Good morning friends and family of St. Giles,

We are on the cusp of summer.  As the rains cleanse and nurture the natural world around us inviting warmth and sunshine to follow, worship cleanses our hearts and minds through the reigning of the Word in our life inviting others to share God’s light with us.  

The Gospel of Matthew, chapter 10, verses 40-42 is our focus this week.  Jesus encourages us to live into the gift of hospitality by welcoming the stranger as a prophet, the neighbour as a righteous visitor, and our brothers and sisters as children in need of cool, refreshing water.  We are blessed to welcome all who come  to worship the Lord with us, sharing food and stories with each other.

Hospitality is vital to the process of amalgamation with Knox Presbyterian Church – both offering and receiving welcome from one another.  St. Giles and Knox need each other.  God has brought us together to walk through joy and suffering, peace and pain.  We are called to be ambassadors of Christ to the world together as one new congregation.  

Just as each person is created to participate in a transformation that brings us into unity with our Saviour, each congregation in God’s church experiences transformation.  From the early church until now, gatherings of God’s people in different times and places have adapted to their context, communities and cultures.  The One true church remains alive through the Holy Spirit, commissioned to share the gospel message that Christ lives.  

But transformation as congregations in Christ’s church involves difficult changes, endurance through hardship, and the testing of faith.  Our brothers and sisters 7 miles away have stewarded Knox through remarkable changes over the last 143 years.  It first gathered as God’s people on June 17, 1883, led by Reverend Angus Robertson (whose bust is in the narthex).  Knox is Calgary’s oldest Protestant congregation in the city.  It has gathered in multiple buildings through the years, and has shared the gospel message faithfully.  

This amalgamation is the next step in the transformation of both Knox and St. Giles as we follow in faith.  Those who join us in the creation of a new Knox / St. Giles community are tasked with the continuation of the tradition of sharing the good news.  And we are trusted with the responsibility of caring for each other as we walk together.  

Please take some time to review the announcements in the bulletin (attached), and please pray for all people at both Knox and St. Giles.  We look forward to welcoming all who join us for worship at 10 am, and hope you will stay after for time together as one people in Christ through the Holy Spirit.  

“And may the Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” – Numbers 6:24-25

Blessings,

Rev. Chandra Mannix

Good afternoon St. Giles and Knox communities,

Knox Presbyterian will be joining the worship service at St. Giles Presbyterian beginning July 5.  Welcome friends, family, members and adherents of Knox!  We are truly looking forward to getting to know you and walking together as one family in Christ!

We would like to remind people that there are a number of ministries, events, activities and learning unfolding over the summer.  All people are welcome to join the following:

     1)  Bible Study Wednesdays at 10:15am in the Park Room at St. Giles – no signup required

     2)  Summer Book Study Tuesdays, July 7 to August 25, at both 1:30 pm and 6:30 pm, to discuss Herbert O’Driscoll’s “God With Us: Companionship of Jesus in the Challenges of Life.“Books are available from the office for a $30 donation.  Sign up appreciated.

     3)  Stampede Breakfast – Sunday July 5 after the morning worship service – come join!

     4)  Weekly Sunday Lunch – preparations are being made for this ministry.  Please reach out if you are willing to volunteer to help with clean-up and table take down.  The Vine Church will provide setup and food.

     5)  Vacation Bible School – there is a July VBS at St. Giles with the Vine church, and an August VBS at Westminster.  Please reach out to the office for more details.

     6)  Committee members needed – all committees at St. Giles (Finance, Pastoral Care, Music, Policy and Planning, Digitaland Technical, Relational Living (Mission), and Facilities/Maintenance) are in need of more hands.  Please consider joining and contact either the minister, the committee convener, or the office if you would like to participate.

     7)  There are two weddings this summer that all members are invited to attend (July 17 & July 18).  Contact the office for times and details.

     8)  The St. Giles Orchestra is offering a brass quintet concert on July 25.  Please contact the office to reserve your ticket.

     9)  There is a classical concert of child prodigies offered by Kathy Corvino on July 31.  This is a free recital/concert.  Please contact the office for more details if you are interested.

     10)  WORSHIP – services begin at 10 am and are followed by a 30-60 minute time of fellowship after the service with food and drinks.  

There are many ways we can begin our time together as one, new church.  Please discern how God is calling you to participate as we get to know each other this summer!

Blessings,

Chandra

Good afternoon friends and family of St.Giles,  

‘The verb καταλλάσσω in Koine Greek (biblical Greek) denotes bringing estranged parties into harmony.’  Strong’s Concordance goes on to say that ‘in scripture, it’s principal focus is the restoration of sinners to God through the atoning work of Jesus Christ, with a secondary application to human relationships.’  καταλλάσσω means ‘reconciliation’.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 in the New English Translation reads:

     “And all these things are from God who    

      reconciled us to himself through Christ, 

      and who has given us the ministry of 

      reconciliation.   In other words, in 

      Christ God was reconciling the world to 

      himself, not counting people’s 

      trespasses against them, and he has 

      given us the message of reconciliation.”

As the people of God called to proclaim truth and reconciliation, we are sometimes challenged by what this means in relationship with the people around us.  Especially during Indigenous History Month.  Especially on June 21.  

It is vital, as God’s people, that we remember the terms ‘truth and reconciliation’ came to us first through scripture.  And the initiative of reconciliation is entirely God’s: ‘All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ.” (2 Cor 5:18).  And as this message of reconciliation has been passed to us to transmit, we are faced with a choice – share the message of Christ and participate in the ministry of reconciliation, or don’t.  So what will you do with your freedom to pursue reconciliation with others, reflecting divine grace in practical relationships?

This Sunday, we will read Psalm 69 together, and reflect on reconciliation, lament, love, and the inseparability of gospel content and gospel living.  And we are blessed to be able to celebrate the 100th birthday of Chris Browne after the service.  More announcements are in the bulletin, including the upcoming book study, the worship with Knox Presbyterian, and Vacation Bible School (see attached).  

May this weekend be one of peace – the blessing from God as a result of being reconciled to God.  May there be harmony between you and all you meet.  

A’hoy!

Rev. Chandra Mannix