Celebrate

The Weekly Bulletin of
St. Joseph of Nazareth Anglican Church
725 Provencher Blvd. Brossard, QC J4W 1Y5
450-671-6481 / stjofn@gmail.com

January 6th, 2019

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Welcome to St. Joseph’s Church and a brand new year!

While reading a devotional for January 1st, there were a couple of very wise recommendations that were offered by King Solomon.

Life is short and we often feel the pressure to make the most of our time on earth before it slips away. Firstly, we are to live in the most meaningful way we can, which includes fully enjoying the good things God allows us to experience in life, for example, food and drink, clothing, perfume, marriage, and all of God’s good gifts. (Ecclesiastes 9)

His second recommendation was diligent work. Life is full of opportunities and we are to take advantage of the opportunities God gives us. (Ecclesiastes 9)

Life is a wonderful gift from the Lord and we honour Him when we take pleasure both in His daily blessings and in meaningful service.

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This Week

Wednesday Jan. 9 9:30 a.m………..Men’s Bible Study
12:00 p.m…………Prayer Meeting
7:15 p.m………..Council Meeting
Thursday Jan. 10 7:00 p.m………..Discerning God’s Call Session 1
Next Sunday Jan. 13 10:30 a.m………..Morning Prayer

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Bible Readings

Today
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12

Next Sunday
Isaiah 43:1-7
Psalm 29
Acts 8:14-17
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

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Coming Up
Six-week course led by Rev. Christopher Belle
Discerning God’s Call’
1st Session – Thursday, January 10 at 7:00 p.m.
Also
Reports for the Annual General Vestry Meeting are due no later than
Sunday, January 20th.
Please give them to Richard or Christopher.

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MORNINGS with JESUS
by Dianne Neal Matthews

I, yes, I alone am He who blots away your sins for My own sake and will never think of them again. Isaiah 43:25

One of my favourite verses to meditate on for New Year’s Day is Isaiah 43:19: “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?”. These words fill me with excitement the same way hanging a new calendar on the wall does. A new year stretches ahead with new experiences and adventures, new friends to make, and fresh opportunities to serve Christ and grow to be more like Him. But cleaning out my pantry last week helped me understand that before we can embrace the new, we may need to get rid of some of the old.

To make room for the beautiful ceramic baking dishes I’d bought, I threw out old plastic storage containers that had cracked or missing lids. I tossed canned and boxed foods that had passed their expiration dates. I pared down our collection of travel mugs and tumblers to the ones we actually use. Next week, I plan to look over the bookcases in our house and pull out a few volumes to give away, making space for the reference books I just ordered.

Before we make plans for the new year ahead, we would do well to engage in some serious self-evaluation to see what we need to get rid of. Habits that compromise our walk with Christ. Doubts that keep us from using our gifts to fully serve Him. And especially guilt and regret over past failures and sins. Just a few verses after God promises to do new things, we see His promise not only to forgive our sins when we repent, but to never think about them again. And neither should we.

Faith Step: Ask Jesus to show you what you need to throw out so you can fully receive the new things He has planned for you this year.

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Today is World Vision Sunday

Prayers and Intercessions

Prayer for Today
Eternal God, who by a star led wise men to the worship of Your Son. Guide by Your light the nations of the earth, that the whole world may know Your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Prayer for the Worldwide Anglican Church
We pray for the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia: the Most Reverend Philip Richardson – Bishop of Taranaki and Primate; the Most Reverend Don Tamihere – Pihopa o Aotearoa and Primate; and the Most Reverend Fereimi Cama – Bishop of Polynesia and Primate.

Provincial Prayer Care
We pray for the Ecclesiastical Province of Canada: Archbishop Ron Cutler and the Provincial Council.

Diocesan Prayer Care
We pray for our Companion Dioceses: the Diocese of Masasi – the Right Reverend James Almasi and the Territory of the People – the Right Reverend Barbara Andrews.

Prayer for our Church family
Father, thank You for this life You have given us. Help us to live this new year for You, enjoying Your blessings and fulfilling Your purposes. Help us to focus on You in all that we do and help us to trust that You are right by our side every day. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Today’s Prayer Team
For those who wish to pray with someone, a prayer team is available after the service in the left-hand corner of the Sanctuary.The Prayer Team scheduled for today is Susan and Christopher

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Rector – Reverend Christopher Belle – 450-672-4549 / stjofn@gmail.com / padrebelle@gmail.com
Rector’s Warden – Diane Allen – 450-466-5112 / deedee-one@sympatico.ca
Interim People’s Warden – Patricia Wood – 450-465-4733 / pwrightwood@gmail.com

https://stjosephofnazarethanglican.com
www.facebook.com/St-Josephs-Church-Brossard

Our Vision
To be a beacon of light and truth in our community
inviting all people to receive God’s promise of salvation through
Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.