Reflection in Ordinary Time: N.T. Wright

Shared by Rev. Robert in this week's Parish Newsletter, for your reflection...

"An Evening with N.T. Wright".

Service for June 28, 2020: Worshipping "In Place"

This week's service comes to us from the Parish of St. John's, Olds, Alberta.

Readings for Sunday, June 28, 2020

Jeremiah 28: 5 - 9

Psalm 13

Romans 6: 12-23

The Gospel of Matthew 10: 40 - 42

For those who wish to listen only to the sermon:

Thanks to Rev. Dr. Robert Sears
and the parishioners of
the Parish of St. John's, Olds, Alberta

Editor's Note:  

Today's Psalm is #13, found on page 717 of the Book of Alternative Services (BAS).

Canadian singer-song-writer, Steve Bell, has recorded an album of songs that reflect the Psalms, including one entitled "How Long?"  It's a blues number...and some might find its repetitive questioning tedious or even painful.  I admit, as your Editor, that I experienced both feelings whenever I listened to it on my CD...But...after listening to it several times over a period of at least a year, in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic I've found instead that it often expressed exactly what I was thinking and/or feeling -- and thus it was something of a relief.  A relief to know that someone so long ago felt exactly the same way, and had questioned God in no uncertain terms.  

Have a listen...and ponder.  Perhaps it will bring a bit of relief to you too.  😊

May this bless your day.

Morning Pray in Ordinary Time: A Visit to Canterbury

May this quiet little service celebrated by the Dean of Canterbury Cathedral in the gardens -- complete with chickens and cats 'round about -- bring a sweet blessing to the start of your weekend...

Landscaping Bee!

It's a Landscaping Bee!

When:  Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Time: 9:00 a.m. - noon

Where: South lawn of St. Cyprian's Church

WHAT TO BRING

 - drinking water

- mosquito repellant

- sun screen/hat

- work tools such as shovels, spades, 

garden forks, rakes

- work gloves if desired

Those who wish to take home some of the plants being displaced, bring a bucket or container(s).

Remember COVID-19 protocols!  Wear a mask if you can't stay at a distance!

Thanks to Grant for organizing this work bee,

and to all volunteers who take part.

Service for June 21, 2020: Worshipping "In Place"

Today's service comes to you from the Parish of St. Cyprian's, Lacombe, Alberta.

For those who wish only to listen to the sermon:

Readings for June 21, 2020 - 3rd Sunday After Pentecost

Jeremiah 20: 7-13

Psalm 69: 7-10, 16-18

Romans 6: 1b-11

The Gospel of Matthew 10: 24-39

Thanks to Rev. Dr. Robert Sears

and 

parishioners from

the Parish of St. Cyprian's, Lacombe

Happy Father's Day to all who are fathers!

And to everyone...may this bless your day.

Reflection in Ordinary Time During a Pandemic - One Foot in Front of the Other

Monochrome rendition of 13th-century wall painting
 of Saint Richard of Chichester,
painted not long after his canonisation
- Source: Wikipedia Commons

Even as Alberta discontinues its "public health emergency" status and eases into more public activities, most of us recognize the need to maintain cleaniliness and distancing protocols to protect and care for our neighbours as ourselves.

This may mean for many that this time is still rather stressful -- especially the uncertainty of how long it might be until there is a vaccine and better treatment for this very new virus among us.  It remains a time of caution and uncertainty.

Yesterday the Church of England remembered Richard, Bishop of Chichester, who is remembered in other parts of the Anglican Communion -- such as Canada -- on April 3.

He was known as a reformer with respect to the lives of the clergy (morals and manners) and was keen "...to introduce greater order and reverence to the services of the church".  He even over-ruled King Henry III on more than one occasion!

After his death his tomb at Chichester Cathedral became a place of pilgrimage, where it's believed many miracles occurred, and he eventually was canonized by the Roman Catholic church.

Some of us may be familiar with a prayer written by Richard, without being aware of it...for it was paraphrased in a song that was part of the musical production, Godspell.  See if you can pick out the lyrics:

Thanks be to Thee, my Lord Jesus Christ

For all the benefits Thou hast given me,
For all the pains and insults Thou hast borne for me.
O most merciful Redeemer, friend and brother,
May I know Thee more clearly,
Love Thee more dearly,
Follow Thee more nearly.

            Source: Bullock-Webster, Acts and Devotion, Prayer 48, p.31

It might just be the ear-worm we need right now, as day by day, we put one foot in front of the other, walking out life with the Lord...

Refreshment for Ordinary Time

During this pandemic, with so much strife internationally in recent weeks, some who've not done so (much, or at all) before, may be turning to formalized prayers each morning and/or evening.  This series from the garden at Canterbury Cathedral is an example...

Today, remembering the life and minstry of Evelyn Underhill...

From the Diocese of Canterbury...

May this bless your day.

"If God were small enough to be understood, He would not be big enough to be worshipped."

-- Evelyn Underhill

Service for June 14, 2020: Worshipping "In Place"

This week's service is brought to us by the Parish of St. John's, Olds, Alberta.

Readings for Sunday, June 14, 2020

Exodus 19: 2 - 8a
Psalm 100
Romans 5: 1-8
The Gospel of Matthew 9:35 - 10:16

Selected Hymns

O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High - Common Praise #628
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise - Common Praise #393
Crown Him with Many Crowns - Common Praise #378
More Than We Can Ask or Imagine - Common Praise #86

For those who wish to listen only to the sermon:

Rev. Dr. Sears provides these notes about his sermon:

The sermon begins with a parallel from history, specifically 165 AD, the period of the movie 2000 Gladiator. It then discusses the differences between the first mission of the Apostles and the Great Commission, which we read last week. The focus is on how Christians are both called and have excelled in caring for others, beginning in the near fields and moving outward to more distant fields. The harvest is plentiful. The sermon also discusses how Deism is different than Jesus's notion of heaven and who Jesus was likely referring to with the phrase "the lost sheep of Israel."


Thanks to Rev. Dr. Robert Sears
and the parishioners of
the Parish of St. John's, Olds, Alberta

May this bless your day!

Post-pandemic: One Church's Approach

This Baptist parish in the U.K. has given a great deal of thought to preparing to re-open after "lock-down".  Enjoy!  😉

Trinity Sunday 2020: Worshipping "In Place"

Today's service comes to you from the Parish of St. Cyprian's, Lacombe, Alberta.

The sermon is entitled, "Trinity: The First Article of Our Faith

Readings for Trinity Sunday

Genesis 1: 1 - 2: 4a

Psalm 8

2 Corinthians 13: 11-13

The Gospel According to Matthew 28: 16-20

Thanks to Rev. Dr. Robert Sears

and 

parishioners from

the Parish of St. Cyprian's, Lacombe

May your day be blessed.