TWENTY FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
October 20, 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
The focus of the season of Trinity in our church calendar is our on spiritual growth and maturing as Christians. In today’s Epistle lesson St. Paul reminds us that the Christian life is one of conflict. This is a timely message for the fragmented, divided, conflicted times in which we live where we imagine the problem is other people, whom we must defeat by whatever political, economic, and military means available. But this is to misdiagnose the problem. St. Paul reminds us that our conflict is spiritual in nature, and needs to be addressed spiritually. Our Gospel lesson today tells story of the royal official of the city of Capernaum, interceded with Christ to heal his son, and who believed the word which Jesus spoke. Such is the power of Christ to protect us from all the temptations of our ages which seek to distort the Christian faith , and heal the spiritual afflictions of our times.
THE LESSON : Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
THE GOSPEL : John 4:46-54
Then he came again to Cana in Galilee where he had changed the water into wine. Now there was a royal official whose son lay ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, ‘Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.’ The official said to him, ‘Sir, come down before my little boy dies.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your son will live.’ The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way. As he was going down, his slaves met him and told him that his child was alive. So he asked them the hour when he began to recover, and they said to him, ‘Yesterday at one in the afternoon the fever left him.’ The father realized that this was the hour when Jesus had said to him, ‘Your son will live.’ So he himself believed, along with his whole household. Now this was the second sign that Jesus did after coming from Judea to Galilee.
PARISH LIFE NOTES
THE SENIORS’ COMMUNITY KITCHEN meets on Monday, October 21 at 10 a.m. in the Upper Hall.
VESTRY MEETING will take place in the lounge following the service today.
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS.
DEDICATION FESTIVAL. Next Sunday we will celebrate the 111th anniversary of the founding of our parish, with a special service followed by a roast beef lunch (carved by the Churchwardens) and salad, provided by the congregation, to be followed by a presentation by the Rector and Wardens on “St. Mary’s Past Present and Future.” Stewardship packages for 2025 will be distributed at this time.
BISHOP’S DISCRETIONARY FUND DINNER OCTOBER 26, 2024 5:00 P.M. COCKTAILS 6:00 P.M. DINNER SKYE CAFE AND BISTRO 2903 POWERHOUSE DRIVE, REGINA Speaker: Rev. Dot Gosling, youth ministry specialist and hub leader of 7 churches, Diocese of Liverpool Tickets: $140 each, $160 each for a seat at the Bishop’s table or $1,000 for a table of 8. Visit www.quappelle.anglican.ca, call 3065221608 or email kate.berringer@quappelle.anglican.ca to reserve your tickets before October 19.
HARVEST CEILIDH. On Saturday, Nov 9 will be hosting an a Harvest Ceilidh to include chili and hot dog supper, living music and dancing. Festivities start at 5.30 p.m.to 8.30 p.m. Tickets are $15.00 for adults, 12 and under are free, and are available by calling the church office at 306-522-6052.
WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Morning Prayer: Tuesday to Friday at 8.30 a.m.
Evening Prayer: Wednesday at 5.30 p.m.
Holy Communion: Wednesday at 9.30 a.m.