Tuesday, December 20, 2022

A Musical Reflection for the Journey to Christmas

 

Sharing this for your musical pleasure and pilgrimage from Advent to Christmas -- from the United Church in Sherwood Park, Alberta, also known as "United in the Park". The incumbent is Rev. Marlene Salmonson. The program includes choral singing, Scripture readings, and music played on the bells.** May it bless your day. 😊



**P.S. You might just recognize some of the music -- often sung long after Christmas.

Sunday, December 18, 2022

Service for Sunday, December 18, 2022: Morning Prayer in Your "Jammies"

 



Today's online service of Morning Prayer is provided by Rev. Robert Sears on behalf of the Anglican parish of St. Cyprian's, Lacombe, Alberta,
May it bless your day. 😊




Readings for Sunday, December 18, 2022

Isaiah 7:10-16
Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19
Romans 1: 1-7
The Gospel of Matthew 1: 18-25


Holiday services at St. Cyprian's, Lacombe:
Saturday, Dec, 24, 2022 - Lessons & Carols - 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022 - no service
Sunday, January 1, 2022: Ephiphany - Eucharist - 10 a.m.


Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Coming Christmas Eve...

 


A Service of Lessons & Carols

St. Cyprian's Anglican Church

5005 C&E Trail, Lacombe, Alberta

7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve 

Saturday, December 24, 2022

All are welcome!

Sunday, December 11, 2022

Service for Sunday, December 11, 2022: Morning Prayer in Your "Jammies"


 

Today's service of online Morning Prayer is provided by Rev. Robert Sears on behalf of the Anglican Parish of St. John's, Olds, Alberta. May it bless your day. 😊

Readings for Sunday, December 11, 2022 - the Third Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 35: 1-10
Psalm 146: 5-10
James 5: 7-10
The Gospel of Matthew 11: 2-11.




Particular Prayers:

We pray for the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church throughout the world; for the people of Ukraine and Russia; for those who serve Christ in this area remembering especially St Stephen's Catholic Church.

In the Anglican Communion,we pray for The Most Rev'd and Right Honourable Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury; The Most Rev. Linda Nicholls, our Primate; and The Most Rev. Greg Kerr-Wilson, our Metropolitan and our Diocesan Archbishop.

We pray for the Rt. Rev. Leopold Friday, Bishop of our Companion Diocese of the Windward Islands, St David and St Paul on Grenada, The Rev Fr Edward Mark, Priest-in-Charge.

We also pray for Holy Trinity, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta - The Lay Ministers; St Cuthbert and St George, Sundre, Mr Gerald Ingeveld, Lay Minister and The Rev John Gishler (Hon) and the Bishop, Archdeacons and Regional Deans Meetings (BARDS).


Friday, December 9, 2022

Reflection for Advent...Waiting Together

 



For your Advent listening...
stories, songs, inspiration on the "O Antiphons" and more
with Steve Bell, Rev. Malcolm Guite and host, Carolyn Arends. Enjoy! 😊





Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Happy St. Nicholas Day!



Happy St. Nicholas Day! To find out more about him and his contribution to the Christmas season, visit the St. Nicholas Centre: https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/santa-claus

Sunday, December 4, 2022

Service for Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022: Morning Prayer in your "Jammies"

 



Today's online service of Morning Prayer is provided by Rev. Robert Sears on behalf of the Anglicah Parish of St. Cyprian's, Lacombe, Alberta. May it bless your day. 😊




Readings for Sunday, December 4, 2022

Isaiah 11: 1-10

Psalm 72: 1-7

Romans 15: 4-13

The Gospel of Matthew 3: 1-12

Friday, December 2, 2022

FYI: An Advent Webinar

Canadian singer-songwriter Steve Bell is joined by Anglican priest and poet, Malcolm Guite of the UK, for an Advent online webinar hosted by Carolyn Arends of Renovare.  Founded by Richard Foster, Renovare is a US-based non-profit organization that publishes print and online resources, hosts retreats and spirtual formation groups and other Christian educational initiatives.




This free webinar takes place online on Tuesday, December 6 (St. Nicholas Day) at 1 p.m. Eastern, 11 a.m. Mountain Time.  For more information and to register for the link, CLICK HERE.

Monday, November 28, 2022

Advent Calls Us to Prepare our Hearts...

