Welcome to St. Stephen’s Anglican Parish Blog for Sunday, 27 September, 2015.   It’s official, our ‘Season of Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness’ has begun.  Enjoy the magnificence of the Fall.  

There is lots of information to impart this week – enjoy!

 

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WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY

27 September, 2015

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

 

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

     9:00 am       St. George’s, East River       -  Prayer & Praise

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

                  7:00 pm        All Saints’, Canaan               -  Holy Communion          

                    

   Readings: Esther 7 : 1-6, 9-10, 9: 20-22; Psalm 124;

James 5:13 - 20;  Mark 9: 38-50

 

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REFUGEE FAMILY SUPPORT:  UPDATE

 

Where are we so far?

• A committee of church and area group/organizations representatives has been formed to lead the way in supporting up to two refugee families moving to our area.
• There is no guarantee where the families will come from.
• Cost of supporting a family for the first year is cost shared with the federal government.
• Our area share of the cost will vary depending on the size of the family/families but the average required is between $16,000.00 and $20,000.00 for the first year. Some of the cost can be “in kind”.
• Much more support is required in volunteer assistance once the family arrives.
• The Committee has set Easter 2016 as a goal to have a family or families here and funds raised.
• The fund raising goal (including “In kind”) is $40,000.00

What is Next?

There will be a meeting following each of the services in the Parish on Sunday, 11 October,  2015 to determine:

• Will our Parish support the initiative?
• What will our support commitment goal be? (financial commitment)
•  
• Please contact Robert at rcmkam@eastlink.ca or 902-220-7140 with specific questions before 10 October.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

BENEFIT FOR MUSICAL FRIENDS - CONGRATULATIONS!  Rave reviews were flowing around social media for the benefit held at St. Stephen’s Church on Monday, 21 Sept.  Hopefully we will all have another chance to attend one of these amazing spectacles once the good folk who set it up have recovered from all the work.  Thanks for a job well done - stars, starlets and facilitators!

 

HEALING SERVICE – to take place on Wednesday, 14 October, 7:00 pm at St. Stephen’s Church, Chester.  More information to follow in next bulletin, blog and E-News

 

PARENTS SUPPORTING PARENTS - The Canadian  Mothers’ Union is helping to promote a parenting program called ‘Parents Supporting Parents’ (http://canadianmothersunion.ca/parenting_program.html). Anyone  interested in seeing this program running in this area may want to consider taking the facilitators course to be held in October in the St. Margaret’s Bay area.  The 4-day course will take place the weekend of 16-19 Oct.  The cost of the course is $50.  Snacks, lunches, and dinners will be provided for the 4 days and the organisation will try to supply billeting if required. 

 

DINNER THEATRE - “On The Air” - Saturday, 24 October at the Little Red School in Canaan.  Doors open at 5:00 pm, show starts at 6:00 pm.  Dinner served will be salad, roast beef and dessert.  Tickets $25.00.  To book tickets, please contact Maxine at 902-275-3496 or 902-275-3777.  Proceeds to three local churches.  Book soon - tickets go quickly!

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 THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH

 

BIBLE TALK - Wed, 30 Sept, 10:30 am, in Tyler Grant Room.  All welcome!

CHOIR PRACTICE - Thurs, 1 Oct, 7:00 pm in Tuck Hall.

                                   

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WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY

4 October, 2015

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

 

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

               11:00 am        St. Stephen’s, Chester         -   Parish Family Worship

                   4:00 pm        St. Stephen’s, Chester          -   Blessing of the Animals

                    

    Readings: Job 1:1, 2:1-10; Psalm 26; Hebrews 1: 1-4, 2:5-12;

Mark 10: 2-16

 

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STEWARDSHIP THOUGHTS

     

    What a heavy burden for a faithful steward to bear! It frightens me to think of how easily I might cause someone to sin.

 (Michael Pollesel)

 

 

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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.

               

 

   

 

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Welcome to St. Stephen’s Anglican Parish Blog for Sunday, 20 September 2015.  

    Fall is right around  the corner, it’s such a beautiful season, can’t wait!

 

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WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY

20 September, 2015

Seventeenth 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: Proverbs 31: 10-31; Psalm 1;

  James 3:13 - 4:3;7-8a;  Mark 9: 30-37

 

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

                    BENEFIT FOR MUSICAL FRIENDS - Monday, 21 Sept, 7:00 pm in St. Stephen’s Church.  Please come to support this wonderful, free, after school music program.  We are expecting some  very special guest artists. * * *  BRING YOUR FRIENDS. * * * *

 

VINTAGE VOICES- 1:00 -2:00 pm -This is a new addition to the Musical Friends program. A weekly sing-along for Seniors and anyone who loves music from the 30's to the 60's. (Arrangements are being made so that seniors with dementia can enjoy this as well).  Come and join us!

