Welcome to St. Stephen’s Anglican Parish Blog

for Sunday, 30 December 2018

From the end spring new beginnings

Pliny the Elder 

*************************************

WORSHIP THIS WEEK

Sunday, 30 December 2018

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

  8:00 am      St. Stephen’s          Chester  

              Holy Communion            

              11:00 am      St. George’s,          East River             

                     Christmas Lessons and Carols

Readings:  1 Samuel 2: 18-20, 26; Psalm 148;

    Colossians 3: 12-17; Luke 2: 41-52

****************************************

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

***

SERVICES IN TUCK HALL

Just a reminder that services in Chester

will take place in Tuck Hall,

St. Stephen’s Community Centre from

Epiphany until Palm Sunday.

***

FOOD BANK

Breakfast cereals are in short supply

at the moment. 

All donations very greatly received.

***  

PASTORAL CARE

Thanks to all who contributed toiletries.

Forty-eight bags were donated to

the Food Bank for families in need.

***

MUSICAL FRIENDS

Classes resume on Mon, 14 Jan 2019.

***

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

 at 7:00 pm on Tues, 15 Jan, 2019

in the Tyler Grant Room.  

Please bring committee reports ready for inclusion

in the Annual Report to the Parish Council Meeting

 If you are unable to attend the meeting,

your committee reports can be dropped off

at the Parish Office prior to the meeting.

***  

MEN’S GROUP BREAKFAST

 will take place in Tuck Hall on Sat, 26 Jan, 2019.

‘Sadie Hawkins’ breakfast’ – meaning that women are welcome

but they have to bring a male with them.

  There will also be a guest speaker following the breakfast.

LCDR (Ret’d) Steve St. Amont has a passion for matching

names to the graves of unknown soldiers,

particularly those from the Battle of the Somme.

  His presentation is very interesting and enlightening.

  8:00 am Morning Prayer

9:00 am Breakfast and

9:30-10:15 am Presentation with Q&A

(open to all) to follow. 

Please let Robert Manuel know if you wish to attend

902-220-1740 or rcmkamII@gmail.com

***

*************************************

WORSHIP NEXT WEEK

Sunday, 6 January 2019

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

   8:00 am      Tuck Hall,            Chester     

               Holy Communion            

           11:00 am      Tuck Hall,            Chester                

Holy Eucharist

4:30 pm      All Saints’,              Canaan

Readings:  Isaiah 60: 1-6; Psalm 72: 1-7, 10-14;

    Ephesians 3: 1-12; Matthew 2: 1-12

****************************************

 

Welcome to St. Stephen’s Anglican Parish Blog

for Sunday, 23 December 2018

Love all, Trust a few, Do wrong to none.

William Shakespeare,

(All’s Well That Ends Well)

 

*************************************

WORSHIP THIS WEEK

Sunday, 23 December 2018

 THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

  10:30 am      St. Stephen’s,         Chester 

Holy Eucharist

  ***   Followed by a Parish Pot Luck Lunch   ***

in Tuck Hall

                                  

Readings:  Micah 5: 2-5a; Psalm 80: 1-7;

    Hebrews 10: 5-10; Luke 1: 39-45

CHRISTMAS EVE

2:00 pm      All Saints’             Canaan

Holy Eucharist

4:00 pm     St. Stephen’s         Chester

Creche Service

       7:00 pm      St. George’s           East River 

Holy Eucharist

   9:00 pm      St. Stephen’s          Chester 

Holy Eucharist

****************************************

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

***

FOOD BANK

Breakfast cereals are in short supply

at the moment. 

All donations very greatly received.

***  

SING CHOIRS!

Annual Concert will take place on

Wed, 19 December, 2018 at 7:30 pm

in St. Stephen’s Church. 

(Storm date 20 Dec)

Supporting Pro Kids and

Musical Friends

*** 

PARISH POT LUCK

 will take place in Tuck Hall on

Sunday, 23 December after the 10:30 am service

in St. Stephen’s Church. 

