How to stay connected with our Church Community during COVID-19:
- Follow along below for the Sunday Devotions
- Find the latest updates from the Diocese here https://diohuron.org/
There are no in-person scheduled services during lockdown
January 24, 2021 Epiphany 3
January 17, 2021 Epiphany 2
Jan 10, 2021 Birth of Our Lord
Christmas Carol Service
Advent 4 December 20, 2020
| 4th_sunday_of_advent__december_20th_2020.pdf |
Advent 3 December 13, 2020
Advent 2 December 6, 2020
| 2nd_sunday_of_advent__december_6th_2020_service.pdf |
Advent 1 November 29, 2020
| 1st_sunday_of_advent__november_29th_service.pdf |
Reign of Christ November 22, 2020
| reign_of_christ__november_22nd_service.docx.pdf |
Pentecost 24 November 15, 2020
| pentecost_24__november_15th_service.pdf |
November 8, 2020 Remembrance Day
| rememberance_sunday_november_8th_service.pdf |
November 1, 2020 All Saints Day
| all_saints_day_november_1st_service.pdf |
October 25, 2020
| pentecost_21_october_25th_service.pdf |
October 18, 2020
| pentecost_20_october_18th_service.pdf |
October 11, 2020 Thanksgiving
October 4, 2020
| pentecost_18_october_4th_service.docx.pdf |
September 27, 2020
September 20, 2020
September 13, 2020
| september_13_2020_service_bulletin_2.pdf |
September 6, 2020 Church Service Pentecost 14
| pentecost_14_sunday_september_6_2020.pdf |
August 30, 2020 Church Service
August 23, 2020 Church Service
August 16 , 2020 Church Service
St. John's Woodhouse Decoration Day Service, August 9, 2020
Sunday August 9, 2020 Church Service
Sunday, August 2, 2020 Church Service
Sunday July 25, 2020 Church Service
Sunday July 19 Church Service
Sunday July 12 2020 Church Service
Sunday, July 5 2020 Church Service
Sunday, June 28, 2020 Church Service
Sunday June 21, National Indigenous Day of Prayer
June 21 Church Bulletin
| pentecost_3_sunday_june_21st_2020.pdf |
Sunday, June 14, 2020 Service
Trinity Sunday, June 6 2020
Church Service, May 31 2020 Pentecost Sunday
| pentecost_may_31st_2020.pdf |
Church Service May 24, 2020
Easter 6 Online Church Service May 17, 2020
Easter 5, May 10 2020
Fifth Sunday after Easter Church Bulletin
| fifth_sunday_after_easter_may_10th_2020.pdf |
May 3, 2020 Church Service Easter 4
Fourth Sunday after Easter- Church Bulletin
| fourth_sunday_after_easter_may_3rd_2020.pdf |
April 26 Church Service, Easter 3
April 19 Church Service
Second Sunday of Easter Bulletin
| second_sunday_after_easter_sunday_april_19th_2020_2[7857].pdf |
Easter Sunday Video, April 12 2020
Easter Sunday Bulletin
| easter_sunday_april_12th_2020.pdf |
Good Friday April 10, 2020 online Service
Good Friday Church Bulletin
| april_10_-_good_friday_service.pdf |
Maundy Thursday April 9, 2020 online reflections
Maundy Thursday Church Bulletin
| maundy_thursday_april_9th_2020_bulletin.pdf |
Palm Sunday April 5, 2020 online service
Palm Sunday Bulletin
| palm_sunday_april_5th_2020.pdf |
The Fifth Sunday of Lent, March 28, 2020 video
The fifth Sunday of Lent, Church Bulletin
|
To download the bulletin, please click the link to the left hand side.
| ||
A letter from the Bishop of Huron
If you want to download the letter, please click red triangle below. Or you can read it online here.
| march-24-2020-update-from-bishop-townshend.pdf |
Crisis Contemplation:
A great article by Father Richard Rohr
https://cac.org/crisis-contemplation-2020-03-24/?&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dm&utm_term=organic
https://cac.org/crisis-contemplation-2020-03-24/?&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dm&utm_term=organic
A video message from Rev. Rick - The Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 22, 2020
Fourth Sunday of Lent Bulletin
THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
March 22, 2020
GATHERING PRAYER
Entering in today with our anticipations and apprehensions, Gracious God,
we open our hearts to you.
