Merry Christmas

     Merry Christmas - may God Bless you all!

All shall be well...

     The following comes from www.prayingeachday.org
1 - In the late 1300's a lady called Julianna, living in Norwich (England), became seriously ill.  As she was recovering she experienced a number of visions of Jesus.  She wrote down for others what she had experienced.  For example:
2 - "God showed me a little thing, the size of a hazelnut, in the palm of my hand...I looked at it with my mind's eye and I thought: 'What can this be?'  And an answer came: 'It represents all that is made.'
3 - I marvelled that it could continue to exist because I thought that it would have crumbled to nothing, it was so small.  And the answer came into my mind:  'It exists and always will because God loves it.'  All things have their being through the love of God.  In this little thing I saw three truths: the first is that God made it: the second is that God loves it: the third is that God looks after it."
4 - Mother Julian of Norwich (as she is generally known) was making the point that God has made all things, that he loves all that he has made, and that in his love he looks after all that he has made.
5 - She also wrote that, in God's love, 'all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well."
6 - Let us pray:
God our Father, in your love you have a special care for all that you have made.  May we grown in the father that you "enfold us in your love" and that everything does work out for good for those who love you: that "all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well."  Amen.

Image cf. www.water2winedesign.com

Remember with Us

     On November 5th the annual "Remember with Us" was held at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Alberton - a moving tribute, honouring our Veterans.
     Here's a link to one of the songs...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zJtf8iNhXg4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJtf8iNhXg4&feature=share

All Saints Day

Image cf.  www.sancarloscollege.edu.ph

     The following comes from Praying Each Day...

http://www.prayingeachday.org/Nov01.pdf

1 Today’s feastday of ‘All Saints’ isn’t about those who are publicly named as saints

- each of those has their own feastday. Instead, on the Feast of ‘All Saints’ we

think of many ordinary good people who walked with God in their daily lives, and

who are now dead. Today is their feastday - the unmentioned saints - who

now live in God’s presence.

2 In the early Church, “saint” was a name for a person whom today we would call

a “committed Christian”. In the Bible - after the four gospels - we can find the

word “saint” over 60 times. Each reference concerns living people who seek

to follow Jesus. For example, Paul writes to some Christians:

3 “If any of the saints are in need, you must share with them.” Rom 1213

4 “To all of you in Rome whom God loves greatly, all of you called to be saints:

may God our Father… send you peace.” Rom 17

5 This feastday of ‘All Saints’ also reminds us of our own potential, of what (hopefully)

we are in the process of becoming. A Christian living 150 years after Jesus, wrote: “The glory of Godis a person living fully.”

6 Paul writes to a group of “saints” – committed Christians - in the Greek city of

Ephesus. He starts off that letter with the words: “To the saints who are faithful to Christ…” Eph 11

7 We’ll make our prayer today from other words in that same letter.

8 Let us pray:

When I think of the greatness

of God’s plan,

I fall on my knees

before God the Father.

From his great wealth

may he give us power through his Spirit

that we may grow strong within.

Through faith, may we discover that Christ has made his home

within each of us.

9 Then, with our roots and foundations

firmly built on God’s love,

may we, with all of his saints,

grasp just how wide and long

and high and deep

is Christ’s love.

Yes, may we come to experience

for ourselves

the love of Christ

so that we may be filled completely

with God himself.

10 This prayer we ask of God

who can accomplish far more

than we could ever ask for or imagine.

Amen.

(based on Eph 3114-21)

1

Catching up!

     We held our annual Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, October 19th at St. Luke's Hall.

Rev. Andrew & Janet last year at St. Peter's

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     This week on Wednesday evening, Oct. 29th we hosted a "Kitchen Party Appreciation Dinner" for all those who helped put on and entertained at the weekly Kitchen Party's - it takes alot of folks every week to make them successful - from organizers to Entertainers, from the House Band to the workers in the kitchen.  Thanks to the party organizers!!!  Thanks also to the parishioners who made pies and those who came to get the dinner ready and serve!