All Welcome!

***

COMING UP

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

 at 7:00 pm on Tues, 15 Jan, 2018

in the Tyler Grant Room.  

Please bring Committee Reports ready for inclusion

in the Annual Report to the Parish Council Meeting

 If you are unable to attend the meeting,

your committee reports can be dropped off

at the Parish Office prior to the meeting.

MEN’S GROUP BREAKFAST

 will take place in Tuck Hall on Sat, 26 Jan, 2019.

‘Sadie Hawkins’ breakfast’ – meaning that women are welcome

but they have to bring a male with them.

  There will also be a guest speaker following the breakfast.

LCDR (Ret’d) Steve St. Amont has a passion for matching

names to the graves of unknown soldiers,

particularly those from the Battle of the Somme.

  His presentation is very interesting and enlightening.

  8:00 am Morning Prayer

9:00 am Breakfast and

9:30-10:15 am Presentation with Q&A

(open to all) to follow. 

Please let Robert Manuel know if you wish to attend

902-220-1740 or rcmkamII@gmail.com

***

*************************************

WORSHIP NEXT WEEK

Sunday, 30 December 2018

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

  8:00 am      St. Stephen’s          Chester  

                Holy Communion            

              11:00  am      St. George’s,          East River             

                       Christmas Lessons and Carols

Readings:  1 Samuel 2: 18-20, 26; Psalm 148;

    Colossians 3: 12-17; Luke 2: 41-52

****************************************

 

Welcome to St. Stephen’s Anglican Parish  Blog

for Sunday, 16 December 2018

Joy is prayer; joy is strength;

joy is a net of love by which you

can catch souls.

Mother Teresa

*************************************

WORSHIP THIS WEEK

Sunday, 16 December 2018

 THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

                8:00 am      St. Stephen’s,          Chester              

     Holy Communion

      9:15 am      St. George’s,           East River

  Morning Prayer

  11:00 am      St. Stephen’s,         Chester 

Holy Eucharist

  7:00 pm      All Saints’,              Canaan

  Evening Prayer

                                  

Readings:  Zephaniah 3:14-20; Song of Thanksgiving;

    Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3: 7-18

****************************************

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

***

HANGING OF THE GREENS

will take place on Sat, 15 Dec

Anyone interested in helping

(many hands make light work)

please call Joyce at 902-275-4812

or just join us.

The preparation is done in Tuck Hall

It’s a fun and heart warming

gathering – All Welcome!

***

PASTORAL CARE GIVING TREE

  Please take a tag from the tree at the back of

St. Stephen’s church.

This year, toiletries for men, women and children

are requested to help the Food Bank fill

Christmas socks for families in need.

If you are unsure of what to buy, money can be donated

and items needed will be purchased on your behalf.

Every single donation is appreciated. 

Items are required by 16 December.

***

FOOD BANK

  Tis the season!

Please donate crackers, cranberries, and

anything that could be added to make up a Christmas box

***  

PLUM PUDDINGS 2018

 are available for purchase.

Puddings can be picked up at the Parish Office

or call Joan at 902-275-4585

(Large $20, Small $10).

***

MEMORY TREE LIGHTINGS

  will take place as follows:

9:15 am on Sun, 16 Dec. at St. George’s

call Sheila for a memorial tag at

902-275-5720 and

11:00 am on Sun, 16 Dec. at St. Stephen’s

call the Parish Office for a memorial tag at

902-275-3804

Please submit memorial requests to the Parish Office

by 13 Dec. 2018

*** 

SING CHOIRS!

Annual Concert will take place on

Wed, 19 December, 2018 at 7:30 pm

in St. Stephen’s Church. 

(Storm date 20 Dec).

*** 

PARISH POT LUCK

 will take place in Tuck Hall on

Sunday, 23 December after the 10:30 am service

in St. Stephen’s Church. 

All Welcome!

***

COMING UP

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

 at 7:00 pm on Tues, 15 Jan, 2018

in the Tyler Grant Room.  

