St. Stephen’s Anglican Parish

9:00 am St. George’s,  East River

10:30 am St. Stephen’s, Chester

7:00 pm All Saints Church, Canaan

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost                                                                           

16 August 2020    

 

 

Our mission is to worship God and care for                                                   

  God’s people in the spirit of Christ….

 

Archdeacon Ian Wissler  Rector 902. 275. 8627  ian.wissler@gmail.com

Rev. Canon Dr. Stephen Paul Booth, Honorary Assistant                                   

Wardens:  Mary Casavant 902.275.7992 rickmarycasavant@gmail.co                                                                                                                                    

 Jon Waddell   902.275.4630   jwadell@bellaliant.net

 Choir Director: Dawn Harwood-Jones

Organist: Margaret Machum

ststephensparish@ns.sympatico.ca

Parish Office Hours:  Monday-Thursday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

54 Regent Street Chester NS B0J 1J0      902.275.3804 

 

 

 

 

 

The Gathering of the Community

The Penitential Rite

 

Celebrant The grace of  our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

People And also with you.

 

Celebrant Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.

People His mercy endures for ever.

 

Celebrant Almighty God,

All to you all hearts are open,

all desires known,

and from you no secrets are hidden.

Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts

by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,

that we may perfectly love you,

and worthily magnify your holy name;

through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Celebrant Dear friends in Christ, God is steadfast in love and infinite in mercy; he welcomes sinners and invites us to this table. Let us confess our sins, confident in God’s forgiveness.

 

Celebrant Most merciful God,

All we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen.

 

The Priest then pronounces “Absolution”

Celebrant: Glory to God in the highest,

All: and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly king,

almighty God and Father,

we worship you, we give you thanks,

we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,

Lord God, Lamb of God,

you take away the sin of the world:

have mercy on us;

you are seated at the right hand of the Father:

receive our prayer.

All: For you alone are the Holy One,

you alone are the Lord,

you alone are the Most High,

Jesus Christ,

with the Holy Spirit,

in the glory of God the Father.  Amen.

 

All Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

 

The Collect of the Day

Celebrant Let us pray. God of the nations,

All: all are invited to your table, for in your family no one is a stranger. Satisfy our hunger and mercifully extend to all people the joy of salvation and faith. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

 

The Proclamation of the Word

1st Lesson – Genesis 45:1-15                                                                                                                  Reader: A reading from the Book of Genesis                                                                                                                                

Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me.” And they came closer. He said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there—since there are five more years of famine to come—so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.’ And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. You must tell my father how greatly I am honored in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.                               Reader: The Word of the Lord                                                                                                                          

All: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 133                                                                                                                                                

Presider: How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!                                 

 All: It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes.                                                                             

 Presider: It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. For there the LORD ordained his blessing, life forevermore.                                                                                                    

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.                                                                  

 All: As it was the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

2^nd Lesson – Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32                                                                                                 Reader: A reading from The Letter of Paul to the Romans

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.

After the reading, the reader says,                                                                                                        Reader: The Word of the Lord                                                                                                                      

All: Thanks be to God.

 The Proclamation of the Gospel                                                                                                     Reader The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.

Reader The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. (15:10-28)

People Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.” But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” Then he said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.”

Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.            At the conclusion of the Gospel the reader says:                                                                                          The Gospel of Christ.                                                                                                                                       People Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

 

The Homily – The Rector

 

The Nicene Creed                                                                                                                           Celebrant Let us confess our faith, as we say,

All We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,the only Son of God,eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from        heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became  incarnate from the Virgin Mary and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.                                                           

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets.           We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

 

The Prayers of the People

(In peace let us pray to the Lord, saying, “R: Lord, have mercy.”)

Presider: For peace from on high and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. R

Presider: For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy Church of God, especially this Parish of St. Stephen (and this community of St. George’s/All Saints’), and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. R

 

Presider: For those administering our Diocese, for those standing election for Bishop of our Diocese, for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord. R

 

Presider: For Elizabeth our Queen, for the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority throughout our world, that there will justice and peace for all, let us pray to the Lord. R

 

Presider: For this (community of East River/Canaan/Village of Chester), and for all communities in our municipality, for every city and community, and for those who live in them in faith, let us pray to the Lord. R

 

Presider: For good weather, for rain, and for abundant harvests of the sea and land for all to share, let us pray to the Lord. R

 

Presider: For those who travel by land, water, or air, for the sick and the suffering (especially . . . ), for prisoners and captives, and for their safety, health, and salvation, let us pray to the Lord. R

 

Presider: For our deliverance from all affliction, strife, and need, let us pray to the Lord. R

 

Presider:  For all who have died (especially . . . ), let us pray to the Lord. R

 

Presider: Remembering St. Stephen (and St. George), all the saints, we commit ourselves, one another, and our whole life to Christ our God.

