February 2016

Living Waters
February 2016
St. Paul’s Anglican Church
7 Sunmills Green SE
Calgary, Alberta T2X 3P6
Phone (403)256-1428
Fax (403)256-1554
Email: office@stpaulscalgary.ca
Website: www.stpaulscalgary.ca
Pastor’s Postings:
http://pastorfergus.wordpress.com
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/stpaulscalgary
Incumbent:
The Rev’d Fergus Tyson
Assistants:
The Rev’d Cyril Haynes
The Rev’d Dr. Norman Knowles
Living Waters February 2016
What’s Inside
Ministry Leaders
Incumbent’s Message
General Info.
Services
Youth
Upcoming Events
Bible Studies
Treasurer’s Report
Men’s Breakfast
Prayers
Outreach
Refugee Sponsorship
Lenten Study
Pancake Supper
Ash Wednesday
Toddlers to Tweens
Secret Friends
Moral Compass
Lent 101
Letter From God
Diocesan Events
Community Events
Fundscrip
Child Safe Canada
Valentine’s Day
Family Day
Shrove Tuesday Quiz
Lenten Quiz
Calendars
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Ministries of St. Paul’s
Fellowship Ministries
Parish Council 2015
Administration: Twyla Peters
Children’s & Youth Ministry Contact: Linda Penton
Christian Education: Murray Sykes
Communications: Paul Bourgeois
Community Connection: Muyi Ekomwenrenren
Hospitality: Angela Richardson
Maintenance: Gerald de Vries
Incumbent’s Warden: Suzanne Wray
New Members: Brenda Huber
Pastoral Care: Laura Anne Fink
People’s Warden: Allison Pierce
Outreach: Simon Evans
Shepherding: The Rev. Cyril Haynes
Stewardship: Heather Johnson
Worship: Dinah Breu
Youth: Bianca Bolton
Christian Education
Nursery - Bianca Bolton and Rachael Brisbin
Sunday School - Linda Penton
Adult Education -Clergy & Lay
Stewardship - Vacant
Library - Doreen & Kerry Peters
Anglican Fellowship of Prayer - Dinah Breu
Sunday School & Youth Ministry Coordinator Linda Penton
Synod Delegates
Allison Pierce, Twyla Peters and Kathleen Robinson
Alternate: Parish Council
MCES Directors
Kerry Peter and Gwladys Orr
Treasurer
Treasurer: Dan Brisbin
Greeters –Roxie Hall
Coffee Time - Hospitality
Ladies Luncheon—Vacant
Men’s Breakfast - Kerry Peters
Moveable Feast –Diane Ablett & Louise Mullaney
Secret Friends - Julie Wilson & Val Murray
Toddlers to Tweens—Diana Ekomwenrenren
Youth Group - Linda Penton & April MacDougall
Maintenance - Kerry Peters
403 255-3414
Parish Ministries
Worship Ministries
Altar Guild - Jane Sandul
Sacramental Assistants - Ed Mullaney
10:00 am Music Group - Paul Bourgeois
Prayers of the People - Dinah Breu
Readers - Lynda Mountford
Servers - Joy Kew
Sidespeople - Lynda Mountford
Prayer Team - Dinah Breu
Envelope Secretary - Debra Brisbin
Counters—Roxie Hall
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Pastoral Ministries
Hospital Visiting -Clergy & Pastoral Care Team
Home Visiting– Clergy & Pastoral Care Team
Casserole Ministry - Linda Hubert (contact office)
Shepherding - The Rev. Cyril Haynes
Prayer Group - Dinah Breu
Prayer Chain - Val Murray
Card Ministry - Gail Munro
Pastoral Care Team - Laura Anne Fink
Grief Support Group—Laura Anne Fink & April
MacDougall
Outreach Ministries
Father Lacombe - Maymai Wilson
Food Bank, Mustard Seed - Shared through
Outreach Committee
PWRDF -Doreen Peters
Quilt/Shawl Prayer Ministry - Laura Anne Fink
Living Waters - Laura Anne Fink
Heritage Committee—Vacant
Outreach Committee– Simon Evans
Living Waters February 2016
Incumbent’s Message
The Lenten Call to Come Away with Our Beloved
I hear my beloved. See how he comes, leaping on the mountains, bounding over the hills. My beloved is
like a gazelle, like a young stag. See where he stands behind our wall. He looks in at the window, he
peers through the lattice. My beloved lifts up his voice, he says to me, “Come then, my love, my lovely
one, come. For see, winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth. The
season of glad songs has come, the cooing of the turtle-dove is heard in our land. The fig tree is forming its first figs and the blossoming vines give out their fragrance. Come then, my love, my lovely one,
come. My dove, hiding in the clefts of the rock, in the overts of the cliff, show me your face, let me
hear your voice; for your voice is sweet and your face is beautiful.”
(Song of Solomon 2:8-14, Jerusalem Bible)
“When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and
your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. [In the same way, fast and give without fanfare.] Do
not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break
in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes
and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be
also.”
(Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21)
As I’ve shared before, my favourite season of the Church Year is Lent. So, as you might imagine, I’m getting
pretty excited with anticipation, as our early start to Lent this year means it’s just around the corner. The
reason for my excitement is that I see Lent as the opportunity to take a journey – a very special forty day
journey - with Jesus. Indeed, I think of Lent as going on a hike with him. When hiking, you want to leave behind non-essentials, to travel as light as possible. Life becomes simpler, and there are fewer distractions. And
when hiking with another, it’s a time of great togetherness. In the days before the smart phones, family
counsellor Gary Smalley says that his number one recommended activity for family intimacy is to go camping
together. In camping, when there were no distractions like TV, the land line telephone, or desktop computer,
the members of the family could truly be present to and with one another. (Camping is actually probably a
better analogy to use than hiking, but as my experience of camping is limited to my back yard, I’d better
stick with what I know!) Lent is my favourite Season of the year because it is all about entering into a time of
intimacy with Jesus in the wilderness. For me it is a time to be drawn closer to God, indeed drawn up into
God’s very heart of love.
The above passage from the Song of Solomon particularly reminds me of this Lenten opportunity:
See how my beloved comes, bounding over the hills. My beloved says to me, “Come then, my love, my
lovely one, come. For see, winter is past. The flowers appear on the earth. The season of glad songs
has come. Come then, my love, my lovely one, come. My dove, show me your face, let me hear your
voice; for your voice is sweet and your face is beautiful.”
The word, “Lent,” is short for “Lenten,” which comes from an old English word, lencten, meaning Spring
(literally ‘long day’). So if we think of “lengthen” we get the right idea. We don’t yet see the evidences of
Spring that the beloved speaks of in the Song of Songs. Even with our mild winter, we won’t be seeing any
flowers this Lent this side of the West Coast! But as we look at our wonderful sunrises and sunsets each morning and evening, we do see unfolding the lengthening of days – a sure promise that we as Albertans can hang
onto of the new life of Spring. we shall most appropriately encounter around Easter. As the Season of Lent
progresses towards Holy Week, the signs of the approach of the new life of Spring will become clearer and
clearer. Spring is coming, even as we’re in the midst of experiencing the power of Winter. Winter may appear
to have the final word. But light and life will overcome darkness and death.
My prayer is that for us all Lent will be a time when “Spring is in the air.” I pray that we hear the joy, the
excitement in the voice of our Beloved at this opportunity for intimacy. I pray that we realize that Our Lord
delights in us.
Richard Foster says in Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home (available to borrow at the “Book Nook” by my
Office):
God has graciously allowed me to catch a glimpse into his heart, and I want to share with you what I have
seen. Today the heart of God is an open wound of love. He aches over our distance and preoccupation. He
mourns that we do not draw near to him. He grieves that we have forgotten him. He weeps over our obsession with muchness and manyness. He longs for our presence.
And he is inviting you – and me – to come home, to come home to where we belong, to come home to that for
which we were created. His arms are stretched out wide to receive us. His heart is enlarged to take us in.
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Living Waters February 2016
Even more than a hike, perhaps it would be more accurate to speak of the offer, “Come then, my love, my
lovely one, come,” as the offer to a couple’s retreat or honeymoon with God!
How do we experience a Lent like this? We take time to slow down and simplify. We let some things go to declutter our lives. We turn our concentration away from certain activities (“fasting” from them), and towards
others (prayer, Holy Scripture, reading), to make space for God. We also turn away from centring on ourselves to centring on God and others (giving), which allows God’s love to take greater root within us. Giving
ourselves to God and others, our heart is enlarged for God, who is love, and we and others experience the
blessing of God’s Presence within us.
