The 3rd Sunday in Advent

by | Dec 14, 2024 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

The 3rd Sunday in Advent

Dear St. Stephen’s family and friends,

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and will not be afraid, for the LORD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.” With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. -Isaiah 12:2-3


Saint John the Baptist Preaching, Johannson Krause

 
Practices for our Christmas Pageant continue today! Saturday, December 14th at 3 pm. All children are invited to participate!

Altar Servers training also takes place today, Saturday, December 14th at 2 pm, before the Pageant rehearsal.

The Great Divorce - Wikipedia

CS Lewis’ “The Great Divorce,” book study and conversation group continues tomorrow, Sunday, December 15th.  The book poetically proposes, through images and story, that heaven and hell have no future together, they are and will be “divorced,” not married. This has deep and meaningful implications for our life in the present and in our future. If you have the book, we are reading up to chapter 8 for this week. If you don’t have the book but just want to listen in on the conversation, please feel free. We will meet at around 12:30, after the 10:30 service. We will then take a break until January. Thank you to Dr. Michael Siebert, for guiding this discussion.

Thank you to Rev. Perry for leading Tuesday Evening Prayer and Bible Study throughout the Fall and Winter. I know that it was a meaningful and encouraging time for participants. Perry has decided to discontinue the service over these next busy weeks. There will be no Tuesday evening services throughout December and into the new year. Here is a photo of Rev. Perry in Toronto at a training day with his Power to Change ministry this past week. Can you spot him in the crowd?
We will be holding a New Year’s Eve service at 3:30 pm on Tuesday, December 31st (the Malayalam congregation will gather at 10 pm). All are welcome to come to this Eucharist service and spend some time in quiet and reflection on the eve of a new calendar year.

Thursdays at 4:30 pm, Holy Eucharist in the Book of Common Prayer.

Here is the St. Stephen’s Malayalam congregationpracticing Christmas carols together on Thursday evening. They have been meeting together weekly, and will bring the singing to one another’s homes throughout the Advent and Christmas season.

Our much anticipated Cozy Advent Afternoon was postponed due to the slush and sleet and bad driving conditions. Thank you to all who baked cookies in preparation for this event and for all who volunteered to help! Please stay tuned for a Plan B in the new year.

Thank you to all who took gift tags for our Annual Christmas Giving Tree for Adelle House.  I am so pleased that all of the tags have been spoken for (see the empty tree above). Please return all gifts to St. Stephen’s by December 18th. Gifts should cost around $40. They can be wrapped or unwrapped, but must have the tag attached. Thank you to Donna, for organizing this for us.
mamabishop: Love God, Love Your Neighbor
A group of St. Stephen’s young adults and others are serving lunch at the Friendship Inn on Saturday, December 21st, from 11:30-1. We have 12 people so far and can accept up to 15. I am looking for 3 more volunteers. If you would like to take part, please talk with me, Rev. Amy. You must be 18 years old to volunteer. <><
The December Scroll, our parish newsletter, is hot off the press! Wow! It’s full of great content and thoughtful pieces by various parishioners. Print media is an endangered species! The Scroll preserves a wonderful and uplifting tradition. Thank you Linda, for putting it together. I have attached the digital version. There are print copies available if you prefer. Send a note to the office and we will make sure you get one. Read and enjoy!
Click here to read the December Edition of the St. Stephen’s Scroll!

Christmas is a time of year that brings joy and celebration and memories of times gone by. It can also be a time of sadness and loss. There are several services in the city that are holding “Blue Christmas” services, to help bring that grief before God and experience the comfort (and joy) of Christmas.  I include the service happening at Christ Church on December 17th as an example:

 
Quiet, contemplative, candlelight service especially for those of us carrying feelings of loss and grief at this time of year. Prayers, hymns, Scripture readings. Please join us.
Tuesday December 17th at 7 pm
Christ Church Anglican
515 28th Street West
Saskatoon


A small group of clergy (including 2 Archdeacons and a Bishop!) from the Clericus of the Saskatoon Deanery led the service at Preston Avenue Special Care Home (previously Extendicare) this past week. The residents loved having the special guests and we shared a wonderful time of fellowship afterwards.

Here’s our Christmas Eve Schedule. Please be in touch with Cathryn if you would like to play music at the Christmas Eve 7 pm service.

In Christ’s love and peace,
Rev. Amy <><

Parish Cycle of Prayer
Monday: for Machot, and for God’s guidance in these final steps in the process of welcoming Machot to Saskatoon.
Tuesday: for all those who are grieving in this Advent season, for those who have lost loved ones, or are in a time of transition, that God might bring them comfort and peace.
Wednesday: for the Friendship Inn and for the group of volunteers from St. Stephen’s who will serve lunch on December 21st. For a sense of joy in service and for the eyes and heart to see Jesus among us.
Thursday: for Margaret R
Friday: for Anne S