Advent Lessons & Carols
The Parish Choir sings Advent Lessons and Carols on December 4th at 5 p.m. in the Round Church. Music for the service will include Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina's Matin Responsory and also his Vesper Responsory, the motet Canite tuba in Syon by Hans Leo Hassler and Johannes Eccard’s Übers Gebirg Maria geht. In addition, motets and anthems by Amner, Britten, John Joubert will be featured. Traditional hymns of the season, including Come thou Redeemer of the earth (Puer nobis nascitur), Wake, O Wake! with tidings thrilling (Wachet auf) and O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Veni Emmanuel) will be sung by all. The closing Organ Voluntary will be Nun komm der Heiden Heiland by J.S. Bach. A freewill offering will be collected in support of St. George’s Christmas Family Outreach.
Parish Choir Concert
On Sunday, June 19th at 7pm the Parish Choir will present G. F. Handel's 'Utrecht' Te Deum. This festive work was composed by Handel in celebration of the Peace Treaty of Utrecht, marking the end of the War of Spanish Succession in 1713. It was first performed in St Paul's Cathedral in London in July of 1713. Richly scored for soloists, choir, strings, trumpets, oboes, flauto traverso, bassoon and continuo, the Utrecht Te Deum will be a feast for the senses.
This concert is the first of its scale since the choir performed Bach's Magnificat in D, just weeks before the Pandemic reached our shores. Admission will be a suggested donation of $20. Proceeds will be directed to the Friends of Saint George's Society, toward the Music Programme.
Parish Mission with The Rev'd Canon Dr. Victor Lee Austin
The Rev’d Canon Dr Victor Lee Austin will visit Saint George’s on the second weekend in June to speak about friendship and, in particular, how a parish might be a school of friendship. Father Austin’s most recent book, Friendship: The Heart of Being Human, was published in 2020 and will provide a backdrop to his talks and discussions. Copies are available for purchase in the parish ($25) from Father Hatt or Susan Harris or the Parish Office. We ask that folks planning to attend please register via the Parish Office at office@roundchurch.ca or 902 423 1059 so that we can appropriately plan for the meal on Saturday.
In the midst of an increasingly divided world, the need for renewed friendships on global, local, and personal levels is perhaps more important than ever. We hope that this Parish Mission will help us find ways to renew ourselves in friendship with God and with one another.
The schedule for the weekend is as follows:
Ember Day, Friday, June 10th
7 p.m. First Talk followed by a reception in the church.
Ember Day, Saturday, June 11th
9 a.m. Morning Prayer
9:15 a.m. Holy Communion
10 a.m. First Talk
11 a.m. Second Talk
12 noon Noon Day Prayers
12:10 p.m. Third Talk
1:15 p.m. Soup Luncheon
2 p.m. Day concludes.
Each talk will be followed by opportunity for discussion and 10 minute silence.
Trinity Sunday, June 12th
Fr. Austin will preach at both the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services. You will have an opportunity to meet and speak with him at the coffee hour following the 10:30 a.m. service.
About our Missioner
Father Austin is theologian-in-residence for the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas and formerly served as theologian-in-residence for Saint Thomas’ Church, Fifth Avenue in New York City. He was a parish priest in Dutchess County, New York, and taught at a number of colleges, universities, and seminaries, with a special interest in theology in everyday life. He is the author of a number of books. His theological memoir, Losing Susan, was published in 2016 and is a reflection on the loss of his wife to whom he was married for 34 years. When Father Austin visits Saint George’s, he will have just returned from walking the Camino de Santiago.
Advent Lessons & Carols
The Parish Choir sings Advent Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 5th at 5 p.m. in the Round Church. Music for the service will include Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina's Matin Responsory and also his Vesper Responsory, the motet Vigilate by William Byrd and Michael Praetorius, Nun komm der heiden Heiland. In addition, motets and anthems by Bennett, Bruckner, and Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck will be featured. Traditional hymns of the season, including Come thou Redeemer of the earth (Puer nobis nascitur), Wake, O Wake! with tidings thrilling (Wachet auf) and O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Veni Emmanuel) will be sung by all. The closing Organ Voluntary will be Nun komm der Heiden Heiland by J.S. Bach. The Offering at the Carol Service will be in support of St. George’s Christmas Family Outreach.
Remembrance Sunday Choral Evensong
Sung by our parish choir, this Evensong will provide an opportunity for reflection on the devastation caused by war and conflict, and the trauma inflicted on civilians and those who serve in the Armed Forces and their families. There will be no sermon. Pray for peace, healing, and an end to conflict. Music for the service will include Responses by Smith of Durham and the Canticles will be sung to the Short Service by John Blow. The Anthems will be Justorum animae by William Byrd and For the fallen by Douglas Guest. Curtis Dietz will be the guest trumpeter. The concluding organ voluntary will be "Pièce Héroique" by Cesar Franck. An offering will be taken for the Poppy Fund of the Royal Canadian Legion which supports veterans and their families.
All Saints & All Souls
Feast of All Saints
On Monday, November 1st at 7 p.m. we celebrate the Feast of All Saints with Choral Holy Communion in the Round Church. The saints are those in whom the light of Christ has shone so brightly we can look to them for a glimpse of Christ himself. Let us give thanks for those faithful souls who have gone before us in the faith and join with "the whole company of heaven" in prayer and praise of Almighty God.
All Souls' Day Requiem
Our annual All Souls' Day Requiem takes place Tuesday, November 2nd. We begin with the sung Litany at 6:30 p.m. in the graveyard at the Little Dutch Church, joining in prayer with the founders and benefactors of our church. At the conclusion of the Litany, we process to the Round Church for the Choral Requiem at 7 p.m., during which we remember especially our loved ones who have passed on to “another shore”. If you have loved ones you would like remembered at this service, please note their names on the sign-up sheet at the back of the church or email Father Hatt at rector@roundchurch.ca.
Choral Evensong
Remembering Saint Luke the beloved physician with prayers for health care professionals and the work of the North End Community Health Centre
Luke is the author of the Gospel which bears his name and the Acts of the Apostles. A physician by trade, today he is often referred to as the patron saint of doctors, surgeons, and health care professionals. The church historian Eusebius (3rd C.) writes, "Luke, who was by race an Antiochian and a physician by profession, was long a companion of Paul, and had careful conversation with the other Apostles, and in two books left us examples of the medicine for the souls which he had gained from them."
At Evensong we will offer special prayers for doctors, nurses, and all who work in health care, acknowledging the significant stresses they have been under during the pandemic. A representative from the North End Community Health Centre on Gottingen Street will also offer a brief presentation about the work of the centre which has become even more important as more and more people in the neighbourhood struggle with homelessness, addiction, and mental illness. A free-will offering will be collected for the work of the health centre.
As is usual for our services at this time, masks must be worn and everyone must sign in upon arrival.
Magnificat in the Round
St George’s Parish Choir, Soloists, and Players perform Bach’s Magnificat in D, BWV 243 and Handel’s Coronation Anthem, ‘My heart is inditing’. Also featured will be Scandinavian Folk Music featuring Kirsty Money on nykelharpa, Jennifer Publicover on flutes and Ellen Gibling on harp. Admission $25 for adults, $15 for students and unwaged. Proceeds to benefit both our Parish Music Programme and the construction of our new music room.