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A Message from the WardensFor the week of January 11, 2021 Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Barriefield, Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times – LOVE IS THE WAY Bishop Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal (Anglican) Church in the United States has some profound messages for us in his newly released book “Love is the Way”. As Al Roker puts it, “I can think of nobody better to help shine a light during these difficult times than Bishop Curry. His wisdom and his smile are a beacon for my soul right now.” Much of the world met Bishop Curry when he delivered his sermon on the redemptive power of love at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle. In his words: “The way of love is essential for addressing the seeming insurmountable challenges facing the world today: poverty, racism, selfishness, deep ideological divisions, competing claims to speak for God.” Curry’s book is based on 1 John 4: 7-8. Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. Michael Curry believes in love. “The way of Jesus is the way of love. The yearning of the human heart: the universal hope for better life and a better world. We need a revival of love as a way to a liberating and life-giving relationship with God, with others, with all God’s creation on the planet we call Earth. Our job as Christians is to love, to witness to the way of love that came to us from Jesus’ teachings – The Jesus Movement. And if that is so, we are part of a greater whole. And that means it doesn’t all depend on us. Our job is to do our job in God’s great movement of love in this world. Agape is the Greek word which is love for the other – sacrificial love that seeks the good and well-being of others, of society, of the world. Agape, a love that looks outward! Love as an action is the only thing that has ever changed the world for the better. Faith, Hope and Love: if hope and faith are the wind and sails, love is the rudder. It’s God’s GPS. The Bible says ‘God is love.’ The power of that love is often mediated through the people who love and keep us going when we don’t have the strength. The love of God does not end. And if that is so, neither does life. And so The Book of Common Prayer says that in death, “life is changed, not ended”. Love is God’s way, the moral way, but it’s also the only thing that works. The Bible says that ‘God is love’. The God who is love created every human child in God’s image, of infinite worth and dignity. And it is our love that recognizes and affirms this value of the human person in attitudes and actions that lead to compassionate community. When the way of love becomes one’s way of life, it’s a game changer. It shapes every decision we make – and that changes everything, whether you’re a preacher or a politician, a communist or a corporate executive, a teacher or a trash collector. And it cannot be limited to just the personal. Once it’s your spiritual center of gravity, it floods every aspect and dimension of life.” Almighty God, in the birth of your Son you have poured on us the new light of Your incarnate Word, and shown us the fullness of your love: help us to walk in his light and dwell in his love that we may know the fullness of his joy; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. As we begin this New Year, the Wardens are grateful to you for maintaining your financial commitment to St. Mark’s. The Pre-authorized Payment system, your personal cheques and envelope donations are necessary for us to continue ministry on a solid footing. Thank you. Please make your cheque payable to: St. Mark’s Church, designating either general fund or building fund and mail to: 268 Main Street, Kingston ON K7K 6W4. or drop in the mailbox at the church gate. Donations can also now be made online through our new website at https://stmarksbarriefield.com/give Our Sunday morning services are at 8:30 am and 10:30 am. via Zoom. Please watch your email for an invitation and the link to participate – you may also participate by telephone. You will receive the bulletin for each Sunday, each week via the new parish newsletter system. If you know of someone who would like to participate with us, please let the office know so that we may add them to our list. officestmarksbarriefield@kingston.net
BE KIND BE SAFE SHOW LOVE MAY GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE |
Epiphany 2Epiphany 2021 - Sunday, January 10, 2021 A voice came from heaven saying, "This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased". (No recording of the service is available this week.) For more infomation visit:
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