Reflection in Ordinary Time: The Feast of the Visitation

 

Statue of the Visitation
 in the Church of the Visitation.
located at Ein Karim, Israel
Source: Deror Avi, 
Head of the Elef Milim Project
Wikimedia Commons

Today marks the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousin, Elizabeth.  The following is a sonnet for your enjoyment, and the Collect for this day (Book of Alternative Services, p. 408).

The Visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth

Here is a meeting made of hidden joys

Of lightenings cloistered in a narrow place

From quiet hearts the sudden flame of praise

And in the womb the quickening kick of grace.

Two women on the very edge of things

Unnoticed and unknown to men of power

But in their flesh the hidden Spirit sings

And in their lives the buds of blessing flower.

And Mary stands with all we call ‘too young’,

Elizabeth with all called ‘past their prime’

They sing today for all the great unsung

Women who turned eternity to time

Favoured of heaven, outcast on the earth

Prophets who bring the best in us to birth.

                    -- Malcolm Guite, from Sounding the Seasons, Canterbury Press 2012

NOTE: to hear the poet reading the sonnet aloud, click HERE.

Blessed is she who believed that the Lord's promise would be fulfilled.

-- Luke 1: 45

Collect for the Visitation

Almighty God,

who looked with favour on your servant Mary,

and called her to be the mother of your Son,

nurture in us the humility and gentleness

that found favour in your sight,

that with her we may proclaim the greatness of you name

and find the mercy you show to those who fear you;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and th Holy Spirit,

on God, for ever and ever.

AMEN.

May this bless your day.  😊

Service for Trinity Sunday, May 30, 2021: Worshipping "In Place"

 

Today's Service is prepared for you by 

Rev. Dr. Robert Sears 

and 

members of the Parish of 

St. Cyprian's Anglican Church, 

Lacombe, Alberta.

Readings for Sunday, May 30, 2021

Isaiah 6: 1-8

Psalm 29

Romans 8: 12-17

The Gospel of John 3: 1-17

Thanks to Rev. Robert and volunteers for this week's service.

May it bless your day. 

Today we offer prayers of thanksgiving for the safe arrival of baby Nicklaus Hess-Pazik, new-born son of Dr. Fiona Hess and her partner.  He arrived at 6:28 a.m. on May 22, weighing 6 lb, 2 oz.  The new family are reported to be healthy, safe and very happy!

O God our Creator and Life-giver, we pray that you would grant a long, healthy and happy life to Baby Nicklaus and his parents.

May he grow in wisodom, grace and stature, and ever live so as to please you.

We pray this in the power of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.  

AMEN

(Adapted from the Book of Common Prayer)

A Calgary Anglican Cursillo Fund-raiser

 

The Calgary Cursillo community is having an online auction fund-raiser, running May 25 through June 25. Parishioner Margaret Blank has donated a textile art piece to this fundraiser. She says, "My experience at Cursillo is hard to articulate: moving, profound, joyful, challenging -- just a few of the words I could use. I am thankful to Rev. Lee and Rev. Gary Sinclair for supporting Cursillo during Lee's time with us, and to Coleen Woods who was, as I recall, my sponsor that weekend."

COVID-19 has resulted in cancellations of Cursillo Weekends for two years now (they occur twice a year -- in spring and in fall) and changed the way the community meets for prayer and fellowship. This fund-raiser will help to keep the community functioning until it can resume its in-person activities onces more.

To view all of the items up for auction, visit https://www.32auctions.com/organ.../82258/auctions/100880....

You will have to register and log in to place a bid(s). The photo below is of the piece Margaret donated. If you click on that item on the auction page, you'll find full details and provenance. Thanks for your support.

Winter Woods (c) 2014
11.5" W x 15.5" L
Hand-dyed fabric, painted, hand-beaded

ZOOM! Lectionary Study

 

An invitation from Rev. Robert:

"We will be holding a lectionary study Wednesday evenings at 7 pm Mountain Time (GMT-7) via Zoom. We will be discussing the readings of the coming Sunday. It is an open event. Everyone can attend."

On Wednesday, May 26, the readings discussed will be for Sunday, May 30 (Trinity Sunday) as follows:

Isaiah 6: 1-8; Psalm 29; Romans 8: 12-17; 

and the Gospel of John 3: 1-17.

Note: the meeting lasts an hour, so there's time to discuss at least one or two of the readings.

Please e-mail Rev. Robert for the Zoom link!

Service for Sunday, May 23, 2021: The Feast of Pentecost - Worshipping "In Place"

 

Today's Service is presented by

Rev. Dr. Robert Sears

and members of St. John's Parish,

Olds, Alberta.

Readings for Sunday, May 23, 2021

Acts 2: 1-21

Psalm 104: 24-35, 37

Romans 8: 22-27

The Gospel of John 15: 26-27, 16: 4b-15

Thanks to Rev. Robert and volunteers for this week's service.

May it bless your day.

Helping Those in the Windward Isles

The following is shared from Facebook, from Rev. Deacon Elizabeth Short of the parish of All Saints, Cochrane, in the Diocese of Calgary -- recorded by Rev. Noel Wygiera, in an interview with Limiske, a young volunteer on the ground at St. Vincent in the Windward Isles. She writes:

I have been to St Vincent twice with Diocesan teams. The last time I was fortunate to get to know Limiske, the young man being interviewed. I am also pleased to be part of St Michael’s and pleased that Howard took this initiative.

