DEDICATION SUNDAY
October 27, 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 the Gospel reading appointed for The Dedication Festival of a Parish Church we hear the story of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and the cleansing of Temple that took place, which comes to us as a reminder of the establishment of church buildings as places set apart for prayer and the praise and worship of God. But what is a church building without a praying, worshipping congregation? I n our Epistle reading, St. Peter develops the theme of the congregation as spiritual house, a holy nation, and holy priesthood.
THE LESSON : 1 Peter 2:1-10
So put away all malice and all guile and insincerity and envy and all slander. Like newborn babes, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation; for you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. Come to him, to that living stone, rejected by men but in God’s sight chosen and precious; and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and he who believes in him will not be put to shame.” To you therefore who believe, he is precious, but for those who do not believe, “The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner,”
And “A stone that will make men stumble, a rock that will make them fall”; for they stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were no people but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy.
THE GOSPEL : Matthew 21:10-16
When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’ Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, ‘It is written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer”; but you are making it a den of robbers.’ The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he cured them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the amazing things that he did, and heard the children crying out in the temple, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’, they became angry and said to him, ‘Do you hear what these are saying?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Yes; have you never read, “Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise for yourself”?’
PARISH LIFE NOTES
DEDICATION FESTIVAL. Today 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.
HARVEST CEILIDH
On Saturday, Nov 9 we will be hosting a Harvest Ceilidh to include chili and hot dog supper, live music and dancing. Festivities start at 5.30 p.m.to 8.30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, 12 and under are free, and are available by ordering on-line (click the poster below) or by calling the church office at 306-522-6052.
NEXT SUNDAY we will celebrate the Feast of All Saints ( All Hallows) with a Family Service of Holy Communion at 10.30 a.m.
EVENSONG AND CONFIRMATION SERVICE with Bishop Helen will take place on Sunday, November 17th at 3.30 p.m.
“MUSIC FOR REFORMATION” Join the Luther Bach Choir on Saturday, November 2 at 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Luther College, University of Regina. Under our director William Ireton, the choir will present music by Mendelssohn, Brahms, and others. A free will offering will be taken, parking is free (Lot 13, north of the College), and a reception will follow the concert.
WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Morning Prayer: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday at 8.30 a.m.
Evening Prayer: Wednesday at 5.30 p.m.
Holy Communion: Wednesday at 9.30 a.m.