In a season of uncertainty, changes and transitions,
we hold on to knowing that no matter where we are
You are with us and you hold us close.
Safe in the knowledge of your presence with us,
We turn our awareness to the hope we have in you.
Amen
COLLECT
One: God of our lives you call us each day to new challenges and choices:
new ways to worship
new understandings of your Word
new ways to care
new ways to touch the hearts of all people
We are thankful that you go before us to prepare the way,
And follow behind to support and strengthen us.
Ever present God, you make all things new.
Open our hearts to hear your voice
As you walk with us on our journey.
Amen.
HEARING GOD’S WORD
I Samuel 16.1-113
Psalm 23
Ephesians 5.6-14
John 9.1-41
RESPONDING TO GOD’s WORD
As we look at and listen to today’s gospel, we know this is not a simple photograph-able report of an event that occurred in the life of the historical Jesus (or maybe it’s a story of something that happens over and over in our own lives). But this is truly Gospel – a proclamation of good news! Read the story carefully – maybe several times. Ask the question: Who in the story is ‘blind’? Obviously, the man born blind, his neighbours, the Pharisees, his parents, ‘the Jews’. Just about everybody! So what is it that they don’t “see”?
So the question placed before the man born blind was: “Do you put your trust (faith) in the Son of Man?” That’s a title for Jesus in the gospels. That’s really the question that the author of the 4th gospel places before you and me. Do I really put all my trust in Jesus? Really??? That’s not a simple rhetorical question. When the chips are down, when push comes to shove, when back is against the wall, do I really trust Jesus? And, equally important, why do I give the answer I give?
Let me give you my answer. In April of last year, my wife and I made the decision to sell our home in Hamilton, find a place to rent and move. That whole process, which took over 7 months (that doesn’t include the unpacking and setting up of the new house) was the most challenging and stressful thing I have ever done. There were times I really wasn’t sure I would ever get through it.
In the midst of all that, did I look for God’s presence? Yell for God’s help? You bet I did! Did I always find it? No (but I suspect I wasn’t always looking in the right places). But, when the chips were down and I was at the end of my rope, God was always there – in ways I would not have imagined. On several occasions on Sunday mornings at St Marks here in Brantford I had a clear and unexpected awareness of the presence of Jesus holding me up.
So now, when Jesus asks me: “Do you put your trust in the Son of Man?” My answer is ‘Yep! But why’d it take you so long to get here?’ His answer was: “I was always there, you just couldn’t seem to see me.” My response? “Oh! Now I see!” But I’m definitely not planning to move again EVER!
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Please pray for Our Bishop Dr. Todd Townshend, Anne our Metropolitan, Linda, our Primate, Mark, National Indigenous Archbishop and Marinez, Bishop of Amazonia. Rev. Canon Tony Bouwmeester (interim) and the people of St. Paul’s, Port Dover, Rev. Paul Sherwood and the people of Trinity, Simcoe. and all lay and clergy leaders.
We ask your prayers for parishioners and friends in need of God’s healing touch upon their lives:
Betty F., Don G., Franz and Elaine Z., Andrea P., Steven K., Rebecca M., Trista P., Elizabeth C–K., Bill Mc., Dwayne M, and Andrea B., Susan A., Olivia H., Karen M. Jerry M., Diane H., Delores B., Mark A and Hazel A. and baby Maeve A. and anyone known to you.
Remember our shut-ins at home, hospital and in local nursing homes: June, Shirley, Iris, Everett, Julie, David, John, Anna, Ron and Dick.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Search us O God and know our hearts today
Try us and know our anxious thoughts,
see if there are any hurtful ways in us
and lead us in your loving and life-giving Way
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
One: God knows our secret fears, ignorance & selfish ways.
God forgives, forgive yourself, forgive others
All: We open our hearts again to your grace and the needs of those around us
THE PEACE
One: The Peace of the lord be always with you.
PRAYER
One: God, we give thanks for all your gifts – the ones we see, the ones we still don’t understand, the ones we still can’t believe are gifts.
