Our theme this Advent and Christmas season is “How Does a Weary World Rejoice?” Each week we will explore ways that allow us to rest in the hope of Christ even as our hearts break for the wider world, for relationships close to home, and for the planet itself. Please consider joining us for Sunday worship, picking up a devotional booklet to follow along, or meeting up with Pastor Ruth during one of her Drop In Coffee Hours.
Unless otherwise noted, these events take place in-person at St Stephen's.
Saturday, November 25: Advent Mini-Retreat, 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. You can find more about the Advent Mini-Retreat on the Events page.
Saturday, December 2: St Stephen’s Christmas Market, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Details on this annual fundraiser are on the Events page and in this News Item.
Sunday, December 3: Worship for Advent 1 - How does a weary world rejoice? We acknowledge our weariness, 10:00 am. You can find the Zoom and bulletin for this service under the Events page. Bulletin may be added closer to the date.
Tuesday, December 5: Drop In Coffee with Pastor Ruth, Starbucks in Lougheed Mall, 10:30 am to 12 noon. Drop in for a holiday beverage of your choice between 10:30 and 12 for informal conversations with Pastor Ruth. It might be about something from the Devotional Booklet for Advent, something that struck you in a sermon, or the best peppermint mocha.
Saturday, December 9: December's New to You Market, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Volunteers and shoppers needed. See event listing.
Sunday, December 10: Worship for Advent 2 - How does a weary world rejoice? We find joy in connection, 10:00 am. You can find the Zoom and bulletin for this service under the Events page. Bulletins may be added closer to the date. Our worship time will conclude with Coffee Hour, a time for connecting with each other.
Wednesday, December 13: Wednesday Lunch Club Christmas Celebration, 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Members of our Wednesday Lunch Club will gather for a Christmas Celebration. Contact the Parish Office for more information.
Sunday, December 17: Worship for Advent 3 - How does a weary world rejoice? We allow ourselves to be amazed, 10:00 am. You can find the Zoom and bulletin for this service under the Events page. Bulletins may be added closer to the date. Our worship time will conclude with Coffee Hour, a time for connecting with each other.
Monday, December 18: Drop In Coffee with Pastor Ruth, Tim Horton's on North Road, 1:00 to 2:30 pm. Drop in for a holiday beverage of your choice between 1:00 and 2:30 pm for informal conversations with Pastor Ruth. It might be about something from the Devotional Booklet for Advent, something that struck you in a sermon, or the best peppermint mocha.
Wednesday, December 20: December Community Meal, served at 5:30 pm. Bring your friends and family members to our December Community Meal with a traditional turkey dinner menu. Opportunities to volunteer and to support the Meal will be included in upcoming Parish Weekly announcements. Please contact the Parish Office for more details.
Thursday, December 21: Longest Night Worship, 7:30pm, at St Timothy, Brentwood. This quiet, reflective worship is held on the winter solstice. In it we are invited to make room for the not-so-festive feelings: grief, loneliness, exhaustion. This worship time is offered by the four Anglican parishes of Burnaby: St Stephen's, All Saints, St Alban's, and our host, St Timothy.
Sunday, December 24: Worship for Advent 4 - How does a weary world rejoice? We sing songs of hope, 10:00 am. You can find the Zoom link and bulletin for this service under the Events page. Bulletins may not be added until closer to the date. Given that it is also Christmas Eve, our intergenerational worship will include retellings of the birth of Jesus and the opportunity to sing our favourite Christmas Carols.
Sunday December 24: Christmas Eve - How does a weary world rejoice? We make room, 7:30 pm. You can find the Zoom link and bulletin for this service under the Events page. Bulletins may not be added until closer to the date. This worship time will have all the traditional elements of Christmas Eve in church: candles, carols, Holy Eucharist. Familes of all ages are welcome.
Monday, December 25: Christmas Day, Worship for Christmas Day - How does a weary world rejoice? We root ourselves in ritual, 10:00 am. You can find the Zoom link and bulletin for this service under the Events page. Bulletin may be added closer to the date. You are welcome to "come as you are" - matching family pjs or apron-on while the turkey cooks or Christmas best - to share the joy of Christmas morning in church.
Sunday, December 31:Worship for Epiphany – How does a weary world rejoice? We journey with the stars, 10:00 am. This worship time will include receiving a “star word” to guide you through the Season of Epiphany. Worship will be followed by Coffee Hour and a Leftover Cookie Feast. Folks are invited to bring those baked goods you have not yet finished off to share! You can find the Zoom link and bulletin for this service under the Events page. Bulletin will be added later.
Sunday, January 7: Worship for the Feast of the Baptism of Christ – How does a weary world rejoice? We trust our belovedness, 10:00 am. This will be our final worship service using “How does a weary world rejoice?” You can find the Zoom link and bulletin for this service under the Events page. Bulletin will be added later.