Reaching Up ... Reaching Out
St. Mark’s 70th Anniversary
Online Worship Parish Anniversary
St. Mark’s 70th Anniversary
“Today, we gather to celebrate 70 years of ministry, growth, resilience, and community service.“ Canon Rob Park offers prayers, and a short reflection on 70 years of Generosity at St. Mark’s, Brantford.
Online Worship Parish Anniversary

St. Mark’s 70th Anniversary

Good Morning,

Welcome to your special online worship from St. Mark’s for Sunday September 17, 2023 as we celebrate St. Mark’s 70th Anniversary.

I am grateful for the hard work of the Christian Generosity Committee in planning and preparing for our celebrations and for all the volunteers who will help make today’s celebrations great. As I said last week, it’s not just an anniversary; it’s a celebration of the love and support we’ve received from wonderful individuals like you over the years. Our Open House event is today following our worship services from 12pm to 3pm.

Today’s Opening Sentence

All things come from thee, and of thy own have we given thee – 1 Chronicles 29:14

Today’s Reading – Matthew 21:12-16

Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.
He said to them, “It is written,
‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’;
but you are making it a den of robbers.”
The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he cured them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the amazing things that he did, and heard the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became angry
and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read,
‘Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies
you have prepared praise for yourself’?”1

Click on the above image to view our online worship on YouTube.

Reflection questions for the week: 

  • How does the history of St. Mark’s Church’s growth and transformation inspire you to think about your own capacity for adaptability and resilience in the face of change?
  • Reflect on the challenges of inclusivity and unity within our Anglican community in Brantford. How can you apply Jesus teachings from the Good News he proclaimed in welcoming others and fostering unity in your life and in your own social circles?
  • Consider the many outreach ministries that St. Mark’s has been part of, from supporting food programs to volunteering during the pandemic. How can you contribute to helping those in need within your own community, both locally and globally?
  • As you think about the legacy and impact of St. Mark’s Church over 70 years, what values and principles do you believe are essential to sustaining a vibrant and thriving faith community, and how can you embody those values in your own life?

This week music is again provided by Ryan Van Dijk, our Music Director, and the choir. Thank you to them all for their ministry of music!

A continued reminder that if you are at all uncomfortable being in-person for worship, or if you are not feeling well, please join us here online.

Thank you again for joining with your parish family in our online worship today.

Find out how you can support our ministry and good work in the community here.

God Bless you and have a blessed week. Be well!

Peace,

The Rev’d Canon Rob Park

  1. Scripture quotation is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.