Winter Sermon Series
Surely the Lord is in this Place: Encountering God Through Genesis
Long before the Hebrew people entered the Promised Land, their story began in the lives of Israel’s mothers and fathers. As Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob journeyed through the ancient world with their families, they experienced challenges and uncertainties that are similar to our own. They struggled to trust that God would keep his promises to them. They had to leave their places of comfort and make great sacrifices. They experienced tensions and hostility within their family and in their world. Yet elsewhere in the Bible and throughout history, these people have been considered the very picture of what it means to have faith in God.
You are invited this winter to journey with Israel’s mothers and fathers in the book of Genesis. As we walk with them, we will find much more than examples of faith and hope. We will discover a God who comes down, walks with us, and meets our searching with powerful encounters with us, in our time and place. By encountering God with them, we will have our own faith and hope renewed by a vision of the God who comes to meet us in Jesus Christ, the faithful one.
Snap shot of programming starting January 2024. Keep updated via weekly email, social media, or website stmaryandstmartha.org.
Key Dates:
- January 10: Wednesday Noon Worship, Lunch, and Pilgrim Resumes
- January 14: New Sermon Series Starts
- January 14: The Chosen Watch Party Begins
- January 16: MMCB – How to Hear God Starts
- January 17: The Pilgrim Course Restarts
- January 21: Installation of Honourary Canons at St. James Cathedral
- February 13: Shrove Tuesday
- February 14: Ash Wednesday
- February 19: Family Day
The Chosen Watch Party This winter lets gather together for a Watch Party of “The Chosen” Season 1; Sundays starting January 14th at approximately 12:30 PM, in the sanctuary. You are invite to experience this captivating series that brings the life of Jesus Christ into a new light.
After each episode, you are welcome to join an optional small group studies. It’s a perfect way to further explore the themes of the series and discuss their relevance to our faith and daily experiences.
All are welcome, whether you’re a familiar face or new to our community. This is a time for fellowship, learning, and deepening our connections.
Mary & Martha Book Club (MMBC) “How to Hear God”
You were created to enjoy a real, conversational relationship with God.
The Bible says that hearing the voice of our Creator is both central and natural to our existence as humans.
- When life falls apart, we need God’s comfort.
- In moments of cultural turmoil, we need his clarity.
- Facing difficult decisions, we need his guidance.
- Desiring a deeper faith, we need God to say something, anything, to turn the monologue we call prayer into a genuine conversation.
- But how do we really hear God?
Nothing could possibly matter more than learning to discern his authentic voice, and yet few things in life are more susceptible to delusion, deception, and downright abuse.
This book draws deeply from the insights of a wide range of Christian traditions; weaving together the evangelical emphasis on hearing God in the Bible, and the charismatic commitment to hearing God in the prophetic, with the contemplative understanding of God’s “still, small voice” within.
The MMBC meets online Tuesday’s starting January 16th 2024 @ 7pm. Our time together will include a brief time of devotion and prayer. Books available through the office for a suggested donation of $10 each, ebooks are available online.
Alpha in Mount Dennis
Life is full of endless possibilities. Whether it’s learning a new skill, finding a new interest, or simply opening up to a different perspective on life. Trying something new can be the start of something good. Why not give Alpha a try this Winter?
Alpha jumps into various topics of Christianity and what faith looks like in different people’s lives.
The best conversations are open, everyone’s thoughts are welcome, no matter your background or beliefs. We all bring different thoughts to the table, and at Alpha we want to create a space that’s open for everyone to find what faith means for them!
All on your terms. Alpha is a safe space, which means that you can decide whether to stay, go, share or just listen. We’d love to see you.
Each session includes a meal, a short talk, and a discussion at the end where you can share your thoughts.
Alpha starts on February 28, 2024 @ 6:30 pm.
For more information or to register visit https://stmaryandstmartha.org/alpha
Wednesday’s at St. Mary & St. Martha will continue this winter with the Pilgrim Course meeting at 10:30am. Followed by worship at noon, which is followed by a light lunch. Contact the church office for more details. All are welcome. Service & Lunch will resume on January 10th, 2024.
The Pilgrim Course Pilgrim is a major teaching and discipleship resource from the Church of England. It aims to help every local church create a place where people can explore the Christian faith together and see how it can be lived out each day. Pilgrim examines the great issues of faith not through persuasion, but participation in a pattern of contemplation and discussion with a group of fellow travellers. Wednesday Morning Pilgrim meets @10:30 am in the parish hall restarting January 17th; this winter Pilgrim will be focusing on the Bible and the Church.
Drop in Drawing Ruthia will continue to host a drawing drop-in for those in our community who are 18+. Each week we’ll begin with a micro lesson. The drop-in is informal, bring your own materials (though some materials will be available). 10am to noon in the parish hall. Contact Ruthia or reach out to the office for more details. January 13,20,27, February 3,10,24, & March 2,9,16,23.
