This Week’s Readings for Daily Devotion

Mon. – Ps. 1 - 3; Acts 26: 1 - 23; Lk. 8: 26 - 39

Tue. – Ps. 5 & 6; Acts 26:24 - 27:8; Lk. 8: 40 - 56

Wed. – Ps. 119:1-24; Acts 27: 9 - 26; Lk. 9: 1 - 17

Thu. – Ps. 18: 1 - 20; Acts 27: 27 - 44; Lk. 9: 18 - 27

Fri. – Ps. 16 & 17; Acts 28: 1 - 6; Lk. 9: 28 - 36

Sat. (St. Luke) –Ps. 147:1-7; 2 Tim. 4: 5 - 13; Lk. 4: 14 - 21

Readings for Next Sunday - October 19th, 2014 (Proper 29)

Exodus 33: 12 - 23; Ps. 99; 1 Thessalonians 1: 1 - 10; Matthew 22: 15 - 22

St. Stephen’s Rule of Life † STUDY the Scripture every day. In light of what I have read, what is God calling me to be or to do today?

† PRAY at least three times a day [Please add to your prayers on the day specified]

College & University Students

Zachary & Zyreeta Allder, Kristen Allicock, Ellen Asiedu, Allan Austin, Aliecia Brissett, Neion George, Fenton Jagdeo Jnr., Shalon Jeffers, Banria & Brian John, Iris, Khalesha & Lauren Linton, Ethel Quarcoo, Carlitha Shortte-Letts, Dylan Telfer, Natasha Thompson,

Chrystal Walker & Shanice Wright.

Readings for Holy Communion

Wed., Oct. 15th

Gal. 5: 16 - 25;

Psalm 1;

Luke 11: 42 - 46

(Study - Acts 10)

George Barnett, Dophne Bolden, Irene Canfield, Beulah Grey, Andrew Gunraj, Zelpha Johnson &

Dophnia Lindsay. Housebound

Olive Arnold, Harold Beharry, Coralee Campbell, Ezekiel Ekeh, Rueben Grant, Lily Griggs,

Elizabeth Hardcastle, Unia Kityo, Claudia Peters, Perlina Pitter, Joan Singh & Rema Yellery.

Sick & Recovering

Abigail Barran, Rosette Bartley, Rob Ford, Duayne Haywood, Donna Henriques, Lillian Hutchinson, Mohani Budhwa, Kyle McIntosh,

Patrice McIntosh, Smatt Omologe, Charles Pryce & Mina Thompson.

Sick Friends of the Parish

† GIVE regularly to support the Church’s ministry [envelopes, gifts, talents and time] † LIVE for God, our Church and others [be just, loving, peaceful and caring]

Thought For The

Week

The Church of St. Stephen (Downsview) Established in 1953

2259 Jane Street, TORONTO, ONTARIO, M3M 1A6

Telephone: Office - (416) 241-4639 Rectory - (647) 344-4187 Cell. #: - (647) 382-4596 Fax: Office - (416) 248-5415

Church Email: saintstephensoffice@rogers.com Fr. Kenute: saintstephensrector@rogers.com

Thanksgiving Service

October 12th, 2014

9:00am - Said Eucharist

10:30am - Sung Eucharist

MISSION

To worship God, creating a caring,

Christian community, through growth and

celebration, using our gifts and talents to reach out in love to

others.

OUR MOTTO

Bearing witness by faith and works

OUR PRIORITIES

Christian Education, Youth & Outreach

WELCOME

Special Welcome to all parishioners, visitors &

friends.

We invite visitors to sign our visitors book.

If you do not have a Church home we invite you to make the Church

of St. Stephen your spiritual haven.

BE THOUGHTFUL AND REVERENT

Before Service: Talk with God During Service: Let God talk to you After Service: Talk with each other

From Fr. Kenute’s Desk

My brothers and sisters in Christ,

As we celebrate Thanksgiving we are reminded that like Christmas, Easter, birthdays, anniversaries, Lent, Valentines, Mothers’ and Fathers’ day, these celebrations are not only for the specific occasion but to give special and elevated expression at that particular time. Thanksgiving is an attitude to possess at all times.

It is one of the most important attitudes that we will ever nurture, that we will ever exhibit. This attitude of thankfulness and gratitude makes the difference.

Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Jesus Christ for you.”

One of our real favourites that we sing so ever often tells us: Give thanks with a grateful heart. Give thanks to the Holy One

Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, "I am strong" Let the poor say, "I am rich because of what the Lord has done for us"

And now let the weak say, "I am strong" Let the poor say, "I am rich because of what the Lord has done for us"

As Christians, we have been given a very good deal by our God. No matter our earthly lot, we are saved by the life, death and resurrection of Christ. He only asks that we actively acknowledge that fact in prayer and thanksgiving and in sharing his love with our neighbors.

