Good day,

Here is a unique opportunity for you: 

Has someone ever approached you wanting to know about God, Jesus Christ, faith, church, and so on? What do you say when people question you? You can learn how to have a conversation that leads to more conversations at the FREE Community Chat (on Zoom) offered by Journey to Baptismal Living: Monday, June 26 at 7 pm CT. Register now at journeytobaptism.org@gmail.com.  For more information, have a look at the blog on their website: https://journeytobaptism.org/free-community-chat-i-want-to-know-more-about-you-know-faith-what-next/

A Liturgical Note for You:

This Wednesday is the National Indigenous Day of Prayer.  Although it is a feast of the Church (since 2010), it is the one and only feast that does not have a specific colour designated for use during the liturgy. If you are having, or attending, a worship service on this day, you may see green – the liturgical colour of the season – or you may see any or all of the traditional colours of the medicine wheel. These vary according to local custom but are often red, gold, black, and white. You may even see the colour violet – the colour associated with repentance and prayer. 

On this day of celebration of Indigenous culture and heritage, it is a day of corporate prayer for the Church – praying for healing and the restoration of relationship. As followers of Christ, we are ministers of reconciliation, continuing the work, with Christ, that Christ began in his life, death, resurrection, and ascension (2 Cor.5:17-20).  Reconciliation is our purpose as Christians, the reason we exist as the Church. We share in God’s purpose: to reconcile all things, in earth and heaven, to Godself in Christ (Col.1:19-20). We strive, with God, towards the certainty that God’s will and God’s kingdom will be on earth as in heaven.  Does your life – individually and corporately as Church – show forth the ministry of reconciliation? We can all use a little work on this, can’t we? Here is a prayer that may guide us:

Loving God, from whom comes everything good, touch our eyes that we may see you in all persons and in creation. Touch our ears that we may hear the words of others not filtered through our own prejudices and biases. Touch our hands that we may use them only for healing the brokenness of people and planet.  Touch our lips that we may speak your goodness, always building up, never tearing down. Touch our hearts that we may know your love and be your love in all that we think, say, and do. Touch our minds that we may live and proclaim the good news that your kingdom is at hand. Draw us together, O God, into one holy people, the body of Christ, serving with him – at all times and in all places – toward the full reconciliation of all things to you in him. This we pray to the honour of his name who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 

For Your Devotions:

Tuesday, June 20 is the World Refugee Day in order to raise awareness and money for the millions of people who have been displaced from their homes because of violence, conflict, and persecution. To read more: UNHCR Canada

Wednesday, June 21st is the National Indigenous Day of Prayer. This is a day for us to celebrate the culture, the customs, and the many gifts of our Indigenous brothers and sisters. We can take the time to think and learn about the ways in which we are connected and discover even more ways to connect.  There are many resources at this link to use in our worship services  https://www.anglican.ca/im/nidp/

Thursday, June 22nd is the memorial of Alban, the first martyr of Britain in about 209. This is an absolutely fascinating story you must read. Alban was actually a Roman soldier who, while harbouring a Christian priest, was converted. When soldiers arrived at his door, Alban disguised himself as the priest so that the priest could escape. Alban ended up being beheaded for his new faith. Alban was the first martyr in Britain but his death resulted in the 2nd and 3rd martyrs. To find out who they were… http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/189.html

Saturday, June 24th is the Holy Day of the Birth of Saint John the Baptist. John was born to prepare the way for the Saviour of the world…the Lord Jesus Christ. Luke first introduces us to John’s parents – Elizabeth and Zechariah – and draws unmistakable parallels between them and Abraham and Sarah.  Luke creates through John a bridge between the Old and New Testaments. For All the Saints says, “the birth of John the Baptist gathered up and embodied the whole truth of the Old Testament and made it ready for its own perfection in Christ Jesus.” To read more, check out p.204…  https://www.anglican.ca/wp-content/uploads/ForAlltheSaints.pdf

In Christ,

Susan