Church of the Advent | Anglican Church in Colwood

Grace and Peace to You and Yours,

First, let us pray:

Lord, may your Light shine

Brightly within our lives

That others might discern,

Through word and deed,

Your reflection within these Hands,

eyes and hearts

And, recognizing the source

Of the love we seek to share,

Be drawn inevitably to you.

John Birch; faithandworship.com

We are now in week 16 of our time of being the “Church Without Walls”. It is hard to believe that it has been so long. We slipped into summer rather seamlessly this year. Normally, as a parent, June is a very busy month with recitals, exams and fieldtrips. I usually cannot wait for July for life to slow down some. But this year June was very slow-paced and now, here we are into July and it feels like time is slipping away very quickly.

Our worship this week is going on the road!!! I keep hearing Willie Nelson singing “On the road again, like a band of gypsies we go down the highway…” In honor of what would have been Camp Sunday we are moving our worship recording to outside. Joan and Larry Hoffman have graciously allowed us to record in their back yard to allow nature to be a part of our worship time. If you normally watch our worship on a portable device (laptop, tablet, phone etc…) I invite you to sit outside to worship with us. Take your device to the deck, the beach, the backyard or a park and enjoy being surrounded by the fresh air and sounds of nature as we worship together.

My time as the Incumbent of Church of the Advent is flying by. I cannot believe that in a month I will bid farewell. It feels surreal. In this time of social distancing I will not be able to say good-bye to many of you as I would like. I won’t be able to hug and laugh and cry with you but trust me when I say I ache to be with you. It has been my absolute honour to minister beside so many of you.

And that is it for me this week. Remember to be very diligent and aware of your surroundings. Continue to shelter-at-home as much as possible, and in the words of Dr. Bonnie Henry, “be kind, be calm, be safe.”

God’s Blessing and Grace to you all;

Rev’d Sandra Hounsell-Drover

shounselldrover@bc.anglican.ca

250-857-2296(c)

250-391-8846(h)

To understand the world knowledge is not enough; you must see it, touch it, live in its presence and drink the vital heat of existence in the very heart of reality.

-Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Smell/Breathe

Then [God] formed [humankind] from the dust of the ground, and breathed into [humankind’s] nostrils the breath of life (Gn 2:7).

Let my prayer be counted as incense before you (Ps 141:2).

Do: Go for a walk/roll; Give yourself the gift of breathing. Notice your breath; celebrate the fact that you are alive. Be aware of breathing in life and breathing out what is not life giving.

Reflect: What is the incense of your life that is being offered to God?

Pray:(see prayer below)

Taste/Savor

Taste and se that [God] is good (Ps 34:8).

I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with the honey from the rock I would satisfy you (Ps 81:16).

Do: As you eat your meals today, savor every bite. Take time to enjoy all the different flavors. Chew slowly. Be grateful for the gift of nourishment on all levels of your life.

Reflect: What does the goodness of God taste like to you?

Pray: (see prayer below.)

See/Observe

So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary (Ps 63:2).

Jesus, looking at him, loved him (Mk 10:21).

Do: Find something in nature. Look long at it. Befriend it. See all of its details (size, shape, color, texture, etc.). Then, take a piece of paper and sketch it.

Reflect: What do you see of God’s presence in your life? How do you look upon others with love?

Pray: (see prayer below)

Hear/Listen

Listen carefully to me. . . Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live (Is 55:2-3).

Your servant is listening (1 Sm 3:10).

Do: Sit very, very quietly. Be still. Listen to all the sounds around you. Listen to all the sounds that are within you. After your time of listening, make a list of what you have heard.

Reflect: What do you hear in the silence?

Pray: (see prayer below)

Touch/Feel

I was to them like those who life infants to their cheeks (Hos 11:4).

But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me” (Lk 8:46).

Do: Spend time with your hands. Touch the texture of skin; notice the bumps, ridges, contours; feel the shape and size of your hands. Close your eyes and touch your hands again. Imagine God holding your hands.

Reflect: What does God’s hand in your hand feel like?

Pray: (see prayer below)

Prayer after each reflection with one of the five senses:

Sensual Life-giver, you have created me wonderfully. Awaken me through my five senses. Surprise me, entice me! Draw me into gratitude and awe! Thank you for these gifts of my body and for all they teach me about you.

From the Rector

Virtual Coffee Hour

Praying With The Five Senses

Appreciations

Virtual Trivia & Happy Hour

Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study

We Are Here For You

Sunday Virtual Services

Financial Givings

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