 One of the ways we prepare for the coming of Emmanuel, God-With-Us, is through sharing with others -- especially in this lean year with high living costs and uncertain employment. 

For those who are able to attend St. Cyprian's parish in person, this year we are collecting items (and gift cards) for the Lacombe Food Bank.

There is a box at the front of the church, right next to the pulpit, which awaits any and all material donations of canned goods, dry goods, personal care items and gift cards. If you give a gift card, please put it in an envelope -- perhaps inside a festive greeting card -- to ensure it doesn't get lost amidst the other items.

Thank you for remembering others this Advent; this is part of our witness to the wider community. 💗

Sunday, November 27, 2022

Reflection for Sunday, November 27, 2022: The First Sunday in Advent

 



Rev. Robert Sears was away on a Clergy Retreat this week, so there was no online service of Morning Prayer prepared. As it is the First Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Hope, the following reflection in word and song is provided for you, as you start your Advent journey. May it bless your day.


Readings for Advent I, Nov. 27, 2022 Isaiah 2: 1-5
Psalm 122
Romans 13: 11-1
The Gospel of Matthew 24: 36-44.








Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Just a Reminder...

 Reminder!

The Parish Tea & Cookie Sale runs this Saturday, November 27, in the Parish Hall -- 5005 C&E Trail, Lacombe -- from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Here's just one of the cookie varieties that will be available.

Shortbread, anyone? 😉





Monday, November 21, 2022

Reflection on the Way to Advent: St. Hilda's Homily

 This item appeared as a photograph on a friend's Facebook page.  I post it here for your reflection.  May it bless your day.  😊




Sunday, November 20, 2022

Parish Tea and Cookie Sale!

 



We're BACK!

St. Cyprian's Anglican Parish

Tea and Cookie Sale!

WHEN?  Saturday, November 26, 2022

TIME?  2 - 4 p.m. 

WHERE? The Parish Hall

5005 C&E Trail, Lacombe, Alberta

Fill a box!

Enjoy a cuppa!

See you there!


Note: These cookies are home-made.  

They may include fat, gluten flour, nuts, fruit and sugar. Buyer Beware!

Service for Sunday, November 20, 2022: Morning Prayer in Your "Jammies"

 



Today's online service of Morning Prayer is provided by Rev. Robert Sears on behalf of the Anglicah Parish of St. Cyprian's, Lacombe, Alberta. May it bless your day. 😊




Readings for Sunday, November 20, 2022

Jeremiah 23: 1-6

Cantical 19a (Luke 1: 68-79)

Colossians 1: 11-20

The Gospel of Luke 23: 33-43







Sunday, November 13, 2022

Service for Remembrance Sunday: Morning Prayer in Your "Jammies"

 




Today's online Morning Prayer service is provided by Rev. Robert Sears on behalf of the Anglican Parish of St. John's, Olds, Alberta. May it bless your day. 😊


Readings for Sunday, November 13, 2022

Wisdom of Solomon* 3:1-9
Psalm 116: 1-8
1 Peter 1: 3-9
The Gospel of John 11: 21-27




They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.


*Wisdom of Solomon is found in the Apocrypha, and in some editions of the Bible.

Friday, November 11, 2022

Remembrance Day 2022

 


"At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them."

Please note that the in-person Morning Prayer Service at St. Cyprian's Parish in Lacombe, on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, will mark Remembrance Sunday. Readings, reflections, prayers and music will be appropriate to the day, and the Act of Remembrance will take place near the end of the Service.

Sunday, November 6, 2022

Service for Sunday, November 6, 2022: Morning Prayer in Your "Jammies"

 

All Saints, All Souls...




Today's online service of Morning Prayer is provided by Rev. Robert Sears on behalf of the Anglicah Parish of St. Cyprian's, Lacombe, Alberta. May it bless your day. 🙂



Readings for Sunday, November 6, 2022

Haggai 1:15b - 2:9

Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21

2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17

The Gospel of Luke 20:27-38


Particular Prayers:

We continue to pray for the people of Ukraine, still battling Russian invaders, and for those in Haiti, where gang violence has encompassed the country. We also pray for our friends and neighbours in the United States, as the country's mid-term elections are held on Tuesday, November 8; democracy is on the ballot.


