Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2025!
How are you feeling about 2025, I wonder? Excited? Hopeful?
Anxious? Peaceful? None of us know what a new year will bring for us, and so all of those emotions are quite reasonable as we think about our own lives and the people that we love the most.
We don’t know what the year will hold for us as the community here at St. James Cathedral also, but I certainly feel hopeful and excited about what lies ahead as we recruit a new Canon Missioner, as we launch our Children’s Community Choir and as we look to go deeper in our own faith and experience in this Season of Spiritual Renewal.
While we don’t know what 2025 will bring, we do know who accompanies us into it. The most repeated command in the Bible, given by the angels to the shepherds amongst other places, is this: “Do not be afraid.” Do not be afraid, because while the world can be frightening and the future is unseen, Jesus is with us as our Lord and leader and companion, and he will not let us go. Do not be afraid because God has given us a community to belong to, and together we can weather any storm. Do not be afraid because the Holy Spirit is with us, shaping us and equipping us to be the people we are called to be.
So let us set off into 2025 with hope in our hearts, ready to shine brightly and walk boldly
together. Happy New Year!
Dean Stephen Hance
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A New Year Prayer:
Source of all Joy and Life, we lift our hearts, full of gratitude, as we look back on the year that has passed.
Thank you for every milestone reached, tasks successfully completed, achievements realized, blessings bestowed, moments of joy shared, and prayers answered.
We remember those who have suffered loss and heartache this past year. Comfort those who mourn the passing of loved ones and wrap them in your peace that surpasses all understanding. May they find hope in your assurance that you are close to the broken-hearted.
As we stand on the threshold of a new year, we place our future into your hands. Guide us as we step into new opportunities and face the challenges ahead. Give us wisdom to make sound decisions, courage to overcome obstacles, confidence in our abilities, and faith to trust in your plans for us.
Help us to cherish the relationships we hold dear. Strengthen the bonds of our families and friendships and grant us the grace to build new relationships that bring joy, love, and mutual support. May we be a source of encouragement to one another and reflect your light, joy, and love in all we do.
Abide with us, go before us, surround us, and dwell within us in the year to come. May your Divine Love be our anchor, your Incarnate Word our guide, and your Holy Spirit our strength.
We dedicate this New Year and all we do to you, trusting that you will lead us in all things, in the Name of Jesus, whose name points forward, sends out and Gives Hope. Amen.
Every good wish for a blessed 2025 from all of us at St. James!
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🙏🏻🎄🎁 Christmas 2024 at St. James!
Join us for a mix of traditional and new services for everyone!
Celebrate the holiday season with us as we blend cherished traditions with exciting new services!
🤗❤️ Bring your family and friends to share in the joy and warmth of the season. Let’s create unforgettable Christmas memories together!
**New**
✨🙏🏻 Merry Moments:
30 minutes of Holiday Spirit with traditional Christmas Carols, short readings & prayers for everyone.
Tuesday, December 17
4:00pm & 6:00pm
Thursday, December 19
1:00pm & 5:30pm
Saturday, December 21
10:00am & 1:00pm
&
🎄 A Traditional Christmas:
Advent Sunday on Sunday, December 1
4:30pm: Advent Lessons & Carols*
Blue Christmas on Tuesday, December 10
6:30pm: A Service of Remembrance & Hope
Christmas Eve on Tuesday, December 24
4:00pm: Festive Organ Recital*
4:30pm: Lessons & Carols*
7:30pm: Choral Eucharist*
Christmas Day on Wednesday, December 25
8:00am: Said Eucharist
9:00am: Sung Eucharist*
11:00am: Choral Eucharist*
*Livestreamed on the Cathedral YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StJamesCathedralToronto