All: Continue calling us holy one into your journey, where all your creation is welcome
and none is excluded
One: We make this prayer in the name of the One who is our reconciliation,
All: In our riches help us to discover the gifts of our changing and challenging lives,
And bless us with the spirit of generosity of heart
Amen
DOXOLOGY
Glory to God whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation in the Church and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen
CLOSING PRAYER
Presider: You bring us to our senses, Loving God
Open our ears,
All: Your Word will engage us.
Presider: Open our eyes,
All: your opportunities will be clear to us.
Presider: Enlighten our minds ,
All: your purpose will be shown to us.
Presider: Touch our hearts, your compassion will be a part of us.
Presider: Fill our spirits,
All: your loving Spirit will transform us.
DISMISSAL
Presider: Let us go from here to continue discovering the wonder of God
reflected in the simplest of God’s gifts
All: In worship you have met us God, in prayer you have heard us,
throughout, you have prepared us to face our fears and our uncertainty
in knowing that you will walk with us through all that is ahead
and trusting that you hold us as we are today.
We pray that we may meet, hear, and strengthen those who are in need
during the course of our lives this week,
just as you have done for us.
Amen
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
In light of current safety measures the Roast Pork dinner at Woodhouse will have to be cancelled. Also, the Friday night card games will not take place until further notice.
Please watch this debut video of your rector AD Rick talking about the Psalm this week
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlqjaWYN2v4
Here is the link to Bishop Todd's message of the week.
https://diohuron.org/bishop-todds-video-message-march-21-2020/
This is a word from our Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario, Archbishop Anne Germond Here is the link:https://niagaraanglican.ca/uploads/documents/2020/03/COVID-19%20Pastoral%20Letter%20Metropolitan%20-%20March%2020.pdf
The next is a word from the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada. Here is the link:https://www.anglican.ca/news/a-national-call-to-prayer-on-lent-5/30025949/
At this extraordinary time if you are experiencing difficulties with the necessities of life please contact Archdeacon Rick or Anne at the addresses and telephones below.
Our Guest liturgist:
I would like to introduce my friend and colleague The Rev’d. Jack Cox. He has prepared this worship outline for the Fourth Sunday in Lent. We were once in team ministry together and I deeply appreciate his wisdom and spirituality. I hope that he will continue to enrich our devotions by contributing to our worship from time to time. Jack writes;
“Since we’ve never met, let me give you a birds eye view of a long and winding ‘career’.
I’m a 78-year-old clergy transplant from the diocese of Niagara.
I was born in the USA, an RC who, at the age of 10, knew he wanted to be ordained. I left home at 15 to enter a seminary, and upon graduation entered a religious order (whose novitiate, that’s kind of the kindergarten of a religious order, was in Dundas). That’s how I got to Canada. I went to The University of Waterloo for my BA, University of Western for a Bachelors in Theology, Seattle University for my Masters degree. I taught high school, was a high school chaplain and 6 years at the University of Toronto in the Doctoral program (which I did not finish). During that time, I left my religious order, the Roman Catholic Church, got married and in 1982 joined The Anglican Church in the Diocese of Niagara. I was a Chaplain with the Canadian Forces and served in over 12 parishes in the Niagara diocese.
During my theological studies, I had a course in Christology (supposedly a study of Jesus from a 13th century perspective). It was really a course in how Thomas Aquinas viewed Jesus. There were lots of problems from that perspective and the historical Jesus was singularly absent. At the same time I was reading The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. In a section about a ‘friend’ the little prince is asked if his friend liked butterflies, what the sound of his voice was like. And I realized I knew virtually nothing about the person of the historical Jesus, (who I had pledged my life to follow).
That began my personal (53 years and still counting) quest for the historical Jesus. So... on my journey from Hamilton to Brantford, from Niagara to Huron, have I met Jesus on the road. Oh YES – Thank God, many times. And when I get anxious or ‘ramped up’ I can regularly hear Jesus saying, ‘Relax Jack, I’m not finished with you yet.’ And so the journey continues.”
CONTACT INFORMATION
Archdeacon Rick Jones can be contacted by email rickplus@gmail.com or
by phone @ 905 537 0324
Our parish assistant Anne Halls can be contacted by email at lpbparishsecretary@gmail.com or by phone @ 519-586-7034
Please visit our website parishoflongpointbay.com and Facebook page
March 22, 2020
GATHERING PRAYER
Entering in today with our anticipations and apprehensions, Gracious God,
we open our hearts to you.