The Ash Wednesday Gospel each year reminds us of the intimacy we can experience in Lent. In it, Jesus says,
“When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Going to our room helps us listen. In the magazine Homemade, Robert W. Herron writes:
Good listening is like tuning in a radio station. For good results, you can listen to only one station at a
time. Trying to listen to my wife while looking over an office report is like trying to receive two radio
stations at the same time. I end up with distortion and frustration. Listening requires a choice of
where I place my attention. To tune into my partner, I must first choose to put away all that will divide my attention.
As we enter stillness, we make space to hear God speak to us, and share the wonder of intimacy together.
And, Jesus says, when we do this, our Heavenly Father rewards us – not with some kind of physical trinket,
but with what our hearts are yearning for: a deeper relationship with God. As the well known hymn says:
I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses.
And the voice I hear falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses.
And he walks with me, and he talks with me, and he tells me I am his own
And the joy we share, as we tarry there, none other has ever known.
Like the couple who commit to truly being present to one another, when we invest spending such “quality
time” with God, this deepening of our relationship happens naturally. I’d like to suggest that when we think
of Lent, we think not so much about the lengthening of days, as of the lengthening of our roots deep in God,
and God’s roots deep in us. God’s love is the soil in which our roots are planted, so that its nutrients can
bring forth the fruit of love in our lives – fruit that is a delight to God, others, and ourselves.
The Ash Wednesday Gospel concludes with verses 20-21: “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. For
where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Jesus is not just speaking about money, but everything
that is not God! This is the bottom line of Lent, and all our life. St. Augustine wrote: “Where your pleasure is,
there is your treasure; where your treasure is, there is your heart; where your heart is, there is your happiness.” Lent is designed to help our treasure be God. It offers the “reward” of more of God in our lives to all
who are yearning for it.
This year at St. Paul’s, we’re helping us “come away with our Beloved” in a number of ways. On Wednesday
mornings and evenings, we’ll be sharing the Study “Exploring God’s Mercy,” with Bishop Steven Croft (for details about this, see later on in this issue of Living Waters. Material for personal Lenten study and reflection
will also be available in print in the Hall. There’s Lenten material on my “Pastor’s Postings” blog. You may
also find something edifying for your Lenten journey in the “Book Nook” outside my Office (for example, Hannah Hurnard’s book, Hinds Feet on High Places, which is a wonderful book about our relationship of love with
the Lord that follows the Song of Solomon). Last, but certainly not least, our Sunday, midweek (including Ash
Wednesday), and Holy Week Services are all precious times set aside to be with our Beloved. We’ll also have
a crucially important way to give of ourselves and bear the fruit of love that comes from being grounded in
our God. The Syrian refugee family we’re partnering with St. Stephen’s to sponsor will most likely be arriving
in Calgary during Lent.
We’ll have the opportunity to give and love in a myriad of ways as we help our Refugee Sponsorship Team
support our new neighbours.
May we all respond with joyful hearts to the Lenten invitation to come away with our Beloved, be more
rooted in God, and bear more fruit of love, than ever before!
God bless you all, always.
Your Brother in Jesus,
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Living Waters February 2016
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SERVICE TIMES
Sunday Summer Service : 8:30 and 10 am
Wednesday: 9:30 am
The Library is open and there
for your use. Please have a look
at what is available. When you
take a book out please fill out
the card in the back of the book and leave it
in the file. When you return the book leave
it in the marked box.
Church Office Hours:
Office Hours: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm—Monday to Friday
The office is closed on statutory holidays.
Please note: If there is only one person in the church
the outside doors will be locked. Please ring the bell at
the North door (by the apartments) to get access.
Useful Web-sites:
St. Paul’s:
www.stpaulscalgary.ca
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/
stpaulscalgary
St. Paul’s as a Scent-Free Parish
A reminder that we try to be scent -free
out of love and respect for those whose
health is threatened by fragrances. May we ask your co
-operation in avoiding wearing to church, perfumes and
after-shave, perfumed hairsprays, etc. Many thanks.
Pastor’s Postings Blog:
http://pastorfergus.wordpress.com
Information you may find helpful:
Toddlers to Tweens Group Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Pauls-Toddlers-toTweens/1623953807841025?fref=ts
Youth Group’s Facebook:
www.facebook.com/StPaulsCalgaryYouth
MCES: hhtp://www.historicstpaulsanglicanchurch.ca
Diocese of Calgary:
http://www.calgary.anglican.ca
https://www.facebook.com/calgary.anglican
Canadian National Church: www.anglican.ca
Worldwide Communion: www.anglicancommunion.org
PWRDF—www.pwrdf.org
Can Tabs and Soup Labels
We are still collecting soup labels to send to a Shriner's hospital in Spokane, via St Thomas's Sherwood Park.
We will re-start our can tab collection. Rick and Robbie
Coller go to St Mark's in Mesa and they collect the tabs, so we
can help. Thanks Kerry
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Large Print Order Of Service: We have
available large print copies of the service and
hymn book. Please ask
the sides people.
Hearing Devices: If you
have problems hearing
we have hearing devices
which will assist you. Please ask the
sides people for assistance.
Welcome Booklets: If you would like to
know more about St. Paul’s and our
ministries please help your self to a
booklet. You will find them by the name
tags.
Business Cards: We have St. Paul’s Business Cards with service times. These are
for everyone to carry in their wallets and
to give to people who ask about St.
Paul’s. This is a form of Outreach to the
community.
Living Waters February 2016
Roster for Sunday Services
DATE
OFFICIATING
ASSISTING
PREACHING
CHILDREN’S TALK
February 10- 9:30 am Fergus
——Fergus
- ————February 10- 7:30 pm Fergus
——
Fergus
—————
February 14
Fergus
Cyril & Bob
Bob
Norman
February 21
Cyril
Norman & Fergus
Norman
Allison Pierce
February 28
Fergus
Cyril
Fergus
Sunday School
March 6
Norman
———
Norman
———
Norman broke his ankle in January. Norman’s participation in the services above will depend on the state of
his recovery.
SERVICES TO MARK ON YOUR CALENDAR
Sunday, February 7: Transfiguration
Wednesday, February 10– Ash Wednesday: Imposition of Ashes and holy Eucharist at
9:30 am & 7:30 pm
Sunday, February 14– Lent One, Valentine's Day. Focus on Love.
Sunday, February 21– Lent Two
Sunday, February 28– Lent Three—Triple C at 10:00 am
Sunday, March 6—Lent Four—Laetare Sunday
Calling All Junior and Senior High Students To Become Youth with a Difference !
Youth Bible Study will now be every Sunday morning.
If you feel called to help lead the Youth Bible Study on a couple of Sunday
mornings a month please contact Linda Penton.
The youth hope to have a fun activity or charitable event 3rd Friday of the month.
February activity is on Friday the 19th, meeting at the church at 7 pm and going skating at Lake Chaparral.
They will return to the church for hot chocolate and s’mores.
Check out our Youth Group Facebook page to see more details about what’s happening:
www.facebook.com/StPaulsCalgaryYouth.
Pancake Supper
Toddlers to Tweens
Youth Meeting
Men’s Breakfast
Ladies Potluck Luncheon
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, February 9—5 to 7 pm
Saturday, February 13—2 pm
Friday, February 19—7:00 pm
Saturday, February 20—8:30 am
Saturday, March 5—11:30 am
Bible Studies :
Monday Bible Study: Monday evenings at 7:00 pm. All are welcome!
Wednesday Bible Study: Wednesday 10:15 am and 7:30 pm Lenten Study, Exploring God’s
Mercy: Five Images of Salvation, beginning February 17.
No Wednesday morning Bible Study on Ash Wednesday.
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Living Waters February 2016
Treasurer’s Report– Financial Stewardship
Budgets and Reducing our Environmental Footprint
At the start of 2016, I thought it’d be a good idea for us all to look at 1) planning for the next year, 2) doing what
we can as stewards of God’s creation to reduce our environmental footprint.
