Welcome to St. Stephen’s Anglican Parish E-News for Sunday, 10 January, 2016.

Should you no longer wish to receive this weekly message, please contact the Parish Office by return e-mail.

How glorious it is to see the days stretching out again and to enjoy the

fabulous winter blue skies.  Savour each season – each one brings its own gift.

 

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SCHEDULE OF WORSHIP FOR THIS WEEK

Sunday, 10 January, 2016

The Baptism of the Lord

     St.  Stephen’s                      8:00 am              Holy Communion

  St.  George’s                       9:00 am              Holy Eucharist  

  St. Stephen’s                     11:00 am              Holy Eucharist   

Readings:  Isaiah 43: 1-7; Psalm 29; Acts 8: 14-17;

Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING -  Please bring committee reports ready for inclusion in the Annual Report to the Parish Council Meeting, Mon, 18 Jan at 7:00 pm in Tuck Hall.  If you are unable to get to the meeting, your report can be dropped off at the Parish Office during the week prior to the meeting.

SCANS INFO SESSION – on Tuesday, 12 January at 1:30 pm,  in Tuck Hall providing information about upcoming courses.  All Welcome!

 

FOOD BANK - The food banks thanks everyone for their kind donations.  January is a lean month - all donations are very gratefully received.

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THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH

MUSICAL FRIENDS -  (Vintage Voices, Band, Tuneful Tots) will resume on Mon, 11 Jan, from 1:00 - 4:30 pm

BIBLE TALK - on Wed, 13 Jan, from 10:30 - 12:00 pm in the Tyler Grant Room.  All Welcome!

CHOIR PRACTICE -  Thurs, 14 Jan, 7:30 pm in Tuck Hall.

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WORSHIP NEXT WEEK

17 January 2016

The Second Sunday after the Epiphany

              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       

 Readings: Isaiah 62: 1-5; Psalm 35: 5-110; 1 Corinthians 12: 1-11;

John 2: 1-11

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT ….

Minds are like parachutes – not much good unless they are open.
(source unknown)

Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting.

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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.