In a season of uncertainty, changes and transitions,
we hold on to knowing that no matter where we are
You are with us and you hold us close.
Safe in the knowledge of your presence with us,
We turn our awareness to the hope we have in you.
Amen
COLLECT
One: God of our lives you call us each day to new challenges and choices:
new ways to worship
new understandings of your Word
new ways to care
new ways to touch the hearts of all people
We are thankful that you go before us to prepare the way,
And follow behind to support and strengthen us.
Ever present God, you make all things new.
Open our hearts to hear your voice
As you walk with us on our journey.
Amen.
HEARING GOD’S WORD
I Samuel 16.1-113
Psalm 23
Ephesians 5.6-14
John 9.1-41
RESPONDING TO GOD’s WORD
As we look at and listen to today’s gospel, we know this is not a simple photograph-able report of an event that occurred in the life of the historical Jesus (or maybe it’s a story of something that happens over and over in our own lives). But this is truly Gospel – a proclamation of good news! Read the story carefully – maybe several times. Ask the question: Who in the story is ‘blind’? Obviously, the man born blind, his neighbours, the Pharisees, his parents, ‘the Jews’. Just about everybody! So what is it that they don’t “see”?
So the question placed before the man born blind was: “Do you put your trust (faith) in the Son of Man?” That’s a title for Jesus in the gospels. That’s really the question that the author of the 4th gospel places before you and me. Do I really put all my trust in Jesus? Really??? That’s not a simple rhetorical question. When the chips are down, when push comes to shove, when back is against the wall, do I really trust Jesus? And, equally important, why do I give the answer I give?
Let me give you my answer. In April of last year, my wife and I made the decision to sell our home in Hamilton, find a place to rent and move. That whole process, which took over 7 months (that doesn’t include the unpacking and setting up of the new house) was the most challenging and stressful thing I have ever done. There were times I really wasn’t sure I would ever get through it.
In the midst of all that, did I look for God’s presence? Yell for God’s help? You bet I did! Did I always find it? No (but I suspect I wasn’t always looking in the right places). But, when the chips were down and I was at the end of my rope, God was always there – in ways I would not have imagined. On several occasions on Sunday mornings at St Marks here in Brantford I had a clear and unexpected awareness of the presence of Jesus holding me up.
So now, when Jesus asks me: “Do you put your trust in the Son of Man?” My answer is ‘Yep! But why’d it take you so long to get here?’ His answer was: “I was always there, you just couldn’t seem to see me.” My response? “Oh! Now I see!” But I’m definitely not planning to move again EVER!
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Please pray for Our Bishop Dr. Todd Townshend, Anne our Metropolitan, Linda, our Primate, Mark, National Indigenous Archbishop and Marinez, Bishop of Amazonia. Rev. Canon Tony Bouwmeester (interim) and the people of St. Paul’s, Port Dover, Rev. Paul Sherwood and the people of Trinity, Simcoe. and all lay and clergy leaders.
We ask your prayers for parishioners and friends in need of God’s healing touch upon their lives:
Betty F., Don G., Franz and Elaine Z., Andrea P., Steven K., Rebecca M., Trista P., Elizabeth C–K., Bill Mc., Dwayne M, and Andrea B., Susan A., Olivia H., Karen M. Jerry M., Diane H., Delores B., Mark A and Hazel A. and baby Maeve A. and anyone known to you.
Remember our shut-ins at home, hospital and in local nursing homes: June, Shirley, Iris, Everett, Julie, David, John, Anna, Ron and Dick.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Search us O God and know our hearts today
Try us and know our anxious thoughts,
see if there are any hurtful ways in us
and lead us in your loving and life-giving Way
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
One: God knows our secret fears, ignorance & selfish ways.
God forgives, forgive yourself, forgive others
All: We open our hearts again to your grace and the needs of those around us
THE PEACE
One: The Peace of the lord be always with you.
PRAYER
One: God, we give thanks for all your gifts – the ones we see, the ones we still don’t understand, the ones we still can’t believe are gifts.
All: Continue calling us holy one into your journey, where all your creation is welcome
and none is excluded
One: We make this prayer in the name of the One who is our reconciliation,
All: In our riches help us to discover the gifts of our changing and challenging lives,
And bless us with the spirit of generosity of heart
Amen
DOXOLOGY
Glory to God whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation in the Church and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen
CLOSING PRAYER
Presider: You bring us to our senses, Loving God
Open our ears,
All: Your Word will engage us.