We have started on this process during our Annual Meeting of Parishioners meeting held today. Some ways
that we have done this include:
Establishing 2016 pledges for general offerings
Indication/feedback survey for financial commitment to Refugee Sponsorship
Approval of 2016 balanced operating budget
2016 Outreach budget of 10% tithe of 2015 total offerings
Electing and appointing officers to Parish Council
As the whole congregation of St. Paul’s, we, as the church are all stewards of the resources God has entrusted to
our care. This extends from our personal and collective resources (what we can give/offer to the church). It
also extends to our church building and grounds, our ministries, the communities around us, our neighbours
(both near and far), Outreach, and Evangelism. It all comes back to Ministry and Mission, vision for St. Paul’s
and the future that lies ahead in what God is calling each of us to do. Each contributing in a small, unique, and
special way to make a big difference.
Some ways of budgeting our regular offering:
Monthly pre-authorized payment plan (administered through Diocese and forms are located in the Narthex or
through church office). The amount is automatically deducted from bank account and St. Paul’s receives
100% of the donation, no administration fee. 28 parish families are currently participating in this program
which represents $5,080.00 monthly in general offerings.
Use of regular offering envelopes
Saving and contributing money in offerings in response of thanksgiving or blessing
It’s also a good idea to start budgeting early in the year, comparing your personal offerings to the 2016 pledge
amounts and keeping everything on track for the year. If you ever want to check where you’re at or how much
offerings you’ve given to date, please feel free to check with our envelope secretary, Debra Brisbin. You can do
this at anytime throughout the year and she will be more than happy to provide you the information.
We can also do our part in attracting newcomers, evangelism. community connection and promoting and inviting people to St. Paul’s church, events, activities, and ministries. St. Paul’s has a vital role to play in the communities of Midnapore, Lake Sundance, and communities south of Fish Creek within the Anglican Diocese of Calgary.
Ways in which we can reduce our environmental footprint:
-reduce amount of paper used, recycle / purchase recycled paper / reuse reverse side of one-sided paper /
print on 2-sided paper or scan and soft-copy communications / website / screens
-lower thermostats when not in use, switch off lights, turn off appliances & electronics
-reduce indoor and outdoor water use (travel mugs, water bottles, personal dishes for potlucks, etc.); rain barrels, timers for sprinklers
-effective/efficient use of computers/internet, photocopier, telephones, AV/Technology
-recycling bottles and cans, cardboard/paper/metal (blue bins), keeping items out of the landfill
-walk, ride a bike, use public transit or car-pool (i.e. too many cars, not enough passengers)
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Living Waters February 2016
Refugee Family Sponsorship donations
I. If you are donating specifically towards our refugee family sponsorship, please ensure to enclose your donation in a white offering or visitor envelope marked under “Other offerings - refugee sponsorship”. Donations
received this way will be designated to St. Paul’s Refugee Sponsorship Reserve Fund and used for our St.
Paul’s/St.Stephen’s joint sponsorship of our Refugee family.
If you are currently on the pre-authorized donation plan, separate white envelope donations may be made for
refugee sponsorship; or amounts informed to either envelope secretary or treasurer. All amounts received
through the pre-authorized donation plan are allocated to general offerings, unless indicated.
PWRDF “Syria Response”
II. During the month of February only (until Feb. 29th), donations through PWRDF (blue envelopes) designated
“Syria Response” receive matching funds from the Government of Canada. You can find out more information
or donate directly online through the following links.
This is a PWRDF program to provide relief to Syrians displaced within Syria and living as refugees in the surrounding countries.
http://pwrdf.org/2016/government-matching-funds-for-syrian-emergency-relief-work-extended/
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/the-primates-world-relief-and-development-fund-pwrdf/
Please note that these are 2 distinct programs:
1) (white envelope - St. Paul’s designated to sponsorship of our refugee family arriving in Calgary)
2) (blue envelope - PWRDF “Syria Response” pass-through donation to assist refugees displaced within Syria
and the surrounding countries) - government-matching funds to Feb. 29/16
Men’s Breakfast—Len’s Day
The Men’s Breakfast Group raised $280 Can which will be about $200 US to send to the Morales Orphanage in Mexico . Next Men’s Breakfast on Saturday, February 20 at 8:30 am. All Men Welcome!
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Living Waters February 2016
Prayers
-Mark 9: 2-3
A PRAYER FOR OUR PARISH
Bless , O Lord our God,
the worship and work of this church,
that it may be a house of prayer,
a centre of Christian teaching,
a community of service,
and a witness to your redeeming love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
-New Parish Prayers
A PRAYER FOR OUR PARISH COUNCIL
Father, may your Holy Spirit guide them in all the
business that lies before them.
In planning for the future, give them vision;
in matters of finance, give them responsibility;
in dealing with people, give them love.
Help them in all things to honour your Name,
to advance your kingdom,
and to carry out your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
-New Parish Prayers
ASH WEDNESDAY
“YOU ARE DUST AND TO DUST YOU WILL
RETURN.”
This ancient formula will be heard by millions of Christians all over the world this Ash Wednesday as the
sign of the cross is made in ashes on their foreheads.
This symbolic act is both a solemn reminder and an
invitation to renewal.
Lord God, this Lent help me to do my best to keep my
mind fixed on you and your Kingdom. AMEN
-Henri Nouwen
SOMETHING TO REPENT
Christianity tells people to repent and promises
them forgiveness. It therefore has nothing to say (as far
as I know) to say to people who do not know they have
done anything to repent of and who do not feel that
they need any forgiveness.
It is after you have realized that there is a real
Moral Law, and a Power behind the Law, and that you
have broken that Law and put yourself wrong with
that Power--it is after all this, and not a moment
THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST
sooner , that Christianity begins to talk.
Lord Jesus, help me to recognize my sins and to ask
Lord God, you kept faith with Simeon and showed him
forgiveness.
AMEN
the infant King; give us grace to put all our trust in
-C.S. lewis
your promises, and the patience to wait a lifetime for
their fulfillment; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Life-giving God,
AMEN
we thank you for creating us out of the dust of the
earth,
THE TRANSFIGURATION
and breathing your life into us;
may these ashes be to us a sign
Almighty and all-loving God,
that life is more than our physical bodies,
through the fire of your Spirit
and that our hope of eternal life
you have drawn the hearts of men and women
depends, not on our merits, but on your mercy alone,
to share in the mystery of your being;
to which we turn now
by the power of the same Spirit
in sorrow for our sins,
infuse our lives with your presence
and with the trust of children
so that, as your beloved Son
AMEN
( Angela Ashwin)
was transfigured in prayer,
we too may be transformed,
and our lives become a flame of self-giving love.
-Angela Ashwin
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Living Waters February 2016
Lord Jesus, help me to remember that I will lose nothing of
value by putting you first and foremost in my life. AMEN
HOW TO KEEP A TRUE LENT
Donna Fletcher Crow tells us that:
“ Lent is a time to practice being with God, a time to
set specific spiritual goals”
“ Lent should be primarily a season of reflection and
renewal.”
“Ask yourself, where do I want to be spiritually when
I enter Holy Week this year?”
Is this a fast, to keep
The larder lean,
And clean
From fat of veals and sheep?
God, help me to remember that your command is to love you
with all my heart, all my mind and all my soul. AMEN
Father, help me to remember that I need to have faith in you,
not to understand everything. AMEN
Lord Jesus, help me to remember that I am not God. Most of
all, help me to be satisfied with that. AMEN
Christ Jesus, in you I place my faith, hope and love. Guide
me toward the truth; about you, about the world, about myself. AMEN
Let my prayer come to you, O Lord, in purity and simplicity.
AMEN
Is it to quit the dish
Of flesh, yet still
To fill
The platter high with fish?
-taken from“ A CLEAN HEART CREATE IN ME”
Daily Lenten Reflections/C.S. lewis
Or is it to fast an hour
Or ragg’d to go,
Or show
A downcast look ,and sour?
A PRAYER FOR FAMILY DAY
Father of all, accept our thanks for the joys of family
life.
Help us to live so that we may strengthen and
enrich the life of the family.
Help us to build with you the kind of family which
welcomes the stranger, the lonely and the needy.
Teach us through this small family to love the
family of all humans and to realize our part in it.
In the Name of Christ we ask this. AMEN
No, ‘tis a fast, to dole
Thy sheaf of wheat
And meat
Unto the hungry soul.
It is to fast from strife,
From old debate,
And hate,
To circumcise thy life.
-Brother John Charles, SSF
To show a heart grief-rent,
To starve thy sin,
Not thy bin;
And that’s to keep thy Lent.