Please bring committee reports ready for inclusion

in the Annual Report to the Parish Council Meeting

 If you are unable to attend the meeting,

your committee reports can be dropped off

at the Parish Office prior to the meeting.

MEN’S GROUP BREAKFAST

 will take place in Tuck Hall on Sat, 26 Jan, 2019.

‘Sadie Hawkins’ breakfast’ – meaning that women are welcome

but they have to bring a male with them.

  There will also be a guest speaker following the breakfast.

LCDR (Ret’d) Steve St. Amont has a passion for matching

names to the graves of unknown soldiers,

particularly those from the Battle of the Somme.

  His presentation is very interesting and enlightening.

  8:00 am Morning Prayer

9:00 am Breakfast and

9:30-10:15 am Presentation with Q&A

(open to all) to follow. 

Please let Robert Manuel know if you wish to attend

902-220-1740 or rcmkamII@gmail.com

***

*************************************

WORSHIP NEXT WEEK

Sunday, 23 December 2018

 THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

                10:30 am      St. Stephen’s,          Chester              

    Holy Eucharist

***  Followed by a Parish Pot Luck   ***

in Tuck Hall.

                                        

Readings:  Micah 5: 2-5a; Song of Mary;

    Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1: 39-45

****************************************

 

Welcome to St. Stephen’s Anglican Parish Blog

for Sunday, 9 December 2018

Pursue some path, however

narrow and crooked, in which

you can walk with love and reverence.

Henry David Thoreau

 

*************************************

WORSHIP THIS WEEK

Sunday, 9 December 2018

 THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

               8:00 am      St. Stephen’s,         Chester              

     Holy Communion

      9:15 am      St. George’s,           East River

Holy Eucharist

  11:00 am      St. Stephen’s,         Chester 

Holy Eucharist

                                  

Readings:  Baruch 5: 14-1;: Psalm 25: 1-9;

    1 Thessalonians 3: 9-13; Luke 21: 25-36

****************************************

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

***

 CHRISTMAS WREATHS

There are 5 wreaths left from

the Bazaar.  $14 each

Call Diana Hilchie at

902-275-4632

***

ACOUSTIC TILES

We have reached the target!

Thank you!  We are so

grateful to all who donated

and made this fundraiser such

a great success!

***

SHOEBOXES FOR THE SEAFARERS MISSION

Another great success!  Thank you

for the generous donations again

this year.  There were 31 boxes

delivered to the Mission from our Parish.

***

HANGING OF THE GREENS

will take place on Sat, 15 Dec

Anyone interested in helping

(many hands make light work)

please call Joyce at 902-275-4812

or just join us.

The preparation is done in Tuck Hall

It’s a fun and heart warming

gathering – All Welcome!

***

PASTORAL CARE GIVING TREE

  Please take a tag from the tree at the back of

St. Stephen’s church.

This year, toiletries for men, women and children

are requested to help the Food Bank fill

Christmas socks for families in need.

If you are unsure of what to buy, money can be donated

and items needed will be purchased on your behalf.

Every single donation is appreciated. 

Items are required by 16 December.

***

FOOD BANK

  Tis the season!

Please donate crackers, cranberries, and

anything that could be added to make up a Christmas box

***  

PLUM PUDDINGS 2018

 are available for purchase.

Puddings can be picked up at the Parish Office

or call Joan at 902-275-4585

(Large $20, Small $10).

*** 

LOBSTER DINNER

  St. George’s Annual Lobster dinner

will take place from 4:00 to 6:30 pm on Sunday, 9 Dec.

at the Union Hall in East Chester.

  Lobster Plate $18, Turkey Salad Plate $9,

Child’s Salad plate $4.

Dine in, Take Out, Delivery within 10 miles. 

Pre-order supper tickets by 8 Dec by calling

Sheila at 902-275-5720,

Vicky at 902-275-4219 or

Hair Salon, 6 Pig Loop Road at 902-275-5966.