Presider: Open our eyes,
All: your opportunities will be clear to us.
Presider: Enlighten our minds ,
All: your purpose will be shown to us.
Presider: Touch our hearts, your compassion will be a part of us.
Presider: Fill our spirits,
All: your loving Spirit will transform us.
DISMISSAL
Presider: Let us go from here to continue discovering the wonder of God
reflected in the simplest of God’s gifts
All: In worship you have met us God, in prayer you have heard us,
throughout, you have prepared us to face our fears and our uncertainty
in knowing that you will walk with us through all that is ahead
and trusting that you hold us as we are today.
We pray that we may meet, hear, and strengthen those who are in need
during the course of our lives this week,
just as you have done for us.
Amen
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
In light of current safety measures the Roast Pork dinner at Woodhouse will have to be cancelled. Also, the Friday night card games will not take place until further notice.
Please watch this debut video of your rector AD Rick talking about the Psalm this week
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlqjaWYN2v4
Here is the link to Bishop Todd's message of the week.
https://diohuron.org/bishop-todds-video-message-march-21-2020/
This is a word from our Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario, Archbishop Anne Germond Here is the link:https://niagaraanglican.ca/uploads/documents/2020/03/COVID-19%20Pastoral%20Letter%20Metropolitan%20-%20March%2020.pdf
The next is a word from the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada. Here is the link:https://www.anglican.ca/news/a-national-call-to-prayer-on-lent-5/30025949/
At this extraordinary time if you are experiencing difficulties with the necessities of life please contact Archdeacon Rick or Anne at the addresses and telephones below.
Our Guest liturgist:
I would like to introduce my friend and colleague The Rev’d. Jack Cox. He has prepared this worship outline for the Fourth Sunday in Lent. We were once in team ministry together and I deeply appreciate his wisdom and spirituality. I hope that he will continue to enrich our devotions by contributing to our worship from time to time. Jack writes;
“Since we’ve never met, let me give you a birds eye view of a long and winding ‘career’.
I’m a 78-year-old clergy transplant from the diocese of Niagara.
I was born in the USA, an RC who, at the age of 10, knew he wanted to be ordained. I left home at 15 to enter a seminary, and upon graduation entered a religious order (whose novitiate, that’s kind of the kindergarten of a religious order, was in Dundas). That’s how I got to Canada. I went to The University of Waterloo for my BA, University of Western for a Bachelors in Theology, Seattle University for my Masters degree. I taught high school, was a high school chaplain and 6 years at the University of Toronto in the Doctoral program (which I did not finish). During that time, I left my religious order, the Roman Catholic Church, got married and in 1982 joined The Anglican Church in the Diocese of Niagara. I was a Chaplain with the Canadian Forces and served in over 12 parishes in the Niagara diocese.
During my theological studies, I had a course in Christology (supposedly a study of Jesus from a 13th century perspective). It was really a course in how Thomas Aquinas viewed Jesus. There were lots of problems from that perspective and the historical Jesus was singularly absent. At the same time I was reading The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. In a section about a ‘friend’ the little prince is asked if his friend liked butterflies, what the sound of his voice was like. And I realized I knew virtually nothing about the person of the historical Jesus, (who I had pledged my life to follow).
That began my personal (53 years and still counting) quest for the historical Jesus. So... on my journey from Hamilton to Brantford, from Niagara to Huron, have I met Jesus on the road. Oh YES – Thank God, many times. And when I get anxious or ‘ramped up’ I can regularly hear Jesus saying, ‘Relax Jack, I’m not finished with you yet.’ And so the journey continues.”
CONTACT INFORMATION
Archdeacon Rick Jones can be contacted by email rickplus@gmail.com or
by phone @ 905 537 0324
Our parish assistant Anne Halls can be contacted by email at lpbparishsecretary@gmail.com or by phone @ 519-586-7034
Please visit our website parishoflongpointbay.com and Facebook page
Anglican Church of Canada Facebook Live Streams:
Please go to The Anglican Church of Canada Facebook page to get video,
here is the link to their page: https://www.facebook.com/canadiananglican/
The next Live stream event will be March 29, a national day of prayer
here is the link to their page: https://www.facebook.com/canadiananglican/
The next Live stream event will be March 29, a national day of prayer
Bishop Townshend's message to the Diocese of Huron
Devotions, Third Sunday of Lent
from Archdeacon Rick Jones. Interim Rector
The Third Sunday in Lent
Collect:
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ gives the water of eternal life, may we always thirst for you, the spring of life and source of goodness; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever. Amen.
