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June 7, 2009
8:00 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST
Introit Psalm: 8 p. 337
Collect for Purity: p. 67
Collect & Lesson p. 214, 215
Gradual Psalm: 136:1-3 p. 506
Gospel p. 216
9:15 A.M. MORNING PRAYER
First Lesson: Isaiah 6:1-8 (Pew Bible page 635)
Psalm 92, 93
Second Lesson: Mark 1:1-13 (Pew Bible page 34)
10:00 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST
Introit Psalm (sung)
Hymn: 1 (Holy, Holy, Holy)
Children’s Talk
Collect for Purity, Summary of the Law, etc. p. 67
Kyrie p. 70
Collect & Lesson p. 214, 215
Gradual Psalm: 136:1-3 p. 506
Holy Gospel p. 216
Athanasius Creed p. 695
The Homily
Offertory Hymn: 470 (Hyfrydol)
The Intercession p. 75
Confession, Absolution p. 77
Thanksgiving p. 78
Consecration p. 82
Hymns during Communion: 224 (Rockingham)
436 (St. Flavian)
221 (Undes et Memores)
Gloria p. 86
Recessional Hymn: 183 (Wareham- 198)
Please join us in the Hall for Tea & Coffee.
5:00 P.M. EVENING PRAYER
First Lesson: Isaiah 40:12-end (Pew Bible page 668)
Psalm 146, 150
Second Lesson: 1 Peter 1:1-12 (Pew Bible page 232)
Layreaders
8:00 A.M. – Roy Boutilier 9:15A.M – Nicholas Saulnier
10:00 A.M. – Ian Hayre
The Sanctuary Candle burns this week to the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Charles, Edith, Don, Edward & Lillian Spinney and in memory of Donald Beemer of Windsor, Ontario given by daughter Donna (Merle) Carson.
“Let us remember before God the faithful departed.”
Ken Farris Don Beemer Robert Carlin
Thelma Englehart
Church Picnic: Sunday, June 21st, the fourth Sunday after Trinity Sunday, has been designated for our Parish Picnic at the Young Smith Hall and beautiful grounds of Shediac Cape. We will go there for a pot-luck lunch (bring your dishes with you to Church) following our 10 o’clock celebration of the Holy Eucharist. We will begin lunch at 12:30. Then, after lunch, there will be activities and prizes for everyone from 1-3 P.M. There will be water games so bring an extra change of clothes and a towel. There will also be a popular ‘Bolo’ game for adults. Most of all, there will be an opportunity for us to visit and enjoy one another’s company. If you need a drive or if you would be willing to provide transportation, please call the Church Office (855-5209) or speak to one of the Church Wardens.
The Rector’s Corner
Today, being Trinity Sunday, we will use the Creed of St. Athanasius on page 695, in place of the Nicene Creed. Before you groan at its length, consider the story behind it as told in an old Sunday School book. (The Christian Truth and Life Series).
In the New Testament a number of very simple expressions are use to describe our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He is called: “Son”, “Son of God”, “Son of man”, the “only begotten Son of God”. He is spoken of as “the Lord”, and as the “Saviour of the world,” Who died for human sin. He is called “the Word”, “the image of God” and “the express image of God’s Person.” A list of His Titles, Teachings, and Wonderful Sving Work could fill pages.
As clear as some of these expressions and titles of Christ may be to us, many people have wrestled with their meaning over the centuries.
In the year 318 A.D., Bishop Alexander of Alexandria took up some of these questions, and declared what the Bible teaches and what the Church believed: that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, and that He was begotten of His Father in the beginning before creation. To say that Jesus Christ was “eternally begotten of the Father” means that the Son was of the same substance with the Father, that is, they were both God from all eternity.
In other words Jesus was not simply a man born into this world, but that He was more than a man that God was united with His manhood. He was human and divine, man and God, two natures were united in Him. The Divine in Him had existed from all eternity with God. This Divine being in Him was none other than the Son of God. This is what we mean by the Incarnation. The word Incarnation means the taking of a human body. That is exactly what our Lord Jesus Christ did. Being the eternal Son of God He took our human body and became man. This is what St. John means when he says, "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (St. John I: 14)
Despite Bishop Alexander’s efforts, there was one of his clergy named Arius who did not accept this teaching. He misinterpreted the words of the N.T. that speak about Christ. He held two positions that were opposed to the teaching of the Scriptures and to the faith of the Church. . .(I) He said that the Son of God was a created being. God the Father had created the Son out of nothing. Thus the deity of the Son was largely denied. The Son of God, according to this view was a creature, different from God and inferior to Him. (2) He said that there was a time when the Son did not exist. He maintained that the Son was created before the world, but that He had not been ever with the Father.
These teachings gave distinct inferiority to the Son of God as compared with God. Arius spoke very highly of the Son, but declined to give Him that exalted position that is accorded Him in Scripture (St. John I: 1-5; Co!. 2 : 9). He came to this conclusion by studying those passages of Scripture that refer to the human nature of Jesus Christ and applying them to His Divine nature; such passages as refer to the growth of Jesus, His weariness, lack of knowledge, sorrow, and subordination to the Father (St. Luke 2 : 52; St. John 22 : 27-28; St. Matthew 26 : 39; St. Mark 13 : 32; St. John 14 : 28). Thus Arius and those associated with him looked upon Jesus Christ as a sort of demi-god. This, of course, is a position contrary to reason and utterly opposed to the teaching of Scripture and the faith of the Church.
