Dear members, adherents, and friends of Knox and St Giles,

Fall seems to have arrived, bringing shorter days, cooler weather, and a return to regular rhythms.  The sanctuary is a little fuller on Sunday mornings, and regular Bible studies resume next week at the building of St Giles on Wednesday at 10am with our beloved teacher, Denis Mascardelli.

Also participating with the resumption of regular routine is the Presbytery of Calgary-Macleod.  They will meet this coming Tuesday, where the amalgamation plan between Knox and St Giles will be discussed and there will be a formal vote to accept or reject the plan.  Those in attendance at the Bible Study the next day will be the first to learn the results of the decision of our Presbytery.

Whatever God holds for our next steps, it seems the right moment to give thanks to God for all the goodness that has come this past year between Knox and St Giles.  New friends have been made.  Conversations filled with hope and possibility have unfolded throughout our time together. Seeing each other’s hearts, hearing the myriad of life stories, and praying for each other has helped us all walk closer with God.  We are actively participating in the transformation encouraged throughout scripture to grow the fruits of the Spirit in our own lives and also in our intercultural, intergenerational community.  Thank you, God!

I urge each of you to pray for one another. You are encouraged to pray that Knox and St Giles will continue to follow the path God has laid before us to grow the light of Christ in the world as a community united.  Prayers are invited for the elders of the court of Presbytery that ‘the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give them a spirit of wisdom and revelation in their knowledge of Him, so that the eyes of their hearts may be enlightened, and that they may know the hope of His calling’  (Eph 1:18).  Pray that everyone connected through Knox and St Giles will live into gratitude for the forgiveness, mercy, love, and grace given us by God.  Glory be to God.

‘We know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.’ (Rom 5:5). Thank you, Knox and St Giles, for all the love you have shared with me and with each other this last year.  Thank you, Knox and St Giles, for all of the forgiveness, mercy, love, and grace you share with all.  We are indeed God’s people, enabled by the Holy Spirit, saved by grace, and nourished by scripture.  

Please find attached a copy of the bulletin for the service this weekend on Sunday the 13th. Please note the number and content of the announcements within that bulletin.  

And until we meet again to worship this weekend, may God who gives patience and encouragement help you to live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for the followers of Christ.

Blessings,

Rev. Chandra Mannix