*** 

Bottle drive 10:00-6:30 pm

Please drop recyclable bottles at the Union Hall. 

Bake Table, country store table and

Angels for the Memory Tree Service at St. George’s.

***

MEMORY TREE LIGHTINGS

  will take place as follows:

7:00 pm on Sat, 8 Dec for All Saints’

(Canaan Community event)

call Maxine for a memorial tag at

902-275-3777

9:15 am on Sun, 16 Dec. at St. George’s

call Sheila for a memorial tag at

902-275-5720 and

11:00 am on Sun, 16 Dec. at St. Stephen’s

call the Parish Office for a memorial tag at

902-275-3804

Please submit memorial requests to the Parish Office

by 13 Dec. 2018

*** 

SING CHOIRS!

Annual Concert will take place on

Wed, 19 December, 2018 at 7:30 pm

in St. Stephen’s Church. 

(Storm date 20 Dec).

*** 

PARISH POT LUCK

 will take place in Tuck Hall on

Sunday, 23 December after the 10:30 am service

in St. Stephen’s Church. 

All Welcome!

*** 

*************************************

WORSHIP NEXT WEEK

Sunday, 16 December 2018

 THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

                8:00 am      St. Stephen’s,          Chester              

     Holy Communion

      9:15 am      St. George’s,           East River

  Morning Prayer

  11:00 am      St. Stephen’s,         Chester 

Holy Eucharist

  7:00 pm      All Saints’,              Canaan

  Evening Prayer

                                  

Readings:  Baruch 5: 14-1;: Psalm 25: 1-9;

    1 Thessalonians 3: 9-13; Luke 21: 25-36

****************************************

Welcome to St. Stephen’s Anglican Parish E-News

for Sunday, 2 December 2018

Sincerity makes the very least person

to be of more value

than the most talented hypocrite.

Charles Spurgeon

 

*************************************

WORSHIP THIS WEEK

Sunday, 2 December 2018

 THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

               8:00 am      St. Stephen’s,         Chester              

     Holy Communion

      9:15 am      St. George’s,           East River

Holy Eucharist

  11:00 am      St. Stephen’s,         Chester 

            Carols and Lessons 

                                

Readings:  Jeremiah 33: 14-16: Psalm 25: 1-9;

    1 Thessalonians 3: 9-13; Luke 21: 25-36

****************************************

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

***

ACOUSTIC TILES

We are SO close to reaching our target

for our Buy-A-Tile Fundraiser. 

The Parish Council wants to thank each and every person

who has helped get us to this point

and to encourage others to help finish the task. 

($250 per tile)

Tax receipts available for these donations.

***

PASTORAL CARE GIVING TREE

  Please take a tag from the tree at the back of St. Stephen’s church.

This year, toiletries for men, women and children

are requested to help the Food Bank fill Christmas socks

for families in need.

If you are unsure of what to buy, money can be donated

and items needed will be purchased on your behalf.

Every single donation is appreciated.  

 Items are required by 16 December.

***

MUSICAL FRIENDS

last session for 2018, 3 Dec.  1:00 – 4:30 pm.

  Classes resume 14 January 2019.

FOOD BANK

  Tis the season!

Please donate crackers, cranberries, and

anything that could be added to make up a Christmas box

  

PLUM PUDDINGS 2018

 are available for purchase.

Puddings can be picked up at the Parish Office

or call Joan at 902-275-4585

(Large $20, Small $10).

 

LOBSTER DINNER

  St. George’s Annual Lobster dinner

will take place from 4:00 to 6:30 pm on Sunday, 9 Dec.

at the Union Hall in East Chester.

  Lobster Plate $18, Turkey Salad Plate $9,

Child’s Salad plate $4.

Dine in, Take Out, Delivery within 10 miles. 

Pre-order supper tickets by 8 Dec by calling

Sheila at 902-275-5720,

Vicky at 902-275-4219 or

Hair Salon, 6 Pig Loop Road at 902-275-5966.

