JAN 5
REFLECTION:
As a new year begins, we tend to find ourselves in a ruminative mood...
reflecting on what has been and what is yet to come. I find myself particularly
considering our community, as we collectively share the anniversary of our
first Sunday together. Aside from recognising how truly privileged I am to be
part of the St. John’s family, I am aware that a lot has changed in this past
year.
I am also aware that (ironically), change is a constant in our lives! And so we
will continue to encounter change. For example, with support of the Parish
Council, St. John’s has agreed to be home to a theological student, who will be
joining us later this month. We will also be welcoming a new parish secretary
in the near future, as the wardens and I have just begun that process.
Individually, we also have other changes in our lives and communities: we will
welcome new friends and say goodbye to others; we will engage in new ministries
and let others come to an end.
Whatever our changes are, I find strength in knowing that God is with us in all
that we do, and when we focus our life on following God’s path, we are blessed
to realise we are walking in the true light.
May all of your 2020 be blessed!
PRAYERS:
As we journey, we
seek the direction of the Lord.
As we live, we
seek the guidance of God.
As we minister,
we seek to shine the light of Christ.
To
the petition “Lead
us Lord,” please reply “Help Us to Shine Your Light”
We pray for the
leaders in our church: for our Primate Linda and our Archbishop Ron; for those
who serve at St John's and beyond; that you will empower us to minister for
your sake and in your name. Lead us
Lord,
Help Us to Shine Your Light.
We pray for the
leaders of the nations: for those who strive for justice and peace, and for
those who justify conflict; that they may be guided by your wisdom to seek your
light for the benefit of all. Lead us Lord,
Help Us to Shine Your Light
We pray for the
world: giving thanks for places of peace and concord; upholding those who live
in fear of war; mindful of those ravaged by the fires, tsunamis, and other
forces impacted by climate change. As stewards of your creation we beg you to
open our eyes to the needs of the world and inspire our faithful response. Lead
us Lord,
Help Us to Shine Your Light
We pray for our
homes: for all who live in our community. As we share our daily lives, may we
always be open to the movement of your Spirit. Direct us in ways to build and
sustain the compassionate community we crave. Lead us Lord,
Help Us to Shine Your Light
We pray for all
who are sick: in body, mind, and spirit, that they may be comforted by your
presence. We ask your blessing on all who provide care and skill for those in any
form of need. Lead us Lord,
Help Us to Shine Your Light
We pray for those
whom we love but see no longer, that your perpetual light will shine upon them.
We ask that those who mourn may know your peace, and that we may demonstrate
the power of your love to their broken hearts. Lead us Lord,
Help Us to Shine Your Light
Loving God, you
hear the whispers of our hearts as we offer these prayers. May all we do give
you greater glory in the world, that our lives serve as a testament of our
faith in your unfailing love and grace, which you so richly shower upon us.
Support us as we follow your light, and bear that light to the world. Lead us
Lord,
Help Us to Shine Your Light
Amen.
JANUARY 12
REFLECTION:
DID YOU KNOW?
As
part of our goals to increase communication, and in conjunction with the
Communications task group's discussions, we are starting a "Did You
Know" section in our weekly worship bulletin.
Each
week until Easter, the Rector's Message will be a space for a piece of
information to be shared... things from
If
you have questions, or ideas of information to share with the broader
community, please just let us know!
This
week: Did You Know?
Archbishop
Ron Cutler, our diocesan bishop and metropolitan, has just announced his
intention to retire effective 31 july. He has been a wonderful and inspiring
leader for us for many years.
The
process to elect a new diocesan bishop will be determined by a team established
by Diocesan Council at their February meeting. Information will be shared as it
becomes available.
I
ask your prayers for ++Ron and his wife Marianne, as they begin this
transition; also for our diocese as we begin a collective discernment process
for our new bishop!
PRAYERS:
In your baptism, Lord, you showed the world that this
sacrament connects us to You and to each other. Remembering our own baptismal
vows, to the petition "In your name we pray" we pray "Lord, hear
our prayer."
Lord Jesus, as we joined you in baptism, we celebrated
our place within your church, committing ourselves to nurture and be nurtured
in the faith and life of the Christian community. Help us to be fervent in
prayer and witness to grow into the full stature of Christ, embracing this
personal growth, and supporting the spiritual nourishment of our shared
community. In your name we pray,
Lord, hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus, we vowed to renounce Satan and all the
spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against you. Help us to recognise the
forces of evil in our world: the greed, corruption, hate, anger, and division that
separate us from your love; and empower us to model a life of Christian
compassion and charity. In your name we pray,
Lord, hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus, we committed to love and care for all the
world as we renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy
your creatures. We hold in our hearts the victims of fire, flood, and drought.
We hold in our hearts the leaders of the nations who struggle to balance
economy, resources, and services. We hold in our hearts all who bear authority,
including ourselves, that they may use their power and privilege for the
greater good. In your name we pray,
Lord, hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus, we vowed to renounce all sinful desires
that draw us from the love of you. Remind us to see your presence this day, in
the experiences we have and the people we meet. Pour your blessings abundantly
on all who guide our hearts towards you; remembering especially our Primate
Linda and Archbishop Ron. May our actions be a testament of our trust in you. In your name we pray,
Lord, hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus, we have accepted you as our Saviour, put
our whole trust in your grace and love, and promised to obey you as our Lord.
