It's Time Again for the AGM...

 

The Annual General Meeting for St. Cyprian's Anglican Church, Lacombe will be held on Sunday, January 28, 2024 after the 10 a.m. service.

Coffee and tea will be available. Parishioners are asked to bring finger foods to share.

Thank you!

Can People's Minds be Changed?

 This is the question Robert is asking in his sermon video from Sunday, January 21. May it bless your day.  😊

He adds these thoughts:

For what it is worth: my sermon for January 21, 2024. I am reflecting on Jonah 3.1-5, 10 and Mark 1.14-20.

A stark contrast between scripture and a common mindset came to mind when thinking about the message of these readings. We are more and more self-censoring, not saying something we feel called to say, not engaging in conversations we think we should have. Old or new we have a saying that that gets used to support this practice of self-censoring: "you can't change peoples' minds."

No doubt there are good ways and bad ways to talk about the vast array of things that need working out, but I do not think that scripture supports a mentality that says you can't change people's minds. I don't even think it is true of our actual daily experience!

I try to put this together in my sermon.

Poetry & Song for Wintry Weather

Here's a small gift from Canadian singer-songwriter Steve Bell and his colleague, English Anglican priest and poet, Macolm Guite; may it soothe your soul and bless your day. 😊

For Your Consideration -- On Zoom!

 There are several events coming up in the Anglican Diocese of Calgary;  here are the particulars for those interested:

Please note: all times given are based on Mountain Standard Time.

For Registration, please e-mail dioceseofcalgaryacw@gmail.com

For registration, e-mail afpfellowship@gmail.com

Lenten Reflections on The Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness

Thursdays during Lent, beginning February 15

Not By Bread Alone: Exploring Jesus's Temptation in the Wilderness

Please join us this Lent for an in-depth exploration and conversation around the Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness. After an initial exploration of the Biblical text in the first week, we will have five unique sessions focussing on how five different theologians and saints have approached Jesus's Temptation, looking for their unique wisdom and insight to this event in Jesus's life and ministry. We are excited, as well, to have each session led by a different person from the Diocese! Hopefully this study will enrich your Lenten journey. We'll gather via Zoom on Thursday evenings through Lent, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Mountain Time. Please contact Barbara Labrecque at the Diocesan Office to register for the study.

Schedule

February 15 – Rev. Br. Jason Carroll (Biblical Introduction)

February 22 – Rev. Greg Clark (Karl Barth)

February 29 – Most Rev. Greg Kerr-Wilson (Rowan Williams)

March 7 – Rev. Chris Roth (Church Fathers)

March 14 – Rev. Br. Jason Carroll (Fyodor Dostoyevsky)

March 21 – Rev. Elizabeth Short (Deitrich Bonhoeffer) 

A Homiy in the Midst of the Polar Vortex

St. Cyprian's parish service was cancelled today due to the brutal Polar Vortex under which we're labouring. But Rev. Rober has recorded this homily for our reflection.

The readings include 1 Samuel 3: 1-10 and the Gospel of John 1: 43-51. May it bless your day. 😊

Weather Bulletin -- Breaking News!

 From Rev. Robert Sears re: the Parish of St. Cyprian's, Lacombe, AB:

Weather Cancellation: Sunday Service (January 14, 2024) 

Rev. Robert continued: "Just wanted to say we are cancelling this Sunday's service as the temperature forecast (without windchill) is below -40 degrees C."

By way of illustration, this was the situation earlier today in our area in central Alberta, Canada:

Yes, friends,  you read that correctly.

Just What IS the "Right Date for Christmas"?

Points to ponder as we move into a brief few weeks of Ordinary Time...A January 7th recording from Rev. Robert. May it bless your day! 😊