Thursday 30 July 2015

 
Welcome to the St. Stephen’s Parish blog for Sunday, 2 August, 2015.    
We hope everyone will enjoy the beautiful drive to Canaan for our Parish Family Worship this Sunday.   If you know of someone who may need a ride, it would be a lovely gesture to bring them along with you to enjoy the service too.
 
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WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY
2 August, 2015
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
 
            8:00 a.m.,  St. Stephen’s, Chester- Holy Communion
         ***   11:00 am, All Saints’, Canaan - Parish Family Worship   ***
             Readings: 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a; Psalm 51:1-12; Ephesians 4 :1-16;
John 6: 24-35

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ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
PARISH COUNCIL - Please note that Parish Council will not meet again until September.  Meetings will take place on the third Monday of each month.  The meeting in September will be held in East River.
 
MOVING SALE – Reverend Gordon and Donna are having a moving sale on Saturday, 8 August from 9:00- 12:00 in preparation for their upcoming retirement from St. Stephen’s Parish and move to their new home at the end of August.
 
SHOREHAM VILLAGE - CAN YOU HELP ? With the nicer weather upon us Shoreham Village is seeking volunteers who would like to spend an hour a week with  residents in 1-1 raised gardening, walks or taking a little sunshine on the decks.  They are also seeking volunteers to go out with the recreation staff on bus drives and outings.  Anyone interested please contact Linda Bell at 902-275-5631 ext 235 or lbell@shorehamvillage.com, also Karen or Jamie at ext 233 or recreation@shorehamvillage.com.  This help is so needed and such a good way to not only  ‘fill your cup’ but someone else’s cup too. 
 
LIGHTHOUSE FOOD BANK - Breakfast items are always needed at the food bank should you wish to donate something specific.  Every donation is very gratefully received.
 
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THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
 
BIBLE TALK - Wed, 5 August, 10:30 am, in Tyler Grant Room
 
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WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY
9 August, 2015
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
 
                 8:00 a.m.,  St. Stephen’s, Chester    - Holy Communion
            9:00 a.m.   St. George’s, East River - Holy Eucharist
            11:00 a.m. St. Stephen’s, Chester    - Holy Eucharist
               7:00 p.m.   All Saints’, Canaan        - Evening Prayers

             Readings: 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33; Psalm 130; Ephesians 4 :25-5:2;
John 6: 51-58
 
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STEWARDSHIP THOUGHTS
          One translation of the word ‘‘manna’ is ‘‘bread.’ ‘‘Bread’ has been used as a slang word for ‘‘money.’ Kind of gives a whole different slant to this passage, doesn’t it. Having money won’t allow you to live forever. But, having Jesus (“the bread of heaven”) will! (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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St. Stephen's Anglican Parish 
902-275-3804

Friday 24 July 2015

 
Welcome to St. Stephen’s Parish E-News for Sunday, 26 July.   Should you no longer wish to receive this weekly message, please contact the the Parish Office by return e-mail.
Please note that our Parish Family Worship service will take place at All Saints’ church in Canaan next Sunday, 2 August.  It’s a beautiful drive to a service – we hope you will come out and join us there.
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 WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY
26 July, 2015 
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

8:00 a.m.,  St. Stephen’s,  Holy Communion
9:00 am,    St George’s, Prayer and Praise
11:00 am,  St. Stephen’s, Holy Eucharist
7:00 pm,   All Saints’, Canaan, Holy Eucharist

 Readings: 2 Samuel 11:1-15; Psalm 14; Ephesians 3 :14-21; 
John 6: 1-21

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ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
WELCOME FIRST RESPONDERS: We are so pleased to welcome our First Responders (police, firefighters and paramedics) who join us for worship at St. Stephen’s Church today.
 
