Pentecost 21

Dear St. Stephen’s church family,

1. Gobble gobble! Today is our Turkey to Go event!

In a few hours we will be serving 167 meals to parishioners, family, friends and neighbours. Karlos Hospitality has prepared and packaged all the food. Turkey to Go-ers will arrive at the church at their appointed time, either at the front or in the back parking lot, and volunteers will run their meals out to their cars! Some will be delivered to homes by volunteers. Many meals have been donated, thanks to your generosity, and will go to various people–students, seniors, newcomers. We are so excited to be able to do something positive and community building in these days of cancellations and disappointment. Stay tuned for more photos and news of how it went! If you ordered Turkey to Go, don’t forget to send a photo of yourself and your turkey (not your spouse). Thank you to the Plan C Committee (Creatively being the Church during these times of Covid Chaos) for making this happen, and to all of you! 

2. Confirmation Class on Zoom—

Sunday at 3 pm. Please bring booklets, Bibles and yourself!

 3. Don’t forget to vote on Monday!

Voting is a duty and a privilege in a country where we enjoy freedom and peace. Pray for all leaders and those who have put themselves forward as candidates. 

 4. I was invited to join the Saskatoon Theological Union’s worship service on Tuesday at 11 am, and to preach a sermon. 

They are celebrating Saint Simon and Saint Jude, both disciples of Jesus, who are now known, among other things, as the patron saints of lost causes! Yikes. I guess, with the words of the famous hymn, “I once was lost, but now am found!” We could all be described as lost causes, except for Jesus’ saving love.

 5. I haven’t quite decided if we will hand out candy outside of St. Stephen’s on Halloween this year.

Please be safe and if you have children (of any age!) who are dressing up, please send us photos. We’d love to share them.  

 6. Next Sunday is All Saints’ Day.

If you would like a candle to be lit in memory of a loved one, please send us the name(s) and we will do that during Sunday worship next week. This is one way that our church calendar offers us space to take time and acknowledge the life and love we have shared with others who have gone before us. 

 7. In person worship

happens on Sundays at 9:30 am. You are invited to attend, but asked to please register ahead of time. Email or phone. If we are at our limit, we may ask you to wait until the next week. Tomorrow’s service is at capacity. Thank you for your understanding and care for one another. 

 8. Thank you to all who donated hats, coats, mittens and various other items to be donated to shelters and to those who could use a hand.

3 cars shuttled off on Friday with the goods. Thank you Becky, Rev. John and Donna for delivering.  We are no longer looking for these items. Stay tuned for our next ask!

9. Church Calendars

are available for purchase now. They are $5 each. Let us know if you would like one set aside.

Parish Cycle of Prayer

Monday: Sid and Marsha and family 

Tuesday: Viola and family

Wednesday: Wyndham and Amy, Henry and Wesley and family

Thursday: Sandra B and family

Friday: Brigette B and family

 Pied Beauty

Glory be to God for dappled things –

For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;

For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;

Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings;

Landscape plotted and pieced – fold, fallow, and plough;

And áll trádes, their gear and tackle and trim.

 

All things counter, original, spare, strange;

Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)

With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;

He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change:

Praise him.

 

Try reading this beautiful poem aloud. It resonates with the syllables of God’s grace.

Peace in Christ,

 Rev. Amy <><