Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Come early and get a seat! The darkened church, decorated with poinsettias and garlands, is illuminated with the glow of candles. The service follows the form first sung in King’s College Chapel (Cambridge, England) in 1918, and through the reading of nine lessons, tells the story of the first days of our life on earth through to the glorious Redemption brought us by the birth of Christ. The readings are interspersed with appropriate choir carols and familiar Christmas hymns. Afterwards their is a great reception in the Parish Hall.

Sermons specially for Children

One Sunday each month, all the children gather at the front of the church for a special time with the Priest. The adults often enjoy this time as much as the children, and sometimes end up seeing matters of faith in a refreshing new light.

Nativity Pageant

Every year on Christmas Eve at 5PM, the children of our Sunday School stage the story of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. This pageant is given in the context of a late-afternoon Christmas Eucharist. See calendar for exact time.

Ash Wednesday

This first day of Lent includes services at noon and at 7:30 p.m. – both services with imposition of ashes and Eucharist.  The 7:30 services includes the choir and special music.

Maundy Thursday

On the night he was betrayed, Jesus had supper with his disciples, one account of which describes him as washing his followers’ feet as if he were their slave. On this evening at 7:30 p.m., as part of the prelude to Easter, St. George’s has a service of Holy Communion, we celebrate the institution of Holy Communion, wash the feet of anyone from the congregation, and when the service has ended, the church is stripped of all decoration, and people depart in silence.

Good Friday

There are two services on this day: a 9:15 informal service geared to children, based on the stations of the cross. This service is an excellent family observance for Good Friday, because children are asked to give readings at the various stations. The 10:30 service, with choir, is a more formal service utilizing the Good Friday Liturgy in the Book of Alternative Services. 

The Sunday after Easter

Readings and Music for the Easter Season is a service of Easter readings, prayers, congregational hymns, and choir anthems that lead us through the Easter story.

Harvest Thanksgiving

On the Sunday after National Thanksgiving, we decorate our worship space with wheat and pumpkins and other symbols of the harvest. Prayers give thanks for all God’s goodness. The music is filled with sentiments of thankfulness. As well, on that day we make a special effort to bring donations of food for distribution to the poor and hungry of our city.

Ascension Day

The Eucharist is celebrated on Ascension Day, usually with a special choral setting of the Mass.

Remembrance Sunday

On the Sunday closest to Remembrance Day, the names of parish members who died in past wars and conflicts are read out. Prayers are offered for world peace, for our country, and for the peaceful repose of all who perish in acts of war.