Happy to support St. Mark's Sunday School, Coral Harbour, Nunavut

     At our Thanksgiving services last Sunday we were thrilled to have Ms. Horne (a local nurse who works at a Medical Clinic in Nunavut) make a presentation of thanks from the folks at St. Mark's Anglican Church, Coral Harbour.  
     Through a variety of conversations and connections Ms. Horne realized the Sunday School teacher at St. Mark's could do so much more with her students if she had more supplies.  So back in the spring of this year our Parish collected a variety of items for Ms. Horne to take back with her to Coral Harbour.  The communities population is about 900 - St. Mark's has a congregation of approximately 200.  Sunday School is held on Sunday afternoons in the church - our donation has enabled the teacher to have three classes instead of one.
     Below is an image of the presentation by Ms. Horne.  Thanks Verna C.

     Here's a link to Coral Harbour's website...

http://www.coralharbour.ca/

     Also below is a photo of St. Mark's Anglican Church from their website.

Sunday Services 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Image cf. www.christianslikeme.net

     We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Service at St. Peter's and St. Luke's - we have lots to be thankful for!  

     The following are a few photos sent in by Verna C. of St. Peter's Alberton, beautifully decorated - thanks!

What's New in our Diocese of NS and PEI?

     There's lots of information online regarding the diocese we belong to - Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.  You can receive the weekly Anglican NetNews by subscribing at... 

https://www.nspeidiocese.ca/page/register/ezlist_signup_roles=128.aspx?email=

Check-out this week's Anglican NetNews...

http://www.nspeidiocese.ca/page/netnews.aspx

     Here's what's going on this week...

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From the Bishop’s Office

ORDINATIONS/INSTALLATION OF METROPOLITAN

Ordination of Ms. Mellanie Cohoon as a Transitional Deacon | Installation of Metropolitan | Ordination and Installation of the Rev. David Edwards, ordination as Bishop/Installation as Bishop of Fredericton Read More

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Announcements

The Very Rev. John Wright-Appointment | The Rev. Shona Boardman-Resignation | The Rev. Andrew Cook,Appointment | Ms. Mellanie Cohoon-Ordination | Installation of Metropolitan | Ordination and Installation of The Rev. David Edwards Read More

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Where is the Bishop

Bishop Ron's schedule for the week. Read More

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Notification of Openings

St. John's, North Sydney * Job site of Anglican Church of Canada Read More

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Synod Office Notices

CHRISTIAN FORMATION

Autumn is a great time for offering Christian Formation teaching on the basics of the faith. Whether it's in a small group setting or as a preaching series, there are plenty of materials available. There are four new documents available from the Diocesan Website (www.nspeidiocese.ca). Read More

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Synod Office Notices

SafeR Church Webinar | Diocesan Heating Oil Program Read More

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Social Justice

The Diocese of NS & PEI Environment Challenge!

The Diocesan Environmental Task Group will challenge the parishes of the diocese to think about their environmental impacts and take action to make change in their communities. Each month will bring a new challenge, new ideas, and opportunities for new growth! Read More

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Climate Summit

It is just two weeks until the UN convene world leaders at their Climate Summit on 23rd September 2014. Various events are taking place in the lead up to the Summit and in the week following to engage faith communities and make sure our voice is heard. There are some fantastic opportunities for churches in the UK and globally to get involved – don’t miss out! Read More

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World Day For Peace

September 21 is World Day for Peace. Around the world, people of many different faiths and people of no religious affiliation will focus on peace. Please encourage your members to join this focus on peace in some way that makes sense in your community. Read More

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Week For Peace In Palestine and Israel -

Week For Peace In Palestine and Israel - Every year the World Council of Churches designates a week for peace in Palestine and Israel. Christian leaders in Palestine prepare resources and encourage churches around the world to 'pray, learn, and advocate' for peace. The week this year is: Sept. 21 - 27. Read More

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PWRDF DIOCESAN WORKSHOP

The Annual PWRDF Diocesan Workshop will be held at on Saturday, October 25 at Holy Trinity Church Hall in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. Read More

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Food Banks and Beyond

Solutions for Eliminating Hunger in Our Community | World Food Day, Thursday, October 16th, 2014. Read More

Praying Each Day

     This is the posting for today from www.prayingeachday.org

1 If someone asked what happened exactly a year ago today, would we remember?

2 If someone was to ask what happened in Britain on this day in 1752, the answer would be “nothing”!

3 There was no 9th September in Britain in 1752. The day after the 2nd September

became the 14th. 11 days were “lost”! Why was this?

