ALL SAINTS ANGLICAN CHURCH 30 High Street, Huntsville, Ontario. P1H 1N9 Diocese of Algoma The Rt Rev d Dr Stephen Andrews, Bishop Bishop s Motto: 'You know the generosity of our Lord Jesus Christ: he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that through his poverty you might become rich.' (2 Corinthians 8.9, REB) Rector The Venerable Dawn Henderson Office: 705-789-2216 Res. 705-789-6450 Office Phone: 705-789-2216 FAX: 705-789-7487 Office e-mail: office@allsaintshuntsville.ca Website: www.allsaintshuntsville.ca As Worshippers of the Living God We Hear, Proclaim and Live His Word; And in Love, Bring People to Jesus.
Services for April 2014 06 April: 5 th Sunday in Lent 8.30 am Holy Eucharist 10.00 am Holy Eucharist Family Service 3.00 pm Hymn Sing at Chartwell Muskoka Traditions 13 April: Sunday of the Passion / Palm Sunday healing services 8.30 am Holy Eucharist 10.00 am Holy Eucharist 14 April: Monday of Holy Week 7:00 pm Stations of the Cross with Holy Eucharist in the Chapel 15 April: Tuesday of Holy Week 4:00 pm Instructional Seder Supper in Lower Sutherland Hall followed by Holy Eucharist 16 April: Wednesday of Holy Week 9.30 am Holy Eucharist in the Chapel Triduum: 17 April: Maundy Thursday 7:00 pm Holy Eucharist [with washing of feet] in the Church followed by All-night Watch at the Altar of Repose [Chapel] 18 April: Good Friday 10:00 am Good Friday liturgy with Holy Communion 19 April [Saturday]: 8:00 pm Easter Vigil with Service of Light, Renewal of Baptismal Vows and Holy Eucharist 20 April: Sunday of the Resurrection / Easter Sunday 8.30 am Holy Eucharist 10.00 am Holy Eucharist 27 April: 2 nd Sunday After Easter 8.30 am Holy Eucharist 10.00 am Holy Eucharist Family Service with Holy Baptism Regular Wednesday morning Holy Eucharist at 9.30 in the chapel Other Services of Holy Eucharist Roger s Cove Thursday 03 April 10.00 am Fairvern Tuesday 08 April 10.30 am Chartwell Muskoka Tradition Tuesday 15 April 10.00 am Huntsville Hospital Thursday 17 April 11.00 am Muskoka Landing Tuesday 22 April 10.30 am This month s issue of Parish News is sponsored, with thanksgiving, in memory of David Verity.
From the Rector... Dear Members of All Saints Parish Family- Dear Members of All Saints Parish Family -...Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no more has dominion over him! For the death that he died, he died to sin one time; but the life that he lives, he lives to God. Likewise consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6.9-11 The cross and resurrection give us our identity as Christians. If anyone is in Christ Jesus, that one is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold all things have become new [2 Cor 5.17]. Those who have died to sin with Christ Jesus, who accept what He has done for us on the cross, are risen with Him to a new life- alive to God. This transformation of our lives is possible only through the cross and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. St Paul writes In Him we live and move and have our being [Acts 17.28]. We are in the midst of our journey through Lent, preparing for the Great Triduum [the Great Three Days of the passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ]. This is the culmination of the entire Church year, and embodies the whole meaning of Christian life and faith! On Maundy Thursday [17 Apr] we celebrate the institution of the Lord s Supper, where Jesus gave the new commandment: That you love one another as I have loved you...by this, will all know that you are my disciples, that you have love one for another [John 13.34-35]. At our celebration, the servant ministry, to which we are all called, is demonstrated in the washing of feet. The Prayer vigil that follows calls us to the garden of Gethsemane, with our Lord Jesus, watching with him, as he prays for all believers [John 17]. We are there as He is betrayed, and his disciples flee. On Good Friday [18 Apr], we gather at the foot of the cross, acknowledging our sin and hearing Jesus words of forgiveness from the cross. The actions of The Great Vigil of Easter [19 Apr] portray the drama of our redemption. God s new creation is about light dispelling the darkness - about love and about transformation. We reaffirm our commitment to our Lord as we renew our Baptismal Covenant. Alexander Schmemann writes Each year, Lent and Easter are, once again, the rediscovery and the recovery by us of what we were made through our own baptismal death and resurrection. The Triduum closes with the liturgies of Easter Sunday [20 Apr], proclaiming, with Alleluias, our Lord s victory over death! God bid the ancient Israelites to celebrate the Passover each year, remembering that God had rescued them from slavery in Egypt in the Exodus, and led them to freedom in the promised land. Each year, the church celebrates its Passover festival, remembering that we have been saved from slavery to sin and death, and led into freedom - into new life- through the Cross of Jesus Christ. Jewish people celebrate the Passover as if they themselves had come out of Egypt as their ancestors did. In the same way, we celebrate these three days not simply as an historic commemoration of Christ s passion alone, but as our journey with Christ Jesus in His death and resurrection. Our Instructional Seder Supper - the Jewish Passover Meal - [Tuesday of Holy Week - 15 Apr], underlines this deep connection. As we journey through Holy Week, from Palm Sunday to Good Friday and on to Easter, let us not be left in a triumphal parade of palms, but let us find ourselves at the foot of the cross and, on the third day, at the empty tomb, knowing afresh This was the Lord s doing, and it is marvelous in our sight [Matthew 21.42] Praying for all of us the transforming power of our Lord s resurrection in our lives, I remain, Yours, in His love The Venerable Dawn Henderson + Rector If you, or anyone you know, are unable to attend any of the Easter services listed, and would like to receive Home Communion, please contact Ven Dawn to arrange a date and time for a visit.
