that we are all welcome and fed at God's Table.
On the Rota
The “Rota” is our Episcopal word for the “rotation” or schedule of who’s serving where and when.
This week’s worship Rota (745 and 10am) is:
- 1st Lesson: Mic Fleming and Laura Watkins;
- Epistle Lesson: Jean Fleming and Dick Emlaw;
- Intercessory Prayer: Joyce Lew and Darragh Lalich;
- Servers: Bobby Berstler and Mike Zula;
- 10am Sub-Deacon: Marcos Domingues;
- 10am Healing Prayers: Fr. Dale Carr
- 10am Greeters: Molly & Tom Bartlett
If you’re on the Rota and can’t be here Sunday, please contact us Friday in the parish office.
This Saturday, StSt Table and ONW
At 7:30am, Alexeisia Castalano and his crew from A+G Artistry Development (formerly UPIA) return to serve another wonderful Saturday Breakfast AND special lunch at 2pm. Doors open at 7:30am for coffee and cereal. Eggs served at 9am; Fried chicken at 2. Regular StSt Table volunteers are asked to come help serve and greet folks in the hall at both meals. Foot care is provided by Operation Nightwatch (ONW) at 10am, and ONW volunteers will be here to continue painting the hall in the afternoon.
For a video of Alexeisia speaking from his office about Saturday and his company’s other upcoming events, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPXZ70RZSwE&feature=related. A+G Artistry is on the web at http://www.angartistrydevelopment.com/.
At 6:30pm, remember 2nd Saturdays are also our night to be the volunteer hosts at Operation Nightwatch. We offer the hospitality of hot coffee, sandwiches, and conversation along with blankets and clothes as needed. Those currently signed up are: Joshua “Br. Gregory” & Macy Kingsley; Dan & Marcos German-Domingues; and Molly & Tom Bartlett. We need extra volunteers who can come at 6:30 and plan to not see Br. Gregory’s concert at 7pm in the church. Email Paul at Outreach@stst,.org for more details.
This Saturday, Portland Chamber Music, 7-8pm
Come support our own Br. Gregory and his Portland Chamber Music group. The free concert features music for clarinet, cello, and piano by Faure, Beethoven, Poulenc, Guns and Roses, the Beatles, and many more. PCM will invite guest from ONW to come join us as well. PCM’s mission is “to make economically feasible, mentally ingestible, local art music available throughout Portland.” Freewill donations accepted at the concert.
Next Wednesday @ 7pm
2011 LENTEN SUPPERS AND POETRY REFLECTIONS: “I’ve Got a Feeling in my Heart."
St. Stephen’s second annual Lenten Supper and Poetry Reflection Group concludes April 13. A light supper and fellowship begin at 6:30 in the Sanctuary with the discussion starting 7-9 p.m. Email Ken Ballard at quietwriter@clear.net or call him at 503-889-8549 for more details. All are welcome to come to this last session.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Holy Week Services
Sunday of the Passion - April 17
Liturgy of the Palms and Holy Eucharist at 7:45 am and 10:00 am
The Great Three Days (Triduum) begin Maundy Thursday and conclude with the Easter Vigil on Saturday night. These are the ancient high holy days of Christians through the ages.
Maundy Thursday – April 21
Holy Eucharist with foot washing and stripping of altar at 7:00 pm
Good Friday – April 22
Liturgy of Good Friday at noon
Taizé service with Journey Koinonia Catholic at 7:00 pm
Easter Vigil – April 23
The first service of Easter begins at 7 pm in darkness and is illumined by the kindling of the new fire and the lighting of the Paschal candle. After the Easter proclamation (the Exsultet) is chanted, we read the ancient stories and prophecies of our forebears. We renew our baptismal vows, and celebrate our first Easter Eucharist.
Easter Day – April 24
The celebration continues with Holy Eucharist at 7:45 am and 10:00 am
Liturgy of the Palms and Holy Eucharist at 7:45 am and 10:00 am
The Great Three Days (Triduum) begin Maundy Thursday and conclude with the Easter Vigil on Saturday night. These are the ancient high holy days of Christians through the ages.
Maundy Thursday – April 21
Holy Eucharist with foot washing and stripping of altar at 7:00 pm
Good Friday – April 22
Liturgy of Good Friday at noon
Taizé service with Journey Koinonia Catholic at 7:00 pm
Easter Vigil – April 23
The first service of Easter begins at 7 pm in darkness and is illumined by the kindling of the new fire and the lighting of the Paschal candle. After the Easter proclamation (the Exsultet) is chanted, we read the ancient stories and prophecies of our forebears. We renew our baptismal vows, and celebrate our first Easter Eucharist.
Easter Day – April 24
The celebration continues with Holy Eucharist at 7:45 am and 10:00 am
Week of April 1 at St Stephen's
Members & Friends,
Thank You’s
Ed Garren is moving to LA in April. While at St. Stephen’s, Ed upgraded the lights in the Parish Hall as a gift; sang solos for worship; organized the 10 a.m. coffee hour; made recommendations for refurbishing the church with paint and lighting proposals; put our parish phone system online, giving us much more flexible service and lower costs; gave us one of our parish photographers; and is responsible for the phenomenal TV coverage St. Stephen’s got for our first bike blessing and pet blessing services. Thanks, Ed!
Thanks also to Gillian Smith for all her great work on The Sentinel newsletter for the past few years. Thanks, Gillian!
Next Saturday, April 9
Remember 2nd Saturdays are our night to be the volunteer hosts at Operation Nightwatch. Email Paul at Outreach@stst,.org to volunteer.
Wednesdays @ 7pm
2011 LENTEN SUPPERS AND POETRY REFLECTIONS: “I’ve Got a Feeling in my Heart."
St. Stephen’s second annual Lenten Supper and Poetry Reflection Group continues through April 13. A light supper and fellowship begin at 6:30 in the Sanctuary with the discussion starting 7-9 p.m. Email Ken Ballard at quietwriter@clear.net or call him at 503-889-8549 for more details.
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