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