Palm Sunday Sunday of the Passion Sunday 13 April 8:30 am & 10:00 am Holy Eucharist with the Liturgy of the Palms Holy Week in the Chapel Monday 14 April 7:00 pm Stations of the Cross and Holy Eucharist, Tuesday 15 April Holy Eucharist following the Seder Supper [LSH] Wednesday 16 April 9:30 am Holy Eucharist Tuesday in Holy Week Seder Supper The night before the crucifixion, our Lord gathered with His disciples in the upper room to celebrate the feast of Passover. This is The Last Supper. There, Jesus transformed the bread of affliction into the bread of life, and the cup of thanksgiving into the cup of salvation. The Seder became our Eucharist with our Lord s words, Do this in remembrance of me. Everyone is invited. Tuesday 15 April 4:00 pm Seder; 7:00 pm Service Maundy Thursday After supper with His friends, took off His robe and washed the disciples feet and said, A new commandment I give you that you love one another as I have loved you. Thursday 17 April 7:00 pm Service of Holy Eucharist with washing of feet in the Church All-night Prayer at the Altar of Repose in the Chapel Good Friday Today He who hung the earth upon the waters is hung upon the Cross. He who is King of the angels is arrayed in a crown of thorns. He who wraps the heaven in clouds is wrapped in the purple of mockery. He who in Jordan set Adam free receives blows upon his face. The Bridegroom of the Church is transfixed with nails. The son of a Virgin is pierced with a spear. We venerate Thy Passion O Christ. Show us also Thy glorious Resurrection. Friday 18 April 10:00 am Come and See...The Great Vigil of Easter The Great Vigil of Easter vividly and dramatically portrays all that was, is, and shall be in the drama of our redemption. Outside, in the darkness, we light the new fire of Easter. Then, as a body, we carry the new light of Easter into the darkened Church. There, we hear the words of the story of the Exodus and we celebrate our redemption from darkness to light through the waters of baptism as we renew our baptismal vows. Saturday 19 April 8:00 pm Easter Sunday The Sunday of the Resurrection Our joy is this that He who was crucified, dead and buried is now alive forever more, our risen and reigning Lord! We celebrate His triumph! Sunday 20 April 8:30 am & 10:00 am
Read at the last Deanery Day of Prayer a new way of looking at Fasting and Feasting in Lent FAST from worry; FEAST on divine-order. Trust in God. FAST from complaining; FEAST on appreciation. FAST from negatives; FEAST on affirmatives. FAST from unrelenting pressures; FEAST on unceasing prayer. FAST from hostility; FEAST on tenderness.. FAST from bitterness; FEAST on forgiveness. FAST from self-concern; FEAST on compassion for others. FAST from shadows of sorrow; FEAST on the sunlight of serenity. FAST from idle gossip; FEAST on purposeful silence. FAST from judging others; FEAST on the Christ within them. FAST from emphasis on differences; FEAST on the unity of life. FAST from apparent darkness; FEAST on the reality that Jesus is Light. FAST from thoughts of illness; FEAST on the healing power of God. FAST from words that pollute; FEAST on phrases that purify. FAST from discontent; FEAST on gratitude. FAST from anger; FEAST on patience. FAST from discouragement; FEAST on hope. FAST from facts that depress; FEAST on the truth which uplifts. FAST from lethargy; FEAST on enthusiasm. FAST from suspicion; FEAST on truth. FAST from thoughts that weaken; FEAST on promises that inspire. FAST from pessimism; FEAST on optimism. FAST from personal anxiety; FEAST on eternal Truth. FAST from problems that overwhelm; FEAST on prayer that under girds. William Arthur Ward Parish News is one of the many ways we communicate with our parishioners: in it we give thanks for events of the previous months, and look forward to the days ahead. Would you consider sponsoring an issue, or part of an issue, of Parish News? Your sponsorship might be as a thanksgiving, or as a memorial, or just because... Each month, we distribute 130 copies of Parish News at an approximately cost of $150. Parish News is also available through our website: www.allsaintshuntsville.ca/ Thank you to Darla McMeeken, Joy Gervais, Pat Merson and Bette Roberts for the photos in this month s Parish News! Parish News is available on our website: http:// www.allsaintshuntsville.ca/ [under the Newsletter tab]. Cover graphic: http:// www.northeastbiblechapel.org/