-Robert Herrick ( 17th century)
SOME SHORT PRAYERS FOR
LENTEN MEDITATION.
Lord Jesus, help me to recognize my sins and to ask forgiveness. AMEN
AN EVENING PRAYER
.
Our Father, we come to you at the ending of the day
with thankful hearts, to commit ourselves and those
we love to your care and protection for the coming
night.
Lift from our minds every burden, every anxiety, every
fear; and in your great mercy give us sleep and rest to
fit us for the duties of another day;
through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ .AMEN
-NEW PARISH PRAYERS
Lent Quiz Questions with Answers
1. a 2. b 3. c 4. a 5. c 6. a 7. b 8. d 9. c 10. c
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Living Waters February 2016
Outreach Ministry
Food for Others Sunday
The first Sunday of each month is Food for Others Sunday. On the first Sunday of the month we
encourage everyone to bring a donation for the Food Bank. The box will be at the steps to the altar
and the food will be blessed during the service. This is a great way for children to learn about giving to others and hopefully beginning a life long commitment to helping others.
CHANGE FOR CHANGE: Putting some coins (or bills) into the CAWST water filter in
the narthex will support the delivery of clean drinking water in poor communities.
Through our donations, the health of many people in the third world can be greatly improved. Please make a contribution today, and continue week by week.
Quilt and Shawl Prayer Ministry We have a number of shawls ready to be given if you
know of anyone who would like to receive one please let us know. The quilts and shawls are
for anyone who would be comforted by receiving one, or are celebrating a special occasion.
They do not need to attend our parish. We meet every Tuesday from 1 to 3 pm , so come and
join us! All supplies are provided.
PWRDF: Syrian Emergency Relief
The deadline for matching funds for eligible donations to Canadian agencies working to provide relief to Syrians displaced
within Syria and living as refugees in the surrounding countries has
been extended to February 29, 2016. The extension was announced
January 7 in Ottawa by the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie.
“The government-administered fund will provide assistance through international and Canadian humanitarian organizations to help meet basic
humanitarian needs of people affected by the conflict in Syria, including
shelter, food, health care and water,” reads a press release from Global
Affairs Canada. “It will also provide protection and education for conflict
-affected people in Syria and millions of refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and
Turkey.”
PWRDF continues to respond to the needs of displaced Syrians in the region through the ACT Alliance
and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, as well as through its long-time partner Refuge Egypt in Cairo. Through
these agencies, PWRDF is providing food, water, shelter, clothing, counselling, and more to thousands of affected Syrian families.
This is vitally important work, because if conditions can be improved in the refugee camps fewer people
would risk dangerous sea crossings to get to Europe and many lives might be saved. You can support PWRDF’s
relief work in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt:
On-line You can designate your online donation for
“Syria Response”.
By Phone For credit card donations contact: Jennifer
Brown 416-924-9192 ext. 355; 1-866-308-7973
Please do not send your credit card number by email or
fax.
By Mail Please make cheques payable to “PWRDF”•,
mark them for “Syria Response”• and send them to:
The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund
The Anglican Church of Canada
80 Hayden Street
Toronto, Ontario M4Y 3G2
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Living Waters February 2016
Refugee Sponsorship Update
At the Special Congregational Meeting on January 10, 2016 a majority
of St. Paul’s parishioners clearly indicated their support for sponsoring a
Syrian refugee family in partnership with St. Stephen’s. Interested parishioners at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer have also come forward,
offering to walk alongside us in a less formal way and providing support as
they can.
Our goal is to welcome a family by the end of March 2016. We will be submitting our Settlement Plan to
the Diocesan Refugee Committee within next two weeks, at which point we’ll select a family to move forward in
partnership with. Recently-streamlined matching and selection procedures for Syrian refugees mean the government side of the process moves far more quickly than when we began exploring this possibility last fall. Prescreened families on the ready-to-travel BVOR list can now be expected to arrive within a couple of weeks (or
even in as little as three days!) so we do need to be prepared to offer a proper welcome. Representatives from all
three parishes met in January to form a Refugee Sponsorship Team. People have come forward to offer leadership and coordinate resources and volunteers in the different categories of
support we anticipate the family will need: Housing, Household Goods,
Food, Language, Health Care, Trauma Counselling, Tech Support, Employment Support, Cultural Connection, Fundraising, Financial, Transportation,
Education, Social Support/Visiting, in addition to committee work on Administration and Communication. The names and contact information for
Team Leaders in each area are available by contacting Laura Anne at the church office (office@stpaulscalgary.ca)
or Jennifer S.
As a sponsoring group we are responsible for all start-up costs so financial contributions to this ministry
are welcome immediately. Please clearly designate your offering for “Refugee Sponsorship”. Donations made
through St. Paul’s are tax-receiptable.
Please do not bring donations of furniture, household goods and clothing to the church at this point. We
don’t have a place to store items, and we want to be sure we only accept what the family will need. Please contact the Team Leader in this area, John McIntyre (jmcintyre@cruiseshipcenters.com), if you have goods to offer.
The resources and skills people offered through the exploratory survey in November are being passed
along to Team Leaders in each area. Not all surveys were signed, however, so if you volunteered but are not
contacted in the next few weeks please don’t be shy about calling/emailing to be sure your offer of help gets
where it needs to go! We will continue to let you know about ongoing needs, and would be delighted to welcome new members to the team anytime as we work together to “extend hospitality to strangers”.
Jennifer S.
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Living Waters February 2016
LENTEN STUDY 2016
EXPLORING GOD’S MERCY:
FIVE IMAGES OF SALVATION
BEGINNING
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17
10:15 am & 7:30 PM
The great mystery of the human condition and God's action to save us is too
vast to be contained in a single image or
one kind of language. The Bible uses a
kaleidoscope of word pictures of human
life and God's intervention in it.
Exploring God's Mercy is a short
course for small groups that focuses on
five classic images of the Christian gospel
which are woven through scripture and
the Christian tradition: Lost and finding
the way; Trapped and set free; Sick in
soul and healed; In turmoil and being at
peace; Barren and becoming fruitful.
Each chapter explores one of these
images through stories, popular culture,
biblical material and Christian tradition,
supported by YouTube clips and further
film suggestions. Discussion starters,
questions, prayers and a leader's guide
are included making this ideal for Lent
groups or as an introductory course to the
Christian faith at any time of the year.
Steven Croft is the Bishop of Sheffield. A former Archbishop's Missioner and
the first Team Leader of Fresh Expressions, he is the author of many acclaimed books including Jesus' People: What the Church should do next and
editor of Mission-shaped Questions. Steven is a co-creator of
the Emmaus course and co-author of the Pilgrim course.
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Living Waters February 2016
You are Invited to St Paul’s
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Where:
Who:
When:
Time:
St. Pauls Anglican Church
Bring your friends and neighbours
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Cost:
$5.00/ person to a maximum of $15.00/family
Pay at the Door.
Everyone Welcome!!
Answers for Shrove Tuesday Quiz
1. Collop Monday, Clean Monday, Meat Monday, Nickanan Night
2. Shrove is the past tense of the word "shrive," which means 'to obtain absolution.' The root of the word comes
from the Middle English 'shriven' or 'schrifen' meaning to write or to prescribe (related here obviously to a
priest prescribing a penance for a sin)
3. Lent 4. Eggs, fat, butter 5. c 6. February 21 7. c 8. b 9. Ash Wednesday
10. Using black ashes as a sign of repentance echoes a Near Eastern tradition of throwing ashes over ones head
to signify repentance before God. 11.a 12. The Sunday before Easter. Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey
and being proclaimed the Messiah by the people. 13. 7th
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Living Waters February 2016
"As Lent is the time for greater love, listen to Jesus' thirst...'Repent and believe' Jesus tells
us. What are we to repent? Our indifference, our hardness of heart. What are we to believe?
Jesus thirsts even now, in your heart and in the poor -- He knows your weakness. He wants
only your love, wants only the chance to love you."
-- Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
World Day of Prayer
Planning Meeting for the 2016 World Day of Prayer service will be held at Deer
Park United Church, 77 Deer Point Road S.E., on Friday, February 26, 9:30-11:30. All
are welcome to come to help plan, prepare and present the service, which will be
held Friday March 4 at 11:00 a.m.Refreshments will be served, and service materials
available at this planning meeting.