Bottle drive 10:00-6:30 pm

Please drop recyclable bottles at the Union Hall. 

Bake Table, country store table and

Angels for the Memory Tree Service at St. George’s.

MEMORY TREE LIGHTING

  will take place on Sun, 16 Dec.

at 9:15 am at St. George’s

and 11:00 am at St. Stephen’s.

Please submit memorial requests to the Parish Office

for St. Stephen’s service

and to Sheila Hirtle for St. George’s.

SING CHOIRS!

Annual Concert will take place on Wed, 19 Dec.2018

at 7:30 pm in St. Stephen’s Church. 

(Storm date 20 Dec).

PARISH POT LUCK

 will take place in Tuck Hall on

Sunday, 23 December after the 10:30 am service

in St. Stephen’s Church. 

All Welcome!

*************************************

WORSHIP NEXT WEEK

Sunday, 9 December 2018

 THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

               8:00 am      St. Stephen’s,         Chester              

     Holy Communion

      9:15 am      St. George’s,           East River

Holy Eucharist

  11:00 am      St. Stephen’s,         Chester 

Holy Eucharist

                                  

Readings:  Baruch 5: 14-1;: Psalm 25: 1-9;

    1 Thessalonians 3: 9-13; Luke 21: 25-36

****************************************

November 2018

A Letter from the Primate -  The Most Rev. Fred Hiltz :    Regarding the “Heartbeat of the Church” Conversation Circles

Dear Friends in Christ,

This month marks the 125th anniversary of  the formation of the General Synod of our beloved Church. It was a coming together of dioceses across Canada in the spirit of partnership in God’s mission in Christ. In marking this milestone in our history, I am inviting our entire Church to listen to its heartbeat through conversation circles in parishes, deaneries and dioceses—in homes, church halls, outdoors, or even online!

We will be aided in our conversations by a “Conversation Circle Guide” that will help us reflect on our personal faith journeys, and invite us to share with one another moments when our Church makes our hearts glad, causes them to ache or gives them hope.

The Guide is grounded in the conversation Jesus had with the disciples in the Upper Room and his prayer to the Father on the eve of his Passion, Death and Resurrection, as told in the Gospel of John. I hope our conversations can be focused on the very things of which he spoke – the disciples’ life in Him, their work in his name, and their trust in the coming of the Holy Spirit to strengthen, lead and guide them.

This time of sharing in conversation circles will lead us to consider our “heartfelt” prayers for the Church, and to share our prayers with our sisters and brothers across the country.

Our conversations will take place until May 7, 2019, the Feast of St John, Apostle and Evangelist, in anticipation of the meeting of the General Synod in Vancouver in July 2019. The Heartbeat of the Church website page will provide everything you need to set up a conversation circle and to share your prayers for the Church.

As you have opportunity, I encourage you to participate in a conversation circle, and to renew our call to be faithful and fruitful in our ministries and united in our resolve to be the Church in and for the world.

With the assurance of my prayers,


Fred Hiltz

+ + + +       + + + +       + + + +       + + + +

St. Stephen’s is pleased to be hosting this series of Conversation Circles through Advent.  

All gatherings will start at 6:30 p.m. at St. Stephen’s and will last approximately two hours. Participation is limited to five persons per week.

Please express your preference for the evening on which you would like to participate on the sign up sheet at the back of the church.

Please be aware that because we will have the multiple copies of this form available at all of our churches, this will be an expression of personal preference only.

Please provide your phone number or email address so we can confirm your participation, or we can discuss with you an alternate date.

 

Welcome to St. Stephen’s Anglican Parish Blog

for Sunday, 25 November 2018

  

The price of greatness is responsibility

Winston Churchill

 

*************************************

WORSHIP THIS WEEK

Sunday, 25 November 2018

 THE REIGN OF CHRIST

               8:00 am      St. Stephen’s,         Chester              

     Holy Communion

      9:15 am      St. George’s,           East River

Holy Eucharist

  11:00 am      St. Stephen’s,         Chester 

Holy Eucharist

                                  

Readings:  2 Samuel 23: 1-7: Psalm 132: 1-13;

    Revelation 1: 4b-8; John 18: 33-37

****************************************

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

***

2019 CHURCH CALENDARS

Available for $6 in

the Parish Office or the back

of the church.