Readings:
Exodus 17.1-7, Psalm 95, Romans 5.1-11, John 4.5-42
Reflection:
The theme this Sunday is the Water of Eternal Life. Moses provides water for the desert wanderers, Jesus resting by the well in Samaria askes a woman for a drink of water and then offers her “living water”. I think we understand in a way she didn’t at first what Jesus meant when he offered her “living water”. God loves us all and wants us to be transformed with life and hope and joy. That’s what Jesus offered the divorced, outcast, self loathing, woman at the well, and she had the good sense to accept that gift and try and share it with her neighbours.
What is interesting to me at this time of national and personal anxiety and fear over COVID-19 is that Jesus is still offering the “living water” to us in our time of thirst for hope or peace or safety in the face of fear for our loved ones or ourselves. God doesn’t give us immunity to COVID-19 or any other of life’s real problems and dangers. However, God promises to give us the “living water”. It may not cure our flu or our cancer or our arthritis pain or whatever else we may be afflicted with; but it does give us hope that none of these things is the last word for our lives. This is, after all, the Water of Eternal Life, water that makes us one with Christ in his suffering, and death, but also in his renewed and resurrected life. This is a time to look to Jesus and his last days and take heart that Easter is ultimately about the triumph of good over evil, life over death and hope over despair. We are God’s people of hope and joy and peace. I hope that when you feel anxious or overwhelmed in the days ahead you will turn your heart and mind to Jesus, who literally has “been there” and you will receive the living water and comfort and hope for the journey ahead. Amen.
Prayers
Loving God, thank you for all the blessings of this life, our family, friends and faith. You know our needs before we ask but also our need to express some of them to you now:
Please pray for Our Bishop Dr.Todd Townshend, Anne our Metropolitan, Linda, our Primate, Mark, National Indigenous Archbishop and Marinez, Bishop of Amazonia. and all lay and clergy leaders. Especially at this time where leadership is critical for the health and safety of all our people.
We ask your prayers for parishioners and friends in need of God’s healing touch upon their lives:
Betty F., Don G., Franz and Elaine Z., Andrea P., Steven K., Rebecca M., Trista P., Elizabeth C–K., Bill Mc., Dwayne M, and Andrea B., Susan A., Olivia H., Karen M. Jerry M., Diane H., Delores B., Mark A and Hazel A. and baby Maeve A. and anyone known to you.
Remember our shut-ins at home, hospital and in local nursing homes: June, Shirley, Iris, Everett, Julie, David, John, Anna, Ron and Dick.
We ask prayers for all who help contain the spread of this virus, for health care providers, first responders, nurses and doctors, politicians and other leaders. We ask prayers for those in our society who are vulnerable physically or socially to the affects of this pandemic. May we find appropriate ways to help share resources with anyone who needs our help. We ask that our local church community may maintain trust in your grace and in one another in the weeks ahead. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.
Announcements
Unless we hear otherwise:
April 9th Maundy Thursday Service and Potluck 6 p.m.
St. John’s, Woodhouse, this is a service for all of Long Point Bay Congregations.
April 10th Good Friday Meditative Service 10 a.m. (ecumenical)
St. John’s, Pt. Rowan, this is a service of all of Long Point Bay Congregations.
If you need pastoral care or know of someone who is adversely affected by this situation please feel free to contact the following:
Archdeacon Rick Jones can be contacted by email rickplus@gmail.com or by phone @ 905 537 0324
Our parish assistant Anne Halls can be contacted at lpbparishsecretary@gmail.com
If you would like to contribute to this weekly devotional please feel free to share resources with me. I may not wait till Saturday to share them with others!
Finally, It has been suggested that we use the regular Sunday service time to say our prayers separate but together in the Spirit. You could use this guide or another. The Diocese may offer online services and if and when they are available I will share the links with all on our new and hopefully growing email lists. You could also check the Diocese of Huron website.
