Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.~ 1 Timothy 4.12
It is an important time of year, as students and teachers head into another year of learning. There will be challenges ahead, and as a people of prayer we would like to take time to surround the children, teachers, and families of our communities with God's blessings. Taking time out of our lives to give thanks for what we have already received ~ in particular for the gift of our young people and what each on of them brings to the life of our communities ~ and to invite the "courage and love of Jesus" and the presence of the Holy Spirit to be with each one of them.
It is therefore my great honour to invite all the students, families, and teachers of the Parishes of New Carlisle and Chaleur Bay to our services of worship this Sunday, which will be celebrated with a Blessing of the Backpacks. Students may bring their backpacks, teachers may also wish to bring along a particular item that symbolizes their work, to ask God's blessing for the coming year.
There will be three opportunities for worship on this Sunday. The early service is at St. James' Anglican Church in Hopetown at 9:00. The next service is at 11:00 AM at St. Andrew's Anglican New Carlisle. Finally there will be an evening service at St. Paul's Anglican Church in Shigawake.
This year's Confirmands will also be presented with their Certificates and Bibles at this time. If the Confirmands could please inform the Rev. Joshua Paetkau which service they will be attend that would be very helpful.
Blessings, and see you in Church.