Arius was a man of some ability. He was eloquent and able to persuade many to his way of thinking. His views began to spread, and Bishop Alexander called together a Synod in 320 AD. to consider the matter. This Synod condemned the teaching of Arius as contrary to the New Testament but Arius would not give in. He was forced to leave Alexandria and he then spread his opinions in other countries. Many were won to these opinions. Indeed, in a few years there was a very decided split in the Church at large, some siding with Arius and some with the orthodox position of the Church. These two divisions became very antagonistic to one another.
Thus, in the early part of the 4th century the Church was sadly divided upon a question of vital importance-the question as to the Person of Jesus Christ, the world's Saviour. So serious was this division that the Emperor, Constantine the Great, tried to reconcile the opposing parties. His effort was un-avai1ing. Then the Emperor decided to call together the Bishops of the Church throughout the whole world to see if an agreement could be reached. This act shows how important the matter had become. The Emperor summoned the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D., at which he himself was present.
In the Church's great struggle against the false teaching of Arianism the name of Athanasius is especially deserving of mention. Rector’s Corner continued…
He was born at Alexandria about the year 293 A.D., and as Bishop of Alexandria in 326 or 328 A.D. Up to that time the most important event of his life was his attendance at the Council of Nicaea, where he made a strong stand for orthodoxy against Arianism. Indeed the rest of his life was destined to be a struggle against this false doctrine. No less than five times he was exiled from Alexandria through the efforts of the Arians. At one time it looked as if Arianism could conquer the entire Church but Athanasius stood strongly against it and did much to recall men to the true teaching of Scripture concerning the person of Christ. The central truth of the Gospel, for which he was always contending, and for which he was ready to die if need be, is that of the Incarnation of the Son of God in Jesus Christ. He taught that Jesus Christ was truly God and truly man, and in this teaching showed a clear and profound knowledge of Scripture. He strongly emphasized the fact of' our redemption by the Incarnate Christ Who died 'on behalf of all' and 'instead of all'. His faith centered about the Incarnation and he was bold enough to say that 'Christ was made man in order that we might be made divine'. He also stood strongly for the Deity of the Holy Spirit and for the doctrine of the Holy and Eternal Trinity. Athanasius died in 373 A.D., before the final overthrow of Arianism but in his last years he must have been cheered by seeing that the victory of orthodoxy was surely coming. His devotion to truth, his heroism under trial, his clarity of thought shown in his able writings, his wise leadership, and his trenchant attacks upon heresy have placed the Church under tribute to him for all time. After his death, a Creed bearing his name came into use: stating the true doctrine in the style usual to Athanasius and his followers. Hence, it was popularly called the Creed of St. Athanasius.
St. Michael’s Club (for children 4-12 years) will be held from 10 A.M. to 11:45 A.M. this coming Saturday in the Church Hall. We will focus on the doctrine of the Holy Trinity using the Bible, crafts and song. A light lunch will be served at 11:30. All children are welcome.
Summer Sunday School: On Sunday, June 28th at 10:00 AMSt. George’s Summer Sunday School will begin, thanks to our dedicated Sunday School teachers. This summer the lessons will focus on the Ten Commandments, with one commandment being taught each week. A simple, little song will hopefully assist the children in learning this very important passage of Holy Scripture. Please make every effort to have your child join us! Thank you.
This Week in the Parish
The Daily Offices of Morning and Evening Prayer will be prayed in the Chapel at 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. Monday – Friday, respectively. In addition:
Monday 7:00 P.M. Vestry Meeting
Tuesday 10:00 AM Bible Study at the Rectory
2:45 PM Music Club at Edith Cavell School
7:00 PM Scouts
Wednesday 6:30 PM Cubs
Thursday 10 AM Holy Eucharist – Feast of St. Barnabas
6:30 PM Beavers
7:30 P.M. Reading Group
Saturday 10:00 A.M. St. Michael’s Club
Community Meal June 14th
Cooks: Women’s Progress Club
June 13th – 9 A.M. Peelers
Colin & Margaret McLeod, Cathie Dingwell, Sherri Sinclair,
Fran Devost-Cormier, Elizabeth Hopper, Chris VanBuskirk
June 14th – 2:30 P.M. Servers
Norman Dupuis, Ernie Gallant, Anne Allen, Phyllis Hamlyn,
Pauline Emery, Bob Cotsworth, Dorothy Thomas, Diane Mugridge,
Marjorie Sheehan, Audrey Lotherington
June 14th – 3:30 P.M. Clean Up Crew
Ray & Barb Joudrey, Warren Folkes, Mike Lipton, Charlie Farrell
Keith & Evelyn Chapman and Family
Please note the schedules for June, July and August are posted on the bulletin board.
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Saint George's Anglican Church