All: To you, O Lord. 

Celebrant And now, as our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

All Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name,

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.

 

The Exchange of Peace, Blessing,& Dismissal

Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you. 

People And also with you.                                             

The People may exchange the peace, safely!!!

 

The Priest pronounces the blessing.

 

Presider: Let us go forth into the world in peace.

All: Thanks be to God. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

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Announcements

 

PWRDF Pledges $25,000 to Beirut

Explosion Response

PWRDF stands in solidarity with the people of Lebanon, and we pray for all who are responding to this disaster. Many people are still missing and tens of thousands have lost their properties. Hospitals, schools, universities and clinics have been badly damaged. The explosion has added to the already present trauma of economic and political challenges, and the impact of COVID-19. PWRDF has been in contact with partner the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) to express our sorrow, solidarity and prayers. PWRDF is pledging $25,000 to the ACT Alliance appeal for Beirut. ACT is in contact with

their implementing members on the ground in Lebanon to determine how best to respond. 

 

Please support PWRDF’s response to the Beirut Crisis!

 

 

Donations can be made in the following ways:

Online
Please visit our online donation page at https://pwrdf.org/give-today/and make your gift in Emergency Response, indicating Beirut Explosion in the message box.​

 

By Phone
Call 1-866-308-7973 toll-free (please leave a message and we will return your call), or 416-822-9083 to speak immediately with someone who can process your donation over the phone. Please do not send your credit card number by email or fax.

By Mail
Please make cheques payable to PWRDF,

Beirut Explosion and send to:

 

The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund
The Anglican Church of Canada
80 Hayden Street
Toronto, Ontario  M4Y 3G2

PWRDF Humanitarian Response Coordinator 
Naba Gurung
416-924-9192 ext. 321
ngurung@pwrdf.org

Anglicans in Canada are praying, acting and giving

 to those affected by the Beirut crisis.

Please watch for updates on PWRDF’s response to the

situation at www.pwrdf.org.

 

Flu Shots: Just a reminder as we approach flu season to plan on getting your flu shot as a way of advancing the public health of our families, friends, and community.

 

 

Dear Friends,

 

Below is this Sunday's bulletin. Please be aware that worship materials will not be distributed on Sunday morning at any service. In other words, to help mitigate the risk, bulletins will not be printed and available for distribution when you come to worship. However, you can either print this off for you to bring, and you may obviously print copies for those in your social "bubble". 

 

That being said, a few copies will be printed and available today and tomorrow at the parish office if you are unable to print a copy off for yourself. 

 

Also, be aware that the entirety of this service bulletin will be projected onto our screen in the Community Hall at 10:30. So, if you do not have a copy with you, it will be made available that way as well.

 

Blessings,

Fr. Ian+

(Archdeacon Ian Wissler, Rector)

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

 

 

 

 

 

The Worship Bulletin for Sunday morning, the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost  We hope you find this helpful in following along with the service. You are encouraged to respond in the appropriate places. The service is taken from the Book of Common Prayer. If you do not have a copy, you can access it at either https://www.anglican.ca/wp-content/uploads/BCP.pdf  or    http://prayerbook.ca/resources/bcponline/.

 

        

St. Stephen’s Anglican Parish

9:00 am St. George’s,  East River

10:30 am St. Stephen’s, Chester

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost                                                                           

 9 August 2020    

 

 

Our mission is to worship God and care for                                                    

  God’s people in the spirit of Christ….

 

Archdeacon Ian Wissler  Rector 902. 275. 8627  ian.wissler@gmail.com

Rev. Canon Dr. Stephen Paul Booth, Honorary Assistant

 Wardens:  Mary Casavant 902.275.7992 rickmarycasavant@gmail.co                                                                                                                                     

  Jon Waddell   902.275.4630   jwadell@bellaliant.net

 Choir Director: Dawn Harwood-Jones

Organist: Margaret Machum

ststephensparish@ns.sympatico.ca

Parish Office Hours:  Monday-Thursday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

54 Regent Street Chester NS B0J 1J0      902.275.3804 

 

 

MORNING PRAYER

(Book of Common Prayer)

 

*A Note from the Rector about Morning Prayer. - The Daily Offices of Morning and Evening Prayer are some of the treasures of our Book of Common Prayer. In “saying” the Office, any person can read the prayers, especially in the privacy of their own home, without the presence of a priest – with the exception of the Prayer of Absolution, which normally follows the Confession at the start of the service. Everything else can be led by any Christian person. And so, if you are praying this service, YOU are the “Officiant”, or “Minister”, and can even read those parts that say “Priest”. I would encourage you to read the “Mutual Salutations” (“The Lord be with you”. “And with thy spirit.”) as a reminder that, even if you are praying this service physically alone, you are praying in unity with your whole parish family, and the whole family of Christ’s Church on earth.