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Living Waters February 2016
ST. PAUL’S TODDLERS TO TWEENS
In February we have another great activity planned! On Saturday, February 12 at 2:00 pm, we're going to go
skating and tobogganing at Lake Sundance. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, our back-up plan is to watch a
movie at St. Paul’s. Please contact Abby.
Toddlers to Tweens
January Activity was Movies
at St. Paul’s.
Fun was had by All!
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Living Waters February 2016
Secret Friends Christmas Party December 2015
17
Living Waters February 2016
Compiled By Linda Penton
Chapter Eleven
Generosity and Charity
Matthew 6:19-21.
Treasures in Heaven
19
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on
earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and
where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up
for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths
and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do
not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure
is, there your heart will be also.
Today our ship is sailing into the port called
Charity. How appropriate that we have arrived here in
the month of February that to many is the season to
express their love. We need to examine the true expression of what love truly is. We may think of Valentines, gifts and maybe even donations to a charitable
organization. But examine what St Paul says in I CoPerhaps this was because there was not much
rinthians and Galatians
financial disparity between the families in our commu12For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face
nity 40 -50 years ago and we had a much closer knit
to face; now I know in part, but then I will know
community.
fully just as I also have been fully known. 13 But
Today whether because of the way society has
now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the
developed there seems to be a much wider gap begreatest of these is love.
tween the haves and have not’s so charitable organizations seem to pop up at every turn and we have better
insurance against loss.
Cross Reference
A friend, whom I was visiting around Christmas
Galatians
5:6 turned from answering the door in exasperation. “I
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself could give away every dime I have to charity.” she
through love.
said. Her statement was “Charity begins at home.”
So I looked a little closer to home to examine
the attitudes of myself, my family and my friends to
see what the attitudes were about being generous and
charitable.
For myself I had to sit down recently and make
a line item in my budget for donations because I wear
my heart on my sleeve and my impulse is to give to
everything, but that doesn’t work when you are a senBack in the distant past when I was a child I was ior living on a limited income. Besides if I believe that
charity begins at home I want to make sure my grandnot aware that there were organizations who took
children have what they need before I donate to othcare of those who were in need. It just happened! In
rural and small town communities people looked after ers. Then there are those in my community whose stoone another and still do. I remember a family who lost ries break your heart; Young families who have lost
their jobs, A young wife who has to pay $5000.00 per
their barn and all the hay that had been harvested to
feed their cattle that winter in a prairie fire. About two month for the cancer treatment that is not covered by
health care. The senior woman who fell and needs help
day later men and women arrived with tools, lumber
with making meals and cleaning house after surgery,
and food. A few days later a large truck arrived with
and on and on. All are very personal and close to home
enough hay for their cows. No one counted the cost
because they knew that if it had happened to them the and we hope that in helping these it will make our
community a closer more gentle place to live.
support would have been there for them in the same
My family, a young couple with young children
way. It reminded me as a youngster of the verse from
work hard to demonstrate charity within their limited
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Living Waters February 2016
Be a Blessing and Be Blessed
Deuteronomy 8:18
You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is
he who gives you power to get wealth and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
budget. They are involved in community projects that
benefit the larger population such as: cleaning the
parks, The Terry Fox Run and Walk and other similar
events. They have taught the children to shovel the
walk for the neighbour and help at the Seniors Craft
Market.
My friends do various activities such as visiting
the shut ins, making casseroles for those who are ill or
experiencing loss. Some make crafts to donate for sale
and others volunteer time at the food bank or other
places.
So what is charity and how do we help our family
understand what we can do?
I went to the dictionary for definitions and this is
what I found.
This says to me that our first obligation is to God,
as everything we are and have comes from God. So in
order to honour Him we must consciously do EVERYTHING to the glory of God.
This is not just about putting an envelope
in the offering plate on Sunday morning, this is
about giving your heart and soul to represent God
in everything we do.
Full Definition of
Acts 20:35
CHARITY FROM THE
D ICTION-
ARY
plural char·i·ties
1 : b en ev ol e nt goo dw i ll t o wa rd or l ov e o f
h u m an ity
2a : g e n er os ity a nd h el pf u ln e ss e sp e ci al ly
t ow a rd t h e n ee dy or su f f er i ng; al so : aid
g iv e n to t hos e i n n ee d b : a n in st it uti on en g ag ed i n re l ie f of t he p oo r c : pu bl i c p ro vi s io n fo r th e r el i ef o f t h e n e edy
3a : a g if t fo r p ub lic b e n evo l en t p ur po se s
b : an i ns tit ut io n (a s a ho sp it al ) fo u nde d by
s u c h a g i ft
4 : l en i en t j ud gm e nt o f ot h e rs
See charity defined for English-language: wealth that
may be shared with others
The thesaurus contained 102 words that are a
synonym or could be used in place of the word
charity, so I chose just a few.
Thesaurus charity
noun
Synonyms of CHARITY
1 t h e g iv ing o f n e ce ss it i es a nd e sp e ci al ly
m o ne y t o t h e ne ed y < aft er am as si ng a fo r -
t une i n t he co mp ut er i nd ustr y, t he b ro ther s
d ev ot ed thems el v es t o chari ty>
S yno nym s almsgiving, dole, philanthropy
R e l a te d W o rd s altruism, do-gooding, dogoodism, humanism, humanitarianism; beneficence, benevolence, goodwill; alms, benefaction,
contribution, donation; relief, welfare; endowme
nt, fund, grant, subsidy
After this I wondered what God had to say. The following verses were my guide.
19
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak
and remember the words of the Lord Jesus,
how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to
give than to receive.”
Modeling our love and concern for those in need
will make a greater impression on young children than
simply throwing money at the organization. Becoming
personally involved by serving a meal at the homeless
shelter, even going so far as to serve Christmas dinner
there instead of having our own. Or how about giving
up our own gifts to go shopping for clothing for the
homeless or for food to donate to the Food Bank. Most
of us have too much stuff already and this could make
such a difference in someone else’s life.
It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Generosity is impossible apart from our love of God
and of His people. But with such love, generosity not
only is possible but inevitable.
I believe that if our Faith is real generosity will be a
natural by product.
Isaiah 58;10
And if you give yourself to the hungry And satisfy
the desire of the afflicted, Then your light will rise
in darkness And your gloom will become like midday.
If you want to truly understand the above verse from
Isaiah, go give a warm meal or clean socks and warm
gloves to a homeless person on a cold day and watch
the light in their eyes. It will warm your heart and light
your own life.
Living Waters February 2016
Lent 101
by Rev. Penny Ford (alt)
What is Lent? Lent is a
season of the Christian
Year where Christians
focus on simple living,
prayer, and fasting in order to grow closer to God.
When is Lent? It's the forty days before Easter. Lent
excludes Sundays because every Sunday is like a little
Easter. Basically, it's about one-tenth of a year (like a
tithe of time). Mardi Gras is the day before Lent, which
begins with Ash Wednesday. This year it's from February 10 (Ash Wednesday) to March 27 (Easter), 2016.
Mardi Gras? What does that have to do with JESUS?? Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday." It refers to the
day before Lent starts. Since Lent always starts on a
Wednesday, the day before is always a Tuesday. And
it's called "Fat" or "Great" because it's associated with
great food and parties.
In earlier times, people used Lent as a time of
fasting and repentance. Since they didn't want to be
tempted by sweets, meat and other distractions in the
house, they cleaned out their cabinets. They used up all
the sugar and yeast in sweet breads before the Lent
season started, and fixed meals with all the meat available. It was a great feast! Through the years Mardi
Gras has evolved (in some places) into a pretty wild
party with little to do with preparing for the Lenten
season of repentance and simplicity. Oh well. But
Christians still know it's origin, and hang onto the true
Spirit of the season.
So the real beginning of Lent is Ash Wednesday? Yes.
Ash Wednesday, the day after Mardi Gras, usually begins with a service where we recognize our mortality,
repent of our sins, and return to our loving God. We
recognize life as a precious gift from God, and re-turn
our lives towards Jesus Christ. We may make resolutions and commit to change our lives over the next
forty days so that we might be more like Christ. In an
Ash Wednesday service, usually a minister or priest
marks the sign of the cross on a person's forehead with
ashes.
Where do the ashes come from? On what we now call
Palm Sunday, Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem
while people waved palms and cheered him on. Less
then a week later, Jesus was killed. The palms that
were waved in joy became ashes of sorrow. We get
ashes for Ash Wednesday by saving the palms from
Palm Sunday, burning them, and mixing them with a
little oil. It's symbolic.
