Posted by stpauls on February 8, 2009 under Bible Readings, Webmaster Blog | 
Mark 1:29-39 ~ Gospel reading for February 8, 2009
And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
Posted by stpauls on February 5, 2009 under Webmaster Blog |
Do you remember Tracy? Tracy was the homeless woman who burned to death in Yaletown, just before Christmas 2008, when her blanket caught fire from the candle that gave her light and a little warmth.
A very moving memorial service was held for Tracy at St. Paul’s on Thursday, 5 February, at 2:00 p.m. It was attended by about 30 people, each of whom placed a smooth stone around a candle to commemorate her life. The Reverend Markus Duenzkofer delivered a homily about homelessness.
Nina, webmaster.
Posted by Webmaster on February 3, 2009 under Choir, Staff Blog |
Ten members of the St. Paul’s Anglican Church Choir attended an excellent singing workshop in Richmond on Saturday, January 24, 2009, lead by Marvin Paul Regier, a self-proclaimed “vocal pedagogue, music theatre director, music festival adjudicator, and a guest clinician for vocal and choral workshops.” As a Doctor of Musical Art, he is wonderfully aware of the whole anatomy of singing and how to explain singing technique in a way that engages everyone. The workshop was organized by the British Columbia Choral Federation.
Dr. Regier – Max – provided something for everyone, bass or soprano, young or old, experienced or new singer. Each of us came away feeling tuned up for the beginning of the new year.
And best of all, the choir members’ attendance was made possible by the generosity of an anonymous donor. Thank you, whoever you are. We will all benefit!
Nina, webmaster and choir member.
Posted by stpauls on under Staff Blog |
Have you noticed the new icons in our church? There are three new additions: An icon of the Holy Trinity just above the votive candle stand. This is a copy of a famous icon by Adreij Rublev and it depicts God’s visit to Abraham and Sarah at Mamre (cf. Genesis 18). The story has long been understood as a foreshadowing of the revelation of God as the Three-in-One and the icon celebrates this most central aspect of our Christian Faith.
Above the credence table just to the South (right) of the High Altar, you can now find an icon of The Three Hierarchs and an icon of The Myrrh-bearing Women. Watch this space for an explanation about these two icons over the next couple of weeks…
Posted by stpauls on February 1, 2009 under Staff Blog |
Mark 1:21-28 ~ Gospel reading for February 1, 2009
Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching– with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
Posted by Webmaster on under Sermons |
The Rev. Matthew Johnson, priest of the St. James’ Street Outreach Initiative (a diocesan ministry based in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside), was guest preacher at St. Paul’s on February 1, 2009.
The St. James’ Street Outreach Initiative places a priest on the streets of Vancouver’s Downtown East Side, as pastor to homeless and marginalized people in the parish.
During regular walks through the neighbourhood, Father Matthew Johnson meets with, cares for, and prays with all who request it or express a need.
St. Paul’s webmaster has asked Father Johnson to send us a copy of his excellent sermon. This will be published at a later date if it becomes available.
Posted by Webmaster on under Webmaster Blog |
Forty days ago we celebrated the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ: the light of God, which shone forth from the stable in Bethlehem. He is the light no darkness can quench. He is the light that illumines our night, piercing all that wants to hurt us in body, mind and soul. He is our light and our salvation.
On the feast of the Epiphany and in the season thereafter, we celebrated the magi coming from the East who followed the light of a star to find the one true light nursed by our sister Mary. We heard how this light was revealed at the river Jordan. And we witnessed the light as it embraces all aspects of human life at Christ’s first miracle in Cana of Galilee.
We, furthermore, recall the day on which Jesus was presented in the Temple, when he was offered to God, the Creator, and when the sage Simeon and Anna the prophet recognized the divine light fully present in him.
Today we hear once again of this light that restores us to the beauty God intends for us, that heals us, whoever we are, and that brings forth a reign of justice and peace.
We begin our celebration with the blessing of candles, a symbol of the light of God.
[After the service on Sunday, February 1, 2009, the congregation was invited to take home a blessed candle and light it as a symbol our our faith.]
