We would like to thank our present members and welcome new members to our congregation, our services include, Regular Church Services, Weddings, Baptisms, and Confirmations.
RICHARD’S RAMBLE
The summer is now here and the pace of life at Epiphany is settling in to the slower rhythms of warmer days. Much of church life lately seems to be around the maintaining building and the institution. A funny thing has happened to the “Body of Christ” on the way to the Kingdom of Heaven, we have become an institution.
This is not new as we look at church history. The challenge for all of us is not to lose our way on the journey. We constantly are bombarded with distractions and possible red herrings which will lead us down dead end cul-de-sacs. So much of our energy can be centered on our building, our governance, our administration, and our issues. While all these are important and need to be dealt with using grace and wisdom, we are often in danger of getting off track.
Our key focus and calling is to tell the story by word and example of the good news of Jesus Christ. He is the pioneer and finisher of our faith. The Cross of Christ is our central symbol and it speaks of the central purpose of Christ. He came to deal with sin and death once and for all, and to send His Holy Spirit to guide and lead us on our journey. If we forget this, then we cannot call ourselves Christian, and we have become something else.
These days there seem to be so many issues which divide the church into many different denominations and camps. The wider church has so many issues that there are days when one might be tempted to cancel their subscription. Yet, somehow in infinite wisdom God Almighty chooses to work through the Church. We the people, members and leaders of the Church are called to be faithful to our original purpose and mission.
This summer as the institutional life slows pace, perhaps we need to look and listen and reflect on our direction. God is calling us to be his people here in Woodstock. What does that mean and how can we follow the true way of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Rev. Canon Richard Jones
Canon Missioner, Diocese of Huron
Rev. Richard
Rev. Richard Jones B.Sc. M.Div.
EASTER 2010
Dear Friends;
ALLELUIA! What a marvellous word this is.
“Alleluia”, or “Hallelujah” as it is sometimes spelled, is an ancient word we use to express praise, joy or thanksgiving.It comes out of the Hebrew language and was originally a triumphant and exultant “YES!” It is the kind of word used when Sidney Crosby scored in overtime.It is the kind of word used when the tests come back that the lump is benign. It is a word we use when success comes out of a time of fear and trepidation.
How odd then that this is the word used three times in the last prayer of an Anglican funeral.The prayer of Commendation (B.A.S. page 586) is the last prayer before the closing blessing and dismissal. The alleluia is repeated three times as a shout of victory. Alleluia, at a funeral? Do we really say that?
Well yes, but only in the light of the resurrection.At Easter we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.He was the first one to be raised and the promise is for all of us that death will not hold us. When we dwell in Christ and He is in us the resurrection to eternal life is ours, signed sealed and delivered. Death is not the end, nor the beginning of the end, but only the end of the beginning. This life, says C. S. Lewis, is only the title page of a book that never ends and in which every chapter is better than the one that went before.
As Christians we know that a funeral is really a celebration of life and a graduation ceremony.As one of my friend’s says, “They’ve been promoted to glory.”
During lent we have avoided using the word, “Hallelujah”, in our worship. We do this in order that when we use the word on Easter the effect will be more pronounced.So, having observed a season of simplicity and self reflection, we come to Easter morning knowing what was accomplished on the cross. We celebrate that death has been swallowed up in victory.
HALLELUJAH!
Yours Faithfully,
If you would like information on any of the services we perform please call 519.537.3921.
Consider buying your groceries with Fundscrip shopping cards and support Epiphany. We keep a variety of cards for all grocery stores and they are available from the church office or at Sunday coffee hour. Cash or cheque accepted. You receive full card value and the vendor pays us. Earnings were over $1300 in the last year. We also stock some of the more popular cards (Shoppers Drug Mart, Canadian Tire, etc) and will order anything you need for restaurants, stores etc. Call Pat Bruvelaitis if you have any questions.
Golf Tournament
Saturday Sept. 25th
Second annual Diocesan Golf tournament at Greenhills G.C. in Lambeth on Sat. Sept 25th. Proceeds are used to help provide outreach support in our Diocese. Information regarding event is available on the diocesan website at www.diohuron.org including how to register.
Meals on Wheels
Volunteers needed for delivering Meals on Wheels Sept 27--Oct. 8
Please contact Doug Winterton or Richardt Phillips if you can help
The Three Cantors
Tuesday Oct. 19th.
We are presenting "The Three Cantors". More information will follow at a later date. Tickets will be $20.00 per person.
Sunday Nov. 14th
We are hosting Choral Evensong for the Deanery of Oxford. The choir from St. Paul's Cathedral, London will be singing. Potluck supper will follow concert