You Are Invited... Tuesday 15 April 4:00 pm LSH Instructional Seder Supper The night before the crucifixion, our Lord gathered with His disciples in the upper room to celebrate the feast of Passover. This is The Last Supper. There, Jesus transformed the bread of affliction into the bread of life, and the cup of thanksgiving into the cup of salvation. The Seder became our Eucharist with our Lord s words, Do this in remembrance of me. Everyone is invited. Please call 705-789-2216 or e-mail office@allsaintshuntsville.ca to let us know you re coming so that we can set a place for you. MAUNDY THURSDAY GOOD FRIDAY YOUTH EVENT - APRIL 17TH BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND - DRUMMING WITH BARRY (BAZZA) HAYWARD! DINNER AT SUTHERLAND HALL: 5 P.M. SERVICE IN THE CHURCH: 7 P.M. (washing of the feet) DRUMMING SESSION - upper hall: 8:30 P.M. - 9:30 P.M. Vigil in the chapel SLEEPOVER - AT SUTHERLAND LOWER HALL OPTIONAL - permission forms need to be filled out. Children will need overnight personal items, sleeping bag, pillow, change of clothes for church next day. Breakfast will be provided. GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE - 10 a.m. Pickup of children is for 12 NOON. EASTER VIGIL - it is encouraged that the children participate on Saturday night for the 7 p.m. Service SUNDAY EASTER SERVICE - after the 10 a.m. service there will be an egg hunt for children 12 and under Please let me know if you have any questions. Joy Gervais, Y.E.S.! of All Saints Youth Group Thank you to all those who sponsored Darla and me [Joy Gervais] in the walkathon for the hungry, homeless, and hurting in Huntsville. Your donations totaled $170. for the Coldest Night of the Year.org All donations are in support of the Table Soup Kitchen Foundation.
Loonies & Toonies for Outreach During Lent our parish collects Loonie/Toonies to help support All Saints Outreach Projects. In the past year we have supported the following projects. We always like to hear suggestions from parishioners of potential future projects. In Huntsville: Starfish Families In Canada: Globally: Food bank Youth dinners at All Saints Christine s Place (baby layettes) Mission to Seafarers The Anglican Foundation Walking with our Sisters Council of the North Algoma Mission to Tarime, Tanzania Water Treatment Tablets for Haiti Anglican Mission-Madagascar Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can! Please pick up a canister and fill it with Loonies and Toonies; label with your name, and envelope number, and return your canister by Easter Sunday. With thanks from Your Outreach Team ~ John Wesley To understand the Bible, says authors and pastors Randy Frazee and Max Lucado, you need bifocal lenses, because two perspectives are involved. The Lower Story, our story, is actually many stories of men and women interacting with God in the daily course of life. The Upper Story is God's story, the tale of his great, overarching purpose that fits all the individual stories together like panels in one unified mural. The Story video curriculum will open your eyes to God's master-plan unfolding in the lives of the Bible's characters-and in your own life. Discover the heart of God's Upper Story, and the joy that comes as you align your story with God's. This study highlights key events and people in Scripture to provide the big picture of God s story. Please contact Ven Dawn or the Office for more details. Everyone is invited! And welcome!