Help us to live into these vows, faithfully living out the ministry you call us
into. May we use our gifts to heal the sick, support the weak, comfort the
grieving, befriend the lonely, advocate for the oppressed, and uphold your
people in prayer. In your name we pray,
Lord, hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus, as we commemorate your baptism, and recall
the promises of our own, we ask you to renew our hearts within us, that we may
live the joy of being the baptised, this day and forever more. In your name we
pray,
Lord, hear our prayer.
JANUARY 19
REFLECTION:
DID YOU KNOW?
What does a theological student do?
Last week, we welcomed Mr. Blane
Finnie, who is joining us as a theological student. As the last student placement here at St.
John’s was some time ago, and in a different format, some have asked for
clarification about what Blane will be doing.
Blane is studying part-time in
Halifax at the Atlantic School of Theology. This placement is part of his first
Field Education class. As such, he will be at the parish for approximately 6-8
hours weekly, until the end of April. He will predominantly be with us on
Sundays, taking leadership in various liturgical roles, experiencing an active
children’s and youth ministry, preaching, and beyond. He will accompany the
rector on some home and hospital visits, attend some administrative (committee
and council) meetings, and engage in other areas of parish life.
Please make sure to introduce
yourself to Blane – and remember that while we’re meeting one person, he is
meeting dozens! – and extend the warmth and hospitality that St. John’s is
famous for.
PRAYERS:
God of love, you
called us before we were born. Help us, your church, to use our gifts and
skills to shine your light in the world. As we thank you for the leadership of
our church; our Primate Linda, Archbishop Ron, and Archdeacon Ian; we ask you
to empower us to be a blessing to your church. May all we say and do
demonstrate our devotion to you, and our compassion to your people. Lord, in
your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God of wisdom,
you inspire servant leadership. We ask you to bless the leaders of the nations
as they balance their political and personal lives whilst under constant
scrutiny. We hold in prayer the Queen and her family; the diplomatic
interventions in the Middle East; the governments addressing civil unrest; the
authorities combatting climate change; and all others who dedicate their lives
to service. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God of peace,
help us to see the world as your great masterpiece. Move your Spirit in our
lives that we commit our actions: to work for peace where there conflict; to
foster unity where there is division; to journey toward reconciliation where
there is prejudice; to seek sustainable lives where there is greed and
destruction. Help us to find the strength to amend our lives to your will in
ways that will protect and preserve your world, as you intended. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God of
companionship, we offer our prayers for our local community. For those who work
here, and those who are retired; for those who study, and those who teach. For
those who do not know you and those who praise you. As you continually reach
out to us in love, may we respond to that love by using the gift of our lives
in our community: help us to offer more encouragement than criticism, more
support than isolation, more kindness than harshness. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God of comfort,
we pause to consider those in any need, remembering in our minds the names we
hold in our hearts. Pause We hold
before those whose needs are unknown by us; and those who have no one else
praying for their well-being. Pause
For those whose
bodies lack health and wholeness;
For those whose
minds deny them peace;
For those whose
spirits are restless or disturbed;
For those whose
hearts are broken;
May your presence
sooth their souls and bring them the comfort they seek. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God of
generosity, help us to live in the truth of your love. Help us to see each day
as a great gift, choosing to delight in the abundance of graces rather than get
caught in a perception of scarcity. Help us to celebrate gratitude, as we
reflect on all the blessings of this life.
May our hearts be truly thankful. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
JAN 26
REFLECTION:
DID YOU KNOW?
Hospital Visits
Clergy visiting in hospitals date back to the beginning of hospitals: at times
of births, medical procedures, illness, and even death. Hospital visits provide
an opportunity to share in prayer and conversation, and at times the sacraments
of anointing and communion. It is a privilege for me to be with you and your
loved ones at that vulnerable time.
It can be difficult to balance a patient’s right to privacy and the value of
religious support. Most hospitals and care facilities no longer have a chaplain
on-site.
Privacy legislation means that the staff in our medical facilities (who are
doing wonderful work!) are by law not allowed to divulge any patient
information. In ages past, a nurse could take initiative to call the parish
priest to let them know someone had been admitted: this is no longer the case.
Likewise, I cannot call and ask if there are any Anglicans admitted; I can only
inquire by specific name.
If you or a loved one specifically ask the nursing staff to call me, they do
their best to make that happen.
However,
the best way to coordinate a clergy visit is to let me know directly. Call
or email (or stop by the office and say hello!) and I will do everything I can
to get there.
*We also have a pastoral visiting team,
who are happy to pay visits!
PRAYERS:
Loving God, we ask you to protect and direct your church to live and
serve in unity. We thank you for the leadership of Archbishop Ron and Primate
Linda. We ask for your help to use our praise, to keep our focus on you. Lord Jesus, we pray
Hear our prayer
We ask you to remind everyone, everywhere, that we are all connected as
one family, of humans and non-humans. Help us to act in a way that respects
each other and the earth, sharing in the blessings you provide. Lord Jesus, we pray
Hear our prayer
Help us to turn away from greed, distrust, anger, and selfishness; help
us to keep our hearts desiring what is peaceful and just. Remind us of our
connection to each other and the world, today and into the future. Lord Jesus, we pray
Hear our prayer
Help us to see your presence in our community: in the beauty of the
world around us, in the people we meet, in the events that happen here. Pour
your grace on all who work, travel, and live here. Lord Jesus, we pray
Hear our prayer
We ask you to bless all those who help the sick, the lonely, the
grieving, the depressed, the fearful. May your love come to all who feel
unloved and unloveable. Inspire us to
feed the hungry, clothe the poor, support those in need: help us to reach out to
your beloved with love. Lord Jesus, we pray
Hear our prayer
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