ALL SAINTS SUNDAY
November 3, 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
On this Feast of All Saints, our readings give us two complimentary visions of holiness. The first, from the Book of Revelation, where a great multitude, who have been sanctified through their suffering, stand in worship before the throne of God in heaven and experience His unmeditated sheltering presence and comfort. The second vision, from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, describes the personal qualities and life experience and the ensuing blessedness of those who have died to sin, and have risen to new life in Christ.
THE LESSON : Revelation 7:9-17
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels stood round the throne and round the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.” Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and whence have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night within his temple; and he who sits upon the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
THE GOSPEL : Matthew 5:1-11
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
PARISH LIFE NOTES
VESTRY UPDATE (2024/10/20 Meeting):
1) Vestry agreed to a new Website redesign with Luke Johnson and Codigo Web Works from Moose Jaw.
Background: Churches across Canada have struggled to revive pre-covid attendance patterns, and a welcoming, user- friendly website goes a long way towards encouraging newcomers to join our service. Online attention spans are very short. Providing a friendly, intuitive interface will give us a chance to make a good first impression. Search engines have increased the requirements they impose upon websites in recent years, and a well- planned, well- designed website will help newcomers to find us online.
2) Vestry approved a new St Mary’s Rental Agreement document which will be used each time we have an outside renter wanting to use / rent areas of our Church.
3) Vestry discussed a letter sent to them concerning “audio streaming” Sunday Services. More discussions will take place concerning this matter including the possibility of boosting the wifi signal to the required areas of the Church and if this audio service will be included in our new web design as mentioned above.
4) Kate (Safe Church Co-Ordinator) discussed some suggestions she had for St Mary’s. These include employee’s job descriptions and feedback, Incident Reporting, Criminal Record Checks, training etc. To date we have reviewed a couple of “safe church” initiatives including inventory control and key distribution. Much more discussion and work to follow.
5) Vestry discussed “Ecumenical Embrace” which is a grant set out by the Anglican Foundation of Canada. It targets initiatives with fellow Christians from the Oriental Orthodox Churches. Near to home, this includes our own Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Father Claude has agreed to follow up with The Anglican Foundation of Canada in order to glean more clarifying information on the grant. More discussions to follow.
6) Vestry expressed an interest to continue with St Nicholas day tentatively set for Dec 7th. Mike agreed to co-ordinate this event with all the leaders from the past year. Events include, craft and bake sales, coffee / refreshments sales, visit from St Nicholas, Church tour, evening service, kid’s activities, music, firepit and bbq etc.
7) Vestry discussed the Worship Center and the need to seek out more volunteers to support this program. More to follow.
8) Vestry discussed a need to implement a plan for future “hospitality events.” We will need a coordinator or teams like we had several years ago to help with this workload. There are more discussions to follow as well.
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.
EVENSONG AND CONFIRMATION SERVICE with Bishop Helen will take place on Sunday, November 17th at 3.30 p.m. Everyone is warmly invited.
ST. NICHOLAS CHRISTMAS MARKET planning is underway! Please mark your calendars, and is sign up to volunteer after the service today.
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.