CHESTER GARDEN CLUB ANNUAL FLOWER SHOW AND TEA: On Thursday, 30 July the annual flower show will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall in Chester.  Please encourage everyone - especially children - to participate.  Entries should be delivered by 10:30am.  Show and Tea at  2:00 pm
 
SHOREHAM VILLAGE - CAN YOU HELP ? With the nicer weather upon us Shoreham Village is seeking volunteers who would like to spend an hour a week with  residents in 1-1 raised gardening, walks or taking a little sunshine on the decks.  They are also seeking volunteers to go out with the recreation staff on bus drives and outings.  Anyone interested please contact Linda Bell at 902-275-5631 ext 235 or lbell@shorehamvillage.com, also Karen or Jamie at ext 233 or recreation@shorehamvillage.com.  This help is so needed and such a good way to not only  ‘fill your cup’ but someone else’s cup too. 
 
LIGHTHOUSE FOOD BANK - Breakfast items are always needed at the food bank should you wish to donate something specific.  Every donation is very gratefully received.
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THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
 
BIBLE TALK - Wed, July 29, 10:30 am, in Tyler Grant Room
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WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY
2 August, 2015
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
 
  8:00 a.m.,  St. Stephen’s, Chester -  Holy Communion
  11:00 am, All Saints’, Canaan - Parish Family Worship
   
Readings: 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a; Psalm 51:1-12; Ephesians 4 :1-16;
John 6: 24-35
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STEWARDSHIP THOUGHTS
Jesus teaches his disciples an important stewardship lesson — perhaps THE most important of all: God’s abundant generosity will be found even when things seem extremely meager! (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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Thursday 16 July 2015

Image result for jesus and disciples on the boat
 
Welcome to St. Stephen’s Anglican Parish Blog for Sunday, 19 July.  
 
WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY
19 July, 2015
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
 
                                              8:00 a.m.     St. Stephen’s,  Holy Communion
                                              9:00 a.m.     St George’s, Holy Eucharist
                                            11:00 a.m.    St. Stephen’s, Holy Eucharist
 
Readings: 2 Samuel 7:1-14a; Psalm 89:20-37; Ephesians 2 :11-22;
Mark 6: 30-34, 53-56
 
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
WELCOME FIRST RESPONDERS: We have invited our First Responders (police, firefighters and paramedics) to join us for worship at St. Stephen’s Church in Chester at 11:00 am on Sunday, 26 July.  We look forward to welcoming them.
 
SHOREHAM VILLAGE - CAN YOU HELP ? With the nicer weather upon us Shoreham Village is seeking volunteers who would like to spend an hour a week with  residents in 1-1 raised gardening, walks or taking a little sunshine on the decks.  They are also seeking volunteers to go out with the recreation staff on bus drives and outings.  Anyone interested please contact Linda Bell at 902-275-5631 ext 235 or lbell@shorehamvillage.com, also Karen or Jamie at ext 233 or recreation@shorehamvillage.com.  This help is so needed and such a good way to not only  ‘fill your cup’ but someone else’s cup too. 
 
LIGHTHOUSE FOOD BANK - Breakfast items are always needed at the food bank should you wish to donate something specific.  Every donation is very gratefully received.
 
HELIOS VOCAL ENSEMBLE - SOUTH SHORE CONCERT - Last year, thousands of forgotten choral scores were rescued from damp in the crypt of All Saints Cathedral, Halifax. Now, after performing for a capacity crowd at the cathedral, a newly formed vocal quintet, Helios Vocal Ensemble, is touring a programme entitled “Treasures from the Crypt: Rediscovered Music from All Saints Cathedral,” including works from the sixteenth to the twentieth centuries. They will also be singing rarely-heard music from the collection of the late Jacqueline Harmer, which was performed at the cathedral in the 1960s and 70s. Helios is made up of some of Nova Scotia’s finest choral singers, including Eszter Horvath, Elisabeth Kleven, Andrew Pickett, Garth MacPhee, and John Mark Dawson. Their South Shore concert will be Tuesday, July 21, 7:30 pm at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, 1268 Italy Cross Rd, Crousetown. Admission is by donation.
 