Thursday, November 3, 2022

Once Again...It's Time to...

 


Before bed on Saturday night (Nov. 5), help out the clocks that can't set themselves,

and put each one back an hour, as we return to Standard Time!

Sunday, October 30, 2022

A Service for All Saints Day 2022: Worshipping in Your "Jammies"

 

Fra Angelico - All Saints

Rev. Robert is away this Sunday; thus there was no online service of Morning Prayer provided from the parishes of St. John's, Olds or St. Cyprian's, Lacombe.

For those still seeking online worship today, we present instead the Service live-streamed from the Anglican Cathedral Church of the Redeemer in Calgary. May it bless your day. 🙂
NOTE: All Saints Day is November 1; this Feast may be celebrated on either the Sunday before or the Sunday after that date. The Cathedral service linked below is a Celebration of All Saints Day 2022, on this Sunday before November 1.




Readings for All Saints Sunday

Daniel 7: 1-3, 15-18
Psalm 149
Ephesians 1: 11-23
The Gospel of Luke 6: 20-31.

Sunday, October 23, 2022

Service for Sunday, October 23, 2022: Morning Prayer in Your "Jammies"

 The Pharisee and the Tax Collector...




Today's online service of Morning Prayer is provided by Rev. Robert Sears on behalf of the Anglicah Parish of St. Cyprian's, Lacombe, Alberta. May it bless your day. 🙂





Readings for Sunday, October 23, 2022

Joel 2: 23-32

Psalm 65

2 Timothy 4: 6-8, 16-18

The Gospel of Luke 18: 9-14


Particular Prayers:

We pray for the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church throughout the world.

We pray for The Most Rev'd and Right Honourable Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury; The Most Rev. Linda Nicholls, our Primate; and The Most Rev. Greg Kerr-Wilson, our Metropolitan and our Diocesan Archbishop.

We pray for the Rt. Rev. Leopold Friday, Bishop of our Companion Diocese of the Windward Islands; St. Mary, Bequia (bek-way) with Holy Cross, Paget Farm; St. Michael, Canouan, Mustique; and St. Matthias, Union Island. The Ven. Everton Weekes, The Rev. Frank Garraway ( Asst.).

We pray for St. Aidan, Pekisko; St. Benedict, High River; The Rev. Haydn Schofield; St. Thomas, Dinton, Alberta. 

Sunday, October 16, 2022

Service for Sunday, October 16, 2022: Morning Prayer in Your "Jammies"

 



Today's online Morning Prayer service is provided by Rev. Robert Sears on behalf of the Anglican Parish of St. John's, Olds, Alberta. May it bless your day. 😊


Readings for Sunday, October 16, 2022
Jeremiah 31: 27-34
Psalm 119: 97-104
2 Timothy 3: 14 - 4: 5
The Gospel of Luke 18: 1-8.


Particular Prayers:

We pray for the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church throughout the world; for the people of Ukraine & Russia.

We pray for The Most Rev'd and Right Honourable Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury; The Most Rev. Linda Nicholls, our Primate; The Most Rev. Greg Kerr-Wilson, Metropolitan and our Diocesan Bishop; St. Aidan & St. Chad, Cowley; St. John, Pincher Creek The Rev. Doug Rawling, The Rev. Betty Piwowar. We pray for the Rt. Rev. Leopold Friday, Bishop of our Companion Diocese of the Windward Islands; St. James, Layou with St. Mary, Buccament on St. Vincent The Rev. Fr. Justice Tettah Apo, Priest-in-Charge.

We pray for the Alberta Health Board, for the doctors, nurses and support staff in all of our area hospitals and for the ambulance services in our area.

We pray for all those who have died, especially St. Cyprian's parishioner Mike Cluderay, that God will received him into his eternal mercy;  and for all who mourn -- especially Mike's spouse, Pat and all their family -- that they will be strengthened and comforted by God's love and grace.  . 

Draw your Church together, O Lord, into one great company of disciples, together following our Lord Jesus Christ into every walk of life, together serving him in his mission to the world, and together witnessing to his love on every continent and island. We ask this in his name and for his sake. AMEN..