To view the video of which Rev. Short speaks, created by Rev. Noel Wygiera and playing on Vimeo, please click HERE.

 NOTE: PWRDF is accepting donations for the Windward Islands/St. Vincent, so parishioners can donate via their respective parishes and indicate that, or can donate directly online to PWRDF, specifying that the donation is for the Windward Isles.

ZOOM! Lectionary Study

 

An invitation from Rev. Robert:

"We will be holding a lectionary study Wednesday evenings at 7 pm Mountain Time (GMT-7) via Zoom. We will be discussing the readings of the coming Sunday. It is an open event. Everyone can attend."

On Wednesday, May 19, the readings discussed will be for Sunday, May 23 (Pentecost Sunday) as follows:

Acts  2: 1- 21; Psalm 104: 24-34, 35b; Romans 8: 22-27; and the Gospel of John 15: 26-27 and 16: 4b-15

Note: the meeting lasts an hour, so there's time to discuss at least one or two of the readings.

Please e-mail Rev. Robert for the Zoom link!

Service for Sunday, May 16, 2021: The Ascension of the Lord - Worshipping "In Place"

 

Today's Service is prepared for you by 

Rev. Dr. Robert Sears 

and 

members of the Parish of 

St. Cyprian's Anglican Church, 

Lacombe, Alberta.

Readings for Sunday, May 16, 2021

Acts 1: 1-11

Psalm 47

Ephesians 1: 15-23

The Gospel of Luke 24: 44-53

Thanks to Rev. Robert and volunteers for this week's service.

May it bless your day. 

ZOOM! Lectionary Study

 

An invitation from Rev. Robert:

"We will be holding a lectionary study Wednesday evenings at 7 pm Mountain Time (GMT-7) via Zoom. We will be discussing the readings of the coming Sunday. It is an open event. Everyone can attend."

On Wednesday, May 12, the readings discussed will be for Sunday, May 16 as follows:

Acts  1: 1-11, Psalm 47, Ephesians 1: 15-23, Gospel of Luke 24: 44-53

Note: the meeting lasts an hour, so there's time to discuss at least one or two of the readings.

Please e-mail Rev. Robert for the Zoom link!

Prayer and Reflection for Mother's Day

 

Icon of the Madonna
with the infant Jesus
- a gift from Greece to
the Basilica of the Annunciation

Thank you God for the love of our mothers:
thank you God for their care and concern;
thank you God for the joys they have shared with us;
thank you God for the pains they have borne for us;
thank you God for all that they give us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.*

Loving God, 

Thank you for mothers and children,

and for all the joy of family life.

Be with those who are grieving 

because they have no mother;

Be close to those who are struggling

because they have no children;

Be near to those who are sad

because they are far apart from those they love.

Let your love be present in every home,

And help your church to have eyes to see

and ears to hear the needs of all who come.

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.*

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her" - Proverbs 31:24-28

*Source: the Church of England - Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham

Service for Sunday, May 9, 2021: The 6th Sunday of Easter - Worshipping "In Place"

 

Today's Service is presented by

Rev. Dr. Robert Sears

and members of St. John's Parish,

Olds, Alberta.

Considering Friendship...

Readings for Sunday, May 9, 2021

Acts 10: 44-48

Psalm 98

1 John 5:1-6

The Gospel of John 15: 9-17

Thanks to Rev. Robert and volunteers for this week's service.

May it bless your day.

Please note: This week, from Monday through Wednesday afternoon, Rev. Robert will be attending the annual Clergy Conference -- on line. Please keep him and all attendees in your prayers for a time of encouragement and fruitfulness during these days, and for comfort for those who may experience "Zoom fatigue". Thank you.

A Musical Reflection for Eastertide

 

...And what does the LORD require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

and to walk humbly with your God.

-- Micah 6: 8

May this music bless your day!  😊

PWRDF Accepting Donations Targetted for India

 

The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) is accepting donations specifically to assist in meeting the needs in India caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  For more information and to make a donation, click HERE.

Please note that parishioners of St. Cyprian's who subscribe to offering envelopes, can use this method for donation -- but please be very specific in your designation if you want funds to go to India and not for general use by PWRDF.  

Thank you!

ZOOM! Lectionary Study

 

An invitation from Rev. Robert:

"We will be holding a lectionary study Wednesday evenings at 7 pm Mountain Time (GMT-7) via Zoom. We will be discussing the readings of the coming Sunday. It is an open event. Everyone can attend."

On Wednesday, May 5, the readings discussed will be for Sunday, May 9 as follows:

Acts 10:44-48, Psalm 98, 1 John 5:1-6, Gospel of John 15:9-17

Note: the meeting lasts an hour, so there's time to discuss at least one or two of the readings.

Please e-mail Rev. Robert for the Zoom link!

Service for Sunday, May 2, 2021: The 5th Sunday of Easter - Worshipping "In Place"

 

"I am the Vine..."

Today's Service is prepared for you by 

Rev. Dr. Robert Sears 

and 

members of the Parish of 

St. Cyprian's Anglican Church, 

Lacombe, Alberta.

Readings for Sunday, May 2, 2021

Acts 8: 26-40

Psalm 22: 25-31

1 John 4: 7-21

The Gospel of John 15: 1-8

Thanks to Rev. Robert and volunteers for this week's service.

May it bless your day.