Many Blessings,
Archdeacon Rick Jones. Interim Rector
Collect:
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ gives the water of eternal life, may we always thirst for you, the spring of life and source of goodness; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever. Amen.
Readings:
Exodus 17.1-7, Psalm 95, Romans 5.1-11, John 4.5-42
Reflection:
The theme this Sunday is the Water of Eternal Life. Moses provides water for the desert wanderers, Jesus resting by the well in Samaria askes a woman for a drink of water and then offers her “living water”. I think we understand in a way she didn’t at first what Jesus meant when he offered her “living water”. God loves us all and wants us to be transformed with life and hope and joy. That’s what Jesus offered the divorced, outcast, self loathing, woman at the well, and she had the good sense to accept that gift and try and share it with her neighbours.
What is interesting to me at this time of national and personal anxiety and fear over COVID-19 is that Jesus is still offering the “living water” to us in our time of thirst for hope or peace or safety in the face of fear for our loved ones or ourselves. God doesn’t give us immunity to COVID-19 or any other of life’s real problems and dangers. However, God promises to give us the “living water”. It may not cure our flu or our cancer or our arthritis pain or whatever else we may be afflicted with; but it does give us hope that none of these things is the last word for our lives. This is, after all, the Water of Eternal Life, water that makes us one with Christ in his suffering, and death, but also in his renewed and resurrected life. This is a time to look to Jesus and his last days and take heart that Easter is ultimately about the triumph of good over evil, life over death and hope over despair. We are God’s people of hope and joy and peace. I hope that when you feel anxious or overwhelmed in the days ahead you will turn your heart and mind to Jesus, who literally has “been there” and you will receive the living water and comfort and hope for the journey ahead. Amen.
Prayers
Loving God, thank you for all the blessings of this life, our family, friends and faith. You know our needs before we ask but also our need to express some of them to you now:
Please pray for Our Bishop Dr.Todd Townshend, Anne our Metropolitan, Linda, our Primate, Mark, National Indigenous Archbishop and Marinez, Bishop of Amazonia. and all lay and clergy leaders. Especially at this time where leadership is critical for the health and safety of all our people.
We ask your prayers for parishioners and friends in need of God’s healing touch upon their lives:
Betty F., Don G., Franz and Elaine Z., Andrea P., Steven K., Rebecca M., Trista P., Elizabeth C–K., Bill Mc., Dwayne M, and Andrea B., Susan A., Olivia H., Karen M. Jerry M., Diane H., Delores B., Mark A and Hazel A. and baby Maeve A. and anyone known to you.
Remember our shut-ins at home, hospital and in local nursing homes: June, Shirley, Iris, Everett, Julie, David, John, Anna, Ron and Dick.
We ask prayers for all who help contain the spread of this virus, for health care providers, first responders, nurses and doctors, politicians and other leaders. We ask prayers for those in our society who are vulnerable physically or socially to the affects of this pandemic. May we find appropriate ways to help share resources with anyone who needs our help. We ask that our local church community may maintain trust in your grace and in one another in the weeks ahead. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.
Announcements
Unless we hear otherwise:
April 9th Maundy Thursday Service and Potluck 6 p.m.
St. John’s, Woodhouse, this is a service for all of Long Point Bay Congregations.
April 10th Good Friday Meditative Service 10 a.m. (ecumenical)
St. John’s, Pt. Rowan, this is a service of all of Long Point Bay Congregations.
If you need pastoral care or know of someone who is adversely affected by this situation please feel free to contact the following:
Archdeacon Rick Jones can be contacted by email rickplus@gmail.com or by phone @ 905 537 0324
Our parish assistant Anne Halls can be contacted at lpbparishsecretary@gmail.com
If you would like to contribute to this weekly devotional please feel free to share resources with me. I may not wait till Saturday to share them with others!
Finally, It has been suggested that we use the regular Sunday service time to say our prayers separate but together in the Spirit. You could use this guide or another. The Diocese may offer online services and if and when they are available I will share the links with all on our new and hopefully growing email lists. You could also check the Diocese of Huron website.
Many Blessings,
Archdeacon Rick Jones. Interim Rector
FIND OUT WHAT WE ARE UP TO |