Good day…Happy Canada Day!

Stuff-a-Stocking is back!  We’ll be having “Christmas in August”- Sunday, August 25 – to support the Christmas gift ministry of Algoma Angels. If you can hang or place a stocking (or some other festive container) in your fellowship space or at the back of your worship space in order to collect donations in support of this cause, that would be much appreciated. All of the money collected goes toward buying Christmas gifts for families in our area who struggle financially. Your donations will be collected by one of the “Angels” after Sunday, August 25. Many thanks in advance!

Also in August…The Bread of Life sermon series. How about we put our money where our mouth is, so to speak. As we hear about Jesus being the bread of life, let’s help struggling community members to slather something delicious and healthy on their bread.   This initiative is spearheaded by Zion Lutheran and, hopefully, joined by many other churches in our area. If you’re interested, the schedule suggested is: Sunday, Aug.4: Jam, Sunday, Aug.11: Peanut Butter, Sunday, Aug.18: margarine/butter and Sunday, Aug.25: canned meat (tuna, ham, chicken, etc.).  Again, many thanks in advance!

Well, now…that’s two “asks” for August. They’re not big asks but, if July is feeling empty and August is feeling crowded, please feel free to collect the donations to the Christmas gift ministry throughout July instead. 

A Liturgical Note For You: 

Regarding Canada Day: This is not a significant event in the life of Jesus Christ so it does not take the place of the usual worship service on Sunday morning. Besides…yesterday wasn’t Canada Day. This national secular holiday can certainly be acknowledged with a Canada Day service today. If there is no separate service, it can be noted in the Prayers of the People of the worship service you are having. So, on that note, in your prayers today you may want to include the following:

Almighty God, you have provided this good land as a shared heritage. May we prove ourselves a people mindful of your generosity and glad to do your will. Bless this land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honourable way of life.  Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance; and from every evil course of action. Make us who came from many nations with many different languages a united people. Defend human liberties and give those whom we have entrusted with the authority of government the spirit of wisdom, that there may be justice and peace in the land.  When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankful; and, in troubled times, do not let our trust in you fail. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

That is a tweaked version of the prayer in the BAS p.678.  By the way, although you may think red is a great liturgical colour for Canada Day, we remember the significance of red according to our liturgy and theology…and keep the liturgical colour green. 

For Your Devotions

Wednesday, July 3rd is the Holy Day of St. Thomas the Apostle. One of the 12 apostles, the most information we have of him is found in the Gospel of John. He was extremely devoted to Jesus and, of course, the best known incident we know of him is the ‘doubting Thomas’ story (but I think Thomas is unfairly singled out – all of the disciples doubted…There’s a lot more to Thomas’ story than doubt). After the death of Jesus, Thomas’ history is sketchy but he is thought to have evangelized Parthia and even into India. He was martyred around 53 A.D.  For more info:  https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Thomas

Saturday, July 6th is the commemoration of Thomas More, lawyer, died 1535. More was loyal to King Henry VIII and defended the Catholic faith against Luther and other reformers when the Reformation began. He condoned the torture and burning of many ‘heretics’. Things turned sour for him when he supported the supremacy of the Pope over King Henry’s break with Rome – we all know what Henry did with people who didn’t agree with him or got in his way… More was charged with treason and beheaded on this day in 1535. Why do we acknowledge someone who actually opposed the forming of the Anglican Church?  Well, More was a brilliant scholar and stood against Henry’s intended break with Rome because it was politically motivated – Henry didn’t support the Reformation either. More’s final words were “I die the King’s good servant, but God’s first.” For more info…  https://www.biography.com/people/thomas-more-9414278

In the hope of Christ,

Susan