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THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
 
BIBLE TALK - Wed, July 22, 10:30 am, in Tyler Grant Room
 
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WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY
26 July, 2015
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
 
            8:00 a.m.,  St. Stephen’s,  Holy Communion
            9:00 am,    St George’s, Prayer and Praise
            11:00 am,  St. Stephen’s, Holy Eucharist
            7:00 pm,   All Saints’, Canaan
 
Readings: 2 Samuel 11:1-15; Psalm 14; Ephesians 3 :14-21;
John 6: 1-21
 
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STEWARDSHIP THOUGHTS
Imagine, being so famous that people are always wanting you! Small wonder  Jesus invites his followers to “an isolated place,” where they can “recharge their batteries.” A faithful steward knows to take time and do this. (Michael Pollesel)
 
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Friday 10 July 2015

 
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Welcome to St. Stephen’s Blogs for Sunday, 12 July 2015.  
 
A warm welcome is sent out to Archdeacon Michael Mitchell.  He will be in attendance to celebrate the Holy Eucharist for the whole Parish on Sunday.  Following the service, he will then chair a discussion on the selection process for a new Rector and the election of a Parochial Committee.  These discussions and any decisions made affect the whole Parish and all Parishioners are encouraged to attend and participate.   There will only be this one service on Sunday, 12 July.
 
We hope you are all enjoying these beautiful summer days and look forward to seeing everyone on Sunday.
 
WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY
12 July, 2015
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
 
11:00 am, St. Stephen’s,  Holy Eucharist for the Parish
*** Archdeacon Michael Mitchell in attendance ***
       All Parishioners are encouraged to attend   
 
Readings: 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19; Psalm 24; Ephesians 1: 3-14; Mark 6: 14-119
 
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
SPECIAL SERVICE TODAY - Please welcome Archdeacon Michael Mitchell who is joining us today for a special Holy Eucharist for the whole parish..  He will be acting as Chair for the meeting following the service regarding the Rector selection process and the appointment of a Parochial Committee.  All parishioners are encouraged to participate.
 
PWRDF - As of Friday, 3 July there were 5,588 evacuees due to the wild fires in Saskatchewan alone.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the many families and fire fighters dealing with these horrendous fires all over Canada.  PWRDF (Primate World Relief and Development Fund) has just donated $15,000 to the Saskatchewan wild fire relief fund. Donations can be made on line at http://pwrdf.org/donate
 
MUSIQUE ROYALE - presenting La Tour Baroque Duo in four communities in Nova Scotia.  Sunday, 12 July at 3:00 pm St Barnabas Church, Blue Rocks, Monday, 13 July at 7:00 pm, Old Holy Trinity Church, Lower Middleton, Tuesday, 14 July at 7:30 pm, Manning Memorial Chapel, Acadia University, Wolfville, and Wednesday, 15 July at 7:00 pm, Ottawa House Museum, Parrsboro.  For more information, call 902-582-3933 or contact musiqueroyale1985@gmail.com.
 
CANADIAN BLOOD SERVICES - on Monday, July 13, 1:00 - 3:00 pm and 5:00 - 8:00 pm the mobile blood donor clinic will be held at the Chester Royal Canadian Legion.
 
SHOREHAM VILLAGE - CAN YOU HELP ? With the nicer weather upon us Shoreham Village is seeking volunteers who would like to spend an hour a week with  residents in 1-1 raised gardening, walks or taking a little sunshine on the decks.  They are also seeking volunteers to go out with the recreation staff on bus drives and outings.  Anyone interested please contact Linda Bell at 902-275-5631 ext 235 or lbell@shorehamvillage.com, also Karen or Jamie at ext 233 or recreation@shorehamvillage.com.  This help is so needed and such a good way to not only  ‘fill your cup’ but someone else’s cup too. 
 
ROSTAD EUROPEAN  RIVER CRUISE :  hosted by Archdeacon Michael and Holly Mitchell.  Brochures are available giving full details of an award winning river cruise traveling along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers from Amsterdam to Budapest.  Look into the early booking discounts on this dream trip.
 