 

O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: let the whole earth stand in awe of him.
Psalm 96. 9.

 

Prayer of Confession

Officiant: ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father, We have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep, We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts, We have offended against thy holy laws, We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults. Restore thou them that are penitent; According to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesu our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.

 

OUR Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

 

Minister. O Lord, open thou our lips;
People. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.
Minister. O God, make speed to save us;
People. O Lord, make haste to help us.

Minister: GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
People. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Minister. Praise ye the Lord;

People. The Lord’s Name be praised.

 

“Venite” (Psalm 95)

O COME, let us sing unto the LORD: / let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, / and show ourselves glad in him with psalms.
For the LORD is a great God, / and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are all the corners of the earth: / and the strength of the hills is his also.
The sea is his, and he made it: / and his hands prepared the dry land.

O COME, let us worship, and fall down, / and kneel before the LORD our Maker.                                                                             For he is the Lord our God; / and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.                                                      TO-DAY, O that ye would hear his voice: / ‘Harden not your hearts as in the Provocation, and as in the day of Temptation in the wilderness;
When your fathers tempted me, / proved me, and saw my works.
Forty years long was I grieved with that generation, and said, / “It is a people that do err in their hearts, for they have not known my ways”;
Unto whom I sware in my wrath, / that they should not enter into my rest.’

GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, / and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, / world without end. Amen.

 

The Proclamation of the Word

 

Psalm:                                       Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b  p.464

1 O give thanks to the LORD, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples.
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wonderful works.
3 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
4 Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually.
5 Remember the wonderful works he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,
6 O offspring of his servant Abraham, children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
16 When he summoned famine against the land, and broke every staff of bread,
17 he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
18 His feet were hurt with fetters, his neck was put in a collar of iron;
19 until what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD kept testing him.
20 The king sent and released him; the ruler of the peoples set him free.
21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his possessions,
22 to instruct his officials at his pleasure, and to teach his elders wisdom.
45b Praise the LORD!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

 

 

 

Lesson:                                   Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28                                                                                      

Jacob settled in the land where his father had lived as an alien, the land of Canaan. This is the story of the family of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he had made him a long robe with sleeves. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him. Now his brothers went to pasture their father's flock near Shechem. And Israel said to Joseph, "Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them." He answered, "Here I am." So he said to him, "Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock; and bring word back to me." So he sent him from the valley of Hebron. He came to Shechem, and a man found him wandering in the fields; the man asked him, "What are you seeking?" "I am seeking my brothers," he said; "tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock." The man said, "They have gone away, for I heard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan.'" So Joseph went after his brothers, and found them at Dothan. They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they conspired to kill him. They said to one another, "Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; then we shall say that a wild animal has devoured him, and we shall see what will become of his dreams." But when Reuben heard it, he delivered him out of their hands, saying, "Let us not  take his life." Reuben said to them, "Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him" - that he might rescue him out of their hand and restore him to his father. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the long robe with sleeves that he wore; and they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. Then they sat down to eat; and looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels carrying gum, balm, and resin, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. Then Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh." And his brothers agreed. When some Midianite traders passed by, they drew Joseph up, lifting him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.

 

The Word of the Lord

All: Thanks be to God

“Te Deum” 

WE praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud, the Heavens and all the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts;
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of thy glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles praise thee;
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets praise thee;
The noble army of Martyrs praise thee;
The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee,
The Father, of an infinite Majesty;
Thine honourable, true, and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.

THOU art the King of Glory, O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, thou didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come to be our Judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy Saints, in glory everlasting.

 

Epistle:                                   Romans  10:5-15

Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that "the person who does these things will live by them." But the righteousness that comes from faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) "or 'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? "The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!".

 

The Word of the Lord

All: Thanks be to God

 

“Benedictus”

BLESSED be the Lord God of Israel; / for he hath visited and redeemed his people;
And hath raised up a mighty salvation for us, / in the house of his servant David;
As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets, / which have been since the world began;
That we should be saved from our enemies, / and from the hands of all that hate us;
To perform the mercy promised to our forefathers, / and to remember his holy covenant;
To perform the oath which he sware to our forefather Abraham, / that he would grant us
That we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies / might serve him without fear,
In holiness and righteousness before him, / all the days of our life.

AND thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest: / for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people / for the remission of their sins;
Through the tender mercy of our God; / whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us;
To give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, / and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, / and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, / world without end. Amen.

 

Gospel Lesson:                            Matthew 14:22-33

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

 

The Word of the Lord

All: Thanks be to God

 

Reflection

 

Apostles’ Creed

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
     And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
     I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Catholic Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.