In these uncertain times, let's remind ourselves that God is certain, sure and faithful. Let us nourish and sustain our faith in God’s promises and abundant love. Let's make a special effort to acknowledge God's gifts, both great and small -- giving thanks for his blessings and placing our confidence in his everlasting goodness.

“Thanksgiving is the virtue of interdependence, the recognition that our achievements are not fully our own, but emerge from a network of

relationships that sustain and shape us, giving us the materials from which we create our experiences moment by moment. Thanksgiving as a spiritual

practice reminds us that all our gifts are communal as well individual. Our creativity and freedom, our ability to choose the good and noble, have their origins in forces larger than ourselves -- God, this good earth, and persons

who have guided, protected, inspired, and nurtured us.” (Bruce Epperly)

May you all have a warm and blessed Thanksgiving -- filled with the wonderful tastes, smells and colors of the season -- as you gather together joyfully with family, friends and God.

Fr. Kenute

Last Week’s Statistics

St. Stephens Activity Corner

Last

Week’s

Answers

Across 1. FARMER 3. KILLED 5. SERVANTS 7. HARVEST

Down 1. FRUIT 2. PARABLE 4. LISTEN 6. SON

Kanier Hodge & Georgiana Cummings (13th)

Hilton Ramessar (14th)

Birthdays This Week

Other Numbers

ATTENDANCE 136

OFFERINGS $2,096

BUDGET $2,300

60th Anniversary $26,162

Parking Lot $14,505

9:00 a.m. Service 10:30 a.m. Service

Ushers: Hilton Ramessar Kameel, Pauline & Leroy

Chalice: Rhona McColman Ericka Martin & Bosun Williams

Readers: Kojo Mensah Maraval Odlum & Emeka Ichoku

Gospeller: Kojo Mensah Bev Brown

Intercessor: Felicia Holder

Altar Guild: Wendy Cottle & Tellece Woodbine-James

Counters: Anthony & Barbara Holder and Janet Morrissey

Today’s Ministers

This Week At St. Stephen’s

Today, Oct. 12th - Last day for tickets for the Evening of Elegance. Adults $75, Children $40. Please give your support.

Mon. to Fri. - 11am - 12:30pm - St. Stephen/St Felix Café

Mon. Oct. 13th - Thanksgiving Holiday

Tue. to Fri. - 4 - 6pm - Homework Club

Tue. Oct. 14th @ 7pm - Bible Study (Acts 14)

Wed. Oct. 15th @ 12noon - Holy Communion & Study (Acts 10)

Thu. Oct. 16th @ 7:30pm - Choir Rehearsal

Sat. Oct. 18th @ 6:00pm - Evening Of Elegance at Woodbr idge Banquet Hall

4000 Steeles Avenue West, Woodbridge.

Sun. Oct. 19th - The 19th Sunday After Pentecost

9:00am - Said Eucharist & Sermon

10:30am - Baptism Service & Eucharist

Let’s Communicate, Connect and Collaborate

Ebola Victims Aid: We will be taking a second offering on Sunday, Oc-tober, 26th and Sunday, November 02nd. The proceeds of these will be sent to aid the victims of Ebola in West Africa. Please give generously so that we can in some small part, contribute to ease the suffering of all those who have contracted this disease and also help those others who are risking their own lives to help these victims.

Voting: The Toronto Mayoral & Municipal Elections will take place on October 27th. I encourage you all to exercise your constitutional right to vote by going out and casting your ballot.

Flowers: given by the McIntosh-Keyi, Beckles, Herman & Charles families in thanksgiving for healing and blessings received.

Thanks: to Alan Coulter at Coulter Contracting for installing the glass on the office and Balsom Room doors. We are grateful for his generosity in volunteering his services for this project which now makes us more compliant with Diocesan regulations.

Talent Ingathering: Some persons have been asking for more time to invest and grow their talent. If you feel you have done enough then you can give your talent on Oct. 12th. If not we will do a second ingathering on Nov. 23rd.

Oct 25 - Youth Career & Business Expo

Oct 26 - Youth Service. Offer ings of Thanksgiving & Food bank donation

Zambia Independence (24th) & St. Vincent Independence (27th)

GATHERING OF THE COMMUNITY

Opening Sentence:

Prayer of Approach (All):

O God of steadfast love, we enter this space to worship you in gladness. We come into your presence singing your praises and celebrating your faithfulness. You are our creator; we are your people. We give thanks for the sun, water, air and winds that nourish your earth which provides the bounty we enjoy. Bless us as we bless your name. Amen!