What do Christians do with ashes? At an Ash Wednesday service, folks are invited to come forward to receive the ashes. The minister will make a small cross on
your forehead by smudging the ashes. While the ashes
remind us of our mortality and sin, the cross reminds
us of Jesus' resurrection (life after death) and forgiveness. It's a powerful, non-verbal way that we can experience God's forgiveness and renewal as we return to
Jesus.
So what is LENT? At Jesus' baptism the sky split open,
the Spirit of God, which looked like a dove, descended
and landed on Jesus, and a voice from heaven said,
"This is my Son, My Beloved, with whom I am
pleased." Afterward, as told in Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus
was sent into the wilderness by the Spirit. Where he
fasted and prayed for 40 days. During his time there he
was tempted by Satan and found clarity and strength
to resist temptation. Afterwards, he was ready to begin
his ministry.
(Speculation)
Maybe Jesus needed some time with God to sort
through the major changes happening in his
life. Maybe needed to get away from family, friends
and the familiar routine in order to see God (and himself) more clearly. Perhaps he wanted some intentional
time with God as he searched for direction and answers like you. Like Jesus, we may need to take some
serious time to pray and listen for God.
Why "DO" Lent? How do I start? Are you searching
for something more? Tired of running in circles, but
not really living life with direction, purpose or passion? It's pretty easy to get caught up in the drama of
classes, relationships, family, and work. Our lives are
filled with distractions that take us away from living a
life with Christ. We try to fill the emptiness inside us
with mindless TV, meaningless chatter, stimulants, alcohol, too many activities or other irrelevant stuff. We
Why ashes? In Jewish and Christian history, ashes are run away from life and from God.
a sign of mortality and repentance. Mortality, because
Lent is a great time to “repent” -- to return to
when we die, our bodies eventually decompose and
God and re-focus our lives to be more in line with Jewe become dust/dirt/ash/whatever. Repentance, be- sus. It’s a 40 day trial run in changing your lifestyle
cause long ago, when people felt remorse for someand letting God change your heart. You might try one
thing they did, they would put ashes on their head and of these practices for Lent:
wear "sackcloth" (scratchy clothing) to remind them
that sin is pretty uncomfortable and leads to a sort of
FASTING: Some people have been known to go withdeath of the spirit. This was their way of confessing
out food for days. But that's not the only way to
their sins and asking for forgiveness.
fast. You can fast by cutting out some of the things in
your life that distract you from God. Some Christians
20
Living Waters February 2016
use the whole 40 days to fast from candy, tv, soft
drinks, cigarettes or meat as a way to purify their bodies and lives. You might skip one meal a day and use
that time to pray instead. Or you can give up
some activity like worry or reality tv to spend time outside enjoying God’s creation. What do you need to let
go of or “fast” from in order to focus on God? What
clutters your calendar and life? How can you simplify
your life in terms of what you eat, wear or do?
9. Start a prayer rhythm. Each day of Lent, pray for
another person.
8. Go deeper into the Bible. Take an online course on
the "I Am" sayings of Jesus.
7. Forgive someone who doesn't deserve it (maybe
even yourself.) Study a book on forgiveness, such
asForgiveness, the Passionate Journey.
6. Give up soft drinks, fast food, tea or coffee. Give
the money you save to help folks in a different part of
the world who are in crisis. Pick a current global issue
and help change the world.
SERVICE: Some Christians take something
5. Create a daily quiet time. Spend 10 minutes a day in
on for Christ. You can collect food for the needy, volsilence and prayer. Read a daily devotional for the seaunteer once a week to tutor children, or work for reform and justice in your community. You can commit son of Lent. See how it can help you add spiritual practo help a different stranger, co-worker or friend every- tice to your daily life beyond Lent.
4. Cultivate a life of gratitude. Write someone a thank
day of Lent. Serving others is one way we serve God.
you letter each week and be aware of how many people have helped you along the way.
PRAYER: Christians also use Lent as a time of intentional prayer. You can pray while you walk, create mu- 3. Participate in a Lent Photo-a-Day practice and pray
each day with your camera in your hand.
sic or art as a prayer to God, or savor a time of quiet
2. Volunteer one hour or more each week with a local
listening. All can be ways of becoming more in tune
shelter, tutoring program, nursing home, prison miniswith God. Christians from many different traditions
try. Learn about the global issues and how you can
celebrate Lent.
help.
1. Pray for others you see as you walk to and from
How will you use the time to grow closer to God?
classes or drive to and from work. Download the Nimbus Prayer app and pray as you go through your day.
TOP TEN THINGS YOU CAN TRY FOR THE
LENTEN SEASON:
About the Author: Rev. Penny Ford is the pastor of a
small UMC church in Carrollton, Alabama. She loves
10. Try an electronic fast. Give up TV, Facebook, texting, tweeting, e-mail and all things electronic for one
playing trains and going for walks with her son,
day every week. (Or everyday of Lent!) Use the time to Jamieson.
read & pray.
Spiritual Practice: Fasting and Freedom
community, or nation. A fast creates space in our lives,
and that space gives us freedom for other activities and
experiences. A Christian fast is set apart by its spiritual
purpose. Anyone might spend a weekend without
By Lynne M. Baab
electronic devices, and of course, such a fast is a wonA group of high school students dederful exercise. Most Christians who fast, however, decides to spend a weekend without
sire to draw near to God in new ways, pray
any electronic devices. One of
for particular needs or pray more intensely, read the
them discovers birds singing in her
Bible more deliberately, and ponder the pattern and
backyard, and another enjoys playing board games
fabric of their lives during the time freed up by fasting.
with his sisters. They experience a glimpse of unexA person who has made a faith commitment might
pected freedom as they fast from iPods, tablets, lapcouple the denial of electronic devices with prayer that
tops, and cellphones.
focuses on a friend with cancer or a desire for God’s
Christians have been fasting for centuries as a way to
guidance regarding a career decision. The prayer might
experience freedom in Christ. For most of the past
center on asking for God’s help to rebalance everyday
twenty centuries, fasting has usually involved abstain- life and give electronic devices their proper place.
ing from all food or from certain foods, such as meat or Some Christians fast from activities they usually
sugar. In the past few decades, with the rise of consum- spend money on and set that money aside to help peoerism and overabundance in so many areas of life,
ple in need.
Christians have been experimenting with fasting from
Almost everyone who fasts talks about the surthings other than food: shopping, news media, variprises they encounter. The impact of fasting lies in the
ous forms of entertainment, as well as electronic defact that the experience is out of the ordinary. Choosing
vices.
not to own a car or never to eat sugar can be a wonderFasting involves voluntary denial of something
ful lifestyle choice, but those kinds of choices are not
for a specific period of time by an individual, family,
fasts. Eliminating an aspect of everyday life for a pe21
Living Waters February 2016
requires you to eat? Then consider fasting from
only one food item, such as coffee, meat, or
sugar, or consider fasting from something other
than food, such as shopping or electronic devices.
Have you ever had an eating disorder? If so, then
fast from something that does not involve food.
Consider how long to fast. For electronic devices, a
few hours might be a good place to start. Other
How to Design a Fast
Consider with whom you might fast or who might
fasts typically last one to three days, a week, the
pray for you. Fasting is much richer when we exfour weeks of Advent, or the six weeks of Lent.
perience it in community.
Make plans to prepare for the fast — perhaps praying,
Consider what you would like to fast from.
writing in a journal, or talking with a friend about
Would you like to have more time for prayer and
your hopes. Do some dreaming and planning
reading the Bible? If so, reflect on the pattern of
about how you will use the time or energy freed up
your life or ask a friend or family member to
by the fast. In what new ways would you like to
talk with you about it. What activity takes up a
draw near to God.
lot of time that might be freed up for prayer
Plan for what you will do after the fast to get the
and reading the Bible?
maximum benefit from it. Perhaps set aside extra
Does something in your life feel like it is an addictime for prayer, journal writing, or reflection for
tion or border on being addictive? If so, conthe first few days afterwards. If you have fasted
sider giving it up for a time to pray about the
from all food, do not have a huge meal after the
place of that activity in your life.
fast. Instead, celebrate the end of the fast with a
Would you like to be able to give money to somelovely, but small, meal.
one in need? If so, consider fasting from expenAuthor: Lynne M. Baab, Ph.D., is the author of numerous books on
sive food treats, coffee drinks, shopping, or
Christian spiritual practices, includingFasting: Spiritual Freedom
paid entertainment. Give away the money
Beyond Our Appetites. She is a Presbyterian minister and lecturer in
saved, and spend time praying for the person
pastoral theology. Visit her website at lynnebaab.com.
in need.
