PRAYERS FOR THE WEEK...
The Collect for the 6th Sunday after Pentecost / Proper 9
O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For General Convention
Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel in Indianapolis at our General Convention for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Readings for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
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Summer Sundays -
Holy Eucharist Rite II
10am in the
St. Augustine Chapel
at Canterbury
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Young Adult Group Monday evenings / 7:30pm
in the main building at Canterbury
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Home Group Gatherings various times and locations contact Pastor Robin
for more info.
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Commissions
Consider serving on one of the new church commissions. Commissions are being formed to help us extend our ministry efforts. You can read more about commissions in a draft document CLICK HERE
Church Business Commission deals with administration, budgeting and finances, buildings and grounds. Contact Tommy Haygood for more details and to volunteer.
Church Life Commission deals with areas of hospitality, outreach, special events, marketing, evangelism. Contact Lydia Pierce for more details and to volunteer
Christian Formation covers areas regarding training & equipping: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd; Classes; Youth; Home Groups; Discipleship; Financial Peace University & more. Contact Sharon Mafarachisi for more details and to volunteer.
Worship Commission oversees the comprehensive elements of our worship: Music; Flower Guild; Altar Guild; Lay Eucharistic Ministers & Visitors; Acolytes; Readers. (not only for Sundays but special services - Holy Week / Prayer & Praises / St. Francis Day / Thanksgiving & more) Contact Ron Hines for more information or to volunteer
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Dear Friends,
Fr. Jon+
I have been reading with interest the news from our General Convention (see links below). Pastor Robin felt called to attend and she will return on Wednesday. I know she appreciates your prayers and I do ask your prayers for our deputation as they engage the legislative process and seek to be a faithful witnesses for Christ. It is daunting to say the least and given the many departures of conservative dioceses, churches and individuals ours remains one of the few voices proclaiming the historic Christian faith.
It makes me think and consider our calling to be counter cultural, God's people expressing the culture of the Kingdom of God as described and proclaimed by Christ Jesus. What sets us apart in this calling is the defining mark of love. We are to love all and invite everyone to surrender their lives to Almighty God. In Acts 2 after Peter's Pentecost sermon the people hearing it ask (I sense with alarm) "What shall we do?". Listen to Peter's instructions...
"Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call." With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day." (Acts 2:38-41)
We access the Kingdom, forgiveness, eternal life, through repentance. Notice he "warned them". The church (myself included) often preaches and gives people an invitation to follow Christ that does not sound the alarm. We do this because we want people to respond and come. Dietrich Bonehoeffer calls this in his classic work The Cost of Discipleship a gospel of "cheap grace" A summary of this idea is...
The Cost of Discipleship compels the reader to face himself and God in any situation. Bonhoeffer speaks of "Cheap Grace": preaching forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession. "Cheap Grace" is grace without discipleship. "Costly Grace" is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. "It's costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life."
Something to think about for sure. May God give strength and courage to warn people and call them to follow. May He give us grace ourselves to hear and obey...
in the mission,
Fr. Jon+ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Triennial General Convention of the Episcopal Church runs from July 5th-12th in Indianapolis Indiana. Here are links you may find helpful for keeping up with what is going on...
The Diocese of Central Florida General Convention pages...
http://generalconvention.cfdiocese.org
National Convention Site www.generalconvention.org ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NEW WEBSITE... (same address) take a look... ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sunday July 15th... 9am - Fellowship Breakfast 10am - Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist Rite II We welcome our good friend David Teems to minister among us. (check David's website at www.davidteems.com )
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Rummage Sale / Saturday, July 28th
8:00am to 1:00pm
Donations: Starting Sunday July 15th through July 27th, we will be accepting household items only, (no clothing) for donation to Canterbury for our sale. Proceeds will go to Canterbury for current needs of the property. Volunteers are also needed the week prior to the event to sort and price items, as well the day of the sale to help.
For Questions, comments or help with making a donation contact Jim Morical... 407-252-0628 jim@canterburyretreat.org
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