Author: RevMarie

Ex. 17:1 ??From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.? 2 The people quarreled with Moses, and said, ?Give us water to drink.? Moses said to them, ?Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD??? 3 But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, ?Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst??? 4 So Moses cried out to the LORD, ?What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.?? 5 The LORD said to Moses, ?Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go.? 6 I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.? Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.? 7 He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the LORD, saying, ?Is the LORD among us or not?? (Exodus 17:1-7)

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When God invites his people to enter into some new phase of their life, it can often be hard to remember that God is with us. Sometimes it seems that old way of living was easier. We know it so well after all.? ...continue reading "Thoughts for Lent 3 from Rev. Jeff"

Now the LORD said to Abram, ?Go from your country and your kindred and your father?s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.?

So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. (Genesis 12:1-4)

God?s calling of Abram, must be one of the most difficult call stories in Bible. ?Go from your country and your kindred and your father?s house to the land that I will show you.? God asks him to leave everything and everyone he knows?his family and friends, his house and home and even his own culture. To make things even more difficult ...continue reading "A Lenten Reflection from Rev. Jeff Hooper"

Again from the gifted pen of
Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Unfolding Light
www.unfoldinglight.net
comes a poem/prayer of assurance that seems perfect for Lent as we seek to move more deeply into our relationship with God:

Holy One,
you will come to me this day.
You will hide in the little events.
In the friends and stranger,
in those whom you send me to love,
you will be present.
In the feelings and perceptions
that arise in me you will be whispering.
In the the low murmurings,
the leanings of my soul,
you will be gently nudging me.
In the light, in the silence,
you will come to me.
And I will be ready
to say yes.

Growing in Faith, says one commentator, is growing in the awareness of where God already is, working in all the moments of our lives.

Are you looking? Are you ready to see?

Rev. Marie

The night before the crucifixion, our Lord gathered with His disciples in the upper room to celebrate the feast of Passover. This is The Last Supper. There, Jesus transformed the bread of affliction into the bread of life, and the cup of thanksgiving into the cup of salvation. The Seder became our Eucharist with our Lord?s words, ?Do this in remembrance of me?. Everyone is invited to our 2014 Seder, 4:00 pm Sunday 13 April at Christ Church. Please let us know so that we set a place for you [and prepare sufficient food]. linda@christchurchnorthbay.ca or 705.476.0791

We are delighted that the Ven. Dawn Henderson, a dear friend of the parish, former rector of Christ Church and presently the Archdeacon of Muskoka, will be with us to celebrate this important event.

Hi Folks
Just a reminder that today is another cleanup day at the Rectory.

You can arrive at 999 Clarence Street any time after 9 and give an hour or a day as you are able, getting the rectory ready to sell.
Lunch and coffee will be provided to keep you fuelled up and cleaning supplies are waiting for your elbow grease to make them work.

Thanks to all who help!
Rev. Marie

Hello

Our Annual Vestry Meeting takes place on Sunday, February 2, 2014 right after the 10:30 Gathering Service ( only one service since it is the first of the month)

There will be snacks to stave off the hunger pangs ( and I promise to preach short that day!)

We do hope you will all join us. It is our "Family Meeting" and there are always questions to be answered and decisions to be made.

If there is something you would like us to talk about, please call Dave Saad who will be chairing the meeting so your concern gets not he agenda. If there is a ministry you feel called to, please talk to me or the wardens.

We are so thankful for all God has done at Christ Church in this last year - and we want to hear together how God is leading us into the future. Come and be part of that process!

In Christ
Rev. Marie

We look forward to having you join us in the most holy of celebrations!

"Come O Long Expected Jesus"

Christmas Service Schedule

Christmas Eve:
5 pm Children's Service
7 pm Candlelight Service
9 pm Traditional BCP Service

Christmas Day

10:30 am Holy Communion

December 29 - Christmas 1

9 am Quiet Service from the Book of Common
Prayer - Holy Communion
10:30 am Holy Communion Service from the Book of Alternative Services

Monday, December 16, 2013 marked the 60th anniversary of Canon Murray Tipping's ordination to the priesthood. This marvellous occasion was celebrated with Canon Murray's family and church family. We began with a BCP service, celebrated by Canon Murray with the Right Rev. Dr. Stephen Andrews, Bishop of Algoma as preacher. Lessons were read by the Canon's children and the scores of folks who attended were "brought to heaven's gates" but the precious sense of the holy that permeated the entire service.

The service was followed by a lovely dinner at the Davedi Club, where the programme, ably chaired by Colin Vickers, included solos by former Rector and dear friend, the Venerable Dawn Henderson, who first pressed Canon Murray into service as the honourary assistant at Christ Church, a position we are delighted he still maintains. Remembrances and speeches by friends and family rounded out the evening,

Canon Murray wants all those involved to know that he is profoundly grateful for all the expressions of love and appreciation he received that evening. He describes himself as both overwhelmed and humbled. He and Joan are also deeply grateful for the kindnesses, deliveries of food and help received during his recent illness.

We are so thankful to God for the strong foundation
built at Christ Church with Canon Murray as the founding Rector, and for the joy of his and Joan's continued presence with us and their ministry among us.