St. George's Anglican Church (Crescentwood)
168 Wilton Street R3M 3C3 Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Sunday Worship Livestream - February 7, 2021

A joint Christmas message from the Primate and National Bishop

Cancellation of In-Person Worship As the province has moved the pandemic response level to Red, there will be no in-person worship this Sunday, November 1, or until further notice. The church is closed to in-person worship or use by church groups from Sunday, November 1. Services remain available by livestream on Facebook.... To receive the weekly order of service, please join our mailing list at: http://eepurl.com/b0gatL

Join us for our livestreamed worship. The prelude will begin at approximately 10:25 AM and the service will begin at 10:30 AM.

Anyone seeking pastoral care is encouraged to contact Reverend Peter Flynn and/or Reverend Linda Parsons through the church office at [email protected] or 204.453.5642.

Resumption of In-Person Worship In-person worship following all provincial and diocesan guidelines has resumed at St. Georges. As seating is limited to comply with the guidelines, you must reserve a seat weekly at this link if you plan to attend in person: http://www.stgeorges.mb.ca/worship-service-reservations/... We are looking forward to seeing you or if you prefer, you can participate through the livestreamed service which will continue every week on Facebook. To receive the weekly order of service, please join our mailing list at: http://eepurl.com/b0gatL

Cheers! It's "International Buy Your Priest a Beer Day". Whatever is in your glass, raise it up for our clergy and let them know you appreciate all that they do! (And if it aligns with their preferences, they may welcome a drink, too. )

Cheers! Its "International Buy Your Priest a Beer Day". Whatever is in your glass, raise it up for our clergy and let them know you appreciate all that they do! (And if it aligns with their preferences, they may welcome a drink, too. )

Let us hold students of all ages, teachers, administrators and support workers in our prayers this week. Emily Given is the author of this beautiful prayer.

A blessing when you wear your mask

She Came to Jesus SLANE 10.10.9.10 ("Be Thou My Vision") She came to Jesus from outside the fold Canaanite woman! Persistent and bold!... Looking to Jesus, she wanted to see One who would help her and set her child free. Claiming a blessing, a touch of God's grace, She knew God's love was not bounded by place. Jesus, you listened, debated then healed For in her asking, her faith was revealed. God, you still bless those who seek you in prayer. You welcome dreamers who faithfully dare. In Christ, now risen, your mercy extends: Those on the outside are welcomed as friends. Biblical References: Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30 Tune: Traditional Irish melody ("Be Thou My Vision") (MIDI) Text: Copyright 2002 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved. Copied from "Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor" by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (Upper Room Books). Email: [email protected] New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com/ PLEASE SHARE this hymn with permission for its free use with pastors, church musicians and other worship planners and activists. Thank you. This hymn was selected to be included in "Singing the New Testament" (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and Christian Reformed Church, Faith Alive Christian Resources) and sung at the worship service for the World Communion of Reformed Churches General Council's 2016 meeting in Germany. The WCRC Bible Study: "The CanaaniteMatthew 15:21-28" by Elsa Tamez iis excellent. Elsa Támez is a Mexican liberation theologian and biblical scholar who was NT Professor Emerita at the Universidad Biblica Latinamericana in Costa Rica (she was later their first woman president http://wcrc.ch/res/theology/worship-resource-the-canaanite Some pastors and church music leaders have asked for permission to use my hymns in worship services that they are streaming live, or in other ways they are reaching out to their congregations from a distance. During these difficult times, you have my permission to go ahead and use my copyrighted hymns in these ways for FREE. See details on the home page of my web site: www.carolynshymns.com Please continue to pray for my husband Bruce (also a pastor), who is recovering from acute leukemia and a bone marrow transplant. He ihas has some recent complications from the chemo and we are staying very isolated due to his suppressed immune system. Thank you! Please drop me an email at [email protected] if you would like a copy of the hymn in MS Word and/or a PDF of a hymn with music or simply to be in touch. Thank you.

A message from Bishop Geoff re: Red Lake Forest Fires. "Residents of Red Lake, Ontario have received evacuation orders. All residents will leave homes and belon...gings, and travel to presumed safety. COVID 19 may make their new pilgrimage difficult and uncomfortable. St. Cleopas, Red Lk, will continue strongly in faith, prayer and witness while moving to uncertain coordinates, but will need the support of its Diocese through discouraging times. Anglican Lutheran Centre staff will give updates on the evacuation as we receive them. Let us pray for the people of Red Lake and Madson ON,: Almighty God, protect and empower your people who have been thrust into a new journey. Comfort them in their worries and fears, give them courage and peace-of-mind, and lead them in hope. May those whom they discover along the road greet them with the peace of Christ and the hands of fellowship. And may your Church do all in its power to nurture the evacuees to the very best of our ability and resource. All this we ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."

