Advent and Christmas at St. Mary’s

Advent Prayer Vigil

Saturday, December 2, 12.00 – 5.00 pm.
An afternoon of prayer and silence including a series of reflections on the theme “My House Shall be called a house of prayer” (Matt. 21.13}. We will begin with Holy Communion and end with an Advent Antiphon Service.

Fridays in Advent

December 8, 15, 22 from 5.45 pm. – 8.00 pm.
This intergenerational gathering will be begin with a hot and hearty meal, and will be followed by opportunity for book study, baking, music making, crafts, to conclude with Family Compline Service of Light and Peace.

St. Nicholas’ Day Celebration

Saturday, December 9 3.30 pm. – 6.30 pm.
An afternoon of tea, snacks, visiting, activities to include packing baskets for Women of the Dawn Counseling Centre Project Kid Care, blessing the baskets, worship, and a visit from St. Nicholas. You are invited to bring a gift of toys, books, or clothing for a child between the age of 3 and 15 for the Women of the Dawn Kid Care Project. An event for adults and children of all ages. Invite your family, friends and neighbours.


Advent and Christmas Worship

Dec 3, First Sunday in Advent

10.00 am. Morning Prayer
10.30 am. Holy Communion

Dec 10, Second Sunday in Advent

10.00 am. Morning Prayer
10.30 Holy Communion

Dec 17, Third Sunday in Advent

10.00 am. Morning Prayer
10.30 am. Holy Communion

Dec 24, Fourth Sunday in Advent/Christmast Eve

10.30 am. Service of Lessons and Carols for Christmas
7.00 pm. Festal Holy Communion for Christmas

Dec 25, Christmas Day

10.30 am. Holy Communion

Dec 31, First Sunday after Christmas

10.00 am. Morning Prayer
10.30 am. Holy Communion


Lord Jesus, You have come so many times and found no resting place;
forgive us our overcrowded lives, our vain haste, and our preoccupation with self.

Come again, 0 Lord, and though our hearts are a jumble of voices and our minds overlaid with many fears, find a place however humble, where You can begin to work Your wonder as You create peace and joy within us. If in some hidden corner, in some out-of- the-way-spot, we can clear away the clutter and shut out the noise and darkness, come again and be born in us, and we shall kneel in perfect peace with the wisest and humblest of men.

Help us enter into this Advent with humility yet with You. And finally, Lord, give us Christmas from within that we may share it without, on all sides, all around us, wherever there is need.

God help us, every one, to share the blessings of Jesus in Whose Name we keep Christmas holy. Amen

St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Nov 26 2017, Sunday Next before Advent, Canon Claude Schroeder Matt.25.14-30

IN the same way the world we live in has a calendar, with today being Grey Cup Sunday, but also the First Sunday after Black Friday; so it is with the Church. Today is the Sunday Next before Advent: the solemn season of preparation for the joy of Christmas. Continue reading “St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Nov 26 2017, Sunday Next before Advent, Canon Claude Schroeder Matt.25.14-30”

Trinity 23, Nov 19 2017 Canon Claude Schroeder. Sermon on Matthew 25.14-30

In today’s Gospel lesson we have the third of four advent parables Jesus tells in 25th Chapter of Matthew’s Gospel. Last week we had the parable of the wise and foolish bridesmaids, today it’s the Parable of the Talents, and next week, we will have the climatic parable, the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats. So stay tuned, and do not adjust your sets. Continue reading “Trinity 23, Nov 19 2017 Canon Claude Schroeder. Sermon on Matthew 25.14-30”

November 19th, 2017: Twenty Third Sunday after Trinity

O GOD, our refuge and strength, who art the author of all godliness: Be ready, we beseech thee, to hear the devout prayers of thy Church; and grant that those things which we ask faithfully we may obtain effectually; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

TODAY AT ST. MARY’S

The Father is my hope; the Son is my refuge, the Holy Spirit is my Protector,
All Holy Trinity, Glory to Thee!

Prayer on Entering the Church

I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear I will worship toward thy holy temple. Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before me, that with a clear mind I may glorify thee forever, One Divine Power worshipped in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Continue reading “November 19th, 2017: Twenty Third Sunday after Trinity”

St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Trinity 22, Nov 12 2017 Canon Claude Schroeder

(1 Thess. 4.13-18; Matt. 25.1-13)

In preparing for the service today, I was contemplating changing the lectionary readings assigned for this Sunday, in favour of those for Remembrance Day.

In the end, I stuck with the assigned readings, which it seems to me speak powerfully to the occasion. Our theme today is not so much that of war and peace, but of hope.

What is the hope that we as Christians have for the future in the midst of this violent, war-torn world? Continue reading “St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Trinity 22, Nov 12 2017 Canon Claude Schroeder”

November 12th, 2017 – Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity

LORD, we beseech thee to keep thy household the Church in continual godliness; that through thy protection it may be free from all adversities, and devoutly given to serve thee in good works, to the glory of thy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

TODAY AT ST. MARY’S

“The Father is my hope; the Son is my refuge, the Holy Spirit is my Protector, All Holy Trinity, Glory to Thee!” Continue reading “November 12th, 2017 – Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity”

November 5th, 2017 Feast of All Saints

O ALMIGHTY God, who hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of thy Son Christ our Lord: Grant us grace so to follow thy blessed Saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys, which thou hast prepared for them that unfeignedly love thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Entrance Hymn # 525 The Church’s One Foundation Continue reading “November 5th, 2017 Feast of All Saints”

October 29, 2017; Trinity 20; Rev. Nathaniel

Death is that mystery which transcends human experience and knowledge. Nobody knows a particular instance they may announce their passing, “It is finished!” Let us hold to that thought for a moment because we will revisit it in our discussion about the life of Moses, Paul, Jesus and the Christian saints.

Imagine you are Moses who received the saddest news of your death, that you will not enjoy fruits of liberation: “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, ’I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see I’t with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it” (Deut. 34: 4).

Continue reading “October 29, 2017; Trinity 20; Rev. Nathaniel”