Parish Combined Service & Annual Meeting

St. Luke's O'Leary

     We had a great service yesterday at St. Luke's Church at O'Leary Corner.  The Eucharist service began at 10:30am.  Instead of a sermon this morning we had a slide show presentation created by Christine Batten and Janet Mortimer - we saw ourselves through this past year at services, carrying-out parish work, fundraisers, children in a variety of activities, etc.  Maybe I can figure out how to post such a slide show on this blog.

St. Luke's Hall following renos

     Following the service we had a potluck lunch in the newly renovated Hall - it was great!!  Then the meeting began at 12:30pm with Rev. Andrew Mortimer presiding (sorry for fuzzy photo)

To you our Thanks and Blessings

To all who have worked in and for the church community this past year a thank you for your faithful service in God's name and for His glory! Please know that your efforts are much appreciated by all members of the congregations. To those who are taking on roles this year of 2012 we thank you in advance for your time and thought and care. Know that the congregations will pray for you and bless you as you work on their behalf!  Thanks be to God!

cf. Parish Bulletin

Below: Parishioners getting ready for the annual meeting - note the St. Luke's Hall newly renovated interior.

Below from the Parish Bulletin - Jan. 29th, 2012

A Prayer for our Parish in 2012

     With our trust in you, O Lord, we look forward to the days and weeks and months that lie ahead, knowing that they will never fail to reveal signs of your providence.

     Rejoicing in you, O Lord, we reach out to embrace all the  moments and occasions of the coming year, knowing that they will ever surprise us with opportunities for celebrating your salvation.

     May times of happiness teach us the depths of your love.  May times of adversity teach us the reach of your care.  In all times may we bless you, Father, Son and Spirit, in whom it is our destiny to live, forever and ever.  Amen (cf. Prayer for Parish Groups)

Everything I need to know about life...

...I learned from Noah's Ark.

One:  Don't miss the boat.
Two:  Remember that we are all in the same boat.
Three:  Plan ahead.  It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark
Four:  Stay fit.  When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
Five:  Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
Six:  Build your future on high ground.
Seven:  For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
Eight:  Speed isn't always an advantage.  The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
Nine:  When you're stressed, float a while.
Ten:  Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Eleven:  No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

( The other day I found this on the back of a church bulletin from November 21st, not sure which year, but it was when Rev. Simon Davies was in our Parish as rector, probably around 2006 )

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - Day 8



 cf. Google Images

     DAY 8 Theme: United in the Reign of Christ. Readings: 1 CHronicles 29: 10-13 It is your hand to make great and to give strength to all. Psalm 21: 1-7 You set a crown of fine gold on his head. Revelation 3: 19b-22 To the one who conquers I will give a place with Me on My throne. John 12: 23-26 Whoever serves me the Father will honour.

     Prayer: Almighty God, Ruler of All, teach us to contemplate the mystery of Your glory. Grant that we may accept Your gifts with humility and respect each person's dignity. May Your Holy Spirit strengthen us for the spiritual battles which lie ahead, so that united in Christ we may reign with Him in glory. Grant this through him who humbled himself and was exhalted, who lives with You and the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.

     Questions for reflection: 1. In what ways do false humility and a desire for earthly glory manifest themselves in our lives? 2. How do we express together our faith in the Reign of Christ? 3. How do we live out our hope in the coming Kingdom of God?

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - Day 7

cf. Google Images.

     DAY 7 Theme: Changed by the Good Shepherd. Readings: 1 Samuel 2: 1-10 Not by might does one prevail. Psalm 23 You are there with your rod and staff. Ephesians 6: 10-20 Be strong in the Lord. John 21: 15-19 Feed my sheep. 

     Prayer: Father of all, You call us to be one flock on Your Son Jesus Christ. He is our Good Shpeherd who invites us to lie down in green pastures, leads us beside still waters, and restores our souls. In following him, may we so care for others that all see in us the love of the one true Shpherd, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever and ever. Amen.

     Questions for reflection: 1. How does the Good Shepherd inspire us to comfort, revive, and restore the confidence of those who are lost? 2. In what ways can Christians of various traditions strengthen each other in confessing and bearing witness to Jesus Christ? 3. For us today, what can be the meaning of St. Paul's exhortation: "Be strong in the Lord...put on the whole armour of God"?

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - Day 6

cf. Google Images



     DAY 6 Theme: Changed by God's steadfast Love. Readings: Habakkuk 3: 17-19 God, the Lord is my strength. Psalm 136: 1-4, 23-26 His steadfast love endures forever 1 John 5: 1-6 This is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. John 15: 9-17 No one has greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.

     Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, by Your Resurrection You have triumphed over death, and have become the Lord of life. Out of love for us You have chosen us to be Your friends. May the Holy Spirit unite us to You and to one another in the bonds of friendship, that we may faithfully serve You in this world as witnesses to Your steadfast love; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

     Questions for reflection: 1. How should we express Christian love in contexts of different relgions and philosophies? 2. What must we do to become more credible witnesses of God's steadfast love in a divided world? 3. How can Christ's followers more visibly support one another throughout the world?

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - Day 5

cf. Google Images

DAY 5 Theme: Changed by the peace of the Risen Lord. Readings: Malachi 4: 5-6 He will turn the hearts of parents to their children and the hearts of children to their parents. Psalm 133 How good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! Ephesians 2: 14-20 To reconcile both groups to God in one body, putting to death hostility. John 20: 19-23 Jesus stood among them and said: Peace be with you!

Prayer: Loving and merciful God, teach us the joy of sharing in Your peace. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so that we may tear down the walls of hostility separating us. May the risen Christ, who is our peace, help us to overcomeall division and unite us as members of His household. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, to whom with You and the Holy Spirit be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

Questions for reflection: 1. What forms of violence in our community can we as Christians confront together? 2. How do we experience hidden hostilities that affect our relationship to each other as Christian communities? 3. How can we learn to welcome each other as Christ welcomes us?

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - Day 4



Photo cf. Google Images

     DAY 4 Theme: Changed by the Lord's victory over evil. Readings: Exodus 23: 1-9 Do not follow the majority in wrong doing. Psalm 1 Happy are those who delight in the law of the Lord. Romans 12: 17-2 Overcome evil with good. Matthew 4: 1-11 Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.

     Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, we thank You for Your victory over evil and division. We praise You for Your sacrifice and Your resurrection that conquer death. Help us in our everyday struggle against all adversity. May the Holy Spirit give us strength and wisdom so that, following You, we may overcome evil with good, and division with reconciliation. Amen.

     Questions for reflection: 1. Where do we see evil on our own lives? 2. In what way can our faith in Christ help us to overcome evil and the Evil One? 3. What can we learn from situations in our community where division has given way to reconciliation?