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

We hope you will have a week filled with peace and love. 

 

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WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY

13 December, 2015

The Third Sunday of Advent

 

          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: Zephaniah 3: 14-20; Isaiah 12: 2-6 (Canticle 3);

Philippians 4: 4-7; Luke 3: 7-18

 

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

REQUEST FOR YOUTH - to take part in the Nativity Christmas play which will be performed at the 4:30 pm Christmas Eve service at St. Stephen’s Church.

There will be 2 rehearsals. 

One at 12:30pm  today, 13 Dec in the Parish Hall and the next at 12:30 pm on Sunday, 20 Dec in St. Stephen’s Church.

 

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

 

CHRISTMAS 2015 PLUM PUDDING SALE -there are puddings still available at the Parish Centre!   Small - $9 Large - $18

 

SING CHOIRS - at 7:30 pm, Wed, 16 Dec in the United Baptist Church, Chester (Storm date Thursday, 17 Dec at 7:30 pm).

Proceeds from the donations of free will from those attending this concert to be given to Vintage Voices,

part of the Musical Friends programme at St. Stephen’s Parish Centre.

 

SOUTH SHORE CHORALE: at 4:00 pm on Sunday, 20 Dec, in St. Stephen’s Church.                

  

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THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH

 

MUSICAL FRIENDS - (Vintage Voices, Band, Tuneful Tots, etc) on Mon, 14 Dec, from 1:00 - 4:30 pm

 

 BIBLE TALK -  on Wed, 16 Dec, from 10:30 - 12:00 pm in the Tyler Grant Room.  All Welcome! 

 

CHOIR PRACTICE - Thurs, 17 Dec, 7:00 pm in Tuck Hall 

                                  

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WORSHIP NEXT SUNDAY

20 December, 2015

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

 

          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: Micah 5: 2-5a; Luke 1:46b-55 (Canticle 18); 

Hebrews 10: 5-10; Luke 1: 39-55

 

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SPECIAL  SERVICE

Monday, 21 December 2015

 

  7:00 pm    St. Stephen’s Chester  - Service of Hope and Compassion

 

All welcome - refreshments served after the service

 

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TAKE A MOMENT ON TUESDAYS

 

It was decided at Regional Council that every Tuesday between 12:00 and 12:05 pm,

a moment will be taken to pray for the refugees of the world. 

We hope you will join us in prayer at that time

 

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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.