Revealing Joy
Our message today explores the parallels between the joy of Christmas gift-giving and God’s continuous revelation of love.
Anglican
Anticipation and Hope Rewarded
Drawing inspiration from the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple, we reflect on Simeon’s eager anticipation and Anna’s unwavering devotion, envisioning their stories as mirrors to our own quest for renewal. Canon Rob Park encourages us to carry the transformative power of Christ’s birth into our lives, actively seeking hope and restoration amidst the uncertainties of our world.
Love Unwrapped: A Christmas Message of Hope, Justice, and Joy
Canon Rob Park encourages us to unwrap the gift of love, share it abundantly, and multiply the joy for a world in search of hope and healing.
Hope and Restoration – Rector’s Christmas Message
Read Canon Rob’s Christmas letter of hope and restoration that invites us to make a place for God to work in all our lives.
All Saints, All Souls
Canon Rob Park offers prayers, and a short ceremony of candle lighting for remembering and celebrating the lives of those in our community that have died in the last year.
Discerning True Worth
Today’s sermon reflects on Jesus’ wisdom in responding to the Herodians’ question and the distinction between the earthly and divine realms.
The Attire of our Hearts
“Our journey of faith is not merely about receiving the invitation; it’s about preparing our hearts to fully embrace and embody the values of God’s Community.”
Hope And Gratitude
“Gratitude forms the foundation of our relationship with God.” Canon Rob Park offers prayers, a short reflection, and reflections questions based on our reading Luke 17:11-19.
Give Us Grateful Hearts – Rector’s Thanksgiving Message
“The petition to “give us grateful hearts” is as much a call to make us aware of the risk of losing the gifts we have been given by the generations before us that we are facing in our world today, as it is a petition inviting us to a general counting of our personal blessings.”
Challenging Pride and Embracing Righteous Action
“Our response reflects our Christian faith, signifying our intention to walk in God’s ways.” Canon Rob Park offers prayers, a short reflection, and reflections questions based on the Gospel reading, Matthew 21:23-32.
Earthly Grumbling, God’s Generosity
“God’s economy of love and value operates on entirely different principles than our worldly understanding.“ Canon Rob Park offers prayers, a short reflection, and reflections questions based on the Gospel reading, Matthew 20:1-16.
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.
Harmonious Community
“God’s power becomes evident in a community shaped by the Good News, much like the beautiful harmony of a two-part song.“ Canon Rob Park offers prayers, a short reflection, and reflections questions based on the Gospel reading, Matthew 18:15-20.
Parish Anniversary Open House
This year is St. Mark’s 70th Anniversary and we are celebrating “70 Years of Generosity” on September 17th with an Open House from 12pm-3pm.
Understanding the Cost of Following Jesus
Canon Rob Park offers prayers, and a short reflection based on the Gospel reading, Matthew 16:13-20. A critical question posed by Jesus in Matthew 16:26, asks what it profits someone to gain the world but lose their life and it encourages us to reflect on whether our life’s purpose is centred around earthly ambitions or heavenly aspirations.
“Who Do You Say That I Am?”
“We do not define Jesus and the totality of Jesus, who is full human and fully divine, is not limited by our human limits. But God came to live among us to be in a fuller relationship with us.“ Canon Rob Park offers prayers, a short reflection, and reflection questions based on the Gospel reading, Matthew 16:13-20.
Believing God is Good
“As the Canaanite Woman approaches Jesus and the disciples with her plea to heal her daughter, the big question this encounter raises is “Does God love everybody?“ Canon Rob Park offers prayers, a short reflection, and reflection questions based on the Gospel reading, Matthew 15:21-28.
Faithful Steps
“Jesus invites us to step out of the security of the boat take even a few steps outside our spiritual comfort zone and act with even greater compassion and love in our relationships with God and with others.“ Canon Rob Park offers prayers, a short reflection, and reflection questions based on the Gospel reading, Matthew 14:22-33
Good Or Evil
“Everyday, we have a choice between Good and Evil. Everyday we have a choice to follow Jesus or not.“ Canon Rob Park offers prayers, a short reflection, and reflection questions based on the Gospel reading, Matthew 14:13-21
Life Abundant
“This parable of the sower reminds us that the reward of a successful planting or harvest runs parallel to living a fruitful life in Christ.“ Canon Rob Park offers prayers, a short reflection, and reflection questions based on the Gospel reading, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23.
Listening and Responding
“We have all seen enough or read enough history to know the repeating pattern of a younger generation crying for justice and fighting for a say in the burdens they are expected to bear.” Canon Rob Park offers prayers, a short reflection and reflection questions based on the Gospel reading, Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30.
Compassion and Care For Others
“Jesus demonstrates the most simple ways that our motivation of compassion and care for the wellbeing others are to be part of living our Christian lives.” Canon Rob Park offers prayers, a short reflection, and reflection questions based on the Gospel reading, Matthew 10:40-42.
Celebrating 70 Years of Supporting Ministry in our Community
St. Mark’s is blessed with a generous community. St. Mark’s Christian Generosity Committee is marking some of the many ways we give of ourselves and share with each other God’s blessings.
Wardens and Treasurer’s Summer Update
Here is a summer update from our parish Wardens and from our parish Treasurer.
With Truth and By Grace
“The Gospel presses us to find alternative ways that offer compassionate and loving responses.” Canon Rob Park offers prayers, a short reflection, and offers reflection questions based on the Gospel reading, Matthew 10:24-39.
Singing The Lord’s Song In A Strange Land
St. Mark’s was duly represented at this is this years Synod by our parish Lay Delegates. Here is their report on it’s proceedings.
Love Not Profit
“In our gospel, Jesus’ call to be a labourer is as one who works towards the goal of caring for others and pointing them towards a loving relationship with God.” Canon Rob Park offers prayers, a short reflection, and asks some reflective questions based on the Gospel reading, Matthew 9:53 – 10:23.
Flower Ministry Renewed
Our Flower Ministry volunteers have begun to help provide flowers for the altar every Sunday once again.
Worthy To Be God’s
“In God’s eyes, we are not defined by earthly categories.” Canon Rob Park offers prayers, a short reflection and asks some reflective questions based on the Gospel reading, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26.
Against Greed And Hate
“The Holy Spirit is part the force that has drawn us back into community together since the pandemic. Just as it has been the force that has been drawing Christians together through out our history.” The Rev’d Canon Rob Park offers prayers, a short reflection, and some reflection questions based on the Gospel reading, John 20:19-23.