 

ALZHEIMER SOCIETY - Family Caregiver Education Series - If you are providing care and support to a family member who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia this series can help you.  It will take place on Thursday, 24 Sept from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Royal Canadian Legion, 21 Pond Street, Mahone Bay.  To register, call Joan at 902-523-1614 or email joan.parks-hubley@asns.ca. 

 

SYRIAN REFUGEE SUPPORT - Sessions on Private Refugee Sponsorship - All welcome.

Wed, 16 Sept, 1:00-3:00 pm, Room 2600, Killam Library, Dalhousie University, 6225 University Avenue, Halifax

Tues, 6 Oct, 6:30-8:30 pm Paul O’Regan Hall, Halifax Central Library, 5440 Spring Garden Road, Halifax.

 

PRAYER BREAKFAST - Sat, 26 Sept at 9:00 am.  Food for thought, great company and lively discussion.  Oh and did we mention breakfast. All welcome!

 

DINNER THEATRE - “On The Air” - Saturday, 24 October at the Little Red School in Canaan.  Doors open at 5:00 pm, show starts at 6:00 pm.  Dinner served will be salad, roast beef and dessert.  Tickets $25.00.  To book tickets, please contact Maxine at 902-275-3496 or 902-275-3777.  Proceeds to three local churches.  Book soon - tickets go quickly!

 

 

 

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      THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH

 

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING - Mon, 21 Sept, 7:00 pm , St. George’s Church,  East River

BIBLE TALK - Wed, 23 Sept, 10:30 am, in Tyler Grant Room.  All welcome!

PRAYER BREAKFAST - Sat, 26 Sept, 9:00 in Tuck Hall.  All Welcome!

                   

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WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY

27 September, 2015

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

 

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

       9:00 am      St. George’s, East River      -    Prayer & Praise

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

       7:00 pm        All Saints’, Canaan                - Holy Communion

                    

    Readings: Esther 7 : 1-6, 9-10, 9: 20-22; Psalm 124;

James 5:13 - 20;  Mark 9: 38-50

 

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STEWARDSHIP THOUGHTS

     

    Jesus reminds his followers that they need to be able to see and accept him in many guises. A faithful steward seeks and serves Jesus in all people.

 (Michael Pollesel)

 

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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.

 

    

 

 

   

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Welcome to St. Stephen’s Anglican Parish Blog for Sunday, 13 September 2015. 

It would be so good if we could share the concept that 'against wisdom, evil does not prevail'.  Let's get informed!

 

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WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY

13 September, 2015

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

 

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

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

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

        7:00 pm        All Saints’, Canaan               - Evening Prayers

      

Readings: Proverbs 1: 20-33; Psalm 19:

James 3:1-12;  Mark 8: 27-38

 

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

                   

 

BLOOD DONOR CLINIC - to be held by Canadian Blood Services at the Chester Royal Canadian Legion on Monday, Sept 14 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm and 5:00 - 8:00 pm.  New donors are always welcome!

 

BENEFIT FOR MUSICAL FRIENDS - Monday, 21 Sept, 7:00 pm in St. Stephen’s Church.  Please come to support this wonderful, free, after school music program.  We are expecting some  very special guest artists. * * * SAVE THE DATE AND BRING YOUR FRIENDS. * * * * (Apologies that the date for this event was missed from the Parish Liturgy Calendar, Blog, etc for September)

 

VINTAGE VOICES- Monday, 21 Sept, 1:00 -2:00 pm in Tuck Hall -This is a new addition to the Musical Friends program. A weekly singalong for Seniors and anyone who loves music from the 30's to the 60's. (Arrangements are being made so that seniors with dementia can enjoy this as well)

 

SYRIAN REFUGEE SUPPORT – The need for support for Syrian Refugees has reached crises proportion.  More information will be coming soon about plans (PWRDF, Community, etc) in the next few  weeks. 

In addition to advocating for greater government involvement, an article in the Anglican Journal outlined ways in which Anglicans could give practical help to Syrian refugees, through the PWRDF’s food aid partnership with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (which allows those donating to specify Syria as the destination for their aid), and through private sponsorship of refugees.

Since it first started receiving donations for the crisis in Syria in January 2012, PWRDF has received a total of $80,155. Almost half of this money was raised in 2013, and despite the high profile of the humanitarian crisis in Syria, only $36,602 has come in since January 2014.

 

You can designate your online donation for "Syria Response." - See more at: http://www.anglicanjournal.com/articles/church-calls-for-urgent-action-to-address-refugee-crisis

 

PRAYER & PRAISE SERVICE FOR SEPTEMBER – just a note to confirm that this service will be held at 9:00 am, Sunday, 27 September at St. George’s Church in East River.

