Heidi Jury - Musical Services

On January 21, the church celebrates the dedication of St Agnes who was born circa c. 291 – 304 and was martyred in Rome at the age of 13. According to church tradition, St Agnes was the daughter of a member of the nobility who spurned a lover. Because of the rejection, her would-be suitor went to the authorities with the accusation that St Agnes and her family were Christians - which St Agnes declared she was - and refused to recant. She has been celebrated as a saint from the time of St Ambrose in the 4th century.

Commemoration of St Agnes, Martyr at Rome On January 21, the church celebrates the dedication of St Agnes who was born circa c. 291 – 304 and was martyred in Rome at the age of 13.

As we celebrate this Second Sunday after the Epiphany we are well on our way to setting new intentions and goals for a New Year. We are also well on our way towards Ash Wednesday where we will consider our life from the perspective of our death. Halfway through this first month of 2021, we hear about the "Call". In the reading from the Old Testament we hear about the boy Samuel being called by God. In the Gospel of John we hear about Jesus calling Phillip and Phillip calling Nathaniel. The hymn lyrics mirror this theme with "Will You Come and Follow Me?" and "Jesus Calls Us O'er the Tumult". This is also the first Sunday we will have with our new Priest-in-Charge at St Peter's - an auspicious time for a new call to ministry indeed!

May we be inspired by the lives of others like Samuel who have responded to the call to serve and answer, "Speak, for your servant is listening". In a world where we are surrounded by fear and uncertainty, may we be courageous as we have been called to faith. And, may we be open to the call to serve in each moment - even when we are surprised by it or when it is inconvenient.

Second Sunday after the Epiphany As we celebrate this Second Sunday after the Epiphany we are well on our way to setting new intentions and goals for a New Year. We are also well on our way towards Ash Wednesday where we will consider our life from the perspective of our death.

“On this day, Earth shall ring
With a song children sing
Praising God, Christ their king
Gone to Earth to save them
God the Father made them

Ideo, ideo
Ideo gloria, in excelsis Deo”

Jan 3, 2021 - Epiphany St Peter's Birch Cove, Halifax, NS, Canada

Once in Royal David’s City.....

Dec 27 - Lessons & Carols St Peter's Birch Cove, Halifax, NS, Canada

“The angel Gabriel from heaven came,
With wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame.
"All hail," said he, "O lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favored lady." Gloria!”

December 20 - Advent 4

This Sunday is the Third Sunday of Advent sometimes called Gaudete Sunday ("Latin for Rejoice"). The candle on the Advent wreath is usually pink and on this Sunday we celebrate the Joy of the coming Savior.

May we truly celebrate the longing for the sacred to come into our lives. May the light of the season enter our hearts not just adorn our houses. And, during this year of disruption, may we enter into the simplicity of the first Christmas - the warmth of swaddling clothes, the companionship of the animals, and the care of those who love us - both far and near.

Third Advent This Sunday is the Third Sunday of Advent sometimes called Gaudete Sunday ("Latin for Rejoice"). The candle on the Advent wreath is usually pink and on this Sunday we celebrate the Joy of the coming Savior.

The 2nd Sunday of Advent is usually focused on John the Baptist with the theme of peace...like John the Baptist, we continue our journey of Advent to "prepare in the desert a highway".

"There’s a voice in the wilderness crying,
A call from the ways untrod:
Prepare in the desert a highway,
A highway for our God!
The valleys shall be exalted,
The lofty hills brought low;
Make straight all the crooked places,
Where the Lord our God may go!"

December 6 - Advent 2

This year the 2nd Sunday of Advent falls on December 6, which is the Feast of St Nicholas in many Christian countries around the world. Saint Nicholas is often depicted as having a beard and dressed in red, and is the origin story of the British "Father Christmas" and the American "Santa Claus". Saint Nicholas was a bishop of Greek descent who died on December 6, but very little else is known about him except that he had a reputation for secret gift giving...like putting coins in shoes.

May our eyes be opened to all of the gifts that have been given to us. May our gratitude grow as we consider all that we have been given - especially for the precious gifts of friends and family. And may we come to be gift givers - giving unselfishly of ourselves - to create a world of peace.

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This Sunday begins the first week of Advent. Advent from the Latin adventus meaning "arrival".

May we find comfort for our grief in the hope of the arrival of Christmas. May we find hope for the future as we prepare for a baby to be born to us. And may we find Christ within as we protect ourselves and each other in solitude during this time of world crisis...

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Happy New Year! The first week of Advent from St Peter’s celebrates the beginning of the Church’s New Year....

November 29 - Advent 1