4 The arrangement of days in the year - the calendar -

had been worked out in Roman times, but the Romans had made a slight miscalculation

for the length of the year (being the exact time that the earth goes round the sun, giving us the different seasons.)

5 And so, by 1752, nature’s seasons were getting more out of line: the calendar was 11 days out, resulting in Spring, for example, gradually occurring sooner as a date in the calendar. In the same way, the dates associated with planting and harvesting were changing.

6 The government realised that they had better alter the calendar, as many other countries had already done. And so it was decided that 11 days should be “lost”.

7 It seems funny to us, but some people thought that they were being “cheated”

out of 11 days, and that they would die 11 days sooner! There were riots in parts of the country as some people demanded that the government give them back their “stolen” 11 days!

8 Let us pray,

thinking of those who look back and wish they had an extra day

or more time:

- those who have too little time for what they are expected to do;

- those who have lost a sense of balance and proportion in their lives;

- those who feel that they have made a mess of everything and would like to be able to start again.

9 We pray, too, for those who might wish for less time:

- those who are worried about what might happen;

- those who are in despair;

- those who suffer hours of pain and illness;

- those who are in prison or being tortured;

- those who wish to die.

10 On all these people, Lord,we ask your blessing.

Fall is here!

     The wonderful days of fall are upon us!  The days are sunny and clear, and the nights cool and crisp.  The harvest has begun!  
     Things are getting back to normal following a wonderful summer!  Vacations are over, school is back in and it's time to get back into our routine with church goings-on - from meetings to workshops and weekly worship.  Be sure to check the list of Events on the far right of this blog.
     Let's all celebrate fall and thank God for all His blessings!

Combined Parish Service at Holy Trinity Church, Alma

     On Sunday past we had a great service at Holy Trinity with near a full church.  There are two special services held here every summer.  Following the service we had a potluck lunch in the church!

      Rev. Andrew officiated the service with assistance from Lay Reader Jan Cox.  The music was provide by David Barbour.

Happy 40th Anniversary Rev. Andrew & Janet

     We had a happy anniversary celebration on Sunday past for Rev. Andrew and Janet - they were married 40 years ago this day on Vancouver Island.  

We had a potluck lunch complete with cake. 

Memorial Service, Holy Trinity Cemetery, Alma

     We had a nice Memorial Service in the cemetery on Sunday afternoon at 2:30pm, officiated by Rev. Andrew Mortimer, who also provided music with his guitar.  

     The weather was beautiful, sunny and warm - merely hours after Hurricane Arthur pasted through Saturday afternoon and evening!

Rev. Andrew provided music as well & Jan did the reading.

     Our first hymn was, "I heard the Voice of Jesus Say".   Our last hymn was "Church in the Wildwood" - we always have this hymn as reminds us of the little church in Alma. 
     Following the service we had a great lunch inside the church. 

Trinity Sunday

     The Holy Trinity, also called the Blessed Trinity, is the union of three persons ( Father, Son and Holy Spirit ) in one Godhead, or the threefold personality of the one Divine Being.
     God is three persons.  Each person is divine.  There is only one God.
     Each of the three persons is completely divine in nature though each is not the totality of the Godhead.
     Each of the three persons is not the other two persons.
     Each of the three persons is related to the other two but are distinct from them.

Idea for Good Communication:

Everyone is Different

Don't criticize, and then you won't be criticized.

Matthew 7: 1 TLB

Jesus is the Way to the Father - John 14: 1-14

Image cf. www.wallpaper4god.com

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going."

Jesus the Way to the Father

5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." 8 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." 9 Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Prayer and Reflection

Presence

     I pause for a moment and think of the love and the grace that God showers on me, creating me in his image and likeness, making me his temple....

Freedom

     Lord, may I never take the gift of freedom for granted. You gave me the great blessing of freedom of spirit. Fill my spirit with Your peace and

Your joy.

Consciousness

     In God's loving presence I unwind the past day, starting from now and looking back, moment by moment. I gather in all the goodness and light, in gratitude. I attend to the shadows and what they say to me, seeking healing, courage, forgiveness.