It is never just about food; it is always about just food. [John Dominic Crossan] CONFESSION: God of plenty, we ask for Your forgiveness. We have been apathetic: We have chosen to purchase our food rather than to grow it, We have chosen packaged convenience goods over natural foods, We have forgotten how to cook, limiting our options for nourishment, We have forgotten how to enjoy a meal as an expression of abundance and fellowship and instead rush to simply ingest. We have been selfish: We have allowed farmland to be re-purposed in non-sustaining ways We have underpaid farmers whose work feeds us, We have allowed our brothers and sisters to go hungry, We have been critical of those who use food banks and soup kitchens. We have been wasteful: We have been picky eaters, rejecting what we don t like We have allowed food to rot in our fridges and cupboards, We have thrown out the excess from our plates, We have used land strictly for decoration instead of growing food. See more at www.pwrdf.org We have been ignorant: We complain of having nothing to eat despite living in abundance, We complain of our obesity without regard for the starving, We have complained of a small increase in food prices despite our continued ability to purchase food, We have limited knowledge of our food sources. We have been proud: We have bragged our chosen fast when we have not known hunger, We have permitted corporate ownership of food production, We have supported a food system dependant on expensive transport, We have presumed that our food system is sustainable. We have been negligent: We have poisoned the land and water needed to sustain us, We have forgotten the natural rhythm of seasonal foods, We have lost our taste for local delicacies and wild foods We have not cared about our own food security or sovereignty. God of plenty, God of abundance, forgive us. Help us to care for ourselves and others. Help us to celebrate the connection between what nourishes our bodies and what nourishes our souls. Help us to realize the complexities of what it means to be fed. Forgiving God, we ask that when we look at our plates that we will see Your gifts, that when we make decisions they will reflect Your blessings, that when we give thanks, our gratitude will equal Your abundance. We ask this through Your Son, Jesus, our Living Bread. Amen. Submitted by Joy Lewis, All Saints PWRDF rep.
THE LASTING NOTE An Experiential Music Workshop in Muskoka 7pm Friday June 13th to Sunday June 15th 2014 Location will be determined by the number of participants David Buley Professor of Music Education at Laurentian University This unique workshop will be shaped as a living theological reflection on music, both sacred and secular, recognizing God as the author of all our music, personal and liturgical. This workshop will begin with your learning goals and lead you deeper & beyond. Topics: composing, rewriting old hymns, blending old and new in worship, getting your music 1I0ut there" beyond Sunday and more. Saturday evening: a jam session, sharing with each other Sunday morning: a local church placement to offer your "special piece" Sunday afternoon: a showcase concert "The Lasting Note" open to the public $50.00 Subsidies and billeting available. Do not stay away because of money. This weekend is designed for musicians, budding composers, worship leaders, choir members and those with a heart to bring better music into worship and our lives. Email northmuskokaparish@vianet.ca for your registration form Registration DEADLINE is May 31st 2014 Sponsored by the Anglican Churches in the Deanery of Muskoka
HISTORIC `ALL SAINTS HOUSE` FOR LEASE. APPROXIMATELY 2300 SQUARE FEET. NEWLY REMODELLED HERITAGE HOUSE WITH A COMMANDING VIEW OF MAIN STREET AT THE SWING BRIDGE OVERLOOKING THE TOWN DOCK. FULLY ACCESSIBLE. TOTALLY UPGRADED ROOF, WINDOWS, INSULATION, HEATING, ELECTRICAL. 30 High Street Huntsville, ON http://www.century21.ca/bonnie.nunn [click on Featured Properties lower left] Men s Club Breakfasts 3rd Saturdays: 19 April 8:00 am Coffee. 8:30 am Breakfast. Great food. Great fellowship. Great speakers. call Morley Higgins for details 789-6429 Parish News: the deadline for our next issue is Friday 18th April [Good Friday]. Please note that articles and pictures should be about our life and ministry here at All Saints. Articles may.doc.docx.txt or.wpd. Pictures should be sent individually in.jpg format for best quality; Pdf s may be included; however, the reproduction quality for pdf s is not excellent. Please submit to aspn@allsaintshuntsville.ca. The due date for articles is generally the Friday nine days before the last Sunday of the month [so that we have time to prepare and print the newsletter before the end of the month]. With thanks. We very much welcome advertising and sponsorship; please contact our Office for information: 705 789-2216 office@allsaintshuntsville.ca
