Burying Time Capsule

Burying Time Capsule
1859 - 150th Anniversary of Parish - 2009 (photo by Scott & Debbie Travers )

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

"Strengthening Ministry in Town and Country" Rural Ministry Conference

      A conference for rural pastors and laity of all denominations will be held February 27 to March 1, 2014 in St. Albert. Keynote speaker is the Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald, National Indigenous Anglican Bishop, who has authored and co-authored several publications on topics including the ‘sacramental connections between faith and the environment’ and ‘joining multiculturalism and evangelism’. The conference will include seminars, break-out sessions, worship, fellowship, and networking opportunities. It is presented by the Centre for Rural Community Leadership and Ministry (CiRCLe M), Rural Church Pastors Network (RCPN), and Cypress Hills Rural Pastors’ Conferences. For more info or to register, visit: www.circle-m.ca

Praying Each Day - February 25

cf. http://www.prayingeachday.org/Feb25.pdf

1 - In the same way that Moslems pray several times a day, many Christians feel the need to call to mind several times a day that they really are in the Presence of God.  They remind themselves, for instance, that some of Jesus' last words after his Resurrection were:
"I will be with you until the end of time."
2- Some people find it helpful to learn a couple of lines of prayer, and simply repeat them slowly a few times a day.  That is a way of reminding themselves that they are in the Presence of God who calls them by name and loves them.
3 - Let us pray, using some words from one of the psalms in the Bible:
I thank you, Lord
for the wonder of myself,
and for the wonders of all your creation.
(Psalm 139)
4- This prayer is so short that it can be memorised and simply repeated at odd moments during the day, and no-one else would ever know that you were praying.  Some people find it's helpful to do this with a very short prayer, simply repeating it slowly a few times throughout the day.  It is a way that many people use to grow in the awareness that God is with them.  They realise that, if they really live in God's presence, they can only be positive and joyful and loving.

* Some examples of short phrases to memorise and use as occasional prayers:

I thank you
     for your faithfulness and love.
You stretch out your hand
    and save me.
(Psalm 137/138)
----
Jesus, remember me
when you come into your kingdom.
(Luke 23)
----
Lord, you know that I love you.
(John 17)
----
The things, good Lord, that we pray for,
give us your grace to work for.
(St. Thomas More)
----
Let us remember
that we are in the presence of God.
And let us adore him

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

You Say...God Says....

     This was on Facebook today - thought I'd share it on this blog - comes from www.biblestudytools.com

Monday, February 3, 2014

Dr. Seuss Eucharist - Side Show - Potluck - Annual General Meeting

     We had a great service on Sunday morning past, Feb. 2nd at St. Luke's Hall.  Rev. Andrew used a new liturgy that some call "Seusscharist" - a Eucharist of simpler language and rhyme geared towards children in a Dr. Seuss theme and time.   Adults enjoy it too!
     In the past few years, in lieu of a sermon/message on the day of the Annual General Meeting Rev. Andrew turns it over to a wonderful slide presentation by Christine Batten - she collects photos all year long from parishioners showing the goings-on, services, suppers, fundraisers, etc. in the life our church and community.   
“This bread we share is my body you see
Take it and eat it in memory of me”
And after they ate, he picked up a drink
And said, “There’s more in here than you think
This is My Blood that I give for you
And for those who think their life is through
Because they sin, they should be living
And remember our God is always forgiving.”
     Here's a few links for further information and enjoyment...
http://www.livingchurch.org/cat-hat-nave
Theodor Seuss Geisel was, I am told, a lifelong member of a [Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod] parish in Springfield, Massachusetts.
http://creedalchristian.blogspot.ca/2010/11/liturgy-for-episcopal-churchs.html

     Following the service we had a wonderful potluck lunch.  Then it was down to business for our Annual General Meeting - we were finished within an hour.  
The view from the chair - Parishioners studying the 2013 Annual Report.
St. Luke's Church on AGM - a beautiful winter's day - Ground Hog Day!