Credit: From November/December 2014 Alive Now. Copyright ©
Are you diabetic, do you take medications with
meals, or do you have a medical condition that 2014 by The Upper Room. Purchase a copy of this issue on
riod of time, however, usually results in something unexpected, because it makes space for God to act in unforeseen, profound, and sometimes amusing ways.
Fasting can help us embrace Jesus’ invitation to enter
into the year of the Lord’s favor, the jubilee, by helping
us step out of the ordinary, experience surprising aspects of freedom, and meet God in new ways.
LETTER FROM GOD
Archbishop Williams plays God (an article
published in The times on Good Friday 2011)
When his six-year-old daughter, Lulu, wrote a letter to God, journalist Alex
Renton did his best to get her an answer. He sent copies of her letter to some of
the churches in the UK, and following is the response he received from
Archbishop Rowan Williams:
Dear Lulu, Your dad has sent on your letter and asked if I have any answers. It's a difficult one! But I think
God might reply a bit like this: 'Dear Lulu – Nobody invented me – but lots of people discovered me and were
quite surprised. They discovered me when they looked round at the world and thought it was really beautiful
or really mysterious and wondered where it came from. They discovered me when they were very, very quiet
on their own and felt a sort of peace and love they hadn't expected. Then they invented ideas about me – some
of them sensible and some of them not very sensible. From time to time I sent them some hints – specially in the
life of Jesus – to help them get closer to what I'm really like. But there was nothing and nobody around before
me to invent me. Rather like somebody who writes a story in a book, I started making up the story of the world
and eventually invented human beings like you who could ask me awkward questions!' And then he'd send you lots of love and sign off. I know he doesn't usually
write letters, so I have to do the best I can on his behalf. Lots of love from me too.
+Archbishop Rowan
I think this letter reveals a lot about the Archbishop of Canterbury's sort of
theology – more, indeed, than many of his lectures or agonised Synod addresses.
…… But what the letter also tells us is that the Archbishop took the trouble to write
a really thoughtful message – unmistakably his work and not that of a secretary –
to a little girl. "Well done, Rowan!" was the reaction of Alex Renton's mother.
22
Living Waters February 2016
Diocesan Events
Diocesan webpage (www.calgary.anglican.ca) now has tweets.
Find us on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/calgary.anglican
The Coldest Night of the Year sponsored walk is again being held in Calgary on February 20 in support of the
homeless in our city and we are again looking for great participation from our churches. The good news is that
with the significant funds raised by the CNOY, we are within reach to pay off the Acadia Place mortgage in
early 2016. So, we need to keep up our best efforts to do even better than the last two years.
Please consider joining the team "Calgary Anglicans" and walk with new and old friends. Marlene Wiens from
St. James is leading that team and is waiting for others to join her. Again, go to coldestnightoftheyear.org/
register to register and look under teams for "Calgary Anglicans".
St. Peter, Calgary: For 46 years, St. Peter's Players of St. Peter's Anglican Church in Calgary have been proudly
sharing with its community entertainment to all ages. We invite you to come and be a part of our next production of 'Into the Woods'. The show runs from February 11 to February 27 with evening shows, matinees, dinner
theatre dates and even two shows for younger audiences. Please check out www.stpetersplayers.ca for more
details on our theatre group, ticket pricing and purchasing. Or call Catherine at 403-850-4577. Tickets are on
sale now and are a great gift idea for the hard to buy for friend or family member. We are a non-profit organization and all of our proceeds go into the church community and we have a wonderful cast and production
team that all volunteer their own time and/or expertise to bring you wonderful shows each year. We hope to
see you this year!
We Are All Treaty People: The Project Ploughshares Calgary Seminar Series will continue on February 10 and
March 9 with sessions from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm, at the Central Library, 616 Macleod Trail. Attendees are
asked to bring their own brown bag lunch. Further details are on a brochure found on the Diocese's website
www.calgary.anglican.ca.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre: Please contact captains to book retreats.
#1. A DAY AWAY: February 9 9:00am -3:00pm
Mount St. Francis mtfrancis@shaw.ca or 403-932
-2012 . The day includes a prayerful reflection
on the focus of the day, celebration of the
Eucharist and lunch. Please call or email ahead
to register. Come after 8:30 to enjoy a coffee or
tea and muffins before we begin the program.
Suggested contribution is $30.00 or $40.00
with a private room.
#2 Women's Serenity Retreat March 11-13,
2016 Shawn D shawn.duncan@cssd.ab.ca. or 403
-516-1704
Young at Heart: a 55+ group meets at
St. Paul’s on Tuesday afternoons from 1
to 3:00 pm. Join in for socializing, cards,
board games, various outings, and more
fun activities.
Love at Last Breath: Companioning the Dying: by the
Christian Pastoral Caregivers Association. Friday, February
26 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm and Saturday, February 27: 9:00 am
to 3:30 pm. At the First Church of the Nazarene, 65 Richard Way SE. Cost $40 members or $45 non members. Registration deadline February 19. To register contact Heather
at cpca.eduandevents@gmail.com or call 403-270-8184.
Heart at Play Raising Heart Healthy Families Saturday February 27 10 am-1
pm South Health Campus Wellness Centre. For more info contact April Matsuno at
403 956-3932 or april.matsuno@ahs.ca.
Steve Bell is coming to Calgary for a special Evening with the Psalms concert,
featuring stories and songs from his new book and CD “I Will Not Be Shaken: A
Songwriter’s Journey Through the Psalms.” Friday, March 4, 7:30 pm at Rockyview Alliance Church, 6927 Rundlehorn Drive NE. Tickets $15. More info:
www.stevebell.com.
23
Living Waters February 2016
It’s easy. It Works.
And best of all: it's
free!
FUNDSCRIP
An Easy Way to Fundraise
The money raised will go
to help fund our Refugee
Sponsorship Fund.
You pay for your everyday expenses with gift cards bought from Fundscrip, and a percentage of the gift cards purchased is donated to St. Paul’s.
What Do You Do To Start::

Look at the list of retailers who you can purchase gift cards from . There are over 170 different retailers.

Pick which gift cards you would like and the amounts. ($10 and up)

Now fill out the paper form and bring it to the Parish Office or give it to Laura Anne at the Fundscrip table on Sunday. Payment must be given at this time.

A second option is to go online to place your order. You go to fundscrip.com and look for the sign-up
button in the right hand corner. Fill out the form using the Invitation Code for our Group: YDE8RH.
(You can have your order come to the church with the paper orders so you do not have to pay shipping.)
How it works:

We will have a table set up on Sundays where you can order your gift cards.

The orders are then placed and the gift cards will be ready for pick up the Sunday after the order date.

Our next order date is February 28 so I must have all orders by the Sunday afternoon as the order must be
placed that evening.

We will place orders once a month if we have enough orders.
This is an ongoing fundraiser

If you give gift cards as gifts on Birthdays or Christmas think ahead and purchase them through this program.

Buy cards each month for your groceries or gas

Suggest to family and friends to join-up. They don`t have to be a member of the parish to participate they
just need our Invitation Code.

Cards for Safeway, Superstore, and Sobeys (in denominations of $25 & $50) are available from the Parish
Office or after the service.
Child Safe Canada
Child Safe Canada will be renting our Parish Hall to hold workshops once a month.
Workshops offered here will be: Red Cross Babysitters Program (10+ years): April 30;
Home Alone Safety Plus First Aid (10+years): February 27 and May 28.
To register please go to: http://www.childsafecanada.com/programs.aspx
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Living Waters February 2016
THE LEGEND OF ST. VALENTINE
The history of Valentine’s Day–and the story of its patron saint
–is shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been
celebrated as a month of romance, and that St. Valentine’s Day, as we
know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman
tradition. But who was Saint Valentine, and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?
The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints
named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third
century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men
made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed
marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young
lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius
ordered that he be
put to death.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for
attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons,
where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one
legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first
“valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with a young
girl–possibly his jailor’s daughter–who visited him during his
confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a
letter signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still
in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends
is murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic,
heroic and–most importantly–romantic figure. By the Middle
Ages, perhaps thanks to this reputation, Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in England and
France.