Processional Hymn: 63BB - All Creatures Of Our God & King (omit vs. 2)

Greetings:

Priest: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. All: And also with you.

Priest: Enter God's gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! All: Give thanks to God and bless his name; for the Lord is good.

Priest: God's steadfast love endures forever. All: God's faithfulness extends to all generations.

Song: 214BB - He Has Made Me Glad

For The Gloria: 797BB - Come, Ye Thankful People, Come (During this time those who have gifts will present them at the altar)

Collect for the Day: page 396

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

First Reading: Deuteronomy 8: 7 - 18

Psalm: 65:9-14 (metric)

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 9: 6 - 15

Gradual Hymn: 790BB - We Gather Together

The Gospel: Luke 17: 11 - 19

After the Gospel: Alleluia!

Sermon: “The Attitude of Gratitude”

THE RESPONSE TO THE WORD

The Creed: page 189

Prayers of the People:

Leader: Let us pray. Lord God, we pray for the church spread across the world. Strengthen those that are tested by persecution, embolden those who are tolerated but ignored, humble those that wield considerable power, shake up those that have become apathetic, and encourage those that retain the optimism of the Spirit even though their numbers are few. Lord, hear us. All: Lord, graciously hear us.

Leader: We pray for the nations of the world, give insight, wisdom, courage and compassion to leaders so that guided and overruled by your Spirit, our nations may become places of justice, mercy and peace. We pray especially for the upcoming mayoral and municipal elections and all those who offer themselves. Also pray that all will exercise their democratic right and be part of the decision to make our city a better place. Lord, hear us. All: Lord, graciously hear us.

Leader: We pray for the many places and people around the world where there is disaster and suffering. We long for the end of injustice and false imprisonment, terrorism and torture, hatred and warfare, hunger and homelessness, disease and despair. We remember the people of West Africa ravaged by Ebola. We pray for compassionate hearts and helpful hands in this time of crisis from those of us who are more fortunate. We also pray for the people of Hong Kong in their quest for freedom of choice in leadership. Lord, hear us. All: Lord, graciously hear us. [

Leader: We pray for those who are going through hard times - the unemployed and their families, the sick and their nurses, the handicapped and their helpers, the bereaved and their comforters, the terminally ill and their loved ones, the renegades and the parents who pray each day for their recovery. Lord, hear us. All: Lord, graciously hear us.

Leader: Lord, we thank you for the beauty and wonder of creation and for all that is gracious in human lives revealing the image of Christ, All: We thank you, Lord.

Leader: For our daily food, for our homes, families, friends, for minds to think and hearts to love, All: We thank you, Lord.

Leader: For health, strength, and skill to work, and for leisure to rest and play, All: We thank you, Lord.

Leader: For those who are brave and courageous, patient in suffering and faithful in adversity and for all who pursue peace, justice, and truth, All: We thank you, Lord.

Leader: God our merciful Friend, encircle us all with your saving love, that no person may be seen as useless and no situation irredeemable. Fill us with the quiet optimism of Christ Jesus, that in all things and at all times we may trust your providence and play our small part in supplying the signs of your love to those whose fears outweigh their hope, through Jesus Christ our Lord. All: Amen.

Confession & Absolution:

Priest: Let us confess our sins. All: Loving Lord, we are flawed creatures who need a Healer, foolish

and lost children who need a Saviour. Help us to relax our anxieties and discard our excuses. You know us - heart, mind and actions. Have mercy on us, all-seeing Lord. Deliver us, all-saving Lord. Renew us all-conquering Lord. Forgive us of all our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone. And as we breath out all that is stagnant, infected and shameful, let us breathe in your Holy Breath until it flushes through every part of our body, mind and soul. For your name’s sake. Amen!

Priest: Almighty God, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

The Peace:

THE LITURGY OF THE SACRAMENT

Offertory Hymn: 383RB - We Plough The Fields

Doxology: 814BB - Praise God From...Flow

Prayer over The Gifts: page 397

Eucharistic Prayer 1: page 193

Sanctus (Schubert)

Lord’s Prayer (West Indian Tune)

Communion Hymns: Sax & Organ - “God Will Take Care Of You”

786BB - Count Your Blessings

505BB - He Touched Me

193BB - God Is So Good

Ablutions: 170BB - Give Thanks

Prayer after Communion: page 397

The National Anthem of Uganda

The Blessing:

Priest: Glory to God All: whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the church and in Christ Jesus, forever and ever. Amen.

Priest: Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, All: for his steadfast love endures forever!

Priest: May the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you now and forever more. All: Amen! Amen! Amen!

Welcome & Announcements

Recessional Hymn: 56BB - To God Be The Glory