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Winter Blood Drive

Don’t let this happen to you or your loved ones! An hour of your time and a pint of your blood can make a difference for three people. Plan on giving the gift of life at Saint Stephen’s Summer Blood Drive on Tuesday, January 14th, 2020, from 1:30 PM to 6:30 PM. You can . . . → Read More: Winter Blood Drive

Saint Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury

Thomas Becket

The Martyrdom of Thomas Becket

O God, by whose grace and power thy holy Martyr Thomas triumphed over suffering, and despised death: Grant, we beseech thee, that enduring hardness, and waxing valiant in fight we may with him receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

. . . → Read More: Saint Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury

The First Sunday after Christmas Day

Advent Wreath Christmas

Almighty God, who hast given us thy only–begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus . . . → Read More: The First Sunday after Christmas Day

The Holy Innocents

The Massacre of the Innocents

The Massacre of the Innocents, from the workshop of Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1644). From Wikipedia.

O Almighty God, who out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast ordained strength, and madest infants to glorify thee by their deaths: Mortify and kill all vices in us, and so strengthen us by thy . . . → Read More: The Holy Innocents

Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist

Saint John and the Poisoned Cup

Saint John and the Poisoned Cup, by El Greco (1541–1614). From Wikipedia.

Merciful Lord, we beseech thee to cast thy bright beams of light upon thy Church, that it, being illumined by the doctrine of thy blessed Apostle and Evangelist Saint John, may so walk in the light of thy truth, that . . . → Read More: Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist

Saint Stephen

Peter Paul Rubens The Martyrdom of St Stephen

The Martyrdom of St Stephen, by Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640). From Wikimedia.

Grant, O Lord, that, in all our sufferings here upon earth for the testimony of thy truth, we may stedfastly look up to heaven, and by faith behold the glory that shall be revealed; and, being filled with the Holy . . . → Read More: Saint Stephen

The Nativity of Our Lord: Christmas Day

Pierre Nativity

¶ This Collect is to be said daily throughout the Octave.

Nativity, by Jean-Baptiste Marie Pierre (1714–89). From Wikimedia.

Almighty God, who hast given us thy only–begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that we being regenerate, . . . → Read More: The Nativity of Our Lord: Christmas Day

Sermon for Advent IV

Fr Hawtin

Here is Fr Hawtin’s sermon for Advent IV, 2019

Christmas Eve

Chancel decorated for Christmas, 2019

O Lord Jesus Christ, thou that art higher than the highest and didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb: Humble us under thy mighty hand, that we may be accounted true citizens of the heavenly kingdom; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

. . . → Read More: Christmas Eve

On the Kalendar: Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury

December from Les Petites Heures d'Anne de Bretagne

Thomas Becket was born in Cheapside, London, to a family of somewhat better than modest means. His father Gilbert was either a small landowner or a petty knight, who may have worked for some time as a textile merchant. By the time Thomas was born, Gilbert was a property owner, living on the rental income . . . → Read More: On the Kalendar: Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury