Good morning!
Last Friday, I found peace walking from school to church, feeling the weight of the day fade with each step. It reminded me that even simple moments of stillness, like walking and listening to God’s message, can fill our hearts with calm. No matter how full our days are, God’s peace is always there if we take a moment to find it.
Bible Study with Denis Mascardelli, every Wednesday at 10 AM: Led by Denis Mascardelli, the study began last week. This year we will be examining Paul’s two letters to the Thessalonian church, sometimes referred to as the eschatological letters of Paul, though there is much besides eschatology (the doctrine of last things). No homework is required, just bring a Bible and participate in the discussions as much or as little as you are comfortable with.
Prayer and Share – every Wednesday from 11:30 to 1:30 PM starting Sept. 18: We invite you to connect with God quietly, away from the crowds. Find a peaceful place to renew your body, mind, and spirit. Share your wisdom. Led by Ann Frost, there will be a gentle rhythm of time in the labyrinth, time in the sanctuary, time alone, and time together to pray. You are welcome to come to some or all of this time each week to be in the Spirit!
Bible Study –every Thursday at 5:30 PM: The Book of Hebrews offers encouragement in our faith in the face of challenges. Join Rev. Chandra at 5:30 pm on Thursdays in the St. Giles library to delve deeper into scripture and its application to your life in Christ.
Faith Exploration – every Thursday at 7 PM: Do you have questions about scripture or Christian beliefs and how they apply in our daily lives? Gather to discuss various topics, including the hard ones, that will help us understand better our walk through this world. We invite you to come and share your thoughts every Thursday at 7PM.
The Labyrinth Café @ St. Giles – Every Friday at 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM: The Labyrinth Café @ St. Giles welcomes guests to the narthex and back garden (weather permitting) every Friday from 10:30 to 12:30. The purpose of offering a weekly café is twofold:
- It opens our doors (and hearts) to help us build relationships with our neighbours in the surrounding community
- It offers a welcoming meeting place for church members and their friends to have some goodies and a visit.
Please consider joining this important ministry of hospitality. We will need two hosts for each Friday, as well as donations of homemade goodies. Or even go for a walk in the park and plan a refreshment break at the café! Speak with Susan Carmichael or contact the church office if you are interested.
Jazz Vespers, Sunday, October 6 at 4 PM: Join us on Sunday, October 6 for a jazz performance combined with meditations on how time impacts our spiritual journey. Allow the music and message inspire you to pause, contemplate, and cherish the moments that are genuinely meaningful. Doors open at 3:30 PM, with the concert starting at 4 PM.
ESL – every Tuesday at 12:30 PM: Join us in the CKPC library to develop your conversational English skills. Expand your vocabulary while improving pronunciation engaging in topics around daily life, faith, history and travel. And classes are free!!
Indigenous Friendship Day – Saturday, September 28: There will be a cross-cultural educational event held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church that will include listening stations to hear traditional Indigenous stories and songs, craft centers, drumming experiences, art displays, a Tee-Pee, participation by all in a Circle Dance, and shared traditional Indigenous food (offered free). We encourage people from all Presbyterian churches in Calgary to come and learn about their neighbours and celebrate unity.
September 30 Free Presbytery Workshop at St. Andrews with the 2024 General Assembly Moderator: “Narrative of Hopes” for renewal, transformation and vitality. For more details, please check the bulletin in the narthex.
AFTERNOON SERVICES: For those who are unable to attend morning services, there is an afternoon service at 1:30PM every Sunday at CKPC led by Rev. Chandra. Everyone is encouraged to come!
September 15, 17th Sunday after Pentecost: Today we are led in worship by our St. Giles choir, Chandra our minister. and Wayne Hubbard, our guest organist and pianist. This week’s Bible verses are from Proverbs 1:20-33, Mark 8:31-38, and James 3: various verses. These verses encourage us to live intentionally, seeking God’s wisdom, speaking with love, and following Christ with a heart that values His eternal purpose.
WEEKLY QUOTE:
For Christians, telling stories invariably includes the practice of testimony. But in the mainline churches that I visited, testimonies did not take a single, rehearsed form. Rather, they were unexpected – individual stories of being surprised by God’s love and transformed in unanticipated ways. Mainline testimony is not a spirituality of arrival…it is the act of getting there. Pilgrimage stories. And in telling the stories of our lives, we find we are not alone on the journey. Other pilgrims are on the road, too. And, in those stories, we may well hear God ringing in our ears.” Diana Butler Bass (2006. Pg. 141-142) – Christianity For the Rest of Us
SCRIPTURE PASSAGE FOR REFLECTION:
So, when you accepted the message, you followed our example and the example of the Lord. You suffered, but the Holy Spirit made you glad. 1 Thessalonians 1:6
You can find our Facebook page at this link: https://www.facebook.com/Saintgilespresbyterian/
May this week be filled with hope and peace for you and your family!
Buena Manalo
Office Administrator
St. Giles Presbyterian Church