 

Minister: The Lord be with you;
People. And with thy spirit.
Minister. Let us pray.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

OUR Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Priest: O Lord, show thy mercy upon us;
People. And grant us thy salvation.
Priest. O Lord, save the Queen;
People. And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
Priest. Endue thy Ministers with righteousness;
People. And make thy chosen people joyful.
Priest. O Lord, save thy people;
People. And bless thine inheritance.
Priest. Give peace in our time, O Lord;
People. And evermore mightily defend us.
Priest. O God, make clean our hearts within us;
People. And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.

 

Collect of the Day

Ever-faithful God, you answer the cries of all who call upon your name. Give us grace to trust in you, so that we may walk faithfully amidst the storms of life; through Jesus the Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

 

Collect for Peace

O GOD, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom: Defend us thy humble servants in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in thy defence, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Collect for Grace

O LORD our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God, who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day: Defend us in the same with thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that all our doings may be ordered by thy governance, to do always that is righteous in thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Prayer for the Queen

O LORD God Almighty, who rulest the nations of the earth, we humbly beseech thee with thy favour to behold our Sovereign Lady, Queen ELIZABETH, that in all things she may be led by thy guidance and protected by thy power. We pray thee also to bless and all the Royal Family. Endue with wisdom the Governor-General of this Dominion, the Lieutanant-Governors of the Provinces, the Legislators of the Commonwealth and Empire, and all who are set in authority; that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavours upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Prayer for the Clergy and People

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift: Send down upon, all  Clergy, and all Congregations committed to their charge, and especially this Parish of St. Stephen, Chester, (with this community of St. George’s) the healthful Spirit of thy grace; and that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

A Prayer for All Conditions

O GOD, the Creator and Preserver of all, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of humanity; that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for the good estate of the Catholic Church; that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those, who are any ways afflicted or distressed in mind, body, or estate; [*name here any who are in your heart and on your mind who stand in need of God’s help] that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them, according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ his sake. Amen.

 

The General Thanksgiving

ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies, We thine unworthy servants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks For all thy goodness and loving-kindness To us and to all people; [*Name here any particular thanks you have to offer to the Lord.] We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; But above all for thine inestimable love In the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; For the means of grace, And for the hope of glory. And we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, That our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, And that we show forth thy praise, Not only with our lips, but in our lives; By giving up ourselves to thy service, And by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, To whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

 

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom

ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests: Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.

 

The Grace

THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.

 

Announcements

 

 

Re-Gathering for Worship – We will begin physically gathering once more for worship on Sunday, 9 August.

Please note that at St. Stephen’s, Chester, there will be one service on Sunday Mornings, 10:30 a.m. It will be a “said” Service of the Word (no Communion), and will take place in Tuck Hall, St. Stephen’s Community Centre. Please note that seating will be limited, as we can only have as many people in the hall as will allow for sufficient physical distancing, up to a maximum of 50 in attendance. Also, all those who will be in attendance MUST wear face-masks. Watch for more information in the first week of August.

There will be a Service of the Word also at St. George’s, East River, that day, at 9 a.m. Once more, all attendees must wear masks. If there are more than 10 in attendance, physical distancing must be maintained.

The first gathering at All Saints’, Canaan will take place on Sunday, 16 August, 7 p.m. with a Service of the Word. Masks and possible physical distancing requirements will need to be applied for that celebration as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To: The Members of St. Stephen's Parish, Chester

From: The Rector

 

Dear Friends,

 

On my return to the office after a month's vacation, I am looking forward with great anticipation to a return to "in person" public worship for this Sunday, the 9th of August.

 

Just a reminder that our service schedule will be as follows for this Sunday:

 

9 a.m. Morning Prayer, St. George's, East River

10:30 a.m. Morning Prayer, Tuck Hall, St. Stephen's Community Centre, Chester

 

In order to give us a sense of numbers, we ask that those wishing to come to worship please call or email our parish office not later than 1 p.m. on Thursday to inform us of your intention to come (email: ststephensparish@ns.sympatico.ca   phone: 902-275-3804). Please be aware that due to distancing requirements, our seating is a wee bit limited, but we are confident of being able to welcome everyone who will wish to come. If you forget to contact us in time, and you do arrive anyway on Sunday morning to Tuck Hall, if there is seating available, you will be most welcome.

 

Also, please remember, in accordance with public health regulations, all those in attendance will be required to wear a mask, unless they are required to speak to the congregation in the leading or assisting in worship. And, those who will be leading worship will be wearing masks when not speaking to the congregation.

 

Sunday worship will continue to be live-streamed for those unable to attend.

 

Again, we are looking forward to our community gathering once more, in body as well as in spirit!

 

Blessings,

Fr. Ian+

(Archdeacon Ian Wissler, Rector)