Good morning!
The first week of the school year can feel overwhelming, but we can choose to approach each day with patience and kindness. Small gestures, like offering a smile or helping someone find their way, made a big difference. It is a good reminder that living out our faith isn’t just about what we believe, but how we treat others every day.
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!!
Bible Study with Denis Mascardelli, every Wednesday starting September 11: Led by Denis Mascardelli, the study will begin on September 11th. 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.
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 will be open every Friday, at 10:30 – 12:30 pm starting September 13: Come enjoy tea and treats with the community each week. Get to know your neighbours!
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.
Office Hours Change: Beginning September 3, the church office hours will change to 12:15 to 5:15 PM Tuesday to Friday.
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 8, 16th Sunday after Pentecost: Today we are led in worship by Esther, our organist and pianist, and Chandra our minister, and our St. Giles choir, which is currently welcoming new members. This week’s Bible verses are from Proverbs 22:1-4, 17-19, Mark 7: 31-37, James 2: 14-26. These readings challenge us to live lives that reflect the heart of God. They encourage us to put our faith into action, to seek God’s wisdom and guidance, and to believe in His ability to bring healing and transformation into our lives and the lives of others.
WEEKLY QUOTE:
“Listening to God in silence. The simple gift of contemplation. Praying congregations are lively places made up of diverse people who are longing to take prayer seriously. The form their prayer takes is as different as the congregations themselves: centering, contemplative, meditative, bodily, healing, thanks…They are finding that the practice of silence, the way of contemplation, is not narrow, strict or exclusive. Rather, it is a way marked with a large banner; OPEN FOR PRAYER.”
Diana Butler Bass (2006. Pg. 126-127) – Christianity For the Rest of Us
SCRIPTURE PASSAGE FOR REFLECTION:
Incline your ear and hear my words, and apply your mind to my teaching; for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips so that your trust may be in the Lord.
Proverbs 22: 17-19
You can find our Facebook page at this link: https://www.facebook.com/Saintgilespresbyterian/
May this week be filled with blessings for you and your family!