Sunday, October 9, 2022

Service for Sunday, October 9, 2022: Morning Prayer in Your "Jammies"

 


Today's online service of Morning Prayer is provided by Rev. Robert Sears on behalf of the Anglicah Parish of St. Cyprian's, Lacombe, Alberta. May it bless your day. 🙂




Readings for Thanksgiving Sunday, October 9, 2022

Jeremiah 29: 1, 4-7

Psalm 66: 1-12

2 Timothy 2: 8-15

The Gospel of Luke: 17: 11-19.


Particular Prayers:

Please continue to pray for Pat C. and her family in the wake of Mike's passing; his memorial service will be held at St. Cyprian's at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, October 11; details here.

Please also hold Vicki C, her daughter and granddaughters in your prayers, following the death of her son-in-law Ron on October 3, 2022; further information here. Thank you.

Sunday, October 2, 2022

Service for Sunday, October 2, 2022: Morning Prayer in Your "Jammies"

 



Today's online Morning Prayer service is provided by Rev. Robert Sears on behalf of the Anglican Parish of St. John's, Olds, Alberta. May it bless your day. 😊

Readings for Sunday, October 2, 2022
Lamentations 1: 1-6
Psalm 137
2 Timothy 1: 1-14
The Gospel according to Luke 17: (1-4), 5-10

Particular Prayers:

We pray for all those who have died, especially St. Cyprian's parishioner Mike Cluderay, that God will received him into his eternal mercy;  and for all who mourn -- especially Mike's spouse, Pat and all their family -- that they will be strengthened and comforted by God's love and grace.  AMEN. 

Saturday, October 1, 2022

Donations re: Hurricane Fiona

 For those of you who may be regular donors to the Anglican Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) -- or those who may be wondering how to help those in Atlantic Canada who have lost so much in the wake of Hurricane Fiona,  please note that PWRDF is now accepting donations to help those impacted by that horrific storm.

Donations may be made through your parish church -- specify "PWRDF - Fiona" or put "Fiona" on your blue PWRDF envelope.  Alternatively,  you can donate directly online HERE.

Thank you.


Sunday, September 25, 2022

Service for Sunday, September 25, 2022: Morning Prayer in Your "Jammies"

 

A Parable of Consequence




Today's online service of Morning Prayer is provided by Rev. Robert Sears on behalf of the Anglican Parish of St. Cyprian's, Lacombe, Alberta.
May it bless your day. 😊

Readings for Sunday, September 25, 2022
Jeremiah 32: 1-3a, 6-15
Psalm 91: 1-6, 14-16
1 Timothy 6: 6-19
The Gospel according to Luke 16: 19-31.


PLEASE NOTE: There will be a thanksgiving service for Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday 2 pm at St. Cyprian's Anglican church in Lacombe. All able to do so are welcome to attend.

Sunday, September 18, 2022

Sundae Sunday is Coming!

 



Sunday, September 25, 2022

in the Parish of St. Cyprian's, Lacombe, Alberta

Welcome back everyone from summer travels with a build-your-own-sundae party after the 10:00 a.m. service.  

Remember that adults planning to over-indulge 
must be accompanied by a child!  
😉

Service for Sunday, September 18, 2022: Morning Prayer in Your "Jammies"

 




Today's online Morning Prayer service is provided by Rev. Robert Sears on behalf of
the Anglican Parish of St. John's, Olds, Alberta.

Rev. Robert is offering a different format for these services for the next little while; may they continue to be a blessing to all who view them. 😊


Readings for Sunday, September 18, 2022
Jeremiah 8:18 - 9:1
Psalm 79: 1-9
1 Timothy 2: 1-7
The Gospel according to Luke 16: 1-13

Particular Prayers:

We pray for all those who have died especially Queen Elizabeth II with thanksgiving ...that God will receive her into his eternal mercy and for all who mourn especially the Royal Family in grief ...That they will be strengthened by God's Grace. We pray for King Charles lll and the transition of the monarchy.

We continue to pray for the people of Ukraine.

Creator of the universe, the light of your glory shines in the darkness of our lives. Make us attentive to your presence, prompt to serve you, and ever eager to follow in the steps of the one who is our true light, Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

Monday, September 12, 2022

Reflection in Ordinary Time: Alexander McCall Smith

‘A Day in September’ is a poem, written by Alexander McCall Smith, to mark the the occasion of the death of Queen Elizabeth II. It was carried on the front page of the Sunday Times of Scotland, 11 September, 2022. I share it here with dual purpose: to honour the passing of our Queen, and to provide food for thought, reflection and prayer in light of our parish meeting with Archdeacon Pilar Gateman yesterday. Our discussion included the impact of COVID and aging on our rural parish (and its finances), and our concerns for the future.


