ALL SAINTS SUNDAY
November 2, 2025
THE FATHER IS MY HOPE; THE SON IS MY REFUGE;
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS MY PROTECTION.
ALL HOLY TRINITY, GLORY TO THEE!
LIVE AUDIO STREAMING during today’s service is available on the Order of Service page. Recorded audio will be added following worship.
GETTING READY FOR SUNDAY: PREVIEW OF THE READINGS.
On this Feast of All Saints, our readings give us two complimentary visions of holiness. The first, from the Book of Revelation, where a great multitude, who have been sanctified through their suffering, stand in worship before the throne of God in heaven and experience His unmeditated sheltering presence and comfort. The second vision, from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, describes the personal qualities and life experience and the ensuing blessedness of those who have died to sin, and have risen to new life in Christ.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Daniel 7:1-3,15-18
In the first year of Belshaz′zar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, and told the sum of the matter. Daniel said, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious and the visions of my head alarmed me. I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me, and made known to me the interpretation of the things. ‘These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, for ever and ever.’
THE LESSON: Revelation 7:9-17
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels stood round the throne and round the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.” Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and whence have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night within his temple; and he who sits upon the throne will shelter them with his presence.They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
THE GOSPEL: Matthew 5:1-12
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.
PARISH LIFE NOTES
CONFIRMATION CLASS SIGN-UP Confirmation classes will begin this November in preparation for the Confirmation Service on January 25. If you or your child would like to participate, please sign up soon! Sign-up sheets are available on the table outside the sanctuary. You can also call or email the church office to register. 306 522 6052 / stmarysanglican@sasktel.net
LOST & FOUND REMINDER Have you misplaced something? Our Lost & Found basket is located upstairs in front of the sanctuary, by the coat hanger. Please take a moment to look through it — items will be cleared out or donated at the end of each month. Thank you!
NOTES FROM ST MARY’S VESTRY MEETING OCT 19TH 2025
• (Rector, Wardens, Safe Church (Kate), South Sudanese Mission (Nathaniel) reporting in)
• Finance Reporting: Financially from January to July 31st we’re on track. Bill from Co-Operators insurance still pending for our 14-month coverage and we are continuing our fair share payments.
• Topics for Decision:
(1) Emergency Response Plan for St Mary’s Church was discussed and approved by Vestry. Kate (Safe Church) will be briefing our greeters in a meeting after church Sunday Nov 2nd. Copy of plan to be posted in office if parish would like to review same.
(2) Vestry decided (on request of our Admin Assistant) that the cleaning contract hours would be combined with administration hours so proper taxes and relevant CPP and EI would be reflected as per CRA guidelines.
• Items for Discussion:
(1) Parochial Committee Update to Vestry
(2) Bookkeeper: Our recent bookkeeper has requested to step down from his position and Alanna is looking into alternate options and training.
(3) Sanctuary Icons have been moved from the lectern side of the sanctuary and moved in front of the pulpit as a result of a tripping hazard. Former icon wax candles have been replaced with T lights due to fire hazard concerns.
(4) St Nicholas Update provided to Vestry
Next Meeting Nov 23rd, 2025
ST. NICHOLAS FESTIVAL 2025 – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
St. Mary’s fourth annual St. Nicholas Festival will take place on Saturday, December 6th, from 11am to 3:30pm. We need volunteers from the parish to make this event run smoothly. It is a big fundraiser for us.
The day will include a barbecue/bonfire, bake sale, market (including used books this year), children’s activities, a café with music, and church tours, culminating in a short Lessons & Carols service with a visit from St. Nicholas!
If you are interested in volunteering or need general information about the event, please contact Katherine and she will direct you to the relevant team leader. You can also talk to the relevant team leader directly:
- Children’s Activities – Shelley
- Market – Clara
- Bake Sale – Amy & Sharon
- Café – Chelsey
- Barbecue – Lyndon
Please let your friends and family know about the event!
Also, we encourage everyone to contribute what you can for our bake sale (other food items, such as jams, also accepted) and market. As well as a used book sale, we also have a table for selling gently-used toys, children’s items, and Christmas decorations. Please bring items to the church on Friday, December 5th, unless otherwise arranged. Thank you all for your support and prayers!”
HERE ARE THE GENERAL TIMES: “St. Nicholas Festival – Saturday, December 6th, at St. Mary’s Anglican Church
- 11-3pm – Café & Entertainment, Children’s Activities, Bake Sale, Used Book Sale, and Christmas Market
- 11-2pm – Bonfire Barbecue
- 3-3:30pm – Lessons & Carols Children’s Service with a Visit from St. Nicholas”
FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF MISSION AND MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT AND ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP JONATHAN BAUER
Last Sunday I was able to join the faithful at St Mary the Virgin, Regina for worship at their 10.30am Book of Common Prayer Eucharist. The Rev’d Gene Packwood was the Presiding Priest and Preacher, with the Rev’d Nathaniel Athian Deng Mayen assisting.
Rev Gene was also assisted in giving his short children’s address by ‘Hezekiah’ the church mouse! The children certainly seemed to like this unusual teaching assistant!
St Mary’s is a traditional parish, with Sunday liturgy centred on the Book of Common Prayer. The parish is currently in a vacancy and they are putting together their parish profile as they embark upon the search and call process for their next Rector.
A prayer as they discern:
Gracious, loving God, we pray for the people, clergy, and bishops of the Church who are involved in our search for a new rector.
Open our hearts to hear your Word that our lives and labours may proclaim your love for all people. Bless us with your Holy Spirit that we may not fear the challenges and changes that are before us. Grant that we may remain faithful to this journey; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Morning Prayer: Tuesday at 8:30a.m.
Evening Prayer: Wednesday at 5.30 p.m.
Sunday night prayer: Sunday 7:00 p.m.