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THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH

WARDENS' MEETING - Sun, 12 July, 9:30-10:30 am, Tyler Grant Room
BIBLE TALK - Wed, July 15, 10:30 am, in Tyler Grant Room
 
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WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY
19 July, 2015
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
 
8:00 a.m.,  St. Stephen’s,  Holy Communion
9:00 am, St George’s, Holy Eucharist
11:00 am, St. Stephen’s, Holy Eucharist
 
 Readings: 2 Samuel 7:1-14c; Psalm 89:20-37; Ephesians 2 :11-22;
Mark 6: 30-34, 53-56
 
Readings: 2 Samuel 7:1-14c; Psalm 89:20-37; Ephesians 2 :11-22;
Mark 6: 30-34, 53-56
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STEWARDSHIP THOUGHTS
What can a steward learn from this story? Maybe not to act or speak too quickly, but to allow the Spirit to guide our thoughts and actions. (Michael Pollesel)
 
 

Thursday 2 July 2015

 


Welcome to St. Stephen’s Parish Blog for Sunday, 5 July 2015.  
 
WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY
5 July, 2015
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
 
8:00 a.m.,  St. Stephen’s,  Holy Communion
11:00 am, St. Stephen’s, Parish Family Worship
 
Readings: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10; Psalm 48; 2 Corinthians 12: 2-10;
Mark 6: 1-13
 
*** PARISH BARBEQUE AFTER PARISH FAMILY WORSHIP  - PLEASE JOIN US ***
 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
PARISH BARBEQUE : The Annual Parish Barbeque will be held in the courtyard of St. Stephen’s Church on Sunday, 5 July  after the 11:00 am service.  All Parish members and guests are invited for burgers, hot dogs (not the four legged kind - we promise)  and refreshments.
 
***** NOTICE OF SERVICE SCHEDULE CHANGE: On Sunday, 12 July, there will only be one service in the Parish of St. Stephen’s.  It will be held at 11:00 am, at St. Stephen’s Church in Chester.  Archdeacon Michael Mitchell will be in attendance and immediately following the service he will chair a meeting of all parishioners regarding the new Rector selection process and the election of a Parochial Committee.  All Parishioners are encouraged to attend the service and participate in the meeting. ****
 
MUSIQUE ROYALE - presenting La Tour Baroque Duo in four communities in Nova Scotia.  Sunday, 12 July at 3:00 pm St Barnabas Church, Blue Rocks, Monday, 13 July at 7:00 pm, Old Holy Trinity Church, Lower Middleton, Tuesday, 14 July at 7:30 pm, Manning Memorial Chapel, Acadia University, Wolfville, and Wednesday, 15 July at 7:00 pm, Ottawa House Museum, Parrsboro.  For more information, call 902-582-3933 or contact musiqueroyale1985@gmail.com.
 
CANADIAN BLOOD SERVICES - on Monday, July 13, 1:00 - 3:00 pm and 5:00 - 8:00 pm the mobile blood donor clinic will be held at the Chester Royal Canadian Legion.
 
ROSTAD EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISE :  hosted by Archdeacon Michael and Holly Mitchell.  Brochures are available giving full details of an award winning river cruise travelling along the Rhein, Main and Danube rivers from Amsterdam to Budapest.  Great early booking discounts on this dream trip.
 
PWRDF - Thank you to all who contributed to the  Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund.  Anglicans and others raised $585,044 before the 25 May deadline - the Canadian government will match this amount dollar for dollar. 
 
PRAYER LIST FOR JULY - This is the Sunday we refresh our prayer list of people who are sick.  Please ensure that names of those to be remembered are added to the  prayer list for July.
 
 
THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
 
BIBLE TALK -  Wed, July 8, 10:30 am, in Tyler Grant Room
 
WARDENS’ MEETING - Sun, 12 July, 9:30-10:30 am, Tyler Grant Room.
 
 
WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY
12 July, 2015
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
 
11:00 am, St. Stephen’s - Holy Eucharist
 
Readings: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10; Psalm 48; 2 Corinthians 12: 2-10;
Mark 6: 1-13
 
SPECIAL SERVICE WITH ARCHDEACON MICHAEL MITCHELL
IN ATTENDANCE.
All Parishioners are encouraged to attend this service and the following discussion about the new Rector selection process.  A Parochial Committee will also be elected at this time.
 
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