Merry Christmas

     We hold two services on Christmas Eve - the first at 7pm at St. Luke's O'Leary and the second at 9pm at St. Peter's Alberton.  It was great to see old friends and new friends and all excited children!
     On Christmas morning a Morning Prayer Service is held at St. Peters.  Below is Rev. Andrew and Janet Mortimer following the service - all ready to go enjoy Christmas Dinner.
     Thank-you Lord of all your blessings!!

Above is Rev. Andrew and Janet's Christmas Letter.

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     Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to pubic disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.  But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1: 19,20)

     Just as Joseph was afraid to accept Mary as his wife "under circumstance", we can sometimes be afraid when our Faith leads us against the flow of the world we live in.  God spoke to Joseph in a dream, and Joseph listened.  Joseph's fear did not stop him from entering into his relationship with Christ.  Not everyone could look past who Jesus was, and where he came from, and how he lived.  These people rejected Jesus, rejected a relationship with Jesus, rejected His teachings, and the truths He spoke.

     I wonder, if I was living two thousand years ago would I have only seen a man who was not living as others said one should live, or would I have heard God in the words He spoke, and seen God in the things He did? Although I am not living two thousand years ago, the question is still relevant - Would I hear God in the words that others say, and would I see God in the things they do?  And then the next question is would they hear God in my words, and would they see God in my actions?  

    Joseph's fear did not stop him, may our own fears not stop us.

Merry Christmas to everyone and a Happy New Year.

Janet And Andrew

The Hanging of the Greens

     Last sunday our service was "The Hanging of the Greens" First sunday of Advent.  

Look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawings near.

(Luke 21:28) 

     “The Hanging of the Greens is a service for the first Sunday in Advent. It is based on the English tradition of decorating the home with wreaths, garlands, a Christmas tree, and evergreens for Advent and Christmas. In a church setting, it readies the sanctuary (and church members) for the season. This service assumes a Protestant setting. It is adapted from an unknown source to reflect a process-relational theology.  Suggested hymns may be replaced by your favorites or appropriate anthems from a choir.”

Info cf. http://processandfaith.org/resources/liturgy/hanging-greens-first-sunday-advent

Above is a devotional calendar found at the back of the church - please take one.

* * * * * * * * * *

     Today's devotional starts with a reading from Mark 1:1-3 

"Look, I am sending my messenger before  you.  He will prepare your way."

- Mark :2b.   

     The Reading starts, "Do you think there was anyone in Jesus' day who was as busy as we are today?"  

     The Reading ends, "Prayer: God, guide my thoughts and help me spend time in your Word. Help me listen with more than my ears.  Prepare my heart to hear your melody of love, so that I can pass along the song of those who may need to hear it.  Amen"

A Women's Advent Program

Image cf. http://dccpres.org/news-posts/advent/

     A Women's Advent Program was held on Tuesday evening, November 26th at St. Peter's Hall.  
     The very successful evening was planned and organized by Janet Mortimer with many in attendance from the Parish and the community in general.

New Bishop Elect - The Right Revd Ronald Cutler

     Yesterday Synod gathered at All Saints Cathedral in Halifax to elect a new Bishop.  The current bishop, the Rte. Rev. Susan Moxley will retire on March 31, 2014.  The Rev. Ron Cutler will become the 16th Bishop of the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.  ( Above: logo of the Diocese of NS & PEI ).

     The above photo and following quote appears today on the Anglican Journal website http://www.anglicanjournal.com/articles/cutler-elected-in-diocese-of-nova-scotia-and-pei

     "Bishop Ron Cutler has been elected as the new coadjutor bishop for the diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, where he has been suffragan bishop since 2008.

Cutler was elected with a simple majority in both the houses of clergy and laity on the first ballot."
     Below: photo from my vantage point inside All Saints Cathedral during Synod.  Located forward on the altar were the officiators of the election.   The Most Rev. Claude W. Miller, Diocesan Bishop of Fredericton, who was the celebrant, preacher and chair of the election, along with other diocesan staff.  ( it's more difficult to take photos with iphone - zooming is more challenging )

     We started with the Electoral Synod Service at 9:30am.  Following the Eucharist, around 11am procedures began for the vote and within 40 minutes our first ballot was made.  At noon we broke for a 1-hr lunch.  We were back at 1pm and within 30 minutes results of the vote were read-out,- Rev. Ron Cutler was declared our new bishop.