A Day in September

When we lose from our accustomed world
Something that had been part of the map
By which we thought we might manage
To find a way along what seems like
An increasingly difficult path,
We know there is little point
In dwelling too long on the inevitability
That dictates that everything ends;
Yet knowing the way a story concludes
Doesn’t make the actual ending
Any easier, nor transform to any extent
The way in which the playwright
Writes the concluding act, the final lines.
Our picture of the world we inhabit
Is made up of the daily and the familiar,
Of places that form the background
Of our ordinary lives, always present,
Like certain people we assume
Will not really have to leave us,
And then suddenly are no longer there,
And we notice their loss, as if the lights
Have been suddenly dimmed,
Or a clock that was ticking
Has fallen silent, its hands
Stopping at an arbitrary
And unremarkable time:
A moment when most of us
Were doing nothing special,
Before we were told that something
We knew must happen, has happened.
It is at such times that reaching
The end of the final act, the point
At which the stage curtain must fall,
We realise what it is that we miss
In the normal way we lead our lives;
And we look for things that are permanent,
And not glibly imitated, nor for sale:
Duty and kindness, old-fashioned virtues
That we should never have dreamed
We did not need, but without which
The play in which we all are actors
Will not end well; we see these qualities,
And understand, with sudden shock,
How much we need one another,
How much we want to do better
With our bruised and suffering world,
How much we want love, not selfishness,
To be the note to which the orchestra tunes,
The note taken up by the chorus, and sung
Loud enough to drown out all the other noise.

Friday, September 9, 2022

A Special Guest on Sunday

 

This Sunday -- September 11, 2022 -- the Ven. Dr. Pilar Gateman, Executive Officer and Archdeacon of Calgary, will be visiting St. Cyprian's parish.  She is coming to meet with parishioners over lunch about various issues of concern to the parish, which could include the impact of COVID-19 on our parish -- on our parish family, on our ministries and the communities it serves -- and the challenges of rural parishes such as ours, in this day and age.

While she will be present for the service of Eucharist, Rev. Robert Sears will be celebrant as usual.  Rather, Archdeacon Gateman will be speaking to us and dialoguing with us over lunch after the service.

Assorted open-faced sandwiches, home-baked goods, coffee, teas and so forth will be served.

All interested and concerned parishioners are encouraged to attend.  Bring your questions and your manners! 😊

Honouring Queen Elizabeth II

 



From Rev. Robert:

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, died [yesterday] at the age of 96.

In keeping with tradition we will mark mark her death by tolling the bells...Friday, September 9th at 9:30 am MDT (the time of day that she died), 96 times (one for each year of her life). I'll be there before the appointed time.

You are invited to attend, and assist in the ringing.
The protocol is to have memorial services only after the official funeral, which will happen following a 10 day mourning period. And at that time a service can take place in the church and notice given to parishioners and the public.

Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness, bless, we pray, our new King Charles III, the Queen Consort, and all the Royal Family. Endue them with your Holy Spirit; enrich them with your heavenly grace; comfort them in their time of mourning; and bring them to your everlasting kingdom; throught Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN. 

Sunday, September 4, 2022

Food for Thought...

 This Facebook 'meme' was created by Elisa Elliott Malespina*.  She created it for sharing and so I share it here:


*Editor's Note: Ms. Malespina is a school librarian and award-winning graphic designer from the United States.  She owns EM Designs on Shopify and has a website where she can be contacted for presentations on topics of particular interest to educators and school librarians.

Sunday, August 7, 2022

Reflection in Ordinary Time: In Music

Today's New Testament and Gospel readings focus on faith...and worry. For your reflection, here is some soothing reassurance, from the gifts of Lennon/McCartney, James Taylor and Yo-Yo Ma. May it bless your day. 😊






Readings for Sunday, August 7, 2022

Isaiah 1:1, 10-20

Psalm 50: 1-8, 22-23

Hebrews 11: 1-3, 8-16

Gospel of Luke 12: 32-40.