Blessed to be here and sharing in the Eucharist. Join us next week at 10:30 am. All are Welcome - that means YOU!

Keeping each other healthy is a sign of loving your neighbour! If you have registered for in person worship tomorrow dont forget your mask!!

A primer for Sundays Gospel

KAIROS grieves the loss of life and devastation in Beirut. We stand with the people of Lebanon in solidarity and prayer and share this statement from the Middl...e East Council of Churches. Beirut is devastated Beirut is facing a tragedy Lets stand together. Lets rescue the wounded and those who lost their homes Lets pray for the victims O God, have mercy on our beloved Lebanon and on its heartbroken people. Do not hide Your face from us! #BeirutGodIsWithYou #WePrayForBeirut #MECC

#PrayTogether #StaySafeTogether "O God, in our global distress we pray earnestly to you. God our Sanctuary, gather us when separated into your presence.... God our Physician, heal those who have contracted the virus. God our Comforter, embrace all who mourn the dead. God our Homeland, mother all who are quarantined. God our Friend, accompany all who are alone or afraid..." We continue our weekly series of intercessions for our one human family at this time of crisis adopting the words of sisters and brothers from different parts of the world. Today we invite you to pray with Prof. Gail Ramshaw, Washington D.C., USA. To find additional prayers and resources for this time of crisis, please visit: www.oikoumene.org/corona

With Children - is this a weed?? How about taking a weed tour of your neighbourhood or property? This is especially fun for families with children at home. Note where the weed came from, identify it, and learn about it. What can it tell you about your soil or growing conditions? What weeds did you find that are edible? What weeds might have healing properties? Which weeds are the prettiest? Now think about how we look at weeds in the same way we view other aspects of our world: good vs. evil, right vs. wrong, us vs. them, etc. How might this way of looking at the world cause us to miss so very much, including what we might previously have considered to be useless weeds? How can you make a difference in changing attitudes within your own home, your worshipping community, and the larger world?

Weeds and Wheat - Did you know that weeds are actually good stewards? They tell us a lot about the soil in which they grow, they release important nutrients into the soil, and they even serve as food and medicine for us. If weeds are stewards of Gods gifts, then surely we are, too. Thank you for all you do and give to keep our ministries up and running. You are making a difference!

Wash your hands. Wear your mask. Stay healthy.

Judgment and Mercy Matthews gospel knows little compromise: sheep or goats, wheat or weeds, good or evil. Finding the good news of Gods love for all people, for all creation, can be a challenge in this book. Sundays gospel is no exception (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43). Jesus interprets a parable for the disciples; he announces that all evildoers will be thrown into the furnace of fire, while the righteous will shine like the sun. The Son of Man will judge the world. Matthew...s phrase for the kingdom of heaven may be compared to . . . occurs here for the first time in this gospel. Jesus parable is a genuine metaphorit is best viewed as a whole with no point-by-point comparison. The kingdom of believers has the same potential as those of the world to do good and to do evil. Jesus allegorical interpretation encourages believers to strive for righteousness, and emphasizes God as judge. St. Paul, however, in his letter to the church at Rome focuses on God as merciful judge (Romans 8:12-25). He proclaims that all creation will be freed from decay and receive redemption. Paul reminds us our hope lies with God, our parent through a spirit of adoption. This dichotomous picture of God as judge and giver of mercy began with last Sundays texts and evidences itself in readings from Romans and Matthew across the next four Sundays. In some cases the God of mercy is highlighted in Pauls letter, at other times in the gospel. This good news, however, is always present! The exercise of judgment and mercy reflects Gods emphasis on justice over fairness. A fair God condemns those who do evil. A just God moves beyond fairness to justice, peace, and reconciliation. As evil doers, sinners, one and all, we are grateful for Gods justice towards us and all people.