The Word of God

Luke 24:32

     They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’

Conversation

     Conversation requires talking and listening.  As I talk to Jesus may I also learn to be still and listen.  I picture the gentleness in His eyes and the smile full of love as he gazes on me.  I can be totally honest with Jesus as I tell Him of my worries and my cares.  I will open up my heart to Him as I tell Him of my fears and my doubts.  I will ask Him to help me to place myself fully in His care, to abandon myself to Him, knowing that He always wants what is best for me.

cf. Parish Bulletin, May 4, 2014 - (www.sacredspace.ie)

Happy Easter - Jesus is Risen

Jesus is Risen!  "I know that my redeemer liveth." Job 19:25

Collect of the Day: Lord of Life and power, through the mighty resurrection of your Son, you have overcome  the old order of sin and death and have made all things new in him.  May we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, reign with him in glory, who with you and the Holy Spirit is alive, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Palm Sunday

     We celebrated Palm Sunday this week with folded palms being given to parishioners during Sunday morning service.

Above: Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  Image cf. http://www.biblepictures.net/

Palm Sunday Prayer

     Christ Jesus, we commend ourselves to your care this day.  Inspire in us the trust that nothing in life or death can separate us from you.  Amen.

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     Lay Reader Jan Cox told us the story, and showed us photos, of a miniature donkey she once owned and about the legend of the cross which marks its' back.  When Jesus came in to the city of Jerusalem he rode in on the back of a small donkey.  In thanks, he blessed the donkey by making the sign of the cross across its' back.  To this day these donkeys still bear the cross on their back.

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     Here's a little video someone posted online...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6r7A4yVkOxc

Much thanks to Bishop Sue Moxley

     This weekend celebrations are taking place in Halifax to celebrate the ministry of The Right Rev'd Bishop Susan Moxley ( Bishop Sue ) as bishop of our Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.  She served as our Bishop for the past decade.  Bishop Sue has contributed greatly to our Diocese, community and country - God blessed us with her ministry!!
     Here are a few photos of Bishop Sue taken in our Parish that will be included in a slide presentation at her retirement dinner this evening.
     Congratulation Bishop Sue - sincere thanks!   God bless you as you retire.

* * * * * *

     Here's an article which appeared in the Anglican Journal last summer when Bishop Sue announced her retirement.

Bishop Moxley to retire

By Marites N. Sison on June, 07 2013

- See more at: http://www.anglicanjournal.com/articles/bishop-moxley-to-retire#sthash.Usfv1ODb.dpuf

Bishop Sue Moxley, the first woman bishop in the diocese of Nova Scotia and PEI, will retire in March 2014. Photo: Art Babych

     Bishop Susan “Sue” Moxley, known to many Anglicans in Canada and overseas for her passion for social justice and church renewal, has announced she will retire in March 2014.       By then, Moxley will have served in an episcopal role for 10 years—three years as suffragan (assistant) bishop and seven as diocesan bishop for the diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. She also will have served as an active priest in the Anglican Church of Canada for 29 years. In 2007 Moxley, then 61, made history by becoming the first female bishop elected in her diocese, and the second female bishop to lead a diocese across the Canadian Anglican church.  With the recent completion of the new multimillion-dollar diocesan centre and retirement living facility in Halifax, and the full approval of the diocese’s new governance structure, Moxley said she felt it was a good time to pass on the baton. “I looked at things I process and things that we are finishing up, and I thought that’s a good point in time right about then,” said Moxley in an interview.  “I’ve loved being a bishop. I’ve loved even the grungy bits of dealing with not-so-nice stuff,” she said. “There’s no way to describe what it’s like. But it’s an honour—it’s a service role and it’s humbling because you get to be with people in the most extraordinary circumstances.” Being “a visible servant of God in the community,” she added, has also been a “huge thing.” She describes being with people in their personal journeys of faith as a highlight of her ministry as bishop and priest. She has been with people “in good times and in bad, and…as they gain new insights about where God is in their lives.”  The opportunity to travel around the diocese and overseas when she represents the national church has also been gratifying. “I keep saying, I’ve been to places that people don’t even know exists in our two provinces,” said Moxley. Her daughter has teased her about the amount of travel. “She used to see those ads that said, ‘Join the Armed Forces and see the world,’ and she’d say, ‘Mom, for you, it’s been ‘Join the church and see the world.’ ”