Church School We are nearing the end of the Lenten season. Prayer, caring and sharing have been the theme of our Lenten stories God's love and compassion for all, through Jesus. We hope to share this by contributing to the world bank on our altar to help one of our Starfish children. The following was written by one of the YES youth, and is a good Lenten reflection. Love is Important Jesus loves us with all his heart, and hopes that we will love one another and not bully. Be kind to even people you may not like. So Jesus guide us and hold the lamp for us to choose a path. Jesus is our leader. By Terri-anne Kubay Sun. Apr. 6 th : Family Service 5 th in Lent - Youth leading the worship, joyful music, a story with our Parish Poet. Sun. Apr. 13 th : Palm Sunday Journey Through Holy week, from waving the palms to peeking into the empty tomb. Thurs. Apr. 17 th : Maundy Thursday activities and sleepover see YES news Fri. Apr. 18 th : Good Friday Sun. Apr. 20 th : Easter Sunday regular classes with special crafts and treats. Sun. Apr. 27 th : 2 nd of Easter Baptism Family service More info to follow. Other Notes: New JAG schedule is out. For copies check your e-mail and the Church School. We have simplified the schedule for regular class Sundays. Please check the Family Service section on the JAG schedule. Look at the Y.E.S. News for the coming events and activities. Shirley Spiers All Saints Church School Join us for singing, stories, activities, crafts, and fun with friends. Skating Party 02 March 2014
Y.E.S. OF ALL SAINTS' YOUTH GROUP REPORT: Joy Gervais Youth and parents: We had such a wonderful Family Fun Day skating at Sprucedale Community Rink, after the Family Service! [See some of the pictures on the previous page and below.] We fueled ourselves with a chili dog lunch before we set off! We had the biggest turn out yet with 16 adults and children alike skating together for a fun filled family event! Such talented skaters we have! Shannon, wowed us with her free style skating! Hayden, Camille and Emily were the youngest upcoming freestyle skaters there! Way to go! Girls! Hot chocolate, Timbits, cookies, were provided to keep everyone going! The facilities were excellent and we will return again another time! OUR NEXT EVENT will be on April 6th after Family Service for 12 p.m. - ROCK CLIMBING at Deerhurst Resort - cost is $10 per child for half an hour time. Only 3 youth can climb at a time, so we will have to do this in shifts. Permission forms are to be filled in by parents at the Resort. We will meet at the main lobby for 12 p.m. A light lunch of sandwiches will be served before we go. Children will be doing special crafts during Church school in preparation for our up coming craft and bake sale, FRIDAY, APRIL 11TH - SATURDAY, APRIL 12TH Y.E.S. YOUTH FUNDRAISER IN HUNTSVILLE PLACE MALL CRAFT AND BAKE SALE! PARENTS AND YOUTH: I NEED HELP SELLING ITEMS (talking with people) ON FRIDAY APRIL 11TH, BEGINNING AT 4 P.M. TILL 9 P.M.; or on SAT. FROM 8 A.M. - 5 P.M. A SIGN UP LIST WILL BE POSTED FOR YOU TO VOLUNTEER Please help out! From the Parish: We also need baked goods to sell! Good items to sell are: PIES, Easter cakes, loaves, TARTS, jams pickles, Gluten free baked goods, homemade cookies and candies. Baked goods need to be wrapped, clearly labelled with what ingredients are: e.g. Banana loaf, no nuts; Butter tarts with nuts, etc. and PRICED ready to sell. Thank you for your interest and support! The Skating Party, Horse-drawn Sleigh Ride, and the 14 February St Valentine s Backwards Party backward clothes, sitting under tables, eating reverse meals: inside-out hotdogs!
All Saints' ACW 'Irish' Pot-Luck Lunch & meeting 17 Mar 14
Covenants Part 2 Last month we began our study of covenants by looking at some of the covenants of the Bible. This month, we ll look at the steps that covenant partners took in establishing these unbreakable agreements. [Below is a summary of a fuller document available in the online version of Parish News 2014 April. Copies of the full document are also available from Ven. Dawn.] The big events of life are usually surrounded by rituals: think of baptism, confirmation, weddings, funerals, or even the beginning of the playoff season. The people of the Bible had rituals around covenants which generally involved 9 steps. Sometimes the Bible mentions almost all of the steps; but more often, the Bible records a few and presumes the reader understands that the other steps were also present. One of the astounding, grace-filled messages of all Scripture is that God wants to be in covenant with His creation, most especially with humankind. [Human beings, having been given the gift of free will, can, of course, refuse to be in covenant with God.] Just as God cut covenant with the Hebrew people, He also forms a covenant relationship with Christians through the New Covenant. Being in covenant with God is a joyous experience, but it s also serious business. It involves a lifelong commitment to live according to the terms of the covenant outlined by God, for it is God alone who sets and defines the terms. Covenants in the Old Testament Covenant with God through Jesus Christ 1. The covenant partners exchange coats or robes symbolizing that they give each other all that they are and all they have. [King] David and Jonathan [son of King Saul] cut covenant together. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that he was wearing, and gave it to David, and his armour, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. [1 Samuel 18:3-4] In the ancient world, one s robe was an indicator of one s social position and authority. In the Garden of Eden, God exchanged the rather flimsy covering of fig leaves, which our ancestors in the Garden fashioned for themselves, and instead clothed them with animal skins. [Genesis 3:21] Even though it was Adam and Eve who were guilty of breaking covenant with God through their disobedience and who deserved to die, God, in His grace, allowed innocent animals to be their substitute. 