***

ACOUSTIC TILES

are making a huge difference in Tuck Hall.

Tiles are still available (20 sold to date)

and cost $250 each.

Please consider purchasing one in support of

the project as a group or family or in memory of a loved one.

Payment can be made or sent to the Parish Office. 

Tax receipts available for these donations.

***

 MUSICAL FRIENDS

on Mon, 26 Nov 2018. 

Vintage Voices 1:00 pm;

Musical Friends Choir 2:00 pm;

Musical Friends Band 3:00 pm;

Tuneful Tots 4:00 pm.

All Welcome!

***

FOOD BANK

 All contributions are always

gratefully received.

***

PLUM PUDDINGS 2018

are available for pick up at the

Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, 24 Nov

or the Parish Office.

$20 Large $10 Small

***

ST. STEPHEN’S ANNUAL BAZAAR

 hosted by St. Stephen’s Hospitality Committee

will take place 10:30 am – 1:30 pm, Saturday, 24 Nov.

  in St. Stephen’s Parish Centre.  Lunch 11-1 pm. 

Homemade soups, rolls/bread, pies, coffee, tea.

$8 Adults, $4 children under 10 .

Christmas wreaths, Plum Puddings,

new and used Christmas decorations, 

bake table, books and more.

Please drop off all donations

before 23 November.

***

ANNUAL SHOEBOX CAMPAIGN

In 2017, staff and volunteers gave out 1464 shoebox

gifts to the seafarers visiting the Port of Halifax during

the month of December. 

What a truly heart warming experience this is for all! 

St. Stephen’s Parish sent  30 shoeboxes to the campaign.

There are shoe boxes available in the vestibule

of St. Stephen’s Church

Items for shoeboxes 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,

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND OR CANADA

If it’s easier for you to just put 6 pairs of socks,

or hats or mittens in a box, that’s great too! 

There should not be any liquor, sharp objects,

chocolate or flammables enclosed. 

We thank everyone who supports this campaign!

Boxes should be delivered by 30 November.

***

COMING UP – MARK YOUR CALENDARS

LOBSTER DINNER & BOTTLE DRIVE

 St. George’s Annual Lobster dinner

will take place on Sunday, 9 Dec.

4:00 – 6:30 pm at the Union Hall, East River

Lobster Plate $18, Turkey Salad Plate $9

Child’s Turkey Salad Plate $4

Eat in, Take out, Delivery within 10 Miles

Pre-order supper tickets by 8 Dec

by calling Sheila 902-275-5720,

Vicky 902-275-4219 or from

the Hair Salon, 6 Pig Loop Road

902-275-5966.

Bottle drive 10:00 – 6:30 pm please drop

recyclables at the Union Hall.

Bake table, country store table and

Angels for the Memory Tree for St. George’s.

MEMORY TREE LIGHTING

will take place on Sun, 16 Dec

9:15 am at St. George’s and

11:00 am at St. Stephen’s 

Please submit memorial requests

to the Parish Office before 13 December 

SING CHOIR

will take place on Wed, 19 Dec.

at 7:30 pm in St. Stephen’s Church 

*************************************

WORSHIP NEXT WEEK

Sunday, 2 December 2018

 THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

               8:00 am      St. Stephen’s,         Chester              

     Holy Communion

      9:15 am      St. George’s,           East River

Holy Eucharist

  11:00 am      St. Stephen’s,         Chester 

Holy Eucharist

                                  

Readings:  Jeremiah 33: 14-1;: Psalm 25: 1-9;

    1 Thessalonians 3: 9-13; Luke 21: 25-36

****************************************