Hello everyone,

This Thursday!! Robbie Burns Supper – just $20 for a hearty meal with dessert, highland dancers, and even a bit of singing. Oh yes…and a chance to win a beautiful door prize. Doors open at 6pm; St. George Anglican Church in Echo Bay (159 Church St.). Please email me for tickets: susan.montague2@gmail.com

Lenten Bible Study: Come learn more about the hope that fuels our passion! Mondays through Lent on Zoom.  Beginning on Monday, Feb.12 and skipping the 19th since that is Family Day.  I’ll send the Zoom link closer to the day…

A Liturgical Note For You: A heads up for those preparing liturgies…

Friday, February 2nd is The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple.  This is a Holy Day and, if it falls on a Sunday, then it takes precedence of the usual Sunday worship. It is, however, never moved to a Sunday. Its day is Feb.2 and “that’s that”, as the saying goes. Even if you really like lighting candles and processing into the church, you don’t move the observance. You can certainly have a service on the Friday to acknowledge this holy day. So, why am I mentioning candles? It’s because the older name for this day of observance is Candlemas. Why? Read on to find out…

Candlemas (February 2): 

This day is The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple – the day when Mary went to the Temple for her purification rite, 40 days after giving birth to Jesus. Simeon takes Jesus into his arms and names him “the light to enlighten the Gentiles” and so, fittingly, this day eventually also became the day when the candles, to be used in the church throughout the coming year, were dedicated to God’s use.  Since this is a Holy Day marking one of the major events in the life of Christ, the liturgical colour for today is white.

On Candlemas night, many people place lighted candles in their windows at home.  Like some other Christian festivals, Candlemas draws some of its elements from Paganism: In pre-Christian times, it was the festival of light. This ancient festival marked the midpoint of winter, half way between the winter solstice (shortest day) and the spring equinox. There are a couple of superstitions to go along with Candlemas: Some people lit candles to scare away evil spirits on the dark winter nights. Our modern “Groundhog Day” has its roots in Candlemas as well. People believed that the weather on Candlemas predicted the weather for the rest of the winter: 

“If Candlemas Day be fair and bright 

Winter will have another fight. 

If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain, 

Winter won’t come again.” 

Other superstitions include: if a candle drips on one side when carried in church on Candlemas, this denotes a death of a family member during the year. If someone brings snowdrops into the house on Candlemas day it symbolises a parting or death. (According to these superstitions, death seems inevitable, doesn’t it?)

Apparently, any Christmas decorations not taken down at Epiphany should be left up until Candlemas Day and then taken down. This is when the folks at Buckingham Palace and at the Vatican take theirs down.

A Candlemas Prayer

Glorious God, Simeon names Jesus “a light to enlighten the Gentiles.” So may we be reminded by the light of the candle that Jesus is the light of salvation for the whole world, shining into the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.  Guide us to bring his light into the world, inspire us by your Holy Spirit to recognize him who is the glory of Israel and the light for all nations, your Son Jesus Christ who reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God before all time, in our time, and always. Amen.

Bless this (these) candle(s) to our use, O Lord. May they be your light in the darkness, hope for the weary, and a sign of your reconciling love in the world. Amen. 

The propers (sentence, readings, prayers) for this day are found on p.401 of the BAS if you are preparing a worship service.

For Your Devotions:

Monday, January 22nd is the commemoration of Vincent, Deacon of Saragossa, who was also martyred in 304. (304 was a bad year for Christians!) Vincent is the first known Spanish martyr. He was brought to trial, along with his bishop Valerius, and spoke for both of them (apparently Valerius had a speech impediment). Vincent’s confident and fearless manner so angered the governor that, although Valerius was simply banished, Vincent was cruelly tortured to death. When Vincent at last succumbed to the tortures, his body was thrown out for the vultures and, legend says, was defended by a raven. To read more:  http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15434b.htm  

Wednesday, January 24th is the commemoration of Francis de Sales, the Bishop of Geneva who died in 1622.  Francis had a passion for God and a desire to be ordained that he kept secret from his disapproving family. (Dad wanted his boy to be a lawyer and politician). The story goes that, one day while riding his horse, Francis fell off three times. No, he wasn’t a poor rider. Francis believed God was speaking to him – each time he fell from his horse, his sword and scabbard came to rest in the shape of a Christian cross. Francis gained the courage to defy his father’s wishes and became a priest. For more about his devotional classic Introduction to a Devout Life and other accomplishments, check this out: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Francis-of-Sales

Thursday, January 25th is the Holy Day of The Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle.  As most of you know by now, Paul is my biblical hero 🙂 (This is, of course, aside from the Holy Trinity).  Upon experiencing Jesus on the road to Damascus and being converted, Paul tirelessly and selflessly pursued the single goal of bringing everyone to know and love the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour. Paul’s faith in what God had accomplished in Christ and zeal for proclaiming the Good News is truly inspirational as are Paul’s various teachings. For more:  https://www.franciscanmedia.org/conversion-of-saint-paul/

Friday, January 26th is the memorial of Timothy and Titus, Companions of Saint Paul.  Both Timothy and Titus were friends and fellow missionaries with Paul.  Paul frequently sent them off on important and difficult journeys to encourage and build up the churches that he (Paul) had founded. These men were dedicated to furthering the gospel and to supporting Paul through his troubles even when that meant trouble for them too. Traditionally in the West, Timothy and Titus are the Patron Saints of stomach disorders. Hmmm, could this have anything to do with 1 Timothy 5:23?  For more information:  https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saints-timothy-and-titus/

Saturday, January 27th is the memorial of John Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople, Teacher of the Faith, died in 407.  John’s energetic and easily understood preaching earned him the nickname, “golden-mouthed”. The people loved him – they felt he was one of them – but his lack of political savvy resulted in a stormy time with bishops and the social elite. He spoke out against the frivolity and abuses of the wealthy and did not entertain lavishly as other bishops did. His guests believed he was holding out on them because the meals were so plain but, actually, John had damaged his stomach through too much fasting and poor eating habits as a result of overly strict spiritual practices. One wealthy woman plotted with a rival bishop to charge John with all sorts of frivolous things. John tried to appeal to the pope but, when your enemies are the rich and powerful you’ve insulted, appeals don’t get very far. To make a long story short, John ended up dying in exile. To learn more:  https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-John-Chrysostom

In the hope of Christ,

Susan