2. Exchange belts. In this case, belt does not mean that which holds up one s pants, but rather that which holds one s weapons. There are 2 messages in this exchange: first, each partner allows himself to be temporarily defenseless as he removes his weapons; second, each partner is saying, All my strength, defenses, wealth and protection are now yours. If anyone attacks you, they attack me. If you are weak, I will come to your aid. 1. The night before His crucifixion, Jesus took off his outer garment and wrapped a towel around his waist [the garb of a slave] [John 13:1-20] Jesus cloak was removed by Roman soldiers as they mock Him, and they ironically clothe him with a robe of kingly purple. [Of course, although the guards do not seem to grasp the true identify of Jesus, their clothing Him in a purple robe is completely correct: Jesus is King of the Jews.] [Matthew 27:27-37] Jesus parable about the Wedding Garment makes it clear: the wedding guest will not be allowed into the wedding feast without wearing the clothing provided, free of charge, by the master. [Matthew 22:1-14] And in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the first thing the father does for the returning son is to clothe him with a robe. At His incarnation, Jesus, in effect, took off His heavenly robes and clothed Himself with human flesh. [Philippians 2:5-11] All of our righteous deeds are as filthy rags [Isaiah 64:6]. Paul says that we are to clothe ourselves with Christ [Romans 13:14; 2 Corinthians 5:1-5; Galatians 3:27]. Revelation [6:11; 7:13-17] reveals that the martyrs who die for the faith are clothed in robes made white in the blood of the Lamb. 2. God takes all of the believer s weaknesses and exchanges them with His grace and strength. My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness. [2 Corinthians 12:9a] The Christian is instructed by Paul to take up the spiritual weapons given by God the full armour of God: Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these, [c] take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [Ephesians 6:14-17]
3. Cut the covenant. The covenant partners sacrifice animals by cutting them lengthwise and laying out the pieces so that there is room to walk between them. The people then walk in a figure-8 around and through the pieces this is called the Walk Unto Death. The message is if either one breaks this covenant, the other person has the right to do to him, exactly what has been done to these animals. A blood covenant was serious business! In Genesis 12 and then in Genesis15, God makes an unconditional covenant with Abraham and his descendants to give them a land, descendants, and blessings so that they can be a blessing. God takes the role of both covenant partners. God, in the form of a flaming torch and smoking firepot, moves twice through the middle of the animals. All of the promises are made by God and any penalties will be borne by God. At Sinai, God made a conditional covenant with His people. Animals were sacrificed and Moses sprinkled the blood on the terms and conditions of the covenant [the 10 Commandments] and on the people [Exodus 24:11].God s people were in covenant with God, but time and time again they broke the covenant. The wages of sin is death [Romans 6:23]. But God s plan was that a day was coming when someone would pay the blood penalty for the broken covenant. Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. [1 John 2:1b-2] 4. Mingle blood. Covenant partners would then cut themselves [palms or arms] and mingle their blood. [Not unlike childhood rituals of becoming blood brothers.] It is a mark of being joined as one. The outward and visible sign of God s covenant with Abraham was circumcision; all Jewish males are required to be circumcised on the 8th day. 5. Exchange names. Each covenant partner takes part of the other s name symbolizing their new relationship as people joined together. [This is behind the custom of women taking their husband s name.] As part of their covenant relationship, God changed Abram s name to Abraham, and Sarai s name to Sarah. [The added heh sound is part of the name of God Yahweh.] 3. Jesus inaugurated the New Covenant in His blood. God s people had not kept their end of the previous covenants. and so Jesus paid the penalty for their disobedience. Just as God stood in for Moses [Genesis 15], so Jesus stands in for all of guilty humanity. It is Jesus who takes the Walk Unto Death out to Calvary in place of sinful humanity. At the Last Supper, While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. [Matthew 26:26-28] Those who accept Jesus offering of Himself as the payment for their sin, remain in covenant with God in Jesus. It is through the sacrament of Baptism that believers enter into this covenant relationship. And it is through Eucharist, that believes participate in a covenant renewal ceremony. The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life: Drink this in remembrance that Christ s Blood was shed for thee, and be thankful. [BCP pg 84] 4. Jesus blood was shed on Calvary: But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. [Ephesians 2:11-16]. St Paul makes it clear that through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, the Old Covenant is fulfilled, and a New Covenant comes into being, into which both Gentiles and Jews are invited to participate. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; 55 for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. [John 6:54-56] Jesus adds, The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. [John 6:63] 5....and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians [Acts 11:26b] Those who hold firm to the faith will be given a new name [Revelation 2:17] and will have the name of the Lamb written on their foreheads. [Revelation 22:4]
