Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Member church of the Lutheran World Federation

Adam Snook

Ash Wednesday

Posted: | Filed Under: Spotlight

On Ash Wednesday, Bishop Michael and his Assistants invite you to gather for a Synod-Wide Live-Streamed Worship Service at 6:30pm EST (7:30pm AST).

Those gathered for this unique Synod-Wide worship opportunity will be invited to impose their own ashes (if ashes have been provided by their local congregation), or make a sign of the cross using water or simply their finger.

All worship materials (including a copy of Bishop Michael’s sermon), live-stream links, and other resources will be available on this page one week in advance. Resources may be reproduced and shared with those who do not have access or ability to participate in mediated worship.

Bishop Michael and Pastors Christie, Doug and Adam look forward to gathering with you as we begin the season of Lent.  

LIVESTREAM LINK

Ash Wednesday Worship will be livestreamed on Facebook.

PRINT MATERIALS

Ash Wednesday Worship Guide & SermonDownload

Fourth Sunday of Advent

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Today we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent.

Many of us across the Eastern Synod are unable to gather in our usual ways to mark this season of hope-filled anticipation.

But we are united, in the one body of Christ . No matter where we find ourselves this morning – God is with us!

And so, whether you’re gathering for in-person or mediated worship – we invite you to pause with your siblings in ministry across the Synod (the church, and the world) as we join our hearts together and prepare our hearts to gather at the manger in a few short days!

+ Response (Rev. Dr. Elaine Boone)

Today we light the candle of love. This year we have prayed for love. This year we have prayed in love: That we will love ALL our neighbours as ourselves. That no one will be hungry or homeless. That Thursdays in Black will end violence against women and children and bring justice for missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. Today we pray with love. We know God is with us in moments of love and hate. We know God is with us.

+ Advent Candle Lighting (Advent 4)

Lead Us Towards Christ was composed by Trevor Hicks Compositions, and is recorded and shared with permission.

+ Readings (Advent 4)

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38

+ Prayer (Rev. Scott Schellenberger)

Gracious God we honour your name. Our journey to the manger continues. There are many without shelter or a home as the winter temperatures will soon come upon us. Help us to prepare warm spots of hope for individuals that they not only experience the warmth of Christ but the safety of a warm home. Preparing our hearts for the warmth of others we worship you. Amen.

All The Colors of Christmas

Posted: | Filed Under: Spotlight

We are pleased to share a very special project with you today, that we hope will be useful to you as we enter into these final days of Advent and prepare for the season of Christmas.

All The Colors of Christmas is a book that my assistants and I have enjoyed reading and sharing with those we love over these past few weeks. At a time when so very much is unfamiliar to us, this book reminds us of the unchanging promise that comes to us anew each Christmas.

We have so enjoyed this book, that we reached out to the publisher who has granted us permission to record a reading of this story and reproduce it’s artwork for use in mediated worship across the Eastern Synod and ELCIC.

This video is now available on our YouTube Channel, across our Social Media platforms, and will be available to download through the BOX Resource Library for Worship Leaders.

Please feel free to use this video in your mediated worship services, share with your congregations, use it as a bedtime story with your loved ones. Perhaps it might even be used in place of a sermon on the First Sunday of Christmas!

Blessings to you, dear friends. Please know that I, and my assistants, continue to hold you in prayer. May God bless you and keep you as you prepare to experience the good news with joy and gladness!

Bishop Michael

Ordination Information (Sherry Coman & Jordan Smith)

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Watch The Ordination Service

The Ordination of Sherry Coman & Jordan Smith will be held on Monday, December 14, 2020 at 2pm.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Bishop Michael Pryse cordially invites you to gather virtually for the mediated Ordination Worship Service which will be livestreamed on the Eastern Synod Facebook Page.

A Worship Guide can be downloaded HERE.

Clergy who would like to show their collegial support are invited to take a photo of themselves in red vestments, and post it in the comments on our facebook page. These photos will be collected, and provided to Sherry and Jordan as a keepsake! Alternatively, they can be emailed to ctubbs@elcic.ca or ezehr@elcic.ca.

Please continue to pray for Sherry and Jordan, and the ministries to which they have been called.

Third Sunday of Advent

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Today we celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent.

Many of us across the Eastern Synod are unable to gather in our usual ways to mark this season of hope-filled anticipation.

But we are united, in the one body of Christ . No matter where we find ourselves this morning – God is with us!

And so, whether you’re gathering for in-person or mediated worship – we invite you to pause with your siblings in ministry across the Synod (the church, and the world) as we join our hearts together and continue our Advent journey!

+ Response (Rev. Dr. Elaine Boone)

Today we light the candle of joy. This year we have prayed for joy. This year we have prayed in joy: That water became cleaner and the air fresher. That new life has begun. That in dark we re-discovered what is important. Today we pray with joy. We know God is with us in moments of joy and sadness. We know God is with us.

+ Advent Candle Lighting (Advent 3)

Lead Us Towards Christ was composed by Trevor Hicks Compositions, and is recorded and shared with permission.

+ Readings (Advent 3)

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Luke 1:46b-55; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28

+ Prayer (Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

Stir up the wills of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the words of your prophets, that, anointed by your Spirit, we may testify to your light; through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen