Welcome to St. Stephen’s Anglican Parish Blog for Sunday, 8 November, 2015. 

Let’s all take time to remember and acknowledge those who have given and continue to give so much to keep us safe.  Our freedom comes at great cost.  We should all be thankful and appreciative of that every day.  Let’s not forget to look after those who have looked after us.  Let’s always strive for a peaceful solution.

 

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WORSHIP THIS WEEK

8 November, 2015

Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

 

        8:00 am        St. Stephen’s, Chester         -   Holy Communion

       9:00 am        St. George’s, East River      -   Holy Eucharist  

      11:00 am        St. Stephen’s, Chester         -   Holy Eucharist  

             4:30 pm        All Saints’, Canaan              -   Holy Eucharist        

                                   

    Readings: Ruth 3: 1-5, 4:13-17;, Psalm 127; Hebrews 9:24-28

Mark 12: 38-44

 

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

WATER BOTTLES NEEDED - The Pastoral Committee is still looking for empty 500ml  water bottles (with the screw tops) which will be used to collect donations.  Bottles can be dropped off at the Parish Centre.

 

PASTORAL COMMITTEE MEETING: Monday, 16 November at 10:00 am in the Tyler Grant Room.

 

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING - on Monday, 16 November at 7:00 pm in Tuck Hall.

 

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BAZAAR: will take place on Sat, 21 November.  Doors open from 11:00, lunch 11:30 - 1:00 pm (soups, breads, dessert, tea and coffee - $8 Adults $5 children 5-10, under 5 free). Bake table, wreaths, books, Christmas items.  For more information contact Vicky by email at tvjnmyoung@yahoo.ca,   Donations of books and gently used Christmas items would be gratefully received.

 

REFUGEE SUPPORT MEETINGS - A public information session will take place at 7:00 pm, Mon, 23 November in Tuck Hall. All welcome.

 

CHRISTMAS 2015 PLUM PUDDING SALE - Available now at the Parish Centre!   Small - $9 Large - $18.  For information please call St. Stephen’s Parish Office at 902-275-3804.

 

CANADIAN CHURCH CALENDAR 2016 - there are still some calendars available. $6 each.  Please contact Joyce Hiltz or leave a message at the parish office 902-275-3804

 

PRAYER BREAKFAST - At 9:00 am in Tuck Hall, St. Stephen’s Parish Centre in Chester on the last Saturday of each month except December.  All welcome.                       

 

MISSION TO SEAFARERS ANNUAL SHOEBOX CAMPAIGN - The Mission ensures that each and every seafarer (male and female) visiting the port of Halifax in December receives a shoebox gift.  Last year 1800 were delivered. These visitors are far from home, have limited or no funds and are often without the most basic of needs.  Shoebox items can include: hat, scarf, gloves or mitts, socks, wrapped hard candy (no chocolate), soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, shaving foam, razors, deodorant, lip balm, playing cards, memento of Nova Scotia or Canada.  A few empty boxes are available in the church vestibule if you do not have one.  The Dollar Store has boxes. Please do not wrap the boxes as they must all be checked prior to delivery.  Please bring filled boxes to the church before 1 December, when delivery begins.

 

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Message from Rev. Tory: Thank you to all who helped with Messy Church

 

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THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH

 

MUSICAL FRIENDS - (Vintage Voices, Band, Tuneful Tots, etc) on Mon, 9 Nov, 

from 1:00 - 4:30 pm

BIBLE TALK - Not on Remembrance Day -

The next meeting will be on Wed, 19 Nov, from 10:30 - 12:00 pm 

 in the Tyler Grant Room

CHOIR PRACTICE - Thurs, 12 Nov, 7:00 pm in St. Stephen’s Church.

   

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WORSHIP NEXT WEEK

 

REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE

11 November 2015

To be held in St. Stephen’s Church, Chester

immediately after the Remembrance Day ceremony

at the Cenotaph in Chester Parade Square

 

WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY

15 November, 2015

Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

 

       8:00 am        St. Stephen’s, Chester         -   Holy Communion

       9:00 am        St. George’s, East River       -   Holy Eucharist  

      11:00 am        St. Stephen’s, Chester         -   Holy Eucharist   

                                   

    Readings: 1 Samuel 1: 4-20; Canticle 1 Samuel 2: 1-10;

Hebrews 10:11-14, (15-18), 19-25;

Mark 13: 1-8

 

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PARISH TRANSITION PRAYER

    O Faithful God, as your people, we cherish our memories and our history as a sacred gift. We ask you to guide us in our time of transition. Bless and direct the parochial committee as it carries out the work of finding a new rector, that through your Holy Spirit they may make wise decisions on behalf of the parish. Lead all parishioners in Your wisdom, that we might be receptive to change and growth. Give us Your grace to redirect our hearts that we may be willing to offer ourselves in joyful service. Do not allow fear, ignorance or pride to limit the work of your Spirit, nor allow tradition to prevent the creativity within us from bearing fruit. Open our hearts to the call of the Gospel. Give us courage and renewed hope, that we may meet the challenge of being the church of our time. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.