6. Make a scar. n Bible times, the scar from the ritual of mingling blood [step 4], was the outward and visible sign of the covenant. [Often ashes were rubbed into the wounds.] Whenever the covenant partner looked at the scar, he was reminded that he lived in a permanent relationship with someone else. It was also the sign to outsiders that the individual had at his disposal other resources those of his covenant partners. 7. Exchange covenant terms and make a vow. In unconditional covenants, God makes promises; there are only blessings and no conditions. Such was the case in the Abrahamic Covenant: God promised Abraham land, descendants and blessings in order to bless others. In conditional covenants, God laid out terms and also His promises. In the Sinaitic Covenant [given at Mt Sinai] God outlined His requirements [the 10 Commandments and other stipulations of the Law] and in returned promised that He would be their God and they would be His people. [Exodus 29:44-46; Deuteronomy 26:16-19] At this time in the covenant ceremony, the partners would also pronounce the blessings of keeping the covenant and curses for breaking it. [Deuteronomy 27-28] 8. Eat a Memorial Meal. The covenant partners celebrated together. In a culture in which hospitality was one of the most highly regarded values, eating together meant so much more than just consuming food. Only people who were at peace with one another, ate together. In some instances, the meat of the meal was the cooked animals which had been sacrificed in the cutting of the covenant. Every bite could remind them of the penalty for breaking covenant; every bite could remind them that an innocent animal had to die so that they could be in covenant. Abraham and Melchizedek [King of Salem] share bread and wine. [Genesis 14:17-20] At Mt Sinai, after God gives the stipulations of the covenant to His people through Moses, 70 elders along with Moses and Aaron, ascend the holy mountain to eat with God. [Exodus 24:9-11] 9. Plant or erect a memorial. In the Old Testament, covenant partners often planted a tree or erected stone monuments to mark their agreements. Whenever the partners looked at the memorial, they were reminded they lived under covenant. After Joshua led the Israelites in a renewal of the Sinaitic covenant, he erected stones under a tree [Joshua 24:24-27]. The memorial God planted at the giving of the Noahic [with Noah and creation] covenant, was the rainbow. Whenever people see the rainbow they are reminded of God s promise to never again destroy the earth by flood [Genesis 9:14-17]. 6. Even after the resurrection, our Lord retains the covenant mark: And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. [Luke 24:40] The covenant mark for believers is the baptismal cross on their forehead. 7 The New Testament contains references to the many blessings for those who are in covenant relationship with Jesus: new life [Romans 7:6b], eternal life [1 John 5:13], the forgiveness of sins [Luke 24:47], membership in the family [Ephesians 2:19] and Kingdom of God [Luke 22:29], being counted righteous [Romans 4:5, 22-25]. Christians are required to believe on the Lord Jesus. [Acts 16:31] Jesus Himself bore the curses of humanity s having broken the covenant. He was the one who willingly took upon Himself the penalties for believers having broken covenant with God. 8. Of course, for Christians, the memorial meal is Eucharist. Believers throughout the world and throughout the ages share the bread and wine as Jesus instructed during His Last Supper. Note that the Exchange of Peace occurs before people receive Communion recalling the ancient pattern that only people at peace with one another, eat together. [See the Invitation to Confession in the BCP page 76 at the bottom.] In the Parable of the Wedding Feast, Jesus outlines that many are invited to the feast and blessed are those who accept. [Matthew 22:1-10] Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. [Revelation 3:20] The final covenant meal is the Supper of the Lamb [Marriage Feast of the Lamb at which all true believers will have a seat. : Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. [Revelation 19:9] 9. The memorial tree which Christians most easily recognize is the cross. Each time believers look on it, they are reminded of their covenant with God through the death and resurrection of Jesus. After our ancestors in the Garden [Adam and Eve] broke covenant with their Creator by eating of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, God evicted them from the Garden so that they would not be able to eat of the Tree of Life [immortality]. In the New Jerusalem, however, the Tree of Life is available. And its leaves are for the healing of the nations. [Revelation 22:1-2] this is New Creation: all of God s creation lives eternally in restored covenant with God.
