SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY
February 16, 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
It all begins today, that is to say the countdown to Lent, and to Easter, begins today. Septuagesima, which is Latin for 70, marks the beginning of a season of preparation for the 40 days of Lent, in which through the recovery of the disciplines of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving we begin to earnestly prepare to celebrate the death and resurrection of the Lord in Holy Week and Easter, and our own death and resurrection in Him. In our Gospel lesson today Jesus tells the parable of the workers of the vineyard, which comes to us an image of the spiritual labour of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving we are about to enter into in Lent. In today’s epistle lesson, St. Paul gives us another image of Lent: that of athletic training in preparation for receiving a crown of glory that does not fade away.
THE LESSON : 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
THE GOSPEL: Matthew 20:1-15
‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the labourersand give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?”
PARISH LIFE NOTES
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the WHOLE CONGREGATION will take place on Sunday, February 23rd, after the morning service. Lunch will be provided!
2024 TAX RECEIPTS will be available for pick up in the next few weeks. If you would like an electronic copy please contact Blair.
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.