Celebrate

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

May 27th, 2018

This Week

Wednesday May 30 – 9:30 a.m………..Men’s Bible Study
Wednesday May 30 – 7:00 p.m…………Workshop: ‘The Silence is Deafening’
Friday June 1 – 10:30 a.m…………S.H.E. Ladies
Saturday June 2 – 9:30 a.m………….Planting Day at the Church
Next week is World Vision Sunday

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Like a Little Child

The little girl moved joyfully and gracefully to the music of praise. She was the only one in the aisle but that didn’t keep her from spinning and waving her arms and lifting her feet to the music, Her mother, a smile on her lips, didn’t try to stop her.

My heart lifted as I watched, and I longed to join her – but didn’t. I’d long ago lost the unselfconscious expression of joy and wonder of my childhood. Even though we are meant to grow and mature and put childish ways behind us, we were never meant to lose the joy and wonder, especially in our relationship with God.

When Jesus lived on Earth, He welcomed little children to Him and often referred to them in His teaching. On one occasion, He rebuked His disciples for attempting to keep parents from bringing their children to Him for a blessing, saying, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these”. Jesus was referring to the childlike characteristics that ready us to receive Christ – joy and wonder, but also simplicity, trust and humility.

Childlike wonder and joy (and more) open our hearts to be more receptive to Him. He is waiting for us to run into His arms. Alyson Kieda, ODB March 6, 2018

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Bible Readings

TODAY
Isaiah 6:1-8
Psalm 29
Romans 8:12-17
John 3:1-17

Next Sunday
1 Samuel 3:1-20
Psalm 81:1-10
2 Corinthians 4:5-12
Mark 2:23-3:6

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What actually happened on the day of Pentecost?

This event is recorded in The Acts of the Apostles. Chapter 2 begins, “And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place” (2:1). All of a sudden, a sound came from heaven, like a strong wind, filling the house where the people had gathered. Something like tongues of fire rested on their heads. “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them ability to speak” (2:4).

The languages spoken by the early Christians were known languages and were heard by thousands of Jewish pilgrims who had come to Jerusalem to celebrate. The content of the miraculous messages had to do with God’s mighty works (2:11). Many who heard these messages in their own languages were amazed, though others thought the Christians were just drunk (2:12).

At some point, Peter, one of the leading followers of Jesus, stood up and preached his first sermon. He interpreted the events of that morning in light of a prophecy of the Hebrew prophet Joel. In that text, God promised to pour out His Spirit on all flesh, empowering diverse people to exercise divine power. This would be a sign of the coming “day of the Lord” (Acts 2:16-21; Joel 2:28-32).

Peter went on to explain that Jesus had been raised and had poured out the Spirit in fulfillment of God’s promise through Joel (2:32-33). When the crowed asked what they should do, Peter urged them to turn their lives around, ask Jesus into their hearts and be baptized in His Name. Then they would be forgiven for their sins and would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (2:37-39). Acts reports that about 3,000 people were added to the church that day (2:41). Not a bad response to Peter’s first sermon.

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Intercessions and Prayers

Prayer for Today
Father, we praise You: through Your Word and Holy Spirit You create all things. You reveal Your salvation in all the world by sending to us Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Through Your Holy Spirit You give us a share in Your life and love. Fill us with the vision of Your glory that we may always serve and praise You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for the Worldwide Anglican Church
We pray for the work of the Anglican Church of Korea: The Most Reverend Onesimus Dongsin Park, Primate of the Anglican Church of Korea and Bishop of Busan.

Provincial Prayer Care
We pray for the Ecclesiastical Province of British Columbia and the Yukon: Archbishop John Privett and the Provincial Council.

Diocese Prayer Care
We pray for the Diocesan Archives: Dr. Richard Virr, Diocesan Archivist and Ms. Sandra Koukou, Administrative Assistant.

Prayer for our Church Family
Dear Lord God, You created balance. The night to follow the day. The sea to touch the earth. All the wonderful animals, fish and birds. You are the Great Creator of variety. Thank You that You made us all to be unique and reflect Your love. Come draw our church family together in all its wonder and beauty. Help us to love and respect each other. Show us how to support and encourage one another. Inspire us to work together to become a picture full of Your perfect love. Amen.

After Service 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: Dulcy & Chris

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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
People’s Warden – Janice Candlish-Freeman – 514-235-7809 / janice.freeman@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.