THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
February 9, 2025
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
Today marks the end for us of the season of Epiphany, which is manifestation of the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But there is so much in the world, in the Church, and in ourselves that denies, darkens, and obscures the Light. How are we to account for this, and more importantly, what are we to do about it? In today’s Gospel Jesus tells the parable in which “ an enemy” sows weeds in the midst of the field that has been sown with wheat, and where the householder advises the slaves to let them both grow together until the harvest, when the separation of the good from the evil will take place. Today’s Epistle lesson complements and illustrates the Gospel where St. Paul exhorts us recognize the limitations of our judgements, and to practice forgiveness and mutual forbearance towards one another.
THE LESSON : Colossians 3:12-17
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
THE GOSPEL: Matthew 13:24-30
He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, “Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?” He answered, “An enemy has done this.” The slaves said to him, “Then do you want us to go and gather them?” But he replied, “No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’
PARISH LIFE NOTES
VESTRY MEETING takes place today in the Lower Hall following the service.
SENSIBLE SHOES tells the story of spiritual transformation a group of women experienced as they engaged in the spiritual practices and disciplines of the Christian life. Lorna is offering to lead a second book study of Sensible Shoes in which participants will have opportunity to engage these practices and experience transforming power of God’s grace. Please speak to Lorna if interested.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS. If you, or somebody you know is interested in serving on the Vestry for the coming year, or would like to know more, please speak to the either Churchwardens, Mike or John.
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the WHOLE CONGREGATION will take place on Sunday, February 23rd, after the morning service.
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.