Trinity 15, 2021 – Sermon

(Modified 2021-09-12: Added recording of this sermon.)

St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church, Trinity 15, Sept. 12, 2021 Canon Claude Schroeder

Audio recording of this sermon

2021 is the year of Mark in our lectionary, where on Sunday mornings at St. Mary’s  we have been slowly working our way through  St. Mark ‘s Gospel. And so what have we heard and learned so far? Up to this point in the story, Mark has been describing for us the main features of Jesus’ public ministry, which consisted of essentially three things:  preaching, teaching, and miracles.

The preaching, the message, which Jesus proclaimed concerned the kingdom of God or the reign and rule of God here on this earth. Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the Good News.” (Mark 1.15)

Here at St. Mary’s we seek to pass on this message, this good news that through the life, death, resurrection, ascension of Jesus Christ and sending of the Holy Spirit God has established his reign and rule on this earth, having defeated the power of Satan, sin, and death. That’s the kingdom. And it’s here, and it’s now. 

Continue reading “Trinity 15, 2021 – Sermon”

Trinity 14, 2021 – Bulletin

THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
SEPTEMBER 5, 2021

TODAY AT ST. MARY’S

LIVE AUDIO STREAMING during today’s service is available on the Order of Service page. Recorded audio will be added following worship.

PARISH LIFE NOTES

ST. MARY’S HOUSE CONCERT with Terrance and Kelsi Williamson performing original compositions along with the best of  Johnny Cash, Bob  Dylan, and Joni Mitchell. Monday (Labour Day), September 6, 2021 at 4.30 p.m. in the Rector’s back yard. Hot dog roast and supper to follow.

Bring appetizers to share, and a chair or blanket. R.S.V.P. to Claude. Families are welcome!

THE GRAPEVINE. Do you remember a time when you experienced the presence of God and His blessings? Sharing our faith experiences blesses others and gives God the Glory.  Would you share your experience /story with us at St. Mary’s? The Grapevine is being printed in September; Please think about submitting your story. We will need your stories by September 12,  please  send them to Lorna. For more  information call Lorna.

ST. MARY’S GARDEN. Following the service today, harvest from St. Mary’s Garden is available for pick up : including cabbages, summer squash, and swiss chard!

CONGREGATIONAL FORUM. At its July meeting, St. Mary’s Vestry discerned we are in a time of change and renewal, and invites parishioners to a congregational forum to hear and share in this discernment. As Elections Canada has rented out our parish hall for the election, the forum has been re-scheduled from Sept 12 to Sept. 19. 

VESTRY meets on Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m.

WEEKDAY MORNING AND EVENING PRAYER resumes on Tuesday with Morning Prayer at 8.30 a.m. and Evening Prayer at 5.30 p.m.

Trinity 14, 2021 – Sermon

(Modified 2021-09-05: Added recording of this sermon.)

St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Trinity 14, September 5, 2021 Canon Claude Schroeder

Audio recording of this sermon

There is a think I certain timeliness to our Scripture readings on this 14th Sunday in the season of Trinitytide in our church calendar, where in our cultural calendar on this Labour Day week-end we are also marking the 85th Sunday in the season of Corona-tide, and the 4th Sunday in the season of  federal election-tide. 

In our Old Testament reading this morning, God instructed Isaiah to “say to those with a fearful heart,” Be strong, do not fear! “(Isaiah 35.4)

I need to ask you this morning, on a scale of 1 to 10, just how fearful are you with respect to the future? God knows we have reason enough to be afraid. On top of the usual stresses and struggles around health, marriage, family life and work, we now have advent of the 4th wave, with delta variants, our government printing money as if there was no tomorrow, and climate change prophets announcing the end of the world. 

Continue reading “Trinity 14, 2021 – Sermon”

Trinity 13, 2021 – Bulletin

THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
AUGUST 29, 2021

TODAY AT ST. MARY’S

10.30 A.M. HOLY COMMUNION with Beth preaching.

LIVE AUDIO STREAMING during today’s service is available on the Order of Service page. Recorded audio will be added following worship.

  • GOSPEL IN THE GARDEN for children 

PARISH LIFE NOTES

THE GRAPEVINE Do you remember a time when you experienced the presence of God and His blessings? Sharing our faith experiences blesses others and gives God the Glory.  Would you share your experience /story with us at St. Mary’s? The Grapevine is being printed in September; Please think about submitting your story. We will need your stories by September 12,  please  send them to Lorna. For more  information call Lorna. 

Trinity 13, 2021 – Sermon

(Modified 2021-08-29: Added audio recording of this sermon.)

Audio recording of this sermon

Sometimes when we hear the Bible translated into our own language, it’s helpful to also translate into our time and place.

In listening to the conversation we heard about in the Gospel that was just read, with its references to ritual hand washing and dish washing and washing of groceries you brought home from the market, I found myself getting distracted by the obvious parallels to life under a pandemic, when those aren’t really the connections we need to be making.  But then I came across a retelling of the story from a Rev. Charles Hoffacker from Greenbelt Maryland.  He’s reimagined what a version of this conversation between Jesus and the Pharisees might sound like in 21st century North America. 

Continue reading “Trinity 13, 2021 – Sermon”

Trinity 12, 2021 – Bulletin

THE TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
AUGUST 22, 2021

TODAY AT ST. MARY’S

10.30 A.M. HOLY COMMUNION . Henry preaching.

LIVE AUDIO STREAMING during today’s service is available on the Order of Service page. Recorded audio will be added following worship.

  • GOSPEL IN THE GARDEN for children 

PARISH LIFE NOTES

RECTOR’S VACATION. Claude is vacation until Aug. 28. For any pastoral emergencies this week, please contact Archdeacon Cheryl Toth.

GUEST MUSICIAN today is Wendy Hardman

THE GRAPEVINE Do you remember a time when you experienced the presence of God and His blessings? Sharing our faith experiences blesses others and gives God the Glory.  Would you share your experience /story with us at St. Mary’s? The Grapevine is being printed in September; Please think about submitting your story. We will need your stories by September 12,  please  send them to Lorna. For more  information call Lorna.