St Mark's, Dundela Weekly Message
Dear friends,
Today we return to our beautiful church building – it looks stunning! Thank you very much to the hardworking team, led by our Glebewardens Laura Hillis and Lynn Wilson, who have facilitated our return and to all those who have been involved in the refurbishment. There have been many gifts from our time worshipping together in the hall and it is lovely to be back in church again.
Today is also the day when we in the Church Calendar remember a man called John Chrysostom. He was one of the famous four Greek Doctors of the Church (it is not a book by Enid Blyton). John was born in 347 AD. The surname Chrysostom means the ‘golden-mouthed’ – and I think he lived
up to that name. He is described as an excellent orator and preacher, and he is also known for reforming the Church. John suffered for his faith and was sent into exile, not once, but twice and died of starvation and exhaustion in the year 407 AD. Allegedly, his last words were Glory be to
God for everything.
In St Mark’s we use one of the prayers ascribed to this golden-mouthed, wise man at our morning services from time to time. It is one of those prayers that speaks to me and which I often return to. I am fond of this prayer because it reminds me of the importance to pray with others, may that be in a home or in a church service. It is also sobering, because it bids God to answer my prayers, not the way that I necessarily wish them to be answered, but in the way that is best for me. Those of you who were in church last Sunday may recognises these words as we prayed them together at the end of the service. I hope and pray that the last line will be fulfilled for all of us, knowledge on earth of the divine truth and life everlasting when our days here are over.
A Prayer of St. John Chrysostom
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time, with one accord to make our common
supplications to you; and you have promised through your well beloved Son that when two or three
are gathered together in his Name you will grant their requests: Fulfil now, O Lord, our desires and
petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to
come life everlasting. Amen.
Blessings,
Helene
Canon Helene T. Steed, Rector
Dear friends,
Today we return to our beautiful church building – it looks stunning! Thank you very much to the hardworking team, led by our Glebewardens Laura Hillis and Lynn Wilson, who have facilitated our return and to all those who have been involved in the refurbishment. There have been many gifts from our time worshipping together in the hall and it is lovely to be back in church again.
Today is also the day when we in the Church Calendar remember a man called John Chrysostom. He was one of the famous four Greek Doctors of the Church (it is not a book by Enid Blyton). John was born in 347 AD. The surname Chrysostom means the ‘golden-mouthed’ – and I think he lived
up to that name. He is described as an excellent orator and preacher, and he is also known for reforming the Church. John suffered for his faith and was sent into exile, not once, but twice and died of starvation and exhaustion in the year 407 AD. Allegedly, his last words were Glory be to
God for everything.
In St Mark’s we use one of the prayers ascribed to this golden-mouthed, wise man at our morning services from time to time. It is one of those prayers that speaks to me and which I often return to. I am fond of this prayer because it reminds me of the importance to pray with others, may that be in a home or in a church service. It is also sobering, because it bids God to answer my prayers, not the way that I necessarily wish them to be answered, but in the way that is best for me. Those of you who were in church last Sunday may recognises these words as we prayed them together at the end of the service. I hope and pray that the last line will be fulfilled for all of us, knowledge on earth of the divine truth and life everlasting when our days here are over.
A Prayer of St. John Chrysostom
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time, with one accord to make our common
supplications to you; and you have promised through your well beloved Son that when two or three
are gathered together in his Name you will grant their requests: Fulfil now, O Lord, our desires and
petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to
come life everlasting. Amen.
Blessings,
Helene
Canon Helene T. Steed, Rector
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