John 2; Matthew 21 JESUS and the Moneychangers Jesus said to the moneychangers, My house shall be called a house of prayer ; but you are making it a den of robbers. Matthew 21:13 There were different areas for Hebrew men, Hebrew women, and Gentiles [people who were not Jewish]. When people wanted to give some money to the Temple, they had to change their every day money into special Temple money. And visitors who wanted to sacrifice at the Temple, bought animals there. But God had said that His Temple was to be a house of prayer and a place where everyone Hebrew or Gentile would be blessed and feel the presence of God. So when Jesus saw that the Temple court looked more like a market square, He became quite upset. He overturned the tables of those who were changing money and He let go the animals who were being sold. Of course, those who were making a profit off the Temple business didn t like what Jesus did. But Jesus always stood up for God and what He said. Although Jesus lived in the northern part of Israel near the Sea of Galilee, He often travelled south to Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish festivals. In the Spring time each year, the Jewish people celebrate Passover it s a time to remember how God freed the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt. Moses led the people through the Red Sea when God parted the waters. One Passover, Jesus was in Jerusalem and He went to visit the huge Temple in the city. It was so large that one of the foundation stones measured 13.7 by 3.3 by 4.5 meters [45 x 11 x 15 feet] and weighed 600 tons [and there were many, many such stones]. At the centre of the area, was the Temple building which contained lampstands, and tables for the holy bread, and an altar on which priests burned incense both morning and night and all of it, inside, overlaid with pure gold. The outer courtyards w e r e e x t r e m e l y large about the size of 20 football fields. S F O W H Q R Q B A Q H G X C E R S T O N E S Z N U F G D M J L E W E R B E H I P T L E E D E P G V P J E B M S M H N F X D S M N V A B C A E W A R P I X D U E A W S M L T E J U R Q B U H S T H E S S S E A T E T H J F V L L C F O W B Q R Y H Y I N O A Q A Y I V O L E A B L E S S I N G S E T E A V R V H A U H M J H Y E N S R O P B M R J A I Y H K U Y O W U W D E B X N K G R C O I U M O R J W W L R O A B W B H F V Z G F I J V D M T G J Z C V Y I Y Animals Blessing God Hebrew Jerusalem Jesus Jewish Market Moneychangers Overturned Passover Prayer Stones Temple Upset http://www.supercoloring.com/pages/jesus-chasing-the-money-changers-from-the-temple/
Rector s Report [for February 2014] regular Sunday Eucharists : : 02 February -4th after Epiphany [Candlemas] - 10am Family Service [APP: Jesus, Light of the World ]; 09 February - 5 th after Epiphany; 16 February - 6 th after Epiphany; 23 February - 7 th after Epiphany - healing services regular weekly Wednesday morning Eucharist additional scheduled monthly Eucharist services: Rogers Cove [06 Feb], Fairvern [11 Feb], Chartwell Muskoka Traditions [18 Feb]; Huntsville Hospital [20 Feb], Muskoka Landing [25 Feb] Parish Stats for the month of February: 8 private communions [home or hospital] 1 wedding 01 February - James Robinson & Keri Blackburn 2 funerals 17 February - Lloyd Alvia Nicholls 25 February - Irma May Baker During the month of February: attended parish meetings: Outreach [05 Feb], Pastoral Care [13 Feb], PAC [13 Feb], Family Service Planning [16 Feb], Stewardship [16 Feb] 02 February - chaired Annual Vestry Meeting following our 10am service. 04 February - Deanery Clericus at St Thomas, Bracebridge 09 February - led Hymn Sing at Chartwell Muskoka Traditions 11 February - attended Sunshine Club Valentine Luncheon at Sutherland Hall Thank you, Peggy! 15 February - attended Men s Breakfast [guest speaker: Dr Catharine Ascah spoke on her recent trip to southern Africa] 17 February - attended ACW Family Day shared heritage luncheon 22 February - led Server/Eucharistic Assistant training session in the church As Archdeacon 04 February - Muskoka Collaborative Ministry Group, in Bracebridge 06 February - Strategic Plan Implementation Team conference call 07, 12, 13, 14 February - meetings with Deanery Clergy 11 February - Muskoka Collaborative Ministry Group, in Rosseau 14 February - Deanery Executive in Parry Sound 18 February - Deanery Council Meeting in Bala regular on-going pastoral & administrative work continues including regular home visiting and hospital visiting [when advised by patient or family member], marriage and baptism preparation. Please remember to contact Ven. Dawn when you are aware that anyone [including you!] is in hospital, in distress, or in need of a priest. New Government Privacy Laws prevent the Hospital and other agencies from relaying such information. Thank you.
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