     Moxley pointed to the vibrant youth ministry as something that she and members of her diocese are most proud of. “The diocese a long time ago made an investment in young people” and continues to do so, she said.  For instance, each parish can send a young person to the diocesan synod—“not a youth synod or some side event”—and they are full, voting members. The diocese has provided regular, consistent funding for a youth ministry co-ordinator and for sending youth to national Anglican and other youth gatherings, among others. The commitment has paid off in terms of leadership development, she said, pointing to the diocese’s four clergy under age 30, who came through the whole process of being involved with their church.  Some dreams remain that Moxley would like to see move forward, among them the project to build “healthier” parishes. A group is looking at the Re-imagining Church program, developed by Toronto’s Wycliffe College, which "introduces people to the basic principles of being a missional church," according to its website.  There have been a few surprises in her role as bishop, said Moxley. “The whole [matter of] how to use lands and buildings well—that’s not something I was ever introduced to at theological school.”  Fortunately for Moxley, her travels overseas as the national church’s bishop representative to the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) brought her into contact with new ideas. “Something that really helped me was going to the ACC meeting in Hong Kong [2002] and seeing how they had built highrises on their little patch of land,” she said. The highrises incorporated worship space, offices and places for clergy to live, and these were supplemented by income derived from the other 80 or so floors of apartments, she said. “That really got me thinking about how we could do that here.”  One result has been the redevelopment of the diocese’s properties north of All Saints Cathedral, in south-end Halifax. The church partnered with Shannex, a seniors’ care-provider, to construct an eight-storey, 150-unit facility, which includes 15,000 square feet of space for the cathedral and the diocese’s administrative, educational and other needs.

     While the diocese hasn’t overcome its financial challenges, Moxley said this partnership project has provided people with a glimpse of how to find different ways of funding “God’s work in the world.” Another thing that theological school didn’t entirely prepare her for was “finding different ways to finance the work of God in our church,” said Moxley. Like most dioceses, 90 per cent of the diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island’s income comes from commitments made by parishes. “So, the whole notion of financial campaigns and fundraising or other ways of planned giving—all of that stuff was a surprise to me,” she said. “It takes a goodly amount of a bishop’s time, especially in a diocese where we don’t have a lot of staff.” There have been personal revelations as well. Being bishop has made Moxley realize that, “I can look at the big picture. I can step back from the details that might drive you crazy and say, ‘OK, where does this fit? How does this fit? Where are we going with that?’ ” Parish life, she said, didn’t provide her with the opportunity for this kind of thinking. She also discovered she had more patience than she’d thought, said Moxley, laughing.  Some actions—whether by clergy or lay—could flummox her at times, but she found she could listen and help sort out things.  Moxley has also learned how to let go of things that are beyond her control as bishop. “When I was parish priest, I always wanted worship to be really well done, to be the best that it actually could be, so I’ve spent a lot of time working with people to say, ‘Now, this is what needs to happen here so things flow properly,’ ” she recalled. “What I discovered as bishop is you have absolutely no control over that,” she said, laughing. “If it doesn’t flow the way I want it to, too bad.”

     She admits, though, to having no patience for people “who put absolutely no effort into planning worship or no effort into caring for people and doing the work they’re called to do.” But she will find time, she said, to call them to task because she believes that priests and lay leaders have to “love God’s people,” and not just put up with them. Asked about her experience of being the diocese’s first woman bishop, Moxley said it was no different from being among the early women priests in Canada—it was a non-issue for most. While there are people who disagree with the ordination of women, including “one or two” in her diocese, she said that for her, being a woman has never been an issue. “People have not been rude. My experience has been nothing like the experience in England, where it has been very difficult.” On some level, she said it has broken stereotypes, including “crazy things like people saying, ‘I know I couldn’t meet with you at supper time because you’d need to be home to get your husband supper,’ and I’d go, ‘Right.’ ” She said she won’t disabuse them of that notion, but she hopes that it has made people realize that all bishops need to have supper with their family.  “I don’t know if being a bishop who’s a woman has made a difference in the diocese or not,” said Moxley. But she acknowledged that it has meant a difference for women, who often comment on it and who realize that they, too, could be called into that role. She recalled a meeting of Anglican Church Women (ACW), followed by a service, and as she went down the aisle, she saw a woman crying in the pew. Thinking she had offended her in some way or that the woman was opposed to having women bishops, she went up to talk to her. “I said, ‘Are you OK?’ And she said, “No, I’m not OK. I saw you up there with your mitre and that crozier and I thought, ‘If God could call her, God could call me,’ and I’m terrified.” That concept hadn’t existed for the woman until she saw Moxley, and that was “quite astonishing,” said Moxley. She remembers telling the woman, “Well, you never know. Years ago, I never thought I would be here, either.” But Moxley said she is happy to have been called. 