ORIGINS OF VALENTINE’S DAY: A PAGAN FESTIVAL IN FEBRUARY
While some believe that Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the
anniversary of Valentine’s death or burial–which probably occurred around A.D. 270–others claim that the
Christian church may have decided to place St. Valentine’s feast day in the middle of February in an effort to
“Christianize” the pagan celebration of Lupercalia. Celebrated at the ides of February, or February 15, Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.
To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at a sacred cave
where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a shewolf or lupa. The priests would sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification. They would then strip
the goat’s hide into strips, dip them into the sacrificial blood and take to the streets, gently slapping both
women and crop fields with the goat hide. Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed the touch of the
hides because it was believed to make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city’s bachelors would each
choose a name and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage.
VALENTINE’S DAY: A DAY OF ROMANCE
Lupercalia survived the initial rise of Christianity but was outlawed—as it was deemed “un-Christian”–
at the end of the 5th century, when Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine’s Day. It was not until
much later, however, that the day became definitively associated with love. During the Middle Ages, it was
commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds’ mating season, which
25
Living Waters February 2016
added to the idea that the middle of Valentine’s Day should be a day for romance.
Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages, though written Valentine’s didn’t begin to appear until after 1400. The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written in 1415 by Charles,
Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at theBattle
of Agincourt. (The greeting is now part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England.)
Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine
note to Catherine of Valois.
TYPICAL VALENTINE’S DAY GREETINGS
In addition to the United States, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom,
France and Australia. In Great Britain, Valentine’s Day began to be popularly celebrated around the 17th century. By the middle of the 18th, it was common for friends and lovers of all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes, and by 1900 printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in
a time when direct expression of one’s feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an
increase in the popularity of sending Valentine’s Day greetings.
Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther A.
Howland began selling the first mass-produced valentines in America. Howland, known as the “Mother of the
Valentine,” made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as “scrap.” Today, according to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year, making Valentine’s Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent
for Christmas.) Women purchase approximately 85 percent of all valentines.
http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day
Free Family Day Activities
Family Fishing Weekend: February 13-15. You can go ice fishing without a licence. Fishing regulations still
apply (albertaregulations.ca) - know what you can catch and what you can keep. Enjoy public water bodies that
have open fishing season (excludes national parks).
Bow Habitat Station (1440 17A Street SE) We’re kicking off the Family Day long weekend with a FISH-tival!
Join us for family fun as you learn the tips and tools you’ll need to head out on your next fishing adventure at
this special event.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES – Free!
Casting game
Ice fishing equipment* & game
Marshmallow roasting
Snowshoeing
Prizes & MORE
INDOOR ACTIVITIES - $5 per person (ages 3 & under – free)
Feed the fish in the hatchery
Fish ID game
Kid’s craft zone
Note: there won’t be real ice fishing as it’s too early in the fishing season for our pond!
Skate in Nature:
Saturday, February 13 12:30 to 2:30 pm Carburn Park
Sunday, February 14 12:30 to 4:00 pm Prince’s Island Park
Canmore Winter Carnival: February 1 to March 13
Includes ice carving, snow sculpturing, dog sled races, the Bonhomme Carnival (Februsry 14 12 to 4 pm) and
more.
26
Living Waters February 2016
Shrove Tuesday Quiz
1. What is the day before Shrove Tuesday called?
2. What does the "shrove" in "Shrove Tuesday" mean?
3. Shrove Tuesday is traditionally a celebration before which Christian time period?
4. What were pancakes originally intended to use up?
5. Which of the following is not to do with Shrovetide?
a) Mardi Gras b) Fettisdagen c) Black Monday d) Fat Tuesday e) Quinquagesima
6. What date was Pancake Day on in 2012?
7. What are the 3 main ingredients in pancakes?
a) eggs, lemon, sugar b) flour, eggs, water c) milk, flour, eggs
8. How big was the world's biggest pancake, which was cooked in Rochdale in 1994?
a) 10 metres across b) 15 metres across c) 12 metres across
9. What is the day after Shrove Tuesday called?
10. Why are black ashes used to mark peoples foreheads on this occasion?
11. Different versions of pancakes are eaten all over the world, but what is the name for a Mexican pancake?
a) Tortilla b) Fajita c) Tortellini
12. When is Palm Sunday? And what does it celebrate?
13. Shrove Tuesday falls in the
week before Easter?
http://standrewsnottm.org.uk/gallery/pancake2013/Adult_Quiz.pdf(alt) Answers page 15
Lenten Quiz
1) Which is the first day of Lent?
a) Ash Wednesday b) Valentine’s Day c) Shrove Tuesday d) Maundy Thursday
2) What is the original meaning of Lent?
a) Autumn b) Spring c) Fast d) Penance
3) Which is the last Sunday of Lent?
a) Easter Sunday b) Whit Sunday c) Palm Sunday d) Pentecost Sunday
4) Lent is said to be of 40 days even though from Ash Wednesday to last Saturday of the season it is 46 days.
Why?
a) Sundays are not included b) Mondays are not included c) Counting error
d) Saturdays are not included
5) Which feast day always comes during Lent?
a) Annunciation b) Assumption c) St. Joseph’s Feast d) Presentation
6) How ash for Ash Wednesday is made?
a) By burning palms used during previous Palm Sunday b) By burning logs
c) By burning books d) By burning clothes
7) On which day is Chrism Mass?
a) Ash Wednesday b) Maundy Thursday c) Good Friday d) Palm Sunday
8) What is special about Good Friday?
a) Day of fast b) Day of abstinence c) Day of penance d) Day when mass is not celebrated
9) Which devotion has special place during Lent?
a) Novena b) Triduum c) Stations of the cross d) Retreat
10) Which of the following does not take place on Good Friday?
a) Intercessory prayers b) Communion c) Consecration d) Veneration of the cross
General Knowledge Quiz Questions and Answers. Multiple Choice Trivia Quizzes.
Original article found here: http://www.go4quiz.com/123/lent-quiz/
27
Living Waters February 2016
Answers on page 11
28
Living Waters February 2016
7
8
22
8:30 am
Holy Eucharist
10 am
Holy Eucharist/
Triple C
Lent 3 28
7:00 pm
Bible Study
7:30 pm
Prayer Group
29
7:00 pm
Bible Study
7:30 pm
Prayer Group
Lent 2 21
8:30 & 10 am
Holy Eucharist
7:00 pm
Bible Study
No
Prayer Group
15
7:00 pm
Bible Study
7:30 pm
Prayer Group
Monday
Valentine’s Day
8:30 & 10 am
Holy Eucharist
(Focus on Love)
Lent 1 14
8:30 am
Holy Eucharist
10 am
Holy Baptism &
Holy Eucharist
Sunday
9
2
March 1
1 pm
9:30 am
Young at Heart
Holy Eucharist
Prayer Shawl 10:15 am & 7:30 pm
Lenten Study:
5:30 pm
“Exploring God’s
Cantaré
Mercy”
7:15 pm
Worship
Committee
24
23
17
1 pm
9:30 am
Young at Heart
Holy Eucharist
Prayer Shawl 10:15 am & 7:30 pm
Lenten Study:
5:30 pm
“Exploring God’s
Cantaré
Mercy”
16
10
9:30 am & 7:30 pm
Imposition of
Ashes & Holy
Eucharist
Wednesday
1 pm
9:30 am
Young at Heart
Holy Eucharist
Prayer Shawl 10:15 am & 7:30 pm
Lenten Study:
7 pm
“Exploring God’s
Parish Council
Mercy”
1 pm
Young at Heart
5:00 to 7:00 pm
Pancake Supper
Tuesday
11
3
6:15 pm
TOPS
7:00 pm
EfM Alums
7:30 pm
Choir Practice
25
6:15 pm
TOPS
7:30 pm
Choir Practice
18
Friday
4
26
19
12
6:15 pm
7:00 pm
TOPS
Youth meet at
7:00 pm Church then go to
EfM Alums Lake Chaparral to
7:30 pm
skate
Choir Practice
6:15 pm
TOPS
7:30 pm
Choir Practice
Thursday
Feb r u a r y 2 0 1 6
13
5
11:30 am Ladies
Luncheon
27
9 am to 4 pm
Child Safe
Canada
20
8:30 am
Men’s Breakfast
2 pm
Toddlers to
Tweens Skating &
Tobogganing at
Lake Sundance
Saturday