 

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THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH

 

PAROCHIAL COMMITTEE MEETING - Tues, 15 Sept, 7:00 pm in Tyler Grant Room.

BIBLE TALK - Wed, 16 Sept, 10:30 am, in Tyler Grant Room

 

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WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY

20 September, 2015

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

 

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

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

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

                    

    Readings: Proverbs 31: 10-31; Psalm 1;

James 3:13 - 4:3;7-8a;  Mark 9: 30-37

 

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STEWARDSHIP THOUGHTS

     

    “If any of you are ashamed of me and my message,” says Jesus. The faithful steward shows, in both word and action,

pride in being a follower of Jesus. (Michael Pollesel)

 

 

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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.

 

 

 

 

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Welcome to St. Stephen’s Anglican Parish Blog for Sunday, 6 September 2015.  We wish everyone a very happy Labour Day weekend and look forward to seeing everyone for our Parish Family Worship with Reverend Tory Byrne, our Interim Priest-in-Charge, on Sunday.  

 

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WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY

6 September, 2015

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

 

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

                11:00 a.m.   St. Stephen’s, Chester      -  Parish Family Worship

                                                             

Readings: Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23; Psalm 125,  James 2:1-10 (11-13), 14-17; 

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 24-37

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

 

 

WELCOME - We are very happy to welcome REVEREND TORY BYRNE to our parish.  Reverend Tory is our Interim Priest-in-Charge and we are delighted to have her with us.

 

SCANS FALL COURSES - An information and registration session will take place on Thursday, 10 Sept at 4:00p.m. in Tuck Hall.  The two courses being offered for the Fall session in Chester are Economists Debate Capitalism Through History (Daphna Levit - 7 weeks) and Development of the Atlantic Provinces (Alan Wilson - 10 weeks). Membership is $135 plus HST ($155.25) per year which entitles you to attend any number of courses in any SCANS Chapter, subject to class size, at no additional cost, during the Winter, Spring and Fall terms. More information can be found on the internet at www.theSCANS.ca

 

BLOOD DONOR CLINIC - to be held by Canadian Blood Services at the Chester Royal Canadian Legion on Monday, Sept 14 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm and 5:00 - 8:00 pm.  New donors are always welcome!

 

BENEFIT FOR MUSICAL FRIENDS - 7:00 pm in St. Stephen’s Church.  Please come to support this wonderful, free, after school music program.  We are expecting some  very special guest artists. SAVE THE DATE AND BRING YOUR FRIENDS.

 

MUSICAL FRIENDS - an amazing music program coordinated by Dawn Harwood-Jones and supported by St. Stephen’s Church  takes place in Tuck Hall  every Monday that Chester District School is open (not on holiday Mondays or storm days) will be starting up again on 21 Sept.  Plans are also being formulated to offer  a Choir group for younger students too (5 years old and up). For the moment, Musical Friends offer the following classes:

 

VINTAGE VOICES- 1:00 -2:00 pm -This is a new addition to the program. A weekly singalong for Seniors and anyone who loves music from the 30's to the 60's. (Arrangements are being made so that seniors with dementia can enjoy this as well)

YOUTH CHOIR - 2:00 - 3:00 pm - members are picked up from school and brought to the Parish Centre for the weekly session.

BAND CAMP - 3:00 - 4:00 pm - Middle School and some advanced Elementary School youths are taught all sorts of light rock music instruments.  Some instruments are available.

TUNEFUL TOTS - 4:00 - 5:00 pm - Music stimulates growth in the brain connectors in babies and toddlers.  Parents, grandparents and guardians are encouraged to bring their little ones for 40 minutes of live music.  Guest musicians (highly talented professionals) take  requests and alternate between nursery rhymes and jazzy music so that the toddlers can dance or simply run in circles.  This was very popular when the snow was higher than the children last winter.

Please share this information with your friends - this is such a wonderful resource for everyone.

                   

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THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH

 

BIBLE TALK - Wed, 9 Sept, 10:30 am, in Tyler Grant Room

                                   

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WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY

13 September, 2015

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

 

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

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

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

     7:00 pm       All Saints’, Canaan                -  Evening Prayers

  Readings: Proverbs 1: 20-33; Psalm 19; James 3:1-12; 

Mark 8: 27-38

 

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STEWARDSHIP THOUGHTS

     

    One of the things Jesus seems to be able to do, with a variety of people, is to take care of them. A faithful steward is one who also takes care — of others, of self, of the environment, of . . . (you name it).  (Michael Pollesel)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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.

 

    

 

 

   

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