THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
June 16, 2024
THE FATHER IS MY HOPE; THE SON IS MY REFUGE;
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS MY PROTECTION.
ALL HOLY TRINITY, GLORY TO THEE!
LIVE AUDIO STREAMING during today’s service is available on the Order of Service page. Recorded audio will be added following worship.
GETTING READY FOR SUNDAY: PREVIEW OF THE READINGS.
In this season of Trinity, which is the season dedicated to our spiritual growth as Christians, the Church invites us to become “partakers of the divine nature” ( 2 Peter 1.4). Our Epistle lesson for today describes what that means and what that looks like: we are to be subject to the elders, clothe ourselves with humility, cast our anxieties on God, resist the devil, embrace suffering, and greet one another with a “ holy kiss.” In all of our spiritual struggles and afflictions we rejoice that we worship a God who in Christ takes the initiative and seeks out those who have lost their way in life.
THE LESSON: 1 Peter 5:5-14
Likewise you that are younger be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you. Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you. To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen. By Silva′nus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God; stand fast in it. She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark. Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you that are in Christ.
THE HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 15:1-7
Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So he told them this parable: ‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.
PARISH LIFE NOTES
FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR are given to the Glory of God and in Thanksgiving to all fathers on Father’s Day by Mervyn & Gwyn.
ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX/ ANGLICAN CELEBRATION. Last Saturday night adults, families and children from St. Mary’s Anglican and St. Mary’s Ethiopian Orthodox Church came together to celebrate the completion and collaboration in the refurbishment of St. Mary’s Lower Hall and Kitchen. The evening began with prayer, song, and blessing in our respective languages. Supper comprised of classic Ethiopian cuisine, coffee and tea, followed by dessert consisting of rhubarb cake, ice cream, and Saskatoon berry syrup. Following supper Canon Claude gave a short history of St. Mary’s and it’s growth and development and expressed joy in the partnership that now exists between the two “St. Mary’s” congregations, and referenced the prophecy contained in Psalm 68.28 “Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands to God.” In his address, Abba Hailemelekot spoke about how the outstretched hands are accompanied by open hearts and have a summary description of the intense liturgical life of the Ethiopian Church in Africa. He also expressed deep gratitude to the parish of St. Mary’s in welcoming the Ethiopian congregation in, exclaiming, “you are real Christians.” There was much joy and gladness as members of the two congregations got to know each other, which bodes well for future joint endeavors. The evening concluded with further prayer and song.
SASKATOON BERRY FESTIVAL . It’s time to start planning for our Saskatoon Berry Festival which will take place on July 20th, 2024. We need 3 or 4 people to volunteer to be part of an organizing committee. Please contact the church office or Andrew if you are willing to help out with the planning, and stay tuned for announcements about how you can help out on the day with the coffee house, kids activities, market, set-up and clean-up etc.
In the meantime, think about how you can reach out to your friends, family and community to not only sell some berries and pie, but to bring them on the day to participate in a loving and welcoming Christian community, and how you can advance our advertising efforts so we can reach the largest possible number of people.
For this year’s festival, we intend to offer an expanded market that will include home baking, preserves, and possibly handicrafts – depending what people are able to offer. Please keep the berry festival in mind over the next few weeks as you start to can and bake with early summer produce.
Finally, please pray that God will bless this festival, bless this church, and that through us He will bless and heal our community, our city and our country.
WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Evening Prayer: Wednesday at 5.30 p.m.