     During the Prayers of the People, said by Rose McFadden and Tyler Nieforth, started with the following prayers:

     "As we gather here today as God's family in the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, we give thanks for the many blessings we have known.  For our rich and vibrant history spanning more than 300 years, and for all those who helped to build and shape this church.  In thanksgiving we pray for bold vision and the courage to continue to journey forth in faith.  On this day, and always; send your Holy Spirit amongst us, O Lord."

     "Today on this National Housing Day, we are reminded of the great needs in our world and the challenge for us to live out our calling to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God.  Heavenly One, Who although homeless at your birth, made your home with us on earth, and in doing so marked each one of us with divine dignity:  Infuse us with your mercy and inspire us to offer each of your children a safe home that we all may live on earth as we shall in heaven."

Jesus Tells Disciples About the Signs of the Last Days

Luke 21: 5-19
⁵ Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, ⁶ “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”

⁷ “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

⁸ He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. ⁹ When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

¹⁰ Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹ There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

¹² “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. ¹³ And so you will bear testimony to me. ¹⁴ But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. ¹⁵ For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. ¹⁶ You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. ¹⁷ Everyone will hate you because of me. ¹⁸ But not a hair of your head will perish. ¹⁹ Stand firm, and you will win life.

cf.  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2021:5-19

"Remember With Us" in honour of our Veterans

Five years of remembering

Choir Practice

Photo Credit: West Prince Graphic *  Wed, 11/06/2013

            November 11 is a day for all Canadians to remember. On this day in 1918, the hostilities of World War One came to a close. Since then November 11 has been used as a time to remember and be grateful for the individuals who laid down their lives in the service of our nation and who are still fighting for our Country. St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Alberton invites the public to share an evening with them during their “Remember With Us” service, being held Thursday, Nov 7, beginning at 7 pm. There will be songs, readings, reflections and light refreshments.
            Leading the service through song will be St. Peter’s Choir and friends, composed of singers from many local churches. They will sing songs written about the Great War, but also the songs that got people through World War II, such as ‘Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree,’ and, ‘We’ll Meet Again”. The audience is encouraged to sing along. There will be solo performances by Reverend Lynn McKinnon, special musical guests and readings by Reverend Andrew Mortimer and others. Merry Carruthers will be playing the piano for the service, as she has for the past four years. This will be the fifth annual Remember With Us service hosted by St Peter’s.
            In the past, there has been as many as 15 choir members volunteering their time, and there’s usually a full house in the audience. The service has been described as emotional and moving in previous years, but also fun for those who attend. St Peter’s Church welcomes everyone to join them that evening to remember. After the service, there will be a luncheon available to all. There is no cost to attend, and no donations are requested.

cf.  West Prince Graphic website, Alberton

http://peicanada.com/west_prince_graphic/publication/five_years_remembering

Praying for Others

Praying for Others God is His Word and praying God’s Word is speaking the very being of God into the situation. Meditating upon His Word causes truth, Spirit and power to become integrated with our own beings and with the being for whom we are interceding. Speaking His truth, His love, His power brings knowledge, cleansing, healing, and wholeness. It brings peace and unexplainable joy – it brings freedom!

            Whatever the need, great or small, God’s Word has the answer. Take the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph 6:17). This sword, the Word of God, is to be used as a powerful weapon against satan and all the powers of darkness. It is to be used to open all people’s eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of satan to God, in order that they might receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ ( Acts 26:18).

            It is to be used to tear down strongholds, to build up, to heal, to set captives free, and to seek and save those who are lost. (from The Sword of the Spirit...by Joy Lamb) 

Image cf.

http://www.dogfuranddandelions.com/2012/09/how-to-pray-for-others-part-2/

            In her chapter on praying for physical healing, Joy Lamb says, “This is a key to healing – that they will not harbour any unforgiveness”. The author lists scripture references for praying for physical healing for others and begins the prayers with Thank you Lord and ends them with In the name of Jesus Christ. For example:

Psalm 103: 3 is prayed : Thank you Lord that You have promised to pardon all our iniquities and to heal all our diseases. In the name of Jesus Christ.  Likewise, Jeremiah 33:6 is prayed: Thank you Lord that You will bring them health and You will cure them, and reveal unto them an abundance of peace and truth. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Joy Lamb clearly heard the Lord say:

“Pray My Word, child. It brings healing in all areas. Trust Me and pray My Word.”

( Above cf. Parish Bulletin, Sunday, November 10, 2013 )