     She has a few ideas about how to spend her retirement, including hiking, travelling and gardening with her husband, Bruce, who retired in 2011. She has also drawn inspiration from a retired Episcopal priest she met on a hiking trip in Scotland, who fills in for priests and bishops so they can go on much-needed sabbaticals. “The other thing I’ve been excited about is the area of stewardship creation and how we get people to understand that God has given us so much and our attitude needs to be one of thankfulness, not how much can I get for myself,” she said.  Moxley is also delighted at the prospect of spending more time with her grandson, who will turn four in October. Right now, “Grammy” only has him every Monday, on her days off.  “What I’ve said to priests who retire here is, ‘I’ll give you six months to go and play and you can let me know when you’re ready to come back and do something,’ ” she said. “That’s probably what I’ll do. I’ll go play and do something.”

- See more at: http://www.anglicanjournal.com/articles/bishop-moxley-to-retire#sthash.Usfv1ODb.dpuf

The First Sunday of Lent

Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness

Image cf. www.truthbook.com

Matthew 4: 1-11  Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness
     This time of testing showed that Jesus really was the Son of God, able to overcome the devil and his temptations. This temptation by the devil showed us that Jesus was human, and it gave Jesus the opportunity to reaffirm God's plan for his ministry. .Jesus' temptation was an important demonstration of his sinlessness. He could face temptation and not give in. Jesus wasn't tempted inside the Temple or at his baptism but in the wilderness where he was tired, alone, and hungry, and thus most vulnerable. The devil often tempts us when are under physical or emotional stress (for example, lonely, tired, weighing big decisions, or faced with uncertainty). But he also likes to tempt us through our strengths, where we are most susceptible to pride. We must guard at all times against his attacks.  The devil's temptations focused  on three crucial areas: (1) physical needs and desires (2) possessions and power and 
(3) pride. But Jesus did not give in. Jesus was hungry and weak after 40 days of fasting, but he chose not to use his divine power to satisfy his natural desire for food. Food, hunger and eating are good, but the timing was wrong. Jesus was in the wilderness to fast, not to eat. We also may be tempted to satisfy a perfectly normal desire in a wrong way or at a wrong time ( sex before marriage, stealing food). God wants you to satisfy them in the right way at the right time. Jesus was able to resist all of the devil's temptations because he not only knew Scripture, but, he also obeyed it. Knowing and obeying the Bible helps us to follow God's desires rather than the devil's. Satan used Scripture to try to convince Jesus to sin! Study the Bible carefully, especially the broader contexts of specific verses, so that you understand God's principles for living and want he wants for your life. The devil offered the whole world to Jesus if he would only kneel down and worship him. Today the devil offers us the world by trying entice us with materialism and power.  We can resist temptations the same way Jesus did. If you find yourself craving something that the world offers, quote Jesus' words to the devil: "You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him."

Ash Wednesday

     On Ash Wednesday we held two services - the first in the afternoon at St. Luke's and in the evening at St. Peter's.  
     The following cf. http://www.anglicanjournal.com/

Palm crosses from the previous year are burned to create the ashes. Photo: IStockPhoto  - See more at: http://www.anglicanjournal.com/articles/40-days-to-easter#sthash.Jm0gBum1.dpuf

Lent
            Derived from the old English word for “lengthen” (as do the days in spring), Lent is the 40-day period of prayer, penitence and pondering before Easter. 

            Starting on Ash Wednesday, the seventh Wednesday before Easter, it commemorates Christ’s period of deprivation and sacrifice in the desert and recalls the events leading to his crucifixion. 

            Strict observers of Lententide may observe periods of fasting or at least abstain from festivities, certain foods and other indulgences, giving the money saved to charity. 

Lent’s liturgical colour is a sombre purple, recalling the royal robe the Roman soldiers mockingly placed on Jesus.

            - See more at: http://www.anglicanjournal.com/articles/40-days-to-easter#sthash.Jm0gBum1.dpuf