Dear St. Stephen’s church family,

Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice! Let your moderation be known to all. The Lord is at hand.

-Philippians 4:4

Tomorrow is our long awaited Cozy Advent Afternoon, and I am so grateful that the weather is taking a definite turn for the warmer. Join us from 2-4 for an Advent craft, hot chocolate, time to mix and mingle and neighbourhood horse and wagon rides. (The company had to cancel today’s rides for others because of the cold, as happened to us last year—but thankfully tomorrow is a green light for St. Stephen’s)!

News of Machot

Machot Deng arrived in Calgary safely on Thursday night at around midnight! Marje had thoughtfully packed snacks and lunch for him for the long journey and the Rev John Chuol picked him up in Calgary. He had to transfer buses in Edmonton, but made it and is resting and doing well. Pray for Machot to have a wonderful time with the Dinka community in Calgary, and with the Rev John and family. He sends his love to all of us at St. Stephen’s.

  

This afternoon a group of St. Stephen’s and friends went to prepare and serve lunch at the Friendship Inn. It is such a well run and compassionate organization and it is such a pleasure to work there as a church group. We were employed peeling potatoes, cracking eggs, cutting tomatoes, serving trays and clearing trays and juicing lemons! Volunteers are invited to stay to eat lunch afterwards and some of us did so, while others had to go to work or study. The manager of the kitchen told us that it is not unusual this time of year to serve 1800 meals a day, which does not include the meals they make for other organizations such as the Salvation Army. Our city is better because of the Friendship Inn. Let’s pray for them over these coming weeks and look for ways to love and serve God and neighbour.

Next Friday, December 19th, is an all ages Christmas Carols and Trivia Night. Come and join in this fun event. Snacks and hot drinks provided. Suggested donation of $5 for our Warming up Mongolia outreach project.

Evening Prayer services continue weekdays—Monday through Friday—throughout Advent and begin at 6 pm. All are welcome.

Tuesday, December 16th at 7 pm will be our final Sherbrooke Centre Bible Study of 2025. We will be talking about the Advent theme of Joy!

Thursday, December 18th at 1:30 will be our last Once Upon a Wardrobe book discussion session. Stay tuned for a new book in January.

2026 Dates to remember:

A funeral service will be held for our dear Laine Walker on Saturday, January 17th at 2 pm. Reception to follow. Baking welcome!

A Collation Service on Tuesday, January 13th at 7 pm. The Rev Amy will be made Territorial Archdeacon, in service of the Bishop and the Diocese of Saskatoon. All are welcome.

Friday, January 23rd—ConfirmMitzvah—a celebration of our confirmands as they prepare for Confirmation on Sunday, January 25th at St. Stephen’s, at the 10:30 am service, Bishop Chad officiating.

Parish Weekly Cycle of Prayer

Monday: for the Friendship Inn and all organizations that work in our core areas. For those who serve and those who are served.

Tuesday: for our youth group and for their families. That St. Stephen’s might be a place of welcome and support and a place to grow in faith.

Wednesday: for Machot over Christmas and into 2026. For a restful and nourishing holiday and for God’s guidance in his future.

Thursday: for Jeannette and family

Friday: for Kathleen M

A quote for this Advent Season

Paschius Radbertus, a ninth century Benedictine, wrote, “the apostles took every care not to be drawn from the right path. They kept watch, observing the universal precepts their master had given to his disciples so as to be ready when he came again. Consequently we must always be on the lookout for Christ’s twofold coming, the one when he comes day after day to stir our consciences, and the other when we shall have to give an account of everything we have done. He comes to us now in order that his future coming may find us prepared. (from Common Prayer, a Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals)

Sent with joy and hope in Christ,

The Rev. Amy