This Sunday we will hear the parable of the sower from Matthews Gospel (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23). We can identify death in every direction. We see war, hunger, addiction, poverty, a dying planet, and broken hearts. This is not a new story. The children of Israel surely saw death in every direction, wandering in the desert and at least occasionally wondering about their next meal. Paul looks at his own life and, at first, sees nothing beyond spiritual death. He reminds us that... death is not just physical, but also spiritual. Then, in the parable of the sower, three-fourths of the seeds die and three-fourths of the sections of the field are inhospitable to flourishing life. Sometimes, life isnt even given a chance. We might look at the world and ourselves and only see the places that are absent and inhospitable to Gods love. The parable of the sower elicits reflection, repentance, and, ultimately, new life from its readers and hearers in considering the sort of spiritual life they practice. Are we hospitable or inhospitable to Gods word? This parable is a vivid reminder of all God has overcomerocks, scorching sun, thorns, and snatchingto bring life to the world. God brings forth life in places where people see only death. Readings for this Sunday and questions to ponder #WorkingPreacher (http://www.workingpreacher.org/) Genesis 25:19-34 Why is Jacob so envious of Esaus birthright? Why is Esau willing to sell it for so little? (Gen 25:19-34) Psalm 119:105-112 Romans 8:1-11 What does living in the Spirit look like? How do we cultivate our connection to the Spirit? (Rom 8:1-11) Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23 This parable paints a picture of our responses to God. In what way does it depict God?

"This morning I sat in the predawn darkness listening to the sound of thunder as rain pelted my windows. This is the third storm that has passed over my home in... as many days, keeping me inside as they boomed their way across the gray-black sky. How much this feels like life these days, I thought. The sudden storms of Covid-19 come out of an empty sky to threaten us, the blustering storms of politics roll over us, the darkness of injustice covers us: as if all the powers of harm would gather each morning to do their worst against the small figures below, people like me, waiting and praying. But all to no avail, for within the shelter of faith no storm can shake me from my place beneath the mighty love of the Spirit. Boom on, I thought, boom on and roll away, for here I remain constant, wrapped in the arms of my maker, safe and secure from all alarms." The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston See more

A new podcast from the Anglican Church of Canada! Check it out!

A very good piece on what systemic racism looks like in Canada. As followers of Jesus, where do we identify racial injustice in the institution (system) of the church?

This Sunday we will hear the parable of the sower from Matthew's Gospel (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23). We can identify death in every direction. We see war, hunger, addiction, poverty, a dying planet, and broken hearts. This is not a new story. The children of Israel surely saw death in every direction, wandering in the desert and at least occasionally wondering about their next meal. Paul looks at his own life and, at first, sees nothing beyond spiritual death. He reminds us that... death is not just physical, but also spiritual. Then, in the parable of the sower, three-fourths of the seeds die and three-fourths of the sections of the field are inhospitable to flourishing life. Sometimes, life isnt even given a chance. We might look at the world and ourselves and only see the places that are absent and inhospitable to Gods love. The parable of the sower elicits reflection, repentance, and, ultimately, new life from its readers and hearers in considering the sort of spiritual life they practice. Are we hospitable or inhospitable to Gods word? This parable is a vivid reminder of all God has overcomerocks, scorching sun, thorns, and snatchingto bring life to the world. God brings forth life in places where people see only death. Readings for this Sunday and questions to ponder #WorkingPreacher (http://www.workingpreacher.org/) Genesis 25:19-34 Why is Jacob so envious of Esaus birthright? Why is Esau willing to sell it for so little? (Gen 25:19-34) Psalm 119:105-112 Romans 8:1-11 What does living in the Spirit look like? How do we cultivate our connection to the Spirit? (Rom 8:1-11) Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23 This parable paints a picture of our responses to God. In what way does it depict God?

The gospel text for this Sunday is the parable of the Sower, from Matthew, together with the public explanation. This parable or, more accurately, the history... of interpretation of this parable has caused much controversy over centuries. Only one in four saved! Euthymius Zigabenus, the 12th century Greek monk and biblical commentator said. Others agree with him, joining in a chorus of sadness for the damned 75%; the Bulgarian Byzantine Archbishop Theophylact of Ohrid, for instance, and the 16th century Reformed Theologian Musculus. Pádraig Ó Tuama writes this prayer:

Be gentle with yourselves, friends. Peace to you this day

In the gospel reading for tomorrow (Matthew 9:35-10:8), Jesus calls the twelve apostles and then sends them out to carry on his work of proclaiming the good news and healing the sick. Join us online for worship at 10:30 am so that you can hear this good news and be strengthened for the tasks of healing the sick and casting out evil in the name of Jesus. Please note: the prelude will begin at 10:25 am so be sure to log on a few minutes early!

It is important and holy work.

https://diohuron.org/this-disease-has-a-theological-term-s/

A beautiful icon of the Trinity by Kelly Latimore