Sunday, February 27, 2022

Special Messages

 Shared from our Parish News, from Rev. Robert:

Prayer for Ukraine

SNL opened their show Saturday with a "Prayer for Ukraine" performed by Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York.  (To view, click HERE.)

World Day of Prayer

 Each year, since 1927, a different host country has prepared the content of the World Day of Prayer service, highlighting its country's culture and regional justice issues. The 2022 service was written by the England, Wales and Northern Ireland World Day of Prayer Committee and adapted for use in Canada by the Women's Inter-Church Council of Canada. Viewers from all over the country will be able to virtually unite in prayer and action.  (To view, click HERE.)




 

Service for Sunday, February 27, 2022: Worshipping "In Place" -- If You Prefer

 

Transfiguration of Jesus
Icon - Theophanes the Greek
15th Century

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, February 27, 2022

Exodus 34: 29-35

Psalm 99

2 Corinthians 13: 12 - 4:2

The Gospel of Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a)


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

May it bless your day. 😊


Particular Prayers: 

  • For Brian and Sheila C.  Brian remains in hospital but has had his first chemotherapy treatment and hopes to be able to return home soon; and
  • For Anatoliy ("Tolik") Sapsay in Ukraine, supported by . He is the country director for Innovista, helping pastors and other church leaders to develop their vision and plans for making disciples. Anatoliy and Lesya have 4 children: Nathan, Solomia, Kesia, Lukas.





Saturday, February 26, 2022

Reflection in Ordinary Time: Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love

 This reflection was shared from Canadian singer-songwriter, Steve Bell

May it bless your day.




The lyrics were inspired by and adapted from a poem by William Blake, entitled The Divine Image.

Lyrics by Steve Bell

To Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love
We pray in our distress;
And to these virtues of delight
Return our thankfulness.

For Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love
Is God, our Father dear;
In Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love
Is God, our Mother, here.

And Mercy has a human heart,
Pity a human face,
And Love, the human form divine,
And Peace, the human dress.

Then everyone, of every clime,
That prays in their distress,
Prays to the human form divine,
Love, Mercy, Pity, Peace.

And all must love the human form,
in every stripe and hue
Where Mercy, Love, and Pity dwell
There God is dwelling too.

Yes, all must love the human form,
in every stripe and hue
Where Mercy, Love, and Pity dwell
There God is dwelling too.


Sunday, February 20, 2022

Update from the Anglican Diocese's COVID-19 Task Force

 

The COVID-19 Task Force of the Anglican Diocese of Calgary has provided an up-dated letter re: evolving COVID-19 public health guidelines. You can read that letter (a pdf file) HERE.

Please note especially that "coffee hours" are still considered "social gatherings" with an indoor limit of 10 persons, so will not be happening in our parishes just yet.

Service for Sunday, February 20, 2022: Worshipping "In Place" -- If You Prefer

 



Joseph meets his brothers
Source: Free Bible Images



Today, Rev. Robert has prepared a solo Morning Prayer Service for those unable to get to the in-person services that are resuming at the Anglican Parishes of St. Cyprian's, Lacombe, and St. John's, Olds, Alberta. He will be travelling in heavy snow to Olds for a Eucharist Service, a trip that usually takes 1 1/2 hours or so.

Yours truly will be travelling in the same heavy snow to lead Morning Prayer at St. Cyprian's in Lacombe, a trip that usually takes 1/2 hour. Both of us will be hoping that those who help with our services will be able to be there too -- and that there will be some in attendance. Please pray for the safe travel of all involved. Thank you.





Readings for Sunday, February 20, 2022

Genesis 45: 3-11, 15

Psalm 37: 1-11, 39-40

1 Corinthians 15: 35-38, 42-50

The Gospel of Luke 6: 27-38


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

May it bless your day. 😊


Particular prayers: for Brian and Sheila C. of St. Cyprian's parish, Lacombe.  Brian is in hospital awaiting treatment for what appears to be lymphoma.  Please pray for him and Sheila and their family as they face a very anxious time and wrestle with sudden and difficult news.

Sunday, February 13, 2022

Service for Sunday, February 13, 2022: Worshipping "In Place" -- for This Week...


 

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.


PLEASE NOTE: Rev. Robert opens with an announcement re: return to in-person worship.




Readings for Sunday, February 13, 2022

Jeremiah 17: 5-10

Psalm 1

1 Corinthians 15: 12-20

The Gospel of Luke 6: 17-26


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

May it bless your day. 😊


Particular Prayers: for Lois Oatway and her family, following the death of husband and father, and our friend, Grant.  His memorial service was held privately in Lacombe on February 11, but was video-recorded by the funeral chapel.  Click HERE and scroll down to locate the video.

Saturday, February 12, 2022

Reflection in Ordinary Time: Sharing Thoughts on Isaiah

Here is another shared video from the United Church in Sherwood Park, where the daughter of your Editor worships.  Again, notice that we are not alone in trying to figure out who and what we are as a parish in these fluctuating pandemic times.  Note as well that "We Have This MInistry" is in the Songs for a Gospel People, and we've sung it frequently when Alison and I lead worship in song.  It has a message that works for all of us now -- for those in that parish of another denomination in Sherwood Park, and for those of us worshipping both at St. John's Anglican church in Olds, and at St. Cyprian's in Lacombe.  



The "meeting"  of which the United church minister speaks is the Sunday Zoom worship that's currently practiced weekly there -- for now.  We will be worshipping by video tomorrow too (Feb 13) -- but hopefully in person --  possibly as soon as next week.  As we wait to be with each other again. let's ponder and consider what that minister has said, the passages from scripture he read and interpreted.... and let's go forward prayerfully, by the grace of the God we all worship and glorify. 

What "new thing" has God in store for us?

Sunday, February 6, 2022

Service for February 6, 2022: Worshipping "In Place" Again (for now)

 



Today's Service is prepared for you by 

Rev. Dr. Robert Sears 

and 

members of the Parish of 

St. John's Anglican Church

Olds, Alberta



Readings for Sunday, February 6, 2022

Isaiah 6: 1-8 (9-13)

Psalm 138

1 Corinthians 15: 1-11

The Gospel of Luke 5: 1-11


Editor's Note: Please stay tuned for information in the coming weeks re: returning to in-person services.  The Archbishop has suggested that parishes -- particularly those in rural areas -- continue to suspend in-person worship until at least mid-February, due to the levels of COVID-19 cases in the area, and somewhat low up-take of vaccines.





Saturday, February 5, 2022

Reflection for Ordinary Time: The Evangel in Word and Music

 



Today, Dean Robert Willis of Canterbury Cathedral focuses his morning reflection on the role of music in teaching and sharing the Gospel -- the Good News.  May it bless your day.  😊




Tuesday, February 1, 2022

UPDATE re: "In Person" Worship at St. Cyprian's, Lacombe

The message is short and sweet: "not just yet".  

At the Annual General Meeting of the Parish, there was  lively discussion about options, as Archbishop Greg Kerr-Wilson and the COVID Task Force for the Diocese of Calgary had suggested that all parishes -- but particularly rural ones, where the case numbers were still rising -- wait another couple of weeks before resuming in-person worship.  

This is what will happen; there will be no in-person worship for February 6 and 13, 2022...and then the situation will be reviewed.  Meanwhile, video-recorded services will continue via YouTube, and links will be posted every Sunday here and on the Parish's Facebook Group.  

Stay tuned!

NOTE: If you would like a copy of the Archbishop's most recent letter on the subject, please contact Rev. Robert Sears. Thank you.