A Reflection for the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth

 

Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth

Today is marked as the Visitation of the Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth.  Mary has just received the Holy Spirit and was carrying the still-forming Jesus; Elizabeth is in her sixth month, pregnant with Jesus' fore-runner, John, the Baptizer.  This lovely story is recounted in the Gospel of Luke 1: 41-56.

For your reflection today, then, a poem on the Visitation by Anglican priest and poet, Malcolm Guite.

The Visitation

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, Sounding the Seasons, Canterbury Press, 2012

To hear the poet read his sonnet aloud, click HERE.  May it bless your day.  😊

Service for Sunday, May 29, 2022: Morning Prayer in Your "Jammies"

 

The Ascension of Christ

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, May 29, 2022

Acts 1: 1-11

Psalm 47

Ephesians 1: 15-23

The Gospel according to Luke 24: 44-49

We continue to pray for the people of Ukraine, for peace in Europe and the world.

A Reflection for Ascension Day

 In the Parish of St. Cyprian's, we'll be observing the Feast of the Ascension on Sunday, but the day itself occurs 40 days after Easter.  This year, that's today: May 26, 2022.  Here is a collect for your prayer and reflection on this day.  May it be for you a blessing.

It's Time for a Yard Sale!

 

After a 2-year hiatus...

St. Cyprian's Yard Sale is 

BACK!

Where?  on the lawn next to the church

at 5005 C&E Trail (corner of 50th Ave.)

Lacombe, AB

When? Saturday, June 4th, 2022

Time? 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m

Assorted items to please one and all!

Great prices!

Coffee and baked goods too!

See you there!

Service for Sunday, May 22, 2022: Morning Prayer in Your "Jammies"

 

The Pool at Bethsaida

Today's Morning Prayer video service 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, May 22, 2022

Acts 16: 9-15

Psalm 67

Rev. 21: 10, Rev. 21: 22 - Rev. 22: 5

the Gospel according to John 14: 23-29

AND re: the sermon in the recording - the Gospel of John 5: 1-9.

Service for Sunday, May 15, 2022: "Worshipping in Place" (If You Prefer)

 

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, May 15, 2022

Acts 11: 1-18

Psalm 148

Revelation 21: 1-6

The Gospel according to John 13: 31-35.

We continue to pray for the people of Ukraine, for peace in Europe and the world. Rev. Robert reports: "As the war in Ukraine continues, so too does the generosity of Anglicans across the country. To date, $650,000 has been donated to PWRDF ([the Anglican] Primate's World Relief and Development Fund) to support relief efforts. These funds have come from individuals and parishes; many churches are coordinating ongoing campaigns."

Reflection for a Friday Evening: Steve Bell

This is the latest "For the Journey" reflection from Canadian singer-songwriter, Steve Bell, a member of St. Benedict's Table, a congregation of the Anglican Church of Canada located in Winnipeg.

"God is not far from us, for in Him we live and move and have our being." - Acts 17:28

In these times and in various places, this may just be what we need for the journey this week.

May your journey be blessed. 💗

Service for Sunday, May 8, 2022: Worshipping "In Place" (If You Prefer)

 

It's a trifecta of celebrations here today: the 4th Sunday of Easter, Good Shepherd Sunday...and Mother's Day.  

Wherever you are in the world, may your day be blessed.  😊

Today's video service of Morning Prayer is provided by Rev. Robert Sears on behalf of the Anglican Parish of St. Cyprian's, Lacombe, AB.  

Readings for Sunday, May 8, 2022

Acts 9: 36-43

Psalm 23

Revelation 7: 9-17

John 10: 22-30

Today let us remember especially mothers in areas of conflict -- remembering especially those in Ukraine trying to protect their children, those who have taken their children to safety elsewhere, those who are protecting and caring for children on behalf of others, and those who have lost sons and daughters in defence of their country.

Important News from the Archbishop of Canterbury

 

Archbishop Linda Nicholls, Primate of the Anglican
Church of Canada and Archbishop of Canterbury,
Justin Welby, with indigenous elders/representatives

Archbishop Justin Welby, the head of the world-wide Anglican Communion, has been visiting Canada, and meeting with indigenous elders and others, as part of the important work of Truth and Reconciliation.

You can read more about his visit in THIS ARTICLE from the Archbishop's news website.

A Long and Winding Road: A Reflection on Care-giving

An update from Brian C., shared by permission. He and Sheila appreciate our prayers, and know how much we miss them. Speaking from experience as a caregiving wife, Sheila is doing Yeoman's duty and doing it well.

"I had my 4th chemo treatment on Friday and all seems well. My blood work has stabilized and I have no real side effects from the chemo. I will having a CAT scan on May 13th to check out how things are going. My doctor says that he thinks here must be progress or I would be sicker than I am.I hope he is right. Sheila has been rock; making sure that I "behaving" myself , taking all my meds and getting mr to my appointments; as well as doing everything else she normally does."

It's a long and winding road...and sometimes...even if the ones for whom we care are our "brothers" (or sisters), it can be a heavy burden.

When we pray for those who are ill and in treatment, it's important to pray for their care-givers, whoever they are -- whether or not they are related in any way.

If you are the child of a parent in need of care, you will understand the need for prayer and support.

If you are a married person, you will understand the need for prayer and support as you live out your vows that mention BOTH "for better or for worse" and "in sickness and in health".

If you are the friend of a single, unrelated person who has no near family -- or has been estranged -- and you are caring for that person, you will understand the need for prayer and support to uphold your friendship during your journey together.

If you are a health-care provider in elder-care, palliative care, long-Covid care...well...you get my drift.

May we with these posts remember not only Brian and Sheila, but also Ron and Helen, and former caregivers Jean C. for Dwight and Alison Thompson for Dale...and others of whom I, as person posting, are not aware. Thank you.

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Service for Sunday, May 1, 2022: Worshipping "In Place" (If You Prefer)

Christ's Charge to Peter
(John 21: 15-17) 
Source: Wikipedia Commons

 

Today's Service is prepared for you by 

Rev. Dr. Robert Sears 

on behalf of 

members of the Parish of 

St. John's Anglican Church, 

Olds, Alberta

May it bless your day. 😊

Readings for May 1, 2022

Acts 9: 1-6 (7-20)

Psalm 30

Revelation 5: 11-14

The Gospel according to John 21: 1-19

We continue to pray for the people of Ukraine, for Europe and the world.

Lord, make us channels of your peace.

*Side note: Today is also the Feast of St. Philip (the Apostle) and St. James (the Less).