Saint Mary's Anglican Church

Sunday, February 26, 2012

johnm — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:00:01 +0000

Next Sunday, February 26 we will observe the First Sunday of Lent with services of Holy Communion at 8:00 a.m., and the Great Litany and Holy Communion at 10:30 a.m., the Rev. Wendy Lywood presiding, the Rev. Mark Kinghan preaching. Year B, Lent 1, BAS p. 286. The readings appointed for this Sunday are: Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-9; 1 Peter 3:18-22; and Mark 1:9-15.

Please join us.

Ash Wednesday: The Most Uncomfortable Day of the Year

johnm — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 20:00:01 +0000

Often people see Lent as an uncomfortable few weeks to be endured. In fact, I’ve heard people express that they’d rather skip it all together. It comes across as an imposition in the “normal” routine of life, and perhaps even a burden that calls us to make personal sacrifices, denying us of some of the things we enjoy in our lives. As such, Lent becomes a count down as we await with anticipation the coming of Easter; and all those things we’ve given up, we can start up with again. Lent then becomes only about personal denial. And in truth, we may not even be aware of why we enter into the sacrificial discipline in the first place and so in the end find little that is fulfilling about it.

For me personally, I prefer to see these weeks of Lent as an opportunity for growth and renewal in my faith and my personal relationship with God. As such, my own discipline doesn’t include “giving something up”, but rather taking on a practice that is spiritually enriching and faith enhancing. Maybe it’s a commitment to a discipline of prayer; or a discipline of reading a theological book; or to reading scripture more intentionally. For me, that’s productive and a discipline I can embrace!

A friend recently issued the invitation to take on the discipline of reading the whole bible in the season of Lent. This requires at least 1½ to 2 hours of reading each day. He himself entered into this discipline last year during Lent. I don’t know that I’d be able to follow through with that kind of discipline; undoubtedly it would become overwhelming and onerous. However, reading a particular part of scripture over the weeks of Lent is something I could commit to. And in the end, I know I would grow because of it. Whatever the discipline, it needs to be realistic and personally meaningful.

Psalm 51 is appropriately appointed for Ash Wednesday. In verse 10 the psalmist says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” The discipline of reflection and self examination that leads to a clean heart and a new spirit can feel uncomfortable depending on how we approach it. Even though it may be hard work that we need to be intentional about, it can also be renewing and re-invigorating when it comes to living our faith with integrity. Whatever discipline I choose to enter into over these coming weeks, even though it may well be challenging, it will also be an opportunity. Whatever I do, I want it to create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me.

During these next weeks of Lent I invite each or us to enter into this season not viewing it as uncomfortable and a burden, but as a holy time and a sacred discipline that will renew each of us in our faith and in our relationships with God. May God indeed create in each of us a new heart and renew a right spirit within us.

The Rev. Mark Kinghan

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

johnm — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:00:41 +0000

On Ash Wednesday, February 22 we will observe the beginning of the season of Lent with services of Imposition of Ashes at 10:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

johnm — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:00:20 +0000

Next Sunday, February 19 we celebrate the Seventh Sunday after Epiphany and Heritage Sunday with services of Holy Communion from the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) in honour of its 350th anniversary and readings from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible in honour of its 400th anniversary at 8:00 a.m., the Rev. Mark Kinghan presiding, and at 10:30 a.m., the Rev. Ruthanne Ward presiding; the Rev. Mr. Kinghan will preach at both services. Year B, Proper 7, BAS p. 356. The Readings appointed for this Sunday are: Isaiah 43:18-25; Psalm 41; 2 Corinthians 1:18-22; Mark 2:1-12.

Please join us.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

johnm — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:00:19 +0000

Next Sunday, February 12 we celebrate the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany with services of Holy Communion at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., the Rev. Mark Kinghan presiding and presiding. Year B, Proper 6, BAS p. 354. The readings appointed for this Sunday are: 2 Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; and Mark 1:40-45.

Please join us.

Our Annual Vestry Meeting will follow, and be contiguous with the 10:30 a.m. service.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

johnm — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:00:58 +0000

Next Sunday, February 5 we celebrate The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany with services of Holy Communion (1962) at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m.

Please join us.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

johnm — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:01:28 +0000

Next Sunday, January 29 we celebrate the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany with services of Holy Communion at 8:00 a.m., the Rev. Mark Kinghan presiding, and at 10:30 a.m., the Rev. Wendy Lywood presiding; the Rev. Mr. Kinghan will preach at both services. Year B, Proper 4, BAS p. 352. The readings appointed for this Sunday are: Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; and Mark 1:21-28.

Please join us.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

johnm — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:01:49 +0000

Next Sunday, January 22 we celebrate The Third Sunday after Epiphany with services of Holy Communion at 8:00 a.m., the Rev. Mark Kinghan presiding, and at 10:30 a.m., the Rev. Ruthanne Ward presiding; the Rev. Mr. Kinghan will preach at both services. Year B, Proper 3, BAS p. 350. The readings appointed for this Sunday are: Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 62:6-14; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; and Mark 1:14-20.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

johnm — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 04:01:36 +0000

On Sunday, January 15 we celebrate The Second Sunday After Epiphany with services of Holy Communion at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., the Rev. Mark Kinghan presiding, the Rev. Ruthanne Ward preaching. Year B, Proper 2, BAS p. 349. The readings appointed for this Sunday are: 1 Samuel 3:1-20; Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; and John 1:43-51.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

johnm — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 12:00:55 +0000

On Sunday, January 8 we celebrate The Baptism of Our Lord with services of Holy Communion at 8:00 a.m., the Rev. Mark Kinghan presiding and preaching; and Holy Communion and Baptism at 10:30 a.m., the Rt. Rev. George Elliott, Area Bishop of York-Simcoe presiding and preaching. Year B, Proper1, BAS p. 348. The readings appointed for this Sunday are: Genesis 1:1-5; Psalm 29; Acts 19:1-7; and Mark 1:4-11.